Before the Race (2)

"Participating in the Race or betting on a Racer?" The Bookie asked us as we came to the booth.

"We can place bets? I thought it was only for entry being here?" I knew there were plenty of people going to bet on this entire race as the final winnings for this race would be chump change compared to all the bets that will be generated across the entire thing.

The grand prize being 500,000,000$ the bets altogether add up to 50,000,000,000$ as every rich asshole across the globe will be betting on this race netting a massive profit for the government and anyone who betted correctly as well.

"It's both, there are plenty of small time betting rings on this race but if you want to hit the major leagues when it comes to betting, this is the place, you can set up bets for certain parts of the race, bet on the final winner of the race or even who will place first in all parts and who the final winner is." The Bookie went onto explain as I rubbed my chin.

"Hmmm, what if I bet on very specific condition that could happen for the first part of the race and say that's my bet, and mind you this will be a large bet." I say pulling out a wad of cash in bills totaling up to ten grand.

The Bookie's eyes visibly widened, though I squinted my eyes as I felt a malicious look my way and looked to my left to see a white man eyeing the large amount of money I just tossed out and gave to the Bookie.

I pulled my arm back rapidly and I already had my gun pointed at him under the counter and out of everyone line of sight except for me, Stocking and him could see it.

*Gulp* I could see him sweating visibly before looking away, he couldn't even see my arm move as my gun was already in my hand and that told him he was dealing with a real gunslinger so he quickly gave up his thoughts on robbing him, paid for his entrance fee and quickly left.

"What a little bitch." Stocking couldn't help but scoff while I just nodded and put my gun away all while the Bookie came back after counting up the money.

"Sir you are going to bet ten grand on the first part of the race under a special condition as to the winner of this part correct?" He asked me with a raised eyebrow to which I nodded.

"Correct? Can you accept those conditions or would you need to take it up with the event organizer?" I asked to which he scratched his head.

"Well that really depends, how specific are these conditions of yours as to who the winner is?" He asked as I grinned.

"It's simple really, what's going to happen is that the man who takes first place will his position of first place and will be dropped down to 21st do to those watching the race seeing him interfering with the second place contestant chance at winning and thus do to that the second place winner is put into first place instead." I say as he looks at me skeptically.

"And can I ask why you want to bet on that in particular?" He says to which I shrug.

"Would you believe me if I said I saw the future? No of course you wouldn't, not even your organizer would believe that, though maybe the major backer of this whole race would." I say while rubbing my chin.

"So I'm placing the bet, a guy by the name of Gyro Zepelli will take first place but he will lose it due to a technicality and in his place the second place winner Sound Man will take first." I say in which he furrows his brows.

"Your telling me the Indian will come out in first place this race under those special conditions?" He says and I nod.

"And it will happen that way, so bring it up with your organizer and tell me what my returns are if I'm right, oh and we are joining the race as well." I say tossing another two and half grand at the guy since it's twelve hundred dollars per contestant.

He looks confused but he just sighs while feeling a headache coming on, "Alright fine, Names, Age and mode of transportation."

"Hifumi Yamada, 18, Black Throughbred Mustang called ShadowRunner."

"Stocking Anarchy, 19, Grey Throughbred Mustang called Whisper."

He looked at Stocking a bit weirdly but shook his head as he didn't care before giving us our numbers of B-512 for me and B-513 for her.

"Here's your numbers, they need to be on your horses for the duration of the race, if said numbers are lost you cannot continue the race unless you buy a new set with each costing around 25$ a piece, failure to do so will disqualify you for the rest of the race, here is a map of the first part of the race and at each checkpoint there will be new maps for you to claim along with the designated routes for you to take, shortcuts are allowed at any point in the race so long as the main route is still followed in at least the general direction, shortcuts will shorten the time needed to arrive at the next part but most if not all shortcuts will provide dangers to racers, along with that it is forbidden to attack and or kill another contestants but if it's in self defense that's a different story entirely as attacking will be considered as a penalty and no matter the position you won't get any points for that part of the race and if you kill anyone then you are eliminated and will be jailed unless it was done in self defense as mentioned earlier." He said explaining the basics.

"Food and lodging will be provided when you reach the checkpoints, any of the checkpoints that will take days to weeks of travel you will need to source food and water for yourselves, if an emergency is needed this flare gun should be used and it will alert our people to your location to come to your aid, but if it's used for anything besides the situation of imminent harm and or death by another contestant you forfeit yourself from the remainder of the race even if the threat posed against you is an animal attack as you should be well armed in case of said situation in the first place." He says as he hands us both one flare gun with each loaded with a flare each.

"And that's it, if you require lodging the San Diego Hotel here is fully booked with contestants so you will need to find your own lodging until the race begins two days from now September 25 at 10AM sharp, though as you don't seem short on cash from what I can tell the more affluent racers are staying over at the Hotel Del Coronado until the race begins." He went onto mention where we could stay at to which we nodded before taking our things and heading off to Hotel Del Coronado.

******

Though only a few minutes later a federal agent entered a certain room where a tall, slender blonde haired man was currently drinking coffee as he waited for the race to begin.

The agent went to the man and whispered into the blonde haired man's ear before handing him an envelope and leaving afterwards.

The man put his cup down and looked at the contents of the letter but only raising an eyebrow before tossing it to the side.

"How peculiar, but unless it comes true I have no interest, though if it does then make the odds 1 in 10,000 for that bet and keep your eyes on him, he could be of some use." The man said to himself but hidden movement could felt all around as hidden bodyguards heeded his commands.

He then looks down at an old and ancient faded map with many points appearing all across the United States.

"Soon…. Soon I shall make this country the greatest in the world….." He said before proceeding to return to drinking his coffee as he waited eagerly for the race to begin.