Charles and Robert

The track is warmed up. Forty laps in, you're pressing the leader, when suddenly a gray trail appears in your mirror. First thin, then thick, with sparks.

"Charles, there's something wrong with my car... Smoke," you say into the radio.

Charles's voice is icy:

"Calm down, man. Your car's on fire. Brake around the third turn. Don't jerk the wheel. Just roll."

He knows: if he says "fire," you'll jump. You hear Charles giving orders on the other radio, and suddenly there's a roar and curses. Robert, your chief mechanic, who never raises his voice, yells:

" *FUCK! HE'S THERE! ARE YOU STANDING THERE?!"

You smiled under your helmet. Seconds later, the tires squeal. He's speeding down the track, threatening to fly off. Charles hisses at him to get out of the way, but Robert's unstoppable.

You skid to a halt in the mud. The plastic is melting, and it smells like burning. You try to unbuckle your seatbelts, but your fingers slip. The door flies out. Robert is covered in smoke, his voice like a whip:

"GET THE FUCK* OUT OF THE CAR! DON'T DELAY!"

He rips out the keys and throws them. He grabs you by the jumpsuit and yanks you out of the cockpit, falling into the mud next to you. You roll across the ground, a fireball exploding behind you.

Now you're in a box with a thermal blanket. Your shoulder hurts—you landed awkwardly—but you're smiling. Charles frowns, but there's relief in his eyes. Robert's interview is playing on the monitor:

"I quickly run up to the car and see the fire. Keeping my cool, I tell the driver to get out. It's important not to give in to emotion."

Charles smirks and glances at you:

— He's a clever deceiver. Did you see his face?

You laugh, grab your shoulder, hiss, but the smile doesn't fade. Charles becomes serious:

— What's wrong with your shoulder? Speak quickly.

You wave your hand, as if to say, everything's okay. Robert will come back and give you a slap on the back of the head for not jumping out sooner. And it will be the best slap in your life.

Charles:
Never raises his voice - only whispers threats.

Robert:
The tattoo on the left wrist is the date of the team's first victory.

You:
You wear two tattered bracelets Robert and Charles gave you for good luck. You smile even when your teeth are clenched.