"Think maybe you could do that without the big stick?" Howard's hand tightens around the folding knife, and he seems to shrink away, as if he hopes the bagginess of his clothing can shield him. His eyes turn from Mami to Jack and back, sizing up that they could both take him in a fight, and he suddenly feels outnumbered.

It doesn't matter that neither of them are threatening, or that Mami has just bowed to him.