IsitjustanothereveningatthehugelypopularItalianrestaurantofproprietorandbookmakerLouisCropainNewYork?Anythingbutastonight'sguestsinclude;alocalpolicedetectiveandhiswifespeciallyinvitedbytheowner;onthebalconyrivalbookmakergangstersfromQueenswhowanttobecomepartnersintherestaurant;inthecornerrenownedfoodcritic'thefoodnymph'isherusualdemandingself;andatthebar,seeminglyunnoticed,isKen.AstheeveningcontinuesenterDuncan,inveterategamblerandsous-chefon-the-lineinthefrenetickitchendownstairs,whoactsasthecatalystthatcausestheeveningtodrawtoitsinevitable,explosive,deadlyconclusion.WrittenbyMarkSmith<msmith@osi.co.uk>