An Adabian tries to make it in the racing world
Chapter 2: First Offer
December 25, 2034 / 14 Shawwal 1456
Adab City
Mustafa al-Taghlibi leaned forward at the computer screen, squinting his eyes through the glasses and putting his neck over the seated Aida Kaykali’s shoulder, her fingers dancing on the keyboard. Behind them Shalmaneser Kalhu stood solemnly, leaning back against the wall.
“Va… sily… Semyon… novich… Gatutin,” Mustafa began slowly, reading the address of the email sender. Aida could see him shaking his head a little. “Are you sure this man isn’t a communist?”
That comment seemed to take Aida aback somewhat. “Why, uh, why would you think he’s a communist?”
“I don’t know,” Mustafa admitted, muttering. “The name just screams communism to me. Maybe I’m just stereotyping.”
At this point Sal quietly launched himself from the wall. “Well, apparently they call themselves the Democratic People’s Republic of the United Socialist States of Pridnestrovia,” he said, getting both Aida and Mustafa to turn their heads around at him. “But, they may not be, you know, really socialist, like 100% socialist. I mean they’ve got a racing team, which is like, a capitalistic thing. I mean this Vasily guy may be a communist – I don’t know about his personal political beliefs, after all – but he may also not be a communist. He may be a socialist for all I know, like his country.”
“Well, they’re running a racing team,” Aida offered rather meekly, turning at Mustafa. “I mean that doesn’t strike me as a communist thing to do. I mean have you never heard of this Pridnestrovia country?”
“I’ve heard of that country,” Mustafa countered. “I just don’t have business dealings there, and there are God knows how many countries in this multiverse. I can’t possibly keep track of them all! I’m just here to make sure Sal gets into a good team, and now apparently we’ve received an offer from some godless commies.”
“Socialists, Sir,” Sal corrected. “At least that’s what the country’s name says.”
“I mean it’s not like they’re going to force Sal to give up his religion and turn socialist,” Aida said. “And well, uh, we do have Islamic socialists here, so there are religious socialists. Not sure about religious communists, but even socialist and communist countries are often more tolerant of religion than people think, since banning religion completely can cause the population to revolt, so I think there’s still space for Sal to drive for them and still be a Muslim.”
“Look, if this is what you’re concerned about, Sir, I won’t turn apostate,” Sal said. “I will remain true to my faith, and I’m guessing that they need me just as much as I need them, maybe even more than I need them. Besides, you know, leaving my faith can, uh, negatively affect my following here in this country. And you’re a businessman with political connections. You know even capitalists often deal with socialists and communists through backchannels.”
“He’s right, you know,” Aida told Mustafa. “Don’t worry, Sir, they’ll let Sal be Sal, and we’ll just let them be them. It’s a mutually abu- I mean beneficial relationship as far as I can see. What matters for now is that Sal will test out for this team, because for all we know this might be his only chance at a drive. The most important thing for now is that Sal breaks into WGP2. Then we’ll see how things progress from that point on.”
“Well they better let us be us,” Mustafa muttered. “I don’t want them coming for our precious bodily fluids.”
From: Aida Kaykali (aidakaykali@skmanagement.com)
To: Vasily Semyonovich Gatutin (gatutin_v_s@urga.pdn)
Subject: Re: Invitation
Dear Mr. Gatutin, greetings!
We would like to thank you very much for offering Shalmaneser Kalhu a chance to tour your facilities as well as test your car. Of course, Sal has gladly accepted your invitation and cannot wait to put on his best performance for the Urotovsky-Gatutin Motorsports Division. We look forward to meeting you in the near future and seeing how things will progress.
Sincerely yours,
Aida Kaykali
Shalmaneser Kalhu Management