Ход королевы

           Bethhadbeenverysharpforthepastseveraldays,andsheplayedwithunhesitatingprecision,attackingonalltheboardsatonce.Shebeatthethreeofthemwithtimetospare.

           Whenitwasover,Bennydidn’tsayanything.Hewenttothebedroom,gothisbillfold,tookthreetensoutofitandhandedthemtoBeth.

           “Let’sdoitagain,”Bethsaid.Therewasabitternessinhervoice;hearingthewords,sheknewitcouldhavemeantsex:Let’sdoitagain.IfthiswaswhatBennywanted,thiswaswhathewouldget.Shebegansettingupthepieces.

           Theygotintopositiononthefloor,andBethplayedthewhitesonallthreeagain.Theboardswerefannedoutinfrontofhersothatshedidn’thavetospinaroundtoplaythem,butshefoundherselfhardlyconsultingthem,anyway,excepttomakethemoves.Sheplayedfromchessboardsinherhead.Eventhemechanicalbusinessofmakingthemovesandpunchingtheclockswaseffortless.Benny’spositionwashopelesswhenhisclockflagfell;shehadtimeleftover.Hegaveheranotherthirty,andwhenshesuggestedtryingagainhesaid,“No.”

           Therewastensionintheroom,andnooneknewhowtodealwithit.Jennytriedtolaughaboutit,saying,“It’sjustmalechauvinism,”butitdidn’thelp.BethwasfuriouswithBenny—furiousathimforbeingeasytobeatandfuriouswiththewayhewastakingit,tryingtolookunmoved,asthoughnothingaffectedhim.

           ThenBennydidsomethingsurprising.Hehadbeensittingwithhisbackstraight.Suddenlyheleanedagainstthewall,pushinghislegsoutonthefloor,relaxing.