I am always thinking of ideas for a new book. Maybe you knew that, maybe you didn't. Either way, it's true. And what I want to do today is show you a beginning that I have to a story I might or might not follow through with.

First, a little bit about the idea. Last weekend, something kind of bad happened to me. Don't worry, I'm fine. But you know that iPod that I always walk around with and play games on and listen to? It was stolen. I know, right? And I miss it a lot. But, that got me thinking about stealing things. And maybe trying to stop things from being stolen. So here is the prologue and a little bit of the first chapter. Let me know if it's good.

Prologue

Life's kind of funny. Just when you think you have it all figured out, it throws you for a loop. It takes you from your highest point of understanding and bottoms you out at the lowest point, sometimes in a matter of seconds. That's where I am now. I shouldn't have done it. That's painfully obvious. But, at the time, it seemed like a good idea. I thought I knew what I was doing. I had it all planned out. All I had to do was beat him to the punch. I'd get to it before he did, take it, and fix this whole mess. I never considered these consequences. I mean, hindsight's always 20/20, but I feel like I'm smarter than this. To be in this kind of a mess; This is torture. I can't trust anyone, not even myself. What the hell am I going to do?

Chapter 1

Today

I don't feel like getting up today. I wonder how long I can get away with staying in bed? Probably at least until mom wakes up and wonders why I'm not at school. She'd say "Steven, get your lazy ass to school, learn something other than what your ceiling looks like." And I'd say "Quiz me on my ceiling so I can feel like I'm the smartest guy in this room." And she'd say "Steven, I'm counting to three," and I'd say "Go ahead and count." And she'd say "One..." And I'd say "Sorry, sorry, I'll get up."

P.S. I have an improv show tomorrow in Manayunk. Come see it if you're around. It's at the Grape Room. 8:00 p.m. Check my 'Tour Dates' page.