Friday 26 February 2016

The Humble Games Season Three Episode One

Huge thanks to fairyprincessjess for allowing me to use her likeness and for agreeing to write her reaction to each episode... She's a talented writer in her own right so be sure to check out her awesome  Deviantart gallery.Please be sure to let us know what you think!

ALL CHARACTERS ARE 18 OR OLDER
“See ya, Jessica!” Sarah called out as they went their separate ways across the parking lot after practice. Jessica smiled and waved, enjoying the sun on her bare legs and arms. Their new cheerleading uniforms were almost scandalously brief, and Jessica knew that everyone's attention was on her bare legs, midriff, and bloomer-clad bottom as her itty-bitty skirt bounced with every step she took. The weather was delightful, and she savoured the brief walk home from the school-- perhaps one of the last times she would walk this route as a student. Depending on how my exams go, she thought, chewing her lip nervously.

She arrived home a short time later, made her way over to the fridge and poured herself a lemonade. Her mom had asked her to start dinner before she and Jessica's father got home from work, but she still had a half hour or so before she had to get started. Jessica headed up the stairs to her bedroom.

She breezed into the room and made her way over to her closet to select something casual to wear for the rest of the night. Focused as she was on her wardrobe and the dismal prospect of having to spend the entire evening studying, she didn't even realize that she wasn't alone.

“Congratulations, Jessica,” said a deep voice from behind her. Jessica screamed, nearly dropping her drink as she spun around and was confronted with a well dressed man of indeterminate age, sitting at her desk in front of her computer and grinning at her like a wolf about to sit down to lunch.

“How the hell did you get in here you creep?!” she squealed, feeling especially vulnerable in her uniform. “Do you want me to, like, call the cops or something?!”

“I wouldn't do that if I were you, Jessica,” he said calmly. “I'd hate for you to miss out on what could be the greatest opportunity of your entire life.”

“What are you going on about, you perv?” She sighed, rolling her eyes, already bored and annoyed with this intruder.

“Jessica,” he said smoothly, as though she hadn't said anything, “I represent what is perhaps the most popular and exciting entertainment franchise in the history of television, and I'm here to help you make your dreams come true.”

That made her perk up her ears-- it was, she had to admit, a pretty good pitch. Did he just say 'television?' Her imagination was already conjuring ready-made images of what it would be like to be rich and famous and live in the lap of luxury, fueled by hours of reality TV and celebrity gossip sites. Like most people her age, Jessica spent an unhealthy amount of time fantasizing about what it would be like to be wealthy and powerful... to have everyone bow and scrape for your favour...

“I can see you're intrigued,” said the man, smiling as he closed in for the kill. “Jessica... are you familiar with the Humble Games?”

“Of course,” Jessica said, rolling her eyes, “they're those stupid movies with that girl who's naked pictures are all over the...”

“No,” said the man quickly, cutting her off. “You're thinking of a totally unrelated franchise. The Humble Games, my dear, is the most electrifying and exciting competition in the history of reality TV. I'm offering you a chance to literally make your fondest wishes come true... and in exchange, all you have to do is complete one simple challenge.”

“What kind of challenge?” Jessica asked, still wary.

“Nothing too difficult,” he said breezily, “we like to challenge our contestants to be their best... and show us who they really are on the inside,” he said, smiling mysteriously. “All I ask is that you prove your maturity to the world... should be easy for a sophisticated young lady such as yourself. Now how could you prove your maturity to us? I know! How about this exam you have coming up? All you have to do is study hard and pass your test.”

“Uh huh,” Jessica said, trying not to roll her eyes and failing spectacularly. “And exactly what do I, like, get out of it?”

“Literally anything you can imagine, Jessica. Just take a look at this...”

He spun in the chair and faced the computer (easily, she noted with annoyance, circumventing her password..) Within moments, the web browser was up and he was typing and clicking, almost faster than Jessica could follow. She thought she could make out a banner: Pampered Productions. But before she knew it, they were watching a clip:

On the monitor, the well dressed man was standing next to a beautiful raven haired woman, who was very excited about something. They were standing in front of a large, English style manor surrounded by lush, rolling countryside. “Congratulations, Betty,” he said, in imitation of a cheesy game show host, “it was a long and hard journey, but your dreams have come true-- a palatial home in one of the most sought after neighbourhoods in the world, nine figures in the bank, and all the fame you can handle... how's it feel, Betty?”

“Oh my God, I just can't believe it!” she screamed, ecstatic. “I mean, it was long and hard, but ultimately, it was totally worth it!”

He stopped the clip, closed the window and turned with a butter-wouldn't-melt smile. “Interested?” he asked, sensing that she was.

“Hmmm... Maybe,” she said, trying to play it cool. He could see that the clip had intrigued her. Of course, she probably would have been a little less interested if they'd watched it to the end, he thought philosophically... if she saw what was waiting for Betty inside the house...

But there was no time to worry about that now. He reached into his coat pocket and produced a contract.

“All you need to do is sign here-- we can start right away, episodes will begin airing immediately.”

Jessica stared at him out of the corner of her eye. It seemed too good to be true... but how could she turn down an opportunity like this? She was signing the contract before she was even fully aware she was doing it.

“Not sure why I'm doing this,” she muttered, handing the papers back to him. “I don't even know your name.”

He smiled at her. “Everyone knows my name, Jessica. I'm the host of the Humble Games. I'm the Game Master... But you can call me 'Master.'” Standing, he started toward the door.

“Wait!” she called out after him, “when do we start?”

“My dear,” he said with jolly good humour, “we've already begun!”

And with that, he disappeared, shutting the door behind him and leaving Jessica in a daze. She was still trying to sort out the bizarre series of events moments later when the door popped open and the Master stuck his head back in.

“Oh by the way,” he began breezily, “one more teeny tiny little insignificant thing to mention... About the penalties...”

“'Penalties?'” Jessica repeated nervously.

“Yes, I'm sure I mentioned those, didn't I? Wouldn't be much of a game if there weren't penalties, would it? We like to tailor every game to the specific player... and since your challenge is centred on attempting to prove your maturity, I think your penalties should centre around the consequences of immaturity.”

“What are you babbling about,” she sighed, rolling her eyes.

“Just this... from this point on until the completion of your big exam, any immature behaviour from you will have... let's just say 'immature consequences.' Those consequences will remain in place until you secure your passing grade. Should you fail to receive no less than a C on your exam, those penalties will remain in place indefinitely. Understand?”

“Not really.”

“Don't worry,” he assured with a smile that Jessica found slightly chilling, “you will.

“And now I really must go,” he said, closing the door behind him and leaving her in a daze.

Jessica sat at her desk for a long moment, turning it over and over in her mind. The prospect of winning and getting a wish seemed too good to be true... but what the hell was all that 'consequences' crap he was peddling?

Making her way over to the desk, Jessica sat down heavily. Her head was spinning, and she was trying to process everything that had just happened. What was that site? Pampered Productions? She started to bring up the browser, but just then she heard the garage door opening... her parents were home! Oh shit, she thought, her face growing ashen... I forgot to start dinner!

She bolted up out of her chair and ran down to the kitchen.



New Feature: Player reaction!
For this season, we're going to be trying out a new segment where the contestant tells us their thoughts on the series as it develops! At the end of each episode, Jessica will share her thoughts, feelings, and reactions to the preceding event! Take it away Jess:
It's weird. Like, I came home from school and went to my room. I swear there was nobody there. And then this perv just totally appears! He made some pretty great promises and a sales pitch. I get to have whatever I want. Easy! I accepted right away. Who wouldn't? I can become famous, and then be a model, or an actress or something.
But then he got weirder. I know, it's totally impossible for that story to get weird. Perv shows up in your room with a cheesy smile and promises whatever you want. But then he gave me some rubbish about penalties. What was that about? And why did he only tell me afterwards?
Oh well. I'll totally win this stupid contest or whatever it is. He'll see.