The Ludicrous Escapade Pt.3

Former Glory

You let out a yawn as you exited your tent. You did a few quick stretches to release any tension caused from sleeping on the ground for the past two nights. It was the morning of the race. A race that would start in three hours time.

Everything was all sorted out the day before and Moxy was staying in the stables.

Exiting your tent, you immediately saw Johnny still being dragged around by the horse he had picked out. Two other guys were watching him as they discussed their thoughts on the Steel Ball Run.

"Can you believe that more than 3,500 people signed up for the race?" Asked the taller, lankier man. I predict that more than half... No, more than two thirds will drop out in the first week. This race isn't a sport, it's survival."

The shorter guy nodded, "There will probably only be two or three hundred left by the time they reach the Rocky Mountains. What are the chances that the winning candidates will reach New York?"

"Someone has to make it, don't they? Or else this whole race will pretty much be a failure." You were carrying your saddle, getting ready to bring Moxy back over to get her ready for the race.

The shorter man snorted loudly, "Missy, are you really out here acting like you're going to participate in that race? I bet you wouldn't even last the first day."

"You'd bet on it? Really? How much?" You reached for your wallet. "$10? $100? I wouldn't mind making some extra cash." You only had what Dire had gotten out of the bank for you, so it actually would be pretty helpful.

"Bah!" The short guy swatted his hand through the air, "Don't take things so seriously! Besides, I'd feel bad taking your money." He got a bit sidetracked by the sight of Johnny and went back to talking to his lanky chum. "Hey! Look at the former famous jockey! He's still going at it."

The tall man let his arm dangle on the other side of the fence. "Is he seriously planning to enter the race in that condition? I feel sorry for him. And that horse he's grabbing on to..." He and his friend couldn't stop themselves from bursting out in laughter. "The horse is practically untamable! Even if he could get on it, he probably couldn't even get it to move. But then again, let him chase after his impossible glory if he wants. Everyone else who came here is the same way."

Johnny was also threatening to set himself on fire any time someone tried to prevent him from getting on the horse. So that contributed a little to why people were hesitant to stop him.

The horse practically swung Johnny into a fence, the force breaking the barrier into splinters. He coughed up some blood, enduring the pain that had been inflicted on him so far. Perhaps it helped that he couldn't even feel the chunk of wood that had pierced through his right calf the night before.

You walked over to where the former jockey was. "Johnny, would you like some water or something? Maybe some breakfast? It's probably not a good idea to race on an empty stomach. Not to mention that the horse is probably hungry, too..." He just ignored you and crawled back over to the horse, grabbing on to a stirrup.

"So you really believe that he'll get on that horse?" Gyro, who had been watching from afar up until earlier, walked over to your side. He had his saddle in one arm and the rest of his stuff in the other.

"Yeah, I do. He's clearly determined. His method at the moment isn't the best, but I'm sure he'll get there eventually." You had confidence in Johnny.

"Sorry to disturb you." A man whose hair was tied in two braids walked up to you. "I'd like to ask where you sign up for the race."

You pointed to the registration building. "It's right over there. You should probably hurry, though. The race starts in three hours and they'll still need to get your horse's nose print and all that."