Rounding the desk, Bernadette heads for the closed door. But a few steps shy, she stops and her keys slip from her hand to rattle onto the floor. She casually crouches down to pick them up, before suddenly swinging a leg out into a dark corner of the office. Although she makes no contact, something definitely shuffles out of the way.

She leans left and flings a nearby waste can into that same dark. Instead of bouncing off the wall, the metal bin strikes something – actually someone – who lets out a groan. A semi-transparent gloved hand emerges from the dark. She blocks it with her left elbow, while simultaneously getting a jab in with her right. Her knuckles crack against her assailant’s chin.

With confidence, she follows with a left hook. The mystery attacker dodges the punch, then clutches her extended wrist. When she throws herself forward, the person tries to brace her ‘fall’ with their other hand, just as she predicted. Bernadette throws her knee into the nether regions of (based on the extreme reaction) a male trespasser.

Releasing his hold on her, the assailant staggers back, leans against the wall, and comforts his groin area. Bernadette spins back, putting some space between them. She lifts a glass bookend (mid-spin) from a nearby cabinet, notching it back in her arm to launch at him. She pauses when he finally speaks.