Ronald pinwheeled to the floor.
He lifted his bruised head from the deck and worked his reddened mouth. "Had enough?" he asked Manet.
Manet dropped his fists to his sides and turned away. "Yes."
Ronald hopped up lightly. "Another checkers, Billy Boy?"
"No."
"Okay. Anything you want, William, old conquerer."
Manet scrunched up inside himself in impotent fury.
Ronald was maddeningly co-operative and peaceful. He would even get in a fist fight to avoid trouble between them. He would do anything Manet wanted him to do. He was so utterly damned stupid.
Manet's eyes orbitted towards the checkerboard.
But if he were so much more stupid than he, Manet, why was it that their checker games always ended in a tie?