Obstacles

The phone went silent for a moment.

"Wow..." Bruce said with his usual monotony, "Ya must be in a proper bother. Awright, what’s t’ problem? "

"You remember that new girl I got saddled with, right?" Simon asked.

"Yes, why? Wot’d ya do t ’er this time?"

"Nothing! She got attacked by Moolah last night. I SAVED her and scolded her-"

"You wot?"

"Let me finish! This morning, she didn't show up, and then Gamal rang me out to dry and then gave me her number-"

"Gamal gave ya 'er number?"

"Yeah, and-"

"Meanin’ ya didn’t ’ave ’er number?"

"Well, no. But-"

"D’ ya at least know where she lives?"

"Why on Earth would I need to know that?"

"..."

"Bruce?"

"... Virgin."

Simon's face became bright red. Whether from rage or embarrassment is entirely up to interpretation.

"I'm not interested in her! AT ALL!" He roared, "I don't care about her beyond getting the crazy old witch off my back. But I need to check in on her and play nice until she's cleared to come back. Okay?"

"..."

"Bruce?!"

"Yer a right wazzock, ya know that?"

Simon started grinding his teeth, "Can you help me or not?"

Again, there was silence followed by a sigh, "Just call her and ask how she's doing. Then shut up."

"Then wha- Bruce? Hello?"

Simon looked at the phone screen and frowned.

(He hung up on me?)

Indeed. The line was dead, and outside the locker room, Danys Vités, Ramatla, Mostafa, and the Viking were all dying.

Each of them had failed on a different obstacle. None of them had even reached the Southwest ring. All of them had to start the course over and over and over, all while Alexa, Daniel and Tonye stood on the side and watched, with folded arms and blank expressions.