Martin turned toward Tlingel.

"They were your observations. What do you think?"

"It may be amusing," said the unicorn, "to stop by occasionally."Then, "So much for saving the world. Did you say you wanted anothergame?"

"I've nothing to lose."

Grend took over the tending of the bar while Tlingel and Martinreturned to the table.

He beat the unicorn in thirty-one moves and touched the extendedhorn.

The piano keys went up and down. Tiny sphinxes buzzed about thebar, drinking the spillage.

The game itself. Okay. It was Halprin v. Pillsbury in Munich, in1901. Pillsbury was the stronger player. He'd beaten a number ofvery good players and had only Halprin, a weaker player, left to face.But two other players, running very close to Pillsbury for firstprize, decided to teach him a lesson. The night before the game theygot together with Halprin and coached him, teaching him everythingthey had learned concerning Pillsbury's style. The following day,Pillsbury faced a much better-prepared Halprin than he had anticipatedplaying. He realized this almost too late. The others chuckled andfelt smug. But Pillsbury surprised them. Even caught off guardinitially, he managed a draw. After all, he was very good. Martinis playing Halprin's game here, and Tlingel Pillsbury's. Except thatMartin isn't really weak. He was just nervous the first time around.Who wouldn't be?