The assembly line was busy at this time of day, as usual. Then, suddenly, a loud voice crackled over the PA system:
“MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE. THE RADIO NEWS HAS JUST REPORTED THAT THE PRIME MINISTER STATED IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS THIS MORNING THAT THE AVRO ARROW AND IROQUOIS PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN TERMINATED. THE MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY HAS RECEIVED NO OFFICIAL WORD.”
Terry Roberts, one the older technicians on the line at fifty-two, and the head of his section, looked up towards the nearest loudspeaker just a few feet away. His work involved riveting the skins onto the center section of Arrow RL-209, as well as installing the inner wings. He, too, had been hearing the nagging rumors for months, but had pushed them aside. Now this. He stood there with his tray of tools in his hand
