Silver and gold chess pieces slid one after another across the black and white board with a quiet intensity. To anyone watching it would have looked like a computer simulation as no one touched a single piece. Two men casually sat next to the chess board, conversing.

“Tell me why, Eric.”

Eric smiled. “Point. I am who I am because of my experiences, life lessons literally beaten into me.”

“You can’t hide behind that pain forever. Let it go.”

“How can you say that? When was the last time you were wrongly imprisoned? I wasn’t liberated- I escaped. Hell, even you and your children fight when you think its worth it. I’m afraid you’re not always entirely truthful with yourself.”

“No you’re wrong.” Charles said firmly. “It’s the choices we make that defines who we are. Without that, we give up our responsibilty to ourselves. If we choose to fight for a better world, we do it with open eyes knowing that we will pay a cost.”

“As do me and mine, old friend, as do me and mine.”

“Call it a draw?”

“For now.”