I had arranged for us to have Picasso's superb scallops with potato mousseline and veal jus delivered for us, to accompany a bottle of Montrachet. There were no limits to the indulgence I wanted on this trip.

We savored lunch. The wine, a 2002 Louis Jadot Le Montrachet, was exquisite. As we ate, I also let Kat in on some of our plans for the weekend.

"We have dinner at 8:30 tonight at Carbone," I said. "That's at Aria. Do you want to gamble?"

"Of course!" she said. "I'm yours, along for the ride. If you want to do blow and fuck nonstop for three days, I'm fine with it."...