"Look, they have work to do."
"I won't stay here alone."
"I can lock you in a storeroom if I have to."
Karen turned away blindly and started to cry. The room was suddenly filled with tension.
"Karen, stop that crying," I said.
"I'm not," she said, but she couldn't stop the flood of hysteria that shook her. I turned her around and slapped her face.
"I'm sorry I had to do that," I said humbly. Her wide eyes didn't believe me.
"Aren't you taking your job rather big," Paul said tensely.
"I didn't enjoy doing that, Paul. I think you know that."
"Karen is part of this crew. Why single her out for rough treatment?"