Queen Exchange

"What do you make of the recent assassination attempts of Prince
Zekiel?"


Kwafo shrugs his shoulders, pushes his rook forward one space
and presses the clock beside the chess board.


"I sacked a member of my staff today. They were joking about
it. A young man from the other side of the river; I have not liked him
since the day he started."


Xandru looks at his his friend, smiles and brings his
remaining Knight into play, hoping Kwafo will retreat his threatening
Bishop. He presses the clock and leans back in his chair, stretching
his arms.


"That meal has left me exhausted. Did you enjoy your rice
Kwafo? I have a new head of staff now, he insists on growing the crops
organically. Could you tell a difference?"


Kwafo shakes his head blankly and takes a pawn with his
Queen, offering an exchange he knows Xandru is in no position to
accept. He presses the clock and walks around to the other side of the
table to look at how the game is developing from his opponents seat.
Xandru puts his arm around him.


"Tell me Kwafo, we have been great friends for many years"
Xandru says, pushing a pawn forward and pressing the clock. "We have
been playing this game of chess for twenty minutes now and you have not
said a word. What is it that makes you concentrate so much today? You
normally beat me with great ease while talking merrily. Why do you play
in such silence?"


Kwafo sits back in his chair, looks at his friend for a
prolonged time and swallows nervously.


"I was eating a sweet" he says, and realising Xandru is not
going to accept the exchange of Queens, brings it back to its original
space.