Chapter 9
Twenty minutes later, Lightning entered the RSN studio in the main grandstand. Brett Mustangburger and the TV crew were waiting for him.
"Lightning!" Brett gushed. "Thank you for coming. Your crew chief said you wanted to pull out of the interview, but then your bosses just rang and said you were going to do it. It's a live interview. Do you mind that?"
"I guess not."
"We'll go live in two!" the producer announced.
Lightning followed Brett over to the window overlooking the racetrack, and they turned to face the cameras. Lightning closed his eyes tiredly. He needed to phone Sally to tell her that he was coming home, and then he needed to get to the airport and hopefully get on a flight…
"Silence in the studio, please!" the producer said, interrupting Lightning's thoughts. Lightning blinked open his eyes. "Going live in five…four…three…two…"
The producer nodded to Brett. Looking into the cameras, Brett began to read off the telly-prompter.
"Good evening race fans! Well, we've had a very emotional ending to the first race in this year's Piston Cup series. The race was narrowly won by Piston Cup champion, Lightning McQueen, who came into his fifth year of racing carrying a very heavy burden. After the race, Lightning announced that his former crew chief, the Hudson Hornet, had passed away just before the start of the race from an engine attack. Lightning has reluctantly agreed to a short interview with me." Brett turned to Lightning. "So, Lightning, when you heard the news that the Hudson Hornet was dead, did you want to pull out of the race?"
"Honestly, Brett, I wanted to pull out yesterday morning, when I found out he was ill."
"And why didn't you?"
"Because I made a promise to my friends that I'd race for Doc. He'd want me to keep racing, no matter what."
Seeing that Lightning was starting to tear up again, Brett decided to change the topic. "Uh, I don't know if you've heard the news about Chick Hicks never being able to race again."
"I did hear something about that," Lightning said tiredly.
Brett nodded slowly. "What are your thoughts on that?"
"Umm… I guess he's finally got what he deserved. For years he's been deliberately ramming cars on the track without a thought for their safety. He had to be stopped sooner or later before someone got killed."
Lightning bit his lower lip to try and stop the tears. Seeing how emotional Lightning was getting, the producer decided to cut the interview. He motioned to Brett.
"Thank you very much, Lightning, for taking the time to talk to us. We'll be right back with more highlight's from today's race after this commercial break."
The cameras were switched off. Lightning quickly left the studio in tears, apologising on his way out. He desperately needed some fresh air.
Outside the grandstand though, he was immediately swamped by reporters again. They bombarded him with questions and would not let him get through. Lightning tried hard to fight against the tears, but he couldn't stop them. The questions ceased as Lightning started crying, but the press continued taking pictures.
Suddenly, Jerry and Harv appeared on either side of Lightning.
"Get back, all of you!" Jerry roared. "Can't you see that you're only upsetting him more? He has enough to deal with without you lot adding to it! Now go on! Get out of here!"
The press reluctantly moved back. Jerry and Harv shielded Lightning as he made his way over to the hotel.
"Thanks guys," Lightning sniffled once they were safely inside the lift. "I'm heading back home for a few days. Can you book a flight for me, please, Harv?"
"I can do better than that, kid. You can use my private jet."
"Really? Thanks."
"Think nothing of it. You helped pay for it after all."
Lightning rolled his eyes. Harv would never change.
"Would you like me to escort you home, Lightning?" Jerry asked.
"Thanks Jerry, but I just need to spend some time with my friends, away from racing."
Jerry nodded, understanding. "Will you be back for your next race?"
"I'll try to be. Knowing my friends, they'll make me come back regardless of what I say."
Jerry smiled a little. They left the lift and Lightning entered his suite. It was time to phone Sally.
