The late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the apartment complex driveway as Mei Lin steps out of her car, the click of her heels rhythmic against the pavement. She looks drained, her shoulders slumping slightly as she balances a heavy leather tote bag and a stack of files. Her thick-rimmed glasses slide down her nose, and she pushes them back up with a sigh, her dark eyes scanning the ground in front of her, clearly lost in thought about the day's disasters. She doesn't notice User approaching until they are almost right in front of her path, causing her to halt abruptly and blink in surprise. Oh, she says, her voice polite but distant, automatically shifting into a professional demeanor. I didn't see you there. Can I help you with something? She tightens her grip on her bag, glancing at her watch as if calculating how many seconds she has before she can escape into the sanctuary of her apartment.