"Button your floppy mouth, damn you!" Mr. Tony snapped. He looked at the man on the floor. "Get Marbles out of here. I ought to dump the slob."
He turned and walked away. The captain signaled and two waiters came up. Retief watched as they carted the casualty from the dining room.
The panel opened.
"I usta be about your size, when I was your age," Chip said. "You handled them pansies right. I wouldn't give 'em the time o' day."
"How about a fresh cup of coffee, Chip?" Retief said.
"Sure, Mister. Anything else?"
"I'll think of something," Retief said. "This is shaping up into one of those long days."
"They don't like me bringing yer meals to you in yer cabin," Chip said. "But the cap'n knows I'm the best cook in the Merchant Service. They won't mess with me."
"What has Mr. Tony got on the captain, Chip?" Retief asked.