"Great 21st Century Novel"

104. Ivana, characteristically, made the first move . . .and pressed her clock. She then shifted her attention back to Sheila, and congratulated her on her win, and pressed 1. f4, as if to signal danger, maybe disrespect, or a willingness to venture into the riskiest of challenges for dominance.

105. The opening moves were flying, pawns offered for the taking, Knights dutifully protecting His Majest, Bishops providing spiritual guidance, and struggles for the center, then an advantage, then for a winning combination, and finally, the better end game, all on three boards, at the same time. Ivana was proving to be powerful, and clever. Ben admired her position, as well as her profile. The Brandy flowed again, inhibitions relaxing.

106. Ivana excused herself for a moment, taking her cosmetic case with her, presumably to freshen up, and maybe prepare for an end game of a different sort. Sheila and Ben eyed each other knowingly.

107. When Ivana returned, ready for a slightly more intimate match, Sheila mentioned that she was feeling a little . .well . .exhausted . .and needed just a short "break," if that would be okay with them? Ivana looked so disappointed, but Ben completely understood, and suggested that he and Ivana could continue with a slower game, for the moment, while Sheila took a few minutes to relax, if she cared to.

108. And with the plan executed perfectly, Ivana was engaged in "capturing" the knight, while Sheila was able to step out to "capture a little fresh air" - and headed straight to the mercantile exchange.

End of Chapter Three

Chapter Four: The Endgame

109. Crude plunged to the lowest levels in decades of trading allowing Sheila to purchase a huge share in futures. then word began circulating from some nefarious source that no one was identifying that the enourmous discoveries in Canada and Siberia were spurious and approval to drill in anwar and the development of the new battery technology was all bogus . . . . .the rumors were ALL bogus! including the nuclear waste solution! the price of crude skyrocketed to $200 US a barrel! Sheila was selling every certificate, every drop at that outrageous price.

110. Insider trading was rampant. Everyone thought that they had some "inside" tip, but the market was out of control. The trading had to be stopped! The only one who had the authority to close the exchange was the Director, however, one Ivana, who seemed to be missing. No one knew where she was. Panic set in!

111. With 380 Million Euros available in liquid cash certificates, Sheila met with the minister of oil for Kazakstan. "Ahmed," she bowed respectfully, not offering her hand, lest she offend, "i am prepared to extend a competitive offer for your modest oil futures. Shall we talk?"

112. And thus, with Ben tied up at the moment, and Ivana deeply involved in studying the French Defense, our Queen of the Greatest Novel of the 21st Century managed to capture Black Oil for a decided mate.

113. The flight back to Bern was uneventful. She made it to Fritz in time, before anyone discovered his temporary incapacitance, and returned "him" to normal function. Fritz was thrilled to hear of the success of "his" plan, even though he found being "put on ice" for the while to be most disrespectful and disconcerting.

Epilogue

114. Ivana was executed when the secret police discovered that Billions of Euros and Millions of barrels of crude had been effectively "stolen" . .well . .under her nose.

115. Ben flew to Norway where he met Sheila, who was on a well deserved vacation.

116. Sheila and Ben enjoyed a romantic week of alpine skiing on the black diamond slopes while dining in the evenings in their favorite nordic mexican restaurant, savoring the carne asada and pumpkin flan deserts.