Free Exposed at the Back by Guy; Arild; Puzey Stavrum Page B

from how many inches their trousers should sag to the special vocabulary on the skating scene. But the worst thing is that skating is so dull. We filmed skateboarders hunched over like ice hockey players, pretending they had wind in their hair, while our cameraman strolled along next to them. And then those lousy tricks, all of which are variations on jumping a couple of inches before landing back on the board. “Skate or die” is an easy decision, if you ask me.’
    ‘So how did you go on to become an anchor?’ asked Steinar. He liked hearing her stories. It helped him to relax. He still didn’t want her to go digging into his past, but his fear was balanced by his curiosity, he wanted to get to know her better.
    ‘It was a report on Birkebeinerrennet, the big cross-country ski marathon, that gave me my big break. I met a chemistry professor who explained how harmful ski wax is for the environment. As a former member of Young Friends of the Earth, I hit the roof. Tonnes of dangerous chemicals are left in the woods because business executives on their way to Lillehammer want to show that they’re younger than it says on their passports. Then I got the manager of a well-known Norwegian company to promise that he’d never take part in the race again and would make sure his employees only took part if they weren’t using ski wax, which caused a bit of an outcry.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘Because the story was based on the idea that skiing could be harmful. Norway’s sacred cow. Our religion. There’s not much that means more to Norway than skiing does. But skiing was just an irritation at TV2 because it was the state broadcaster NRK’s territory. For me, that story led to a promotion.’
    ‘Chemicals might have something to do with the Golden case too,’ said Steinar as Benedikte sat back a little. She immediately leant over the table again.
    ‘Go on,’ she said.
    ‘I’ve got a friend who’s a doctor with a professional interest in synthetic turf. According to him, there are major health risks linked to the use of artificial grass pitches.’
    ‘Such as?’
    ‘He mentioned MRSA, allergies, cancer.’ Steinar noticed his words were making Benedikte uncomfortable. ‘Is something wrong?’
    Benedikte scratched her brow, shook her head. ‘It’s just that I hatehospitals. The very thought of how hospitals smell makes me retch, but carry on.’
    ‘Another friend of mine has been admitted to hospital with lung cancer. My doctor friend Bjørnar is certain that he contracted it from an indoor artificial pitch, having been exposed to various contaminants over the years.’
    ‘Let’s go back to you and the documentary,’ said Benedikte.
    ‘Did you show any of it to the police?’ asked Steinar, as Benedikte turned paler.
    ‘Why should I? I’m looking for a story.’
    ‘I don’t trust the police,’ said Steinar. He took a sip of the wine, which was going straight to his head. He wasn’t used to drinking, at least not that early in the day and not having been out the previous evening.
    Benedikte leant forward, looked him in the eyes and asked: ‘Bad experience?’
    ‘I think we’re all like that. We’re indoctrinated,’ said Steinar.
    ‘Indoctrinated?’ asked Benedikte.
    ‘It starts early. Just look at Postman Pat and Noddy.’
    ‘What are you talking about?’
    ‘Haven’t you seen them?’
    ‘I’m not sure, but what have they got to do with the police?’
    ‘They depict the police as idiots. In Postman Pat there’s PC Selby. He sleeps in his police car in the middle of the day. In one episode he can’t do anything because he’s lost his pencil. Pat has to remember everything for him and, as if that weren’t enough, he cheats in a go-cart race against children. He uses a car with an engine, but that’s not allowed! Then, in Noddy’s Toyland Adventures , Mr Plod forgets to lock up the jail, and the way he investigates the theft of some pieces of cake is shocking.’
    ‘I’m sorry, but I