“Esteban, I have good news for you, the bosses have one more little test for you and if you can pass it, then you’ll be in for sure, no more tests or questions: this is your ticket into the try outs.”
Said Broker Mason Adams over the phone to Esteban.
Esteban nodded. “Sounds good, Adams, what do I need to do?”
“You’re going to pick up a load in Vegas and take it to Los Cruces New Mexico, over a 12-hour trip; the company men say it’s going to take you till after 8pm to…”
“I’ll have it there at 3:45pm.”
“Whoa! Buddy! I appreciate your enthusiasm, but there’s really no way that…”
“I’ve got this, Adams. I’ve got a friend that builds what we call, super power trucks, these semis have overly reinforced steel frames and bodies and safety systems that are built in to keep the passengers and drivers from taking any damage from any collisions. They’re also the highest horsepower trucks off market and in the world today: I’ll get it there when I said I would.”
Adams cleared his throat. “Well, there’s a catch though. Do you remember that when I sent you the profiles of others trying to get into the competition? There’s a man named Alexander Suter that is going to be going head-to-head with you: if you can get there before he does, then you’ll get the spot to try out for a spot in the competition. But he does have a head start on you already.”
“Oh yeah… I met a guy the other day that was rather large and mean: bigger man, was flirting with some ladies when I got there and then felt the need to come over and insult me and my heritage. I did have my mind made up to brawl it out with him and let the better man win, but self-control got the better of me.”
“Oh, that’s Henry Owens, his CB handle is Freak on Wheels, because of his aggressive driving style and handsome looks: he has a new woman with him every time you see him, but he uses them like objects and then discards them just as quick. Best advise I can give you is, stay away from him and if he insults you, take it on the chin and move on, he was hand picked by the kingpin and given an immediate spot in the competition without having to try out; you won’t have to worry about facing him until you reach the semi-finals of the competition but you may run into him from time to time.” Said Adams.
“Well, I won’t start anything by any means, but if he pushes me…”
“If he physically provokes you then that voids the kingpin’s protection rule and you can deal with him however you see fit, but otherwise, stay away from him.”
“That’s a big 10-4 there, Adams.”
“Get out there and if you see Suter on your way, don’t hesitate to take him out of commission.”
Esteban made it through most of the day pretty peacefully, but when he was about 30 minutes away from his destination, about half-asleep, he was suddenly jolted awake by a man in a large blue Semi, black and red flames painted on the hood.
“Guess they didn’t tell you about me did they little-Widowmaker?” came a cocky gritty voice.
Esteban chuckled as he reached up and grabbed his CB Mic and spoke.
“No, Suter, they told me everything I needed to know about you. Now, I don’t have time to run beside you and mess around, so….”
Esteban turned the wheel of his Peterbilt gently, slamming the nose the truck into Suter’s, Suter counter-steering back into him in an attempt to fight back.
“I don’t think your truck has the horses to keep me down, boy.”
“Oh, I don’t need to wreck you.” Said Esteban as he jammed the accelerator and zipped off like a runaway freight train before Suter could collect his thoughts or realize what was happening.
Suter pursued the man as fast as he could, jamming gears and shouting obscenities at Esteban before catching up to him, just barely.
“I got you now!” Suter assured, as he prepared to run the nose of his semi right into Esteban’s trailer tires, but before he could, Esteban cut his wheel to the right, and shoved the Suter’s truck into the guardrail, sparks flying like a rain shower springing up from the ground as he the man’s truck scraped all the way down the exit ramp.
Esteban left the man sitting at the bottom of the ramp, smoke bellowing from his tires and engine.
Within minutes, Esteban was at the drop site, and within about an hour, he was empty and walking back to his truck when he ran into Suter, the big burly man gritting his teeth at him, a baseball bat in his hands.
“Guess you win the tryout spot then.”
“I guess I do.” Said Esteban with an nod.
“Good luck trying to enjoy it with 2 broken legs and arms; I’m about to split your skull wide open with this slugger.”
Esteban shook his head. “Are you sure you want to go this route, Suter? Me slamming into you with my trailer wasn’t anything personal, it’s just business, I’m sure you would’ve done the same, given the chance.”
“I didn’t get the chance and now I have no tryout spot, no truck, no money, and nothing to lose!”
Suter charged Esteban with the ball bat in hand; when he reached him, Esteban grabbed the man’s shoulder with one hand, his shirt with the other, spun his body around, hoisting Suter onto his back, flipped him over his shoulder.
Suter reached up and pulled Esteban to the ground, rolling him over and pulling back to deliver a punch; Esteban never hesitated, he reached up and grabbed the back of the man’s head, shoved his shin against Suter’s neck, and locked in the gogoplata, choking the much bigger man unconscious within seconds.
Suddenly, Esteban’s phone rang, and he rolled Suter off of him, reached into his pocket, pulled it out and answered it.
“Esteban, I hope I’m not interrupting anything important, but I have good news.”
Esteban laughed as he tried to catch his breath. “Nothing important Adams, just had some loose weight I had to shake off first.”
Adams laughed. “Well kid, you’re in!”
Appalachian Post 
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