"Intelligence only counts for so much, though," she says, and in the middle of chewing the lights quite suddenly die: it's not the fuse this time, it's Noriko. The lightbulbs stay off, but there's a little ball of light dancing at the end of her fingertips, about the size and intensity of the incandescents.

"Sometimes practical experience helps."

Ever seen ball lightning up close, Dr. Lecter?