Phones rose.
Raymond shouted from behind them.
“HEY!”
Lauren either did not hear or did not stop.
She rushed again.
Alyssa moved sideways.
Lauren’s momentum carried her past.
Alyssa caught her arm and shoulder, turned, and pushed her away.
Lauren lost balance.
Her sneakers slid across the wet concrete.
She went down onto her hands and knees.
A gasp moved through the bay.
Alyssa stepped back immediately.
She did not follow.
Madison stared at Lauren.
Then at Alyssa.
“What the hell?”
Alyssa breathed hard.
“She came at me.”
“You threw her down!”
“She hit first.”
Madison stepped forward.
Alyssa raised one hand.
“Don’t.”
Madison came closer.
“Don’t what?”
“Do not touch me.”
Madison swung.
Alyssa blocked.
The movement happened quickly enough that several witnesses later said they did not realize Madison had attacked until watching video.
Madison swung again.
Alyssa ducked.
“STOP.”
Madison grabbed Alyssa’s sleeve.
Alyssa pulled free.
Lauren remained on the ground behind them.
Raymond was still moving closer but two cars and the rolling cart blocked the direct path.
Madison lunged.
Alyssa caught her wrist.
Released it.
Backed away.
Madison came again.
Alyssa shifted sideways and redirected her shoulder.
Madison spun.
Almost fell.
Recovered.
She screamed something nobody could clearly make out on the recordings.
Then rushed again.
This time Alyssa stopped retreating.
She caught Madison high around one arm and shoulder.
Turned with the movement.
Madison’s foot slipped through the rinse water.
She hit the concrete on her side and rolled onto her back.
Everything stopped.
Alyssa stood above her.
Breathing hard.
Her soaked jacket clung to her shoulders.
For several seconds she simply looked down.
Madison looked shocked.
Lauren was sitting farther back near the wall.
Alyssa did not hit either one.
She did not kick.
Did not celebrate.
Did not say anything clever for the cameras.
She turned away.
Walked back to the detailing cart.
Picked up the long yellow wash brush.
Rested it across one shoulder.
Then walked out of the bay.
That was the image people remembered.
Not because it looked violent.
Because it looked final.
Raymond shut down Bay Four immediately.
Madison and Lauren were separated.
Alyssa sat inside the office with a towel over her shoulders while Keisha drove across town to pick her up.
Raymond stood near the door.
“I am sorry.”