A globe, taller than the average person, rested in a cradle below it, rotating slowly. As he drew closer, Sam was amazed to see tiny clouds floating above the three-dimensional landscape, turquoise seas and blue-black oceans rippling in the light of its own little sun.

‘That’s one of my favourite pastimes.’ A rusty voice took him by surprise. ‘I’ve spent hours watching typhoons and hurricanes ravage this poor little orb. Even saw a volcano erupt once.

‘It’s the only hologram I allow in here. A real-time projection of the Earth, collecting data from every satellite in orbit.’