CITY BOY I

With a measured pace, he climbed the last eighteen steps that brought him to the doorstep. In spite of the oppressive heat that threatened to push him back down, he held out both hands and, clenching his fists, forcefully pushed the exit door, a hot rush of air beating his body. In front of him was the entire southern part of the city. Heavy black clouds lay motionless over the urban landscape, the sound of engines deafening him and preventing him from moving forward toward the flickering lights.