Jackson was using the punching bag ain the gym of the school. He was furious. Cruz slowly walked in and greeted "Hey..." Jackson looked over at her but went back to punching. Cruz frowned but tried to level with the guy. "Sorry that Tex wanted Lightning over you... That must hurt a little.." Jackson shook his head and snarled "I'm better than Lightning." hit the bag. "I'm stronger." another punch. "I'm better fuckin looking!" and he hit it again. Jackson took a deep breath before adding "I was the better choice by all means.. This was suppose to be my race!" he yelled.
Cruz shrugged and tried assuring "You'll get 'em next time." "Are you kidding me?" he snarled. Jacksom rolled his eyes and lined up to punch again. "You're just happy because he's your Mr McQueen." Cruz glared and watched as Jackson went back to punching. "There's more to racing than just winning Jackson." Cruz scolded. Jackson snickered replying "Well yeah? There's losing." Cruz shook her head replying "Tex loves Lightning. And He loves being able to give Lightning a chance to race again just once. You have your entire life to win that stupid cup." Jackson rolled his eyes again and snarled "That trophy should be mine to win." Cruz shook her head and began to leave but then stopped and added "At the end of the day.. That trophy?.. It's just an empty cup Jackson.."
Jackson stared at her a moment. Both staring at each other. Then Cruz left leaving Jackson to think about that and punch the crap out of feelings. Jackson sat there a moment. An empty cup? How could she say that? And the way Cruz cared for the other racers? Her team.. Jackson shook his head and lined up and went back to punching. Definitely not over thinking what Cruz just said at all or doubting himself and Cleo...
Lightning walked into well.. Cal's school and into the main office where Strip and Tex were waiting to talk to him. "Lightnin! Glad you came by!" Tex greeted loudly. He didn't mean to, he was just one of those louder people naturally. Lightning nodded and shook hands with Tex then Strip and immediately "Thanks.. For the offer I mean. It's an incredible offer you guys." Strip and Tex smiled at each other. They thought Lightning was here to accept it.
"But I.. I don't think I can accept.." Lightning mumbled with a frown. Strip was extremely surprised. Tex raised a brow and replied "Well sure you can! Just say the word." Lightning shook his head explaining "I.. I don't even have a license right now. It's a great offer and I would lov"-"Why don't you have a license?" Strip asked. Lightning hesitated answering that. Tex stepped in saying "Don't matter. I can talk to the mayor and get that taken care of." Lightning rolled his eyes and sighed. "Tex I appreciate it. I do.. And it would be an honor to race for Dinico but I just.. I just ca"-"Hold it right there." Tex interrupted and stepped out the room for a minute. Lightning frowned and stood there with Strip waiting.
Tex returned with a small to medium sized box and placed it on the desk. "Been savin this for you." Tex said with a smile. Lightning hesitated but slowly walked over and opened the loose box. Tex was confident this was a deal breaker here. Lightning'a eyed widened almoat glossed over from the emotion from the atricle in the box. It was a shining dinico blue suit with hia original 95 on it and name MCQUEEN. Lightning took the suit out and held it up. Tex smiled and said "What do you think?" Lightning shook his head and asked "What is this?" Strip sighed and admitted "That was suppose to be your future kid. You should have won that piston cup your rookie year. You may have been stupid, quick, a little arrogant... But Tex planned to sign you over the minute you crossed that finish line."
Lightning placed the suit in the box. "Whether you accept the race or not? Keep the suit." Lightning stared and replied softly "I can't accept this..." "Well I'm telling you to." Tex snapped. Lightning sighed and stared at it. "You were meant to wear that suit there Lightnin." Tex said. Strip looked at Light and added "Take it and think about the offer please. I need a racer I trust in that driver seat... I'd rather it not be Storm.." Lightning frowned and asked "What about Cal?.." Strip sighed without a word. But his expression answered for him. Strip didn't trust Cal right now. Lightning thought of Cleo.. What would she do if he accepted the offer. What could she possibly do? "Thanks I'll.. I'll think about it." Lightning took the box and left...
Lightning tossed the box onto the table in front of Bobby. Bobby raised a brow and asked "What is it?" Lightning didn't answer. Bobby slowly pulled the box close and opened it. His eyes widened. "The dinico suit?" Lightning nodded. "Wow okay? This looks like the original." Bobby pointed out. "It is. It probably doesn't even fit now." Lightning griped. Bobby laughed and joked "Not a tiny little white twig anymore huh?" Lightning glared and explained "Tex and Strip offered me the race. The next two races as Dinico.." Bobby's eyes widened and he smiled "You have to take it! Getting to really race again!? That is so great! I'm jealous!"
Lightning nodded but muttered explaining "Cleo told me to refuse the offer. During dinner.. She knew Tex was going to offer it to me. She wants me to turn it down.." "What? Why?" Bobby asked "What does she gain or lose from you racing?" Lightning shook his head. He wasn't sure. "Fuck Cleo. You are racing. Guys like us don't get this kind of chance often McQueen. You are racing!" Bobby snapped. Lightning didn't look convinced at all. Bobby pushed the box over to Lightning and ordered "Put on the suit." Lightning frowned and glanced at the suit and sighed replying "Bobby.. I"-"Put on the suit McQueen!" Bobby snapped loudly! Lightning sighed.
But he stepped out in the old blue dinico with his name and number is shining silver. "There! Looks and feels good don't it!?" Bobby asked with a smile. Lightning stared at himself in the mirror. This was what he use to want. He dreamed of this suit for most of his life as a young racer. "Little tight round the shoulders and the but." Bobby exclaimed with a slap to Lightning's ass. "But you look good." Lightning sighed and frowned. Bobby placed a hand on Lightning's shoulder and added "Cleo doesn't decide this one. You do you.. And race. I say.. If Cleo doesn't want you to race? You fucking race." Lightning stared at himself in the suit. Maybe Bobby was right. Maybe that's how he beat Cleo. Doing whatever she didn't want. It would stress her out to heck. "Maybe.." Lightning muttered. "Maybe..."...
Cleo called for a meeting with her little group. Francesco.
Gage.
and Jackson.
Almost immediately Jackson was fighting about how Cleo was losing control of the people in this town and she wasn't holding up her ends of the bargains. Francesco actually agreed with him. Gage didn't say a word but she could see it in his expressions. Gage was loosing faith in this woman to. "Hey!" Cleo yelled and hit her desk! All of them looked at her immediately. "Now listen up! I know things don't seem to be going exactly as planned but it is still a plan!" Jackson snickered and snarled "I was suppose to get to race!" "And you are racing!" Cleo reminded! Jackson hit the desk snapping "Against McQueen in Cruz's car! You promised me that if I helped you get rid of Cal that you'd give me the cup!" Cleo got into Jackson's face and corrected "I promised you I would get rid of Cruz and I did! She thinks her family needs her and she's leaving without a fuss!" Jackson crossed his arms pouting like a child.
Then Francesco spoke up "You told me if I helped you, you would help me win Sally over." "And I did!" Cleo yelled! "I helped make sure Lightning looked like the lowest offer she had on the table and I kept him occupied so you could have your precious Sally! Not my fault you fucked that up when you pushed Cruz off the stadium seats!" "HEY! I never touched her!" Francesco corrected! Cleo shook her head and snarled "You two are a bunch of ungrateful little bastards... Let's not forget the shit I have on the two of you!" Jackson and Francesco frowned a little. "Exactly! Jackson.. I'll take care of McQueen.." Cleo added. "How!? He will accept that offer! And Tex will give him his license!" Cleo sighed and thought for a moment.
Then she looked at Francesco and asked "You've raced Lightning in the grand prix hmm?" Francesco raised a brow as he was unsure what that had to do with anything but nodded. Cleo thought a few more seconds then said "Jackson. You just worry about your race. I'll take care of Lightning." Jackson glared at this woman. "Go on.. Leave." she motioned. Jackson was furious but left as he was told. Cleo looked at Francesco and asked "Challenge McQueen to a race." Francesco snickered and shook his head explaining "I do not race anymore. And definitely do not make unnecessary challenges. Francesco is retired." Cleo looked at Gage then back at Francesco. Gage came up and grabbed Francesco's arm roughly and bent it back, shoving Francesco's face into the desk hard!
Cleo knelt over into Francesco's face and ordered again "Challenge McQueen and race him." "Okay! Okay!" Francesco basically whined! "But why!?" He added in a whine. Gage released Francesco. The italian straightened his shirt. Cleo sat down and smiled saying "Just race him." Francesco nodded and began to leave. "Oh and Francesco.." She added. Francesco sighed but stopped and waited, turning and looked at her. Cleo glared and said "Take him out. Don't kill him.. Just take him out so he can't race this weekend." Francesco stared at her then glanced at Gage. He lowered his head and left...
The phone rang a few times before her sweet voice answered.
Hey there Lightning. I was a little worried about you.
"I'm sorry. I got tired last night and then busy this morning.. I should have called sooner.."
Well you are calling now. How are things going?
"Um.. Difficult. Difficult is a word for it.."
Hmm.. Sure you don't want me there? I can help you.
"No, no. It's best you stay away for now.. Tex offered me a spot to race this weekend in California."
What? Really?
"Mmmhmm."
What happened to Cruz?..
"Family events... I accepted the offer."
You should.. You love racing...
"I shouldn't accept it.. I should be focusing on getting rid of Cleo.. Making things safer for you and the kids here."
We're safe here. One weekend where Lightning McQueen is himself won't hurt anyone.
"I don't know.. I got a bad feeling.."
Lightning.. You should race. It'll help you.
"Maybe.."
Hey.. I'll be watching along with the kids. Colt will absolutely adore getting to see his father race. Being here in Cali we could get tickets and come see you.
"Hmm. Think it's best not to yet.."
Colt is your number one fan next to me.
"Funny.. Okay.. Thanks for all the pep talks Sal.."
Anytime.
"Sally.. I love you. I want to be with you."
I want to be with you to but.. Guess another week will have to go by first..
"Yup.. It won't be too much longer.. I swear.."
It's okay. You enjoy that race this weekend. We'll be cheering you on from here.
"I love you. How are the kids?"
Asleep..
"Sorry I missed them.."
Night Lightning.
"Good night Sally."