Debutant. Chapter 19. The longest weekend. 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 19. The longest weekend. Part two

From the town where they stopped briefly, they drove to the race track in no time. There were already a lot of cars on the highway, and in some places there were checkpoints with officers, where they sometimes stopped travelers, checked their documents, and some even had their trunks searched, but thanks to the pass on the windshield, no one touched them. This is what this country is like: wherever you poke it, you are bound to encounter police. But Osvaldo has not been able to return to his homeland for ten years – it is better that, than to please his agents, they will certainly not hold a ceremony.

The circuit reminded Osvaldo of the place where he spent his childhood: very noisy, not very clean and crowds of people everywhere. Henry felt like a fish in water here, he deftly separated people, continuously greeted someone, shook hands, clapped on the shoulder and even exchanged a few sentences. Osvaldo looked around vigilantly and followed him, without lagging even a step behind. When they finally reached a series of garages and found the garage where the American’s current team was based, things got easier.

Henry quickly introduced his companion and went about his business, while Osvaldo selected a position for himself on a pile of wheels. The mechanics looked at him suspiciously at first, but soon stopped paying attention. Except Osvaldo was a little worried about their most important one. Mr. Anthony Quincey: You can immediately tell from his face that he is an aristocrat. Jacket and tie to match the socks. Farewell – hair to hair. And the speech is so smooth. Uhm. Well, if Osvaldo starts asking questions, that drake might even know Spanish. But so far everything has worked out – Mr. Quincey was running around the garage, dealing with his problems.

From the outside it may have looked like Osvaldo was dozing, but he wasn’t – it was all a rumor: what if Henry blurts too much to his friends when he wants to get out of a deal with the boss – now is the time. It just so happens that it’s not so easy to strain your ears: the engines were growling around every now and then – the damn cars were slowly moving onto the highway. Who would have thought that such a small punt would roar like an elephant? The boss liked that. How nice it was when they were transporting everything. Everything is simple and clear: today you drive to the other end of the state, tomorrow you soothe the boring, and the day after tomorrow you run from the police. Although that’s why he’s the boss. Thinking is his business.

Soon it was Henry’s turn to take the wheel. Osvaldo immediately walked to the line dividing the path past the garages and the highway. He decided not to slack off even here, in case the Yankee had an accident. It will be a shame. The boss said it’s common for racers to give up somewhere on the sidewalk. Of course, wildness is not a sport. If the little bastard gets lost, he’ll at least call for help. On average, a Yankee flew by every minute and a half. At first it was difficult to recognize him – almost all green cars had the same face and the drivers’ faces were covered with wide glasses, but then Osvaldo got involved. And I’ve even looked into what the difference is between the cars – surprisingly, they only look alike at first glance.

Towards noon there was a sensitive rumbling in the abdomen, and this shell continued to rotate in endless circles. He came back briefly, whispered to his own people about some ground clearance, pressure and angles and jumped behind the wheel again. Finally the bastard calmed down. They had lunch there without any hassle – the mechanics brought a bunch of steaming hot dogs and a thermos of tea, which they distributed to everyone present in the garage. Osvaldo happily sank his teeth into the hot roll, but for some reason the Yankee refused. But in vain – tasty food, especially on an empty stomach. Osvaldo also swallowed Henry’s portion. Since childhood, he has become accustomed to eating enough, otherwise who knows when the next time will be.

Soon, a short, dark-haired man stumbled into the garage; if it weren’t for the overalls, he would have looked like a lowly pizza seller in Manhattan; he immediately connected with Henry. And Osvaldo pricked up his ears.

“I really didn’t expect you to go to Volusha instead of me,” the Italian drawled. – At least look you in the eye.

“Carlo, I didn’t leave you behind, I got the spot fairly,” Henry said defiantly.

“I guess so,” grumbled the pasta maker. “But from the old man’s side, it seems like a mockery.”

– It was not easy to face the competition.

– At least wipe the noses of the prototypes, let them know ours.

– Believe me, I won’t let the team down.

– I do not give a hoot. Maybe soon this won’t be my team anymore.

– Come on, Carlo. Who, if not you?! Mario isn’t going anywhere.

– I can do it without your comfort. You all sleep and see how you can take my place! – shouted the Italian angrily.

“No offense, but it’s a natural desire,” Henry said, embarrassed, but with a cheeky smile on his face. His face somehow reminded Osvaldo of the cunning face of a skunk.

“And you’ve gotten bolder,” Cedric chuckled, looking around at the Yankees. – You’re almost unrecognizable. Is that why the scarlet car has such an effect on the brain? And about the manager: is this true?!

– The purest. You only focus on racing, and someone else takes care of all your financial and personal affairs. – Henry turned to Osvaldo and winked at him. – Try it, you might like it!

“You should introduce me or something,” Cedric hesitated.

Osvaldo stretched anxiously on the pile of wheels – this was not enough.

– He doesn’t speak English. This is an assistant. And the main deal will be later, when we agree.

“I understand,” Cedric lowered his voice. – He doesn’t look much like a manager, or even an assistant.

-Have you seen many? The same.

When the Italian finally messed up, Henry began to wipe the sweat from his brow – it seems that the lie was not easy for him. Even at Osvaldo’s glare, he responded with a pitiful smile. Soon a few more racers showed up in the garages. One is lanky and cheerful, and the second is calmer and has a strangely twitching face. Everyone was interested in Osvaldo. I had to put the friendliest smile on my face. We need to tell the bastard to keep all newcomers away until a smart guy with knowledge of Spanish shows up.

Then the Yankee leaned to the far edge and watched the passing cars for a long time. What did he find there? Even one of the mechanics tried to pull him back, but the bastard just waved him away. About twenty minutes later, it seemed, he himself realized that it was time to go for a ride, he abruptly rushed into the garage, whispered with the mechanic, jumped into his funny car – a pure toy, and drove away. Once again Osvaldo took his post at the edge of the track. Now he easily recognized Henry every round. How much can he swing in one swing? Three circles. Five. Seven. Eight. No, it’s not Henry! Another car. Where is he?! Osvaldo frowned. He didn’t even look at his watch, but his instincts told him that a good minute and a half had passed and the skunk still hadn’t appeared. Osvaldo stared at the dial. Another minute and a half. Where did you go?! Osvaldo cast a concerned look into the depths of the garage; the mechanics were sorting through their racing junk as if nothing had happened. To get their attention, or what? Did the little bastard manage to get into trouble?

Here he is. Rolls slowly. Osvaldo never thought Henry would be so happy. If he was suffering seriously, the boss wouldn’t pat him on the head. Whether Osvaldo is guilty or not is another matter. Still a failure. Eventually the mechanics noticed something was wrong and ran to the car. Osvaldo also realized that the front wheel had a gaping bald spot.

“In the loop after the straight I fell into the gravel and struggled to get out,” Henry explained as he took off his glasses. Rozha is confused. “Yes, I’m doing well, but the steering seems to be very bad.”

Henry looked at Osvaldo and shrugged guiltily. He turned away angrily – he had to worry about the bastard in vain.

After another hour and a half, all Osvaldo’s suffering came to an end. We’re done with cars for the day. Henry said he was in the twelfth fastest time, but that doesn’t mean much, tomorrow is the main training. Osvaldo to one place. If only that bastard went to the starting line and did as he was told. And then he and the boss will make some serious money. Usually, of course, that is the boss. But Osvaldo doesn’t need much. The important thing is that he completed the task.

“That’s all for today,” Henry chattered, putting his helmet and gloves in his bag. “Osvaldo, aren’t you tired?” Not frozen? And it’s really fresh. Well, we hadn’t thought about going for a ride in November. In Mexico I think it will be warmer. Are you going there for the last race?

The annoying skunk, without suspecting it, stepped on the painful callus and Osvaldo growled:

– In the car!

– Do you want to go to the hotel? But my team has reserved a table at a restaurant, I have no choice but to go. It would be rude. And what will they think of me? This is my first race for them.

-Hotel. Do not talk.

– Why are you so boring, Osvaldo? Manuel told me to behave naturally, and refusing an evening with the team is very strange for a racer. How will I explain this to them?

“If you lie, you will succeed,” Osvaldo snarled, and with a sigh he imagined his mighty fist going straight into the bastard’s jaw.

– But let’s go to the hotel bar? At least we have a normal dinner.

This was still not enough, the hotel is full of people associated with racing, it is impossible to let a dodgy skunk in there – you never know.

– Let’s go to the gas station for dinner.

– What do you mean, Osvaldo?! The boys will think I got a star, just like I got Monetti’s overalls. I don’t want to get to know them. What are you doing with my reputation?

What else will happen to her if you knock out the best racer – Osvaldo thought vengefully and pushed Henry towards the exit with his fist.

== To be continued…