Chapter 6 Rally and The New Guy
In the morning, Rally prepares for the race. Mr. Wang seems extremely cheerful this morning. Either due to the race or his very early morning breakfast with the doctor.
"Gentlemen, start your engines!" called the announcer.
Rally returns her attention to the race and revs her engine. Man, does she love the sound of power. As she waits for the green flag, she glances to her left at the competition. A man much older then she sits waiting. He looks very serious. However, to her right is a young man, no older than 22. He has a strong profile, but a smile on his face. He can't wait to start the race. Then he turns and faces Rally. He smiles and holds up a sign.
"Suck my exhaust pipe." reads Rally.
"GO!" shouted the announcer.
The green flag is dropped. Rally blinked and stepped on the gas.
"Why that sneaky, little…rat." thought Rally.
Determined to catch up the other boy, she rides close to the inside track. Then suddenly, she passes on the outside and pulls ahead. The boy is surprised. It's not often that he has a challenge. So he decides to have some fun. He bumps Rally's car from behind. Rally looks in the rear view mirror and sees only the Boy's smiling face.
"So you want to play tag, huh." smiled Rally.
The boy and Rally are evenly matched. Both are great drivers, Dangerous Drivers. Zigzagging in and out of the other cars, Rally and the boy play auto tag. Chasing each other around the track. By accident or intention, they succeed in knocking five other cars out of the race. Sometimes Rally is ahead and sometimes the boy is ahead. Neither is willing to give the other an inch. Rally is impressed with him, whoever he is; only Bean has ever beaten her at this game.
Suddenly the boy hits Rally's rear end hard. Rally tries to shake him but can't. The boy speeds up, trying to push Rally off the track. Rally quickly spins 180 degrees and places her engine to his engine. Driving in reverse, Rally flips the boy off with her middle finger and crosses the finish line. Rally raises an eyebrow, as the boy smiles and nods in acknowledgement of her skill.
The boy pulls up right beside Rally's car and jumps out to greet her.
"That was some great driving. I'm going to enjoy racing against you." he said, holding out his hand.
"So you want a rematch already. Don't you want to practice some more first." Taunted Rally, shaking his hand.
"What the hell was that!" shouted Mr. Wang, crossing the track to check on his car.
"That was a lot of fun." Replies the boy.
"That was reckless! You could have destroyed my new car!" shouted Mr. Wang.
"Yes, but the good news is that your driver is fine. He's not hurt or anything. Thanks for asking about him. You find that he cares more for his cars than his drivers." Explains the boy to Rally.
"Speaking of which, I'm Michael Wong." Said the boy.
"Ral-Roger Rosemont. Did you say Wong?"
"Yeah, I'm his son." said Michael.
"You're a pain in the ass." corrects Mr. Wang.
"I love you too, dad." teased Michael.
"Don't mind Dad Roger, he's just pissed because one day he has to die and this will all be mine." leered Michael.
"HA!" retorts Mr. Wang, leaving to collect the prize money.
"Someday he's going to say it." growled Michael.
"Say What?" asked Rally.
"That I'm his son." said Michael.
"He doesn't call you son?" questioned Rally.
"He doesn't call me anything. He never praises me, acknowledges me, or even loves me. I don't exist to him. I remember everything was fine until I turned fourteen. Then for some reason he turned on me. He hated the fact that I wanted to race cars not run a business." explained Michael.
"At least he talks to you." said Rally.
"We don't talk. We argue." corrected Michael.
"At least your father is alive and you can see him. Mine…I lost my father a long time ago. I would give anything to see him." reminisced Rally.
"Hey! How about a drink?" encouraged Michael, with a slap on Roger's back.
"Naw, I've got to fix the car if I want to keep a job." declained Rally.
"No worries, bring it to my shop. Socket and I will show you how to get her really moving." smiled Michael.
Rally2 puts on her jacket and sunglasses.
"Where are you going now Rally? Asked May.
"Out." snapped Rally2.
"Out where?" asked May.
"Out of town." replied Rally2.
"O good, a vacation! I'll go with you." Pronounces May in mock excitement.
"Oh, no your not." Says Rally2, and without warning Rally2 turns on May and decks her with a hard left.
Rally2 places May on the bed and ties her to it. Then she jumps into her Cobra and leaves.
Becky sits in her room on her computer surfing through Mr. Wang's files. After hours of surfing, she yawns, stretches and looks at the clock. It says 1:30 am. On Becky's desk lays a file of copies letters, memos, and bills of sale. She can't quite lay her finger on it, but each sale is unique. Something about each part sold separately, harmless; but each part put together to make a whole is dangerous.
Suddenly, something flashes on the screen. Mr. Wang is receiving a call from Tiger Labs. Becky's fingers fly over the keys and she hacks into Tiger labs. The Screen flashes a name Doctor Amanda Deiago.
"Wow." Says Becky, in awe of all the technical data that flies by on her screen. Really HI-TECH Lab stuff, DNA patterns, and personal profiles.
"Oh, my God. Rally." Whispers Becky, as she views the Bio-data. "Rally2 is not an actor, she's a clone."
"Naughty, Naughty. It's not nice to read other peoples mail. It's a federal offence. However, fair is fair." Says the female voice over her computer.
Becky tries to disconnect the linkup, but she can't. The Doctor is using her own linkup to trace back to her. Suddenly, Becky's computer starts erasing file after file. Becky's fingers move faster and faster, she'll lose everything, if she doesn't break the connection.
Finally in desperation, Becky yanks the plug from the wall; her screen goes blank. Becky looks at the files she still has. Separate contractors, but one EMP pulse weapon when it's done. Cloning humans banned by law and science; but still achieved. She has enough to go the cops, but will they believe her.
Michael and Rally head over to Michael's garage.
"Broken Down? That's the name of your garage?" asked Rally, laughing.
"At least it's a name that people remember." smiled Michael. "Come on in."
Michael leads her inside and shows her the shop.
"It's mostly other people's cars. It's modest work, but I like it. My father wants me to go to college and get a degree in business and follow him. I don't want to follow him." explained Michael. "Oh Yeah, you've got to see this. It's a 1961 XK-E Jag Roadster. I'm going to restore her."
"Wow. That was a beautiful car." beamed Rally. "I can't wait to see her when you're done."
"Won't have to." smiled Michael. "I want you to help me fix her."
"I can't Michael, I have a job." protested Rally.
"Call me Mike." said Michael.
All of a sudden, Rally is hit from behind.
"What the hell!" swore Rally, rubbing her sore head.
"Socket, stop that. Come here now." Ordered Michael.
Rally looked up and a small spider monkey sat on Michael's shoulder.
"Sorry about that. She never acts like this. Socket this is Roger."
Michael brings the monkey closer to Rally, but again the monkey attacks Rally. Michael backs away.
"Socket what's the matter with you. I've never seen you attack boys before. Unless…"
"Who are you?" asks Mike.
"What do you mean?" inquires Rally, taking a step back.
"Socket doesn't like you." said Michael. "That means you are a girl."
"A monkey told you that I was a girl? Time to get a new monkey." Jokes Rally, trying to play it off.
"Let's say you are a girl." reasons Michael. "Why are you trying to pretend you a boy?"
"I think it's time I went home." Said Rally, putting on her jacket.
"Rally Vincent. You're Rally Vincent!" announced Michael with pride.
"She's dead." said Rally.
"You're fast and dangerous behind the wheel. You came to work two days after Rally's "death" and Socket doesn't like you." deduced Michael.
Socket keeps chattering as Mike locks her in his room. Then he returns to Rally.
"Socket doesn't like you, but I do." said Michael.
And without warning, Michael takes Rally in his arms and kisses her. At first, Rally is taken aback. But as the kiss endures, Rally begins to feel warm...and loved. Slowly, she allows herself to be drawn in as she relaxes in his arms. And all too soon, she too returns his kiss.