CHAPTER 2 – CURIOSITY BEGINS
Felix writes one short line in his notebook about the man with the heavy bag. He reads the words again and again. He feels a small fire inside. He tells himself, maybe this is the start. He does not know who the man is. He does not know why the man came to this town. But he knows he wants to find out.
At home he cannot rest. He tries to eat but the food has no taste. He tries to watch TV but his eyes move back to the notebook. He says quietly, “Who is he? Why here?” He thinks about his boss Mr. Clark. He hears the words again in his head. Bring me a big story. Felix thinks, maybe this is my chance.
The next morning Felix arrives at the office early. Anna sees him and asks, “Why so early?” Felix says, “I saw something last night. A strange man with a bag. He looked nervous.” Anna asks, “And you think this means something?” Felix replies, “I don’t know yet, but I feel it. I will tell Mr. Clark.”
He walks to the editor’s room. Mr. Clark looks up from his desk. Felix says, “Sir, I saw a man at the bus stop. He came with a heavy bag. He looked different. He looked like he was hiding something.” Mr. Clark leans back and asks, “Do you have proof?” Felix says, “Not yet. But I can find out.” The editor smiles a little and says, “Good. Go and find out. Ask people. Look around. Bring me facts. Do not bring me only feelings.” Felix nods. “Yes, sir. I will do it.”
Felix goes out into town. He asks the bus driver, “Do you know the man who got off last night?” The driver shakes his head. “No. Many people ride the bus. I don’t know him.” Felix asks a shop owner near the stop. The shop owner says, “Yes, I saw a man. He bought a bottle of water. He said nothing. He walked away fast.” Felix writes this in his notebook. He thinks, so the man is real. He was not my dream.
Felix meets Anna again at lunch. She asks, “Any news?” Felix shows her the notes. She reads and says, “Still not much.” Felix replies, “I know. But it is something. A strange man, a heavy bag, a fast walk. Maybe there is more.” Anna says, “Be careful. Do not make a story before you have truth.” Felix nods. “I will be careful. But I must follow this.”
In the evening Felix waits near the bus stop again. He hopes to see the man. Hours pass but the man does not come. Felix writes in the notebook, No man tonight. He feels both tired and excited. He whispers, “Tomorrow I will look again.”
He closes the notebook and thinks about the words of his editor. Bring me a big story. He does not know yet what the story is. But he knows it has begun.
