A nameless man joins the narrator/protagonist, Michael Brock, on the elevator in the office building of Drake & Sweeney, the law firm where Michael works. When the elevator reaches floor six, Michael realizes as he exits that the man is following him, and he warns Madam Devier, the receptionist, to keep an eye on the nameless man, referring to him as a “street bum” and suggesting she call security. As Michael continues toward his office, he hears a shot and turns to see the nameless man holding Madam Devier at gunpoint.

Many of Michael’s coworkers hurry toward the exits once they learn of the gun, but the man takes Michael and eight other lawyers hostage in a nearby conference room. He forces them to stand up against the wall and orders Michael to lock the doors to the room. The man reveals a row of dynamite sticks strapped to his waist, then pulls yellow nylon rope and a switchblade from his trouser pocket. He claims he does not want to hurt anyone and directs Michael to tie everyone up. When Rafter, one of the lawyers, tries to object, the man shoots over his head, and Umstead, another lawyer, forces Rafter to keep quiet.