Bridge can absorb a person entirely. When completely concentrated on a playing figure or bidding situation, a bridge player really is in a different world. This I found out the hard way.
In the car on our way to a league match my (then) partner Louk Verhees and I discuss a declarer problem from the day before.
'Perhaps it is better to finesse in hearts.'
'Well yes, eventually, but probably you should first test the clubs and try to throw West in the lead.'
'He will certainly unblock the ♠K, if he has it. Besides, why for heaven's sake would he have led a trump then?'
Yes, there were many possible lines of play.

Then I spot a motorcycle policeman moving in front of the car from the other lane. Gesticulating wildly he indicates me to pull over on the hard shoulder. When I oblige, he parks his motorcycle behind us and approaches my side of the car. I lower the window and look at him benevolently. He looks somewhat agitated and is busy getting his ticket pad from his breast pocket.

'At first I had no intention of fining you sir', he begins, sounding rather angrily, 'so I moved up right next to you and gestured you to fasten your seatbelt. Then I moved back behind your car but nothing happened. I moved next to you again and repeated my gesture. Still you didn't oblige. Sorry, but this is going too far. I will have to fine you now.'
I turn to Louk.
'Did you see him?'
Louk shakes his head: 'No.'
I turn to the policeman again. 'I know this is hard to believe', I tell him, 'but I haven't seen you either.'
'You looked me straight in the face', the man says almost indignantly, while handing me the ticket.
Of course, to this very day he will not believe I really did not see him...