Chess-Men

K: Now that we are standing here, with some time remaining for the battle to begin, I'd like to know how you guys are feeling. It's very important that we act as a unit and everyone does what he's asked for. I remember the last time, because of your sheer incompetence, I was humiliated by the opposing army. You know how it is with me, I've grown old and cannot move very fast. I was disgusted by the sheer contempt with which I was treated by the opposing King, making me run around all over the creation - and at this age too. Humiliating. I don't expect it to happen this time.

Q: My dear, you know what I'd not do to save you. I run around all over the place attacking, defending, scheming, and plotting while you sit there in the corner, brooding over your lost vivacity and locomotion. The least you can do this time is grow, what in semblance would be a pair, and not try to hide behind me. You know how they are. They will 'pin' me down and hunt me and you would be left hobbling brooding with your white age, senile disposition, and pathetic visage.

K: I am the King, did you forget? Would you please be more respectful, especially in front of an assembly.

Q: Respect, my foot - if I had them. You have to earn it. Let's hear what others have to say. Come on P, you are the vanguard of our attack, and the spine of our defense. What do you think?

a P: It's not our place to think, dear lady. I work on the e-file and have never ventured beyond the d or f files without getting chopped down. Mostly I just walk straight or wait. Yes, I wait a lot and try to see the bloodshed around but cannot do much. Mostly I just wait and look around. I work on the e-file. But tell you what, it's not very different from the d and e. I've been there, I know - just a bit quieter. The h-P seems to have a ball. Because the fighting is mostly concentrated at the center, he is generally pretty safe and he has occupational perks. I often catch him peeking over to his right, lost in the vast expanse of peaceful territory. Do you think I can get to work there if I do a good job here?

Q: Oh shut up. You are new and you already have complaints.

e-P: No, no, no complaints. I was just wondering...

Kn: I sympathize with your frustration Q. There is nothing I hate more than an unimaginative, uncreative, uninspiring leader. His movements are bounded and predictable, his grace is utterly ungraceful. He is a sorry study in senile ossification with no artistic leaps of imagination, and no athletic beauty to speak off. His age is over and his ideas are outdated. He is to me what classical era is to postmodernism. As far as I am concerned, I like to relish in unpredictability, to attack with beauty, to fork with elegance, and to chop with surprise. I cannot care less for the K.

R: But we have to do what is asked of us, Kn. Your irresponsible behavior has cost us many a battles. It is frustrating to see you galloping around when we all are working so hard to protect him. You know I find it difficult to be everywhere. I'm not like Q. It takes time for me to get to a place...

B: Look who's talking. You can at least get everywhere. I can only reach half the battleground. And I can't even walk straight. You know how it feels when there is a big, juicy target right there in front of your eyes and the best you can do is breeze past it with threatening eyes. There I am, moving all over the board with my dagger baying for blood, and myself mad with anger, and the enemy just sits there looking at me with the amusement of a child looking at the tiger's cage in a zoo. It's insulting.

K: I know, I know. I understand how it must feel, trying to protect an invalid like me. I'm old and cannot move much. Even the Ps have seen more world than I have. I generally stay at one location unless I cannot even move from there. It's sad but would you protect me this one time? For old time's sake. The bespectacled nerd is back in his seat looking all grim and pensive but I know how he'll begin. Come on, e-P, get ready to move, let the battle begin.