"Dustin, your Crown City act doesn't work here. Don't even try."
Howard stepped up and wrapped his arm around Judy, his eyes brimming with satisfaction.
"Right? Dustin, this is Judy's turf. That whole big-man routine you've got going back in Crown City—nobody's buying it here."
"Howard, don't waste your breath on someone like him."
Judy nestled into Howard's arms, pointed a finger at me, and her voice turned sharp.
"Apologize to Howard."
"Otherwise, you're not walking out of here comfortably today."
Dozens of men around us raised their high-pressure water guns and trained them on me in a single motion.
Their eyes went straight to the outline clinging to my soaked clothes, every face wearing the same mocking grin.
I scrambled for the scarf that had fallen to the ground, trying to cover myself.
Judy ripped it out of my hands.
She kicked hard at my knee. I went straight down, kneeling at Howard's feet.
"Are you deaf, Dustin?! I said apologize to Howard!"
Howard stepped forward and planted his foot on my hand, then ground down with his full weight.
His voice, though, stayed soft and hurt.