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Chapter Eight - Parrotheads

Speed sat a bit uncomfortably at the kitchen table He was slightly warm with the jacket on, but he didn't dare remove it for fear that one of them might see the gun. "Why don't you take your jacket off and stay awhile?" Trixie had joked. He told her he was chilly which was an obvious lie as his brow was perspiring. Luckily for him, she thought it to be the result of nerves because of the race. Still, he had the feeling that she knew he was hiding something. He was saved from any more inquiries by a car pulling up in the driveway, "Margaritaville" blasted from its speakers

"It's Uncle Spritle!" the twins cried excitedly. Go half rose from his seat, but was restrained by his father's strong hand pulling him down. Dash was about to do the same, then thought better of it.

"Finish your breakfast, boys," Speed said sternly.

The kitchen door opened. "Wastin' away at brother Speedy's house..." Spritle Racer sang happily as he danced towards them, a large plastic bag in one hand.

"Don't you ever knock?" Speed asked. "Or is that too concept too difficult for your miniature brain to comprehend?"

"Hey, that's no way to talk to your sweet baby brother," Spritle replied.

Speed was about to make a snide comment, but stopped short as he took in his brother's attire. Spritle Racer wore a very loud Hawaiian print shirt with a floral design consisting of every color conceived by man, beige cotton shorts, sandals and an macramé bracelet on his right foot. A straw hat sat atop his head, complete with a parrot holding a Corona perched on it. His eyes were covered by dark sunglasses, a palm tree in each corner. A shell earring dangled from his left ear and around his neck hung a matching band of shells. It was a site to behold, that was for sure.

"What the hell are you supposed to be?" Speed snorted, shielding his eyes for effect. He glanced out the window. "I hope the neighbors didn't see this sorry spectacle."

"Speedy... Oh, how you wound me," Spritle held his hand over his heart. And here I am bearing gifts for my beloved big bro and his family."

"Gifts? What for?" Speed asked, curiosity getting the best of him.

"From the concert, remember?" Spritle nudged him.

"Oh yeah, " Speed said unenthusiastically. His little brother was a huge Jimmy Buffett fan. He and his Parrothead friends would often go on safaris, traipsing around the country following their hero on tour.

"You got us presents?" Dash couldn't contain his excitement.

"Yep, for everyone." He turned to his brother. "Even you, Speedy!"

"That's okay, you really didn't have to..." Speed mumbled, not even wanting to imagine the type of gift brother would get for him.

Spritle reached into the bag and pulled out two baseball hats. The official tour logo was on the front. One was blue, the other maroon. "Take your pick, boys." Spritle offered the twins the hats. To their parents' surprise, for once, there was no arguing. Go choose the maroon, Dash the blue.

"Those aren't bad," Speed said, thinking that he wouldn't mind a hat like that.

"Yeah, but I got you somethin' much cooler. But you'll have to wait 'till the Racer ladies get their surprises. Another dip in the bag and he removed a pink T-shirt, again with the tour logo on it. "This is for you, dear sister-in- law.

Trixie held it up in front of her. "Perfect! I think I'll wear it today." She stood up and kissed Spritle on the cheek. "Thanks. You're so thoughtful."

Spritle blushed. "Aw...now you got me feelin' all mushy." He handed Trixie another shirt from the bag. "That's for Los. She can wear it at her victory party tonight," he said with a wink.

"I like your positive attitude, " Speed remarked.

"You know me, Mr. Positivity." He grinned mischievously as he made one last reach in the bag. "I saved the best for last because... well... Speedy, you are the best!"

Speed's eyes widened as Spritle pulled out a hat, identical to his, except that instead of a parrot on the top, there was a hula girl whose plastic body jiggled every time the hat moved. "Oh good lord," he said shaking his head. "I hope you don't expect me to wear that thing."

"I most certainly do." He grinned as he stuck the hat on Speed's head. "What do ya think?" he asked the family, who burst into jubilant laughter.

The hat made a stark contrast to Speed's conservative polo-shirt and brown Dockers. He also was still wearing his glasses, which made for an even more ridiculous sight. "This is not funny, guys," he said.

"Yes, it is!" Spritle giggled. "You look like a deranged accountant!" That brought even more laughter.

"I think he looks like a dork!" Go guffawed.

Trixie hid her face in her hands, hoping to hide her reaction. "Oh, if I only had my camera," she said to herself.

Speed stood up and slammed his hat on the table. "Okay, that's enough!" He eyed his brother. "Now that you've finished completely humiliating me in front of my family, what do you want?"

He shrugged. "I just came by to see if you wanted to bum a ride to the race with me. I knew you'd be up at the crack of dawn, all showered, shaved an' stuff before the rest of the family was even outta bed." He knew Speed too well.

"I think that's a good idea," Trixie said. "I'm going to be a while yet, I still have to shower and get the boys ready."

"I suppose I could. Just let me eat my last pancake."

Poor Speed didn't get a chance to finish as Spritle grabbed a fork and stabbed the pancake, picking the whole thing up and shoving it into his mouth. "Hmmm...good..." he said between chews

"You're a pig." Speed made a face of disgust. "If Mom were here she'd smack you one. You know how she feels about bad manners."

Spritle swallowed, then burped, which elicited more laughter from the twins who tried to imitate him. "I don't know what you're talking about, I have impeccable manners!"

"Yeah, manners you're passing on to my boys..." Speed grumbled.

"They're just bein' kids," Spritle remarked. "You do remember what that's like, don't you?"

Speed stood, not bothering to answer. "Let's go before I change my mind."

---

Velosity pulled into the team entrance of the race track. She checked her reflection in the rear view mirror. "I don't know..." she said, fluffing up her now chin-length hair. I wonder what the folks will think. Well it will be easier to take care of, just like Judy's mother said..." She emerged from the car, feeling the electric excitement of the place. "I can't believe it's finally here...my first real professional race."

She noticed two familiar cars. "Uncle Sparky and Grandma and Grandpops are here. I guess Mom and Dad are running late."

She was about to join them in the Go Team's pit when she was distracted by the site of a group of stunning black cars. "Oh wow! They must be the car acrobatic team!" A young woman with long red hair and a black fire suit stood next to one of the cars. "I didn't know there were female racers on that team. Good, now maybe all the attention won't be focused on me."

She made her way over towards the other young woman. "Excuse me," she said, sidling up to her.

The woman turned around. Los was momentarily taken aback by the her appearance, but she quickly regained her composure. Her parents had raised her to not judge others by the way they looked. "Do you have any reason for being in my pit?" the woman asked venomously.

Velosity smiled, thinking that the girl's cold attitude had more to do with being nervous about the race than anything else. "I just wanted to introduce myself..."

"I know who you are," Torturina Terror spat, "and I want you to know that you have no chance of finishing the race, let alone winning it. You'd do well to reconsider driving today...spawn of Speed Racer!"

"What is your problem?" Velosity asked, trying to control the infamous Racer temper. "I just came over to greet you. There was no reason to be rude."

"The rudeness comes only from you. You were not invited into the Acrobat Team's pit, yet you felt you must come here and inflict yourself upon us. You are not welcome here, Racer spawn. Go join your pathetic team in your own pit where I'm sure your banal salutations will be appreciated."

Velosity was left to scratch her head in confusion as Torturina walked away from her, attitude in every step. "Looks like somebody needs Prozac..." she muttered as she left the pit.

Meanwhile, a young woman hid in the shadows, snapping photo after photo of Velosity and Torturina. "I'd love to have been a fly on one of the cars during that exchange," she said. Retreating farther back into the shadows, she changed her film and adjusted the baseball cap that covered her blond head. Training the telephoto lens on the Go Team's pit, she continued taking pictures, all focusing on Velosity.

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Will Torturina carry though her threat on Velosity?

Who is the photographer? What is her interest in Velosity?

Will Speed make it the track without using the gun on his brother?

The next chapter will answer at least some of these questions.

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