'You will do this.' 'And if I don't?' Philippides wanted to sound indignant, but he'd been blind-sided, and his mouth felt as dry as a freshly ironed T-shirt. 'I'll see that you and your business are ruined.' The man bent forward in his chair, and left his cigar to go out by itself. 'I'll be going, ' he said. 'If you and I discuss this thing again, it will be at a time and place of my choice.' Philippides looked at the man as if a second head had just sprouted out of his collar... The year is 1991. Stephanos Philippides is in a fix. Katerina Makarios is not. Stephanos Philippides has a bomb-like secret in his life which is about to explode. Katerina Makarios's life is an open book. Stephanos Philippides is in danger of losing his hotels. Katerina Makarios doesn't have much money in the first place, and could care less. Stephanos Philippides' father was hard, pushy, and greedy. Katerina Makarios' father is the soul of kindness and self-sacrifice. Stephanos Philippides hasn't talked to his mother in two decades. Katerina Makarios' mother is Katerina's best friend. Katerina Makarios is in secretarial school. Stephanos Philippides is looking for an office assistant. Katerina is about to learn Stephanos' secret. Stephanos wonders if that's such a good thing.