Ход королевы
Chapter 2
Sheknewshecouldpopthemdownandprobablynoonewouldnotice.Butshewasfrightened.Theywouldbetheresoon.Herheadwasspinning.
Thecarstoppedatalight.AcrosstheintersectionwasaPureOilstationwithabigbluesign.Bethclearedherthroat,“Ineedtogotothebathroom.”
“We’llbethereintenminutes,”Mr.Ganzsaid.
Bethshookherheadfirmly.“Ican’twait.”
Mr.Ganzshrugged.Whenthelightchanged,hedroveacrosstheintersectionandintothegasstation.BethwentintheroommarkedLADIESandlockedthedoorbehindher.Itwasafilthyplace,withsmearmarksonthewhitetilesandachippedbasin.Sheranthecold-watertapforamomentandputthepillsinhermouth.Cuppingherhand,shefilleditwithwaterandwashedthemdown.Alreadyshefeltbetter.
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Itwasabigclassroomwiththreeblackboardsacrossthefarwall.PrintedinlargecapitalsonthecenterboardwasWELCOMEBETHHARMON!inwhitechalk,andonthewallabovethiswerecolorphotographsofPresidentEisenhowerandVicePresidentNixon.Mostoftheregulardeskshadbeentakenoutoftheroomandwerelinedalongthehallwaywalloutside;theresthadbeen-pushedtogetheratthefarend.ThreefoldingtableshadbeensetuptomakeaUinthecenteroftheroom,andoneachofthesewerefourgreen-and-beigepaperchessboardswithplasticpieces.MetalchairssatinsidetheU,facingtheblackpieces,buttherewerenochairsfacingthewhiteones.
IthadbeentwentyminutessincethestopatthePureOilstationandshewasnolongertrembling,buthereyessmartedandherjointsfeltsore.
