Debutant. Chapter 16. On the benefits of bad habits. Part 2

This novel is fictional; there is no need to look for intersections with historical events. This is a continuation of “Debutant” by Nikita Savelyev, the first readers of which were readers of F1News.ru…

Chapter 16. On the benefits of bad habits. Part two

Henry hurriedly escorted Emma to her room, said a quick goodbye, and hurried to find his rival. You could say he was lucky: Joseph had not yet gone to his room and had spent the time in the hotel’s smoking room playing bridge. Joining him at the table was Franusa, one of the two competitors in the battle for the cockpit that Henry had defeated, and a couple of dark-haired guys he’d glimpsed earlier in the paddock. He nodded to the players, asked the waiter for a glass of wine and plopped down on a nearby chair.

The idea was as simple as it was brilliant. Get Joseph drunk in any way possible. Judging from what Henry had heard about the famous partier, he was going to party until morning. Even if he doesn’t lose speed in the morning, in the eyes of Monetti’s management the driver’s unexpected bad luck before the decisive day is unlikely to win him any points. The task is strategically set; it still needs to be resolved tactically.

The easiest thing is to come up and offer them a drink. Experience told me: for people who have a real passion for alcohol, the most important thing is to knock back the first shot, and the rest will go smoothly. Henry took a closer look at the next table. It is clear that the game is played on a small scale, purely for fun. Francois effortlessly sips something strong and amber-colored from a glass, he has shown lately and clearly does not consider himself the favorite of tomorrow, not denying himself any momentary pleasure, the other two sip wine, and in front of Joseph-Giuseppe stands a tall glass with a clear liquid. Most likely soda. Henry caught the pilot’s jealous look as his neighbors collected their ships. Our hero of the night report perseveres. He might not be tempted by Henry’s offer. Moreover, there was no special friendship between them on the track. Competitors after all.

The example of Joseph’s friends did not inspire him, nor is it likely to convince Henry. Think. Think. You can tell from the players’ bored faces that they will soon get bored and go back to their rooms. From whose hands will Joseph accept a glass of alcohol without a twinge of conscience? Certainly! Woman! A simple conclusion was: a noble celebrant is not indifferent to the opposite sex. But where can you get someone like that? Preferably about fifteen minutes. The answer was found very quickly. The nomadic life has taught Henry that it is no problem to find such ladies right next to the hotel. Especially if there are a bunch of rich foreigners hanging around. Henry himself, however, disdained to resort to this kind of service, but this was for business, and not for himself.

The curious doorman of course knows everything, but Henry did not dare to go to him. The hotel is Monetti’s legacy, you never know, it will reach Senor Bruno, and he will prove to be a champion of morality. We won’t check it. Henry quickly ran through the simple public areas of the hotel – a small restaurant, a spacious hall, nothing like that. There are not many people, but they are all ladies with companions. Where did the moths hide? My instincts told me they had to be here.

Happiness happened to him on the street. Parked near the porch were a pair of brightly colored convertibles, their sides propped up by a group of young boys with unbearably cool looks. Open shirts, gold on their hands, dark glasses, despite the twilight, they turn car keys on their fingers, they talk lazily. Low level scammers are the same everywhere. What you need, if women are not burdened with morals and not with their profile, will in any case be asked. As long as they spoke English, but my instincts told me: in such a vibrant international place, local homegrown businessmen should at least know the common expressions.

Henry touched the elbow of the nearest:

– Old man, let’s go away for a moment. There is an issue.

The man seemed to understand, shrugged and they walked into the shade of tall bushes near the parking lot.

– Problems, señor?

“I’m looking for a way to spend the night with the beautiful signorina.”

“Amiko, if you have winches, this is good,” the man grinned. In America he would find it difficult to speak that kind of English, but he can understand it.

– Perfect.

– I whistle to Giacomo and decide together with him.

Ah, we have ambition. And even a step higher in the unknown hierarchy. Also fine.

– Wait, my friend needs the signorina.

– I should sneeze.

– But he can’t know that this signorina is mine and hmm… not free.

– You’re delusional?

– You see, I’m English.

– And I’m from Palermo. So?

– Have you heard that we British like all kinds of bets?

– Something like that…

– So my boyfriend is an exemplary family man. And with another friend we discussed whether he should be seduced away from home. Therefore, I do not need anything about the girl to reveal her profession, everything seems like a casual acquaintance and he does not suspect anything. To understand?

– Let’s assume.

“I have money, don’t worry,” Henry assured as he pulled a wad of bills from his jacket. – Winning a bet is a principle for me. That’s why I’m willing to cut everyone loose, starting with you, my friend.

In the eyes of the local Al Capone it was clear what idiots you are on your foggy island. Let it go. The whims of rich people are always treated with respect.

“And of course everything must remain secret,” Henry slipped a few larger banknotes into the breast pocket of his conversation partner’s shirt. He eagerly swallowed his saliva – he’s just a little boy, but he only allows himself to be fluffed.

-Are you a racer, dude? – asked the Italian.

– Certainly.

– Cars are not enough for you, so here you are…

There was clearly a strong word about to fall from his lips, but he held back, it would not do to offend a generous employer.

Henry understood: his unexpected friends, who had drawn a lucky ticket, took the opportunity and tried to get the most out of him. But there was nothing to do, and with a sigh he threw money at the fake Al Capone, the girls’ manager, Giacomo, and the fiery brunette Gabriella. He ended up paying the starters for the race in Italy, it turns out this money fed his native economy even if it wasn’t entirely legal.

Soon Henry was sitting comfortably in a chair and watched as Gabriella and her nameless friend, very boldly dressed and made up, but not at all vulgar, walked to the table where a lethargic card game was in progress. From his place, Henry did not hear the dialogue, but he assumed: there were terrible platitudes from the series – did not you and I taste wine at the jewelry exhibition in Milan? Not even a minute had passed before the girls sat down at the table, the cards were mercilessly pushed aside, and the waiter rushed as quickly as he could to get ice and champagne.

It is the professional racers who avoid the heat, but the attitude towards adventurers is different. Henry knew that popular pilots, without making the slightest effort, were spoiled by the attention of the opposite sex. Poor Rinaldo sighed every time he had many ladies at parties, and that, as luck would have it, he was happily married. Of course, Joseph and Francois cannot even be considered popular, but they will be even more flattered by such attention. You can guarantee that they will not suspect the trick, they will only think that the girls, inexperienced in methods, are looking for a profitable match. And then it’s Gabriella and her friend’s job to cover the costs generously, so that the alcohol flows like a river and the fun only disappears in the morning.

Henry watched for a moment longer, was satisfied that there was complete harmony between the gentlemen and their companions, and went to his room. The boys are up for a lot of fun, it’s enviable. The most dangerous competitor is therefore smaller. There is still the impressionable Lucas, well, we will try to deal with him on the track. Or? What if you try to swing the swing a little in the right direction? Let’s try to think about how to do this before going to bed.

== To be continued…