After making it over most of the high terrain between Berlin and Springfield, Billy and Doug are cruising at 10,000' and just over 20 miles from the Lebanon VOR. Doug notices the required descent rate beginning to creep over 300 fpm in the VSR field so he suggests asking for lower. Billy requests "lower" from Boston Center but they are slow to get back with him. Doug asks again and they ultimately descend them to 7,000'. Doug sums it up correctly - "pilot in command".