Joe heard the crack of a rifle, dulled by the thick bathroom door. He thought he could smell gunpowder. He also though he heard someone shout in Arabic. He could taste sand in his mouth. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Just wait... just... wait...", he told himself. 

Someone knocked on the door frantically. It was another man who called to Joe. "Please! Please open the door! Let me in!" Joe shouted back,

"Occupied, man! Find your own restroom!"

He closed his eyes and rested his head against the tile wall behind him. It was cool and smooth, like glass. The sound of pipe hitting ceramic broke the tranquility. He'd accidentally dropped his baton. No surprise, considering how sweaty his hands were.