" I am all for giving them the slip." Howard follows Zouichi up, hiding in Zouichi's shadow, as usual. The footsteps get closer, closer, and in focusing on them he almost misses the person who comes from the door directly at his back, returning to the stairwell from a cigarette break. even before Zouichi's lightning fast reflexes can come into play, Howard reflexively slams the door, panicking.

THUMP. THUD.

The employee falls to the floor. Somehow, Howard hit him hard enough to knock him out.

The yelling outside stops. Howard can perfectly picture the security guards looking towards the stairwell, alerted by the noise.

He looks at Zouichi. "Wanna do something really stupid?"