Rick looked at Cap'n Mike with admiration. When it came to spinning a convincing yarn right off the cuff, so to speak, Cap'n Mike was a master. Rick hid a smile. What had the old man said about ham actors a little while back?
The clerk was nodding slowly. "Old seaman, is he? Well, that fits one of our guests." He looked at Cap'n Mike sharply. "Sure it's all right? Who is this boy?"
Cap'n Mike put his hand on Rick's shoulder. "This? Ah, sir, it's this boy's poor mother old Jim came here to find."
Rick bowed his head and looked as sad as possible. He had to bow it anyway, to conceal the grin that was forcing its way to the surface.
"What room is he in?" Cap'n Mike asked tenderly. "Poor old soul."
"I'll call him." The clerk went to the switchboard and plugged in a line, then pulled the toggle switch a couple of times. He picked up the phones and put them on. "Mr. Jameson? Your brother and son are down here to see you."
Rick held his breath.
The clerk unplugged the line and put the phone down. "He'll be downstairs in a minute." He went back to his comic book.
Rick and Cap'n Mike went over to a sofa and sat down. As they did so, a little cloud of dust rose.
The minutes ticked away. Rick fidgeted.