[ the light touch of a hand on kaveh's shoulder. kaveh still beneath it, planting his feet like oak, like a two-legged plane, and waits for midnight to find his balance. the weight of the chandelier eases against his own hand. kaveh lets the weight rest for a moment, and then, with deft fingers, finishes unscrewing the rest of the whole ordeal. the three little screws find their way into a pocket as he gently guides midnight to lower the chandelier from its fixture.

a hum: ]

What kindness? I'm an architect without anything to build, and I've been meaning to figure out how the electrical system here works. In a way, I owe you for giving me this chance to figure things out. I wouldn't have started with the chandelier. [ hm. the light trails in. kaveh observes the line of wiring snaking into the ceiling proper, and then, leaning up on his tiptoes, observes the little electrical box within. he can unscrew this, he thinks. kaveh tips his head. ] Can you pass me the voltage tester? It's the orange, rectangular thing that looks a little like it ought to have been shaped from a carrot. [ and then, in that selfsame tone: ] Are you the type to count debts and favours, Midnight? Isn't that tiring?