The Lost Symbol: In Which We're Finally Introduced To Another Character In Case We're Not Confused Enough Already

Professor Hilary Langdon felt the walls closing in on her. It was as if they were being pushed by a giant cliche. She was in a dark confined space. She couldn't breathe. Suddenly she heard a banging noise.
"Oy, are you done in there yet? We've got work to do." It was her noble assistant Grumpy.
"Sorry, I always get like this when I get nervous," she replied, flushing the toilet.
Once more she was in the dark granite atrium. Then suddenly she knew the answer.
"We don't have to use the elevators or the ropes," she said. "I know its extreme, but we could climb up those stone blocks in the center there. It might take some time, but I bet we could do it. Are you with me Grumpy?"
Grumpy shrugged.
"You mean the stairs?" he said, rolling his eyes.
In no time the pair were at the top of the building. They ran this way and that, that way and this, only stopping to change direction until they finally bumped into each other.
"There you are Grumpy," said Professor Langdon. "I thought I'd lost you forever."
Suddenly they realized they were not alone. Footsteps echoed around the building. Quiet first, then louder and louder. Then he came into view. At first he was just a shadow. Then a terrifying outline emerged. Stout at the bottom, but with a head so tall and angular it wouldn't have been out of place on the Century Artwalk. In a blink the room was flooded with a white blinding light.
Professor Langdon instantly recognized her advisory.
"Mayor Pradel!" She screamed.
"Mayor Pradel holding a foot high stack of city council files," Grumpy explained for the sake of the readers.
"How did you find us?" Professor Langdon said, panicking.
"It was easy," replied the Mayor calmly. "You left a trail of toilet paper on your shoe."