IsitjustanothereveningatthehugelypopularItalianrestaurantofproprietorandbookmakerLouisCropainNewYork?Anythingbutastonight'sguestsincludealocalpolicedetectiveandhiswifespeciallyinvitedbytheowneronthebalconyrivalbookmakergangstersfromQueenswhowanttobecomepartnersintherestaurantinthecornerrenownedfoodcritic'thefoodnymph'isherusualdemandingselfandatthebar,seeminglyunnoticed,isKen.AstheeveningcontinuesenterDuncan,inveterategamblerandsous-chefon-the-lineinthefrenetickitchendownstairs,whoactsasthecatalystthatcausestheeveningtodrawtoitsinevitable,explosive,deadlyconclusion.WrittenbyMarkSmith<msmith@osi.co.uk>