These are, are original characters.
* * * (Place and time change)
//.// (Thoughts)
"." Talking
(.) Me
5 in the morning, Alex seriously doubted anyone would especially that bitch should be up. She had plan for this, getting what money she could either from school or private savings. Which at least the bitch couldn't find time to spend. Grabbing her bags, which were conveniently fill with clothes she had given away to Good Will and her money now counted as several hundred. Sneaking her way down stairs, she almost made it halfway through the living room when a lamb came on. It was her brother, sitting calmly. "What's going on Alex."
"I think it's pretty obvious." Looking at her bags. "In case you still don't understand I'm leaving. I'm nothing more to her then extra baggage she has to take care of." She sniffed.
"That's not true, she tolerates."
Alex cut him off. "You, only you because your old enough to get a job and make her money." She was too angry now to cry. "Ever since mom died, dad doesn't notice me anymore, never saying hi or good morning." Now the angry tears came. "Not to mention she's always complaining and spending money, which we don't have."
"I know, how much money do you have." She stared at him. "Do you think I was blind to what was going on. How could you be happy with all the abuse you take." He was studying the ground now. "Just promise me you'll keep in touch."
"Thank you brother." She hugged him tightly and he handed her what money he had on him. He watched the door closed. //She'll be back. Alex just wants to scare them. //
* * *
Getting off the bus, she peaked at her funds. //Enough to stay at motel for awhile, or until I can find a job // She found a cheap motel near one of the racetracks.
"Good thing you're renting." The man handed her the key.
"Really, why." Curiosity was getting the best of her.
"Because in a couple of days, people will start booking for the Indy 500 that's coming up." Alex nodded she had seen it on TV it was one of the reasons she chose this city. In her room she looked at the job listings. //Great, just perfect most of the jobs require you to be eighteen and I'm only thirteen.// As time passed the stressed of getting a job was nerve wracking. Although she did managed to get a job selling subscriptions with a newspaper company. Alex remembered that the Indy was coming up and bought a ticket in advanced hoping it would help her relax. It was the first day and she was enjoying herself, until someone bumped her in the overly large crowd. The guy stormed off without apologizing, Alex was about to walk away when she noticed something on the ground. Picking it up, it was the rude guy's wallet. Alex being raised strait was going to turn it in, until she noticed how much money was in it. //So much, how can people spend this much money at an event when there are so many homeless who could use it. Including myself.// Suddenly she had doubts. //This is wrong, but there's no other way for me to survive until I'm old enough to get a job.// She knew it was wrong, but she pocketed the money anyway and started to pickpocket for more. Since there were several different tracks and races in the Indianapolis area, with the amount of people that came gave Alex enough for a roof over head and a meal once a day. For the times that didn't have races, especially in winter she spent all her time in the library to keep warm, thank goodness she was interested in cars now.
* * *
Alex was fifteen now, and during a race she managed to steal a mechanic outfit. Alex was getting quite good at that. Hanging around was easy, with the knowledge she studied Alex easily fit it and understood most of the conversations. Just by walking around, she heard many conversations. It was funny to hear the other teams gossip about each other. Like the Firebird crew was discussing the Corvette team. "The Corvette car is tuned for the corner's, so should we to keep up."
//Copying an opponents style, sneaky.// Walking around some more she passed by the Corvette group.
"Tune the setting for the strait-away, it will give us better exit speed off of the corners."
"Cool, the Firebird team thinks your tuning for the corners." Alex clamped her hand over her mouth as the mechanics looked at her. //Good going Alex, just go ahead and shoot that big mouth of yours off again.// A guy walked up. "You over heard them." He studied her. "Are you really a mechanic?" Alex swallowed. //O.k stay calm, to admit or play dumb. // She looked at his face. //Play dumb.//
"I'm an assistant mechanic so no one plays attention to me." She tried smiling.
"What else have you heard."
"Um. Honda's running a new model for the first time, no one else knew." Alex winced. //Shit I did it again.// When the mechanic stepped forward, Alex closed her eyes expecting the worst. When it didn't come she opened her eyes and found a roll of money in her hand.
"If you hear anything else, you can tell us discreetly."
Nodding numbly she walked away, looking again at the money in her hand. //I think I've found a job. // Smiling happily.//And they won't notice if I slowly raise the price. // She thanked her stepmother for something good.
* * *
Seventeen, two full years had past. Alex was surviving, she had a basement apartment. Small but it worked. Since most of her money went into savings, Alex still only needed one meal a day, which was mostly instant. Her one vice was the library and a couple of book stores, where she could nurse her coffee and read. The more important thing in her life was developing a photographic memory when it came to conversations. All her thanks go to the homeless blind man she had befriended. She was on her way to the track where the next race was being held. Since Corvette was her highest paying customer, she usually gave them discounts, except when they have request. "Alex we have a request for you and willing to pay any amount." Alex bit back her suspicious, but was all ears. "Rumors have been flying that Aki Keiichi will be here to supervise the Mazda team."
//Aki Keiichi, he's joking.// Alex heard of the name before, who hadn't, but didn't know much about the person.
"Get any information, no matter how irrelevant it may seem. Especially on the car they're racing." She left making her way to the Mazda pit in a seemingly random path. When she saw two mechanics talking, she moved closer but stayed far enough away. "Good increase the rotation of both rotors by 15%." The mechanic was about to object. "I don't care, I'm going by the racers skills, plus I know for a fact he can handle the increased power."
//Good piece of information.// Alex slowly making her way back picking up other pieces of information.
* * *
Aki needed relief //How can that mechanic be so thick headed. Why did I bother to hire him in the first place?// Scowling she passed by the Corvette pit. "The two mechanics were talking about increasing the rotation of the rotors by 15% therefor increasing the power output." Aki caught the conversation //Those are my words, with some added on.// She chuckled //Now I see why Corvette has been doing so well with this racetrack. They have a little spy.// Aki was about to leave to make plans but was drawn back to the girl.
"I don't think it will work for you." They stared at her. "Explain yourself." "Well your using a V8, which relies on the four-stroke combustion cycle. Now you can speed it up but your sacrificing the risk of the engine burning out quicker." They blinked. "The increase power is set according to the racers skill."
Aki was silently laughing. //Your good kid. Not believing in what people tell you. This kid interest me, better keep an eye on this one.// Since Aki needed a plan, she went back to her pit. Knowing the kid would be by again. So she sent everyone on lunch break and set up her notebook were it was the easiest to see. //Trap set, if she's after information my notebook should draw her in.// Aki waited in the corner with the most shadows. //She'll come, it's all about waiting. Good thing mom and dad drilled patience into me.// It felt like forever but the girl finally appeared.
* * *
Alex told them what she knew and her thoughts on it. //Bet they don't believe me.// She took her money and went nosing around so more. Making sure she passed the pit again and saw no one. //Isn't early for lunch.// The bag on the table next to a notebook. //A notebook, so much potential.// Cautiously she approached the table, as soon as she touched it a voice called out. "Well maybe you're not as smart, as you think." Alex turned around to face a woman walking out of the shadows and hid her surprise quickly. Aki smiled //I'm glad to see I haven't lost the touch of reading people.// Alex regarded the women in front of her. //Shit it's the scary lady mechanic.// Alex quickly put the notebook down. "It's not what you think." Waving her hands.
"Is that so. Well stealing comes to mind, along with many other words that you are too young to hear. What pit crew are you with." Alex looked down at her clothes. //Come on, what's a good excuse.// "I'm only a assist mechanic, so I work with many pit crews."
"Care to back that up or should I add impersonation on to my list of words." Inwardly Aki was pleased that this girl could come up with a good excuse. "So why are you here." Alex was scared this wasn't going to be easy. "Well." Her eyes strayed to the track. ".I wanted to see this corner, with the increase sloped racers need to open the throttle longer."
Aki just watched. //Her theories are sound, and see has some idea of how a car works. But no mechanical experience.// Alex couldn't take the silence. "Well if were done chit chatting I'll be going." Backing up.
"Stop." Alex did what she was told; the tone of voice booked no argument. //Good let's see if she has the drive.// "I might be willing to forget this if you agree to my proposal."
"Can I think on this." Aki nodded and Alex paced moving closer to the door. "I wouldn't do that if I were you and besides aren't you suppose to consider it after I tell you what it is." Alex looked sheepish
"We can do this one of two was." Crossing her arms. She held out one finger. "First I can call the police, you can get arrested on those charges we talked about and you can get some quality time in jail." Alex paled, considerably. "I see you understand." "Second. You can work for me, you'll be paid at the end of the period, personal expenses included. I give you a car, place to live, well you're under my care." Alex's eyes were coming out of her head. The conditions on number two are unconditional no exceptions. So which shall it be."
Alex contemplated. //Wait first she corners me threaten to call the police and now she's giving me everything I could want. It's a trick, but I could agree and just skip out. I have the money. / "Oh if you're thinking of running out on me once agreeing, I'll toss this to the police." Aki holds up a tape recorder. "Which I have some pull with."
"You leave me with no other choice, do you."
"None at all, I aim to win. Do you accept."
"Not really but yes."
"Good. Tonight at this address and if you don't show up the tape goes to the police." Aki turned to leave. "Oh get a good nights sleep, you have school in the morning." "What no way. Hey I don't even know your name." Alex was little angry with the person walking away from her. Aki looked back over her shoulder. "Keiichi, Aki Keiichi." She left Alex stunned. "That was Aki Keiichi, I thought she was a guy!"
* * * (Place and time change)
//.// (Thoughts)
"." Talking
(.) Me
5 in the morning, Alex seriously doubted anyone would especially that bitch should be up. She had plan for this, getting what money she could either from school or private savings. Which at least the bitch couldn't find time to spend. Grabbing her bags, which were conveniently fill with clothes she had given away to Good Will and her money now counted as several hundred. Sneaking her way down stairs, she almost made it halfway through the living room when a lamb came on. It was her brother, sitting calmly. "What's going on Alex."
"I think it's pretty obvious." Looking at her bags. "In case you still don't understand I'm leaving. I'm nothing more to her then extra baggage she has to take care of." She sniffed.
"That's not true, she tolerates."
Alex cut him off. "You, only you because your old enough to get a job and make her money." She was too angry now to cry. "Ever since mom died, dad doesn't notice me anymore, never saying hi or good morning." Now the angry tears came. "Not to mention she's always complaining and spending money, which we don't have."
"I know, how much money do you have." She stared at him. "Do you think I was blind to what was going on. How could you be happy with all the abuse you take." He was studying the ground now. "Just promise me you'll keep in touch."
"Thank you brother." She hugged him tightly and he handed her what money he had on him. He watched the door closed. //She'll be back. Alex just wants to scare them. //
* * *
Getting off the bus, she peaked at her funds. //Enough to stay at motel for awhile, or until I can find a job // She found a cheap motel near one of the racetracks.
"Good thing you're renting." The man handed her the key.
"Really, why." Curiosity was getting the best of her.
"Because in a couple of days, people will start booking for the Indy 500 that's coming up." Alex nodded she had seen it on TV it was one of the reasons she chose this city. In her room she looked at the job listings. //Great, just perfect most of the jobs require you to be eighteen and I'm only thirteen.// As time passed the stressed of getting a job was nerve wracking. Although she did managed to get a job selling subscriptions with a newspaper company. Alex remembered that the Indy was coming up and bought a ticket in advanced hoping it would help her relax. It was the first day and she was enjoying herself, until someone bumped her in the overly large crowd. The guy stormed off without apologizing, Alex was about to walk away when she noticed something on the ground. Picking it up, it was the rude guy's wallet. Alex being raised strait was going to turn it in, until she noticed how much money was in it. //So much, how can people spend this much money at an event when there are so many homeless who could use it. Including myself.// Suddenly she had doubts. //This is wrong, but there's no other way for me to survive until I'm old enough to get a job.// She knew it was wrong, but she pocketed the money anyway and started to pickpocket for more. Since there were several different tracks and races in the Indianapolis area, with the amount of people that came gave Alex enough for a roof over head and a meal once a day. For the times that didn't have races, especially in winter she spent all her time in the library to keep warm, thank goodness she was interested in cars now.
* * *
Alex was fifteen now, and during a race she managed to steal a mechanic outfit. Alex was getting quite good at that. Hanging around was easy, with the knowledge she studied Alex easily fit it and understood most of the conversations. Just by walking around, she heard many conversations. It was funny to hear the other teams gossip about each other. Like the Firebird crew was discussing the Corvette team. "The Corvette car is tuned for the corner's, so should we to keep up."
//Copying an opponents style, sneaky.// Walking around some more she passed by the Corvette group.
"Tune the setting for the strait-away, it will give us better exit speed off of the corners."
"Cool, the Firebird team thinks your tuning for the corners." Alex clamped her hand over her mouth as the mechanics looked at her. //Good going Alex, just go ahead and shoot that big mouth of yours off again.// A guy walked up. "You over heard them." He studied her. "Are you really a mechanic?" Alex swallowed. //O.k stay calm, to admit or play dumb. // She looked at his face. //Play dumb.//
"I'm an assistant mechanic so no one plays attention to me." She tried smiling.
"What else have you heard."
"Um. Honda's running a new model for the first time, no one else knew." Alex winced. //Shit I did it again.// When the mechanic stepped forward, Alex closed her eyes expecting the worst. When it didn't come she opened her eyes and found a roll of money in her hand.
"If you hear anything else, you can tell us discreetly."
Nodding numbly she walked away, looking again at the money in her hand. //I think I've found a job. // Smiling happily.//And they won't notice if I slowly raise the price. // She thanked her stepmother for something good.
* * *
Seventeen, two full years had past. Alex was surviving, she had a basement apartment. Small but it worked. Since most of her money went into savings, Alex still only needed one meal a day, which was mostly instant. Her one vice was the library and a couple of book stores, where she could nurse her coffee and read. The more important thing in her life was developing a photographic memory when it came to conversations. All her thanks go to the homeless blind man she had befriended. She was on her way to the track where the next race was being held. Since Corvette was her highest paying customer, she usually gave them discounts, except when they have request. "Alex we have a request for you and willing to pay any amount." Alex bit back her suspicious, but was all ears. "Rumors have been flying that Aki Keiichi will be here to supervise the Mazda team."
//Aki Keiichi, he's joking.// Alex heard of the name before, who hadn't, but didn't know much about the person.
"Get any information, no matter how irrelevant it may seem. Especially on the car they're racing." She left making her way to the Mazda pit in a seemingly random path. When she saw two mechanics talking, she moved closer but stayed far enough away. "Good increase the rotation of both rotors by 15%." The mechanic was about to object. "I don't care, I'm going by the racers skills, plus I know for a fact he can handle the increased power."
//Good piece of information.// Alex slowly making her way back picking up other pieces of information.
* * *
Aki needed relief //How can that mechanic be so thick headed. Why did I bother to hire him in the first place?// Scowling she passed by the Corvette pit. "The two mechanics were talking about increasing the rotation of the rotors by 15% therefor increasing the power output." Aki caught the conversation //Those are my words, with some added on.// She chuckled //Now I see why Corvette has been doing so well with this racetrack. They have a little spy.// Aki was about to leave to make plans but was drawn back to the girl.
"I don't think it will work for you." They stared at her. "Explain yourself." "Well your using a V8, which relies on the four-stroke combustion cycle. Now you can speed it up but your sacrificing the risk of the engine burning out quicker." They blinked. "The increase power is set according to the racers skill."
Aki was silently laughing. //Your good kid. Not believing in what people tell you. This kid interest me, better keep an eye on this one.// Since Aki needed a plan, she went back to her pit. Knowing the kid would be by again. So she sent everyone on lunch break and set up her notebook were it was the easiest to see. //Trap set, if she's after information my notebook should draw her in.// Aki waited in the corner with the most shadows. //She'll come, it's all about waiting. Good thing mom and dad drilled patience into me.// It felt like forever but the girl finally appeared.
* * *
Alex told them what she knew and her thoughts on it. //Bet they don't believe me.// She took her money and went nosing around so more. Making sure she passed the pit again and saw no one. //Isn't early for lunch.// The bag on the table next to a notebook. //A notebook, so much potential.// Cautiously she approached the table, as soon as she touched it a voice called out. "Well maybe you're not as smart, as you think." Alex turned around to face a woman walking out of the shadows and hid her surprise quickly. Aki smiled //I'm glad to see I haven't lost the touch of reading people.// Alex regarded the women in front of her. //Shit it's the scary lady mechanic.// Alex quickly put the notebook down. "It's not what you think." Waving her hands.
"Is that so. Well stealing comes to mind, along with many other words that you are too young to hear. What pit crew are you with." Alex looked down at her clothes. //Come on, what's a good excuse.// "I'm only a assist mechanic, so I work with many pit crews."
"Care to back that up or should I add impersonation on to my list of words." Inwardly Aki was pleased that this girl could come up with a good excuse. "So why are you here." Alex was scared this wasn't going to be easy. "Well." Her eyes strayed to the track. ".I wanted to see this corner, with the increase sloped racers need to open the throttle longer."
Aki just watched. //Her theories are sound, and see has some idea of how a car works. But no mechanical experience.// Alex couldn't take the silence. "Well if were done chit chatting I'll be going." Backing up.
"Stop." Alex did what she was told; the tone of voice booked no argument. //Good let's see if she has the drive.// "I might be willing to forget this if you agree to my proposal."
"Can I think on this." Aki nodded and Alex paced moving closer to the door. "I wouldn't do that if I were you and besides aren't you suppose to consider it after I tell you what it is." Alex looked sheepish
"We can do this one of two was." Crossing her arms. She held out one finger. "First I can call the police, you can get arrested on those charges we talked about and you can get some quality time in jail." Alex paled, considerably. "I see you understand." "Second. You can work for me, you'll be paid at the end of the period, personal expenses included. I give you a car, place to live, well you're under my care." Alex's eyes were coming out of her head. The conditions on number two are unconditional no exceptions. So which shall it be."
Alex contemplated. //Wait first she corners me threaten to call the police and now she's giving me everything I could want. It's a trick, but I could agree and just skip out. I have the money. / "Oh if you're thinking of running out on me once agreeing, I'll toss this to the police." Aki holds up a tape recorder. "Which I have some pull with."
"You leave me with no other choice, do you."
"None at all, I aim to win. Do you accept."
"Not really but yes."
"Good. Tonight at this address and if you don't show up the tape goes to the police." Aki turned to leave. "Oh get a good nights sleep, you have school in the morning." "What no way. Hey I don't even know your name." Alex was little angry with the person walking away from her. Aki looked back over her shoulder. "Keiichi, Aki Keiichi." She left Alex stunned. "That was Aki Keiichi, I thought she was a guy!"