That quiets things fast. Conversations fade. A few phones tilt our way. Some people remember the panties, the hundred, the first show.
They expect a sequel.
I pull my phone out and tap the screen, ending my local recording. Then I scroll to Marcus's name and hit call, putting it on speaker. He answers on the first ring.
"David?"
"We're on the roof," I say. "You can talk."
"Good," Marcus says, voice clear and sharp. "HR has your written complaint, the recording of Derek admitting the affair and his motives, and your statement on the rooftop incident. The board has it too. Sarah should be calling any second."
Right on cue, my phone buzzes with an incoming call.
Sarah Johnson. HR.
I merge the calls and turn the speaker up. "David, can you hear me?" she asks.
"Loud and clear," I say. "You're on speaker. Derek's here too. A lot of us are."
There's a beat of silence as that sinks in with the crowd.
"Then I'll be direct," Sarah says. "Effective immediately, Derek Sullivan's system access is frozen. The board has called an emergency meeting to address multiple policy violations and potential harassment."
"David, you are advised not to engage with him further tonight."
Derek laughs, but it's thin. "This is ridiculous. You're listening to a jealous mechanic."
"I've listened to you, Mr. Sullivan," she cuts in, "on a recording where you describe using your position for conquest and to prove you're the real man. We'll speak in person downstairs. Do not leave the building."
I reach into my jacket and pull out one of the small recorders, holding it up where everyone can see. "This," I say, "is one of the devices that caught that conversation. Single-party consent. Legal. Backed up."
Phones are out now. A ring of blue screens surrounds us. Some people are filming. Some just look sick.
Derek's phone starts buzzing over and over. He glances at the screen and turns it face down in his palm like I don't know that move by now. I catch a glimpse of the name anyway.
Monica.
He steps toward me, voice dropping. "You think this makes you the man now?"
I shake my head. "No. This just makes me done playing the idiot."