‘Not anymore. Something’s got him fired up and I wish I knew what. I’d pay to put it on tap . . . I thought it might be something to do with you.’

‘Us?’ Clover asked, looking at Johnny quizzically.

‘Well, that’s seemed to be the correlation lately.’

They watched him go. Clover felt her hangover bite at her again – she was hot, she was cold, she gave a shudder.

Johnny was already looking at her when she turned to face him. ‘Well,’ she said with a thin smile. ‘That was . . . interesting.’

‘Yeah,’ he nodded, collapsing the tripod. ‘That’s definitely the word I’d use.’

*

Jay Kaplin, Team Canada Yeh, I’ve seen him ride a few times now but he’s looking different today. He’s really starting to bring it. It’s like he was holding back before. (Laughs) I’m beginning to feel worried.

Clover Phillips Why do you think he was holding back before?

J. K. (Shrugs) I mean, he’s had some injuries. He got beat pretty bad, from what I heard.

C. P. Do you think there’s any truth to the rumour he was deliberately hiding his level?

J. K. (Frowns) . . . Nah . . . I mean . . . When you’re out here, you’ve gotta bring it. There’s no half measures on that thing. Snowboarding’s a state of mind. I think he’s just been slowly warming up.

C. P. He makes no secret of the fact that he’s here for the trophies, not the homies. Can he ever be one of the crew?

J. K. I dunno, man. (Sighs) He’s . . . he’s not your typical park rat, for sure.

*

C. P. What do you make of the way Kit Foley’s riding today?

Gabriel Beadeaux, Team France He’s stomping it out there! I think he’s forgotten he’s not on waves! (Laughs) Can someone please remind him he’s the rookie?

C. P. Do you think he’ll be a serious contender this season?

G. B. I do now.

C. P. And does his past reputation for gamesmanship concern you at all?

G. B. Gamesmanship? (Whistles) Listen, you can see he’s a warrior. He gets this different look in his eyes when he straps the board on. He goes from being chill to gnarly like that. (Clicks fingers) But I guess that’s what made him a champion before, though, right?

C. P. So it doesn’t matter to you that he’ll fight at any cost?

G. B. Well, the pipe is solo riding anyway, so I guess it doesn’t figure.

C. P. Would you want to share terrain with him?

G. B. (Silence)

*

Clover sat in the snow, her elbows draped over her knees. She tilted her face to the sun, relaxing into its warmth. Her hangover was receding. They had interviewed almost every rider. Almost.

‘There he goes . . .’ Johnny murmured.