ZCT298: A Bridge Too Far

[HerrNove]

A Bridge Too Far
an homage to Switzerland and to Trackmania's trial maps

Siamo nel profondo sud est della Svizzera...

The Alpine lake of Zwüschetspitzli lies in a wonderful landscape. It has three tributary rivers: from west comes the Chluftach, from North the Stägglaa, from East the Felsrunz. Lake and river seem to have dug their way through the infinity of mountain peaks surrounding the region.

The best part of the place is the islet in the centre of the lake. It's called Chliiinsel and it's beloved by inhabitants and visitors alike. Not only it hosts a variety of plants and flowers, but it offers a fantastic view over the surroundings. Just north of the island, instead, as in a distorting mirror, the so-called Seich rises from the waters. It is a nightmare of ice, steel and concrete that defies description, and whose origin is debated. Some people whisper that the mysterious construction is the leftover of secret experiments carried out by the Swiss Navy in the Sixties. Others deny those rumours: the moderates say that no experiment ever took place, the radicals claim that no Swiss Navy exists to begin with. In any case, everybody agrees that one should not speak too much about the Seich.

Other signs of human activity are also well visible. Sturdy embankments have been built along the lakeside, as well as an intricate road network twisting through peaks and dales of the region. The most infamous symbol of this sprawl of concrete is the Wellenformbrücke, a sinuous bridge crossing the southern part of the lake. Ostensibly a fundamental part of the "East-West Cantonal Line #3", the bridge costed billions and required an amount of upkeep that nobody was willing to pay. After decades of neglected maintenance, the road has started to be associated with a number of inexplicable, freakish accidents: legends speak of cars falling through solid concrete or suddenly jumping over the low guard-rails and sinking into the cold waters. The responsibility for this cursed work and immense waste of public money is unclear: German speakers like to blame the Italian influence, Italian speakers point the finger towards the nearby Austria. Both groups are unanimous in saying that the Swiss spirit cannot be at fault.

It is in this place that you and your friends have decided to spend the weekend. Your plans to impress the girls with your luxurious racecars folded immediately as you found out that the parking around the hotel was almost exclusively filled with Porsches. You need robust means to stand out, so you go for the honourable solution: organizing a dangerous road race and letting the voice spread. The plan succeeds: in a matter of hours, everybody in your hotel knows you are cool kids. As the sun sets, you are sitting in the hotel's bar, tasting your Apéro and enjoying a pleasant conversation with a beautiful lady you just met.

– So you plan to race this weekend? So daring! It takes real courage to go fast in this place!
– No need to be afraid, babe... we raced through much more insidious paths. For our bolids, these Alpine roads are almost a railway.
– Oh, I am quite sure you know how to stay on track. But this is not the biggest danger I was thinking of. We are in Switzerland, you know, and people obey rules for a reason. Do you know what is the penalty for speeding here?
– Uh, I guess a fine of some hundred of...
– No, the guilloutine.
You almost choke on your cocktail, but manage to collect yourself.
– I guess an old law, eh? Surely they won't apply the death penalty for some minor misdemean...
– Last weekend two pedestrians were shot for jaywalking.
– ...
– But you seem to know what you are doing. I am sure that you'll make it home in one peace. But tell me, have you and your friends agreed on the race course already?
Partially shocked but trying heroically to keep a nonchalant attitude, you take out a map. You have already studied it for hours and were planning to spend the night analysing the details, but you pretend it's not a big deal.
– You see, it's very simple: set off from the Chliiinsel, visit the western then the eastern shore, finally return to the start point. As for the route, I was thinking...
– Let me help you!
A marker pen has appeared in her hand. Its color is scarlett, just like her nail polish. Before you realize, she begins to draw a line from the start point.
– You know, my ex boyfriend had a Ferrari...
The line arrives at the first obstacle. It's a descending ramp, its shape resembling a snail shell. But the lady does not like snails, and her path passes through the ramp in a straight line, as if the barrier were not there.
– He could drive that car really fast, and I was his navigator!
Now the pen has arrived at a fork in the road. From your assessment, there is actually no choice and one seems forced to turn. But the lady's line begs to disagree.
– I remember our most memorable race. We set off from Coconut Beach (beautiful place, you should visit it!)...
You are now totally mesmerized. You stare at her eyes and her mouth. Somewhere in your peripheral vision you can see the red line is now heading eastwards – is it really traversing the Seich?! How on Earth... – but you are unable to focus on the exact path.
– Then we went through the Devil's Canyon and Cloudy Mountain...
When you manage to collect yourself, the scarlett marker is already in the final streak. Take the ramp to the Chäs-und-Brot-Brücke (a movable bridge, what if it is raised?), then full throttle to the end line.
– ...and at the end, they gave the trophy to me! My boyfriend was so annoyed, ah, ah. But believe me, I had fully deserved it!
You take a look at the path she has drawn. The red line reminds you of those Indiana Jones films. It will take guts to execute.
– Well, I have to go, champion. But now I am sure that you have what it takes to get the first place. I'll be back in some days and we'll celebrate your victory together!
You cannot think of a reply as you watch her heading to the exit, where a limousine is waiting. Just before crossing the door, she turns towards you for a moment, smiling:
– And don't forget to fasten your seatbelt!

[alanrotoi]

     yay!

[Shoegazing Leo]

892TCZ (Reversed)

[HerrNove]

Intermezzo

Freifrau Elisabeth Marie Esther Salis-Bothmar, the old descendant of a side branch of the local nobility, sat in the main hall of her family palace. The residence had been built on a cliff overlooking the Zwüschetspitzli, and the huge windows offered a excellent view of the lake and its surroundings.

Together with the baroness was a younger woman, who had been a friend of hers for a long time and was spending a couple of weeks in the palace as visitor. The past days had been very pleasant, but that evening the guest's mood seemed bad. She had spent the whole afternoon on the outside terrace with a pair of binoculars, looking at the fast cars running on the roads around the lake. More and more she seemed displeased with what she was seeing. As it often happened, the baroness was trying to understand what troubled her and offer consolation, as well as a cup of tea with cookies.

– Would you rather be on the seat of those cars instead of here, my dear? I can understand! When I still could ride Pegasus, my thoroughbred, alongside my husband...
– It's not that, my dear Lisette. But they are ignoring what I told them!
– You told them to to fight for your hand, dear? Maybe they just need to agree on which weapon to duel with.
– I had told them – she had to stop – I had told them the best route. So clearly! And they are ignoring it! Men are always the same!
– We send them signals...
– ...and they are unable to catch them! Even the most basic! Unless one throws them something heavy on top of that!
– Come, come, my dear, maybe there is a simple explanation. Men are shy, after all. They do not want to be seen following a woman's suggestion.
– So what can I do?
– Look, the sun is setting. Soon it will be night. Maybe, with the favor of darkness, those gentlemen will follow your indications without fearing their actions will be seen by others...

[dreadnaut]

Barely any time to read stuff on the internet, but this thread made my day. Thank you @HerrNove