It is a scene relished by the modern artist. Dali or Picasso would have made good work of it. Imagine an overloaded dinner table positioned directly in front of one's foes. There it is, evidence that the contradiction is still at work -- banqueting in bad company. It has been now a few years since my best friend turned on me. He did it first with subtlety, then with an open slash of malice. His bitings dug deeply, not only into my flesh but that of my family as well.