"Yes."

"All right. How long?"

"I don't know. A few weeks, maybe."

"Take a month. Consult your experts, put your computers onto it.It may make for a slightly more interesting game."

"I really didn't have that in mind."

"Then it's time you're trying to buy."

"I can't deny that. On the other hand, I will need it."

"In that case, I have some terms. I'd like this place cleaned up,fixed up, more lively. It's a mess. I also want beer on tap."

"Okay. I'll see to that."

"Then I agree. Let's see who goes first."

Martin switched a black and a white Pawn from hand to hand beneaththe table. He raised his fists then and extended them. Tlingelleaned forward and tapped. The black horn's tip touched Martin's lefthand.

"Well, it matches my sleek and glossy hide," the unicornannounced.

Martin smiled, setting up the white for himself, the black piecesfor his opponent. As soon as he had finished, he pushed his Pawn toK4.

Tlingel's delicate, ebon hoof moved to advance the Black King'sPawn to K4.

"I take it that you want a month now, to consider your next move?"

Martin did not reply but moved his Knight to KB3. Tlingelimmediately moved a Knight to QB3.

Martin took a swallow of beer and then moved his Bishop to N5.The unicorn moved the other Knight to B3. Martin immediately castledand Tlingel moved the Knight to take his Pawn.

"I think we'll make it," Martin said suddenly, "if you'll just letus alone. We do learn from our mistakes, in time."

"Mythical beings do not exactly exist in time. Your world is aspecial case."

"Don't you people ever make mistakes?"

"Whenever we do they're sort of poetic."

Martin snarled and advanced his Pawn to Q4. Tlingel immediatelycountered by moving the Knight to Q3.

"I've got to stop," Martin said, standing. "I'm getting mad, and