Von Klutz chuckled at the horrified expression on Micky's face.
"Originally, I was going to have Wolfgang blow up the car by remote control." Von Klutz said to him, "But the arrival of you and your friends gave me the opportunity to...as you Yankees say, `kill two birds with one stone'."
"You're going to blow up my friends...the Chancellor...for what?" Micky stuttered.
"Once it is announced Herr Jaeger has died, my fellow East German operatives in West Berlin will start a takeover of the capital." Von Klutz stood up over Micky. "That will be the signal for the East German troops already gathering to smash through the Berlin Wall, and complete the takeover of the western half of my beloved country!"
"That's an act of war! The Americans and British would never allow it!" Micky shouted at Von Klutz.
"America is too involved in fighting in that little country of Vietnam." Von Klutz sneered. "Their troop levels in West Germany have been reduced so they can fight there. If it comes to war, I have no doubt Germany and her allies will THIS time be victorious! Once again, my beloved Deutschland will be one country!"
"You fiend!" Micky screamed as he shot up and crashed into Von Klutz, knocking him into the TV. The two men fought for Von Klutz's gun, but Micky was at a disadvantage with his cuffed hands. The East German spy sent a right into Micky's chin, knocking him back into his armchair. He aimed his gun at Micky's head.
"I could kill you now, dirty Yankee." Von Klutz growled, slightly out of breath. "But I don't want your blood staining my clean carpets. Now you will be quiet and watch history unfold."
Von Klutz adjusted the rabbit ears on top of the TV and sat back down in his armchair. Micky rubbed his chin and then looked at the floor, unable to look at the TV.
~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, Wolfgang drove the three Monkees over to the speedway. They showed their badges to the guard at the drivers' parking lot and the guard let them pass. Once they had parked the four of them went over to the area where the race cars' bays were. They showed their ID's once again and were admitted inside. With Wolfgang in the lead, they walked over to bay #13.
Davy looked around to see if he could spot Jeremy. Finally, Davy spotted him talking to his pit crew outside his bay, only a few bays away from where he was going. Jeremy looked over at Davy, but gave no indication that he even recognized him. Davy's heart sank as Wolfgang opened the garage door to bay #13 and motioned for him to go inside.
~~~~~~~
Back at Von Klutz's house, Micky and his captor sat in front of the TV. Von Klutz sat with a smile on his face as it got closer to the race's start time. Micky simply stared at the floor, trying to think of a way to escape and prevent WWIII.
"Well, race fans," The TV commentator said happily, "It looks like it's going to be a beautiful day today for the race. It's a sell- out crowd at the Speedway. The International Speed Championship has attracted drivers and their cars from all over the world. In fact, here they come now out of their bays."
Micky looked at the TV to see all the cars slowly pulling out of their bays and over the short road to the track. Once on the track, they began to drive around and get into position.
"Ah! There's the super mobile!" Von Klutz exclaimed, pointing to his car as it went past on the screen.
Several minutes later, the last of the cars were on the track and were slowly circling around the track. In the front of them all was the pace car, painted a brilliant yellow with a revolving red light on top.
"Cars are now all on the track." The commentator said, "Soon, the official will wave the green flag and the race will begin."
Von Klutz looked at Micky and smirked.
"Enjoying yourself, Yankee?" He asked.
"You haven't won yet, Klutzy." Micky said angrily, "A lot of things could go wrong. A flat tire, an accident..."
"Very true." Von Klutz interrupted, "But I'm sure Wolfgang has impressed upon little Davy the folly of doing any sabotage of his own."
"But accidents can happen!" Micky exclaimed.
"Also true." Von Klutz agreed, "So Davy better hope he has the best of luck."
"You're putting a lot of pressure on him." Micky commented.
"Only fitting, given that he beat me the last time he raced, and had me arrested. Now he is going to help me win...and still die for his troubles."
"There's the green flag!" The TV commentator shouted, "The tenth annual International Speed Championship is underway!"
The yellow pace car got out of the way and the race cars began barreling around the track.