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When Jillian first spots him, she's pacing back and forth in front of Trinity Church, stopping every few steps to stretch her legs. A reporter, whom Jillian recognizes as the same pushy woman who tried to interview her in the transition area, keeps asking questions and sticking a microphone in her face. Just a minute, let me catch my breath, Jillian keeps saying – which is not nearly as harsh as what she really wants to say, but a large round man is pointing a video camera in her direction, and the camera sports a network logo, so she reluctantly restrains herself. She stops walking, lifts her arms high in the air, twists to one side, then to the other – and as she looks over her shoulder, she spots him walking toward her. She stops in mid-stretch, not quite sure that he really is who she thinks he is. But when the approaching figure waves at her, she smiles in delight and rushes toward him. "Uncle Stan!" she shrieks, and she seems to be just about to throw her arms around him... But instead she pulls up short. "I better not," she says. "You're all dressed up and I'm all sweaty." She leans forward, stands on her toes, and kisses him on the cheek. "What are you doing here?" She nearly squeals with excitement. "I haven't seen you in ages! What a cool surprise!" "You think you're surprised?" Kennedy chuckles. "I didn't even know you were in the race until you crossed the finish line. I guess that congratulations are in order, my dear, for yet another outstanding performance on your part..." "Oh, Uncle Stan, you have no idea. It was a nightmare." The change in Jillian's demeanor, from exuberant to incensed, is instant. "The swim start was so messed up, half of us didn't even know the race had started. And the goddamn lifeguards kept paddling all over the course! I had to keep dodging surfboards. I actually slammed into one of them, like I don't have enough trouble swimming already. Didn't anybody even train these people?" "Jillian, this might not be the best time..." "And the bike course, my God, worst I've ever seen. I don't think they even bothered to mark half the intersections, I kept going the wrong way, it was ridiculous. It's amazing that I even finished at all, I'm surprised that I'm not still out there, riding around somewhere, trying to find the goddamn transition area..." "Jillian, perhaps we might go for a walk..." But Jillian is still getting worked up. "The race is hard enough all by itself," she sputters, "we shouldn't have to worry about getting lost, you know what I mean? Whoever set up the bike course is a fucking moron!" "Jillian!" "I'm sorry, Uncle Stan," Jillian says, not sounding sorry at all. "But whoever is in charge of this fiasco is an incompetent... moron," she says again, not being able to find a better word. "Somebody should take him out and shoot him, put him out of his misery." "Her." "Excuse me?" Jillian looks at the woman who had spoken. Kennedy closes his eyes as if he's in some pain. "Her," Valerie Johnson seethes. "Somebody should take her out and shoot her." "Ummm... OK, whatever," Jillian says. Puzzled, she glances at Kennedy to see if he might be able to help her figure out what's going on – but not only are Kennedy's eyes still closed, he now has a hand over them as well. "And if you'll excuse me," Valerie continues, icily, "I need to go find somebody to put me out of my misery." She turns sharply, stalks off, and disappears into a large green-and-white-striped tent in the middle of the Square. Jillian squints to read a sign that stands in front of the flap of canvas that covers the entrance to the tent. After a few seconds, she realizes that the sign says: Admin Tent
Jillian groans. "Race director?" she guesses. "Quite so." Kennedy sighs and uncovers his eyes. And does a double-take. "Is that thing on?" he asks with alarm. And when Jillian turns to see what has upset her Uncle Stan, she's dismayed to find that she's staring directly into the lens of a video camera that's perched on the shoulder of a large round man dressed in shabby jeans and a torn T-shirt...
Next: Chapter 11 (Copley Square) [ Transition Home Page | Transition Blog ] Transition: The OnLine Triathlon Adventure Novel
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