"They won't have much of a story if something violent happens to the mayor between now and next month. I don't want to see it in LOOKING FORWARD, though. Just make it happen and get the scoop. See? We can't let the mayor resign. This is the surest way."
"Anything particular in mind?"
"It's your assignment, Darius. Whatever you do is all right with me."
"That poor guy treated me like his father-image before. Well—"
"You're not weakening, are you, Darius? There's no time for emotion in this business, none at all. You've got to go out and get a story before some other outfit changes it on you. Or you've got to make their stories fail to happen. And whatever you do, you've got to keep the TV outfits guessing. If news starts happening according to Hoyle, we're all through. Us and the World and all the other newspapers wouldn't stand a chance, not with TV right on the spot. Keep TV guessing. Confused. Never sure. Give some crumbs to the World, even, if you have to.
"So there's no time for thalamic responses, Darius. Do I make myself clear?"
McLeod bristled. "You never had to give me that kind of lecture. You think I'm a cub or something? Don't worry about Mayor Spurgess, we'll fix him up."
"Splendid. But there's something else. Crippens."
"I told you how I felt about that. I don't want any part of it. Talk about your Judas's—"
"Crippens or you, Darius. The World's gunning. You know it."