"You were never really worried, were you?"
"Who, me?"
"Yes, you. Jack. Detective Inspector Jack Robinson. Mr R. Him Indoors."
"I take exception to Him Indoors."
"It's a joke, Jack."
"I would hope so. The amount of time I've spent outside your door ought to earn me a Pioneering badge from the Boy Scouts, or at least a nice warm scarf. Anyway, what do you mean, worried?"
"Well … about me. And … "
"Oh, him? No."
"Oh, really?"
"You sound disappointed."
"No! No, of course not. I'm delighted. Pleased. Reassured."
"I'm glad you're delighted, pleased and reassured. I've often worried that you're biting your nails to the quick when you're flirting with other men to try to get them to admit to heinous crimes purely for the sake of my efficient arrests."
"Gosh, have you really?"
"No."
"This wasn't just flirting, though. I … kissed him."
"I noticed."
"I wondered if you had."
"Did you enjoy it?"
"What?"
"Kissing him."
"Kissing whom?"
"The man who's currently sitting in the cells at City South awaiting the due process of law, Phryne. Who did you think I meant?"
"Oh! Well, him, obviously."
"So did you?"
"Did I what?"
"Enjoy it?"
"Of course not!"
"Not at all?"
"Not at all. Not the least little bit."
"Poor Phryne."
"What? Oh. Quite, thank you."
"You had to shut your eyes to the horror of the moment."
"I did … oh, come on, Jack. I had to close my eyes. He'd have guessed."
"But he didn't guess. We had the whole building secured and him by the collar before he even knew what was happening."
"Exactly. I acted my part to perfection."
"You did."
"I'm … a very good actress."
"You are. There should be awards for acting as good as yours."
"Sadly, I think they rarely hand them out to Lady Detectives."
"Now, that's a crime in itself. Perhaps if you just had a little more …"
"What?"
"Practice."
"Oh?"
"Isn't it worth a try?"
"Actually, perhaps it might be. What do you suggest?"
"Well … now you mention it … if you place your hand on my lapel …"
"Here?"
"No, Miss Fisher! I'm shocked."
"Sorry, Inspector."
"A little further down. Yes, there, that's right. And stop giggling."
"Sorry, Jack."
"Now, look up at me."
"Like this?"
"Well, I was hoping for Adoringly, but actually, that will do nicely."
" … Jack …?"
"Mmm?"
"Why are we doing this again?"
"Don't you want an Academy Award, Miss Fisher?"
"Well, of course, Jack. Doesn't everyone?"
"Then focus, Miss Fisher. Focus."