Librarian Susan's Whacky Race 2 (End)
20250401
Part 1 here.
Susan gulped and floored it. Which didn’t do much; her loyal mini wasn’t built for speed. She cringed and kept as close to the side of the road as possible, the pack roaring past in a jostling charge which to her relief avoided her. She was able to just vroom right over the finish line.
In sixth place. Sixth! Of twenty!
She blinked and marvelled and absently patted her hair as she clambered out of the car. Immediately swarmed by the lesser reporters who hadn’t secured a space around the winners.
While Susan had rehearsed answers to probable questions, all her preparations had assumed that she’d have come in squarely last. Suddenly she needed to explain not why she was here, but how she’d done so well, and she was somewhat at a loss.
“Oh, well, I - I simply did what any librarian would.” Assuming they were unfortunate enough to find themselves in such a predicament, that is. “I read the rules carefully, did my research, reached out to the local community for advice and assistance… Oh, um, I feel I should specifically mention the lovely Ashraf family, who kindly said I could cross their private road. I did also check with the organisers that such an arrangement is allowed, and they said it was fine so long as no money was involved.”
Goodness, there was quite a crowd forming! All the contestants had finished and several were drifting over to listen to her. Susan felt increasingly flustered and out of her depth.
But her training meant she recognised a Prime Branding Opening, so she pointed to the (thankfully intact) vinyl library logo and proudly declared “As we always say, community is our strongest asset - ‘for what is knowledge without people’? I like to think that I embodied that teaching today. With preparation, connection, and knowledge, there’s no telling how far you can go! Or, er, how quickly, in this case.”
That got an encouraging cheer which she fervently appreciated.
After a few more minutes of fielding questions the space around the winners opened and the reporters shot over. Leaving her standing dazed by her car.
“Great job!” A burly fellow in full racing gear said, giving a double thumbs up. “Can’t wait to see who signs up next year after they hear about this!”
“I, ah, yes, it will be interesting.” Susan managed a wan smile, which seemed to satisfy him.
The rest of the crowd dispersed and she stiffly collapsed into her car.
Goodness.
When she checked her phone for the time she discovered congratulations from the rest of the team - and a whole thread from Sylvester. Something about… a drone? He’d gotten footage of her for the library’s socials? Oh, yes, he’d said something about that. She hadn’t paid heed at the time.
Well, this would certainly achieve eyeballs. And apparently donations were already coming in!
However…
[No, I’m NOT doing next year’s! I’d rather suffer through a custard fight again.]
The librarian life was never dull.