“Nobody wanted to switch from the 392,” Garlits says. “I was doing great with the 392, but Frank Wylie (Dodge) said, ‘We don’t make that engine anymore.’ He wanted me to race with something the customers could buy. There were a few of us running the 426. Me, Roland [Leong], The Greek [Chris Karamasines], and a lot of people had ’em, but it was like a second car. None of them ran good. We called it the ‘elephant;’ it was a brute! You never smashed the ring lands or squished bearings like in the 392, but it didn’t go anywhere. You know, like an elephant, so big and massive, you can’t hurt it, and it just sort of plods along.”
“It all came to head for me at Columbus. I went in for a match race against Jim and Alison Lee. I ran three runs in the 8s [with the 426], the 392 ran in the 7s, easy, and [the 426] ran 191, 192 mph. The 392 was running 206, 210, easy. I won the race and had top time and low e.t. So I go up there to get paid, and Clark Radar, Sr. [the track owner] is sitting there behind this big desk, But not one thing on it except this stack of money and a .45 pistol, and overhead, this big moose that he’d shot. It was a very intimidating situation, the gun, Mr. Radar, and the moose. He says, ‘Garlits, you laid down on me. You didn’t run 200. I’m cutting your money.’ Then he shoved $500 dollars toward me with one hand, and kinda slid the gun toward me with the other, and told me to get out. Well, I did, but he cut me $750 and that was a lot of money back then.”
“I’d figured out what I was going to do,” he says. “I was going to run the 426, blow it up, load it up, and go back to the 392. Walk away from the Dodge sponsorship, the whole mess. So the next day I put 40 degrees spark lead in the thing — we couldn’t run more than 34 in the 392 or they’d split the cylinder walls. Everyone knew that, so we all ran the 426 the same. My crew was sure I was going to blow it up. They had the backup engine in the truck, ready to go. Well, I make the run, and what do you think it runs? 214 mph! A new world record. We get it back to the pits and drop the pan, expecting to see damage, and it looks beautiful, we didn’t even change the oil! So I get the wrench on the magneto to try more, and the crew is begging me not to, saying ‘Big, it’s a nice engine! It just ran a world record! Don’t blow it up!’ but I got to know, so I go for 50 degrees, and it runs 219. That was it, that was the end of the 392 for me.”
Ebben a felfokozott választási turbulenciában van egy off témám, hogy másra is kitekintsünk. Nem az én sztorim, de fontos a függőknek és a szeretteiknek:
"Tegnap délután 16 órakor egy nő jött be a tetováló stúdiómba Berlinben. Időpont nélkül. Megkérdezte, hogy valahogy be tudom-e még szorítani két vendég közé.
– Mit szeretnél? – kérdeztem.
Mutatott egy képet a telefonján. Csak számok voltak rajta.
– 392. A csuklómra. Egyszerűen, egyenesen. Feketével. Meg tudod csinálni most?
Ránéztem. Sírt. Vörösek voltak a szemei, remegett a keze.
– Igen, meg tudom csinálni. De megkérdezhetem, mit jelent a 392?
Leült a székbe, vett egy mély levegőt.
– Ennyi napig volt tiszta a lányom, mielőtt túladagolásban meghalt. Tegnap találtam meg. Szeretném emlékeztetni magam arra, hogy próbálkozott. Hogy az a 392 nap számított.
Nem tudtam mit mondani. Csak bólintottam, és elkezdtem előkészíteni a dolgokat. Beszélt végig. Muszáj volt beszélnie.
– Mindenki azt fogja mondani, hogy visszaesett. Hogy elbukott. Hogy a függők mindig visszaesnek. De senki sem fogja azt mondani, hogy 392 napig tiszta volt. Hogy gyűlésekre járt. Hogy munkát talált. Hogy újra festeni kezdett. Hogy 392 napig újra a lányom volt. Egy nap mindenki csak az utolsó napra fog emlékezni. De én a 392-re fogok emlékezni.
Elcsuklott a hangja.
– Ez a tetoválás bizonyíték arra, hogy ezek a napok léteztek. Hogy küzdött. Hogy majdnem sikerült neki.
Megcsináltam a tetoválást. Egyszerű számok. 392. A csuklójára. Oda, ahol minden nap láthatja.
Kifizette. Túl sok borravalót hagyott. Már majdnem kiment az ajtón, amikor visszafordult.
– Megkérdezhetek valamit?
Bólintottam.
– Meg tudnád tartani a 392-es sablont? És ha valaki valaha bejön ide, aki függőséggel küzd… vagy elvesztett valakit a függőség miatt… felajánlanád neki, hogy ingyen megcsinálod ezt a tetoválást? Bármilyen számot. 10 nap. 100 nap. 1 nap. Nem számít. Csak az számít, hogy valaki számolta ezeket a napokat.
Elment, mielőtt válaszolhattam volna.
Megtartottam a 392-es mintát. Bekereteztem és felakasztottam a pult mögé. Alá ezt írtam: „Tiszta napok tetoválása – mindig ingyen. Bármilyen szám. Mert minden nap számít.”
Nem gondoltam, hogy bárki is komolyan veszi.
Három nappal később besétált egy férfi. Elolvasta a táblát. És sírni kezdett.
– Meg tudnád csinálni az 1279-et?
– Persze. Kinek?
– A bátyámnak. 1279 napig volt tiszta. Múlt héten autóbalesetben halt meg. Ő volt a józan sofőr… és egy részeg beléjük hajtott. Az irónia megöl. Olyan keményen küzdött… és egy idegen elvette az életét.
Ingyen megcsináltam a tetoválást. Öt percig csak ölelt.
Ezután elkezdett terjedni a híre. Három hét alatt 23 ilyen tetoválást csináltam. Mind ingyen. 47 nap. 6 nap. 1823 nap. 2 nap. Egy nő „14 óra” tetoválást kért.
– A fiam 14 óráig volt tiszta, mielőtt visszaesett és meghalt. Mindenki azt mondja, hogy 14 óra nem számít. De számít. 14 órán át küzdött.
A vállára tetováltam. Végig sírt. Amikor kész lett, azt suttogta:
– Most már mindenki látni fogja, hogy megpróbálta.
Valaki tegnap „0 napot” kért.
Összezavarodtam.
– Nulla?
Bólintott.
– A lányom soha nem lett tiszta. Rengetegszer próbálta abbahagyni. Négyszer volt terápián. De néhány óránál többet nem bírt. 23 évesen halt meg. Mindenki azt mondja, hogy soha nem próbálta. De ez nem igaz. Folyton próbálkozott. Nulla nap tiszta. De végtelen próbálkozás. Tudsz egy nullát csinálni egy kis végtelen jellel?
0∞
Sírtam tetoválás közben. Egy lányért, aki soha nem hagyta abba a harcot.
Két nappal ezelőtt egy 17 éves fiú jött be az apjával.
– Tudnál csinálni egy 91-et? Nekem. 91 napja tiszta vagyok.
Az apjára néztem. Büszkén bólintott.
– Az ő ötlete volt.
A fiú alkarjára tetováltam a 91-et. Amikor kész lett, sokáig nézte.
– Ha újra használni akarok, ezt fogom nézni. És eszembe jut, hogy eljutottam 91-ig. Akkor eljutok 92-ig is.
Az apja fizetett. 200 euró borravalót hagyott.
Azt mondta:
– Életeket mentesz tintával.
A fiú 30 naponta visszajön. Mindig hozzáadunk egy kis vonalat a 91-hez. Most 151 napnál jár. Túl fogja élni.
Tegnap visszajött az első nő.
A 392-es tetoválással.
– Szeretnék mutatni valamit.
Felgyűrte az ingujját. Volt ott egy új szám: 1.
– Mit jelent? – kérdeztem.
Mosolygott a könnyein át.
– Egy éve halt meg a lányom. És én egy éve élek túl nélküle. Valaki azt mondta, csináltassak tetoválást a saját józanságom miatt. Egy éve józan vagyok attól, hogy véget vessek az életemnek.
A 392-re mutatott.
– Minden alkalommal, amikor fel akartam adni, erre néztem. Ha ő 392 napig tudott harcolni… akkor én is kibírok még egy napot.
Most már van egy fal a stúdiómban. Fotók minden tetoválásról.
Két hónap alatt 47 tetoválás. 14 órától 6247 napig. Mind ingyen. Minden szám mögött egy történet van. Valakiről, aki próbálta. Valakiről, aki harcolt. Valakiről, aki tiszta maradt, ameddig csak tudott. Néhány embernek sikerült. Néhány embernek nem. De minden szám számít. Mert a függőség története nem a visszaesésről szól. Hanem azokról a napokról előtte. És ezek a napok megérdemlik, hogy emlékezzünk rájuk.
Az egész egy anyával kezdődött, aki azt kérte:
Ne felejtsük el a 392 napot.
Most már több ezer napra emlékszem."
prompt: reader can read peoples minds and she has been actively avoiding johnny's at all costs until he pushes her too far and she cant stand it anymore
song: so far so fake by pierce the veil
tag list: @cynic-spirit @genderlessbaddie
+++++++++
"Your two o'clock is here."
lynne introduced me as the elevators opened, walking quickly ahead of me into reeds lab.
"Thank you."
he said and she nodded, stepping aside so i could walk forward. i heard her heels click back to the elevator and the doors sliding shut.
"Thank you for seeing me. I know your time is very valuable."
i said, him frowning.
-I don't have time for this-
i heard, making me nod once
"I know you have better things to do but I have something you might be able to use."
i said, pulling my bag from my shoulder.
"And that is?"
he asked, looking down to the file folder in my hand as i offered it to him.
"I know where a couple villains are going to strike next."
he raised a brow at me, flipping through the pages in the file.
"And you've gone to the police with this info?"
he asked and i let out a short laugh, folding my hands together in front of me.
"I have. they don't believe me."
i said and he frowned.
"And i should? How did you get this info?"
he asked and i swallowed hard, looking from him to the file and back, his expression stern.
"I have these abilities. Like you and your family. Given to me. I can see things, hear peoples thoughts, read from someone what no one else can. And the more passionate a person is the stronger these premonitions become."
he side nodded, half amused.
"Don't let Johnny know that."
he said shortly and i stepped forward to point at one of the papers he was on.
"That's a discussion for a different time. Right now I need you to believe me. Because the police wont. and the city is in danger."
i said, his gaze following my hand. he paused for a second, reading it over. then he sighed.
"I don't even know you."
he said, looking at me almost sadly. i nodded in agreement.
"I know you dont. and im not asking you to. All I ask is that you look this over. Prepare for the worst. If nothing happens them I'm a fraud and you can forget we ever met. If I'm right I ask that you let me help. That's all I've ever wanted. For my powers to help people."
he looked at me in deep thought for a second before scanning through the pages again. there were at least eight different villains that they had fought before in there along with a few they hadnt, all detailed lists about their planned strikes on the city.
"You've got two weeks to prove you can do what you say."
he said sternly and i smiled.
"Thank you reed. You won't regret it."
°°°°°°°°°
i stepped down into the sunken living room with a notebook in my hand, scribbling something down. i had been working with reed all morning and planning how to stop the next red ghost attack. our two weeks was almost up and my odds were looking pretty good. i wasnt paying attention and as i rounded the tv console i ran face first into johnny.
"afternoon."
he said softly and my eyes went wide. we hadnt actually spoken two full sentences to each other since id been here. i had actually been crushing on him from afar while trying desperately to stay out of his head to see what he thought of me.
"afternoon."
i quipped back, side-stepping him to continue through the living room but he caught my arm.
"So you read minds?"
he asked and i swallowed hard, looking over his face.
"Something like that."
-that's hot-
i heard and i smirked, that was reassuring.
"Do you get to choose who you read or is it like an all the time thing?"
he asked, letting my arm go so i could cross them over my chest, tucking the notebook under my armpit.
"The more passionate the person the better I can read them."
i said and his face fell.
-oh I'm fucked-
he thought, making me bite my lip to stifle the laugh threatening to spill.
"That's why I'm here johnny. Criminals are usually the most passionate individuals."
i paused, noting his waver in cool demeanor.
"Other than love sick fools."
i added and he bit the inside of his cheek.
-oh I'm absolutely fucked-
"And you can, what? read? hear? These people?"
he asked and i laughed.
"both i suppose. I can hear their thoughts, have visions of their plans, look into their imaginations..."
his eyes darted across my face a few times as i spoke.
-thats cool, im cool, she definitely can't read your mind right now.-
"Desires."
i followed and He swallowed hard.
-shit-
i patted him on the arm in reassurance.
"dont worry though, i can block most people that i dont want to read."
i said, turning and walking away from him hearing him face-palm himself
°°°°°°°°°
four weeks. four weeks i had made it with reed and the team. i had helped them stop six different planned attacks on the city, proving my usefulness and him all but hiring me to help the team full time. it was almost a dream come true. other than the still ever-growing crush i had on johnny. which i tried so hard to suppress. but he made it very difficult sometimes.
"look! new action figures came in!"
he called, jogging into the kitchen. i looked from him to H.E.R.B.I.E. who stopped stirring the pot in front of him, the two of us sharing concerned glances.
"does it come with real flames?"
i taunted, looking back to johnny. he was quick to push his action figure in my face, making me recoil off the counter. i grabbed his hand so he would stop moving and looked it over. it looked just like him, right down to his contoured chest and bright blue eyes.
"of course not, its for kids. you cant trust kids with fire."
he pulled it away from me to examine it himself and i laughed.
"we can barely trust you with fire."
i said, him ignoring me but H.E.R.B.I.E. making noises in agreement.
"i was blessed with these powers because im the hottest one on the team."
accurate. but i snorted anyways.
"i dont think thats why johnny."
i said and he shrugged, standing his toy up on the counter between us. i watched him as he walked to the cabinet and clapped twice, the shelf descending from the cabinets. he plucked the jar of peanut butter down and walked to the counter beside me.
"yeah well i guess we'll never know."
he said and i sent him a look as he unscrewed the lid.
"i think reed has tests that would say otherwise hot head."
i said and he narrowed his eyes at me, shoving his first two fingers into the peanut butter and sticking them in his mouth. i made a disgusted face at first before immediately thinking about what that would look like without the peanut butter.
"how do you even test for that?"
he offered and i shrugged.
"do i look like a scientist to you?"
i asked and he laughed, shoving more peanut butter and his fingers in his mouth. H.E.R.B.I.E. whirred at us, bumping into me in distress.
"i know herb, hes eating before dinner again."
i said, sending johnny a disapproving look. after he swallowed he stuck his longue out at me, pulling his hand back to his face and liking his finger clean one last time. i rolled my eyes as he put the lid back on.
"can you tell what im thinking right now?"
he asked and i raised a brow at him.
"if i unblocked you i could."
i said, him placing the jar on the counter with a clink.
"how rude. you have me blocked in real life?"
he asked and i laughed, placing my hand on the counter next to his.
"i dont usually need to be able to read your mind to know what youre thinking."
i said and he faked hurt.
"am i that transparent?"
he asked and i shook my head.
"sure are flame brain."
he cleared his throat, stepping a little closer to me, our fingers just barely touching.
"so unblock me. what am i thinking right now?"
my breath caught in my throat at his eagerness.
"not sure i want to."
he sent me a testing look.
"give it a go anyways."
he said lowly, tracing his finger over mine.
"johnny."
i said quietly, looking between his eyes and his lips as he stepped closer again.
"i give you full permission."
he said with a smirk, tracing his other hand gently up my arm.
"not sure i want it."
i said looking down at him touching me.
"youre always saying you keep people blocked because you are afraid of what they think of you right?"
he paused his fingers trace on my bicep and i froze.
"if you really wanna know, what could be the harm?"
he asked almost innocently and i swallowed hard
"and ruin the image i have of myself?"
i said and he smirked at me.
"from what ive heard you dont think that highly of yourself. so really it might help more than hurt."
he said and i sighed.
"now who reads minds."
i said a little exhausted and he grinned.
"go ahead."
he tested and i bit my lip, peeking into his mind even though i shouldnt have. i went into his images of me. there i was laid out on his bed, completely naked and his face planted firmly between my thighs. i could feel the heat rising to my face as another appeared. this one was him trapping me beneath him in the shower, his face buried in my neck, pressing me into the tile as the hot water flowed over us. i let out a shaky breath as he looked between my eyes intently. then i saw the last thing i wouldve expected. it was him sitting next to me on a park bench, a pram between us.
"you can keep those thoughts to yourself. i dont want them."
