Chapter 5

The Mysterious Stephanie McClaire

Tuesday : March 4th 2025

Phillip Island was a small resort island just south of Melbourne. By car, it's about a two hour drive, although that's mostly due to traffic with the hustle and bustle of passing through the massive city. It was home to many things you wouldn't expect, like penguins, and some of the most scenic ocean front views of all the world. But also, it was home to one of the fastest race tracks on the motorcycle racing calendar. The 4.5km Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. 

Located oceanside, the track hosted a variety of different events, from state level club racing events to the Grand Prix for Motorcycle World Championship. However, as Ruby was finding out, the week before the Australian GP for F1, Phillip Island held a vintage racing reunion on par with that of the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Hundreds of vintage racing cars and motorcycles and their thousands of team members who took care of them and raced them were descending upon the island. 

“Holy crap, I had no idea!” Ruby exclaimed in shock.

“Like a lot of motorsports these days, they do a really bad job of promoting it to the general population. They try to ride F1's coat tails but it's not as effective as it could be.” Revz lamented and Ruby nodded.

“It's silly, why hold a big event and not tell anyone?”

“Well they do. It's just vintage car clubs and racing diehards who would come regardless. We need to get people like you involved, young people who love racing but don't know these niches exist.” Revz stares out the window as he speaks, watching the outskirts of Melbourne pass by, night rapidly falling over south Australia. 

“Agreed. So, what sort of car does your team have?” Ruby asked.

“Cars are more like it… I help take care of a fleet of more cars than you can count. Think airport hangers filled with car lifts so we can park two cars in the space of one.” 

“Oh jeez, that's a lot.” Ruby said, thinking out loud.

“Yeah no kidding. We've brought a GT40, a McLaren Formula 5000, and probably a few others that got unloaded today…”

“Eww, that's a lot of Fords… Hehe, I'm a GM Holden fan.” Ruby protested jokingly.

“I figured, how does an 18 year old get a Maloo anyway? I'm surprised they'll even insure you?” Revz asked as Ruby laughed nervously. She could almost afford to rent an apartment based solely on her car insurance payment… almost.

“It's a long story…” she eventually squeaked out.

“Fair enough. Thanks for the ride Ruby.”

“Don't mention it! Although, would you care if I crash with your team for the night? It will be kinda late for me getting back and you mentioned renting out a few beachside houses?” Ruby asked, pushing her luck just a little further. 

“Sure, I'm sure we can work something out.” 

Ruby smiled ear to ear, tonight was just getting better and better! Darkness had fully fallen as the Maloo crossed over the bridge and onto the island itself. Revz giving directions, Ruby piloted the UTE through the darkness to a set of beautiful oceanside homes. Outside was a collection of rental cars, as well as a couple of UTEs and SUVs with trailers attached. Outside, on the beach there was a campfire and lots of people milling about and enjoying the evening. However one was coming through the darkness straight towards them.

“Revz?! Where the hell have you been? Star has been looking all over Melbourne for you?” 

“Maybe she shouldn't she shouldn't have pushed me into a fucking fountain and ran off!” Revz replied bitterly, throwing his dead phone at the figure. For some reason, the voice sounded familiar to Ruby, oddly familiar? 

“Ugh…” The figure growled, looking at the waterlogged phone. She shut it before throwing it to the ground in frustration.

“She left out that part…” 

“Of course she did… anyway, here's my savior for the day. Ruby Starfire, meet Stephanie McClaire.” Ruby’s jaw hit the floor. Suddenly she put a name to the voice, Stephanie McClaire, the mysterious driver for hire who offered Ruby her staff pass back and Adelaide so she wouldn't get kicked out.

“Ruby? Oh hey, it is you! I've never seen you without that hoodie on!” 

As McClaire stepped into the light, her slim figure, glowing amber eyes and long jet black hair remained unchanged since the two had last crossed paths. However, no longer wearing a Red Bull racing suit, she also looked very different. Now she was wearing shorts and a sort of bikini top. 

“Uh, McClaire… it's nice to see you again!” Ruby coughed, trying to evacuate the awkwardness and disbelief from her voice!

“Same! Thanks for rescuing my mechanic! Are you hungry? We've got some meat kebabs and some finger food!”

“Uh, sure!” With that, McClaire leads Ruby and Revz back towards the party, but not before calling someone.

“Revz is back. We need to talk when you get back.” Is all McClaire said before hanging up. Ruby meanwhile was trying to stay on the wooden path. She really didn't like walking on sand with the heels on her boots. Eventually she could go no further and had to take them off. Tucking her socks inside and carrying her boots, she stepped barefoot into the warm sands of one of Phillip Islands many beaches. 

“So first Adelaide and now here. You seem to get around a lot Ruby! Trying to sneak into another race?” McClaire asked as they stepped into some sort of cabana bar. Casually, grabbing some sort of fruity alcoholic drink and offering it to her. 

“Uh, thanks! No, I actually have a ticket this time. Plus I travel a lot, you know, for work and stuff.” Ruby said, taking it and sitting down. McClaire followed suit, taking a sip of some sort of drink of her own.

“Ah, so what do you do?” 

“I model, act, and do odd jobs predominantly.” Ruby said, taking a sip. It was a tangy blue raspberry sort of drink, very light and very refreshing.

“Does that include dog sitting?” McClaire laughed and Ruby blushed bright red. Oh God, she's seen the video of me getting drugged around by those damn dogs… Indeed, McClaire turned her phone around to a bookmarked tweet, a compilation of Ruby being drugged around by Marty the German Shepherd.

“Oh God, it's so embarrassing…” Ruby muttered, dropping her head into her hands.

“Embarrassing, you went viral girl! It's freaking hilarious! I just saw it today, you got over 1.2 million views!” McClaire laughed.

“Wait, what!?” Ruby pulled her phone out of her pocket and checked. Indeed, several of the videos had hundreds of thousands of views now, it had only been two days.

“Argh, those damn dogs!” Ruby muttered as McClaire laughed at her expense.

“I was actually about to try and message you. You know, just to get in contact with you. I meant to get your phone number after the thing in Adelaide.”

“My phone number? Uh, why, if you don't mind me asking?” Ruby asked, confused what a billionaire race car driver would want with her. McClaire shrugged and thought for a moment before replying. 

“I guess I just like bold people...” She eventually said, pausing before continuing.

“Plus you were kind, and seemed like a driven person. I like that, and appreciate it!”

“Well you did give me your staff pass. It would be a real dick move for you to just do that for me and then I just blow you off…” 

“Hahaha, exactly! Uh, hold that thought…” McClaire’s attitude shifted as her attention did as well. A petite blonde girl approached from the darkness, looking… well… guilty as charged.

“Why did you kick Revz into a fountain?” McClaire asked the girl bluntly.

“He pissed me off, plus was being a perv.” The girl replied, equally as blunt.

“I doubt that. Can you not abandon him in a massive city next time?”

“Nope.” And with that the girl strutted off.

“Who was that?” Ruby asked, confused by the whole altercation. 

“My adopted daughter and lead driver, Stella Star. She's… a bit of a wild spirit and can be a bit of a dick when she wants to be.” McClaire explained and Ruby just nodded. 

“Revz said the same thing about her…”

“Good news is, all is forgiven after a spot of revenge…” McClaire laughed, taking a sip of her drink. She laughed to herself before looking at Ruby with a very devilish face.

“You want to drive a race car, Ruby?”