Ход королевы
Chapter 2
Shetookfourpapercups.Shehaddecidedonthatnumberthenightbefore.Shecarriedthemover,stacked,tothetablethatheldthepilljar,setthemdownneatly,andfilledthemoneatatime.Thenshestoodbackandlookedatthejar.Thelevelhaddroppedtoalmosthalfwhatithadbeen.Theproblemseemedinsoluble.Shewouldhavetowaitandseewhathappened.
Leavingthecups,shewenttothedoorthatMr.Fergussenusedwhenhewenttodopharmacyduty.Shewouldleavethatway,unlockingitfromtheinside,andmaketwotripstocarrythepillstothemetalstandbyherbed.ShehadanearlyemptyKleenexboxtoputthemin.ShewouldspreadafewsheetsofKleenexontopandputtheboxinthebottomofherenamelednightstand,underhercleanunderwearandsocks.
Butthedoorwouldnotopen.Itwaslockedinsomeseriousway.Sheexaminedtheknobandlatch,feelingcarefullywithherhands.Therewasathick,heavysensationatthebackofherthroatasshedidthis,andherarmswerenumb,likethearmsofadeadperson.Whatshehadsuspectedwhenthedoorwouldn’topenturnedouttobetrue:youhadtohaveakeyevenfromtheinside.AndshecouldnotclimbbackoutthelittlewindowcarryingfourDixiecupsfulloftranquilizers.
Shegrewfrantic.Theywouldmissheratthemovie.Fergussenwouldbelookingforher.TheprojectorwouldbreakdownandallthechildrenwouldbesentintotheMulti-PurposeRoom,withFergussenmonitoringthem,andhereshewouldbe.
