Page 3 - Murder on the Dirigible

Murder on the Dirigible

MACALLISTER: (comes down aisle from galley) Yes? Is there
anything I can do for you, madam?

PEABODY: Madam, indeed! Don’t pay me any of your officious
courtesies, young woman! The name is Peabody, Miss Peabody.
Now, tell me: is this blimp really safe? What if a bird lands on it and
punctures the balloon with its claws: won’t we all go crashing to the
ground?

MACALLISTER: Please try to remain calm, madam—I mean Miss
Peabody. As the Captain just said, every precaution has been taken to
ensure a smooth flight and safe arrival. And you should remember
that the Golden Cloud is a dirigible, not a blimp.

GROSS: Permit my explanations, ladies. I am Herman Gross: some
small experience have I in these matters of technicality. The blimp, as
you Americans call it, is in rigidity lacking. So in the wind unstable is
its shape, like after too much sauerkraut eating is the stomach. Ho-
ho-ho! But these great dirigibles, in which we Germans pioneered, a
strong steel framework inside is built, the bags of helium attached
thereupon by sturdy cables, and—

PEABODY: Sir, how dare you impose yourself in this fashion? The
impertinence of these foreigners!

GROSS: If offense I have given, my excuses please take. (turns away)

PEABODY: (to MacAllister, in loud whisper) I knew it! There is evil
on this ship. Yes, evil, and great danger, too. (crosses herself) Lord
preserve us from the sinners in our midst!

MACALLISTER: Oh, yes, certainly, to be sure.

OGLETHORPE: (from seat) Oh, Miss MacAllister.

MACALLISTER: (to Peabody) Excuse me, please. Another
passenger requires my attention. (goes to Oglethorpe) Yes, sir, what
may I do for you?

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