The Little World

” Well, she’s ready for delivery, Murphy. I’ve rung up Air World and they’ll be sending a low loader to get it. Don’t fold them wings up until it gets here, in case they won’t unfold again. And you might unbolt the rockets for the trip – don’t want ’em getting loose on the highway. I mean, they might not have gone off the last time they was fired, but there’s no telling what they’ll do if they hit the road. ”

” Where’d we get them, Boss? There’s an awful big pile of them out the back…”

” Cold Lake firing range. The ordinance sergeant collects ’em after they have a big exercise and keeps them aside. He says as long as they haven’t blown up yet they’re not likely to do so now. We get ’em cheap and Air World is paying. ”

” All the same, Boss…I mean there’s guys using oxy torches out the back and all…”

” Ah, sure and you’re nothing but a worry wart, Murphy. Didn’t we do all right with those 500 pound bombs on the Sabre jet. No smoking craters yet, eh? ”

” Okay. Say, what’s that odd smell in the cockpit, boss. All the boys noticed it. Nerve gas? Agent orange? ”

” Nothing of the sort, Murphy. This plane came from the Indian Navy. That’s vindaloo from a difficult landing…”