The maid led us to a courtyard at the center of the house. At first I thought it was open to the sky, but then I realized that it was too bright—and too quiet. Outside, it was still dark, but in here morning "sunlight" was already slanting in among the potted plants and flowering vines that filled the space. I could hear the tinkle of a fountain and see clouds drifting across the sky. The ceiling had to contain a holo—and some infrared heaters, to give the fake sunlight an authentic feel. I guessed that a very solid roof sealed off this place of refuge from the world outside.