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Show Flying - 129 "Radio went in at 8.43," says Tovar looking at his chart, "but they're still trying to line up the carriers." John Henry repeats the information and jumps back to his teletype, already ringing to get his attention. The morning goes like that: jumping from phone to teletype and back without a break or even time to light a cigarette. Officers keep running in and peering at the charts, then running out again, a steady roll and reflux of rank through the back door which keeps Tovar in positions of quivering respect for most of the morning. Occasionally, as an officer looks at the chart, Tovar leans over his shoulder and like a waiter with a wine list offers with the utmost deference a bit of enlightenment, an explanation in a minor key. Irritated by the performance, John Henry bends over his machine and tries not to watch and not to hear. Suave Tovar offers on a silver tray the products of his reasoning. Ideas he is prepared to see rejected without the slightest qualm. Thoughts to be thrown away. "Goddamn it, Tovar, don't you have any self-respect?" says John Henry. "Stop letting those bastards walk all over you. You know more about communications than most of them do. Stop apologizing to them because you happen to have an idea." "I have a proper respect for rank," says Tovar. |