The World Played Chess

On his first night watch in Vietnam, North Vietnamese soldiers shoot into the base and William and Kenny sound off the alarm. William freezes in fear, but Kenny, an experienced hunter, shoots back. He is wounded, though, and medics are called in to assist.

Vincent and Elizabeth are devoted supporters of their son Beau’s high school football team. Beau’s best friend, Chris, is also on the team and is being recruited by Stanford University. Chris’s father hopes that Chris will get in on a football scholarship since the family can’t afford the tuition at Stanford, but he also worries that playing so hard will injure Chris. During an important football game. Beau is hit hard in the head, and the doctor on the scene worries that he has a concussion. Beau insists he can play, but Vincent doesn’t allow him to. Beau is disappointed, but Vincent knows that it’s better to be safe than to leave Beau’s health and life to chance.

Kenny dies from the wounds inflicted in his shootout with North Vietnamese soldiers. William is shocked by Cruz’s ability to move on so quickly from Kenny’s death. This is the first time William has ever seen someone die.