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Warning: This contribution contains some mild sexual content, and material some readers may find distasteful. Reader discretion is recommended.

(El Paso, Texas)

"It’s going to be all right, now. …Everything’s going to be all right!"

"I got the speed and I can’t loose – can’t lose!"

That’s what Juan kept telling himself as his friend’s racecar bolted pass him with relative ease.

"Dios, ayuda me!"  That Spanish quirk translated to: God help me…"

That’s what three-time racing champ, Juan Reno said as the Puerto Rican driver sped his car through a narrow gap between two of his fastest competitors. Juan was the only Hispanic racecar driver within the entire state. In fact, he was one of only three Latino members of the Nascar scene within the entire country. Initially, the art of professional car racing was a Caucasian sports attraction. However, Juan was accepted for his exceptional skills and know-how among the racing circuit.

As Juan pivoted to his right, he saw a blinding fast blur speed in front of him.

"Damn, Chingou!" Shouted Juan.

For the last seven minutes, Juan had been in the lead, but as he turned to adjust his position on the track, his good friend and long time rival suddenly swept in front of him. To his dismay, he made a passing hand sign to the Latino driver, which simply stood for: You snooze, you loose! It was a playful, competitive thing the two racers had among each other. This friend of his was young, but already becoming a new legend in the racing culture. His name…Josh Gordon: a.k.a "the rocket man".

After the race, Juan stepped out of his car and greeted the winner of the race with good sportsmanship. In reality, Juan was glad he was beat by his friend rather than some of the other snotty rednecks he despised at times.  Juan had always suspected that some of his competitors were downright prejudice. Juan’s dark hair and savvy good looks often gave him the reputation as being the quintessential Latin lover. However, this was far from the truth. He was a loyal man and real team player. In regards to these traits, the majority of the other racers were actually very welcoming toward him, although they constantly joked about his Hispanic heritage.

"Hey, Pork-chop! I got you this time, eh! So what does the Latin lover have to say now? Replied Josh in a playfully, goading banter.

"OK, man…so you beat me this time, rookie. If I hadn’t been distracted by that flying bumper from the car ahead of me, I would have stood far in the lead, honkey!"

"Ha, not so, my little, coconut-eating monkey. I would have put the dust on you anyhow!" That reminds me, Juan – If I recall correctly, you owe me some drinks, buddy"

At that, the two of them joined the celebration in a local bar that was known as the racer’s hangout every time they competed in Texas. There, Juan stuck to his word and bought the whole menagerie of rowdy racers their fill in alcoholic elixirs. Unlike Josh, Juan was more of a conservative guy. Compared to Josh, he seemed downright timid. Josh was an extreme personality as his edgy sports activities dictated. Once, Josh had gotten Juan to try the more dangerous hobbies including rock climbing, which was a favorite of Josh’s when he wasn’t risking his life racing. Josh had even taken Juan on a hang gliding expedition. Straddled next to Josh without the aid of an instructor, Josh had once sent them soaring through the sky together. Although Josh was used to the flying, Juan had gotten so nervous, that his struggling had made the pair crash into a long, grassy null. Luckily for them, the crash wasn’t bad. Juan thought about these things as he bought Josh another round of Tequila shots.

Still celebrating and discussing the finer aspects of racing, Josh was suddenly distracted by the Bar’s TV, which was currently airing some type of emergency report. Being set in southern Texas, the bar owners were Mexican and the TV blurted out the important message in Spanish, which Juan had to translate to his pal, Josh.

"Hey, Juan – you speak Mexican, what the hell’s all this shit about? I suppose it has something to do with all that stuff going down up north, eh?"

Juan nodded his head. By this time, they were all aware of the massive attacks that were occurring in the northern states and many had feared that the strange, homicidal behavior would some how pour down into the south. Now, it was apparent that the national emergency was clearly far more dangerous than previously thought. As Juan and Josh watched the report play out, Juan translated the dire warning to his drunken friend.

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