The walk across the seventh floor had never felt so long. It was late and only a couple of employees were around.

"How is it even possible?" a man said. "There's no color. It's totally flat."

"Creeped me right out," his co-worker replied, nodding hello as she passed me.

"What did?" I said.

"The exterior of the House," the woman said. "A few hours ago it went kind of dead-looking."

"How weird." I hustled Mrs. Hudson out of there, beelining straight ...