21.   Her dining-room table has the scratches of a hard life in small apartments.

22.   In our Pacific Rim state, many game tables have instructions in English and Chinese.

23.   In the pastel-colored dining room, the tables have as centerpieces Japanese fighting fish in glass tanks.

24.   Last week, on a Tuesday night, every third table had a child or two.

25.   Meanwhile, half the tables still had uneaten lobster appetizers waiting for guests who had never taken a seat, while others were already on dessert.

26.   Now we have reached the playoffs, and, with Jordan sharing quality time with his family on a golf course somewhere, the table has no centerpiece.

27.   Of course, if someone important enough calls, a table will just have to be found.

28.   Only problem is, the tables would have to be on ice or snow.

29.   Our table had a lot of conversation about the best places to find good barbecue and Brunswick stew.

30.   Party officials put together a seating chart, making sure each table had the right mix of people.