We walked through the casino and into the Bellagio shops, with its boulevard of luxury brands. I steered Kat into Tiffany.

"What are you playing at?" she asked.

"Let's use some of these ill-gotten gains," I said. "Pick something nice."

A statuesque saleswoman approached us.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" she said in a surprisingly sing-song, energetic voice.

"Diamonds? Pearls? What are you thinking, darling?" I addressed Kat.

"This is overwhelming!" she said. "But, maybe, a tennis bracelet?"

"Bracelets! We have wonderful options!" the saleswoman said and marched immediately toward a glass case. She pulled out four different items. They ranged from ostentatiously encrusted in diamonds to...