The history book was heavy. It was full of dates, wars, and pharaohs.
Alex sat in the airport lounge in New York. He was reading about the Great Pyramid of Giza.
"The Pyramids," Alex muttered. "Built to last forever. A testament to human ambition."
Mark sat next to him. He was wearing a turban made of a hotel towel and sunglasses.
"I AM A PHARAOH!" Mark whispered loudly. "BOW DOWN, MORTALS! I WANT GRAPES! AND A CHARIOT! A VERY FAST CHARIOT!"
"Mark," Alex sighed. "We are going to Egypt for the Semi-Final, not to rule the ancient world."
"Why not both?" Mark asked, peeling a grape. "I would be a great Pharaoh. King Tutankhamun? No. King Mark-ankhamun! The Fastest King in the Desert!"
Maya was typing on her laptop.
"Analysis of Al-Ahly," Maya said. "The Red Devils of Africa. They have won the African Champions League 11 times. Their fans are passionate. The Cairo International Stadium will be a cauldron."
