Ace looks at the crowd, at Block, the crowd, then bites his lip as a thought strikes.
Out of the corner of his mouth he whispers to his friend:
"Hey, can you call up our 'Wagon buddies & tell 'em to get ready to recieve this crowd?
I'll lead 'em to the lobby & let 'Wagon take 'em from there.
After that we need to hustle hoop, keep low, & let someone else bask in the spotlight.
If *we* do it, it'll boost our street cred but *SERIOUSLY* screw up our future employability.
You deal with 'Wagon, I'll take these folks to 'em."
Ace steps out into the middle of the hallway, hands palms forward, arms wide, as if to give everyone a big old hug.
His voice is as friendly as he can make it, as nonconfrontational, nonjudgemental, & nonthreatening as he can radiate, hoping nobody gets an urge to gun him down.
"Everyone, may I have your attention please?
If you'll follow me I'll be happy to lead you out of this mess, but I'd like you to do me a favor first.
Please pile all your weapons over by the wall-"
Gesturing at one wall with a wave of the hand,
"-so nobody outside shoots first & asks questions later, we can make our way safely away from here."
As soon as the first person starts to leave their weapon as requested, Ace gives a soothing, relieved, congratulatory "Atta Boy!" thumbs up & grin before cooing:
"That's it. Just pile 'em up over there & we'll get out of here.
That's the way, yes like that, that's fine, you're doing great, awesome!"
He wants to keep these people calm, cooperative, docile, & easily led, the better to get them to safety.
As soon as they've created the mountain of munitions, he'll make "Follow me" hand wavy gestures like a theme park tour guide.
"Ok folks, that's great!
Now if you'll follow me, we can go where it's safe!"
Ace will turn on a heel, lift a hand like a marching band leader, & pretending to have the baton in hand, march back up the hallway singing "Hi ho! Hi ho! It's off to safe we go!"
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