Today, I went out of my way to buy myself a Cars Origins novel. The novels contain some spoilers to the film, but they also give readers a novelty amount of backstory on each– Cruz, Lightning, and Jackson.

I walked in the scorching sun for a few kilometres just to obtain 'Cars Origins : Storm Chasing' from Chapters. (You can also get it on Amazon for the same price). I felt Brian Fee did a horrible job bringing out who Jackson was, and what his personality traits embodied. This novel– it did it! A great read, although still quite vague about Storm's past, it shed some light on who he is, how he rolls (no pun-intended), along with his crew chief. If your a fan of Jackson, I recommend the read! Thanks to Dave Keane (author of the Cars Origins novels).

Chapter 3 : 'Here They Come'

The hall was long, and Melise knew that, but she didn't realize just how long it was. A single window panel stretched the length from her suite, to how far she had moved, several meters down the hall– a 2-minute cruise down the corridor... still another several meters of suites. Each door draped adorned with a mosaic panel that reflected arrays of hues amongst the halls, bringing life to the white-cloud colored walls.

As she drove along– no destination in mind– Melise guessed each racer, or teams, based on the gifts left outside the doors. They must've been left there by eager fans working here, at the hotel.

"Who's... ", She trailed off, inspecting the door innocently. It was a racer, surely, his fans had left a basket of gifts. Melise couldn't figure who the racer was, all she saw was a series of souvenir flags, tinted in a purple scheme. A few letters, a coupon for the hotel's lounge and bar that all the teams received, and some headlight stickers with the number '19' engraved, and 'Octane Gain' on them.

"This is what happens when you live under a rock I guess," Melise murmured to herself, realizing the suite belonged to Bobby Swift, a novelty Piston Cup champion along-side Lightning McQueen, and Cal, the Dinoco racer.

"You don't even know the legendary ones... I don't deserve this job." Her ambient voice reverbed down the halls as she spoke. Melise would never admit it to anyone, but the echoes made her feel powerful, like a goddess of the all the oil on her job.

A series of yodeling echoing though the halls snapped Melise from her trance, she turned to see, Shannon Spokes, the Racing Sport's Network reporter, well known among racers and crew alike, cheerfully grinning at her a few meters away down the hall.

Shannon had her tire pressed against her suite door, holding it open, just a few doors from Melise's room.

Melise– true to her friendly nature, smiled back, as Shannon approached.

"Hey, did you get your coupons for the diner downstairs yet?" the brown car asked, her voice sounding confident and cool, the same way she did on the Racing Network.

"Uhm, no," Melise answered, shyly, honestly. "Do I need one?"

"Well, as honored staff working for the Series, not really," Shannon replied, her eyes scanning over the natural blushy cheeks on the convertible's innocent front end.

"But if you're going to hang out with me tonight for dinner, yes!" Shannon chuckled, rolling the coupon from her tire to Melise's. The young convertible smiled sheepishly as she tucked the coupon under her fender.

"Hi, I'm Melise, just an– uhmuh, oil runner, heh." Melise stuttered, her voice its usual sweet, and traquil tone. She squeezed her eyes shut whilst smiling, and shaking tires with Shannon.

Shannon knew she had to be quite young, maybe teens, but the minimum working age for the PCS was 18 years old. Melise looked like an adorable young woman, the kind that looked cute no matter what she did.

Besides being a little Honda, Melise's paint job was a lovely, hue of a faded peach. Any car could tell it was a natural color to her, as the color faded with her blush to make a rosy-gold hood on the convertible. Shannon remembered seeing that her coat appeared an almost salmon shimmery pink in direct sunlight, with a turquoise tinge reflected around her windows. The metal around her cheeks defined by a rosy blush– a tad darker than her metal.

Those rosy cheeks never seemed to fade away. Big brown doe eyes filled her windshield, with plump lips to match above her bumper. She was like a dollywagon.

In the dark of yesterday evening when she arrived, the girl's manager briefed Shannon about making Melise feel comfortable among the burly racers. She was new after all.

What surprised Shannon most, was that Melise was quite clueless about racing. She had spent a few seconds examining the convertible, as she glanced at a few suites decorated with sponsors and numbers. Needless to say Shannon could see the naïve, but interested expressions spreading across Melise's front end. She didn't know skid about racing, but she was still hopeful. There was room in Shannon's heart for an idealistic car like Melise.

"Cruise and converse?" Shannon asked, as she already made her way rolling towards the suites in the direction Melise had driven from. Melise followed, catching up to Shannon's side.

"So," Shannon began, "what's a girl as delicate as you doing with a job like this? An oil runner?"

"Well, I'm hoping to begin University soon, and the opportunity sounded adventurous."

Shannon smiled as she listened.

"I just didn't think the Piston Cup officials would call me back." Melise replied, true to her thoughts. She wasn't some vehicle in this event.

"You know, Melise," Shannon braked outside a suite, barren of any decorations or fan garb, "In my last 3 years working for the RSN alongside the Piston Cup Racing Series– I've gotta say, you're very different from our previous oil runners."

"How so?" Melise inquired, glancing across the hall, noticing her room a few doors from the one they had stopped at.

"Every oil runner we get is an impressionable little boy. They always want to get autographs, pictures with the racers, and show off– as if they are some vehicle important."

Shannon pulled a unique colored piece of laminated paper out. Donned on the black sheet of paper– a stark contrast to the walls– a vivid deep blue font. She began attaching it to the suite door with some tape stuck to the her rims, signifying that team would be racer here.

Melise read the sponsor name aloud, "Ign-er... no– Igniter, Liquid Adrenaline."

"Yeah, he's one of the new rookies coming to the Series, Jackson Storm is his name," Shannon explained.

Melise stared at the sponsor, imagining the new racer must be nervous to be racing seasoned veterans.

"With a name like Jackson Storm, he sounds like a winner."

She turned to Shannon as she said the last few words, making a circle around to face the way they had come from.

Shannon simply chuckled.

"Many rookies haven't earned their place in the top three leaders of the pack. This guy will have to beat Cal Weathers, Bobby Swift, and Lightning McQueen, good luck pulling that off."

Melise thought about the racing veterans. She knew 'The King' had retired about 11 years ago when she was just a little car. Lightning was a rookie then, and she had heard some broadcasts of his talents on the television from the kitchen, whilst she was painting with her tires in the backyard. Her father loved to watch the Racing Sports Network, and he was also a big fan of McQueen.

Eleven years had passed, and McQueen was still a champion? That was true talent to her, Melise planned to see if she could get an autograph from him. Then wish all good luck on the track, especially the rookie, she would cheer for him, it was good sportsmanship.

"I guess, but I think if he's made it this far... " Melise continued, trailing off, trying to find the words.

"Lets go get something to eat," Shannon giggled, ignoring the IGNTR racer. She began leading the way to the diner. Melise smiled and followed her towards the ramp. It was good to have a friend to talk to.

The sky blue paint of the renowned Dinoco company was still recognizable in the darkening day. As nightfall rolled in, two trucks idled tire-by-tire outside of the hotel, arriving about half an hour ago.

"I tell you, Rex," the red 'Mack' truck stretched his axles, "I'm betting the 'ol nephew, Weathers, is gonna win the cup."

"Huh, well I'm rooting for your boss-man, Lightning McQueen. I think he's got it this time." Rex replied as Mack sipped some fizzy gasoline from his can, listening.

"Hey, I'm no goof, Rex," Mack chuckled, "Just considering the runner-ups, and my pal right next to me."

"So you, Cal. Me, Lightning", Rex said.

Mack nodded once,

"Yup, and whoever doesn't win, takes a cold blast at the Truck Stop, how's that sound?"

Rex scoffed nervously, "Heh, y-yeah right, pfft." He rolled his eyes, trying to mask the fright.

Mack glanced over, "It's really cold, like those winters hauling through Michigan, and those jets–"

"McQueen's got this..." Rex muttered, not wanting to hear anymore about those loud jets spraying water colder than a Chick Hick's soul.

"Mack!" A familiar voice mused as the revving of an engine approached. Despite themselves, both trucks jumped.

"Who's there!?" Mack hollered, his eyes darted to his left side, as the headlights of Lightning McQueen illuminated the racer's front end, revealing his perfect smile. McQueen made a U-turn to face the two trucks, behind him, his pal, Mater, who idled next to Mack, giggling at the recent display.

Dad-gum, we scared ya?" Mater snickered, "Frank's gonna make you jump outta y'er body when we go tractor tippin' if it that easy"

"Yeah, not gonna happen" Mack said simply, remembering Mater made the request months ago. Had anyone else answered that bluntly, it would've sounded rude, but Mack had a natural friendly desposition.

"We're going to dinner," Lightning said, "Sally and the others are already inside. You should come, Rex you too."

"Ah, I'll finish this can first, then I'll join ya, alright?"

Mack replied, giving McQueen a warm smile.

"Alright," Lightning replied, he looked to Rex, "I'll see you guys later... Oh! And Mack, don't forget to hide those roses behind the tires in my trailer," Lightning reversed slightly then rolled forward slowly, his mouth curling into a grin.

"They're for–"

"Miss Sally..." Mater interrupted Lightning, drawling out Sally's name as if she were a beautiful pistachio ice cream cone.

"Yeah... for Sal. It's almost our anniversary" Lightning said, "Mater helped to pick them out."

"The fresh-est daisies Wal-Mart had," Mater said, Lightning's face was suddenly agitated with a tinge of confusion.

"Mater? Flowers from Wal-Mart? I told you to go the the florist–"

"Miss Sally's gonna love 'em," Mater said in a dreamy tone.

"Or at least pick them from Ornament Valley!"

Rex and Mack exchanged glances, then began laughing at the two cars.

Lightning's face wore an accepting annoyed expression, the one common when hearing one of Mater's antics. His blue eyes turned to Mack, We'll save you a spot at the table." he muttered.

McQueen's engine revved as he accelerated at a moderate speed away, Mater followed suite, still rambling.

"and they was havin' a sale on marshmallows, and I saw those there red daisies, and they reminded me of you..."

"Roses, Mater! They're roses!"

The voices faded away with the tow-truck's laughter filling the air in the distance.

Before Rex could admonish about how it would be if Cal were here listening to the two bicker, another engine and bright headlights reflected off the Dinoco truck's eyes.

"Too bright!" Mack said through clenched teeth, he squinted along with Rex. The black truck's headlights dimmed abruptly, as her voice came in with her turn.

"Sorry about that," Gale said, as she glanced at the two trucks adjacent to her passing position, "it's dark out here." She drove past the two, the trailer displaying an array of blue neon lighting, the bold 'IGNTR' logo, and an innovative number 20, showcased as 2.0.

Mack and Rex stared at the new-age.

"Must be the rookie Bobby mentioned." Rex said after a moment. The blue neon lights still resonating in his vision.

"Well, what's his name?" Mack asked, blinking a few times.

"Don't know," Rex replied simply.

"If he was all big and fast, we would've heard about him, I heard nothing. Just another rook." Rex said, stretching his axles.

"Just another racer."

Chapter 3 finished! I hope you're enjoying the mixture of interactions between characters.

I'm trying to update each day or every other day. Hope you continue to read, it'll get more interesting as we move forward. Have a great day!