...There's a term, in chess. Zugzwang. It's a word for being in a position where it would be better not to move than to do anything else, except you're forced to move anyway. No matter what you do, the situation gets worse.

[It's a good word, tailored for a very particular meaning and a very particular situation. The kinds of words you could build a whole chapter on, from the strength of them. Breathtakingly efficient, to have such a vast array of meaning wrapped up into two easy syllables.

She stares at her toes. It's not a good thing to do, but it's easier than looking at Kaveh.]

Any way I answer that question will only make things worse, won't it.