Ход королевы

           TheplayershadnameslikeBotvinnikandPetrosianandLaev;theysoundedlikepeopleinafairytale.Therewasaphotographshowingtwoofthemhunchedoveraboard,dark-hairedandgrim-lipped.Theyworeblacksuits.Outoffocus,behindthem,satahugeaudience.

           InagamebetweenPetrosianandsomeonenamedBenkowitz,inthesemifinals,BethsawabaddecisionofPetrosian’s.Hestartedanattackwithpawnsbutshouldn’thave.TherewasacommentaryonthegamebyanAmericangrandmaster,whothoughtthepawnmovesweregood,butBethsawdeeperthanthat.HowcouldPetrosianhavemisjudgedit?Whyhadn’ttheAmericanseentheweakness?Theymusthavespentalongtimestudyingit,sincethemagazinesaidthegametookfivehours.

           ***

           Margaretonlyslippedtheshaftintohergymlockanddidn’ttwistthedialafterward.Theywereinshowerstallssidebysidenow,andBethcouldseeMargaret’ssizablebreasts,likesolidcones.Beth’schestwasstilllikeaboy’sandherpubichairhadjuststartedcomingin.MargaretignoredBethandhummedwhileshesoapedherself.Bethsteppedoutandwrappedherselfinatowel.Stillwet,shewentbackintothelockerroom.Therewasnoonethere.

           BethdriedherhandsquicklyandveryquietlyslippedtheshaftoutofMargaret’slock,mufflingitinhertowel.Herhairdrippedonherhands,butthatdidn’tmatter;therewaswateralloverfromtheboys’gym.Bethslippedoffthelockandopenedthelockerdoor,slowlysoitwouldn’tsqueak.Herheartwasthumpinglikesomekindoflittleanimalinherchest.

           Itwasafinebrownpurseofrealleather.