{"id":5970,"date":"2011-10-03T16:17:14","date_gmt":"2011-10-03T20:17:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5970"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:25:11","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:25:11","slug":"negotiation-strategies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5970","title":{"rendered":"Negotiation Strategies (by Patina)"},"content":{"rendered":"

ummary:\u00a0<\/span>Originally published in the 2009 Convention Anthology. Sometimes a game of chess requires more than concentration on the game itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rating: K+\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Word Count=2370<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I don’t own the Cartwrights or Bonanza. No copyright infringement is intended. Original plot and characters are property of the author. This story is for entertainment and no money was made from it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reviews from the Old Library are on the last page.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Negotiation Strategies<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben and Adam were carefully studying the chess board. They had been playing for over an hour and were now at an impasse; each would have to strategically plan his next move so it wouldn\u2019t be his last.\u00a0<\/span>

\u201cWhat were you saying about the punishment fitting the crime?\u201d asked Ben.<\/span>

In the upstairs hallway, Joe and Hoss listened to the conversation; the two teens were hoping Adam could convince Pa that they had truly meant well from the very start. Widow Jenkins told them she\u2019d pay them 50 cents apiece to help her with some chores that needed doing, and they had offered to do the work at no charge; however, she\u2019d insisted that they be paid for chopping down the cottonwood tree, cutting firewood and digging the new privy hole.<\/span>

The tree had been struck by lightning several months ago and had been dying a slow death. There had been no way Joe and Hoss could have known that it had partially rotted before they began sawing through the trunk. A good breeze had been blowing all morning, which gave them the energy to work so hard for the widow; one good gust, though, had resulted in the tree toppling before they had completed the saw cuts to make it fall away from the house. Fortunately, the tree only took a few shingles off the roof of the house on its journey to the ground; unfortunately, it flattened the henhouse, and a few hens.<\/span>

After spending an hour rounding up the surviving hens and putting them in the barn, Joe and Hoss had busied themselves with chopping the non-rotten portions of the tree into firewood. After making a large pitcher of lemonade, Widow Jenkins had come to sit on the porch and smoke her pipe while they worked. Joe and Hoss had heard a faint buzzing noise when they tossed the first few logs onto the woodpile; the buzzing quickly grew louder when a few logs fell from the pile and Hoss bent to retrieve them. Feeling a sharp jab, he yelled, \u201cDon\u2019t pinch me, Joe!\u201d\u00a0<\/span>

\u201cI didn\u2019t touch you!\u201d Joe yelled back, adding a shove.<\/span>

Standing, the widow walked toward the two young men with her pipe in one hand and a glass of lemonade in the other; she was going to give them a lecture about engaging in fisticuffs when they should be working. A sharp pain in her leg made her stop and look around, but she didn\u2019t see anything. Next thing she knew, Hoss and Joe were running for the side of the house, screaming and frantically waving their arms. \u201cFool boys,\u201d she thought. A few of the bumblebees, attracted by the sugary glass of lemonade, headed straight for Widow Jenkins. She absently swatted at what she thought was a horsefly and was startled by the resulting stinging sensation. Realizing that she was the focus of several bees\u2019 attention, she took off running for the side of the house; unfortunately, she still held the glass of lemonade in her hand. The three of them \u2013 Joe, Hoss, and Widow Jenkins \u2013 frantically ran a couple of circles around the house while being pursued by the angry bees. Luckily, the widow had tossed the glass from her hand at some point during that first lap, so they were chased by fewer bees during that second trip around the house.\u00a0<\/span>
Exhausted, the three gathered near the henhouse to assess their injuries. The widow knew of at least 10 stings on her own body and could see 15 on Hoss\u2019 arms and face, and eight on Joe\u2019s. Those boys sure would be a sight in a few hours!\u00a0<\/span>

Panting for breath, Widow Jenkins said, \u201cWe\u2019ll give them bees a little while to calm down, and then I\u2019ll get some tobaccy to put on them stings.\u201d<\/span>

Joe just grimaced; Pa had put tobacco on wasp stings before, and it burned worse than the actual sting. \u201cYes\u2019m,\u201d answered Hoss.\u00a0<\/span>

Both Hoss and Joe were hoping word of their deeds at the widow\u2019s home wouldn\u2019t get back to Pa too quickly. However, he\u2019d been in the barn when they returned home, and when he saw their swollen faces, they had no choice but to tell him the entire sad story. The anger on his face was branded into their memories as they headed for the house and their rooms. Pa had told them to go upstairs and stay there while he thought up a suitable punishment for what had happened.\u00a0<\/span>

Adam was coming out of the kitchen when his brothers entered the house; he also couldn\u2019t help but notice their swollen faces. When he asked what had happened, Hoss mumbled an account of the day\u2019s events. Adam\u2019s eyebrow arched up at his brother\u2019s telling of Widow Jenkins smearing tobacco juice onto their faces; both young men had refused to drop their pants so the widow could treat their posteriors. The ride home had been a long one, not just because of the pain from the stings.<\/span>

With a reassuring wink, Adam told his brothers to go on upstairs \u2013 he\u2019d talk to Pa on their behalf. After all, they couldn\u2019t be held responsible for everything that had happened. When it came to the henhouse, though, that would definitely take quite a bit of convincing, since the widow earned money from selling the eggs her hens laid.\u00a0<\/span>

Supper had been a somber affair with very little talking, other than requests to pass the bread or salt. Joe\u2019s cheek was so swollen he was having a difficult time chewing, and the size of Hoss\u2019 upper lip was making it hard for him to get his food off his fork. Adam tried to keep his eyes on his plate but couldn\u2019t help glancing through his lashes at his brothers and father. Sitting at the head of the table, Pa chewed his food with a stony expression on his face.\u00a0<\/span>Surely he knew that his sons hadn\u2019t intended for any of the day\u2019s events to happen<\/i>, thought Adam.<\/span>

Following supper, Hoss and Joe retreated back upstairs while Ben sat down in his favorite leather chair and tried to prepare his pipe. The thought of wet tobacco being placed on stings dampened his urge to smoke, though, and he put the pipe back on the bowl.<\/span>

Noticing his father\u2019s pensiveness and remembering his promise to speak to him, Adam tried to think of a way to broach the subject without Pa becoming defensive. He finally began setting up the chessboard. \u201cHow about a game, Pa?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cWhat?\u201d Ben asked, his thoughts interrupted.<\/span>

\u201cHow about a game of chess? Maybe it\u2019ll take your mind off things.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cHmph,\u201d Ben snorted as he got up and went over to the small table where the board was kept.<\/span>

The two men didn\u2019t speak as pieces were removed from the board. Finally down to their kings and defenders, Adam was trying to figure out how to check his father\u2019s next move.<\/span>

\u201cWidow Jenkins doesn\u2019t have any family to do chores for her, and she keeps to herself so much,\u201d observed Adam. \u201cYou should be proud that she thinks highly of you and that she asked Hoss and Joe for help. Besides, any punishment should fit the crime that was committed.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cWhat was that?\u201d Ben asked, his concentration on the game disturbed. \u201cWhat were you saying about the punishment fitting the crime?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cDid I use the word punishment? That\u2019s too harsh a word; maybe discipline is more appropriate. Besides, there was no crime to speak of.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cWhat manner of discipline would be best for this situation?\u201d Ben inquired.<\/span>

Adam carefully ran his forefinger against the stubble above his upper lip while he supported his chin with his thumb. His elbow rested on the table so he could support his weight better as he casually leaned from the leather chair. Discarding the thought of moving his bishop, he said, \u201cActually, penance might be a far better word than discipline or punishment.\u201d<\/span>

Inhaling deeply, Ben pulled his shoulders back to stretch a bit. He had the feeling that Adam was distracting him so he\u2019d make a move and leave his king undefended. After all, this conversation about crime and punishment had only begun fifteen minutes ago. \u201cWhether it\u2019s punishment, discipline, or penance, a lesson must be learned, don\u2019t you agree?\u201d<\/span>

Adam exhaled and raised an eyebrow slightly. Moving his knight was not as good an idea as he\u2019d thought. Far more was at stake with this game than just losing at chess. Joe and Hoss had honestly meant well when they had offered to do a few odd jobs for Widow Jenkins. Was it their fault that a gust of wind made the tree they were chopping down fall onto the henhouse? Or that those bumblebees had built a nest in the woodpile near the front porch? \u201cYou\u2019ve always told us that we should help those in need. They were merely following one of the lessons they\u2019ve been taught.\u201d<\/span>

Ben felt his lips tighten as he briefly clenched his teeth. It was one thing to help a neighbor in need; it was another to nearly kill that neighbor with kindness. Widow Jenkins had been stung at least 10 times by those bees.\u00a0<\/span>

\u201cWell, for starters, they could rebuild Widow Jenkins\u2019 henhouse,\u201d suggested Adam. \u201cFortunately, they were able to find most of the hens and put them in the barn.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cThat\u2019s certainly fair. Maybe they can build one that the foxes and badgers won\u2019t get into as easily. But I\u2019ll not allow them to accept one cent from Widow Jenkins. They caused this mess, and she shouldn\u2019t have to pay them for it. \u201c<\/span>

\u201cThey can\u2019t be blamed for everything,\u201d Adam pointed out. \u201cAfter all, the wind knocked the tree down. If that hadn\u2019t happened, the tree would have fallen where it should have.\u201d<\/span>

Pursing his lips, Ben squinted at the board. What was Adam\u2019s point? The henhouse was in smithereens and the widow would have a hard time collecting eggs from scattered chickens in the barn. She needed the income those eggs provided so she didn\u2019t have to purchase goods on credit.<\/span>

\u201cWe could buy her eggs. I\u2019m sure Hop Sing would be glad to have some extras on hand,\u201d added Adam.<\/span>

With a snort, Ben replied, \u201cThe widow would see that as charity. Your brothers caused her to lose income and then I pay for eggs? She would never agree to that.\u201d<\/span>

Removing his finger from his bishop again, Adam said, \u201cHoss and Joe could rebuild the henhouse tomorrow and then gather the eggs for her every morning for a month afterward. She could take what she didn\u2019t need into town to sell. Does that sound fair?\u201d<\/span>

A gleam came into Ben\u2019s eye as he secretly hoped Adam would move his knight; that would leave a hole in his king\u2019s defense. \u201cHmm \u2026 that sounds fair.\u201d He scowled as Adam reached for his queen instead of the knight. \u201cThose two can also repair the roof while they\u2019re out there tomorrow. We\u2019ve got plenty of lumber here for them to haul for the henhouse and some shingles in the barn for the widow\u2019s roof.\u201d<\/span>

Upstairs, Hoss and Joe exchanged a glance and quietly let out their breath. Adam had come through for them after all.\u00a0<\/span>

Finally deciding to make a move, Adam reached for his knight. After moving the chess piece, he quickly glanced at his father and noticed the slight smile on his lips.<\/span>

\u201cCheck!\u201d Ben announced happily as he moved his bishop.\u00a0<\/span>

Adam moved his queen, knowing that his father would win the game with the next move. \u201cI think my brothers will be punished enough when the story about the bumblebees gets out and the widow embellishes it with each telling.\u201d<\/span>

Ben couldn\u2019t help but smile at the thought of his younger sons being teased by friends and neighbors for fearing some little old bees. \u201cCheckmate.\u201d He then stood and stretched his arms. In the back of his mind, he was sure Adam had let him win, but he couldn\u2019t prove it. \u201cI’d better go upstairs and let those boys know that they\u2019d better get some rest. I have a feeling it\u2019s going to be a long, uneventful day out at Widow Jenkins\u2019 place tomorrow.\u201d<\/span>


Thanks to all who have offered so much encouragement.<\/i><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>Cheaux<\/a>\u00a0Signed<\/span>
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>12 Feb 2013 12:21 am\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>Negotiation Strategies\u00a0Loved the negotiation strategies! And having been the victim of multiple bee stings myself, I can empathize with Joe and Hoss! \u00a0The imgage you painted of the boys and widow running around the house was priceless. \u00a0Well done, Patina.*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>slaine89<\/a>\u00a0Signed<\/span>\u00a0\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"\"half-star\"
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>10 Oct 2011 04:12 am\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>Negotiation Strategies\u00a0Well it’s a good thing for Joe and Hoss that Adam was there to go to bat for them. I got quite a few chuckles out of this one; poor kids. Everything was determined to go wrong. Nothing you can do about days like that. I can just see Hoss and Joe at the top of the stairs listening and hoping Adam will come through. Thanks for an entertaining read.*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>sklamb<\/a>\u00a0Signed<\/span>\u00a0\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"\"half-star\"
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>09 Oct 2011 09:43 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>Negotiation Strategies\u00a0Fun, multileveled chess-match of a story, and a delightful mix of humor and seriousness! Thank you so much! It was a delight to see this fine story again!*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>gigi\u00a0Anonymous<\/span>\u00a0\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>09 Oct 2011 09:32 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>Negotiation Strategies\u00a0Aw, wise Adam.\u00a0 What a sweet story.\u00a0 I had to laugh as I imagined Hoss and Joe running around the house.*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>freyakendra<\/a>\u00a0Signed<\/span>
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>09 Oct 2011 09:00 am\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>Negotiation Strategies\u00a0Now that was a satisfying Sunday morning read! It sure left a smile on my face! But OW! I thought one sting was bad! ;-)*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>southplains<\/a>\u00a0Signed<\/span>
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>09 Oct 2011 12:12 am\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>Negotiation Strategies\u00a0I remember this!\u00a0 Enjoyed it just as much the second (or third) time around!*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

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Summary:\u00a0Originally published in the 2009 Convention Anthology. Sometimes a game of chess requires more than concentration on the game itself.<\/p>\n

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