STARS & STRIPES
Dave Lempel returns home after his successful stint in the World Touring Car Championship.
While opportunities await for him, he feels that he has to tie up loose ends he left brought about his arrest. His true redemption begins.
TIMELINE: Set after the events of Neo, running alongside Iniziare.
NEW CHARACTERS: 1. Anthony Argyros Nationality: American Bio: Anthony Argyros hails from New York, coming from a close-knit family with Greek heritage. While he currently lives alone in an apartment in Queens, he does visit his family during holidays in the upstate. He has aspirations for racing, having started karting at the age of 10 but of course as a mere hobby of sorts until he began competing at the age of 15. Upon turning 20, Anthony began shifting interest to tinkering cars. He was involved in a few street racing activities until he got arrested by the cops. Despite that, that didn't deter his racing aspirations until he met Dave Lempel, a well-renowned tuner who wanted to build a racing team. Dave set Anthony right, completely abandoning street racing and relegated the latter's focus on the safer confines of the racing circuit. Anthony enjoyed this newfound path, even though their success on the track was moderate. However, the joy was cut short after Dave's arrest... and with that, his aspirations having gone down the drain.
Age: 26
2. Michael Hackett
Nationality: American
Age: 30
Bio: Michael "Mike" Hackett is one of the in-demand drivers in the USA. He began racing as soon as he got his driving license, competed in touring car races using his father's Mustang race cars. Because of his success, major sponsors took notice, until the newly-formed Red Bull Ford Racing took him in, and has since flourished under its umbrella.
3. Darren Christ
Nationality: American
Age: 25
Bio: Darren Christ is Mike Hackett's fellow driver in the newly-formed Red Bull Ford Racing team. He too, is blessed with technical knowledge and has further improved his driving skills. He looks up to his teammate, but aims to be one day take part in the big leagues of single seat racing series such as the Super Formula and Formula 1.
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Act 1 - Focus"Ladies and gentlemen, in a few moments, we are about to start our initial descent to the John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York. Please fasten your seatbelts when the seatbelt light sign is on and ensure your tray tables are stowed, and window shades raised as we prepare for our landing.
Once again, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude in choosing to fly Virgin Atlantic airlines. We will look forward in seeing you again in future flights."
Dave is awakened by the announcement. He is exhausted by the trip, having woken up early in the morning flying from Cologne, then having a stopover at Heathrow in London.
He makes his usual stretching routine. It didn't take long to finally make a touchdown at JFK airport.
An hour later, Dave settles at a hotel in Manhattan. Dave is from Los Angeles, and yet what is he doing in New York?
He gets his phone after putting down his luggage on the carpet. He calls the Neo Headquarters.
"Hey, Dave here. I just arrived in New York. Letting you know that I'm fine. I hope you're all doing well and don't worry, I'll be back immediately once I've done everything. I can't leave it like this." Dave says as he puts the message as voice mail.
He opens the curtains, and sees some droplets on the window. He takes off his jacket.
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The next day, Dave heads out of the hotel, and walks to the nearest subway station. Despite his recent success, no eyes are on him, which actually is a relief for Dave.
"I'm no F1 driver. That's fine." Dave mumbles to himself as he descends the steps leading to the subway.
He gets on the train heading to Queens. He pulls out a piece of paper, with a certain address written on it. He also looks at his smartphone, showing the directions to the said location.
Dave arrives at an apartment. It looks upmarket with big windows and balconies. He enters at the reception giving an impression of a hotel ambiance.
He goes to 10th floor, and upon arriving, he stops at room 1018. Dave double checks by looking at that paper again, and the room is indeed correct.
He rings the doorbell. The door opens after a few moments. The man who opened it is a young one, almost in the same age as Dave's. He fixes his hair, but then he faces Dave once more.
"Hey... Anthony." Dave said.
The man is named Anthony Argyros, and both seem to be familiar with each other. Anthony looks at Dave.
Then at a rather random moment, a fist lands on Dave's face with force powerful enough for Dave to almost lose balance. Anthony hyperventilates. Dave smirks.
"I deserve that." Dave said.
"You really do. You've got guts to come here. What? You just placed third in some touring car championship and then come to see me?" Anthony said.
"I just want to talk." Dave replied.
"Come in." Anthony said to Dave, as he leads him to the living area.
"Clean as ever." Dave said as he looks around the well-organized room.
"Better than prison." Anthony replied.
"Yeah, I agree." Dave said.
"I'm doing fine, if you're here to ask. And I'm having a nice desk job in some big company in Manhattan. But hey, Czarina donated some." Anthony said as he pours soda on a glass with ice.
"She kept her word." Dave said.
"Oh yeah? But what about you? Everyone just packed their bags and left. The police seized the assets. Customers had to get their cars back on the risk of being seized as well. The garage... empty. And so do my dreams." Anthony said, then he takes a sip.
"An apology isn't enough. I'm here to fix everything. I can't leave everything as is." Dave replied.
"Well, good luck. The crew no longer wants to associate with you. Can't hang out with a criminal, even if the law deems you clean." Anthony said.
"I'll do whatever I can. I still haven't forgotten my promise." Dave said.
"What? You're going to embezzle YOUR new team's funds? I'm out of this." Anthony replied.
"No. I'll do this clean. Just... give me a chance. Please. I can't go back to my team until I tie up all loose ends here. This is personal for me as well." Dave said.
"Well, if I said yes, will we still have a car to go off of? We're basically zero." Anthony said.
"Yes. In fact, it's the only one sitting in the garage in L.A. It was well-kept." Dave replied.
Anthony briefly drinks the contents of his drink, and places the glass with a little bit of force on the kitchen counter top. He looks up, then returns his gaze at Dave.
"Okay then... I'll... give it a shot. Again. Besides, I want to have a little shakedown of my newly tuned car tomorrow at The Glen. Figured I need some feedback." Anthony said.
"Nice. Good. Good. We'll do that." Dave replied.
"Just don't teach me about embezzlement. My parents value hard work." Anthony said.
"Can't let me hear the end of it, huh?" Dave said and he chuckles.
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The next day, Dave returns to Anthony's apartment at dawn. Then the two head to the parking lot. Anthony presents his Ford Focus RS.
"Nice. These things are common in Europe." Dave remarked.
"I want a daily driver and track toy but without the pain. So there." Anthony replied.
"Let's go. I'm eager to see if you still got it." Dave said.
"Oh I will show you." Anthony replied.
They leave as the sun rises. Watkins Glen is a 5-hour drive from The Big Apple.
They arrive at 10 in the morning. The pair make the initial checks such as the tire pressure and temperature of both oil and water.
Once everything is in order, they set off.
"Okay, warm up lap done. Now floor it." Dave ordered to Anthony.
The lightly modified hot hatchback tears up the straight, and then Anthony takes advantage of the new racing brakes he installed.
Though he braked rather late... too late.
The RS would plow on the first corner.
"You overdid it. I can hear lots of screeching." Dave remarked.
But then Anthony got the chicane right, hitting the apexes.
"Getting better." Dave said.
"I'm not that rusty, you know?" Anthony replied.
Doing another downshift, the exhaust overrun creates popping sounds as well. The RS tucks in decently on the inside.
A few more laps have dialed in, and then Dave instructs Anthony to go back to the pit lane.
"Okay, that was not bad. Although you still need more seat time. And perhaps, a sim." Dave said.
"Whoa... you're saying all of those now? Europe changed you a lot, I see." Anthony said.
"Gotta admit, yes. Neo is the team I aspired to have... until Czarina's father took it all away. It has everything. But the best part? Everyone there is supportive. Focused, yes, but still knows when to loosen up." Dave replied.
Dave clears his throat.
"The car has decent yaw, but if you do a bit of left foot braking, then that might improve. As a street car, ride is harsh as expected, but..." Dave said until Anthony cuts him off.
"I get it. No need to talk too much about it. Well, what's next?" Anthony asked.
"Los Angeles. You will reunite with the race car you wanted to drive all along. You even built it, right?" Dave replied.
There was a brief silence.
"Yes. I miss that." Anthony said.
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Two days later, the men left New York and make their way to LA via a plane. They arrive at sunset, and Dave secured a rental car for them to get around.
By 8 in the evening, they finally arrive at the Lempel Technologies garage.
Anthony looks around, and notices the void.
"I used to look endlessly at the customer cars here. It's like a pile. That space... it feels new." Anthony remarked.
Dave opens up the electronic garage door. It slowly rises, unveiling the racing car that Dave kept.
"You spent most of the time building this while I was competing with Czarina. We knew, since you were supposed in the paddock helping us, heh." Dave said.
"Yeah, sorry about that. I just love this thing." Anthony said.
"Don't worry, some of the sponsors contacted me. Their faith has been restored. We can go..." Dave said.
"But we don't have a crew." Anthony said.
"Yeah... that." Dave replied, scratching his head.
He breathes out a sigh... and then suddenly, as if on cue, a large trailer arrives, wheezing as it makes a stop. The two men turn their attention. Dave's eyes widened.
It's a familiar sight. Men in neon green uniforms get out of not just one, but two trailers. Equipment is being rolled out, creating noise in an otherwise peaceful evening.
Approaching the pair is none other than Abel Kern.
"So... did you leave without taking the crew with you? Come on, Dave. Be a little more professional." Abel says with a smile.
"I.... didn't know..." Dave said, still in surprise.
"My brother told me what happened. And he truly is a shepherd. He looks after all of his sheep. All of them." Abel said.
Anthony smiles in awe seeing the Neo crew pulling in the equipment.
"So, let's get to work. And these guys deserve extra pay this evening. My brother, being one heck of a businessman, wants to expand Neo's operations to the States. Dream Alliance once planned this but folded since Hiroyuki Hiramoto's death. He placed these during the time you were racing for us in Europe." Abel explained.
"Heh... I have no words to say. But... thanks. Thank you so much." Dave replied.
"You don't have to do everything all by yourself, David. Even redemption is a team effort." Abel said, extending his hand.
Dave shakes Abel's hand.
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Location: Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, CA
Time: 10 am, two days later
With Dave's plans now bolstered by Gerhard's backing, he can finally restart his dreams. And as for Anthony, he will give his racing career another shot.
The crew are in a large tent, waiting for whatever changes or feedback they need to hear.
Anthony is getting the grips of the car he once built.
The Challenger's supercharger whine can be heard echoing throughout the track.
"You Americans love your whiny superchargers." Abel said.
"And you love your dinky little snails." Dave replied.
"At least our dinky little snails make our equally tiny cars go faster than their size dictates." Abel said.
"Yeah, I find it unfathomable a Golf GTI can be as fast as a Mustang on a track. How'd you guys do it?" Dave asked.
In the car, Anthony is keeping the car in line.
"I know.. this isn't built for tracks like these. But I see potential." Anthony thought.
To meet regulations for the upcoming American Touring Car Championship, the Challenger's power output was reduced but weight has been shaved down to a considerable amount.
"Those Neo guys can turn this brick into a supercar. They're geniuses." Anthony muses.
Anthony's smile gets wider the more he spends time behind the helm.
They're off to a good start.
End of Act 1