First Spark

Chapter X - Vegas (Part 2)

The next day, Lani, her manager, Cisco, Kavari and Jonah met up with Phaeng Sayavong who gave them some insightful details about the conference with Heineken they'd be attending later, and even though it was a little boring, Cisco felt strangely excited.

They were kindly greeted by some really important looking people working for the brand, and they discussed some marketing approaches and how they planned on efficiently inserting the three of them in the paddock activities.

Cisco watched his friends from the corner of his eye. Lani was seemingly having a hard time trying not to yawn and Kavari looked like he only understood half of what was being talked about. Cisco himself tried to take notes, but the further they went, the more confusing it got and so he just hoped they would bring them from location to location without them having to think too much.

Each of the three received a paddock pass, a big plastic card attached to a colourful lanyard, and then they enjoyed their lunch at the company's buffet. Everyone was incredibly kind and patient, and they took a few photos for social media as well as filming a bunch of clips.

In the early afternoon, Kavari, Lani and Cisco were driven to the track and officially entered the Las Vegas Paddock for the first time. Jonah stayed by their side, navigating them through the area with a list in hand.

Cisco immediately noticed the cameras flying in their directions, and soon he was sure that there were already hundreds of pictures out there of the little group strolling around through the moderately crowded paddock. A few fans asked for pictures, and Lani was especially a big magnet for young female fans.

They were invited to a couple of hospitalities, and Cisco even got to speak to a few drivers. He figured out rather quickly that their first job was showing face, walking around and engaging with people.

The only thing dampening his mood was the constant feeling of being in a movie or a documentary. There was rarely a second not being caught by one or three cameras, and the group of photographers and fans they were dragging across the area became exhausting rather quickly.

Still, it was fun, and Cisco felt the fear he had been leading yesterday fade away. This was really far from what he had been experiencing during his time at karting races, much more show and glamor, and he was not here to race but to look good and have fun.

His casual smile immediately fell when Cisco spotted a certain someone in a small crowd, surrounded by fans and reporters. Already dressed in the kit of his future team, Janne Westerlund spoke to the people around him with a serious expression on his face, and they listened like he was the messiah himself spreading the gospel.

Cisco stopped dead in his tracks, and Kavari and Lani, who were walking behind him, almost walked straight into his back.

"Ah shit, there he is", Kavari whispered, eyes immediately finding the issue.

Before Cisco was able to reply, a journalist with a microphone pushed up into his face.

"How interesting to see these two again, rivals of the past and "friends" of the present? Francisco Santos and Janne Westerlund are only ten metres apart in the Las Vegas paddock, there's a lot of history between the two men."

Cisco fought the urge to roll his eyes, and he gazed past the reporter, focussing on Janne.

"It is a real sensation to have both of you right here with me today", the man continued.

"Come a little closer, Francisco, this is a great shot."

He was ushered closer towards the cluster of people who made way for him, and before he could properly register what was happening, Cisco was standing in front of Janne with a microphone in his face and the bright light of a camera flash in his eyes.