Rules of the Game (Of Life and Chess)

Staring at the pieces didn't help at all. Slowly, Johnny placed his fingers on a piece, moved it three spaces. Just as he was about to let go, Chet's mustache twitched. It was one of those 'I've got you now' twitches that Johnny'd come to recognize quickly. He pulled the piece back to its original spot and continued staring at the board.

"Oh, come on, Gage," Chet whined. "You gotta make a move some time." He gestured toward the chess board. "Just get it over with."

Johnny looked up at his adversary and saw the twitch again. No way was he going to 'just get it over with' – he'd find a way to win.

Or stall long enough for the tones to go off.

Chet leaned over the board, eyes narrowed. "There's no way you can win now." He sat back in his chair. "Not with that bone-head move you made before." He began tapping his fingers on the table.

The local master of the game entered the room, poured himself a cup of coffee. "Who's winning?" Mike queried, walking up to the table.

"I am, of course," gloated Chet. "And no sympathy pointers for the slow one here. Come on, Gage."

"Okay, okay." Johnny waved Chet back and placed his fingers on a different piece.

Mike coughed.

Johnny pulled his hand back as if the chess piece had burned his fingers.

"That's cheating!" Chet bellowed. "No prompting from the gallery."

"Sorry." Mike kept his face neutral. "Coffee's a little strong this afternoon."

"What are you so nervous about anyway, Chet?" asked Marco. "You already guaranteed that you'd win."

"Oh?" Johnny's eyebrow climbed as he switched his stare from the chess board to Chet.

"Well, everyone beats Gage at chess," stammered Chet. "I'm pretty sure I can too."

"Life comes with no guarantees, no time outs, no second chances," Roy quoted. "I think that goes for chess too."

"Ha, ha, Roy," Chet grumbled. "Real profound." He turned back to the board. "You gonna make a move today, Gage?" Looking up at Roy, he added, "then I'll show you a guarantee."

The tones blared. "Squad 51. Man down. 9307 South Briar Place. 9-3-0-7 South Briar Place. Cross: Jade Tree Trail. Time out: 1422."

Johnny and Roy left in a flash.

"Now that's a guarantee," Marco said.

Mike slid into Johnny's vacated seat. "And here's the second chance."

"That's not fair," whined Chet.

"If you're called out, anyone can sub in," quoted Mike. "That's the rule."

"But…" Chet slumped in his chair. "I was winning."