I see nothing other than a simple boardgame

[chesspolitik]

Isn't it strange the complications
People attach to situations
Almost as if they want to miss
The wood for the trees

Nothing will change my basic feeling
When they've done all their wheeler-dealing
Those in the strongest situations
Do as they please -- The Arbiter (Chess)

Comments

[hungarianheart.livejournal.com]

Florence sighed in annoyance as she registered the knock on the door. Was it too much for her to not be disturbed as she had specially requested? Apparently so.

"Just a moment," she called as she crossed over to the door and peered through the peephole. As if the day couldn't get spectacularly worse, here was Walter. God only knew what he wanted.

She opened the door, not bothering to hide her displeasure. "Can I help you?"

[decourcyonrocks.livejournal.com]

Walter grinned at her and put his hand on the open door, in a casual leaning pose despite the fact it was engineered to keep the door open in case she tried to close it on him. "Now now, Ms. Vassey. Is that any way to treat the bearer of good news? I thought for sure at least a 'good morning' was in order."

[hungarianheart.livejournal.com]

"Spare me the platitudes, Walter, I'm busy. What do you want?" Florence crossed her arms, clearly showing she was in no mood for his nonsense.

[decourcyonrocks.livejournal.com]

"Your father is alive." Walter said, not phased at all by her harsh tone, as his easy smile made clear. "30 years alive and well in Russia."

[hungarianheart.livejournal.com]

She stared at him in shock, hardly daring to believe her ears. Alive? She'd heard nothing of his fate for years, and now, all of a sudden, here was news, and good tidings at that!

She wanted so desperately to believe Walter, even as she knew there had to be more to the story than that. "Alive. Really. How do you know?"

[decourcyonrocks.livejournal.com]

"I have conclusive evidence. And a deal to get him out with a few of my men. I just need a little help from you and everything will be set." Walter said easily as he leaned against the door frame.

[hungarianheart.livejournal.com]

Of course there was a catch, and of course deals were involved. "How convenient," Florence said flatly. "I haven't heard anything about him in years and now, all of a sudden, here he is? What conclusive evidence do you have, Walter? Pictures? Word of mouth from the so honorable and trustworthy Molokov?"

She glared at him, longing to give him a good hard slap across the cheek. He was lying, he had to be, but all the same, some sense of masochism compelled to ask what he wanted of her. "And how am I supposed to help?"

[decourcyonrocks.livejournal.com]

"We were surprised as well!" Walter said, his expression as genuine as they come. "But when he showed up on the list of names they were willing to trade, we weren't going to question it. I can show you if you like" He paused before adding almost off hand, "We'd really like to move him to the top of the list, but that depends on you."

When she asked, Walter just smiled his most charming smile. "It's simple. Anatoly has to lose. The Russian are offerings us a great deal just to save face."

[hungarianheart.livejournal.com]

Politics. It always came down to politics and saving face, and Florence had had quite enough of it all. She slapped Walter hard across the face, shaking with rage.

"Get out, Walter. You're a damned fool if you think for one moment they're telling the truth. There's no deal."

[decourcyonrocks.livejournal.com]

Walter stretched his jaw for a moment, rubbing the back of hand against where she'd hit him. But he didn't stop smiling. He just shrugged. "Think about it Ms. Vassey. I put the offer on the table, it's up to you to take it." He moved backwards out of the doorway and added as a parting shot before letting the door close behind him, "I could get another one of my men back instead. Remember that."