Ali's Morning Routine
THE ALARM ON ALI’S WRISTWATCH went off at six-thirty in the morning, as it did every morning. He turned it off and without wasting a single minute, he got out of bed. With military discipline, he made the bed; stretched his arms, legs, and back to make himself alert and energized. Then, he started to get ready for the day. His every movement was meticulous and well rehearsed, the result of years and years of military service.
At twenty minutes past eight, Ali came out of the bathroom with a towel tied around his waist. He had shaved and his hair was still wet. He had a stout, strong look and his broad shoulders, flat abdomen, and well-shaped calf muscles accentuated his looks. Ali always wore long-sleeve shirts because his right arm still bore scars from injuries suffered during the war.
Exactly at eight-thirty, there was a knock on the door and a hotel employee called out, “Breakfast, sir.” Ali rushed toward the bathroom and turned on the shower. Ali was cautious and whenever he had to check into a hotel, he liked to keep his interaction with the staff to a minimum. From the bathroom, in a very thick New York accent, he replied, “Put it on the table, please.” The night before, he had ordered an egg sandwich and coffee for breakfast.
The moment Ali heard the door close, he came out of the bathroom and locked the door to his room. He pulled a chair up to the table, sat down, and ate.
After finishing his breakfast, he checked his watch and hurried into the bathroom again. When he came out, he looked like a different person—a man ten years younger than Ali’s actual age. He put on the clothes he had laid out the night before and then looked at himself in the mirror over the dresser.
Ali picked up his briefcase and exited his room, locking the door behind him. He passed the elevator and took the stairs down to the ground floor of the hotel. He walked straight out to the street and began walking, looking like any other New Yorker starting their day.