"Lu Chengran, hold the flashlight."
He handed it to her without comment.
"You are not going to make the lights complain again?"
"I am going to make the doors reconsider their life choices."
He Yao watched her work in silence. After a moment, he said, "You do that often?"
Tang Li Yue looked at him. "Do what?"
"Talk to machines like they offended you."
"They usually do."
Lu Chengran's mouth twitched.
Tang Li Yue ignored him with dignity.
She connected two stripped wires, adjusted the small metal contact, and used the edge of her knife to hold the connection in place.
For one breath, nothing happened. Then the lock on the first medical room clicked.
Tang Li Yue lifted her chin. "See? Machines can be taught manners."
She opened the door. The woman inside was younger than Tang Li Yue expected.
Perhaps nineteen. Maybe twenty.
