A week went by very quickly and another race weekend arrives. The race takes place in Indianapolis again but this time the drivers are going to race on the oval part of the circuit. Before heading to the circuit for qualification, Gilles was waiting for his family to come back from the store. He unfortunately finds a mail that was sent to his hotel apartment. It was from the reporter that made an interview with him after the race last week. Gilles doesn't know what to expect from the mail, what can it be? An apology for a rude behavior? Another attempt to tempt him? Or something else?
He opens the mail and a couple of photos fall from it. An expression filled with confusion creeps onto Gilles' face. He then starts reading the letter.
Mister Villeneuve, I refuse to call you your first name because you don't deserve it. I am pretty sure you remember me after the interview we had last weekend. I told you about the financial situation I am in and you did let me down. With this letter that you are reading I sent you few photos capturing us in moments that can cause an image of us having a relationship. So I would like to make a deal with you. To prevent me from publishing these photos into newspaper and destroying your life, you will have to give me an amount of money that will secure your safety! I will meet you in the paddock, don't try to avoid me! This is not a threat but an advice!
Gilles is aboslutely frightened from the idea of what is depicted on the photos. He picks them up and takes a look at them. His frightened expression enhances from what he saw. The photos captured a scene of Gilles and the reporter kissing, not a real scene of course but a photomontage, a fact that is known only to him and the reporter. This puts a great fear into Gilles mind, a fear so deep because he knows that this can destroy his only certain future he has, Joann next him no matter what.
Even thought that Gilles gained his first money from racing in Formula Atlantic due to his podium finish, a podium finish that he pushed so hard for during the race session, his decision is clear. He takes this money and puts it into a plastic bag, hoping that the amount of the money is enough for the reporter to stay silent.
He hears his family coming back from the store and opening the door. Gilles drops the photos and the letter, he sees his family entering the apartment so he pushes the them under a shoe rack with his foot. Even thought a part of the letter is visible, Joann nor the kids notice it. Gilles looks at his watch and says seemingly surprised: "Jesus, look at what time! We are not making it in time. Put the stuff where it belongs becaus we need to go! Cammon!"
When they arrive to the circuit, Gilles gets himself ready to race. The main mechanic approaches him.
"Hey, kid! Can I talk to ya?"
"Of course, what's the matter?"
"Well, I know how ya love pushing hard and stuff but as you propably know, on this circuit it's practicly just about the cars and during the race pit stop strategies and basicly who makes a mistake, loses any chances to finish on a good position."
"So? Where does this aim?"
"Don't push! Don't risk! Just find someone fast and hold on behind him in a slip stream, okay? It's not like ya have to strictly obey me and do what I say, it's more like a friendly advice. I leave the decision for ya to make."
Gilles looks away for a while, thinking about what to say and then looks back at the mechanic, "It almost cost us a crash the last time I was disobeying your instruction. So yeah, I am going to listen to you now." He then gives the mechanic a thumb up and steps into his car.
"By the way, sir. Who has got the best car here?"
"Uhm, from the results I'd say that propably Bill Brack. Why are ya asking?"
"Just to know behind who I should hold on behind." He then winks and puts on his hood and then helmet.
The qualification session starts and all drivers head onto the track. Gilles is trying to get behind Bill who is in the charge of the group of racers. But what he isn't aware of is the fact that he is pushing really hard on the tires again and after gaining some positions and reaching Bill slowly, he starts to slow down and other racers start to pass by him. Gilles realises that he is slowing down and that he isn't about to improve his qualification time.
He then notices the main mechanic showing him a signal sign saying that he should pit now, he then looks at the watch attatched to the pole at the starting line. He has few more minutes left, if he pits now he will have time only for one flying lap to do an as good qualification lap as he can. Gilles looks around the track to know where Bill is and after a while he actually finds him, he is about a half a lap behind Gilles. He then looks into the fan crowd to find his family. By this act he finds his motivation again gain confidence in what he is about to do. This time he doesn't stay on the track but he decides to push as hard as he can, the car trembling, tires suffering and the engine sounding as loud as it should definitely not sound. All this just to make it into the pits in time to get out of there in a close proximity to Bill. He feels his control over the car losing more and more as he drives it further due to him putting it so much over the limit. He is reaching the the pits and he steps on the brake, the tires losing grip, wheels spinning, a smoke coming from the rear tires, perceptibly not slowing down. He twitches his steering wheel to the left to skid and barely misses the barrier departing pits and the track. To put the car into the right direction to avoid crashing into other mechanics, he twitches the steering wheel to the right and presses the throttle down to the floor. His rear tires spinning and then a huge blow echoes through the pits, Gilles' right rear tire exploded. He then makes it to his team but loses a lot of precious time. The mechanics come to him and start to change his tires.
"Cammon, guys! Faster, do it goddamn faster and I promise you I'll qualify well!" He then sees Bill reaching the level of the pits.
"Cammon! He is coming!" After these words he feels his car to lower down to the ground. And then hears the main mechanic saying: "It's ready, kid. Give it your all–"
He didn't even manage to finish the sentence and was silenced by the roar of the furiously sounding car, ready to tear every opponent apart. He drives through the pits, appearing right nex to Bill who due to having a higher speed slowly passes by him. Gilles presses the throttle pedal down to the floor and changes gears one after another. He rejoins the track behind Bill and finds himself beside another driver who can possibly steal his slip stream from Bill. They head towards the first corner right next to each other, the racer notices Gilles turning more and more into him to get on the inside line as much as he can. This causes him to being slowly pushed out of the track by Gilles. Out of the fear of being hurt or something worse, the racer brakes hardly to let Gilles in front of him.
Gilles then chases down Bill and catches behind him, holding on in a slip stream. Bill realises quickly what is Gilles doing and despite wanting to go into the pits he... stays on the track to provide Gilles an advantage of the slip stream. After another lap, the qualification session ends and both drivers return to the pits. The mechanics wrap their arms around Gilles, well aware of the fact that he propably qualified very very well. After many more minutes they find out a surprising truth, Gilles qualified... second! Right after Bill! One fact still hunts Gilles' mind however, why did Bill do that? Why did Bill give him willingly an advantage of the slip stream.
Even thought he didn't manage to understand the situation really, the whole crew of mechanics are happy, all of them are celebrating. All of them until Gilles sees the reporter. He prepares the money for her and she thanks him and says that it was a pleasure to make a business with him. Gilles clenches his fists and then walks away into restroom where he breaks into tears. After a while he comes back to his team, his eyes still red from crying, he is looking around, looking into the fan crowd, looking for Joann because he is in a moment in which her presence would help him very much!
But then he sees her coming to the pits so he runs towards her and lifts her in his arms, few tears still in his eyes. Tears that Joann thought were from a joy of qualifying well.
"I love you Joann, I love you so much! Never leave me, please!" She is a little bit confused after he said that but a feeling of gladness triggers in her mind that he told her such nice words. Little did she know the motive behind those sentences.