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Coco Interlude VII
Every Wednesday evening Greg and Oliver enjoyed
three hours at the Chess Bar. The atmosphere was agreeable.
Each table had sixty-four black and white squares inlaid
in the surface and a set of intricately carved wooden
pieces.
Their game was fiercely contested but somehow it
was always informal. They liked to talk as they played
and the waitresses knew them and liked them, and brought
fresh cold beers whenever the levels in their glasses
fell.
Their week had been tough. The work that they did
was dangerous already, but suddenly, and unexpectedly,
it was about to become more hazardous still.
"So did you tell Eve about the new flight plan?"
Oliver asked.
Greg shook his head. "Another twenty miles
into the Danger Zone? How the hell is she supposed to
deal with that? She already trembles when she kisses
me goodbye in the morning. It's like she's not sure
I'll come back. Did you tell Teri?"
"Yes. Figured she deserved to know."
"Could you ask her not to tell Eve, please?"
"Sure."
Oliver fell silent. If the orders were to go further
east they would go further east. It was not Greg's fault.
Nevertheless, it was madness, and Greg was their representative.
The weight on his shoulders must be heavy. No one knew
much about the Danger Zone. They already flew further
into it than anyone else had ever dared to venture.
Too many ships had disappeared already. Why take the
risk?
"Did you tell Eve about Alec's vacation?"
He knew he was changing the subject deliberately.
"Are you kidding? Sex tourism? She'd never
speak to him again. She already thinks he's sleazy.
Did you tell Teri?"
"Yeah. She's pretty relaxed about that kind
of stuff. She doesn't care, as long as he's safe."
Greg moved a bishop. He loved the way these pieces
felt, thick and heavy in the hand.
"Alec's funny. I can't believe those stories
he was telling yesterday."
"About the girls? Oh, I believe it. Everyone's
poor out there. They'll do whatever it takes. That's
why guys go. No shortage of company. Alec'll be like
a kid in a candy store." He took a pawn.
"I'd never pay for it."
"Me either."
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