The carabiniere with all excuses beg if you will command the chauffeur to step forth from the automobile.

PIKE

No, sir; I worked on that machine myself for three hours. He's got his hands full of nuts and screws and bolts half fastened. If he lays them down now to come out I don't know how long it'll take to get them back in place. We want to get this job finished.

[Continues with a plaintive uplift of voice.]

This is serious! Tell them to go on up Main Street with their Knights of Pythias parade, and come around some day when we haven't got our hands full.

MARIANO

[meekly]

I tell them—yes, sir.

[Turns and confers with the CARABINIERE.]

PIKE