THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

by William Shakespeare

IT'S OFFICIAL! The Rialto Chamber of Commerce last night voted Antonio Vitelli the coveted title of Merchant of Venice 1997. 32-year-old bachelor recluse Vitelli, whose meteoric rise in the luxury import trade has scorched across the financial pages in the last few years, was long rumoured to be the front runner for the award. He made a rare public appearance at last night's ceremony at the Rialto Hilton to collect the award. Pausing only to give the Chamber his brief but heartfelt thanks, he declined to give a statement to the waiting media, and left for an undisclosed destination.