### Clue: Opening bid by East in bridge contract (9)
### Answer: DEBENTURE 
 ### Explanation: Definition: contract
 [ **The 1st letter of**(Opening) "bid " **plus**(by) E(abbrev. for "East") ] **contained in**(in) DENTURE(a bridge;a plate containing one or more artificial teeth secured by surrounding natural teeth).
Defn: … in the form of an interest-bearing note acknowledging debt. A nice surface.