As a kibitzer sits down and secretly hands you a note, you must make
a decision over 4. Partner has made an invitational bid in spades
(the year is 1943, and mixed raises and weak jump responses are not
in vogue), and the opponents are bidding a lot of hearts, your
weakest suit.

On the one hand you have little wastage in hearts and partner is likely
to be short there. On the other hand, you have only 11 HCP. Still, your
kings in the minor suits are over the opening bidder. What will you do?

 South Paul
   K Q 8 4 3
   9 7 3
   K 6 2
   K 9

While deciding whether to bid four, you open the secret note and
read: You've paused too long. Commit yourself!

Obviously the note has a double meaning, and in the auction it means
that if you choose to pass 4, your long huddle will bar partner from
bidding 4. So you commit to 4 yourself. The opening lead is the 4
of hearts and this is what you see:

 South Paul
   K Q 8 4 3
   9 7 3
   K 6 2
   K 9

Bette puts down her dummy and takes out a cigarette. The kibitzer
reaches over and lights it for her before you have the chance. She
gives you a scared look and you thank her for the nice dummy in a
calm voice. East wins the ace of hearts and switches quickly to the
queen of diamonds. Another note is pushed into your hand. It says:
Meet us at midnight to discuss the set-up. What is your plan?

 South Paul
   K Q 8 4 3
   9 7 3
   K 6 2
   K 9

You win the diamond queen with the king and immediately attack clubs,
in an attempt to set up a discard for your third diamond. The king of
clubs lives, but the 9 of clubs is taken by East with the ace, and
the jack of diamonds is returned. Now what?

 South Paul
   K Q 8 4 3
   9 7
   K 6 2
   K 9

You take the jack of diamonds in dummy with the ace and lead the
queen of clubs. East ruffs with the 7 of spades. We must hope East
has only the ace of spades remaining, you say to partner. The
kibitzer gets up and walks around the table to the East position. You
overruff the 7 of spades with the 8, ruff a heart in dummy and lead
the jack of clubs. East plays the ace of spades and you discard your
third diamond.

 South Paul
   K Q 8 4 3
   9 7
   6 2
   —

The kibitzer exclaims, Excellent. I was certain he held three spades
and you'd be down one. Please accept my invitation to a special game
tonight at midnight in the usual place.

You could have been defeated, says Bette, after a diamond lead.
Perhaps East should have bid the suit over 3.

We can discuss that later, dear, you say, reaching under the table
to hand her two plane tickets to New York on the six o'clock flight.
Then you turn to the kibitizer. As for you, we accept your
invitation; you bring the cards and wait for us, even if we're late
-- very, very late.

The scene fades out as a great blob of smoke emerges from Bette's
cigarette, enveloping the players' faces.

THE END

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 South Paul
   K Q 8 4 3
   9 7 3
   K 6 2
   K 9

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