The possibility of this office being closed had definitely not been part of Lucifer Brill's prospectus.
A movement behind the opaque glass panel caught his attention. He rattled the knob. When this produced no results, he tapped with his immaculate fingernails on the glass.
A shadow moved inside the office. The lock clicked. The door opened.
An overweight young woman, obviously interrupted in the act of painting a lush mouth over thin lips, glared at him through a veneer of politeness.
"Yes?"
"I have an appointment with the Director." Lucifer Brill's voice still carried the twang of boyhood in Chelmsford, Mass.
The young woman's plucked eyebrows arched.
"This office is closed. If there is an emergency, you may...."
Lucifer handed her his card. The eyebrows arched still higher.
"Dr. Brill! Your appointment was for 3:45!"