Noel cleared his throat.
He looked down at Arthur on the floor, who was on one knee on the break room tiles. After saying a single word, he clearly did not say it often.
'Please.'
Noel shook his head slightly, clearing it, and reached down and took Arthur's good arm.
"Get up," he said.
Arthur opened his eyes.
"I'll talk to you," Noel said. "When you come back at five. Now get up off the floor before someone walks in and we both have to explain this."
Arthur got up.
The speed at which he rose suggested that the kneeling had cost him considerably and he was relieved to be done with it.
He straightened his coat, adjusted the sling, and recovered his composure.
He nodded once.
"Five o'clock," he said.
"Five o'clock," Noel confirmed.
Arthur almost smiled. He turned toward the door. He reached it and stopped to look back.
"Stay away from that chief," he said.
Noel blinked.
"Excuse me?"
