The rest of dinner is anticlimactic, uneventful and about as enjoyable as the fifteen minutes we spent in the ladies’ room making polite strained conversation. Everyone seems to be on their best behaviour after the interlude, and the meal goes on with no more drama.

It’s not exactly riveting company or stimulating conversation. The majority discusses the casino, family, New York and stock markets. I swear, for a moment, I forgot Alexi is even a crime lord at all when he can be ...