I got home late last night after ten days away. As a homeowner, I’ve learned to expect a surprise or two when returning from a trip - a leak, a crack. Something the house decides to do on its own to keep life interesting.
I put my bags down and went to pour myself a glass of water. When I returned to the entryway, I heard a faint, steady buzzing coming from somewhere I couldn’t place.
I was exhausted and just wanted to unpack and go to bed, but you can’t ignore a sound like that. I asked an AI agent. It had a few theories: insects in the wall, an electrical issue, the HVAC, or - its best guess - the original doorbell circuitry wearing out. That sounded right. Too steady for insects, too mechanical for plumbing. So instead of unpacking, I found myself making a checklist: flip the breaker tomorrow, isolate the circuit, call an electrician. I held a drinking glass to the wall. Was it coming from the floor or the ceiling? I couldn’t tell.
Eventually I punted the problem to Future Me and started getting ready for bed. I moved my bags to the stairwell, walked back to the entryway to turn the light off, and realized the buzzing had stopped. I stood there for a moment, almost suspicious. Then I walked to the stairwell - and heard it there instead. I checked the walls again. Nothing.
The AI, consulted again, now thought it might be the HVAC circulating air between zones. “Don’t worry about it tonight.” Fine. I was too tired to argue with my phone.
I hauled everything upstairs, unzipped my suitcase, and the buzzing got louder.
My electric beard trimmer had been jostled on during baggage handling. It had been running for hours. The battery light was flashing red.
If you’ve seen Fight Club, you know the scene.