man at the small table had her chair pulled around for the best view from the Frenchstylewindows that led on to a tiny balcony. From the balcony one could look out over NewYork's most expensive and exclusive neighbourhood and over the far off and yet clearly visiblenucleus of shops on Fifth Avenue. The view was dizzying, moving, ever-changing. At the momentrain was remorselessly drumming against the balcony's concrete floor, and the aspect outside wasgrey, dismal.Inside, however, was a