Ход королевы
Chapter 8
Sheknewsheshouldnotbedoingthis;thetournamentstartedtomorrow.Shedidnotneedliquor.Nortranquilizers.Shehadnothadagreenpillforseveralmonthsnow.Butshedrankthebeer.Itwasthreeintheafternoon,andthesunwasferocious.Thezoowasfullofwomen,mostofthemindarkrebozos,withsmalldark-eyedchildren.WhatfewmenthereweregaveBethsignificantlooks,butsheignoredthem,andnoneofthemtriedtospeaktoher.DespitetheMexicanreputationforgaietyandabandon,itwasaquietplace,andthecrowdseemedmorelikethecrowdatamuseum.Therewereflowerseverywhere.
Shefinishedherbeer,boughtanotherandcontinuedwalking.Shewasbeginningtofeelhigh.Shepassedmoretrees,moreflowers,cageswithsleepingchimpanzees.Aroundacornershecamefacetofacewithafamilyofgorillas.Insidethecagethehugemaleandthebabywereasleepheadtoheadwiththeirblackbodiespressedagainstthebarsinfront.Inthemiddleofthecagethefemaleleanedphilosophicallyagainstanenormoustrucktire,scowlingandbitingafingertip.Standingontheasphaltoutsidethecagewasahumanfamily,alsoamother,fatherandchild,watchingthegorillasattentively.TheywerenotMexicans.ItwasthemanwhocaughtBeth’sattention.Sherecognizedhisface.
Hewasashort,heavyman,notunlikeagorillahimself,withjuttingbrowridges,bushyeyebrows,coarseblackhairandanimpassivelook.Bethstiffened,holdingherpapercupofbeer.Shefelthercheeksflushing.ThemanwasVasilyBorgov,ChessChampionoftheWorld.
