A cabinet-voice said, "Anything, madam?"
"Drinks," said Maxine. "Not too strong. We've been hitting the bottle."
"Not too strong," said the cabinet. "Just a moment, madam."
"Illusion," Maxine said. "Every bit of it. But a nice illusion. Want a beach? It's waiting for you, if you just think of it. Or a polar cap. Or a desert. Or an old chateau. It's waiting in the wings."
"Your painting must pay off," he said.
"Not my painting. My irritation. Better start getting irritated, Buster. Get down in the dumps. Start thinking about suicide. That's a surefire way to do it. Presto, you're kicked upstairs to a better suite of rooms. Anything to keep you happy."
"You mean the Kimonians automatically shift you?"
"Sure. You're a sucker to stay down there where you are."
"I like my layout," he told her. "But this - "
She laughed at him. "You'll catch on," she said.