"I want to talk to you, Roger."
Roger eyed him suspiciously. "Sure, Corbett, go ahead."
"Well, I'll be going along," said Richards. He had heard about the previous fight between Manning and Corbett and didn't want to be hauled up as a witness later if they started again. "Remember, Manning," he called from the doorway, "the bet is two to one, and are you going to get tired of washing pots and pans!" He waved his hand at Corbett and disappeared.
"All right, Corbett," Roger turned to Tom. "What's frying you?"
"I just saw Al Dixon down in the rec hall," answered Tom. "He told me you were looking for bets on the unit ratings. Is that why Richards was here?"
"That's right," nodded Roger.
"What made you say the things you did to Astro before he went for his manual?"
"Very simple. I wanted to make him pass and that was the only way."
"You're pretty sure of yourself, Roger."
"I'm always sure of myself, Corbett. And the sooner you learn that, the easier it'll be for all of us. I never bet unless it's in the bag. I know Astro's going to pass. Some guys have to have a fire built under them before they get moving. Astro's one of them."