Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Building a Team (1), Street Racer

It’s another late night, John and Jamar are walking down the street together as street cars fly by them on the road. Groupies and street punks can be seen watching from along the street as they move deeper into the block.

Several expensive sports cars are lined up next to each other as muscles, and tuners can be seen laying around as well. It’s a clash or mixture of different cultural and fashion styles, people stand around their rides drinking and talking to each other. Somewhat similar to an American Tailgate. There’s food trucks standing around, grills, tables.

“So? What do you think?” Jamar asks.

Looking around, John turns to Jamar who looks over.

“I don’t know.”

“Not what you expected, right? Most of these guys are sons and daughters of rich kids just blowing off steam, they don’t like it when they get in too much trouble.” Jamar points in the distance as a fully armed security group can be seen looking around.

“Then what the fuck are we doing here?”

“Relax, not everyone of them has a golden spoon. And besides, we’re going to need a getaway driver if shit goes down. But first, let’s grab something to eat. I’m starving. Haven’t had anything since the start of my shift. I’ll pay.” Jamar says, waving him off.

John groans.

“Ah, still have no idea where we’re going to find a Netrunner.”

“What about that kid from before?”

“What kid?”

“The one from the interview?”

John hesitates and Jamar and him seemingly walk towards a food truck as they wait in line for some food. A few of the people look over at them but nothing big.

“I don’t know… Kid’s special needs, what they told me.”

“So what? Didn’t you say he placed third in some CTF or something? Isn’t that something?”

John scratches his neck trying to think of a way of getting out of this topic.

“Yeah… But, I don’t know how he’ll do under pressure, worst comes to worst, he might end up dead.” John replies.

“Ah, no one’s ever going to be perfect. Sometimes it’s about taking a gamble.”

Reaching the front of the foot truck, Jamar looks up at the guy.

“What can I get ya?”

“Two orders of the super fresh bowl.”

“That’ll be ¥55.29”

“Jesus, that’s almost twice what it was the last time I came.”

“If you don’t like it, you can get out.”

Jamar whines.

“Alright. Alright. Here.” Jamar hands the truck owner.

The truck owner hands him his card and the two bowls that are filled with a strange fusion of asian and mexican food but still result with something palatable. Taking them, Jamar looks over at the tables.

“So, where’s this guy we’re looking for?” 

“I’ll talk about them later, for now, let’s just sit down and have a bowl.” Jamar says as he hands John one of the bowls while grabbing a few utensils and napkins for them to use.

“Can’t we just go over right now?”

“No, and besides they’re practicing right now from the looks of it, probably won’t be done for a while, so just sit down and relax.” Jamar continues.

They sit down at an empty table. As it turns faces.

“So anyways, give the kid a shot at least give him a call.”

“Alright.” John says, looking away.

Jamar stares at him.

“Do it right now, we’ve got the time. I want to see you do it.” Jamar says.

John sighs.

He takes out his phone.

“I don’t have his phone number on me.” John says as he looks over.

“I do.” Jamar says as he takes out his phone, throwing it over to John.

“What? Why?”

“Thought about it after we talked in the car that night and picked up his resume and saved his number. I thought it might come in handy one day.” Jamar says.

Looking at the number on the phone, John stares at it as he looks up at Jamar.

“Don’t be such a pussy.” Jamar says.

He presses call. The phone rings in his ears.

“Hello?” An awkward voice nervously says.

“Hi, is this Ben Smith?”

There’s a silent pause from the line as John looks over at Jamar as if asking why he made him do this as Jamar just shakes his head at him telling him not to hang up.

“Yes.”

“Great- I got a job I thought you’d be interested in, but I’m not sure if you’re the person I’m looking for. Pays well, is there a place we could meet tomorrow?”

“Yeah- Yeah- Sure. I’m available tomorrow.”

Jamar looks over as he eats from his bowl hearing bits and pieces.

“What’s he saying?”

“Great, is there somewhere you’d be comfortable meeting us?”

“Would 10th street along the boulevard work with you?”

“Sure, see you then.”

“Ok, bye.” The line hangs up.

John looks over at Jamar as he slides his phone back to him as he continues to eat his food.

“He said he’ll meet us at 10th street, ever been there before?”

Jamar thinks to himself.

“Yeah, it’s where a homeless camp is I think.”

“Well, this is going to be interesting, a netrunner without a home, think he even has access to the internet.” John asks, looking over.

“You have a phone don’t you, dumbass?”

“Fuck off. Where’s that guy that we’re looking for anyways?” John looks around the area as a few racers just getting done with their warmup get out of their rides as they walk over towards John and Jamar.

“Is it him?” John asks as the leader looks over at them.

“No, but he doesn’t seem too happy to see us.” Jamar comments.

“Hey! Assholes. What are you doing in our spot?” A lackey asks as John turns to Jamar.

“Ah, sorry. Didn’t know it was yours. Mind if we sit here for a while?” Jamar asks.

“Actually, I do. So move or I’ll get security to kick you guys out.” The Leader speaks out.

Jamar looks over at John as they get up.

“Ah, sorry about that.” Jamar says as he raises his arms. John looks over at the security guards who seem to not care at all, he looks over at Jamar and shakes his head.

“You see, I don’t really give a shit what you think. Just waiting on a friend.”

“I don’t think you understand who I am.” The Leader says.

John turns around and smiles at him.

“I don’t know, some rich asshole?” John says.

The Leader walks up to John as he stares him in the eyes. John just looks back blankly.

“Gonna kiss me?” John asks.

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Jamar starts to laugh.

“What happened to calling security? Or is it that you can’t actually do that? Wonder what else isn’t true. Tell us, who’s your daddy?” John mocks.

One of the lackeys grabs onto the Leader.

“Come on man, it isn’t worth it. You’re already in trouble with your dad.”

The Leader walks away.

“Hoh, looks like his dad is somebody.”

“Yeah, but he’s a nobody.” John says as he laughs.

More and more cars gradually come back as the block begins to get more crowded. John looks over at Jamar who looks around the area as his eyes stop on somebody.

“She’s here.”

“So it’s a she?” John asks.

“Shut the fuck up.” Jamar whispers as a female racer makes her way over.

“How’d you meet her? Heh, I bet you have a thing for her don’t you?”

The racer walks up behind John.

“Is she hot?”

Jamar looks up and down repeatedly at the racer and John.

“She’s behind me isn’t she?”

The racer takes a seat next to John.

“Hey there.” the racer says as she takes off her helmet putting it on the table.

“Ah, you fucking asshole, you could have said something.”

The racer begins to laugh.

“John, meet Rachel, Rachel meet John.”

John looks over at Rachel, she’s a woman in her late 20s or early 30s, Asian American.

“Nice to meet you.” Rachel says.

From another table, a familiar voice shouts at them, it’s the leader.

“Hey, Rachel. Your friends are huge assholes.”

She looks over.

“They’re not my friends.” She replies.

“So, what can I do for you Jamar?” Rachel says looking back at him.

“Need a driver and you’re the best I know.”

“Aw, how sweet. Didn’t know you were in this kind of business, thought it was about serving the community. Anyways, how much are we talking here, 10, 20, 50g?”

Jamar scoffs.

“Too high?” Rachel says. 

“You think I’d rip you off?” Jamar says.

“Well, you aren’t the guy who I usually see, I’ll tell you what. I’ll give you a friend's discount if you tell me what this is really about. Maybe I can help you out.” Rachel says.

“I thought we weren’t friends.” John says.

Rachel just looks at him.

“Sorry.” John says awkwardly.

“Don’t worry, the money’s all there, just know if you can do it.”

“Of course I can.”

“It’s on New Year’s Eve.”

She pauses.

“When?”

“Late.”

She shakes her head.

“Sorry, it’s the night of the big leagues, got practice and everything, you know I can’t. If that’s everything-” Rachel begins to get up as John grabs her by the shoulder.

“Wait-”

Rachel glares at John.

“Don’t touch me.” Rachel says.

Jamar cringes as John looks over at him confused. He let’s go.

“Alright, alright. Sorry about that. It’s just you didn’t let us finish. We can make it worth your while. We’ll cut you in 25%. That good enough for you?” John says.

Rachel looks over at Jamar who gives her a look.

“Maybe, can we talk over the phone? Got another practice run I want to get done by tonight.”

“Sure that works.” Jamar says as he nods.

“Maybe a meeting somewhere else later?” John asks.

“Don’t push your luck.”

Rachel walks away as Jamar facepalms.

“What was that?” Jamar asks.

“What?” John responds confusedly as he looks over at him.

“Don’t touch people, especially women you don’t know.” Jamar says as he sighs.

“Think I fucked up?” John asks.

“Yeah.” Jamar responds.

Around them, they’ve become the center of attention as Jamar gets up. John looks over at him as he follows him.

 

---

 

“You finished with your break already?”

“Yeah, I wasn't hungry.”

“That’s not good, at least eat something, I think there’s a bar in the car.”

Walking towards a custom tuned sports car, Rachel looks over at her brother who’s busy working on the car engine.

“Is it ready for another run?”

“Nah, not yet. Maintenance is going to take a while. Who were those guys you were talking to? One of them looks familiar.” Her brother asks her.

“It was Jamar. Said he had a job for me.”

“Jamar? No shit. I thought he was clean.”

“So did I.” Rachel responds.

“Guess the times really are changing.” He comments.

Taking a bar out from the car, Rachel opens it up as she leans against the car.

“Yeah.”

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