Chapter 2.
1 WEEK EARLIER
"Oh my gosh, Speed! Did you hear about the reenactment?" Connor bounced hyperactively in his seat, his eyes wide with excitement. X growled next to him, mumbling to himself. The mechanic had been jittery and excitable ever since Headmaster Spritle had announced that they were going to try a play to honor Speed Racer. Half of the school was buzzing and anticipating the auditions, a fourth secretly wanting to audition though they shunned the idea out loud and the rest hating the idea of something like it at a racing academy.
Speed groaned and narrowly stopped himself from face-planting into his lunch. He propped up his head on the table, the tip of his fork grazing along the surface of his mashed potatoes. "Yes Connor. I heard about it when everybody else in the school did," he sighed. On the outside, he didn't care much, though he was hoping he could try and be his father. After all, they were choosing people that looked like the actual person as well as who was best at the audition, and as far as he knew, he was the spitting image of his father, and just as good of a racer.
It was pretty obvious that Connor was probably going to end up behind the scenes, building cars similar to the real ones or programming settings into the virtual track. Anyone in the school who wanted to take part was ensured one, whether it was a main or background. They need as many people as they could get to be audiences for the races they were going to highlight, as well as the many citizens or bystanders of the events.
"This whole play thing is gay," X said flatly, glancing at Connor through narrowed eyes. Speed smiled a bit at the hidden hope in his brother's eyes. "You wanna be Racer X, don't you?" he mocked, grinning. "Alright, three things; One, I need to start hanging out with cooler people. Two, shut up. You know you want to play dad. And Three…" he replied boldly, pausing and getting quieter. "…so what if I do?
He was shocked at how X read his thoughts. Glancing off to the side and lowering himself, he ate a few bites in silence, his cheeks flushing pink as Connor and Lucy burst out laughing at the racer brother's short argument.
It was the day after the auditions, and the behind the scenes crew, called the 'Nerd Squad' by some of the more popular kids, had already been announced. As he had thought from the beginning, Connor and Mitch were in charge of the small team making the cars. Headmaster Spritle and Professor Aniskov were the ones programming the virtual track to make the various settings they would need, and Professor Winn was going to direct the whole thing.
Connor was doing a happy dance when Headmaster Spritle popped up on the projectors around the school. Startled, he jumped at Speed who caught him in his arms, but was knocked over at the unexpected force. The breath was knocked out of him, and he sputtered and coughed as Connor got off of him. X offered him a hand to help him up and a shoulder for support until he caught his breath. They looked up at the large projection near the ceiling on the side of the cafeteria, and everyone else there seemed to do the same.
"As I'm sure you've all been anxiously wondering about, it's time to announce the parts assigned for the Speed Racer reenactment. If you don't get a main part, keep in mind that there are other minor roles that anybody who shows up and is able to play. A big thanks to all who auditioned!"
"Playing as Speed Racer is Speed Racer Junior!" Speed's eyes glittered and he grinned, not even caring that his uncle had just called him 'Junior' in front of the whole school. "Playing as Trixie is Dana Holland!" Speed looked around for her, but didn't see anybody cheering and figured that whoever it was wasn't there at the moment. He shrugged as Spritle continued. "Pops Racer with be played by Darron Albany! Mom Racer will be played by Susana Windlo! Wilson Sparkolemew will be played by Evan Smith! Racer X will be played by X Racer!"
"YEAH!" X exclaimed, high-fiving Speed until he noticed people staring and straightened his back. "I mean, yay. I get to be in the play…" he corrected himself, glancing around in embarrassment. Speed chuckled and returned his gaze back up to the projector. "All of the named parts are on a handout that your teacher next class will pass out to you. The first rehearsal will be in three days. Thank you to all who decide to participate!"
The projector fuzzed and vanished, leaving the students to resume their previous activities.