"It's a joke!"
"Of course it's a joke! But it's a harmless joke. You and I are the only ones that are 'on.' Skinner won't suspect. We'll put it up to him in dead earnest."
"The worst Jackson can do is to insult him the way he did you," said Perkins.
"The old dog!" said McLaughlin. He paused. "We'll get Skinner out of his cage for a while. It'll cost us so much money—we'll add that on to the expert accountant's bill. Can you think of a better way, Perk?"
"Mac, you're a genius!"
McLaughlin pressed the button marked "cashier."
Perkins put out his hand. "Don't call him yet, Mac. Wait till I get through laughing."
McLaughlin turned as the "cage man" entered.
"Hello, Skinner. Sit down." He paused a moment to register his next words. "Skinner, Mr. Perkins and I want you to do something for us."
Skinner looked from one partner to the other. "Yes," he said quietly.