Cars: When Lightning Met Sally
Chapter 1: Los Angeles, CA, November 2006
Sally was parked in front of the TV in her apartment. She was eating breakfast, while getting ready for work.
" For the first time in Piston Cup history," the announcer began stating, proudly.
The Rust-eze car jumped through the curtains, cheering. Sally rolled her eyes, scoffing.
" We have a three way tie," the announcer finished.
Confetti flew everywhere as the crowd began chanting. The Porsche laughed at the red car's shocked and embarrassed reaction. A blue car and a green car then joined him on stage. The Dinoco car was calm and quiet, while the htB car taunted the Rust-eze car.
" The winner of this year's Piston Cup will be determined at next week's race in Los Angeles, California," the announcer chimed. " Be there or be square."
" Great," Sally sighed, groaning. " More traffic."
She turned the TV off then left for work. The Porsche dragged all the way there, fighting to keep her eyes open.
" Not sure how much longer I can do this," Sally mumbled to herself.
Soon, she arrived at Lamborghini's Attorneys. Her boss approached her, dumping the usual workload on her hood.
" And here's your paperwork for the day, Ms. Carrera," the yellow car uttered then drove away. " Be sure to get it all done before you leave."
Sally sighed again, bitterly. She drove over to her desk then began working. The Porsche stopped a few hours into her shift, letting her eyes wander. All of her coworkers were as worn and ragged as she was. Even Sebastian lost his sparkling demeanor. Sally placed a tire under her fender, leaning on it. The Porsche heard clicking noises. She turned to it. One of her coworkers was typing something on their computer. Another coworker was clicking their retractable pen, while absent-mindedly staring at the papers in front of them. She heard ringing. It was the landlines. Her fellow lawyers answered them, talking to clients. Sally then heard glubbing. She turned around. Someone was getting water from the dispenser. Another coworker began sifting through the filing cabinets, opening and closing the drawers. The Porsche's eye began twitching. She turned back to her desk, until it was time to go home. After Sally got off of work, she barged through the front door of her apartment, passing out in the living room. She did not eat dinner nor did she bother to shower. The Porsche just slept.
Soon, it was the next day. Sally woke up to the sound of her alarm clock blaring from her bedroom. She sat up, rubbing her eyes. The Porsche drove into the kitchen, grabbing a bagel. She got ready for work then sped out the door, repeating her routine. On her way to work, traffic came to a sudden stop then began creeping.
" Come on," Sally mumbled impatiently. " Come on."
She saw the Rust-eze hauler drive through the intersection. It was being guided by police officers. They were heading toward the racetrack. After they had passed though, traffic began moving again. Sally sighed as she drove by, glaring at the red hauler. She arrived at work.
" There you are," her boss reprimanded. " You're late. Where were you?"
" Sorry," Sally apologized. " I got stuck in traffic. Some hotshot racer just came into town."
" Don't let it happen, again," the yellow car warned. " Next time, leave a little earlier."
" Will do," the Porsche sighed as she drove passed him.
Meanwhile, at Los Angeles Speedway, Lightning was complaining to Mack over by the garage area.
" I can't believe Chick beat us here," the red car griped. " I knew we should've left sooner."
" I don't know," Mack uttered optimistically. " I think we made pretty good time."
" Oh, would you stop, please," Lightning sighed, rolling his eyes. " I'm going to do some practice laps."
He stormed over to the track.
" Okay," Mack chimed as he watched him. " If you need me, I'll be over here...Sleeping."
Lightning approached the track, but not before bumping into his rival.
" What's up, McQueen," Chick taunted with a cocky grin. " Where have you been? Uh, what's that about thunder always coming after lightning?"
The Rust-eze car glared at him and clenched his teeth.
" Listen, Rook," the green car threatened. " You're obviously new around here, because I don't think you heard me. The Piston Cup is mine. Dinoco is mine. Now, do me a favor and stay out of my way."
Chick shoved Lightning as he passed him. The red car watched him head over to his trailer. Strip pulled up behind Lightning, shaking his hood.
" He is such a weiner," The King commented.
" Tell me about it," Lightning sighed in annoyance. " I wish he was retiring, instead of The King. Unlike Chick, The King is actually fun to race."
" Why thank you," the Plymouth uttered, startling the Rust-eze car.
Lightning whipped around, embarrassed.
" Mr. The King," he squeaked then chuckled." I didn't see you there."
" Kid, you've got tunnel vision," Strip pointed out, approaching him. " Any luck on finding a new pit crew?"
" No, not yet," Lightning replied, shaking his hood. " I haven't gotten any bites."
" Well, fortunately, you've still got plenty of time," the Plymouth uttered, smirking. " So, would you like to do some practice laps with me?"
" With you," the Rust-eze car's eyes lit up. " Really?"
" If not, I could ask Chick," the Dinoco car teased.
" No," Lighting stuttered. " No. No. I would love to. It's not every day I get to practice with a legend."
The racers drove onto the track. They began warming up their tires.
" So, what made you decide to become a racer," The King casually asked.
" Well, I've always liked the feel of the wind, the rush from the high speeds, and the competition," Lightning began. " I also enjoy winning races. What about you?"
" Me," Strip gestured to himself.
" Yes, you," the red car urged.
" Have you ever heard of The Fabulous Hudson Hornet," the Dinoco car pressed.
" Of course," Lightning chimed, shrugging." Who hasn't?"
" Well, he inspired me to become a racer," Strip answered.
" Wait," the Rust-eze car braked. " You got to see The Hudson Hornet, The Fabulous Hudson Hornet, race?"
" When I was a little coupe," the blue car stated.
" Whoooa," Lightning beamed. " All I got to do was read about him and write a report."
The cars finished warming up their tires then began practicing. They stayed on the track until dinner time. Lightning sat by himself in the cafeteria, while everyone else sat with their crew, friends, and family. The Rust-eze car sighed as he looked down at his plate. He ate part of his dinner then left for his trailer, dumping the leftovers in the trash.