Ход королевы

           “Wouldyoucareforacocktail?”heaskedpleasantly.Shelookedaroundheratthequietrestaurant,atthepeopleeatinglunch,atthetablewithdessertsnearthevelvetropeattheentrancetothediningroom.“AGibson,”shesaid.“Ontherocks.”

           Itcamealmostimmediately.Itwaswonderfultolookat.Thetumblerwasclearandclean;thegininsidewascrystalline;thewhiteonionswereliketwopearls.Whenshetastedit,itstungherupperlip,thenstungherthroatwithasweetteaseasitwentdown.Theeffectonhertensestomachwasremarkable;everythingaboutitwasrewarding.Shefinisheditslowly,andthedeepfuryinherbegantosubside.Sheorderedanother.Backintheshadowsatthefarendoftheroomsomeonewasplayingapiano.Bethlookedatherwatch.Itwasaquartertotwelve.Itwasgoodtobealive.

           Shenevergotaroundtoorderingthemaincourse.ShecameoutofToby’sattwo,squintingintothesunshine,andjaywalkedacrossMaintoDavidManly’sWineShop.Usingtwoofhertraveler’schecksfromOhiosheboughtacaseofPaulMassonburgundy,fourbottlesofGordon’sginandabottleofMartini&RossivermouthandhadMr.Manlycallherataxi.Herspeechwasclearandsharp;hergaitwassteady.ShehadeatensixstalksofasparagusanddrunkfourGibsons.Shehadflirtedwithalcoholforyears.Itwastimetoconsummatetherelationship.

           Thephonewasringingwhenshecamein,butshedidnotanswerit.Thedriverhelpedherwiththecaseofwine,andshetippedhimadollar.