(with apologies to William Shakespeare
)It was Summertime and Sydney was vacationing in Scotland. He was visiting a lovely but eccentric couple, the Macbeths, whom he had met on a Bridge Cruise.
The Macbeths told Sydney that he had the run of the castle and grounds, but he must not venture onto the moor. Sydney should have listened, but his curiosity got the better of him and he decided to seek adventure in forbidden territory.
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Sydney had just entered the darkest portion of the moor when he came upon a strange sight: three old ladies sitting around a card table with an empty chair and a deck in plain view. They asked him if he played and, if so, would he like to join them. They cut for partners and dealt the first hand. Sydney had never seen the likes of it before when he looked at his hand: ♠AKQ, ♥AKQJ, ♦AK, ♣KJ97. This was the adventure Sydney had been seeking. What a story he’d have to tell Lord and Lady Macbeth! He was sure they’d even forgive him for not heeding their admonition to stay off the moor.
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Sydney heard his LHO open 2NT, alerted (minors). After Pass by his partner, RHO bid 7 Clubs. "Double," said Sydney, beside himself.
"Redouble!" shrieked his LHO. Sydney licked his chops and led the ♣7, planning to cut down on the opponents’ ruffs of his top cards. His RHO muttered under her breath, "Double, Double, Toil and Trouble; Double, Double, you’ll eat your double.
Declarer took a deep hook in Clubs. Sydney did not know if he were watching the play or the mist on the moor, it all happened so fast. Repeated Diamond ruffs and Club finesses and Declarer was home free.
Sydney looked away for just a second to catch his breath, and when he looked again all he saw were three puffs of smoke. Sydney sulked all the way back to the castle, vowing never again to test fate.