"I am free," Alex whispered.
It felt terrible.
He got out of bed. He wandered downstairs. He ate a bowl of cereal very slowly.
He sat on the sofa. He picked up a book. The History of the Roman Empire.
He read one page. Then he looked at the clock. Eight fifteen.
"This is going to be a long day," Alex sighed.
He picked up his phone. He texted Mark.
"What are normal people doing right now?"
The reply came instantly.
"THEY ARE SLEEPING! OR EATING! OR DRIVING FAST CARS! WHY ARE YOU AWAKE?"
"I am bored," Alex typed.
"BORED? YOU ARE A CHAMPION! COME OVER! I BOUGHT A TRAMPOLINE!"
Alex took a taxi to Mark's house.
Mark lived in a new, modern apartment building near the stadium. But he had rented the penthouse, which had a giant roof terrace.
When Alex arrived, he found Mark bouncing.
Mark was wearing his gold pyjamas. He was jumping on a massive trampoline that looked dangerously close to the edge of the roof.
