SBR Chapter 1
The Steel Ball Run: Press Conference, originally San Diego Beach - September 23, 1890 - 2 Days to Start in the WSJ release, is the seven hundred fifty-third chapter of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure manga. It is also the first chapter of Steel Ball Run.
Summary
A ruckus is heard in an unnamed native American village, where the chief is informed that the man named Sandman has been keeping English literature with him. For that crime he is being purchased by his fellow villagers but somehow manages to outrun them even though he is running and the villagers are riding horses. Sandman then uses a horse to kick himself higher and reach the top of a rocky formation, escaping his pursuers. A mysterious hand materializing out of Sandman's arm is seen blinding a horseman with sand. When Sandman climbs at the top of the rocky mountain, he sees his sister, who beats him and orders him to apologize to the village, but Sandman refuses, explaining that their tribe will have to study their enemy the White Man in order to survive. Later, in a conversation with his sister, he indicates a multitude of perfectly hemispherical hand-sized depressions in a rock face. He says that it's evidence of an impossible horseback leap, and that the tool they used is likely made by a white man. He then shows his sister a newspaper headline regarding the Steel Ball Run race, with a grand prize of $50,000,000.
Elsewhere, a man reports complications in the logistics of the race to Steven Steel, the promoter of the race. They depict an over-subscription of (culturally diverse) entrants. Steel rudely tells the assistant off, ordering him to stop any disorder, and failing that, throw out any troublemaker out of the race. When the assistant leaves, Steven suddenly jumps at the arms of his young wife Lucy, expressing his doubts about whether he can handle the race, but Lucy reassures him.
Later, Steven holds a press conference. Giving the race's rules, he explains that the Steel Ball Run race will start on the Pacific San Diego beach at 10 a.m. on September 25th, 1890. The goal is New York, in a distance of ~6000km. The first will receive $50,000,000; the second $1,000,000; the third $500,000; the fourth $250,000; the fifth $120,000; and so on, up to 10th place, along with special checkpoint prizes. The only condition for participants is an age of over 16 years, and a participation fee of $1200. Projecting a race time of 60 - 80 days, Steven mentions the rule that changing horses is not allowed. Weapons are allowed, but not crime. Steven names Mountain Tim, Urmd Avdol, Dot Han and Diego Brando as among the most famous entrants. Finally, he rejects a question about his wife Lucy, who's suggested to be 14 years of age.
A man dumps a pouch of coins on a counter. The clerk reiterates the Steel Ball Run race rules (no refunds, the start of the race in two days is absolute, no exchange of horses permitted, and that the rider's fingerprints and the horse's noseprint will be taken), then asks his signature. The man is given a race commemoration medal and badge, and the identifying number B-636. He signs "Gyro Zeppeli". An emphasis is made on the Steel Ball hanging from his shoulder at his waist. He smiles widely, revealing the phrase "GO! GO! ZEPPELI" marking his shining teeth.
A man reaches for Gyro's Steel Ball from behind him. When he touches it, he is forced to his knees, unable to stand. When the clerk notes that Gyro's fee is short $20, Gyro uncovers the missing money out of the man's hands.
Detail
The chapter begins with an Indian chief being told of a tribesman called sandman who is to be scalped due to having "the white man's books" in his tent as the Indians chase after Sandman on their horse they notice the way he is running is in the same style that "the white man uses when competing for trophies and prize money."
As Sandman is being chased up into the rocky hills the tribesmen chasing him reflect on how he always "separated himself from the rest of the tribe when he was younger as though he was making fun of them" they shout how he should be punished for going against the tribes rules as well as how he is unforgivable for doing so.
While running from the tribesmen Sandman is kicked by one of their horses up to a higher rock and continues to climb up higher even though he is hurt while the tribesmen prepare to fire their arrows at him as he climbs further up the rocks. After firing the arrows at Sandman the tribesmen are shocked by the fact Sandman is unaffected by them
as he reaches the other side of the rock he was climbing and stops to catch his breath a figure appears behind him then begins to slap him repeatedly while he shouts "please stop, sis, I'm really sorry." Sandman's older sister then tells him that she is going to take him back to the tribe where they will both apologize to the chief and he will promise never to read white man's books again
Sandman then says that his opinion is different from hers while he does see the white man as an enemy but the best way to him to protect yourself is to understand your enemy's culture as well as stating that the tribes way of thinking won't work now due to everyone thinking that their being hounded from their ancestor's land when in truth the white man's concept is money so there for the land will be owned by the person who owns the most money.
Sandman's sister then says that he was like this even as a child that's why no one understands what your thinking after hearing his sister say that
Sandman shows her markings he found on the hills and explains that a white man was there training as well as to tell her that he is leaving on a trip to join the Steel Ball Run to win the fifty million dollar prize money to buy back their ancestor's land back.
The scene then switches to Steven Steel and his wife Lucy Steel as Steven talks to his representative about the varies complaints of the guest are having, being informed of the number of participants that currently are predicted to join the race, and being told the Steel Ball Run Press Conference is about to start.
After informing Mr. Steel his representative leaves as Steven begins to cry about how the race could fall apart while Lucy comforts him assuring him that the race will go fine as long as he believes in himself.
Once the press conference beings Steven begins to explain the rules of the race as well as who the sponsors of the event are. As the Conference continues Steven explains that the contestants of the race should bring their own weapons with them to defend themselves against any threat.
As Steven and Lucy begin to leave a reporter asks if Lucy is Steven's wife and if she is really 14 years old his representative walks in front of the reporter then states "that has nothing to do with the race."
The chapter ends with Gyro Zeppeli signing up for the race while stopping a pickpocket from getting away with some of his entry fee money.
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