Saving Face

Chapter One: Face Value

With a rattle and a bang, the restraining gate dropped away and released four modified go-karts. Marilyn cheered as gravity dragged her kart down the ramp and onto the road in a smooth acceleration toward the first of many curves in the steep, winding two mile track.

Marilyn's young boyfriend Bill somehow managed to pull ahead, followed close behind by long-time friends, Walter and Gladys. The couple rode close together, laughing and looking spectacular. Walter's chiseled good looks and gymnast physique drew every eye not already glued to Gladys' beautiful oval face or her waist-length, silky black hair that blew behind her like a sable cape. They looked fantastic, as they should. Marilyn knew exactly how much they'd paid for those looks.

Marilyn grinned as she followed the others around the first turn in her kart that was little more than a seat on wheels with a plastic body, steering wheel, and brakes. Gravity did the work of the engine on the steep track, dragging them forward, faster and faster until they barreled down the slope at reckless speed.

Dense forest of oak and maple lined both sides of the mountain track, their summer foliage forming a vivid green corridor through which the group raced. The warm breeze against her skin felt delicious, and Marilyn grinned wider at the long-forgotten sensation. It felt great to be outdoors and active again.

In the second curve, Marilyn's kart skidded in some loose sand, sending a thrill of fear rippling through her. She hadn't done anything so wild since she was a foolish girl.

I'm acting like an old lady, she chided herself and forced the worries away. I need to act my appearance, not my age.

She spared a glance down at her recently acquired figure and drew confidence from its youthful strength. Described as 'The All-American Girl', she had perfectly proportioned curves and light brown hair that fell in bouncy waves past her shoulders when not crushed down by the racing helmet.

The men pulled ahead and skidded around the third curve with loud whoops. Gladys tried to follow, but over-steered and nearly lost control. She braked hard and barely avoided plowing into the safety rail.

Marilyn took the curve more slowly and called out, "Are you all right?"

"Of course," Gladys laughed. "You worry too much. You know I can't get permanently damaged."

"Just don't die."

"You're such an old maid. Enjoy the youth you've been given."

"I wasn't given anything. This youth cost a fortune."

"So enjoy it!"

Gladys took the next curve without slowing. Marilyn followed close behind, repeating Gladys' words in her mind, trying to ignore the cautionary voice of experience telling her to slow down.

They raced another half mile that way, pushing the little karts as fast as they dared, skidding around corners and laughing until Marilyn's cheeks hurt. Fear and adrenaline coursed through her like she hadn't dared feel for decades.

Bill maintained a slender lead despite Walter's efforts to pass, and Marilyn smiled at the rivalry. Although only in his twenties, Bill reminded her so much of Charlie, god rest his soul, that she felt she'd known him far more than two months. He made her feel as young as she looked, and he'd begun hinting his interest in taking the relationship to a more intimate level.

The thought set her heart fluttering like a young maid, a feeling she never expected to experience again. Could she risk telling him the truth?

As they swept around the next long curve, they found the road ahead blocked by three karts clustered together near a fourth, overturned. Several teen-agers were kneeling around a companion who sat in the road holding a bloody head.

Walter and Bill stopped nearby and climbed out to help. Marilyn braked hard behind them, and her kart shuddered as it skidded to a stop.

Gladys didn't slow. She screamed as she barreled down on the group in the road, managed to swerve around them, but over-steered on the far side. Her kart skidded, slid sideways across the road, and struck the guardrail still moving way too fast. It rolled up and over the barrier and Gladys disappeared beyond the steep edge of the road, still strapped in to the wildly tumbling kart.

* * *

"Brakes failed," Walter said as he entered the hospital room where Marilyn sat watching the unconscious and heavily bandaged Gladys. "Police are interviewing the owners of the track."

"Did you hear from Alterego?"

"That's the only good news. They're going to transfer her to their facility later today."

"Does she have comprehensive coverage?"

"Yes, thank the lord. Full face value."