In 1818, England, a tontine i(lottery) is established for 20 boys by their parents. Each parent put £1000 into the pot, the winner being the last surviving boy, will receive all the money (the total, £100,000.00 - (equal to over £12m today). The group dwindles until only 2 elderly brothers are left by1882. One brother's watched by his nephews who'll keep him alive at all costs. The other lives in ill health and poverty - the only support is his perpetually confused grandson. A deliciously hysterical black comedy.—John Vogel