Page 5 - Murder on the Dirigible

Murder on the Dirigible

MACALLISTER: Oh. I’m very pleased to meet you, madam. My
name is Lucille MacAllister. I’ve been working on the less-traveled
routes, so I haven’t had much contact with the management of the
company.

POMELLO: You seem to have a slight accent. Were you born in the
States?

MACALLISTER: Why, no, actually I was born in France. I never
knew my father: he disappeared at the end of the war. My mother
brought me to America when I was just an infant, and she died soon
after. It has not been easy, so you can see that I am grateful for this
job in these hard times.

POMELLO: Yes, I’m sure you are. Well, I’m going to let you in on a
little secret. (lowers voice, beckons MacAllister closer) Although
alcohol is not supposed to be kept on board, I happen to maintain a
private stock in the galley. It’s in the bottle marked “Emergency
Disinfectant”. Now, be a good girl and run along and get me a glass
of it. Don’t worry: no one will know it isn’t orange juice.

MACALLISTER: Oh, dear, Mrs. Pomello. I don’t know. I’ve never
broken any of the rules before. I’d better ask the captain.

POMELLO: Oh, never mind. I’ll get it myself. (gets up, goes into the
galley grumbling) What a goody-goody!

FISK: Heh-heh. Don’t mind her, my dear. She’s a bit on edge
tonight. We have a big meeting in San Francisco tomorrow. All the
owners will be there, you know. (Metcalf stirs behind newspaper and
tries to overhear conversation)

MACALLISTER: Oh, are you an owner, too, sir?

FISK: Me? No, no, no. I’m Mrs. Pomello’s attorney. Fisk’s the
name. Here’s my card. Call me if you ever get in trouble in L.A.
Heh-heh.

MACALLISTER: Er, thank you, sir. (turns hastily and walks toward
front of cabin)

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