fast bonding. Like Aron, I paired the high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, editors and executives to answer 36 questions. And like Dr Aron's participants, mine were told that their task, which sounded fun, was "simply to get close to your partner" over an hour. They were given the questions, printed out in order, and told that both partners should answer each of them in turn. The questions began simply enough: - Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest? - Would you like to be famous? In what way? - Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why? - What would constitute a "perfect" day for you? - When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else? - If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want? - Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die? - Name three things you and your partner appear to have in common. - For what in your life do you feel most grateful? Gradually, the questions became more probing and personal: - If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be? - Take four minutes and tell your partner your life story in as much detail as possible. - If you could wake up tomorrow