A Game of Chess

Chapter 1: Tensions

The grin on his face grew wider, as he pulled the man into a large hug. "I should've figured you were a New Yorker kinda guy!"

"Hey, I just got this suit! If you wrinkle it, who knows how long it'll take to get them out!"

"Hahahah, sorry."

After a few more moments of talking, the duo spotted General Marshall make his way over. "Well my dear friend, I see that you have someone else who'd like to talk to you." Francis grabbed a pair of tongs and a plate, serving himself a couple of macaroons and madeleines. "I'll head over and tell your brother that the pancakes are on the table alright? We'll meet you back at the conference!" He waved a final farewell before heading off to the rest of the group of chattering people.

Mr. Marshall was a very serious man, but also a very respectable one. He seemed content with his place in the congress at the moment, not willing to go any further up the political ladder, even though many people including President Truman had admitted what a great president he could be. But he always was a modest person, a man to think of the country, not himself. He had his uniform on as did most everyone else, but was missing his cap. When Alfred asked why he didn't wear it, he simply stated it would be easier for the young American to find his balding head when he inevitably got in trouble than search for a dark green cap that likely every other old balding general at the meeting would be wearing. Of course Alfred was offended by the comment, mainly because of how accurate it was and the fact that Mr. Marshall was right about every general at the meeting having a hat except him. But although he was known for his tough exterior, he was walking towards Alfred with a rather large smile on his face. He looked more loosen up than before, perhaps Arthur got him too many drinks.

"Jones!" He yelled out, slapping a hand on the young man's back. "That was a good speech you pulled out there in the conference!"

"You really think so Mr. Marsh? I don't think you've ever said something like that before." He laughed back with amusement.

"Don't try and squeeze another compliment out of me, this is a one time only chance. Don't spoil it." He grunted. Turning his wrinkled wrist, he looked at the small watch then turned and motioned Alfred towards him. "We've got around twenty minutes left, walk with me kid."

Hurriedly, the American caught up with the general. "Is there something you want to talk about Mr. Marsh?" He asked quizzically. They were moving away from the breakroom, someone would notice that right?

"Yes Jones. You'll be heading off to West Berlin next month, correct?" He said, his tone of voice starting to change. He searched through his pocket for a thin cigarette and lighter, ignoring the non-smoking signs around the large empty hallway they entered.

"Yeah? What about it?"

"The President wants you to announce it in the meeting as soon as it's resumed."

"What?" Alfred asked. He thought that the general would show some emotion, disgruntled, upset, but he still looked as nonchalant before. "What do you mean announce it, Ivan is here. It's bad enough that we're still attending events given the current nuclear war tension, and if he finds out I'm visiting his part of Germany, then he could try send another one of his spies on me!"

As he ranted, Mr. Marshall took a long breath of the cigarette, waiting for the other to finish. He was getting too old for this. "He already knows."

A quiet silence entered, despite the chatter that echoed from the other room. "He what? How?" He yelled out in disbelief.

"Something was sent to your office a few days ago." He said shuffling through his pocket, and pulling out a small blank card then handed it to him. "We were curious who it was from and took a look."