Professional Documents
Culture Documents
fromWELCOMETOTHEMONKEYHOUSE
byKurtVonnegut
ColonelBryanKelly,hishugefigureblockingoffthelightthatfiltereddownthenarrowcorridorbehindhim,
leanedforamomentagainstthelockeddoorinagonyofanxietyandhelplessrage.ThesmallOrientalguardsorted
througharingofkeys,searchingfortheonethatwouldopenthedoor.ColonelKellylistenedtothevoicesinside
theroom.
Sarge,theywouldntdaredoanythingtoAmericans,wouldthey?Thevoicewasyouthful,unsure.I
mean,theredbehelltopayiftheyhurt
Shutup.WanttowakeupKellyskidsandhavethemhearyourunningoffatthemouththatway?The
voicewasgruff,tired.
Theyllturnuslooseprettyquick,whaddyabet,Sarge?insistedtheyoungvoice.
Oh,sure,kid,theyloveAmericansaroundhere.ThatsprobablywhattheywantedtotalktoKellyabout,
andtheyrepackingthebeerandhamsandwichesintoboxlunchesforusrightnow.Allthatsholdingthingsupis
theydontknowhowmanywithmustard,howmanywithout.Howdyawantyours?
Idjustliketo
Shutup.
Okay,Idjust
Shutup.
Idjustliketoknowwhatsgoingon,isall.Theyoungcorporalcoughed.
Pipedownandpassthebuttalong,saidathirdvoiceirritably.Therestengoodpuffsleftinit.Donthog
thewholething,kid.Afewothervoicesmutteredinagreement.
ColonelKellyopenedandclosedhishandsnervously,wonderinghowhecouldtellthefifteenhumanbeings
behindthedoorabouttheinterviewwithPiYingandthelunaticordealtheyweregoingtohavetoendure.PiYing
saidthattheirfightagainstdeathwouldbenodifferent,philosophically,fromwhatallofthem,exceptKellyswife
andchildren,hadknowninbattle.Inacoldway,itwastruenodifferent,philosophically.ButColonelKelly
wasmoreshakenthanhehadeverbeeninbattle.
ColonelKellyandthefifteenontheothersideofthedoorhadcrashlandedtwodaysbeforeontheAsiatic
mainland,aftertheyhadbeenblownoffcoursebyasuddenstormandtheirradiohadgonedead.ColonelKelly
hadbeenonhisway,withhisfamily,toapostasmilitaryattachinIndia.OnboardtheArmytransportplanewith
themhadbeenagroupofenlistedmen,technicalspecialistsneededintheMiddleEast.Theplanehadcometo
earthinterritoryheldbyaCommunistguerrillachief,PiYing.
AllhadsurvivedthecrashKelly,hiswifeMargaret,histenyearoldtwinsons,thepilotandcopilot,and
thetenenlistedmen.AdozenofPiYingsraggedriflemenhadbeenwaitingforthemwhentheyclimbedfromthe
plane.Unabletocommunicatewiththeircaptors,theAmericanshadbeenmarchedforadaythroughricefieldsand
nearjungletocomeatsunsettoadecayingpalace.Theretheyhadbeenlockedinasubterraneanroom,withno
ideaofwhattheirfatesmightbe.
Now,ColonelKellywasreturningfromaninterviewwithPiYing,whohadtoldhimwhatwastobecomeof
thesixteenAmericanprisoners.SixteenKellyshookhisheadasthenumberrepeateditselfinhisthoughts.
Theguardproddedhimtoonesidewithhispistolandthrustthekeyintothelock,andthedoorswungopen.
Kellystoodsilentlyinthedoorway.
Acigarettewasbeingpassedfromhandtohand.Itcastitsglowforaninstantoneachexpectantfacein
turn.NowitlightedtheruddyfaceofthetalkativeyoungcorporalfromMinneapolis,nowcastruggedshadows
overtheeyesocketsandheavybrowsofthepilotfromSaltLake,nowbloomedredatthethinlipsofthesergeant.
Kellylookedfromthementowhatseemedinthetwilighttobeasmallhillockbythedoor.Therehiswife
Margaretsat,withtheblondheadsofhersleepingsonscradledinherlap.Shesmiledupathim,herfacemisty
white.Darlingyoureallright?Margaretaskedquietly.
Yes,Imallright.
Sarge,saidthecorporal,askhimwhatPiYingsaid.
Shutup.Thesergeantpaused.Whataboutit,sirgoodnewsorbad?
Kellystrokedhiswifesshoulder,tryingtomaketherightwordscomewordstocarrycouragehewasnt
surehehad.Badnews,hesaidatlast.Rottennews.
Well,letshaveit,saidthetransportpilotloudly.Kellysupposedhewastryingtoreassurehimselfwith
theboomofhisownvoice,withbrusqueness.Theworsthecandoiskillus.Isthatit?Hestoodanddughis
handsintohispockets.
Hewouldntdare!saidtheyoungcorporalinathreateningvoiceasthoughhecouldbringthewrathsof
theUnitedStatesArmytobearonPiYingwithasnapofhisfingers.
ColonelKellylookedattheyoungsterwithcuriosityanddejection.Letsfaceit.Thelittlemanupstairshas
allthetrumps.Anexpressionborrowedfromanothergame,hethoughtirrelevantly.Hesanoutlaw.Hehasnt
gotathingtolosebygettingtheUnitedStatessoreathim.
Ifhesgoingtokillus,sayso!thepilotsaidexplosively.Sohesgotuscold!Whatshegoingtodo?
Heconsidersusprisonersofwar,saidKelly,tryingtokeephisvoiceeven.Hedliketoshootusall.
Heshrugged.Ihaventbeentryingtokeepyouinsuspense,Ivebeenlookingfortherightwordsandthere
arentany.PiYingwantsmoreentertainmentoutofusthanshootinguswouldprovide.Hedliketoprovethathes
smarterthanweareinthebargain.
How?askedMargaret.Hereyeswerewide.Thetwochildrenwerewakingup.
Inalittlewhile,PiYingandIaregoingtoplaychessforyourlives.Heclosedhisfistoverhiswifeslimp
hand.Andformyfourlives.ItstheonlychancePiYingwillgiveus.Heshrugged,andsmiledwryly.Iplaya
betterthanaveragegamealittlebetterthanaverage.
Ishenuts?saidthesergeant.
Youllallseeforyourselves,saidColonelKellysimply.YoullseehimwhenthegamebeginsPiYing
andhisfriend,MajorBarzov.Heraisedhiseyebrows.Themajorclaimstobesorrythat,inhiscapacityasa
militaryobserverfortheRussianarmy,heispowerlesstointerveneinourbehalf.Healsosayswehavehis
sympathy.Isuspecthesadamnliaronbothcounts.PiYingisscaredstiffofhim.
Wegettowatchthegame?whisperedthecorporaltensely.
Thesixteenofus,soldier,arethechessmenIllbeplayingwith.
Thedoorswungopen.
Canyouseethewholeboardfromdownthere,WhiteKing?calledPiYingcheerfullyfromabalcony
overlookingtheazuredomedchamber.HewassmilingdownatColonelBryanKelly,hisfamily,andhismen.
YoumustbetheWhiteKing,youknow.Otherwise,wecouldntbesurethatyoudbewithusforthewhole
game.Theguerrillachiefsfacewasflushed.Hissmilewasoneofmocksolicitousness.Delightedtoseeallof
you!
ToPiYingsright,indistinctintheshadows,stoodMajorBarzov,thetaciturnRussianmilitaryobserver.He
acknowledgedKellysstarewithaslownod.Kellycontinuedtostarefixedly.Thearrogant,bristlehairedmajor
becamerestless,foldingandunfoldinghisarms,repeatedlyrockingbackandforthinhisblackboots.IwishI
couldhelpyou,hesaidatlast.Itwasntanamenitybutacontemptuousjest.Iamonlyanobserverhere.
Barzovsaiditheavily.Iwishyouluck,Colonel,headded,andturnedhisback.
SeatedonPiYingsleftwasadelicateyoungOrientalwoman.Shegazedexpressionlesslyatthewallover
theAmericansheads.SheandBarzovhadbeenpresentwhenPiYinghadfirsttoldColonelKellyofthegamehe
wantedtoplay.WhenKellyhadbeggedPiYingtoleavehiswifeandchildrenoutofit,hehadthoughthesawa
sparkofpityonhereyes.Ashelookedupatthemotionless,ornamentalgirlnow,heknewhemusthavebeen
mistaken.
Thisroomwasawhimofmypredecessors,whoforgenerationsheldthepeopleinslavery,saidPiYing
sententiously.Itservednicelyasathroneroom.Butthefloorisinlaidwithsquares,sixtyfourofthema
chessboard,yousee?Theformertenantshadthosehandsome,mansizedchessmenbeforeyoubuiltsothatthey
andtheirfriendscouldsituphereandorderservantstomovethemabout.Hetwistedaringonhisfinger.
Imaginativeasthatwas,itremainedforustohituponthisnewtwist.Today,ofcourse,wewilluseonlytheblack
chessmen,mypieces.HeturnedtotherestiveMajorBarzov.TheAmericanshavefurnishedtheirownchessmen.
Fascinatingidea.HissmilefadedwhenhesawthatBarzovwasntsmilingwithhim.PiYingseemedeagerto
pleasetheRussian.Barzov,inturn,appearedtoregardPiYingashardlyworthlisteningto.
ThetwelveAmericansoldiersstoodagainstawallunderheavyguard.Instinctively,theybunchedtogether
andglaredsullenlyattheirpatronizinghost.Takeiteasy,saidcolonelKelly,orwelllosetheonechanceweve
got.Helookedquicklyathistwinsons,JerryandPaul,whogazedabouttheroom,unruffled,uninterested,blinking
sleepilyatthesideoftheirstunnedmother.Kellywonderedwhyhefeltsolittleashewatchedhisfamilyintheface
ofdeath.Thefearhehadfeltwhiletheywerewaitingintheirdarkprisonwasgone.Nowherecognizedtheeerie
calmanoldwartimefriendthatleftonlythecoldmachineryofhiswitsandsensesalive.Itwasthenarcoticof
generalship.Itwastheessenceofwar.
Now,myfriends,yourattention,saidPiYingimportantly.Hestood.Therulesofthegameareeasyto
remember.YouarealltobehaveasColonelKellytellsyou.Thoseofyouwhoaresounfortunateastobetakenby
oneofmychessmenwillbekilledquickly,painlessly,promptly.MajorBarzovlookedattheceilingasthoughhe
wereinwardlycriticizingeverythingPiYingsaid.
Thecorporalsuddenlyreleasedahalfselfpity.Thesergeantclappedhishandovertheyoungstersmouth.
PiYingleanedoverthebalustradeandpointedafingeratthestrugglingsoldier.Forthosewhorunfrom
theboardormakeanoutcry,aspecialformofdeathcanbearranged,hesaidsharply.ColonelKellyandImust
havecompletesilenceinwhichtoconcentrate.Ifthecoloneliscleverenoughtowin,thenallofyouwhoarestill
withuswhenIamcheckmatedwillgetsafetransportoutofmyterritory.IfhelosesPiYingshrugged.He
settledbackonamoundofcushions.Now,youmustallbegoodsports,hesaidbriskly.Americansarenoted
forthat,Ibelieve.AsColonelKellycantellyou,achessgamecanveryrarelybewonanymorethanabattle
canbewonwithoutsacrifices.Isntthatso,Colonel?
ColonelKellynoddedmechanically.HewasrecallingwhatPiYinghadsaidearlierthatthegamehewas
abouttoplaywasnodifferent,philosophically,fromwhathehadknowninwar.Howcanyoudothistochildren!
criedMargaretsuddenly,twistingfreeofaguardandstridingacrossthesquarestostanddirectlybelowPiYings
balcony.FortheloveofGodshebegan.
PiYinginterruptedangrily:IsitfortheloveofGodthatAmericansmakebombsandjetplanesandtanks?
Hewavedherawayimpatiently.Dragherback.Hecoveredhiseyes.WherewasI?Weweretalkingabout
sacrifices,werentwe?Iwasgoingtoaskyouwhoyouhadchosentobeyourkingspawn,saidPiYing.Ifyou
haventchosenone,Colonel,Idliketorecommendthenoisyyoungmandowntheretheonethesergeantis
holding.Adelicateposition,thekingspawn.
Thecorporalbegantokickandtwistwithnewfury.Thesergeanttightenedhisarmsabouthim.Thekidll
calmdowninaminute,hesaidunderhisbreath.HeturnedhisheadtowardColonelKelly.Whateverthehellthe
kingspawnis,thatsme.WheredoIstand,sir?Theyoungsterrelaxedandthesergeantfreedhim.Kellypointed
tothefourthsquareinthesecondrowofthehugechessboard.Thesergeantstrodetothesquareandhunchedhis
broadshoulders.Thecorporalmumbledsomethingincoherent,andtookhisplaceinthesquarenexttothesergeant
aseconddependablepawn.Thereststillhungback. Colonel,youtelluswheretogo,saidalankyT4
uncertainly.Whatdoweknowaboutchess?Youputuswhereyouwantus.HisAdamsapplebobbed.Save
thesoftspotsforyourwifeandkids.Theyretheonesthatcount.Youtelluswhattodo.
Therearenosoftspots,saidthepilotsardonically,nosoftspotsforanybody.Pickasquare,any
square.Hesteppedontoaboard.Whatdoesthissquaremakeme?
Youreabishop,Lieutenant,thekingsbishop,saidKelly.
Hefoundhimselfthinkingofthelieutenantinthosetermsnolongerhuman,butapiececapableofmoving
diagonallyacrosstheboardcapable,whenattackingwiththequeen,ofterribledamagetotheblackmenacrossthe
board.
Andmeinchurchonlytwiceinmylife.Hey,PiYing,calledthepilotinsolently,whatsabishopworth?
PiYingwasamused.Aknightandapawn,myboyaknightandapawn.
ThankGodforthelieutenant,thoughtKelly.OneoftheAmericansoldiersgrinned.Theyhadbeensticking
closetogether,backedagainstthewall.Nowtheybegantotalkamongthemselveslikeabaseballteamwarming
up.AtKellysdirection,seemingalmostunconsciousofthemeaningoftheiractions,theymovedoutontotheboard
tofillouttheranks.
PiYingwasspeakingagain.Allofyourpiecesareinplacenow,exceptyourknightsandyourqueen,
Colonel.Andyou,ofcourse,aretheking.Come,come.Thegamemustbeoverbeforesuppertime.
Gently,shepherdingthemwithhislongarms,KellyledhiswifeandJerryandPaultotheirpropersquares.
Hedetestedhimselfforthecalm,thedetachmentwithwhichhedidit.HesawthefearandreproachinMargarets
eyes.Shecouldntunderstandthathehadtobethiswaythatinhiscoldnesswastheironlyhopeforsurvival.
HelookedawayfromMargaret.
PiYingclappedhishandsforsilence.There,godnowwecanbegin.Hetuggedathisearreflectively.I
thinkthisisanexcellentwayofbringingtogethertheEasternandWesternminds,dontyou,Colonel?Herewe
indulgetheAmericansloveforgamblingwithourappreciationofprofounddramaandphilosophy.MajorBarzov
whisperedimpatientlytohim.Oh,yes,saidPiYing,twomorerules:Weareallowedtenminutesamove,and
thisgoeswithoutsayingnomovesmaybetakenback.Verywell,hesaid,pressingthebuttononastop
watchandsettingitonthebalustrade,thehonorofthefirstmovebelongstothewhitemen.Hegrinned.An
ancienttradition.
Sergeant,saidColonelKelly,histhroattight,movetwosquaresforward.Helookeddownathishands.
Theywerestartingtotremble.
IbelieveIllbeslightlyunconventional,saidPiYing,halfturninghisheadtowardtheyounggirl,asthough
tomakesurethatshewassharinghisenjoyment.Movemyqueenspawnforwardtwosquares,heinstructeda
servant.
ColonelKellywatchedtheservantslidethemassivecarvingforwardtoapointthreateningthesergeant.
ThesergeantlookedquizzicallyatKelly.Everythingokay,sir?Hesmiledfaintly.
Ihopeso,saidKelly.HeresyourprotectionSoldier,heorderedtheyoungcorporal,stepforward
onesquare.Thereitwasallhecoulddo.NowtherewasnoadvantageinPiYingstakingthepawnhe
threatenedthesergeant.Tacticallyitwouldbeapointlesstrade,pawnforpawn.Noadvantagesofarasgood
chesswent.
Thisisverybadform,Iknow,saidPiYingblandly.Hepaused.Well,thenagain,ImnotsosureIdbe
wisetotrade.Withsobrilliantanopponent,perhapsIdbetterplayflawlesschess,andforgetthemany
temptations.MajorBarzovmurmuredsomethingtohim.Butitwouldgetusintothespiritofthegamerightoff,
wouldntit?
Whatshetalkingabout,sir?askedthesergeantapprehensively.
BeforeKellycouldorderhisthoughts,PiYinggavetheorder.Takehiskingspawn.
Colonel!Whatdyoudo?criedthesergeant.Twoguardspulledhimfromtheboardandoutoftheroom.
Astuddeddoorbangedshutbehindthem.
Killme!shoutedKelly,startingoffhissquareafterthem.Ahalfdozenbayonetshemmedhimin.
Impassively,theservantslidPiYingswoodenpawnontothesquarewherethesergeanthadstood.Ashot
reverberatedontheothersideofthethickdoor,andtheguardsreappeared.PiYingwasnolongersmiling.Your
move,Colonel.Come,comefourminuteshavegonealready.
Kellyscalmwasshattered,andwithittheillusionofthegame.Thepiecesinhispowerwerehumanbeings
again.Theprecious,brutalstuffofcommandwasgonefromColonelKelly.Hewasnomorefittomakedecisions
oflifeanddeaththantherawestrecruit.Giddily,herealizedthatPiYingsobjectwasnottowinthegamequickly,
buttothinouttheAmericansinharrowing,pointlessforays.Anothertwominutescreptbyashestruggledtoforce
himselftoberational.Icantdoit,hewhisperedatlast.Heslouchednow.
Youwishmetohaveallofyoushotrightnow?askedPiYing.ImustsaythatIfindyouaratherpathetic
colonel.DoallAmericanofficersgiveinsoeasily?
Pinhisearsback,Colonel,saidthepilot.Letsgo.Sharpenup.Letsgo!
Youreinnodangernow,saidKellytothecorporal.Takehispawn.
HowdoIknowyourenotlying?saidtheyoungsterbitterly.NowImgoingtogetit!
Getoverthere!saidthetransportpilotsharply.
No!
Thesergeantstwoexecutionerspinnedthecorporalsarmstohissides.TheylookedupexpectantlyatPi
Ying.
Youngman,saidPiYingsolicitously,wouldyouenjoybeingtorturedtodeath,orwouldyouratherdoas
ColonelKellytellsyou?
Thecorporalspunsuddenlyandsetbothguardssprawling.Hesteppedontothesquareoccupiedbythe
pawnthathadtakenthesergeant,kickedthepieceover,andstoodtherewithhisfeetapart.
MajorBarzovguffawed.Helllearntobeapawnyet,heroared.ItsanOrientalskillAmericanscould
dowelltolearnforthedaysahead,eh?
PiYinglaughedwithBarzov,andstrokedthekneeoftheyounggirl,whohadbeensitting,expressionless,at
hisside.Well,itsbeenperfectlyevensofarapawnforapawn.Letsbeginouroffensiveinearnest.He
snappedhisfingersfortheattentionoftheservant.Kingspawntokingthree,hecommanded.There!Nowmy
queenandbishoparereadyforanexpeditionintowhitemansterritory.Hepressedthebuttononthestopwatch.
Yourmove,Colonel....
ItwasanoldreflexthatmadeColonelBryanKellylooktohiswifeforcompassion,courage.Helooked
awayagainMargaretwasafrightening,heartbreakingsight,andtherewasnothinghecoulddoforherbutwin.
Nothing.Herstarewasvacant,almostidiotic.Shehadtakenrefugeindeaf,blind,unfeelingshock.
Kellycountedthefiguresstillsurvivingontheboard.Anhourhadpassedsincethegamesbeginning.Five
pawnswerestillalive,amongthemtheyoungcorporalonebishop,thenervypilottworookstwoknights
tenyearoldfrightenedknightsMargaret,arigidstaringqueenandhimself,theking.Themissingfour?Butchered
butcheredinsenselessexchangesthathadcostPiYingonlyblocksofwood.Theothersoldiershadfallensilent,
sullenintheirownseparateworlds.
Ithinkitstimeforyoutoconcede,saidPiYing.Itsjustaboutover,Imafraid.Doyouconcede,
Colonel?MajorBarzovfrownedwiselyatthechessmen,shookhisheadslowly,andyawned.
ColonelKellytriedtobringhismindandeyesbackintofocus.Hehadthesensationofburrowing,
burrowing,burrowinghiswaythroughamountainofhotsand,ofhavingtokeepgoingonandon,digging,squirming,
suffocated,blinded.Gotohell,hemuttered.Heconcentratedonthepatternofthechessmen.Aschess,the
ghastlygamehadbeenabsurd.PiYinghadmovedwithnostrategyotherthantodestroywhitemen.Kellyhad
movedtodefendeachofhischessmenatanycost,hadriskednoneinoffense.Hispowerfulqueen,knights,and
rooksstoodunusedintherelativesafetyofthetworearrowsofsquares.Heclenchedandunclenchedhisfistsin
frustration.Hisopponentshaphazardrankswerewideopen.AcheckmateofPiYingskingwouldbepossible,if
onlytheblackknightwerentdominatingthecenteroftheboard.
Yourmove,Colonel.Twominutes.coaxedPiYing.
AndthenKellysawitthepricehewouldpay,thattheyallwouldpay,forthecurseofconscience.Pi
Yinghadonlytomovehisqueendiagonally,threesquarestotheleft,toputhimincheck.Afterthatheneededto
makeonemoremoveinevitable,irresistibleandthencheckmate,theend.AndPiYingwouldmovehis
queen.Thegameseemedtohavelostitspiquancyforhimhehadtheairofamaneagertobusyhimselfelsewhere.
Theguerrillachiefwasstandingnow,leaningoverthebalustrade.MajorBarzovstoodbehindhim,fittinga
cigaretteintoanornateivoryholder.Itsaverydistressingthingaboutchess,saidBarzov,admiringtheholder,
turningitthiswayandthat.Thereisntagrainofluckinthegame,youknow.Theresnoexcusefortheloser.
Histonewaspedantic,withthesuperciliousnessofateacherimpartingprofoundtruthstostudentstooimmatureto
understand.
PiYingshrugged.Winningthisgamegivesmeverylittlesatisfaction.ColonelKellyhasbeena
disappointment.Byriskingnothing,hehasdeprivedthegameofitssubtletyandwit.Icouldexpectmorebrilliance
frommycook.
ThehotredofangerblazedoverKellyscheeks,inflamedhisears.Themusclesofhisbellyknottedhislegs
movedapart.PiYingmustnotmovehisqueen.IfPiYingmovedhisqueen,KellywouldloseifPiYingmovedhis
knightfromKellyslineofattack,Kellywouldwin.OnlyonethingmightinducePiYingtomovehisknighta
fresh,poignantopportunityforsadism.
Concede,Colonel.Mytimeisvaluable,saidPiYing.
Isitallover?askedtheyoungcorporalquerulously.
Keepyourmouthshutandstaywhereyouare,saidKelly.Hestaredthroughshrewd,narrowedeyesat
PiYingsknight,standinginthemidstofthelivingchessmen.Thehorsescarvedneckarched.Itsnostrilsflared.
ThepuregeometryofthewhitechessmensfateburstuponKellysconsciousness.Itssimplicityhadthe
effectofarefreshing,chillingwind.AsacrificehadtobeofferedtoPiYingsknight.IfPiYingacceptedthe
sacrifice,thegamewouldbeKellysThetrapwasperfectanddeadlysaveforonedetailbait.
Oneminute,Colonel,saidPiYing.
Kellylookedquicklyfromfacetoface,unmovedbythehostilityordistrustorfearthathesawineachpair
ofeyes.Onebyoneheeliminatedthecandidatesfordeath.Thesefourwerevitaltothesudden,crushingoffense,
andthesemustguardtheking.Necessity,likeachildcountingeeny,meeny,miney,moearoundacircle,pointedits
fingerattheonechessmanwhowouldbesacrificed.Therewasonlyone.
Kellydidntpermithimselftothinkofthechessmanasanythingbutacipherinarigidmathematical
proposition:ifxisdead,therestshalllive.Heperceivedthetragedyofhisdecisiononlyasmanwhoknewthe
definitionoftragedy,notasonewhofeltit.
Twentyseconds!saidBarzov.HehadtakenthestopwatchfromPiYing.
ThecoldresolvedesertedKellyforaninstant,andhesawtheutterpathosofhispositionasdilemmaas
oldasmankind,asnewasthestrugglebetweenEastandWest.Whenhumanbeingsareattacked,x,multipliedby
hundredsandthousands,mustdiesenttodeathbythosewholovethemmost.Kellysprofessionwasthe
choosingofx.
Tenseconds,saidBarzov.
Jerry,saidKelly,hisvoiceloudandsure,moveforwardonesquareandtwotoyourleft.Trustingly,his
sonsteppedoutofthebackrankandintotheshadowoftheblackknight.Awarenessseemedtobefilteringback
intoMargaretseyes.Sheturnedherheadwhenherhusbandspoke.
PiYingstareddownattheboardinbafflement.Areyouinyourrightmind,Colonel?heaskedatlast.
Doyourealizewhatyouvejustdone?
AfaintsmilecrossedBarzovsface.HebentforwardasthoughtowhispertoPiYing,butapparently
thoughtbetterofit.HeleanedbackagainstapillartowatchKellyseverymovethroughagauzeofcigarettesmoke.
KellypretendedtobemystifiedbyPiYingswords.Andthenheburiedhisfaceinhishandsandgavean
agonizedcry.Oh,God,no!
Anexquisitemistake,tobesure,saidPiYing.Heexcitedlyexplainedtheblundertotheyounggirlbeside
him.Sheturnedaway.Heseemedinfuriatedbythegesture.
Youvegottoletmetakehimback,beggedKellybrokenly.
PiYingrappedonthebalustradewithhisknuckles.Withoutrules,myfriend,gamesbecomenonsense.
Weagreedthatallmoveswouldbefinal,andsotheyare.Hemotionedtoaservant.Kingsknighttokings
bishopsix!TheservantmovedthepieceontothesquarewhereJerrystood.Thebaitwastaken,thegamewas
ColonelKellysfromhereonin.
Whatishetalkingabout?murmuredMargaret.
Whykeepyourwifeinsuspense,Colonel?saidPiYing.Beagoodhusbandandanswerherquestion,or
shouldI?
Yourhusbandsacrificedaknight,saidBarzov,hisvoiceoverridingPiYings.Youvejustlostyourson.
Hisexpressionwasthatofanexperimenter,keen,expectant,entranced.
KellyheardthechokingsoundinMargaretsthroat,caughtherasshefell.Herubbedherwrists.Darling,
pleaselistentome!Heshookhermoreroughlythanhehadintended.Herreactionwasexplosive.Words
cascadedfromherhystericalbabblecondemninghim.Kellylockedherwriststogetherinhishandsandlistened
dumblytoherbrokenabuse.
PiYingseyesbulged,transfixedbythefantasticdramabelow,obliviousofthetearfulfrenzyoftheyounggirlbehind
him.Shetuggedathisblouse,pleading.Hepushedherbackwithoutlookingawayfromtheboard.
ThetallT4suddenlydivedatthenearestguard,drivinghisshoulderintothemanschest,hisfistintohis
belly.PiYingssoldiersconverged,hammeredhimtotheflooranddraggedhimbacktothesquare.
Inthemidstofthebedlam,Jerryburstintotearsandracedterrifiedtohisfatherandmother.Kellyfreed
Margaret,whodroppedtoherkneestohugthequakingchild.Paul,Jerrystwin,heldhisground,trembled,stared
stolidlyatthefloor.
Shallwegetonwiththegame,Colonel?askedPiYing,hisvoicehigh.Barzovturnedhisbacktothe
board,unwillingtopreventthenextstep,apparentlyreluctanttowatchit.
Kellyclosedhiseyes,andwaitedforPiYingtogivetheordertotheexecutioners.Hecouldntbringhimself
tolookatMargaretandJerry.PiYingwavedhishandforsilence.Itiswithdeepregrethebegan.Hislips
closed.Themenacesuddenlywentoutofhisface,leavingonlysurpriseandstupidity.Thesmallmanslumpedon
thebalustrade,slitheredovertocrashamonghissoldiers.MajorBarzovstruggledwiththeChinesegirl.Inhersmall
hand,stillfreeofhisgrasp,wasaslenderknife.Shedroveitintoherbreastandfellagainstthemajor.Barzovlet
herfall.Hestrodetothebalustrade.Keeptheprisonerswheretheyare!heshoutedattheguards.Ishealive?
Therewasnoangerinhisvoice,nosorrowonlyirritation,resentmentofinconvenience.Aservantlookedup
andshookhishead.
BarzovorderedservantsandsoldierstocarryoutthebodiesofPiYingandthegirl.Itwasmoreoftheact
ofascrupuloushousekeeperthanapiousmourner.Noonequestionedhisbriskauthority.
Sothisisyourpartyafterall,saidKelly.
ThepeoplesofAsiahavelostaverygreatleader,Barzovsaidseverely.HesmiledatKellyoddly.
Thoughhewasntwithoutweakness,washe,Colonel?Heshrugged.However,youvewononlytheinitiative,
notthegameandnowyouhavemetoreckonwithinsteadofPiYing.Staywhereyouare,Colonel.Illbeback
shortly.
Hegroundouthiscigaretteontheornamentedbalustrade,returnedtheholdertohispocketwithaflourish,
anddisappearedthroughthecurtains.
IsJerrygoingtobeallright?whisperedMargaret.Itwasaplea,notaquestion,asthoughmercywere
Kellystodoleoutortowithhold.
OnlyBarzovknows,hesaid.Hewasburstingtoexplainthemovestoher,tomakeherunderstandwhy
hehadnochoicebutheknewthatanexplanationwouldonlymakethetragedyinfinitelymorecruelforher.Death
throughablundershemightbeabletounderstandbutdeathasaproductofcoolreason,astepinlogic,shecould
neveraccept.Ratherthanacceptit,shewouldhavehadthemalldie.
OnlyBarzovknows,herepeatedwearily.Thebargainwasstillinforce,thepriceofvictoryagreedto.
BarzovapparentlyhadyettorealizewhatitwasthatKellywasbuyingwithalife.
HowdoweknowBarzovwillletusgoifwedowin?saidT4.
Wedont,soldier.Wedont.Andthenanotherdoubtbegantowormintohisconsciousness.Perhaps
hehadwonnomorethanabriefreprieve....
ColonelKellyhadlosttrackofhowlongtheydwaitedthereonthechessboardforBarzovsreturn.His
nervesweredeadenedbysurgeaftersurgeofremorseandbythesteadypressureofterribleresponsibility.His
consciousnesshadlapsedintotwilight.Margaretsleptinutterexhaustion,withJerry,hislifeyettobeclaimed,inher
arms.Paulhadcurleduponhissquare,coveredbytheyoungcorporalsfieldjacket.OnwhathadbeenJerrys
square,thehorsescarvedheadsnarlingasthoughfirewouldburstfromitsnostrils,stoodPiYingsblackknight.
Kellybarelyheardthevoicefromthebalconymistookitforanotherjaggedfragmentinanightmare.His
mindattachednosensetothewords,heardonlytheirsound.AndthenheopenedhiseyesandsawMajorBarzovs
lipsmoving.Hesawthearrogantchallengeinhiseyes,understoodthewords.Sincesomuchbloodhasbeenshed
inthisgame,itwouldbeapitifulwastetoleaveitunresolved.
BarzovsettledregallyonPiYingscushions,hisblackbootscrossed.Iproposetobeatyou,Colonel,and
Iwillbesurprisedifyougivemetrouble.Itwouldbeveryupsettingtohaveyouwinbythetransparentrusethat
fooledPiYing.Itisntthateasyanymore.Youreplayingmenow,Colonel.Youwontheinitiativeforamoment.
Illtakeitandthegamenow,withoutanymoredelay.
Kellyrosetohisfeet,thegreatframemonumentalabovethewhitechessmensittingonthesquaresabout
him.MajorBarzovwasntabovethekindofentertainmentPiYinghadfoundsodiverting.ButKellysensedthe
differencebetweenthemajorsdemeanorandthatoftheguerrillachief.Themajorwasresumingthegame,not
becausehelikedhit,butbecausehewantedtoprovethathewasonehellofabrightfellow,andthattheAmericans
weredirt.Apparently,hedidntrealizethatPiYinghadalreadylostthegame.Eitherthat,orKellyhad
miscalculated.
Inhismind,Kellymovedeverypieceontheboard,drivinghisimaginationtoshowhimtheflawinhisplan,if
fornothing.Inanordinarygame,withnothingatstakebutbitsofwood,hewouldhavecalleduponhisopponentto
concede,andthegamewouldhaveendedthere.Butnow,playingforfleshandblood,anaching,ineradicabledoubt
overshadowedthecleancutlogicoftheoutcome.Kellydarednotrevealthatheplannedtoattackandwininthree
movesnotuntilhehadmadethemoves,notuntilBarzovhadlosteverychancetoexploittheflaw,iftherewas
one.
WhataboutJerry?criedMargaret.
Jerry?Oh,ofcourse,thelittleboy.Well,whataboutJerry,Colonel?askedBarzov.Illmakeaspecial
concession,ifyoulike.Wouldyouwanttotakethemoveback?Themajorwasurbane,acaricatureofcheerful
hospitality.
Withoutrules,Major,gamesbecomenonsense,saidKellyflatly.Idbethelasttoaskyoutobreak
them.
Barzovsexpressionbecameoneofprofoundsympathy.Yourhusband,madame,hasmadethedecision,
notI.Hepressedthebuttononthestopwatch.YoumaykeeptheboywithyouuntiltheColonelhasfumbledall
ofyourlivesaway.Yourmove,Colonel.Tenminutes.
Takehispawn,KellyorderedMargaret.Shedidntmove.Margaret!Doyouhearme?
Helpher,Colonel,helpher,chidedBarzov.
KellytookMargaretbytheelbow,ledherunresistingtothesquarewhereablackpawnstood.Jerry
taggedalong,keepinghismotherbetweenhimselfandKelly.Kellyreturnedtohissquare,dughishandsintohis
pockets,andwatchedaservanttaketheblackpawnfromtheboard.Check,Major.Yourkingisincheck.
Barzovraisedaneyebrow.Check,didyousay?WhatshallIdoaboutthisannoyance?HowshallIget
youbacktosomeofthemoreinterestingproblemsontheboard?Hegesturedtoaservant.Movemykingover
onesquaretotheleft.
Movediagonallyonesquaretowardme,Lieutenant,Kellyorderedthepilot.Thepilothesitated.Move!
Doyouhear?
Yessir.Thetonewasmocking.Retreating,eh,sir?Thelieutenantslouchedontothesquare,slowly,
insolently.
Checkagain,Major,Kellysaidevenly.Hemotionedatthelieutenant.Nowmybishophasyourkingin
check.Heclosedhiseyesandtoldhimselfagainandagainthathehadmadenomiscalculation,thatthesacrifice
hadwonthegame,thattherecouldbenooutforBarzov.Thiswasitthelastofthethreemoves.
Well,saidBarzov,isthatthebestyoucando?Illsimplymovemyqueeninfrontofmyking.The
servantmovedthepiece.Nowitwillbeadifferentstory.
Takehisqueen,saidKellytohisfarthestadvancedpawn,thebatteredT4.
Barzovjumpedtohisfeet.Wait!
Youdidntseeit?Youdliketotakeitback?tauntedKelly.
Barzovpacedbackandforthonhisbalcony,breathinghard.OfcourseIsawit!
Itwastheonlythingyoucoulddotosaveyourking,saidKelly.Youmaytakeitbackifyoulike,but
youllfinditstheonlymoveyoucanmake.
Takethequeenandgetonwiththegame,shoutedBarzov.Takeher!
Takeher,echoedKelly,andtheservanttrundledthehugepiecetothesidelines.TheT4nowstood
blinkingatBarzovsking,inchesaway.ColonelKellysaiditverysoftlythistime:Check.
Barzovexhaledinexasperation.Checkindeed.Hisvoicegrewlouder.Nocredittoyou,ColonelKelly,
buttothemonumentalstupidityofPiYing.
Andthatsthegame,Major.
T4laughedidiotically,thecorporalsatdown,thelieutenantthrewhisarmsaroundColonelKelly.Thetwo
childrengaveacheer.OnlyMargaretstoodfast,stillrigid,frightened.
Thepriceofyourvictory,ofcourse,hasyettobepaid,saidBarzovacidly.Ipresumeyourereadyto
paynow?
Kellywhitened.Thatwastheunderstanding,ifitwouldgiveyousatisfactiontoholdmetoit.
Barzovplacedanothercigaretteinhisivoryholder,takingascowlingminutetodoit.Whenhespoke,itwas
inthetoneofthepedantoncemore,thewielderofprofundities.No,Iwonttaketheboy.IfeelasPiYingfelt
aboutyouthatyou,asAmericans,aretheenemy,whetheranofficialstateofwarexistsornot.Ilookuponyou
asprisonersofwar.
However,aslongasthereisnoofficialstateofwar,Ihavenochoice,asarepresentativeofmy
government,buttoseethatallofyouareconductedsafelythroughthelines.ThiswasmyplanwhenIresumedthe
gamewherePiYingleftoff.Yourbeingfreedhasnothingtodowithmypersonalfeelings,norwiththeoutcomeof
thegame.Mywinningwouldhavedelightedmeandtaughtyouavaluablelesson.Butitwouldhavemadeno
differenceinyourfates.Helightedhiscigaretteandcontinuedtolookatthemwithseverity.
Thatsverychivalrousofyou,Major,saidKelly.
Amatterofpracticalpolitics,Iassureyou.Itwouldntdotoprecipitateanincidentbetweenourcountries
justnow.ForaRussiantobechivalrouswithanAmericanisaspiritualimpossibility,acontradictioninterms.Ina
longandbitterhistory,wevelearnedandlearnedwelltoreserveourchivalryforRussians.Hisexpression
becameoneofcompletecontempt.Perhapsyoudliketoplayanothergame,Colonelplainchesswithwooden
chessmen,withoutPiYingsrefinement.IdontliketohaveyouleaveherethinkingyouplayabettergamethanI.
Thatsniceofyou,butnotthisevening.
Well,then,someothertime.MajorBarzovmotionedfortheguardstoopenthedoorofthethroneroom.
Someothertime,hesaidagain.TherewillbeotherslikePiYingeagertoplaywithyoulivemen,andIhopeI
willagainbeprivilegedtobeanobserver.Hesmiledbrightly.Whenandwherewouldyoulikeittobe?
Unfortunately,thetimeandtheplaceareuptoyou,saidColonelKellywearily.Ifyouinsistonarranging
anothergame,issueaninvitation,Major,andIllbethere.
(1953)