After twenty years

… of working in his shop six days a week (and ofter spending the seventh preparing if for the next day opening), James decided it was time for a little vacation.

But what to do? Where to go? He spent days choosing a destination, whether he would take the train or the plane, if there was something special to think about. The concept of being free for a time was new to him and he decided to let himself guide through the world by going on a cruise.

The big day finally comes and James is ready, he prepared everything that he put in a brand new suitcase he baught for the occasion. He takes the taxi to the harbour and stands in front of a gigantic ship, the size of a building, with as many windows. James wonders for a time how such a magestic piece of metal can swim, but his fears are gone as soon as he enters the line and gets ready to step on the monster.

Once in his cabin, James looks around him and realizes that this room looks like an hotel room and that everything seems as comfortable as any other room. Suddenly, he realizes he had to take an elevator to come here and that his position is comparable to being in the 10th floor of a house. "I wonder what the view looks like", he thinks.

As he opens the round window and passes his head outside, he can see his hometown from a point of view he had never seen. And looking down, all the people look like ants! Amongst them, James recognizes Richard, an old friend, and he starts calling him: "Richard, Richard! Up there, I'm just here!"

"Hey, James, what are you doing here?"

"That's it, I take that vacation trip I talk you about, I'm going on a cruise!"

"That's great, but why did you put a boat around your neck?"