‘Crane!’ McKay’s roar echoed through the room.

‘Yeah,’ said Crane.

‘Anything to that sewing machine story?’

‘Guy says he met one.’

‘Anything to it?’

‘How the hell would I know? I got the guy’s word, that’s all.’

‘Well, call up some other people down in that neighbourhood. Ask them if they saw a sewing machine running around loose. Might be good for a humorous piece.’

‘Sure,’ said Crane.

He could imagine it:

‘This is Crane at the Herald. Got a report there’s a sewing machine running around loose down in your neighbourhood. Wondering if you saw anything of it. Yes, lady, that’s what I said … a sewing machine running around. No, ma’am, no one was pushing it. Just running around …’