The screen went black. The fluorescent lights buzzed back to their old, irritating pitch. Outside, a car alarm started blaring. Someone laughed—a real, ugly, beautiful human laugh.

For three days, Elara was a goddess. Rush hour traffic parted for her taxi. Bugs solved themselves while she was in the bathroom. The client sent a message saying "Take all the time you need." She felt high on the effortless flow of existence.

Elara smiled. Her coffee was cold again. Everything was broken.