Alex had a high tolerance for boredom. True restlessness required a level of animal energy that he simply didn’t possess. Unlike the Troupers, he didn’t fidget or complain. Given working lungs, a screen to look at, and a place to sleep, Alex felt basically content. He hadn’t asked to join a group of touchy thrill freaks as their unpaid amateur goatherd, and he recognized the true absurdity of his situation, but he didn’t actually mind it much. The weather was lovely, the air was clear, his health was good, and he was being left alone all day with some goats and the Library of Congress and a smart rope.