Most interviews start with a shake of the hand but, in the bizarre world of Luke Rhinehart, they begin with a shake of a die. Such mores may seem eccentric, but not for this 71-year-old New Yorker. After all, he is the high chief of chance, the wizard of whim... the Dice Man himself.

In this instance, Luke announces that the result of the throw will determine how much I have to pay him for our pow-wow. If the number is between two and five, I fork out from £50 to £200 for the interview; but a one means Luke pays me £10 for the privilege.