Howard Payne (Speed)

Howard Payne was a former member of the Atlanta Police Department's bomb squad. After an explosion left him minus a finger, Howard retired to Sun Valley, California.

Due to financial issues, Howard attempted to use his knowledge of bombs to his advantage. Rigging office building elevator in downtown Los Angeles, Payne planted two charges rigged by remote control. His plan was to blow the main cables, but give a one hour ultimatum, with a ransom demand of $3million, or else he would blow the emergency brake on the elevator.

Payne's plan was in jeopardy when LAPD officers Jack Traven and Harry Temple attempted to securely get the people in the elevator off. Payne then blew the emergency brake ahead of time, attempting to kill the passengers as well as the two officers.

Payne was soon confronted by Jack and Harry in a freight elevator. Payne took Harry as a hostage, revealing that he had dynamite strapped to his chest. Payne attempted to escape with Harry as his hostage, until Jack wounded him in the leg. Payne then exited out of a parking garage door, and set off some explosives, causing Jack and the others to believe he had killed himself.

Payne waited a while longer, before plotting his revenge. Payne rigged two bombs with busses: one as a warning to get Jack Traven's attention, and the other attached to bus 2525 as part of his new plan. After the first bomb explodes close to Trave, Payne calls him on a payphone, angrily chastising how Jack destroyed his 2-year plan, before outlining his new plan.

Payne rigged bus 2525 with a bomb based on the bus' speed. After going over 50mph, the bomb arms. If the bus drops below 50mph, it explodes. Payne also outlines that he expects to be paid $3.7million by 11am that morning as ransom