Ход королевы
Chapter 2
”Sherepeatedthesewordssilentlytoherselfnow:“extraordinary;outstanding;remarkable.”Theybecameatuneinhermind.
Shetriedtopicturetwelvechessboardsatonce,spreadoutinarowontheceiling.Onlyfourorfivewerereallyclear.Shetooktheblackpiecesforherselfandassignedthewhitesto“them”andthenhad“them”movepawntokingfour,andsherespondedwiththeSicilian.Shefoundshecouldkeepfivegamesgoingandconcentrateononeatatimewhiletheotherfourwaitedforherattention.
Fromoutatthedeskdownthecorridorsheheardavoicesay,“Whattimeisitnow?”andanothervoicereply,“It’stwo-twenty.”Motherusedtotalkaboutthe“wee,smallhours.”Thiswasoneofthem.Bethkeptplayingchess,keepingfiveimaginarygamesgoingatonce.Shehadforgottenaboutthepillsinherpocket.
ThenextmorningMr.Fergussenhandedherthelittlepapercupasusualbutwhenshelookeddownintoitthereweretwoorangevitamintabletsandnothingelse.Shelookedbackupathim,behindthelittlewindowofthepharmacy.
“That’sit,”hesaid.“Next.”
Shedidn’tmove,eventhoughthegirlbehindherwaspushingagainsther.“Wherearethegreenones?”
“Youdon’tgetthemanymore,”Mr.Fergussensaid.
Bethstoodontiptoeandlookedoverthecounter.There,behindMr.Fergussen,stoodthebigglassjar,stillathirdfullofgreenpills.Theremusthavebeenhundredsoftheminthere,liketinyjellybeans.“Theretheyare,”shesaidandpointed.
“We’regettingridofthem,”hesaid.“It’sanewlaw.
