suddenly struck her just how much she loved this city. Twenty years before, it had been in ruins from the disastrous Franco-Prussian War and the civil strife that had followed it. But it had risen from the ashes to once again become the first city of the world. This fair was the showcase of that resurrection, and this spectacular tower was its symbol. Tears of pride came to her eyes as she thought of it. She was filled with a surge of appreciation, power, and possibility.
Why not go all the way? To hell with the Prince of Wales. Who better to be the first to scale the Tower than someone like me?
Once again, Mason began to climb. The stairs grew steeper, narrower. She lost herself in the rhythm of her footsteps clanging on the metal. Up…up…into the very sky. Panting now. Climbing, climbing, climbing. Her calves began to ache, but she didn’t care. A cold wind began to hit her, but she found it bracing. The sensation was almost sexual. She couldn’t stop herself now if she wanted to. Higher, higher, higher…
Until the stairs ended. She was at the summit: 919 feet high, 1, 665 steps!
She leaned against the rail, trying to catch her breath, which was burning her lungs. It was pitch-black around her, but the lights of the city formed a carpet at her feet. Looking down on it gave her a swell of exhilaration.
Truly, anything was possible.
“Young woman!” A male voice behind her startled her. She whirled to find a bearded man holding a lamp. He’d just come out of the small enclosure at the pinnacle. “What on earth are you doing here?”
Caught up in her sense of accomplishment, she said, “I might ask the same of you.”
“I’m Gustave Eiffel, and I built this tower you are trespassing upon. And who, may I ask, are you?”
Who was she?
Time to decide.
Holding out her hand to him, she said, “My name is Amy.”
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