Mr. Harrison stood at the whiteboard. He was drawing a picture of a steam engine. It looked more like a teapot on wheels.
"The Industrial Revolution," Mr. Harrison said. "It changed everything. It replaced muscle with machine. It replaced chaos with structure. Efficiency. Power. Speed."
Alex sat at his desk. He blinked slowly.
He was tired.
He had just played two games for England. He had traveled to Wembley and back. His legs felt heavy. His brain felt like it was full of cotton wool.
"Alex," Mr. Harrison asked. "Can you tell me the most important part of the steam engine?"
Alex looked up. He thought about the football match against Italy. He thought about the midfield.
"The piston," Alex said. "It drives the rhythm. Up and down. Consistent. If the piston stops, the machine dies."
"Correct," Mr. Harrison smiled. "Although I suspect you are talking about Declan Rice, not James Watt. But I will accept it."
The bell rang.
