Chapter Four: Trusted Time

His portrait immediately turned gray in the staff directory. His badge stopped working. Even the garage cameras relabeled him Visitor Two. The vending machine slid aside, revealing an elevator. Its mirrored walls displayed advertisements: Tired of practicing? Buy verified experience. Afraid your child will fall behind? Language packages include a seven-day trial. Fine print declared every asset voluntarily authorized. The doors opened onto a brilliant administrative hall. Suited customers signed migration contracts in glass booths. One played an invisible piano; another recited French in a stranger's accent. A boy who had just acquired swimming convulsed in his chair as if choking. Every ability carried a provenance grade and depreciation rate.