From the introduction: Being thrown as a fundraiser for the War Effort. Red Cross support. This is a campaign year, and Meltz needs money. Presidential candidate. Setting is Olympia, Washington, April 22, 1944: a wealthy local businessman's house. The host is appalled at the thought of this hitting the papers, and in an effort to contain the damage, is very reluctant to call the police. The party is some distance in the countryside, and the police may not arrive for a while.