86
Rejoining the rest of the group, my deal now sealed with Cat, I stand beside the director as the ridiculous host, Starlen, prepares to follow his script, and I try not to catch the eye of any of the contestants.
Every season this particular challenge becomes more difficult and more diabolical. It’s well-known that this contest will likely see several of the women before me killed, either through accidents due to its sheer difficulty, or through deliberate targeting.
I clear my throat and look at my feet as Starlen begins his diatribe.
“And…Action!”
“And here we are, folks! Just outside Cairo, Egypt. An historical place full of magic and mystery, an ancient seat of power that still hums with secrets and knowledge. A place that’s seen its share of deceit, loss, triumph and tragedy — what better location to hold our second-to-last challenge this season?
And what better competitors than these nine beautiful women behind me; Sona our little mind-bender from Nepal, Thorun our innocent beauty from Iceland, Catriona our fiery Italian, Vasiliki our Greek goddess, Cherry our popular influencer from England, Amadea minus her Swiss twin, Adelheid, but still going strong, Silke our environmental champion from Germany, still in plaster, but still formidable, Miranda our deadly-hilarious little Aussie, and Claire our tricksy little Scottish lass.
Each one now more ready than ever to sacrifice everything for love!
Each and every one wanting to prove to the bachelor that they have what it takes to embrace the envious role of Viscountess Speardon. ”
“Cut!”
“Great, Clyde, really good. When you’re ready for the rest.”
Starlen tosses his hair and clears his throat dramatically before nodding to continue.
“And…Action!”
“As all of Bachelor Universe knows, this challenge is not going to be a walk in the park. What trials our beauties will face tonight, Bachelor fans! Yet what strengths are we hoping to reveal? What talents will be unveiled this night? Many, I’m here to tell you, many.
In this challenge each competitor must follow a map and navigate through a treacherous landscape filled with mini trials to collect a series of keys.
Those keys unlock boxes that contain more keys.
Collect all the keys, and you’ll unlock the last gate and success, AND... ”
He spins to face another camera to give a more dramatic backdrop as the helicopters come over the horizon.
“The lucky woman who comes first will unlock the door to a coveted one-on-one date with the bachelor — perhaps the last such date before our final wilderness challenge. Make no mistake, this is a date that could make all the difference in securing the Viscount’s heart before meeting with his royal family as part of the final three.
There’s a lot on the line with this competition.
But before we get into the nitty-gritty of the challenge and the rules, let’s hear what the Viscount has to say to his nine beautiful potential brides.
The camera spins to me and I raise my eyes from my feet to address the ladies, rather than the audience, who I know are likely salivating over every word.
“This challenge will be difficult,” I meet their eyes one by one, as I speak, “and long. There’s no time limit. It could take you days to get all the keys; it could take you one night. Nobody knows. But one thing I do know is that some of you won’t be there to meet me at the finish line.”
Cherry gasps dramatically and clasps her hand to her heart, and others murmur their assurances that they’ll be there to meet me.
I wait until they settle before going on.
“I want you to know that I consider myself privileged to have met each and every one of you, to learn about your lives, to appreciate your strengths, accomplishments, and values.”
I meet Cat’s eye as I go on.
“I know you have alliances that will help some of you navigate the quest tonight, and that bonds have been forged in this house, despite the nature of the competition. I hope the friendships you’ve made stand true through this trial.
In another time, another place — a better place, a fairer world — I know many of you would have been lifelong friends with each other, and with me. ”
I turn to look at the camera and hope my disgust for the Game shows plainly on my face.
“Cut!”
“Perfect, perfect,” Gerry nods before turning back to the host.
“And…Action!”
“And so, to the competition,” Starlen starts, grinning into the camera.
“Along the way, while hunting keys, the competitors will have the opportunity to take side quests to gain weapons. Understand,” he holds his hand up and says in a hushed voice, “there’s a downside to this.
Time is of the essence in gathering the keys to race to the finish line.
A weapon quest could take up valuable time, but it could also mean the difference between life and death.
Eliminating a rival will allow you to jump three boxes, skip three keys and possibly get to the end before anyone else. ”
He sighs heavily and pours fake sadness into his words as he stares earnestly into the camera.
“Will these ladies decide not to fight and simply race in the hunt for keys? Or will they take a slow and steady, deadly approach? Time will tell, time will tell. But,” he becomes upbeat once more, “we all know enough about the beauties standing before us to take an educated guess. There are women who run, women who swim like fish, women who hide, thinkers, strategists, and killers. Who is your money on tonight? Sit tight, viewers, because you don’t want to miss a second of this challenge! The only rule is, there are no rules!”
He turns from the cameras to wave an arm at the contestants who are now illuminated by bright strobe lights from two helicopters landing in the background, the air from the rotors swishing their hair around them like halos as he announces;
“Let the Games Begin!”