Is this the tide in my affairs when I write a little history?

[chesspolitik]

Being mobbed by a vicious pack of reporters was bad enough on any given day. Being mobbed by them in Bangkok during one of the most stressful matches in his life was even worse. Going through it again was nothing less than hell on Earth.

The car ride to the studio was a blur. He heard Walter talking to him, and he knew he was answering, but what was actually said, he couldn't recall afterwards. He went where he was told, going through the motions with as little thought as possible. It'd be over soon enough, and slipping back into his role of emotionless machine was the only way he'd manage.

It was a fine idea, but as the barrage of questions started, from the insipid ("Isn't this a bizarre reunion?") to ridiculous ("Is being homeless affecting your game?"), he felt his self-control slipping away, just as before.

"Your true motivation is something we all want to know," one of the reporters asked, a malicious glint in his eye.

At that, Anatoly's temper flared and he shouted back furiously, "You know damn well what my motivation is!"

Comments

[molokovcocktail.livejournal.com]

"It had better go to plan," Molokov said darkly, his fingers clenching into fists. "Or I will have to take matters into my own hands, regardless of your aversion to paperwork. It is just good business, you understand."

At the remark about his gun, he merely tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. "Are you fearing that I would shoot you? Please, perish the thought. I would never waste such a valuable resource."

[decourcyonrocks.livejournal.com]

"Good business. Is that what they call it in the Soviet Union now?" Walter said sarcastically, but his confident smile didn't waver. He had every confidence that there would be no need for Russian business.

Though when Molokov said that Walter just raised his eyebrows. Then he smirked. "Why Alexander, was that a compliment?"

[molokovcocktail.livejournal.com]

As a general rule, Molokov discouraged intimacy, particularly one involving the use of his first name. It was simply not done, not for spies who wished to have a long lifespan. Very rarely did he break this rule, and it was only for deserving people. "If it was, Walter, you should feel very honored indeed."

[decourcyonrocks.livejournal.com]

What could Walter say? He liked to live dangerously. So he only kept up his smirk. "Then I am." Realizing they'd been away long enough, and Walter really needed to go reign in Freddie before he did something stupid, he nodded to Molokov. "Tomorrow then."