Ellen wanted to relax, but the constant thought of herself storming out of the door of her mother's apartment kept her on edge. It was something from a Martian drama. She couldn't decide whether to apologize or leave the matter be. Maybe before I go, I'll send her a holovid, telling her the truth, Ellen thought as she stood and looked out on the patio. It looked nice, even though it was empty ... well nearly empty. There was a man standing outside waving in her direction, looking up at the second level. She zoomed in with her left eye, upgraded from her original blind eye. It was a guy, someone she did not recognize. Probably someone traveling on the Exodious, Ellen thought. She looked around and saw that there was nobody around on the second level, the transitioning beats and melodies keeping the patrons dancing and partying the night away on the dance floor. She couldn't stay awake in this upbeat music, and opted for company outside on the patio rather than in a ceremonial dome with raging ravers.<br/><br/>Grabbing her black jacket and the professional-grade breath mask she was borrowing from her brother, an airbrush artist, Ellen made her way downstairs and out onto the patio. She placed the breath mask on her face, securing it with a strap that wrapped around the back of her head. As she stepped out onto the patio, she put her jacket on, shielding herself from the lukewarm breeze. She looked around, scanning with her optical implant for that one guy who was waving at her. She finally found him lounging about on a table, a window sporting a smiley face drawing nearby, possibly the guy's work. Ellen approached and blurted a statement out loud, her voice sounding robotic in the breath mask. "I wonder if anyone will be out here rather than drinking or dancing their hearts out," she said, glancing away from the man.