Ход королевы
Chapter 3
IthadbeenaweeksinceshewroteMr.Shaibel,andtherehadbeennoanswer.Thistime,withpartofthemoney,sheboughtthenewissueofChessReview.Shefoundseveralgamesthatshecouldimproveupon—onebyayounggrandmasternamedBennyWatts.BennyWattswastheUnitedStatesChampion.
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Mrs.Wheatleyseemedtohaveagoodmanycolds.“Ihaveaproclivityforviruses,”shewouldsay.“Ortheyforme.”ShehandedBethaprescriptiontotaketoBradley’sandadimetobuyherselfaCoke.
Mr.Bradleygaveheranoddlookwhenshecamein,buthesaidnothing.Shegavehimtheprescriptionandhewenttothebackofthestore.Bethcarefullyavoidedstandingnearthemagazines.WhenshetooktheChessReviewamonthbefore,ithadbeentheonlycopy.Hemighthavenoticeditrightaway.
Mr.Bradleybroughtbackaplasticcontainerwithatypedlabelonit.Heputitdownonthecounterwhilehegotawhitepaperbag.Bethstaredatthecontainer.Thepillsinitwereoblongandbright-green.
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“Thiswillbemytranquilitymedicine,”Mrs.Wheatleysaid.“McAndrewshasdecidedIneedtranquility.”
“Who’sMcAndrews?”Bethsaid.
“Dr.McAndrews,”Mrs.Wheatleysaid,unscrewingthelid.“Myphysician.”Shetookouttwoofthepills.“Wouldyougetmeaglassofwater,dear?”
“Yes,ma’am,”Bethsaid.Asshewasgoingintothebathroomforthewater,Mrs.Wheatleysighedandsaid,“Whydotheyonlyfillthesebottleshalffull?”
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IntheNovemberissuethereweretwenty-twogamesfromaninvitationaltournamentinMoscow.
