A MD80 Flight Attendant reported the Cockpit/Cabin interphone system was inoperative during flight. After landing; the Captain did not request contract Maintenance and the flight departed with a non-MEL item inoperative.

Narrative

On our first leg out I found that we were unable to communicate with the cockpit. They said that they could hear us but all I could hear was a clicking sound. I reported this to the cockpit. They responded that our destination did not have Maintenance. After landing the #2 and I ran downstairs for a quick smoke while the plane was being cleaned. Upon returning for boarding I asked the Captain about the communication problem. He once again stated that they don't have Maintenance here. I then asked him 'What if we have a problem in the back of the aircraft.' He replied 'I can hear you so I can click once for yes and twice for no.' I realized later how foolish I was not to have walked off the plane at that time. After takeoff the #2 got out her manual and of course there it was under malfunctions. 'Airline can not dispatch a flight if all cockpit cabin interphones are inoperative.' While deplaning at our destination I was the #2 talking on the Captain on the way off the plane. The only thing I said to him was 'It's a no-go item' as I left. I realize that everyone would like their trips to stay on schedule. What I do not understand is a cockpit crew willing to put both their flight crew and their passengers at risk. I thank God that there were not any problems on our return flight. I shudder to think what could have happened if we did.