Mr. Rowland, a Republican, has managed to make Democratic legislative leaders unofficial partners in the deal he signed with Mr. Kraft on Nov. 19.

He was wondering if he had just lost his "unofficial" partner to Sara Evans.

But the label has picked up a few unofficial partners along the way, too.

Joe Davola is also an unofficial partner in the company and has co-produced many of the company's productions along with Robbins and Tollin since 2000.

Donald A. Smith and Norman Kittson were unofficial silent partners with a significant financial interest.

From 1983 until Kunstler's death in 1995, Kuby worked as an unofficial partner in Kunstler's law firm, with both men taking up "the fight for the poor, the oppressed and the downtrodden".

But the city cannot do it without its unofficial partner, the state - particularly Gov. Mario Cuomo, who has yet to involve himself energetically.

Boredom sent some unconventional women to pull lines with the sailors, and other women acted as unofficial partners in their husbands' command.

That will force New York to fight its way to fiscal health without the active participation of its unofficial partner, the state.

Now, six years later, the twins are regular fixtures in the Bronx, and unofficial partners in TATS Cru, living signs of what an international phenomenon graffiti art has become.