"
"Me?" Kirk pricked up his ears.
"I gathered the impression he was trying to pump me." Runnels eyed
his subordinate shrewdly. "I boosted you."
"Is he short and thick-set?"
"No. Tall and thin." As Kirk merely looked at him in a puzzled
way, he continued: "I suppose we're all suspicious down here,
there's so much of that sort of thing. If he has anything on you--"
"He's got nothing on me."
"I'm glad of that. You're the best man I have, and that shake-up I
told you about is coming off sooner than I expected. I'd hate to
have anything happen to you. Do you think you could hold down my
job?"
"WHAT? Do you really mean it?"
"I do."
"I think I could, if you would help me."
Runnels laughed. "That remark shows you haven't developed
Isthmitis, anyhow."
"What is that?"
"Well, it's a sort of mental disorder most of us have. We believe
everybody above us is incompetent, and everybody below us is after
our jobs. You'll get it in time--even some of the Commissioners
have it."
"It goes without saying that I'd like to be Master of
Transportation, but not until you're through."
"Well, the old man has had another row with Colonel Jolson, and
may not wait for his vacation to quit. I'm promised the vacancy.
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