Silence filled the tiny elevator.
The kind of silence that buzzed right before an explosion.
"HOW THE FUCK DID YOU GET THAT FLAT?!"
Karl's roar shook the elevator walls, echoing like the frontman of a heavy metal band unleashing a scream into a microphone.
By now, Kaija had enough experience with Karl Hanski to see it coming.
Her hands flew over her ears a split second before impact.
Once the shouting and cursing finally died down, she lowered them and spread her hands helplessly.
"Well, you'll have to ask our boss about this little arrangement," she said. "I was deeply shocked too when I found out."
The elevator dinged on the nineteenth floor.
Karl stormed out immediately, still fuming.
"Hey, wait up," Kaija called, dragging the giant teddy bear after him.
After five chaotic minutes of Karl struggling to free his keycard while juggling flowers, bags, and wounded pride, they finally made it inside.
