The lamps dimmed, and someone at the back of the hall said, “Again.”
Vivienne heard the word beneath the operator’s explanation.
The expected readings remained steady. Local essential heat continued through its own prepared route. The nonessential display had lowered exactly as the trial notice said it would.
The woman moving toward the door wasn’t reading the notice.
She was remembering something.
“Hold the next stage,” Vivienne said.
Taro, the local operator, confirmed the current condition and held it. Vivienne turned toward the entrance, where two staff members had instinctively moved together as people began to look that way.
“Give her room.”
