"This isn't a game."
"You're right. It's a battle. But even battles have rules."
"My God, macho to the end."
"Call it what you want. But I am now going to destroy them both, totally. Wipe them out. They've given me no choice."
"How exactly do you propose doing that?"
"I made the opening move just now. Next I'm . . . later." I glanced up to see Jim Bob approaching. He was staring at me, glassy-eyed.
"What was that you were saying a while ago?"
"Don't remember, Jim Bob."
"Something about a score."
"Oh, that. Nothing really."