This epic drama opens in Boulder, Colorado, at the home of Oxford-educated Robert Dalton, an internationally known chemistry professor. His houseguest is Jozef Bardowski, head of the analytical laboratory of Warsaw''s Nuclear Energy Institute. Knowing that Dalton, accompanied by his Polish-born wife Helena, will shortly embark upon a year''s sabbatical at the University of Vienna, Bardowski expresses his fears that someone is introducing mind-altering drugs into Poland''s natural gas to subdue the Polish people. In order to present the matter to the United Nations, he asks Dalton to analyze gas samples to be smuggled from Warsaw into the Austrian capital. Dalton agrees, unaware that by doing so he will subject both himself and Helena to acts of terror, including an attempt on his own life.It was a challenging undertaking to attempt to combine in one narrative the heady subject of Poland''s most recent drive to free herself from oppression and the levity engendered by Robert Dalton, et al. I really did my best to show that the Polish cause is far from humorous but that humanity in general is. With the story''s conclusion, I tried to see to it that each of the principles got what he or she deserved. I trust you will not be disappointed.It was my Polish friend Jozef who some years ago said to me: "No, life is not fair. Many times we lose when we should have won. But always remember this: Once you''ve lost the ability to laugh at whatever life deals you, then, then you''ve lost everything."I believe this philosophy typifies the warm, good-hearted, fun-loving, courageous people who reside in that wonderful country known to them as the Land of the White Eagle.Sylvia Tascher
