We agreed to meet in Reception after breakfast. She added there would be no need for the bulky outer clothes. We walked together to the elevators – her room was on the fourth floor, while mine was of course two storeys above.

I had drunk more than I realized. I lurched against her as we turned into the elevator block, and she helped me back upright with a swift, strong movement. I leant against the wall while we waited for the elevator car to arrive, and I stumbled as we entered. I said sorry several times, I hadn’t realized how long we had been in the bar, I didn’t normally drink as much as this. She laughed. The metal walls of the elevator car, the carpeted floor, seemed to be circling. Frejah was not as intoxicated as me. I held the hand rail as the elevator swished upwards. On the fourth floor she bade me goodnight. I continued on up. Suddenly aware of being alone I leaned drunkenly into one of the mirrors, abashed at my grotesque and dishevelled appearance.

When the elevator stopped and the doors opened I made it out into the hallway without stumbling. I set off towards my room with a determined air, weaving from side to side.

Inevitably, I went wrong and had to retrace my steps. I returned past the elevator block, and this time found the correct corridor. I had to lean down beside each door to peer closely at the room number, inscribed in small letters beside the electronic lock. I was embarrassed by how drunk I had become. I was wondering what regrettable nonsense I might have been saying to that intelligent and interesting woman. I felt blank about her. For a few moments I could not even recall her name.

I found my door, rammed in the electronic key and lurched inside. Every light in the room was on. As I closed the door behind me, the television screen lit up with brightly saturated colours. Music was playing loudly, people were moving and laughing.

Befuddled, I stared around. I had a distinct, pedantic memory of switching everything off, and before closing the door throwing the master switch. I was confused, annoyed. Had I returned to the room at some point and turned on the lights again? A memory lapse? But once the woman had joined me, I had not left the table in the bar, beside the fire.

Something was buzzing irritatingly. I turned, tried to focus. There was a digital display embedded in the body of the door, next to the lock. I had never noticed it before, presumably because it had not been activated. I concentrated, leaned forward, looked closely. It said:

Exit and re-enter your room immediately, using only the authorized electronic key. Statutory penalty for improper use of mutability procedures: Th 100.