Chapter 19: No Trade Exists
February 8th, 2010
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"You know our situations are not as different as you might think."
"Pardon me, Warden. I am already suffering the shame of imprisonment; must I also suffer the shame of your taunts?"
The Warden warms into a grin. "Hear me out."
The Killer shrugs indifferently while placing his stones. "Go ahead."
"Think about it. Are we not both given the same food? The same stone walls? The same monotonous repetition?"
The Killer steeples his fingers on his chin as the Warden takes his turn.
"Are we not both confined here? I am not allowed to see my family. I don't even know how they are, or what they're doing. I haven't in a long time, and I don't know when I will next."
The Killer's move scrapes the board.
"The only real difference between you and me is that it is my place to be in power, and it is your place to be in my power.
Each of us fulfilling our part."
The Warden's grin grows to a smile, as he lets play drift. "You know," he begins, "I was once posted in the islands. The locals played this game with leather satchels each filled with rocks to a third of the player's weight."
"Really?" asks the Killer.
"Yes, it was a rather impressive mix of strategy and athleticism."
"Was it very popular?"
"Quite." The Warden stops to take stock of his position before continuing. "The game was used to decide the leader of the village."
"How fabulously simple of them."
"Don't mistake simplicity for naivety."
"I wouldn't."
The Warden raises his head and checks the Killer's eyes. "No, you wouldn't," he admits before making his winning move.
The Killer's poise momentarily trips over the board. He says, "Best two out of three," and the Warden laughs.
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