Blum on Bridge Mad, Mad World of Bridge
	I want to reprint one of many humorous stories that were in the July 28 Daily Bulletin at the 70th Summer North American Championships held in Chicago. The brief narratives originally appeared in Mad, Mad World of Bridge, a publication whose editor, Percy X. Bean, was a champion of less-than-expert players. Now deceased, the Red Ribbon Pairs trophy is given annually at this tournament in his honor. As few of you attended the Nationals, it's probable you may never have had the opportunity to see them in print. This one was my favorite. A couple was playing and having a bad night. By the time they got to the last table, Charlotte had taken about all the lessons she could stand and when Bob started in again, she rushed away from the table in tears. Bob and his two opponents sat for awhile in silence and then Bob said, "Sorry fellows, but the state my wife is in she may not return at all. Just to get this last board over with, why don't we leave my wife's cards in the board and I'll bid both of our hands. Charlotte's hand will remain concealed until the bidding is over." The opponents, men with wives of their own, shrugged and agreed. Bob opened the bidding with one heart, lho passed and Bob, bidding Charlotte's unseen hand, raised to two hearts. Rho passed and Bob bid three hears. Lho again passed and Bob went into a trance. After considerable trancing, he came to and in a firm tone he bid four hearts. This ended the bidding and after the opening lead, Charlotte's unseen hand was spread as the dummy. Bob was lucky and he did have a chance of bringing home the contract. Play progressed to the last three cards. The lead was in dummy, three tricks had been lost and the next play was crucial. Bob studied for a moment then led, finessed and lost for down one. About this time Charlotte had regained her composure in the ladies' room and decided she would finish the tournament if it killed her. She returned to the table at the same moment Bob had to make the critical play. When it failed, he looked up at her accusingly and said, "You just couldn't pass three hearts, could you?"