LITERARY LAS VEGAS

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Las Vegas resident Herb Jaffe will be a featured speaker at this year's Brandeis University National Women's Committee author luncheon set for 11 a.m., March 18 at The Orleans. Jaffe retired from the Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J., in 1995 after 39 years as a journalist. For luncheon reservations, call 240-7106.

Excerpt from "Falling Dominoes"

The young widow of Vinnie Caputo was filled with mournful grief, overcome by the emotional testimonials, one after another, all on behalf of her husband. The tragedy of such an accident -- a hit and run driver, what a waste of such a promising future career for so talented a man as Vinnie. Rose was sorry that she could not tape for posterity the kind and comforting words, especially those expressed by Sammy Esposito and Michael Carelli, who told her how much they loved Vinnie, as if he were their own brother. Tears streamed down the faces of both of these grown men as they paid homage to Vinnie from the pulpit.

So many others paid tribute to Vinnie, from the security department at Lepore Industries, from the Teamsters local, and from some of the men in the dark suits. Obviously they were well-to-do businessmen, Rose believed. They told her that they knew Vinnie well. Rose had never met any of these gentlemen before, but they were Vinnie's friends. And she was impressed by their comforting words, their devoted sincerity to the memory of her husband.