Cars 32017

Sterling:
Hey! Lightning! Come in, got something to show ya. You ready?

Lightning:
Uh... for what?

[He enters; Sterling shows him of array of Lightning McQueen-themed merchandise]

Lightning:
Wow.

Sterling:
You are about to become the best brand in racing. We are talking saturation on all continents for every demographic. Movie deals, infomercials, product endorsements!

Lightning:
Mudflaps?

Sterling:
Of course! We'll be rich beyond belief! You think you're famous now?

[Both laugh]

Lightning:
Thought you'd be mad about the simulator, I mean th-this is all great, Mr. Sterling, I guess, but... I don't know. I never really thought of myself as a brand.

Sterling:
Oh, nor do I. I'm a fan, maybe your most avid. I think of this as your legacy.

Lightning:
[pause, chuckles weirly] That... that sounds like something that happens after you're... [with sudden realization] ...done racing.

[Long pause]

Lightning:
Mr. Sterling, what is this about?

Sterling:
Look, Lightning. [inhales] I'm not gonna race you.

Lightning:
[shocked] What? What do you mean, not race me?

Sterling:
Hold on, hold on.

Lightning:
I'm not going to Florida?

Sterling:
Lightning! You have no idea how excited I was to get you here because I knew. I knew you'd be back! Was gonna be the comeback story of the year, but... your speed and performance just aren't where they need to be. I'm sorry.

Lightning:
Wha... we're talking about speed on a simulator! Listen to how crazy that sounds!

Sterling:
Look, I'm trying to help you. As your sponsor, yes, but also as your friend. Your racing days are coming to an end. Every time you lose, you damage yourself.

Lightning:
Damage the brand, you mean?

Sterling:
Oh, Lightning, come on! You've done the work, now move on the next phase and reap the reward!

Lightning:
The racing is the reward, not the stuff! I - I don't wanna cash in, I - I wanna feel the rush of moving 200 miles an hour! Inches from the other guys, pushing myself faster than I thought I'd go! That's the reward, Mr. Sterling!

Sterling:
Oh, Lightning, come on.

Lightning:
Look, I can do this! I - I - I can, I promise! I - I - I'll train like I did with Doc! I-I'll get my tires dirty on every dirt track from here to Florida! I - I can start right there on Fireball Beach, where all the old greats used to race!

Sterling:
Get your tires dirty? That's how you're gonna get faster than Storm?

Lightning:
Yes! Exactly! I mean — sacred dirt, right? Mr. Sterling, if you care about my legacy, the one that Doc started, you'll let me do this! I promise you! I will win!

Sterling:
[sighs] I don't know. What you're asking is too risky.

Lightning:
Come on, you'll like it, I can tell! It's got that little comeback story of the year feel, doesn't it?!

Sterling:
[sighs and rolls his eyes; pauses] One race? [Lightning nods] If you don't win at Florida, you retire?

Lightning:
Look, if I don't win, I'll sell all the mudflaps you got. But if I do win, I decide when I'm done. Deal?

Sterling:
[pauses] Deal.

Lightning:
Thank you, Mr. Sterling. You won't be sorry.

Sterling:
Just one thing, and this is only because I don't like taking chances: you're taking someone with you.

[Lightning starts to leave but stops, speechless.]