ALICE Ch 345

The Williams managers look especially smug as they sit under the lights. Glynda slips past them to sit beside Zack Brown, who hands her the mic. A huge screen behind them lights up, showing the emblems of all the teams and brands. The mob of reporters settles down somewhat.

“Why me?” Glynda mutters.

“You know why,” Zack replies, trying not to laugh.

Glynda hates these media events. She forces a smile and does not look at Erica Bruhl; that would risk an intrusive thought of a close-up of Erica’s face at the height of passion. Instead, she points at a bouncy little woman who exudes the same energy that Faye often does.

The woman raises her little podcasting rig excitedly. “Yes! Ms. Glynda, what words did you have for Alice Wilde after today’s Grand Prix?”

“None. Words failed me.” Glynda offers the mic to Zack, who shakes his head. She points to another reporter.

“Ms. Darcy, what we saw today was in some ways a repeat of what we’ve seen before. So, the question persists. I mean, you have taken it upon yourself to deal directly with your driver so that you can make your wishes known personally, and still we see these results. Do you feel as though you have any control at all over your racing team?”

ITALIAN GRAND PRIX RESULTS

1. Verstappen (Red Bull)

2. Sainz (Ferrari)

3. Woodcock, S. (Williams)

4. Norris (McLaren)

5. Tanaka (Mercedes)

6. Lewis (Mercedes)

7. Dunham (Freedom)

8. Bottas (Aston Martin)

9. Alonso (Aston Martin)

10. Wilde (FUTA)

11. Flores (Freedom)

12. Laakso (AlphaTauri)

Alice tugs her cap low to protect herself from the Italian sun. “What? Speak up,” she says, busily signing everything being handed to her. She imagines that this is what it will be like to be overrun by zombies one day. Microphones prod her on all sides.

“Alice, we’ve seen fights like that before, but never for P10!”

“Well, it was my point. Mine.” Alice points at herself with a Sharpie. “What do you want me to do? Just give it to her? That’s socialism. I’m American. It’s my point. She can’t have it. Sharing is for wimps and children.”

“Ms. Wilde, it sounded as though your team leadership didn’t feel that it was worthwhile to risk your safety or the car in that situation.”

Alice rolls her eyes. “Look, I don’t know why everyone’s yelling at me. It was my point. Val’s the one who was out of line for trying to take it. Oh, yeah. Poor Glynda. Her driver got a point. How will she cope with the shame? I don’t know, man. I just work here. I do bad and people yell at me. I drive fast and people yell at me. Next they’ll tell me I’m not allowed to curse on camera.”

“Yes, you’ve been fined for that several times,” another reporter reminds her.

Alice shrugs. “I want to say something about fascism, but I guess that wouldn’t be in good taste. See how mature I am? Mature and getting points. What more do you people want?”