A good start

Courtney gets a good start, pulling ahead of her competitor. Leading, she realizes she doesn't even know this guy's name. Her competitiveness is going to get her into trouble someday, she thinks to herself.

Her car is running good, but she has to work hard to keep the lead. The other car keeps the pressure up, swinging out to pace her. Her Civic is well-prepared for the race, though.

Courtney pulls away to a 3 car lead, when she reaches the turnaround point. She makes a clean turn and slide, losing very little momentum. When she looks back, she sees the other car spin out. With a smile on her face, she slows a little, not wanting to overwork her car if she can help it. As she reaches the 3/4 point, Courtney is at least 10 car lengths ahead.

Just as she feels she has won the $200, she feels a strong pull on her steering wheel. A second later, she knows her left front tire has blown. Quickly, she remembers the broken glass she ran over.

Courtney tries to continue on the bad tire, but she can't control the car at any real speed. She sees the other car pulling up fast, then shoot around her.

Courtney decides to stop, since she has lost, trying to save the rim.

Her opponent passes the start/finish line, then spins the car around. He pulls up to Courtney's car, and gets out. Courtney is sitting on the edge of her hood, waiting.

"It looks like you won", Courtney says, "I guess I owe you."

He replies, "I'll take....