Authors' Note: Aww, 'tis time to wind down this slice of Racer family life---but not before another surprise or two! Speed and Trixie get their night out, Pops blows his usual gasket but soon discovers he's been outsmarted...by his own wife, AND Racer X!!!

Chapt. 14 Lovers' Escape

You know? It's kind of funny, how things turn out sometimes. Just when you think your best-laid plans have been totally snuffed out, along comes somebody to brighten your day. And for me and Trixie, Racer X sure made our day! But how he was gonna slip us out past Pops' always-eagle eye...now that was the million-dollar question!

Come to think of it ...Is it my imagination, or is X acting the way my brother Rex used to??

---Speed Racer, on his unexpected change of luck---

"You know, Mrs. Racer. That was one superb roast," Racer X said, dabbing at his mouth with a linen napkin. "It was absolutely delicious. It reminds me of the way, my mother would make her roast beef dinners."

Mom Racer surveyed the sea of cheerful faces at the dinner table, and beamed happily. In contrast to the Speed- and Spritle-induced chaos of the evening before, dinnertime that Friday night was a lively---but much more orderly and relaxing!---affair. "Well, thank you for those kind words, Racer X. But I think the credit should go to Speed," she said softly, with a proud wink at her middle son. "This was his first time, learning to cook an entire pot roast dinner."

The Masked Racer leaned back in his chair, chuckling. "Oh, is it now? In that case, my compliments to the chef. Good work, Speed," Rex said, reaching for the platter of sliced beef before him. "And I'll take a second helping of that roast beef, if you don't mind." He lifted a good-sized piece of meat onto his plate.

Speed looked up from his plate, startled by the compliment. Considering the way his day had begun, he couldn't believe he'd actually done something right---it looked as if there wasn't going to be much leftovers from this roast! "Gee, thanks, Racer X. Go ahead, there's still plenty to go around," the young racer replied, almost sheepish.

"And I second the motion---for seconds!" Pops added, with a booming laugh. He was definitely in a mellow mood tonight. "Great job, son. I see you've taken your lessons to heart."

Speed made a face. "Despite the fact I nearly burned down the kitchen this morning?" he asked innocently, much to everyone's amusement.

Pops playfully glowered at him. "I won't make a comment about that ."

"Don't forget the apple pie and the vanilla ice cream!" Spritle eagerly interjected. Next to him sat Chim Chim, hooting softly with pleasure. "You gotta make sure you've got room for that, Racer X. Mom makes the best apple pie, in the county---no, actually, I take that back. The whole world!"

The smile on Rex Racer's face broadened. The memories of all those times so long ago, when he and little Speed would just sit in the kitchen and watch as their mom baked something oh-so-good..."Oh, good heavens, no. We certainly can't forget about dessert," he joked, as he passed the platter of meat over to Pops.

Pops let out a hearty laugh. "Hah! Forget those store-bought pies. My wife can put all those big companies, to shame!"

It was Mrs. Racer's turn to blush. "Oh, Dragon, stop it! You're exaggerating now," she laughingly protested.

Her husband grinned. "I am, am I? Why don't you ask the pie fiends who call themselves our sons over there, why there's never enough pie for a second round when you want another piece?" Pops retorted, with a sly look over in Speed's and Spritle's direction.

"Pie fiends!!" Spritle looked up, comically annoyed. "Me and Speed, we just happen to like Mom's pies!" the lad protested. "I don't know what Speed's excuse is, but I'm a growing boy!" Spritle paused, then commented in a rather cheeky fashion, "Besides, Pops. Your one slice, is as big as two of ours put together. Although I guess you're still growing, too." Giggling, the child pointed to his father's midsection.

Oh, boy. That sure got Pops hot under the collar! His face turned beet-red, and he was steaming. "SPRIII-TLE??!!!!"

Spritle cringed in his chair. "Speed!!! Hide me!!!" he wailed.

At that, Speed's mouth gaped open in complete surprise. Moments later he leaned back in his chair and put up his hands in front of him as if to back away. "Ohh, no! I'm staying outta this one!"

His comment quickly defused his dad's comic moment of anger with Spritle. "So you did learn something from this week. Besides a few new skills in the kitchen," Pops joked, chuckling quietly.

Speed felt his face redden. "Yeah. A) Never fool around with Racer X's mask, B) never get into a running prank war with your youngest brother, C) always keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of flaming pancakes, and D) I learned more about that darned 'Curse of the Racer Men,' than I ever cared to know!" he groused playfully.

Still chuckling, Pops reached over and affectionately clapped a huge hand on his middle son's shoulder. "I'm sure you did, Speed. And speaking of that curse...You're not the only one who gets it bad." He paused. A bright gleam filled his eyes, which made Speed and his friends wonder if Pops was about to tell them a story of some sort---the Racer family patriarch was quite fond of using stories, to illustrate a point. "Did your mother or I ever tell you kids about the time your brother Rex walked out of the hospital, four days after an emergency appendectomy? And how three days later we had to rush him back because his stitches broke? Rex was fifteen, it was the year before he got his license...Or was it, six months before?..." On and on Pops went, oblivious to the strange looks coming from not just Speed and his friends but the Masked Racer himself!

Beneath the mask, Rex groaned inwardly. It'd been one thing when Dr. Wilson had mentioned the story, but he'd been in the doctor's office then. But his father---boy, Pops just seemed to love pulling that tale out. Pops? You would have to bring that up!!! was X's immediate, embarrassed thought.

You know? It seems that without even realizing it, Pops was doing what a parent does best. Embarrass the heck out of his adult children!

At that point, Mom Racer saw how uneasy the family's guest was getting, so she decided it was time to switch gears and bring in the dessert. "I think now would be a good time to bring in the apple pie," she announced with a smile, as she abruptly rose from her chair to go into the kitchen. "Speed? Would you be a dear, and start clearing off the dinner plates?"

Speed nodded. "Sure thing, Mom."

The lively banter continued over dessert. "So, Pops. Let me get this straight. Did Rex ever say why, he walked out that day?" Sparky wanted to know, between bites of apple pie and ice cream.

Pops snorted."Yes. Said he couldn't deal with the head nurse. A Mrs. McAllister, I believe he said was her name." He paused, raised an eyebrow, then added in a comic aside. "You know? That was the same woman, who kicked me out of my wife's hospital room the night Speed was born!"

"That was because you were so loud," his wife suddenly interjected, with a light laugh. "She said, you'd wake our son up with that loud mouth of yours!"

Her husband suddenly shot her an annoyed look. "I do NOT have a big mouth!" Pops huffed, his face reddening.

Despite the good-natured razzing going on at the dinner table, Speed looked rather edgy and apprehensive as he ate his pie. Trixie noticed his edginess. "Something wrong, Speed?" she whispered, seeing the grimace on his face.

"No, Trixie. Not really." Speed lay his fork down on his plate, then glanced at the dining room clock on the wall. It was already six-thirty, and one could tell he was chomping at the bit to hit the local drive-in theater. "Well, maybe there is. It's just...I guess I'm getting kind of nervous, waiting 'til we can get outta here."

She lay her head on his shoulder then. "I know. I can't wait, either. But we've got to be patient, Speed. Just sit back and enjoy the compliments, ok?" Trixie purred, cuddling up to Speed. "Besides. Was it that bad, learning to cook with me around?"

A small smile twitched at the corners of Speed's mouth. "Not after the first pancake, no," he admitted. "But after the day I had, I'm sure glad Pops didn't ban you from the house!"

About fifteen minutes later, the doorbell rang. Mrs. Racer rose to answer it. "Yes?" she said, opening the front door.

A tall, serious-looking man with sandy-brown hair and wearing mechanics' workclothes stood on the doorstep. He promptly introduced himself as Joseph, Racer X's chief mechanic. "Evening, Mrs. Racer. I was told, Racer X was here."

"Yes, he is. Please, come in." Mom ushered the man inside.

A few minutes later, X came into the living room to greet the visitor. "Joseph! I see you made it. I was expecting to see you and the Model T, over an hour ago!" the Masked Racer joked. "What kept you?"

Joseph grinned. "Sorry I'm late, Boss. But I got a flat on the way, and then ran into big traffic up on the bridge leading into the city. Big tanker truck accident," he replied. "But yeah, the Model T's here. Where do you want it?"

"Bring it to the garage. I'll tell Spritle and Pops, it's back." X turned to go back into the dining room.

He returned to the table minutes later. "All right, Spritle. Your Model T's back," the Masked Racer announced, straight-faced. "Joe, my mechanic, is putting it in the garage now." He nodded at Spritle as if to say, "Time to move, partner!"

Immediately, Spritle's chubby face lit up with glee. He got X's hint, all right---it was time to play "distract Pops so Speed can sneak out with Trixie to Mush-land!" He acted promptly on cue. "Hey, Pops! Hear that, my Model T's back!" the lad happily exclaimed. "You promised, you'd take a look at it---"

Pops was more than eager to check things out, it seemed. "So I did!" he chuckled. "Now. You were saying, Spritle, you needed a bigger gas tank---?"

Spritle played the moment for all it was worth, taking advantage of his father's enthusiasm for anything mechanical to set the stage for big brother Speed's escape to the movies. "Y-yes. I just barely made it to Racer X's house," the lad replied solemnly.

"Yes, and it also could do with a complete tune-up," Rex/X added.

A smiling Pops rose from his chair, rubbing his hands together excitedly. Another car project---he couldn't wait to check out his youngest son's handiwork. "Well, what are we waiting around for? Let's go have a look!" the burly racecar designer declared loudly, starting for the garage. "Sparky!!---To the garage!"

Sparky grinned as he got up from his seat. "Yessir!"

"Hey, wait for me! I'm coming, too!" Spritle hollered, jumping out of his chair and following his dad. A hooting Chim Chim did likewise. "I'm the one who built it, you know---"

Pops turned to the Masked Racer. "You coming, X?" he called out.

X looked up. "I'll be right there, Pops," he answered. A small but devious smile crept across his face. This was going to be a scam of epic proportions on Rex's part; how Pops would take being snookered by his own son---well, X and Mom Racer would deal with his father's temper later. All he knew was that he and Spritle were about to make a certain pair of teenagers, very happy. "I need to speak briefly with my mechanic."

Pops snorted. "Suit yourself! We'll be in the garage."

After Pops and his crew had disappeared into the confines of the family garage, the Masked Racer motioned to Speed and Trixie. "All right, you two. The coast is clear," Rex said in a low voice. "Now's your chance, to slip out and get going. Sundown'll be here in a half-hour, you don't want to miss the start of the movie."

Both Speed and Trixie breathed a huge sigh of relief. This was one pair of lovers, who didn't need any further urging. "Gee, I thought we'd never get out of here!" Speed quipped, as Trixie went to retrieve her purse. "Thanks for everything, Racer X. But what about Mom? And, Pops...??"

Suddenly, his mother's soft voice sweetly cut into his worried thoughts. "Oh, don't worry about me, Speed. I'm on your side," Mom said with a laugh, walking into the dining room from the kitchen. "Racer X explained everything to me when I came back from shopping this afternoon. I also spoke to Dr. Wilson, and he said he had no problem with you going to the movies. And as for your father...?" She paused, and smiled knowingly at the young couple. "...There's nothing that'll soothe the beast like a good chunk of apple pie. I made sure I saved a big enough piece to stick in his mouth, should he start squawking."

At that, Speed, Trixie and X all broke into laughter. "Why, Mom! So that's how you keep on Pops' good side!" Speed wisecracked, a wide grin on his face. "You...Conniver!! "

"Oh, a little bribery doesn't hurt every now and then. You know your father'll do most anything for another piece of pie." Mom winked at the teens. "Now go on, and have fun tonight."

Speed grinned madly. "Yes, ma'am!"

He grabbed Trixie's hand, startling her into letting out a small scream of surprise. "C'mon, Trix. We're goin' to a clambake!" Speed whooped, as he pulled her towards the sliding glass doors that led out into the back yard.

Mom Racer and X stood there, watching as the two teens snuck out. "You know, X. I feel like I've just helped to break a pair of inmates out of jail," Speed's mom joked.

Rex just chuckled deviously. "All for a good cause, Mrs. Racer. Believe me, Pops won't complain much once he sees how much more agreeable Speed'll be, after having gone to the movies," he answered calmly. "If all else fails---we'll have him talk to Dr. Wilson!"

Ah, yes. Elvis, young love...and Racer X. Now, how's that for a winning formula??

Or as Spritle once put it. Maybe they should start calling Rex, "Cupid X'!

5555555555555555555555555

Hey, listen, world you've gotta know

I'm cuttin' loose and lettin' go

Who needs the worry and the strife

Life can be a ball now just followin' my life

Clambake, gonna have a clambake

Clambake, gonna have a clambake

Look for the brightest lights in town

That's where you'll find me hanging round

I've got this feeling to be free

I pick and choose the life I want and that's the life for me

Clambake...

---Elvis Presley, the theme from "Clambake" (1967)---

"Speeeed!!!! Not so loud!!!" Trixie hissed through clenched teeth, as a rather giddy Speed tugged at her hand and pulled her with him around the front of the house. "I know you're itching to go, but the way you're scrambling around just might get your father's attention! This is supposed to be a quiet escape, remember??"

An excited Speed sheepishly grinned. "Oops! Ahh...Sorry about that, Trixie! I guess I got too excited there for a minute," he admitted. "I forgot. I just hope X and Mom have a plan for keeping the volcano from blowing a hole in the roof!"

Actually, there was such a plan. It called for the pair to slip out the back and come around to the front, avoiding the garage area as much as possible. Racer X, his mechanic, and Spritle would all try to keep Pops inside the garage, with the boys' mother hanging around as backup...Ready to appease her husband with a piece of pie, should Pops make a fuss over the teenagers' absence. The cover story was that Trixie had gone to her apartment while Speed, after such a big meal, had gotten so drowsy that he'd decided to call it an early night.

Well, so far so good.

Cautiously, the teens crept towards where Trixie's convertible was parked, taking care to duck below the large bay window that opened a view into the family living room. From the garage, they could hear Pops' booming voice, coupled with the excited voices of Sparky and little Spritle. "Gee! I feel like we're secret agents or something," Speed good-naturedly complained. "And we're on some covert operation!"

"Oh, will you just hush, Speed Racer, and get in the car!" Trixie pushed her grimacing boyfriend over to the passenger side of the car. She opened the door, and urged him in. "Come on, we've got fifteen minutes before the show starts!"

Speed quickly fastened his seat belt. "Well, you're doing the driving, Trixie. Let's go!"

Let's see, now. Speed&Trixie+convertible+drive-in movie+Elvis=....

...One big headache for Pops???

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