Martin opens and shuts his mouth again quickly, momentarily stymied for how to reply — if he ought to seek further clarification or play along like he does know what John's talking about. Wanting more to be quick than correct, he settles hastily on the latter, saying, "I— N-no. Right away."

He turns, his gait already a bit stiff from the realization that humiliation of this nature really is staggeringly effective — as well as the humiliation itself. He'll just grab whatever file's nearest, he thinks as he heads quickly out the door, not wanting to delay whatever's coming any further than he has to.