The power went out in my flat at noon, and only mine. The floor above has light.

Then it is your box, not the building. When did it start?

At twelve. I was cooking, the fan stopped, and one of the lights went dark and did not come back.

Do you smell anything hot?

No. Only the dark.

Then open the box and look which switch is down. If it comes up and goes down again, leave it there.

I will. How long can I keep the fridge closed?

Four hours with the door shut. After that the cold food is a risk.

I have fish in it. Can I move it to my neighbour's fridge?

She is out till seven. There is a shop at the corner with cold boxes; they keep food for people in the building.

Good. And the light in my work room. I have a meeting at three, on the phone.

You have power in the rest of the flat?

Yes, only the work room and the kitchen are dark.

Then it is one line, not the whole box. I can come at two, or I can tell you now which switch to touch.

Come at two. Can you stay while I make the meeting?

I can work in the hall, and you can sit in your room with your own light. I will be quiet.

Then the meeting is fine. What do you do first?

I look at the line, then at the socket you use the most. Old sockets take the heat before the wire does.

I use one long cable for three machines. Is that a problem?

It can be. When the cable is under the carpet, it gets warm and nobody sees it.

It is under the carpet. I will pull it out now.

Do that, and at two we will see if the kitchen light comes back on its own.