Disclaimer: I own nothing of Nintendo
Nintendo released the most anticipating news to the world just last week. The masterminds have decided to stage a Mario Kart challenge to participating teams around the world in an effort to restart the phenomenon. Create a team of eight, based off the characters available in the latest DS version of the classic game, and race your way through the brackets to win. The top two teams from each participating country will fly to Japan to compete for the grand prize of creating their own racetrack for the upcoming version of Mario Kart. Does your team have what it takes?
*PB*
Elliot opened his eyes, glanced around his surroundings, and closed them. He wished to remain in his bed for the remainder of the day, but his mother had arranged an itinerary for her new clients to view available offices and wanted himself and Courtney, his younger sister, to join them. She thought it gave her a family-friendly vibe and attracted more customers. Elliot found it clingy and unprofessional.
He checked the clock and decided to get dressed. He desperately needed to find a way to create a plan to get his hands on his own computer, but his mother remained firm against the idea. She was quick to assume he'd surf websites for porn and make friends to buy illegal drugs. He tried to inform her that he didn't need to actually make friends for the latter, although in retrospect perhaps it wasn't the best argument in his favor.
Just as Elliot opened his closet door, his phone vibrated. He reached for the iPhone resting beside his game console and read the text message from Jason.
Found possibility for R.O.B. named Connor. Check him out.
Elliot groaned, quickly analyzing his day's plans to sneak onto a computer. He knew if nothing else Mitchell and Jackie could act on his behalf and approve the player, but it was growing increasingly frustrating racing on a team his mother knew nothing about. He needed another person in on his plans to assist his access to the home office. Unfortunately, there was only one other person who could aid his disobedience: his nine-year-old sister Courtney.
*PB*
Cassandra leaned back in her lawn chair, her sunglasses reflecting the sun from her eyes. Suddenly, an umbrella shaded the rays and she smiled, glancing up at the face of her boyfriend. "Hello, handsome. Fancy meeting you here."
The lifeguard laughed. "Haven't I told you to bring an umbrella when you go to the beach?"
Cassie threw the blonde a pouty look. "What? And stay pasty? I don't think so." She turned her head again, allowing the sound of the waves ease her back into relaxation. Her boyfriend stooped to give her a peck before changing his mind and taking her sunglasses. "Hey!" Cassie exclaimed, jumping up. "Logan! Get back here this instance!" Without waiting for a reply, she chased after him, her steps kicking up a sandstorm.
Once she caught up, he instinctively spun around and picked her up, easily switching her into his arms bridal-style. She laughed at his romantic ideas and kissed him. He set her back down and handed the sunglasses over. She flashed him her best smirk and walked off. She returned to her seat and lied back down on the chair. The sound of voices started to break into the atmosphere as more visitors flocked to the shore.
Cassie adored Miami and its perfect summer weather. She couldn't imagine living anywhere else, though she knew she'd have to move to the outskirts of the perfect city if she wanted to afford a place to sleep and eat as well. She started missing the idea of living in walking distance to a beach just after graduation. She loved nothing more than lounging around under the sun and watching the time float on by. She needed nothing more than water and sand to remind her of the meaning to life.
Suddenly, her phone beeped. Cassie sighed, slightly annoyed by the intrusion of her blissful perfection, and flipped up her sunglasses when she read it a call from Barbara. She had wanted a response about the girl they had found, Jackie. Her mind flashed back to the previous afternoon.
"Okay, I admit you won. But we scored the same points, so we're more equal than I thought," Jackie concluded. "And Cassie, this race was a little more than a friendly competition."
Cassie stopped her victory dance. "What do you mean?"
"How would you like to join the unnamed racers?"
She paused, comprehending what the player was asking her. "You mean, join your team?"
She knew she heard Jackie smile then. "Yes, of course it's completely up to you. I haven't told Jason or the others about our conversations, but tying me in a race would definitely catch their attention. We'd be more than pleased to have you join us. Plus, we'd let you stay Daisy."
They both laughed. "Thanks Jackie. I'll think it over."
A ball bounced onto her lap, causing her jump. A little boy ran over to her, his face a mixture of smiles and apologies. "Sorry, miss, it was an accident, I swear."
Cassie smiled back, though she wasn't sure it was evident enough. "Don't worry about it." She handed the ball back as the boy ran back toward his friends. She set her head back down on the chair, realizing she'd missed the call as the message flashed upon the telephone screen.
Without missing a beat, it started ringing again. This time, she answered.
"Hello?"
"Cassandra, it's Barbara!"
"I know, they have caller ID now," she replied apathetically.
"This is an important call," Barbara continued, ignoring her teammate's statement. "We need that girl's answer before tonight because Heather found another girl who has experience as Donkey Kong and we receive her reply today!"
Cassie held her tongue. "That girl has a name," she replied evenly.
"You need to talk to her or I will! I have no problem getting tough with someone to get the job completed on time. Have you even spoken to her since I told you to send the first message?"
"Yes, Barbara, I have." She readjusted her sunglasses as the conversation grew monotonous. "I can't help it if she doesn't want to abandon her team."
"Then convince her to! Oh wait, I have to check on this order, here." She heard the phone shift and cringed at the voice change.
"Hello, Cassandra. How are you today?" Heather questioned, pulling the phone to her ear as she fixed her make-up in the mirror.
"Nothing much. How's Hell?" She reached her hand over and grabbed her soda.
"Cold as always," she replied. "Now listen. We need a racer by tonight to complete the team. Either we get your Cali girl or my Lakes girl. Composing the team now will grant us exactly one week until the deadline to work with each other and learn everyone else's weakness. It'd be better if California could race as more than one, but I guess not everyone can be as gifted as you and I, huh, Cassandra?"
"Cassie," she stated. "And perhaps I can't get her to join, then what? Taking yours would only add one more. You'd still be down one racer for the competition."
Heather smirked before smacking her lips, readjusting her gloss. "Adding mine would make eight, which is what is required for qualifications."
"If Jackie doesn't join our team, then I'm not sticking around. I've had enough of Barbara to last a person a lifetime. I'm quitting the Heroines."
For a moment, silence ensued. After an eternity, Heather replied. "I guess we weren't a strong enough addiction for you. I take it you haven't told the queen bee yet?"
Cassie frowned, but whether at the heat or the caller she didn't know. "I just did. Make sure you inform your puppet. I'm done with her games."
"If she's my puppet, then they're my games," Heather fired back. "Besides, she won't even notice your absence. You and your Cali girl enjoy the boys. We'll meet you later on when we kick your ass." A voice interrupted the background. "Sorry, Cassandra, but I gotta run. The dummy has returned." She hung up the phone without another reply.
"Cassie," she reiterated into the phone. She hated when people called her Cassandra. Returning to the beach, she wondered what time it was in California. Not wanting to wake up Jackie, she sent her a text message and then silenced her cell phone. Summer was slipping away and she needed to soak up what rays remained.
*PB*
Jason pulled a cup from the group and filled it to the brim with Coke and ice. Snapping on the lid, he placed the drink on a tray and called the number. A young man picked up the order and walked to a table, taking a seat across from a smiling girl. Jason watched their carefree reactions for a moment before Lillian's screech interrupted his break.
"I have a huge problem!" she practically shouted as he walked into the back room. Motioning for one of the newbies to take over the counter, Jason rested his hands on the back of the chair sitting before leaned Lillian's new manager desk. Her work area was littered with papers and notes scribbled with pens and highlighters. "I need your help!"
"My help?" he questioned, grinning. "Whatever for, oh great boss of mine?"
Her hands flew to her face as she tried to calm herself. "I lost this week's payroll information!"
Jason paused. "The what?"
Her hands fell. "The time slips! I thought I sent them in, but Vesta from corporate said she never received them." Jason remained confused. "If I can't find them here, that means they got lost in the mail or misplaced at the corporate office which I doubt happens often." Jason nodded.
"Please explain the consequences of this," he spoke. She gave him a shocked glance through her panic stricken eyes.
"We don't get paid this week, that's the consequence!" With this statement, she nearly squealed. She watched as her employee's expression remained nonchalant. "How are you so calm? You need the money last I checked."
"True," he responded, taking a seat. "However, you're going to delay seven employees receiving their checks, including your own. Corporate will be disappointed to hear that during your first week." He casually picked up a pen, turning over the writing utensil in his right hand. Lillian watched him through slowly understanding eyes. "They might want to rethink your promotion as well as your position here overall."
"I'd be unemployed," she murmured. Suddenly, she leapt over the desk, closing the gap in between herself and Jason. Jason, as a precaution, leaned back, keeping the pen in his possession. "I need your help, Jason. You have to help me figure out what happened without anyone else knowing about this!" Before he could reply, she added, "Whatever it is you want, you got it. Just say the word."
"From blackmail to promises, I think you are bipolar." She sighed but Jason held up his hand. "If I offer my assistance, and you know I have no reason to except to receive my check on time, then you have to give me tomorrow off to race."
Lillian nodded, desperately. "Yes, that's fine. I won't make you work after the racing—"
"No," interrupted Jason, shaking his head. "I don't want to race for Tacos. I want the day off to meet up with Charlotte. I've been waiting too long to meet her just to have you screw it up for me. I get the day off or you don't receive any help." She waited a second before nodding her head. Jason stood up and walked out of the office, nodding to the newbie. The boy nodded mischievously to him before addressing the customers. Jason proceeded to the restrooms and pushed open the men's' door. He pulled out this cell phone and made a quick call to the personal work number to the payroll office.
Vesta answered on the final ring. "Carlos Tacos Corporate, Payroll. Vesta speaking."
"Vesta sweetheart, it's me." He heard the middle-aged woman giggle on the other end.
"Oh, Jason, I was expecting a call from you," she giddily replied. Jason held in a laugh as he answered.
"Yes, I always keep my promises, Vesta," he said. He heard her chuckle and desperately hoped she wouldn't save his number. "I spoke with Lillian and she informed me she lost our time slips this week. You've done your job well. I'll have to remember you if I ever need another prank pulled."
The elderly woman laughed. "Oh, darling, you can call me anytime you desire." Jason held in a gag and covered his mouth for a moment.
"Thank you for your… friendliness. I hate to run, but I'm still at work and if I don't get back soon Lillian will get suspicious. Bye." He hung up the phone before she received the chance to reply. His entire body shivered from the experience and he prayed he'd never run into her in person. The thought of her hurried him back into the restaurant to escape his mind's image.
*PB*
Jackie squealed with excitement as she read the text. Her immediate reaction was to call Jason, but then remembered he'd probably be at work. After dividing her two choices, she figured Elliot might be busy with his life and finally dialed Mitchell's number.
"Hey princess, missing me?" he answered.
She gagged into the phone. "Hardly, hotshot. I'm calling you mainly because Jason and Elliot are too concerned with other things at this moment in time and I need to talk to someone about this amazing news! We officially have a fifth teammate!"
"What? Who? Not the robot guy is it?"
"No, her name's Cassie and she races as Daisy."
Jackie heard him chuckle lightly. "Another woman to fall for my irresistible charm."
"So who's the first?"
"Just wait princess. Soon you'll be all over me and forgetting Jason's name altogether." She immediately felt her cheeks redden at the mention of a possible relationship.
"What does Jason have to do with this?"
Mitchell grinned. "Oh nothing, I suppose. What he says about you to me is none of my business to share. Now, tell me this other girl's profile name and I'll look her up." Jackie shook out his taunting and sent him the link. She heard his approval loud and clear. "Race's well. How'd you determine if she was fit for the team."
"I took her on. We tied at 36 points."
Mitchell whistled his amazement. "Nice. Impressive even. I think Jason and Elliot would agree with your methods. Make sure you inform them of your discovery before robot guy competes. He'd be psyched to have two racers two days in a row."
"Actually, I didn't find her. It was vice versa." She paused, and when he didn't respond she continued. "A few days ago, the captain came to me and asked me to join their crew. She sent Cassie to act as the persuasion for me to leave this team and join hers. After a couple conversations, I learned that Cassie couldn't stand being on the other side so I challenged her to a friendly race. When I saw her score, I asked if she wanted to join. She sent me a text message just now saying she'd quit her team and wanted to enlist with us. I hoped you guys would see her score and accept her like I have. She's a great racer and I know she'll stick with us even though she left her other team," she concluded, knowing the risk they were taking with trusting her to stay.
"Did you consider it?" he finally inquired.
"Consider what?"
"Leaving."
Jackie remained silent, a smile creeping on her lips. "No, I didn't. I waited a little while to see if I might change my mind, but I never did. Not for a moment."
"Good," Mitchell said. "I knew you couldn't ever leave my team, after all." Jackie groaned as he started complimenting himself on his skills, personality, and appearance. She waited a few more moments before interrupting.
"Vanity is a sin, you know."
"Not when you look this good," he replied, completely serious. Jackie cried out, frustrated, and hung up the phone. She doubted he'd even notice, probably staring into a mirror after her comment. She stuck her phone in her purse and escaped into her bathroom, staring into her own mirror. Suddenly, what Mitchell had said about Jason crept into her train of thought. The sight of her cheeks blushing forced her to take control.
"Jacqueline Ann, you don't even know the guy! He probably has a girlfriend!" she shouted to the reflection. She guessed her twin was even more stubborn as the blush remained painted on her visage. Growing confused, she quickly fixed her hair and changed her outfit. She knew parties happened every Friday night, and she was determined to reward herself after the work she'd completed for the team. The boys could worry about the sixth racer; she was going out.
*PB*
Jason quickly opened up to his profile as he sat in the last computer in the basement of the library. After his genius plan, Lillian remained so frazzled the remainder of the day that when Jason brought up his lack of Internet for the tournament, the new guy Brandon offered to take his night shift. Pleased to finally be making good contacts, Jason easily managed to sneak off early and head to the books.
He was surprised to find a request added to the team roster from Jackie for a girl named Cassie. After a second, Jason remembered the name from the team that tried to take his Peach. Learning that she'd pulled a fast one on the girls, he grinned. He added Cassie to the team, knowing her skills from previous stalking. Now they had gone from a shaky three to a solid five. With a week until the deadline, Jason felt his lips curl into a grin as he grew zealous with the idea of completing the team. He found the link to R.O.B. and loaded the page.
His name was Connor Perry. He filled a large portion of his profile, including he would be attending his junior year of college the upcoming semester and that he came from a gambling family, no doubt the result of living in Thackerville, Oklahoma, Jason figured. He had found the racer earlier that morning and hoped he could qualify for the team. He decided on having Connor race on the Shell Cup in the 150cc. He wrote the familiar message and sent it out. Checking his watch, he decided to continue searching for more racers. The pool was growing shallower with each passing day and he needed to hurry and locate the final teammates.
The thought of meeting Charlotte the following day caused him to grow both anxious and uncertain. He still couldn't quite decide if he wanted to win the race against her or not.
*PB*
Connor cruised the forums for the hundredth time when he suddenly received a message notification. Puzzled, he opened the message and changed moods from bored to interested. He quickly checked his current ranks and realized he hadn't uploaded any results for the Nitro Grand Prix. Before fixing that, he surfed to Jason's page and found his own ranks quite notable. However, knowing he possessed the skills to defeat a Mario driver, he pulled out his silver Nintendo DS and turned the power on. Choosing his custom racer and cart, Connor chose the 150cc and started up the Shell Cup. He knew it wouldn't take him long to achieve the score this Jason asked him for.
The screen blacked out for a moment before revealing the first track, Mario Circuit 1. He smiled devilishly. This would take no time at all. As he gained his boost from holding down the 'A', R.O.B. took off, behind just Luigi and Peach. He focused on passing the green dressed plumber since he was the only one who could compete with him besides Mario. Driving past the Lego walls and dodging the obtruding pipes without a thought, he quickly passed Luigi and maintained an easy first until the final lap.
Just as he entered the third lap, a blue shell attacked him, flipping his cart over. Frowning, Connor hurried to pass the pink princess and keep up with the unknown brother. He caught up with a handful of seconds to spare before passing the finish line. He sped up, his finger smashing the button, until he casually passed Luigi and took first. Far too simple.
Connor continued racing as he had through Moo Moo Farm, Peach Circuit, and Luigi Circuit. Unfortunately, each race occurred uneventfully. He finished with 40 points and a star rank. Smiling modestly, he uploaded the records and sent a quick message to Jason.
Dear Jason, here are my results.
He included a link to his scores, nodded at his work, and remained on Jason's profile. Curious about the other members of the team, Connor clicked the team name, which was currently 'No Name', and viewed the thumbnail and advertisements of the other racers. There were only four others, and each claimed to race only one character. At the top appeared a Bowser racer by the name of Mitchell, second the Princess Peach by Jackie, a Yoshi played by Elliot, and a girl named Cassie claiming to be Princess Daisy. Shrugging, he returned to his profile and waited another moment to see if perhaps Jason would respond. He finally decided to log off without a second notification and pushed the laptop over, stretching against his bed.
Connor knew his parents would be expecting him for dinner soon, so he chose to sit up and transfer his laptop from the comforter to the small desk. Suddenly, a knock came at his door. Slowly opening, he glanced up to see his cousin peering in the aperture. "You ready?" he inquired. Connor nodded and followed his lead. Just as he started to close the door, he reached into his room and grabbed the phone resting on the dresser.
He posted his number on the sight, perhaps he'd receive a text.
