Lynne Thigpen: The Chief

Quotes 

• The Chief : Here's a list of places Carmen may have traveled: Reykjavík, Iceland; Cork, Ireland; Málaga, Spain; Birmingham, England; Lausanne, Switzerland; Berlin, Germany; Florence, Italy; San Marino; Uppsala, Sweden; Budapest, Hungary; Tirana, Albania; Sofia, Bulgaria.

• The Chief : Alright, gumshoes. The Contessa headed for the Schatzkammer. That's the treasure chamber. It's where the crown of the Holy Roman Empire is held. Now, it's in a European capitol, and it's a city that, uh, I, your chief, am very fond of.

  [smiles nostalgically] 

  The Chief : I have memories of sitting in a Konditorei- that's a pastry shop- and listening to Strauss music, a waltz, and digging into a delicious chocolate cake called a sachertorte. Greg.

  Self - Host : Chief, that was very touching. Thank you very much.

• Self - Host : [coming into the chief's office to find her packing a suitcase]  Chief, what are you doing?

  Self - Host : Ah, Greg, it's been nice working with you.

  [shakes his hand] 

  Self - Host : What... what is this?

  Self - Host : Well, I think it's time for me to move on. I've been doing this a long time. I think it's time for me to get out there, get some fresh air, and see new sights.

  Self - Host : See what? What are you talking about?

  The Chief : Well, I thought I'd do some yam farming.

  [sure enough, her suitcase is full of yams] 

  The Chief : No, no, I have a cousin, Essie. She's got some land out in the country. I thought maybe I'd travel around and see the land.

  Self - Host : Chief, you don't know anything about yam farming. You know nothing about that. Besides, what would the gumshoes do without you? We need you here. Right, guys?

  [the gumshoes and audience all answer in the affirmative] 

  Self - Host : See? Huh?

  The Chief : [touched]  Well, since you put it that way, I'll stay.

  Self - Host : Okay. Alright then. Let's get this stuff unpacked.

  The Chief : Oh, but wait. Wait. I bought those tickets. I have a ticket for anywhere in the lower forty-eight states. What am I going to do with it?

  Self - Host : Okay, wait. I've got an idea. We'll give the gumshoe who catches Carmen Sandiego those tickets. Huh?

  The Chief : Now, that's a good idea.

  [Greg starts rearranging the yams in the suitcase] 

  Self - Host : Just let me help you.

  The Chief : No, Greg...

  Self - Host : It's wonderful that you're staying. You're such an intrical part...

  The Chief : Greg! Go away.

  Self - Host : Yes, ma'am.

  [exits the office and sighs with relief] 

  Self - Host : I'm so glad she's staying.

• The Chief : [showing a slide show about Manila, Philippines]  The film center. You know, I had a cousin named Winslow who was into film. He was a cameraman. And, well, he was sort of a showoff.

  [as she speaks, the camera starts pulling back and forth and jumping up and down] 

  The Chief : [oblivious to this]  He was always doing trick shots when nobody asked him to, it got him into trouble. And uh, things the director never asked him to do. So, finally, nobody would hire him, so, and he just disappeared, and I've often wondered where...

  [for the first time, she notices what's happening] 

  The Chief : he went. Winslow? Is that you? Where have you been, Wynn? You know, you... oh! I'm sorry. Uh, gumshoes, Manila. Go there. The Contessa and the diamonds are there. Get going. Winslow, we've been looking all over for you. You know that?