ZR-X ROUND 1: PRE-EVENT SHOW

PART 3

FADE IN:

INT. MEDIA HUB - DAY

Jeni hides behind her hand, blushing, from the interview.

AKI
That was a great interview, Jeni.

JENI
... Don’t tease me.

AKI
I’m being sincere. How did you manage to hold yourself together around all those beautiful cars?

JENI
Sheer will... It was hard.

AKI
You did well. If it was me, I would’ve been fanboying the entire time.
(To the crew)
Lucky you didn’t send me.

Jeni lowers her hand slightly.

JENI
It’s so embarrassing seeing myself on screen.

AKI
Well, it’s something we have to get use to from now on... While we give Jeni some time to compose herself, I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce our pit reporters around the rally complex. I believe we have Austin Crusan on standby. Lets cross over to him so he can introduce himself.

EXT. MERCHANDISE ALLEY - DAY

In the middle of a busy lane of merchandise carts is:

AUSTIN
Thanks, Aki.
(Friendly wave)
Good morning, Zeron. It’s Austin and I’m currently taking a morning stroll at merchandise alley, where you can pick up official ZRX goodies --

A KIND VENDOR jams a cap over Austin’s curly hair. Early 20’s, big-boned, tribal face tattoo and just a good bloke. More and more items get shown and covers him up completely.

AUSTIN
-- like these flags, qi stone stands and incense burners or from your favourite teams or drivers... That’s enough and thank you, miss.

AKI (V.O.)
Looking good Austin. I suggest grabbing some shirts too, you’ll need it when the action gets hot this afternoon.

AUSTIN
Already did.

He tilts his head and the camera swings around to:

The POOR ASSISTANT, super unimpressed, carrying a mountain of merch.

AKI (V.O.)
That’s a bit excessive don’t you think?

AUSTIN (O.S.)
Better to be prepared since we’re going to be covered in gravel from head to toe this afternoon. Plus, doesn’t our media allowances cover it?

The screen splits into two panels. On the left, camera swivels back to Austin. The right shows Aki’s smile dropping.

AKI
I don’t think that’s how it works. We only get one spare outfit each event --

Austin LAUGHS... nervously.

AUSTIN
-- Oh...
(Whispers to assistant)
You better give them back... hey, but keep one for yourself, okay? It’s on me...
(To the camera)
... That’s totally my bad. I should’ve read the notes from this morning properly... But yeah, to all the fans out there, please come and check out the merchandise carts. There’s something for everyone and have a great time at the event. Back to you, Aki.

Austin gives a friendly wave again before his panel vanishes...

BACK TO:

INT. MEDIA HUB - RESUME SCENE

Jeni recovers and GIGGLES to herself. Aki’s a little flustered but his smile returns.

AKI
We’ll catch up with you later, Austin.
(To Jeni)
That’s so like him...

JENI
Never change, Austin. Never change. It’s good to have someone like him out and about. His presence makes people comfortable around him. I’m sure he’s going to give us some quality interviews today.

AKI
Next we have Mikko who I believe is in the service park. Mikko, can you hear us? Is there any movements from the teams?

The screens splits again. In the right panel: -

EXT. SERVICE PARK - DAY

MIKKO
It’s a ghost town around here.

Mikko’s keen blue eyes searches for someone to interview. He’s young (late teens) with a prep in his steps. His competitiveness drives him to look in odd places.

MIKKO (CONT'D)
Everyone’s hiding in the garages. I’ll see if any of the guys from United wants to chat.

JENI
Don’t you have family in Apollo Racing you can speak with?

MIKKO
... I do. They don’t like it when I disturb them around this time of day. Something about not being a morning person... or something.

Mikko pokes his head into -

CUT TO:

INT. UNITED ENGINEERING GARAGE - CONTINUOUS

Full of engines from concept to race spec. Mikko picks his target and heads over to

THE CHIEF ENGINE BUILDER

monitoring the data sent back from the dyne room. Lots of wriggly lines, pie graphs and numbers.

MIKKO
Excuse me Martìn? May I have a few minutes of your time?

MARTÌN
I’ll give you two.

MIKKO
That’s plenty... Let me introduce to you viewers, Martìn Hawkins, the CEO and chief engine builder of United Engineering. Martìn, is this a new engine you’re working on?

MARTÌN
No. It’s a spare.

MIKKO
What are you examining on the monitors?

MARTÌN
I’m checking for any hiccups in the power and torque curves.

MIKKO
I see... Are you expecting any engine failures?

MARTÌN
Of course not! These engines are built tough. We bring spares in case something engine unrelated happens.

MIKKO
It’s the first time the rally cars and engine will race at the limit. Can the engines handle the punishment and last all six sessions?

MARTÌN
What kind of stupid question is that? They’re built tough and I expect them to last. Unless somebody crashes into a concrete wall or rolls the damn car, there won’t be an issue. Now leave me alone and let me get back to work!

Mikko didn’t need to be told twice.

BACK TO:

EXT. SERVICE PARK - DAY

The screen splits into two panels again. Jeni and Aki return on screen with blank smiles.

MIKKO
Geez... he must be fun at parties --

An overhead OUTDOOR SPEAKER CHIMES.

RACE CONTROL (V.O.)
To all Zeron Rallycross contestants: shakedown starts in five minutes. Please line up at the entrance to the start zone.

JENI
That’s the signal the teams want to --

MIKKO
-- Hold on, Jeni! Sorry to interrupt you...

Mikko SNIFFS. His head snaps in the direction of the smell. Target locked on... and he’s on it!

MIKKO
(Calls out)
-- Don’t think I wouldn’t notice you... Ayame!.. Terry!

Two humanoids in orange and white flash past. Mikko closes the distance but... the chase ends with the door slamming shut on Mikko’s face.

Jeni and Aki wince.

JENI
I-Is everything alright, Mikko?

MIKKO
... Yeah.
(Rubs his nose)
Don’t worry. They won’t get away next time.

JENI
Thanks for trying, Mikko... We look forward to more of your contributions throughout the event.

MIKKO
No worries. Talk to you soon.

The screen returns to normal.

INT. MEDIA HUB - RESUME SCENE

JENI
As I was saying, that’s the sound the team wants to hear.

Jeni glances out the mesh screen, curious.

JENI (CONT'D)
The teams are starting to stir. We were off by a couple of minutes.

AKI
At least Mikko will get his chance to shine this time around.

JENI
Since you mentioned ‘shine’, Aki. Why don’t we check what the weather has in store for us over the next two days?

CUT TO:

VFX. WEATHER RADAR

A 27-hour radar forecast takes centre. An hourly chart to the right. Ambient and track temperatures on the bottom.

JENI (V.O)
The cloudy skies will remain until noon with a small chance of showers. Then it’s sunshine for the rest of the day. Temperatures are expecting to hit eighteen degrees. These are great conditions to kick off the opening day.

AKI (V.O.)
They certainly are. However, it’s the calm before the storm. The radar predicts of thunderstorms building overnight and is likely to stick around tomorrow morning for the warm up session. If the predictions are correct, we’re going to see carnage. Lots of carnage.

BACK TO:

INT. MEDIA HUB - RESUME SCENE

Officials are clearing the service park by putting up blockades.

JENI
From memory, I can only recall we’ve driven on a wet track only a handful of times in the academy. Remember how chaotic it was or can be?

AKI
That’s what makes it fun. It’ll be interesting to see which of the eight will rise up to the challenge and survive in such conditions. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough!

JENI
Your eyes are twinkling. I’m not surprised you’re excited about the weather, Aki. You were untouchable when it’s raining. Do you regret your decision on not joining the series as a driver?

AKI
No regrets. I’m having fun being a test driver. There’s plenty of perks such as: getting to drive all the cars and get to see the new gadgets and parts before anyone else. I think it’s a pretty cool role --

Aki’s eyes dart to his left.

AKI
-- Sorry everyone. I’ve got to head straight to the commentator’s box now.
(To Jeni)
Finally! It’s race time! I’ll see you later.

JENI
Sure. Have fun.

Aki hurries off the platform.

JENI (CONT'D)
With Aki’s departure, that brings us to the end of this segment and we’ll go to a short break. When we come back - it’s shakedown!

TECHNO-FOLK MUSIC STARTS JAMMING. A cool and short action reel of kick-ass racing plays until the

FADE TO BLACK.