Intro
762. A dark-haired young man of twenty-four, dressed in a light jacket and jeans, stands on the edge of the roof of a fifteen-storey building. It offers a great view of the neighbouring outdoor football stadium nearby. The vaults and façade of the sports facility are brightly lit with lanterns. A major annual fight tournament is scheduled to take place, with some of Ounvilshen's top fighters scheduled to participate. On the artificial turf, in the middle of the field, a couple of metres above the ground, a ring has been erected for the future competition. Its flooring was square and dark blue in colour, and the ropes enclosing its perimeter were red. The stands were still half-empty, as the fans had only recently started to be launched. The guy was carefully watching what was happening in the stadium through his binoculars. With one hand he was occasionally tweaking a couple of wheels on it, responsible for adjusting the clarity and range of the image. On the roof, not far from him, was a large black bag with the necessary equipment for his mission.
Finally, the boy lowered the hand holding the binoculars and walked along the roof to the other end and looked down. He was no longer afraid of heights, as he had successfully overcome this phobia after a series of tests. Below was a small street with cars parked on the pavement and the edge of the metal roof over the entrance to the building. Pedestrians were darting along the pavement, going wherever they were going: home, from work, from school, to the shop, to the stadium, for a walk. The phone rang. The guy took it out of his jeans pocket and put it to his ear.
The voice in the receiver, ‘Michael, I'm here. How's it going in there? Are you ready?’
Michael: ‘Ready as I'll ever be.’
Voice on the phone: ‘Well, if this thing works out, you'll be able to live a quiet life. In addition, this may be our last assignment together.’
Michael: ‘Don't say that, Fred. I think we'll still have time to work together.’
The voice in the receiver: ‘Well, I wish you good luck, and may everything go well the first time. You understand me? We may not get another chance, so follow through and let's get this over with once and for all.’
Michael: ‘I heard you. Thank you. I'll do my best. If I don't come back, leave without me.’
The guy tucked the phone away in his pocket and, after another walk around and survey of the roof's perimeter, went back to his observation post and started looking for the person he needed in the stands.
Michael (out loud): ‘Where are you? Show yourself…’
Childhood and adolescence
The early years
738. On a late January evening, four men were relaxing in an Ounvilshen bar after a hard day's work. Among them was Michael's father George. He was socialising with his friends, drinking beer from a large glass mug. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable. Everyone was sharing their latest news and problems with the others. The mates listened to each other and supported each other. Finally, it was George's turn when all the problems and news of the others were sorted out.
Fred: ‘So, what's new with you?’
George: ‘Nothing in terms of work. Things are going pretty well, but not well enough to close the mortgage and feel secure in the full sense of the word.’
Buddy #1: ‘Ha ha, who here feels well-off? Look at you, finding the problem. You can never have too much money.’
George: ‘I mean, our expenses are about to multiply…’
Fred: ‘What do you mean?’
George: ‘Folks, I'm gonna be a daddy soon! That's what I want to drink to!’