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“Sure do.”
“Drivers, start your engines,” says the announcer once more.
I press the little blue button.
Sometimes, you’re stuck in an absurd situation and can either wallow in the embarrassment of it all or lean into the bit.
At the gunshot, I press on the brake. “This is a great start, Alpha Two.”
“You’re supposed to move,” he yells into the headset.
I choose to lean in.
∞∞∞
“Tight corner ahead. Slow down,” Jake tells me.
“Roger that, Alpha Two.” I press down on the throttle. “Oops.”
“Mistakes happen. It’s fine,” he says. I admire his effort to remain calm. “We’re less than halfway, so there’s plenty of time to move up the pack.”
“The pack of what?” I ask, even though I know the answer.
“Cars, Princess.” His voice deepens. “Karts. The pack of karts. Stay in the center. Max throttle down this long stretch. Don’t let anyone pass. We’re still in contention for a top finish.”
“That’s great!” I press on the brake. “My foot slipped.”
“That’s not a problem. Accidents happen.” He sounds pained, and I almost feel bad. “Now. Go full throttle. I want to beat him.”
Yeah, that little slip there isn’t missed, and I no longer feel bad. “On it. Let’s go.” I do as asked, careening right into a wall of hay bales. “You didn’t tell me those were there.”
“I thought you would see them. It was a giant wall right in front of you.” Jake sighs. “Okay, Alpha One, I’ll keep you posted on wall locations moving forward.”
Guilt niggles, so I put effort into the next few laps, and we gain ground.
“We’re almost halfway,” Jake says. “First stage down.”
“Roger that, Alpha Two.”
“Are you going to call me that for the entire race?”
“That’s a negative, Beta Minor.” He won’t appreciate that one.
“Let’s go back to Alpha Two. Head back in for a pit stop. I’ll be waiting.”
I finish the lap and head back to my designated stall, where Jake waits with a water bottle in hand.
“Drink,” he orders. “It’s important to stay hydrated.” I take a sip, and he pushes on the bottle, hoping I’ll drink it quicker. “We’re almost out of time.”
“I’m not that thirsty.”
It’s a breezy day, and I’m barely putting in effort. It’s not that exhausting.
“Humor me.”
I roll my eyes and drink it.
“Listen, you’re in 21st place out of forty. Most drivers hereare inexperienced. They focus on staying in the middle rather than making progress. Slow on corners, then pass on the outside. Can you do that?”
