Location: Streets of Prickly Pines
Time: August 2, 2006 at 8:45 A.M. M.S.T.
The bean scouts have just arrived in Prickly Pines to pick up the necessary supplies to put together their racers by evening. Unfortunately the funds they got for this supply pick-up was cut short once again by the short-tempered Scoutmaster Lumpus.
Nate: I can't believe that we are only getting fifteen dollars instead of fifty for supplies and all because we were singing. Man…Ole Lumpy needs to learn to lighten up every now and then.
Lazlo: Ah…he's not so bad. It could've been worse you know.
Raj: Yea…we could've ended up with five bucks like last year.
Nate: Just five bucks to get supplies. I guess there wasn't much in the way of good soapbox racers made that day huh.
Lazlo: Oh we managed to make some cool ones. I really view last year's as one of the best derbies we had.
Clam: Cart-load of fun.
Nate: Wow! You sure are a resourceful bunch. Well then fifteen shouldn't be too bad then.
Lazlo: You weren't going to ask your brother for some additional funds. Edward ended up doing real well last year with the help of his parent's money.
Edward: (joining the group) Well that's not happening this year.
Nate: Why not Edward?
Edward: Well for one thing, my parents did not approve of me using their credit card to get a souped-up go-kart so I didn't get the credit card this year. Also why bother anyway when first prize is such a tiny little trophy.
Nate: Geez Edward…you still can't let that go can you.
Edward: It's the principle of the thing.
Nate: Well to answer your earlier question Lazlo, I didn't want to ask my brother to help me with this. I didn't want to put myself at an advantage above everyone else. I was thinking of not building a typical soapbox racer for that matter. I think we could convert my wheelchair into an awesome racer.
Edward: Whoa there…wait a minute…I thought you didn't want to put yourself at an advantage. Doesn't your wheelchair have a motor?
Nate: Well…yes it does but I was gonna deactivate it before the race. If it makes you feel any better than here… (he takes a remote and punches in a code and then hands the remote to Edward)…I've just deactivated the motor. It can't be turned on even here at my controls… (he demonstrates)…so don't worry bout it.
Edward: Oh…alright I guess… (puts remote in pocket)…Well enough of this, time to go get my supplies ready. Later… (he leaves the group)
Raj: Do you think it was wise to give him that remote Nate.
Nate: I doubt he'll be able to use it to try and sabotage our chances. I'm just glad that I gave him one less thing to complain about.
Clam: What a grouch.
Lazlo: I'm sure deep down Edward is a sweet and considerate soul just waiting to burst forth.
Nate: Maybe Lazlo…but enough about that, time to get the supplies and get ready.
The campers all got their supplies and got back on the bus for the return trip. From the kits they got for fifteen bucks they were able to construct decent racers this time round. As was his decision, Nate had his wheelchair converted into a racer by making a steering system with a set of cables and rudder-like pedals. The pedals moved the cables which steered the front wheels. They were also able to place Clam in front of Nate to operate this system while in the back, a platform was made for Raj and Lazlo to sit in and control the brakes on the back wheels. It was Raj on the right and Lazlo on the left. Come a quarter till six the racers were lining up along the starting line looking down the course as it winded downhill.
Location: Camp Kidney, derby starting line
Time: August 2, 2006 at 5:50 P.M. M.S.T.
Patsy: Hey Nate…that's an interesting design. It would seem you've built the racer around your wheelchair
Nate: That I did Patsy. That I did. I think it turned out even better than I anticipated. I was concerned that it being so tall that it might not be very aerodynamic but I think we've addressed that problem with proper angling of the plywood.
Gretchen: Yea…well…you better not cheat and use your motor to drive that thing.
Nate: (sighs and thinks to himself how is it that Gretchen and Edward are not an item yet) No Gretchen, I've long since deactivated my wheelchair motor see… (demonstrates for Gretchen)
Gretchen: Well…ok…but I'll be keeping a close eye on you during the race.
Nate: Of course you will…now where's Nina the creator of this fine racer y'all will be racing in.
Nina: Right here Nate. (Comes from the other side of the squirrel scouts' racer) I'm glad to see you appreciate quality when you see it.
Nate: Well I try. I like the fact that you've modeled it after the space shuttle. I've always held such respect for astronauts and I've always wanted to be one but…well off to another dream I suppose.
Nina: That's a shame. You probably would make a good one. I sure hope I will.
Nate: I have no doubt.
Patsy: So Lazlo…you and your friends are more than welcomed to come to the party we'll have to celebrate our victory here this evening.
Lazlo: Gosh…I would love to Patsy but I'm afraid we want be able to considering it will be us who will be celebrating victory this evening but you're more than welcome to come to our celebratory party if you like.
Patsy: (snickering) Silly monkey. See you after the race Lazlo.
Nate: I think she likes you Lazlo. (makes kissy face)
Edward: No duh Einstein. What was your first clue?
Nate: You know Edward you could use a good attitude adjustment.
Edward: Oh geez…you know I would Nate but my attitude hasn't accumulated the necessary mileage to require that.
Nate: (bursts out laughing along with the other jelly beans) Ah…Ah man that was a good one Edward.
Edward: What...What? I wasn't trying to be funny. I sure didn't want to provide any amusement for you losers.
Nate: Well…to bad cause you did. You really should be nicer to me you know. It was me that saved your waffled-tail just a couple a months back.
Edward: Yea…guess you got me there.
Lazlo: Ah…Edward doesn't need an attitude adjustment. I think he just needs a good tickle to get out of his foul mood.
Edward: (grabs Lazlo's hands before he can tickle him) Touch me monkey boy and your hands will end up at E-bay to be auctioned off as good luck charms.
Lazlo: (retracting hands) Wow…you really think my hands are good luck…Awesome!
Edward: (slaps forehead) Nate…can I speak with you a moment.
Nate: Sure… (to Slinkman) Do I have time to chat with Edward a little before the race Mr. Slinkman sir?
Slinkman: Well…sure Nate. We want start until everybody's ready. Just don't take too terribly long since we want to have this done before the sun goes down.
Nate: No problem Mr. Slinkman…I shouldn't be that long. (Goes aside with Edward to chat)
Edward: Why do you put up with those three losers? How have you not gone insane yet from bunking with them? I just don't understand.
Nate: Well…for starters they have been real great to me since my arrival here. I was very unsure of what to expect and they welcomed me. Oh I'm sure any other cabin, even your own would have done the same but it was them I was assigned with and they've been great because they made the effort to know me and not pre-judge or label me. You see Edward, even before my accident, I have always tried to treat others with the respect we all deserve. I've come to know and accept that we are all unique and that should be embraced. I can't help but be reminded how unique we all are when I look at you. I've never seen a creature like you before.
Edward: (grunts) Yea…yea that's all great and stuff but why bother. That practice of equal respect isn't done by the majority of people on this planet.
Nate: (sighs) sadly you are right Edward…at least I see no evidence to overturn that assumption. It is hard at times when I see all the stereotyping and labeling that goes on but I try not to let it deter me because I truly believe that when you pre-judge someone, based solely on something as mundane as what their family name is or where they're from or how they talk or their physical or mental handicaps, you miss out on getting to know people for who they truly are and that is a shame.
Edward: That's very true Nate. I'm sorry I've been such a grouch to you today. I still appreciate what you did for me back in early June and I always will. We still friends?
Nate: (hugs Edward) Of course buddy.
Edward: Hey…hey…I didn't say you could hug me…but thanks, I'm glad we're still cool. Oh and here… (hands Nate the remote to his wheelchair motor) I've always trusted that you wouldn't cheat. It's blatantly obvious that it's not in your nature.
Nate: Thanks Edward…your trust means a lot to me and thanks for pulling me aside for this chat. Now let's race.
Edward: Yes…let's. But first I would like to know still how bunking with monkey boy and his two cohorts hasn't sent you to the nuthouse?
Nate: Well Edward…I'll put it to ya like this…If me spending most of my preteen years confined to this here wheelchair hasn't made me loony there ain't nothing or nobody that will.
Edward: Good point…well let's go…enough of this talk…time for some action.
The race began about five minutes after six and it was a real nail-biter to the end. Edward was soon back to his usual tricks with the help of Chip and Skip. They had managed to bump poor Samson, Dave, and Ping-Pong's racer off of the tracks and was soon coming alongside the jelly cabin racer to do the same.
Nate: I thought this race didn't matter that much to you. What's with all the tricks?
Edward: Old habits die hard now take your bumping like a man.
Before he could do anything though, Clam managed to stretch out and, keeping one foot on the rudder controls, managed to hook the front wheel of the pinto cabin racer with his front horn and rip off the wheel. This sent Edward spinning off the track and into the bushes.
Nate: Wow Clam…didn't know you had it in ya. I guess that'll teach em not to bump the jelly cabin flyer off the road. He's mad now but from what y'all told me this morning, I have a feeling that he will be glad you did that.
As the race went on to the final stretch it came down to the jelly cabin flyer and Nina's shuttle racer side by side, neck and neck till the finish line when one was able to pull away and that one was……….the jelly cabin flyer. So Nate and his bunkmates ended up with the little first place trophy and Edward, Chip, and Skip ended up with the big last place trophy.
Edward: Oh yea baby…who got the big one now huh…check out this trophy. It's mine baby…all mine.
Nate: (to his bunkies) I told ya he'd be happy with his finish. I know I sure am. (shouting to all gathered) Party at jelly cabin tonight!!!
All the campers started toward jelly cabin for what would be a fun celebration party. Even some squirrel scouts came out to congratulate Nate on winning his first Camp Kidney derby. Toward the end of the festivities, he joined Nina outside who was doing some stargazing.
Nate: You had that race all sealed up Nina. Your design was perfect and it performed to expectations.
Nina: What are saying Nate? You and your friends came away with that trophy fair and…
Nate: (Waving Nina off) I know you had Patsy and Gretchen brake so that we could move ahead and I thank you. Second place would have been fine with me but I appreciate y'all letting me win my first derby here at Camp Kidney.
Nina: Well…you did deserve this victory you first time out. After all, your racer performed much better than anticipated to be that close. Just watch it though cause next year I want hold back.
Nate: (Looks at Nina and smiles) I wouldn't have it any other way Nina…not any other way at all.
The End
