FICTION

THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM

Louise R. 5-R-9 FPE

With a triumphant leer, Anastasia said, “Mary, your ball is out of bounds by six inches. Since you did not hit a provisional ball, you will have to walk back to the tee and hit another, with a penalty of two strokes." "Damn," said Mary to herself. "I had to pick a Xerox copy of the Royal and Ancient St. Andrews golf rule book to play against in the finals of the city championship."

On the final hole, Mary marked her ball's position on the green, then picked up the ball and wiped off the mud against the grass. Anastasia instantly said, "That is a penalty; you can wipe off the mud, but not against the turf of the green." Mary controlled her fury with a great ef- fort but was so shaken she missed her short putt and lost the match. What especially rankled her was the fact that she was a better golfer than her opponent but was beaten by Anastasia's vast knowledge of the intricate rules.

Recuperating with a highball in the lounge of the clubhouse, Mary brooded over possible ways of revenge. A solution came to her mind but she first dismissed it as impractical. But no other inspiration came and she thought again about the wild idea.

A few minutes later, hot with the peculiar scheme she was driving her Mercedes along the freeway, finally stopping in a suburban area before a small but expensive looking scientific laboratory. Walking directly into the working area she confronted the lone occupant (it was 6 p.m.). "Terry dear," she cried, "put aside your physics stuff for a few minutes; I've an important proposition." Terry turned off the red laser beam and with a resigned air turned to her. "Haven't I always been a nice sister and helped you out several times" she breathed excitedly.

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