The orientation room was very long and wide, with several rows of chairs lined up and facing the stage at the far end of the room. A large projection screen took up the back wall. Many other men of various ages were already in the room, talking and bragging about their latest wins. Against the side wall was a buffet table filled with all kinds of pastries. Wolfgang's stomach rumbled.
"Ach, that looks good." He shook his head ruefully. The spy had to keep his weight down not only as a disguise but also for health reasons as well. Still, the raspberry strudel looked good...
"Go sit down and keep quiet, English." Wolfgang said, "While I sample some of this food."
Davy did as Wolfgang said. As he was sitting down in the middle of a row of chairs, he accidentally bumped into someone who was sitting down as well.
"Oh, excuse me." Davy said to the man.
"Oh no, it was my fault entirely mate." The man replied in a British accent, then smiled at Davy. "Ah, it's nice to meet a fellow Brit." He extended his hand. "The name is Jeremy Crumpets."
Davy took the man's hand and shook it. "David Jones?" He paused and looked at the man curiously. Crumpets was about the same age as Davy with wavy red hair and a mustache.
"What's the matter?" Jeremy asked.
"Would you happen to be related to T.N. Crumpets, the race car driver?" Davy asked.
"I'm his grandson." Jeremy replied, "You know my Grandfather?"
Davy looked back at the buffet table to see what Wolfgang was doing. The spy was still filling his plate with sweets, his back to Davy. The Monkee turned back to Jeremy.
"Yes, my mates and I helped him out when his car kept being sabotaged."
"Ah yes!" Jeremy said happily. "Now I know why your name sounded familiar too. My grandfather told me about all the sticky wicket he was in and how you raced against this Von Klutz blighter and defeated him. Well done and thank you."
"You're welcome Jeremy, but it seems Von Klutz is back in the race car business, doing evil again."
"What do you mean?" Jeremy asked.
Davy looked back at the buffet table once again. Wolfgang was near the end of the table and about ready to walk over to him. Davy couldn't let Wolfgang see him talking to Crumpets! He turned to his fellow Brit.
"I can't tell you much now. That man at the end of the table is Wolfgang, Von Klutz's flunky. I'm being forced to drive Von Klutz's car tomorrow."
"I'll call the authorities for you."
"No, you can't." Davy said, shaking his head. "He's holding my friends hostage."
Jeremy's eyes grew wide at that. "How can I help you then?"
Another glance at the buffet table. "Can you meet me in the men's room in five minutes?"
Jeremy nodded, and then got up and walked away. At the same time, Wolfgang turned away from the buffet table and walked over to Davy.
He was pleased to see Davy sitting there alone. As Wolfgang sat down, Davy gave Wolfgang's plate a glance.
"That's stuff not healthy, y'know." Davy said.
"Shut up, shwine." Wolfgang growled, then bit into a cupcake.
There was a clock on the wall behind the stage, so Davy was able to see when five minutes were up. He slowly stood up.
"Where are you going?" Wolfgang demanded.
"I have to go to the men's room." Davy said.
"Wait a minute. I'll come with you." Wolfgang said as he chomped on a cookie.
"I can't wait, I have to go now." Davy replied, his face and voice taking on a sense of urgency.
Wolfgang looked at the plate of pastries in his hand. He couldn't take them into the men's room, or risk leaving them on the seat where someone might steal them. So with a glare he looked at Davy.
"Go. But be back very soon. Remember your friends."
Davy nodded, eyes closed, then turned and walked quickly into the men's room. Luckily the room was empty and Davy saw Jeremy standing against the side wall, away from the door. Davy quickly ran over to him.
"I don't have much time, but here's the story."
Davy told Jeremy about Von Klutz and Wolfgang holding him and his friends hostage and that he had to win the race tomorrow. He also told him that Von Klutz and Wolfgang were also spies working for the East Germans.
"What a dirty rotter." Jeremy whispered.
"Can you help us? Can you tell your grandfather what's going on?" Davy asked.
"Yes, I will tell him." Jeremy replied, "In fact he's in L.A. to see me drive. He's not in good health anymore, though."
"Thank you, Jeremy." Davy said, shaking his hand, "Someone has got to know."
"Someone will, David." Jeremy replied, "Now go before your buddy misses you."
Davy walked out of the Men's room and back over to Wolfgang. Jeremy waited several seconds, then left the men's room too. He sat in another row towards the back.
Up on the stage, a gray haired man walked over to the microphone.
"Attention, drivers! Please pay attention to the following announcements about what will be happening tomorrow."
He then started on a long list of items, including what time to arrive and the starting order. Davy tried to pay attention, but was hoping that Jeremy would be able to bring help in time.
"The race will be twenty laps around this oval." The man on stage said. A drawing of the track was shown on the screen behind him. "First prize is $50,000 dollars. Some of the visiting dignitaries might come and congratulate the winner."
The floor was then opened up for questions. After several more minutes, nobody had anything else to say.
"If that is all," The man on the stage said, "You gentlemen can leave. Good luck and may the best man win!"
Under cover of the applause, Wolfgang leaned over to Davy. "That winner had better be you." He growled.
Behind them, Jeremy raced out the door.