Page 20 - Murder on the Dirigible

Murder on the Dirigible

MATTHEWS: Lied a little! Do you realize that your bungling has
endangered this airship and its passengers? If a tropical storm comes
up from Baja California we could be in serious trouble!

PERKINSON: I’m sorry, sir. I thought I could handle it.

METCALF: That’s very touching. But I don’t buy it. What about
Fisk: did you know him?

PERKINSON: No, I don’t anybody named Fisk.

METCALF: Hmm. What did you study? Pharmacology?

PERKINSON: No, sir. I was going to be a doctor.

METCALF: And why did you quit?

PERKINSON: My father lost everything he had in the Crash. I had
to start working to keep us from starving.

METCALF: But this can’t be your first job since you left school: why
did you try to become a navigator?

PERKINSON: I thought it would be easy. And it pays a decent
wage, compared to the other jobs I’ve had to take in the past eight
years.

METCALF: All right. I’ve heard plenty of sob stories in my time.
Now, if the captain doesn’t want you in the cockpit, you’ve got to sit
in here. (points to Fisk’s seat) Yes, there. (Perkinson sits) Fine. Since
you’re all here, I’m going to tell what I’m going to do. You may have
some argument over my jurisdiction up here in the middle of
nowhere, but everybody here is going to be a material witness when
we land. I will have to answer to my superiors. You don’t want me to
lose my job, do you, just because I didn’t pursue my investigation
vigorously enough? (looks around; no dissent) Miss MacAllister: fetch
me that briefcase you locked up in the galley.

MACALLISTER: Yes, sir (goes to get it)

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