Political Pressure

25

The Air Force officer couldn't wait for his passengers to leave. They gave him the heebie-jeebies.

They were killers. He knew it from looking at them. Especially the younger one. He could swear that guy had pupils shaped like skulls.

The small man was Korean. He had told the steward that much during their conversation, which was nothing short of an interrogation.

"I'm sorry, sir, I just don't know," the steward had said. "You would need to ask the Air Force. They're the ones who maintain this aircraft."

"This is not like most Air Force jets," the Korean had said accusingly.

"We use it to transport visiting dignitaries. Heads of state, foreign diplomats, those kinds of people," the steward explained for the fourth or fifth time.

"If one were to choose to dwell in such a craft, would there be a large staff required?"

"I don't really know, sir."

"There would be a pilot needed."

"Yes. And a copilot."

"I would need no copilot," the Korean man said disdainfully. "One pilot is sufficient."

"I think there are FAA regulations about that," the steward suggested.

The Korean was extremely suspicious. "And the FAA, they are likely to come about often, demanding compliance?"

The Air Force officer said, "Uh, well, probably."

"Bah!" the Korean exploded. "This is a nation of nuisances! Permits and officials and pencil-pushing fools! It is no wonder some men of wisdom see the need to disembowel the bureaucracy!"

This was an alarming and vaguely threatening display of temper and the Air Force officer wished he hadn't heard it, since it was probably something he wasn't supposed to know anyway. He tried to look noncommittal.

The Korean finally stopped staring at him and said, "Fine. I will acquiesce to this demand for a copilot, but only if he will handle janitorial services, as well."

"I do not know what the FAA would have to say about that, sir."

"Let them say whatever they like. I will never pay for a pilot who does not pilot unless he serves some useful function."

The steward wished his copilot would announce the beginning of their descent or that a sudden thunderstorm would break out or that the rudder would sheer off—anything to save him from the terrible old man.

While he was thinking it, his wish came true. The Korean was gone.

He poked his head out of the galley and saw that the Korean had somehow, in under a second, made his way to the far end of the cabin and snatched the phone out of the hands of the white man, who was some sort of servant or indentured assistant, from what the Korean had said.

"Emperor Smith, I crave a moment of your time," Chiun announced into the phone.

"I'm sorry Master Chiun, but not right now. We may have a new investigative trail and we must have it thoroughly explored before you and Remo land in San Francisco."

"This is quite important, Dr. Smith."

"Now is simply not a good time, Master Chiun."

Remo went to a seat near the front and reclined his seat. "Do not disturb," he told the steward when the young officer peered out of the galley. "I'm napping."

"We'll be landing in less than twenty minutes, sir."

"En. Ay. Ping. Napping. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

Remo closed his eyes and couldn't help but overhear the awkward conversation behind him.

"Please hang up, Emperor Smith."

"Pardon me?" Dr. Smith asked.

"If you will not afford me the time to discuss the matter, then I must discuss it with other parties. Please hang up, then you may begin your very urgent business and I will go about mine."

"What other parties will you be discussing this with, Master Chiun?" Smith asked.

"I am not at liberty to say."

"What is the nature of this business?"

"If you are not ready to commence with a full discussion of this matter, then I must keep it confidential, Emperor."

Chiun waited. He was very good at waiting. Smith was also skilled in this regard. But Smith was a child next to the manipulative skills of Chiun.

"Master Chiun," Smith said finally, "our current situation requires all my concentration. If we can delay this discussion just a little while longer, I will give it my full attention."

Chiun was silent.

"That is my promise to you," Smith added formally.

"Very well," Chiun said imperiously, and hung up.