…Minus 023 and COUNTING… The back of the seat in front of Ric

Richards studies the first-class seat in front of him, noticing the safety card, Free-Vee, and airline stationery. Assuming Amelia Williams is bugged and McCone is listening, Richards writes Amelia a note asking her to stage a hysterical plea so the bluff about the explosive will seem more convincing.

Amelia agrees. When Richards asks why Amelia lied earlier, Amelia writes that Richards made her feel like a murderer because of Richards's wife, and because Richards seemed pitiful. Richards burns the note in the ashtray to destroy evidence, then waits.

After several minutes, Amelia begins moaning and pleading for Richards not to force McCone into a confrontation. Amelia invokes her husband and six-year-old daughter, then suggests Richards show McCone the supposed explosive to call off missile tracking from the ground. Richards refuses, maintaining that removing it would be too dangerous and that McCone should be left to sweat.

McCone enters from the rear cabin, outwardly calm but visibly frightened. McCone sends Amelia forward to make coffee, watching her carefully in case Amelia tries to interfere. Alone with Richards, McCone offers amnesty, but Richards rejects the offer as a lie and insults McCone as merely hired help for the Network.

McCone responds with threats about the weapons waiting for Richards when the plane lands. Richards suddenly screams that Richards is pulling the ring, and McCone panics, falling backward into a seat with his hands raised in terror. Richards realizes the bluff has completely broken McCone's composure and laughs helplessly at McCone's fear.