As amused and drawn in by the story as he was, he was not so amused or drawn in by the sharp response to his outburst. "Oh shit!" he exclaimed, falling from his chair with a loud thud, just as startled as the other occupant was by the presence of another person. Picking himself up from the ground and clearing off his pants of any dirt or dust that they might have picked up due to his momentary affair with the floor, Michael looked around. "Yeah, sorry about that," he called back, his Chicago accent thick with his flustered state. "I thought I was alone."
Listening to the reproachful statement, Michael responded with, "Yes, it would. I was just caught by surprise, that's all. I'm normally a very quiet reader." He'd done his best to follow the voice to it's source, not expecting to come upon a very attractive Asian woman. "Is there something I can help you find, miss?" Even though he was from Chicago he had manners enough to put a Southern gentleman to shame, especially when it came to pretty women.