Onehascommittedanactoftreachery;theotherhaschallengedhimtoaduel.Thereasonisawoman;theweaponisalcohol.Defeatwillbedeclaredtowhoeveristhefirsttodropout.Theydrinkaccordingtostrictrulesthatarecloselywatchedbytheirseconds.Therulesincludealistoftopicsthathasbeenpreparedinadvance.Fordiscussionarethemesofmoney;friendship;children;andloneliness.Eachoftheseoffersanoccasiontosidewithoneortheotherprotagonist.Amilliondollarsandanopportunitytoliveafterwhathashappenedareatstake.