Racing

You clutch the small, velvet, black drawstring bag tightly to your chest. To you, it is a prized possession bought after several mowed lawns, and cleaning tasks. For the tenth time in the last hour, you grasp for the ribbon hanging around you neck, symbolizing that your dreams are about to become reality. You gaze up, as you step out of the car at the tall pillars, doors, and banners which wave lazily in the breeze. Taking a look around at everyone gathering, you  can't help but feel a little out of place, and that people will know you don't know what you are doing. You swallow the lump in your throat to push down the growing lump of fear, and focus instead on the excitement. Honing in on that, it begins to grow like an ember in your core.

At the front, your entrance is validated, and you flash them an excited smile. "First time here?" the attendant in the brightly colored blue shirt asks. Nodding rapidly, as you temporarily forgett how to speak. You hear the enticing music coming from just beyond the closed double doors and glance that way, while not wanting to be rude to the attendant. He smiles a knowing grin and cocks his head toward the door. "Go on in. You'll have a great time."

You feel your eyes grow wide, and a choked "Thank you" croaks out of your suddenly dry throat. You hear him chuckle in amusement to himself as you walk away, but you barely acknowledge it. You reach the frosted, glass pane double doors, and pull on the shiny, silver handle, revealing the bustling activity inside.

A group of about twenty pushes through the doors behind you, seeming to know what they are doing, and what their destination already is. You shuffle quickly off to the side, and watch them walk past and down the curved stairs to the left. Finally looking ahead into the large, expansive room, you are overwhelmed with the possibilities, the crowd level, and the multitude of prospects that lie ahead of you. You clutch the polished metal railing as you slowly make your way down the wide steps.

Stretched out over the large room, covering every inch of space, was, whom you would refer to as, 'your people'. Nerds, other's may call them. But you were proud to be even a small part of the community. You take a big breath in an attempt to calm your nerves as much as possible.

Wide eyed, you look around, trying to figure out what to look at first. You decide to go in as much of a logical pattern as possible, starting on the left side of the room. You explore the offerings they have, and began a new note on your phone, notating the items you may want to come back for.

In the center of the large area, a large cheer went up from the gathered crowd. You tried to see what they were all looking at. Jumping, standing on your toes, and craning your neck didn't help enough. Pushing through was the only way you could join on on the excitement.

Abandoning the stalls, as another wave of excitement spread through the crowd, you began to push your way through. Coming through the wall of people, you get the change to see what everyone was so excited about. In front of you, was the most glorious, exciting, beautiful, marble racing track you had ever seen. Made out of a flexible balsa wood, the glass spheres of all sizes and colors careened down the narrow tracks, spinning in the most mesmerizing manner. Your eyes opened wide to take in as much of the spectacle as you could.  One of your  heroes, Robert Walsh, stood at the top, having just sent his marble down the track, watched intently as it rolled along, seeming to channel every ounce of his mental energy into making it roll just that much faster. One of your  heroes, Robert Walsh, stood at the top, having just sent his marble, Zeus, down the track, watched intently as it rolled along, seeming to channel every ounce of his mental energy into making it roll just that much faster. 

Joining in the growing enthusiasm and crowd excitement as the marbles collectively drew closer to the finish line. Zeus inching its way further ahead of the other ones. "Come on Zeus! I believe in you!" you hear yourself shouting above the din of the crowd. You glanced at Robert, and saw he had an unreadable glint in his eye as he looked directly at you. For a moment, you felt embarrassed for some reason, but glancing to the track again, you overcame it, as you saw Zeus cross the finish line as the winner!

"Yes!!" You shouted, throwing both fists in the air and jumping with excitement. You glanced at Robert, who was whispering something to an assistant of his, before being quickly ushered by security to the winners circle. I have to be there to watch him get the trophy you thought to yourself as you maneuvered around the slowly dispersing crowds.

You managed to make your way to a great seat in the second row, other fans beginning to find their seats too. The small stage in front already had a small stand which showcased a gleaming, gold trophy with a large black marble held in the center. You couldn't help yourself imagining yourself going up on stage to receive the winners trophy yourself one day. A moment of sadness rushed over you as you thought to your meager marble possession currently sitting in your pocket. Watching the various officials gather on stage, you knew Robert was about to go next. Your excitement built, and suddenly the red, velvet curtain which crossed the back of the stage, parted like the red sea, and Robert Walsh himself stepped out. He raised his arms like Tony Stark showing off a new suit. The entire crowd went wild with shouts of joy, yourself included. You were whooping, and clapping loud enough to where your throat started hurting. Knowing his history, you understood what it meant for him to be here in this moment.

Robert approached the microphone, and raised his arms in a gesture that meant to quiet down. He took a breath, and opened his mouth to speak. "Hello all who joined me in this great gathering today, where we can celebrate the thing we love most, marble racing!" The crowd let out a deafening roar of approval at his words and he waited for them to quiet down before continuing on. "For those that have been following my career, you know how much this means to me. Even though it is not my first win, this event, ten years ago, was what sparked my love of this sport. To be able to come back here today and take the victory, means more to me then any other international recognition I have known." He raised the trophy into the air in a victorious stance before continuing. "Today, I want to pass along some of this victory to one other person. This person is someone I noticed in the crowd, and it reminded me of my own self back in the day. If I can pass along even a small piece of that, I am glad to have that opportunity."

Noticing new people around you, you shifted your focus to your surroundings, and saw there were two of Robert's assistants now standing next to you. "Hello?" The taller of the men whispered in your ear to follow them for a surprise. Though you were weary about it, you decided to play along. They guided you up on stage where you became aware you were standing next to Robert. Your eyes grew wide, and you felt a cold chill of panic go through your body. Panic set in as you wondered what Robert must be thinking, having someone like you up on stage with him. Was this all some kind of big joke you weren't in on?

"This young person here caught my eye as the race was finishing. I found myself watching them, other then my own marble cross the finish line. The wonder, amazement, and pure joy on their face captured my attention so strongly, that right then and there I made a lilfe changing decision for both of us." He paused and looked at you with an unreadable expression on his face. His arm came around, and rested on the back of your shoulders, pulling you closer. You still felt like you were trapped in some kind of dream state.

"After 15 years in this industry, I have decided to retire, effective immediately." There was a loud gasp from the crowd, including yourself. How could he possibly retire! The man was on top of his game, winning all the time! Something other competitors could only dream of achieving.

You looked up at Robert with question in your face. He answered the question on your mind before you had a chance to ask it. "Yes, I am sure I have made the correct choice." he said, just barely loud enough for the microphone to pick up his words.

"As of this moment, I hereby grant all of my competition related possessions, trophies, monetary winnings, and, most importantly, all of my marbles." Out of his right pocket, he pulled out Zeus. It glistened in the lights, and reflected off of the gold flecks within the glass sphere. Robert, solemnly and deliberately, passed it to you. With hands that were shaking slightly, you reached out and took it from him. It was cool to the touch, but larger then most that you have personally held.

"I don't know what to say, sir" you said, hearing your voice rattle with emotion.

"Just a 'thank you' will suffice for the time being." he said, smiling at you with a measure of pride. "If anyone would like a photo, we will do a few quick ones, and then we will be done for the day. My new friend has a lot to do now."

He pulled you close, and several cameras flashed in your eyes, capturing, what you were sure was a deer in the headlights look on your face. Before you could process what was happening, you were ushered off stage and into the back to begin your new adventure.