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, he'll play along. Theo defended the opening with a black knight. On hearing Plum's 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 aren't 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 husband's 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 doesn't even speak English"—to no avail. Table one remained empty and moneyless.

2 ♦ TURTLE WEXLER, witch FLORA BAUMBACH, dressmaker Sighs of relief greeted the naming of Turtle's partner, but Flora Baumbach seemed pleased to be paired with the kicking witch. At least, her face was still puckered in that elfin grin. Turtle had hoped for one of the high-school seniors, especially Doug Hoo.

3 ♦ CHRISTOS THEODORAKIS, birdwatcher D. DENTON DEERE, intern, St. Joseph's Hospital, Department of Plastic Surgery Theo protested: He and his brother should be paired together; Chris was his responsibility. Mrs. Wexler protested: Doctor D. should be paired with his bride-to-be. D. Denton Deere protested, but silently: If this had been arranged for free medical advice, they (whoever they are) were mistaken. He was a busy man. He was a doctor, not a nursemaid. But Chris was delighted to be part of the outside world. He would tell the intern about the person who limped into the Westing house; maybe that was the murderer—unless his partner was the murderer! This was really exciting, even better than television.

4 ♦ ALEXANDER MCSOUTHERS, doorman J. J. FORD, judge, Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court The heirs watched the jaunty doorman pull out a chair for the judge. It had never occurred to them that Sandy was a nickname for Alexander, but that couldn't be what Sam Westing meant by It will be up to the other players to discover who you really are. Or could it? The judge did not return the chip-toothed smile. Doorman, he calls himself, and the others had signed simple things, too: cook, dressmaker. The podiatrist had even made fun of his "position." She must seem as pompous as that intern, putting on airs with that title. Well, she had worked hard to get where she was, why shouldn't she be proud of it? She was no token; her record was faultless....Watch it, JosieJo. Westing's getting to you already and the game has barely begun.

5 ♦ GRACE WINDSOR WEXLER, heiress JAMES SHIN HOO, restaurateur Grace Windsor Wexler ignored the snickers. If she was not the heiress now, she would be soon, what with her clues, Angela's clues, Turtle's clues, Denton's clues, and the clues of Mr. Hoo's obedient son. Five thousand dollars lost! Oh well, who needs Jake anyway? She'd win on her own. "You'll be happy to know that Mr. Westing was really my Uncle Sam," she whispered to her partner. So what, thought Mr. Hoo. Five thousand dollars lost! He should have told his wife about this meeting, dragged her along. Sam Westing, the louse, has cheated him again. Whoever killed him deserves a medal.