"One man's word against the other, huh?"
"The evidence against Shortsleeve was otherwise circumstantial," Smith admitted. "If Deek did it, he might be persuaded to confess."
"Got a line on Deek?"
"He is now living in Gillette, Wyoming. No visible means of support."
"Wyoming. I'm on my way."
"I am not going with you," Chiun called out. "My days are growing short and I wish to savor every precious hour."
"What is Master Chiun saying?" Smith asked.
Remo sighed. "He took a fancy to the Bronto."
"I am not surprised. It is a remarkable find. I would like to see it myself."
"Chiun is disappointed he didn't come away with a souvenir. Like a big toe."
"A big toe?"
"Seems dinosaur bones are the main ingredient to some witch's brew that makes Masters of Sinanju live to ripe old ages."
"Great longevity can be yours, too, Emperor Smith," Chiun called out. "Just speak the words that will speed me on my way."
"Tell Master Chiun I have no wish to live beyond my allotted span," Smith told Remo.
"Not only great longevity, but virility belongs to he who partakes of the bones of the dragon," Chiun proclaimed.
"Er, I am virile enough, thank you," said Smith.
"Don't tell me, tell him," Remo said sourly. He put his hand over his mouthpiece. "Nice try Chiun, but Mrs. Smith is built like an overstuffed sofa. I think Smith could care less about his virility."
"He does not know what he is missing."
Remo took his hand off the mouthpiece. "Okay, Smitty. I'll bundle Chiun on the next magic carpet to Castle Sinanju and get on my way to deal with this Deek character."
When Remo had replaced the receiver, he found the Master of Sinanju looking up to the night sky, his face forlorn.
"I am unappreciated."
"You are not. You own a brand spanking new castle. "
"I am unappreciated in a foreign land and a castle will no longer console me, for I do not know how long I will have to enjoy it." He shut his eyes.
"I knew this wouldn't last," Remo said. "Come on. Let's find some transportation. Smith has an assignment for me."
Chiun eyed Remo suspiciously. "You are trying to get out of cooking dinner."
"I'll buy you dinner at the airport, okay?"
"I am being abandoned at an airport. I never thought you would stoop this low, Remo."
"Stoop to what?"
"Parent dumping. I have seen this terrible practice on television. Cheeta Ching decries it often. Now it is my turn. I am being dumped."
"You are not being dumped!"
Chiun bowed his aged head. "I am being fed a farewell meal and left to fend for myself."
"Oh, cut it out."
At the airport, the Master of Sinanju announced that he was not hungry.
"You sure?" asked Remo, suspiciously.
"I am sure that I am being abandoned."
"Bulldookey."
"But do not think simply because I am being abandoned by you," Chiun said in the loud, attention-getting voice. "that you no longer owe me a final meal."
"Keep it down, will you?"
A passing stewardess stopped, set down her folding baggage cart, and asked, "Is there a problem here?"
She directed her question at Chiun not Remo.
"No, no problem," Remo said quickly.
"I am being abandoned by my adopted son," Chiun said plaintively, lifting a corner of his kimono sleeve to one eye.
The stewardess glared at Remo, "You should be ashamed of yourself. This poor old man."
"Look, I have to get him on the next flight to Boston."
"Do you live in Boston, sir?" This to Chiun.
"No." Chiun gave Remo a cold stare.
The stewardess glared at Remo again.
"He lives outside Boston," Remo said. "And I just want to get him home. Look, I brought him his ticket and everything. All I have to do is get him on the freaking plane."
"I am forced to travel on an empty stomach," Chiun complained, snatching the ticket from Remo's hand.