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B 7 THE WESTING GAME EIGHT CARD TABLES, each with two chairs, were arranged in the center of the game room. Sports equipment lined the walls. Hunting rifles, Ping-Pong paddles, billiard cues (a full rack, Turtle noticed), bows and arrows, darts, bats, racquets—all looked like possible murder weapons to the jittery heirs who were waiting to be told where to sit. Theo wandered over to the chess table to admire the finely carved pieces. Someone had moved a white pawn. Okay, hell play along. Theo defended the opening with a black knight. On hearing Plums throat-clearing signal, Sydelle Pulaski switched the painted crutch to her left armpit and flipped to a fresh page in her notebook. Shhh! SEVENTH ? And now, dear friends, relatives, and enemies, the Westing game begins. The rules are simple: Number of players: 16, divided into 8 pairs. Each pair will receive $10,000. Each pair will receive one set of clues. Forfeits: If any player drops out, the partner must leave the game. The pair must return the money. Absent pairs forfeit the $10,000; their clues will be held until the next session. Players will be given two days notice of the next session. Each pair may then give one answer. Object of the game: to win. Did you hear that, Crow? Otis Amber said excitedly. Ten thousand dollars! Now arent you glad I made you come, huh? Shhh! That was Turtle. The object of the game was to win, and she wanted to win. EIGHTH ? The heirs will now be paired. When called, go to the assigned table. Your name and position will be read as signed on the receipt. It will be up to the other players to discover who you really are. 1 ? MADAME SUN LIN HOO, Cook JAKE WEXLER, standing or sitting when not lying down Grace Wexler did not understand her husbands joke about position. Mr. Hoo did, but he was in no mood for humor; ten thousand dollars was at stake. Both pleaded for their absent spouses—Emergency operation, My wife doesnt even speak English—to no avail. Table one remained empty and moneyless.