I lost. But I felt like... okay.

It's just like those racing games I used to play. Had to grind through many races until I get the hang of it, and I will get better.

Maybe I should get more practice, and buy some upgrades.

"Hey car, where can I go to upgrade you?" I should give my car a name someday. That's what everyone does, right?

"Searching for workshops nearest to you..."

And the screen highlighted a few places. Most of them look like regular workshops, at least, the name sounds... normal.

"Any idea whether I can afford the upgrades?" I only have a $1,000!

The car didn't reply. Maybe it's not something it had an answer for.

The nearest shop was just one kilometer away, a few minutes drive. Once I arrived there, a typical dirty looking mechanic, his clothes covered in oil and grease, smiles at me. He looked quite young, though.

"Hey, newbie looking for an upgrade?" He didn't look very interested, but he talked to me.

"Uh yeah, how did you know?"

"Stock car, stock paint, fresh license sticker, no decals and windscreens without any logos or signs. Totally reeks of newbie."

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Ah."

"So yea, I am trying to get upgrades... uhm, what do you have?"

"Shop is right there." The mechanic pointef to an airconditioned room next to the garage. Well, it looks like a shop. "These days you can order parts online, just gonna check whether its compatible with your model. A little troublesome to set up your car details on the online marketplace, but seriously, most guys just order online and ask us to install. You should do the same."

"Uh." Okay.

"Did ya win?"

"What?"

"Your first race, or haven't raced yet?"

"Oh. I lost."

"Ah, too bad, you'll get over the loss. Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw."

Well, the mechanic didn't follow me into the actual shop, and inside is a simple design, essentially a large table with a computer, also serving as a counter, some chairs, a few filing cabinets, and behind the counter, rows and rows of shelves, Like, a lot of shelves, filled with boxes. It's more of a logistic warehouse than a shop.

There's a young lady at the counter, intensely looking at her computer screen. Stacks of invoices and order forms, paper forms, sprawl over the table. There's a calendar with a lot of words. Booking? Appointments?

She didn't notice me. Until I sat down.

"Oh. A walk in. How rare." She took out a binder file, and flipped

Her fingers stop about midway in. I could see a binder divider with the title 'Manda'.

"Manda MX5 entry level upgrades. Browse for yourself, alright? We charge a $500 fitting fee for Tier 1 parts."

Huh, she noticed my car and quickly got to it. Interesting.

She's back, focused on whatever is on her screen, clicking and scrolling furiously.

Not much customer service here. Is this normal?

Anyway, I looked at the page and I realised I've got no money for anything.

Part Category

Tier 1 part price

Tier 1 effects

Suspension

$3,700

Uphill +1

Aero and downforce

$4,000

Downhill +1

Turbo/Supercharger

$4,100

Flat +1

Tyres

$3,500

Corner +1

Transmission

$4,300

Straight +1

Yeah. I need more money if I ever plan to buy any of it. Sounds like I still have to keep my day job.