“Protocol,” he says—to the group, ostensibly, but pointedly to Maeve—“emergency protocol at High Water Center for the Arts states clearly that in the case of natural disaster, center residents are to stay indoors in a common space so that everyone is accounted for—”

He’s interrupted by a sharp banging and Karo glances up.

“Someone go in there and tell him to stop that,” she says, and for the second time, Maeve registers that Sim is not in the room. No one has mentioned him. Anna gestures to the ballroom next door, the gallery.

Of course. Why stop working just because you don’t have power tools?

Out loud, Maeve says, “So why is he allowed to keep working and I’m not?”

Dance—movement, repetition, exertion—is the only way she knows to stay grounded. It was hard enough to keep calm in the studio. How will she possibly cope if she has to spend a whole day just sitting by the fire?

Sadie jumps up and heads for the gallery door, but Dan is already there, rapping sharply on the wall. She hardens, glaring at him.

The banging stops.

“Because,” Dan says, turning back to Maeve, “he doesn’t have to go outside.”

“Well, what about me? Is there someplace I can work, then? What about tomorrow?”

But the question is met with silence; Dan actually turns his back. Finally, Karo looks up.

“This problem will be solved by tomorrow,” she says.

She grabs the radio—almost roughly—from where Sadie has left it unattended and begins to crank it herself; the girl stalks out to the chairs and sits down. Maeve watches her. In another world, she might have asked Sadie to help. She’s a former dancer, after all—she could have found Maeve some private place on-site, some unused meeting space or boardroom. Maybe if they hadn’t gotten off to such a bad start? Maeve frowns. No. Since the episode in the spa, she’s reluctant to approach Sadie at all. Karo’s and Dan’s controlling demeanor makes sense—they are responsible for the residents. She can find reasons for Dan to be letting himself into each cabin in turn. What was the word Karo used? Liability. Liable: that’s what they are.

But Sadie just seems abrasive. Mercenary. Maybe even sly.

Dan gets up and pounds on the wall a second time even though Sim’s work noise has ceased. It’s like the pounding is an outlet for him. The emergency has triggered something, put him on some kind of razor’s edge.