Full Throttle (Audio Script)

Stories

There we go.

Beautiful bike…

but, damn… I don’t know if it’s worth all this effort.

Exhaust pipe’s rusted… bolts are stripped.

Definitely going to need a new carburetor.

I could just trash it…

that chain looks worth keeping, though.

Brake pads don’t look too bad either.

Could be a good weekend project to try and get it restored.

Ah, well.

Don’t need to make a decision now.

Damn.

Rain’s really coming down out there.

I should’ve picked up coffee earlier.

Might be stranded here in the shop for a while.

“Oh my god, seriously?

Damn it.”

“Hi.”

“Hey.

I’m so sorry to bother you—I just ran in here to get shelter for a minute.”

“It’s no problem.”

“Do you mind if I—?

I’m sure it’ll pass in a few minutes.”

“No, no, c’mon in.”

You’re drenched from the rain.

Looks like your bag got wet and probably anything inside it.

The weather changes fast here and storms blow through all the time.

It happens often enough that people tend to carry umbrellas no matter the weather.

But, you… well, your thin dress and those little sandals make me think you’re not from around here.

Like maybe you’re new to the city or something.

“God, it’s insane out there.

It just came out of nowhere.”

“Yeah.

It does that.

Here.

Let me grab you a towel.”

“Thanks.”

“I hate to say it, but… I think you’re wrong.”

“What?

About what?”

“That storm’s not going to pass anytime soon”

“Oh.

Well, you can kick me out as soon as I’m dry again.”

“That’s not what I mean.

You just might be stuck here a little longer than a few minutes.

This one looks like it’s sticking around.”

“Great.”

I look you up and down again and… I swear I’ve seen you before.

There’s just something familiar about you.

Oh, that’s it.

You’re the barista at the shop down the street.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to be snippy.

Just… already had a shitty day and this just makes it… you know, shittier.”

“At the coffee shop?”

“Yeah…”

“I’ve seen you there a couple of times.

I come by in the mornings.”

“Yeah… I know, I recognize you too.

Your tattoo.”

You nod at the sleeve of ink on my forearm.

“I asked you about it the other day.

I’m trying to find an artist who can do something simi—oh, shit!”

Everything goes dark.

The shop is suddenly pitch black, so dark I can’t see my hand in front of me.

“Told ya.”

“Oh, shut up.”

“Hang on, there’s a lot of tools and sharp stuff around here, just stay still for a sec.

Don’t move.”

I can’t see two meters in front of me, but I feel my way over to the metal workbench against the wall. Pretty sure there’s a few candles over here somewhere…

There it is.

Jesse’s always lighting these to make the shop smell less like grease.

I grab my lighter from my back pocket and light the wick.

“I’m going to check the breaker and see if I can’t get the lights back on.

You want to come with me or you want to stand here in the dark?”

“I’ll come with you.”

You follow close behind me in the dark, your body brushing up against mine a few times as you tread carefully in the dark.

“So… this is your place?”

“Nah, I’m just a mechanic here.

Couldn’t sit still long enough to open up a shop.

I’m always on the move.”

“Oh.

Like… on a bike?”

“Yeah.

I like long-haul rides.

Ride out a few hours and just… see what I find.”

“Wow.

I mean, that sounds incredible.”

Even though I can’t see your face, I can hear the smile in your voice.

I put the candle down on the shelf nearby.

It’s not enough light to see anything more than what’s right in front of me.

“You know, um… I hear people talk sometimes.

About you guys.

About your shop.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well… I don’t know, just..”

“You’re not going to hurt my feelings.”

“My manager says to stay away.

He’s really old-school.

He thinks motorcycles, tattoos, and loud music make you a criminal or something.

It’s stupid.”

“You must not believe any of it.

Otherwise, you wouldn’t have come in.”

“I don’t.

I’m just curious if you’re aware that your reputation precedes you.”

Damn it.

I turn to face you and you’re looking directly at me.

Your mouth looks so tempting in the dim candlelight.

I don’t know why… I don’t even know your name, but I want to kiss you.

You still aren’t looking away.

My breath catches in my throat.

You lean forward slightly, almost imperceptibly, and I find myself drawn towards you.

We both stumble a little as our bodies meet in the dark, both reaching out to grab onto each other for balance.

I reach blindly in front of me and find your wrist, pulling you close to me.

I lean forward and kiss you again, harder.

My mouth completely covers yours as I settle my hand on the curve of your hip.

Your body leans into mine like you’re being drawn into me by some force.

You kiss me back with some fierceness…

harder than I would expect.

You lift your hands up and push your hands in my hair.

Your nails dig into my scalp and…