SBR Chapter 4
September 25, 1890 3 Hours to Start is the fourth chapter of Steel Ball Run.
Summary
This chapter begins by focusing on Gyro Zeppeli as he finishes making his preparations before the start of the Steel Ball Run race as he walks out of his tent with his items ready he sees Johnny's wheelchair lying on the ground near a fence by his tent. As Gyro walks closer he sees Johnny being dragged on the ground by a horse as well as overhearing a conversation two racers are having about how Johnny's been up through the night trying to get on the horse while also commenting on how he was sold a dobbin and got injured the night before in his right leg by the piece of wood going through it while also stating that he's been threatening to commit suicide if anyone tries to stop him from getting on horse as well as saying he must be insane. After talking about what Johnny was doing with his horse the two racers talking notice that he could possibly be trampled to death and try to rush out to save Johnny while asking Gyro if he agrees with them. Gyro simply states that "he'll never be able to ride his horse like that but if he could ride it then he'll go beyond human." Gyro while walking towards the town is asked by Soundman where to sign up for the race after pointing out the building to him Soundman thanks him as Gyro replies "it's my pleasure." We then see Soundman at the registration building handing a wrapped cloth to the clerk while the clerk states that the fee is "one thousand two hundred dollars in white man's money." Soundman then blows on the cloth revealing that inside the cloth is a emerald as the clerk examines it and gets sand in his eye Soundman then asks the clerk for a participation permit while telling the clerk to keep the change. The clerk hands Soundman his permit and number while asking him if he knows the starting time as well as telling him that they need to take his horse's nose prints before the race starts which Soundman replies saying "he won't need that he'll cross on continent and win with his feet alone." Around thirty minutes until the race Stephen Steel shows the trophy for winning is frozen in ice from the South pole while saying that it is the "sacred ice" of the Steel Ball Run race and that the burning desire of everyone involved in the race will melt the ice after making his speech Mr. Steel makes a joke about how his comments broke the ice which no except Lucy Steel claps at. As all the racers line up at the starting line the two racers from earlier notice that horse is walking towards the starting line while Johnny still being dragged by it. The horse bends it neck down and licks Johnny as Gyro watches Johnny begins to get up and looks at Gyro saying "The truth about your Steel Balls I won't give up I will figure it out it's in the spin even if i can't catch up to you even after the race ends I will someday." After listening to Johnny Gyro then replies "choosing that horse was correct old horses have experience in this kind of race they don't charge into dangerous territory on impulse and strain their legs like the young ones that are all about power." he further states "since I'm interested in you I'll give you a hint you already found the answer if you have the will to get on the horse, why don't you?" After hearing Gyro say that Johnny stares at him as the announcer says its two minutes to starting time. As it gets closer to starting the race Johnny asks his to lick his face again as the horse bends its head down to lick Johnny once more it's neck lifts Johnny up and onto it's back Johnny thinks to himself that "all hope is in the spin and he wants to know more about the steel balls." as the announcer says that the "Steel Ball Run Begins Now."
