You Risk Your Life! by Michael Mariman (f/m, qs) Christine looked at the camera. This was the reason she had worked for, a contestant in the hottest game show ever, 'You Risk Your Life!' Contestants fought for some of the greatest prizes ever. Prizes ranged from chauffeured limos for life to Actors former houses, to millions of dollars. Everyone knew the man who created this game: James diGriz was a beyond wealthy industrialist. The IRS threatened to take his fortune away unless he made several charitable contributions to help others in need. He made this show for many reasons, including escaping the IRS and people's lust for more gruesome television made it an instant hit. Challengers from everywhere, young and old, smart and dumb (although you probably needed a bit of the latter to be on this show), from bums of the street to former child celebrities risked life limb and dismemberment to gain instant wealth. The goal was easy: survive some hideous trap or situation and collect millions. There was a way out for people who couldn't stomach the game, walk away and collect 100 bucks. But since people were greedy, very few took that way out. The consolation prize was $100,000 and a free hospital stay. Many people fell into this category, from being bitten by piranhas to one person falling 500 feet onto a dirty dishrag. Most everyone survived, and ratings were higher than the Superbowl. Everyone around the world watched each week to see who made millions, and who won a free ambulance ride. Those who made it on the air were instantly famous. Being an aspiring model was good, but not getting any offers was not helping. In desperation she sent in a resume to the show, and was real surprised they responded. She was hoping to get a hostess spot, showing off the wonderful gifts and such. As she read the letter, she realized they were looking to her as a contestant. Her face went pale. As she dialed the phone she pondered about not being one, and take the hundred bucks. As the phone rang, she knew what she was going to say, but when the person answered "James diGriz speaking," she nearly fainted. Sitting in the office of the world's richest man was impressive, but as he spoke of what she could be worth if she was a contestant, she felt a glimmer of hope. He told her if she went on, and made it, she would become a supermodel instantly. If she placed second she would be in the hospital for a while, but afterwards she would be rich with endorsements from companies that wanted /real/ people to endorse their products. "Christine, if you go on the show and make it through, I'll get you a hostess job here. Not only will I do that, but also I'll get you several good contracts with other companies that will set you up for a very comfortable retirement at age 30. You could do anything you want. See the world a few times, drive a new car everyday, start a top notch-modeling agency. The possibilities are endless, but the choice is yours." He sat at his desk and puffed more on his cigar. Chris nodded and signed the papers. The next week, there she was, on camera, waiting for her moment in the spotlight. As the lights came on, the music started. "Ladies and Gentlemen. Tonight on 'You Risk Your Life!', one of our lucky contestants will win their weight in 100 dollar bills. Someone could win a modeling contract for tens of millions of dollars, and someone is bound to win a trip to St. Jude's Hospital. So, let's get ready for another round of ... " the audience shouted the show's title, bursting into applause. James walked across the stage, greeting each contestant. "First, from Geneseo Illinois, owner of a sagging bakery who is willing to go that extra mile for a buck, let us please welcome William Hines." A middle-aged man walked forward suddenly realizing what the host said, forced a smile on his face. "And our second contestant, from Los Angeles California, an actress with such one-season wonders and one liners in moves, please welcome the ever talented Fabiana Udenio." The Italian actress curtseyed to the audience, and smiled. "And our final contestant, from Melbourne Florida, a beautiful young lady who wants to be a model, please welcome Christine Davess." Chris smiled and waved to the audience. "Ok, let's meet our contestants and get this off to a start, shall we?" The audience screamed and applauded for the games to begin. James walked over to the first contestant. "Ok, we have here William Hines, owner of Geneseo Donut, a local bakery that seems to be spending more money than it earns, tell us about yourself Bill." James shoved the microphone into the man, who refused to comment. "Ok, here's your challenge: If you can make it through this simple obstacle course, you'll walk home with your weight in 100 dollar bills." James motioned to a rope bridge, one rope to place your feet, and a rope about 4 feet above that for your hands. "All you have to do is cross this. If you can, you'll be a rich man, and pay off all your debts. Of course, should you not make it ..." James threw a chunk of meat into the waiting pit. Suddenly 5 alligators began fighting over it, snapping almost to the lower rope. "Bill, I've just been told that Vegas won't take odds on you making it through this. Good luck, and god bless." Bill muttered to himself and climbed onto the makeshift bridge. 3 steps into it, James begins tossing small chunks of meat into the gator pit, causing them to snap at his feet. Bill looked down, when a gator opened it's mouth just below him. He panicked and his feet slipped from the rope. He dangled there for a few moments when another gator leapt and grabbed his feet. Refusing to let go, the gator began thrashing causing Bill to release the other rope, plunging into the pit. Screams were heard for a few minutes, then silence. "Uh, oh, better tell his next of kin. Let's give Bill a hand; he may need more than that when they get him out of there. Ladies and Gentlemen, Bill Hines! We'll be right back after these words from our sponsor." The audience cheered loudly, awaiting the next game. 5 guys jumped down and pulled Bill, or the 3/4 remaining Bill from the water. He was breathing slightly, and having a mild heart attack. As he was being loaded into the ambulance the cameras began broadcasting once again. James immediately got back into character. "He's ok folks, or at least most of him is. Don't worry; they have improved dramatically on replacing someone's limbs, and other in this case. Guess there's one consolation prize tonight. What say we try to have a winner or 2 more?" James walked to an area with a long plank about 6 inches off the ground. "Time for our next game, where we will put Fabiana and Christine against each other in a pugilistic fight to the finish. Let's meet our contestants for this round. First off, we have the lovely and talented Fabiana Udenio. She has starred in many movies and series, such as ' Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery', and more recently, played in the One season wonder, Peter Benchley's 'Amazon', where she played an Opera Diva. Now just relaxing while her agent sucks her accounts dry, she is here battling for several nice positions in modeling agencies, an opportunity to star in a major motion picture with Rosie O'Donnell, and 25 million in cash. She will be battling it out with Christine Davis, an aspiring model who wants to make it big so badly, she can feel it. Ok, here's the game: You will be battling on this plank, and the first one to push the other off kinda wins. Of course, we can't have anything too tame here, which is why below you is a pool of genuine, 100% Louisiana quicksand. Since you are battling here, you need to make your opponent surrender and submit before she goes under. 'Course in the event of a tie, well, then we need not worry about the contracts. So now, let's get ready to rumble." Christine stood on her end looking down she saw the quicksand bubbling. Fabiana stood on her end and grabbed the pugel stick with grim determination. The whistle blew, and the women charged each other. Chris landed a hard right, but Fabiana caught her in the midsection nearly toppling her into the waiting mire below. Chris was able to dodge a few more shots, but the Italian beauty whacked her with near mob precision. Chris lost her balance, and toppled into the quicksand. The pool accepted her smoothly to her thighs. She held her stick above her head, Fabiana stood above her. "Care to give up yet?" Chris smiled and replied. "Only if you do." With that, she swung and her stick connected with her opponent's ankle. Fabiana tried to keep her balance, her arms swinging wildly, but her shoe slipped, and she tumbled into the quicksand with a squeal. Chris dropped her stick, watching it slide into the ooze, as did Fabiana's. Fabiana settled into the mire to her hips, spouting multiple curses in Italian. James smiled as they sank. "Ladies, this is Network television. There are things even the FOX network won't allow." Chris sank to her waist, trying to reach the plank they battled on in order to pull her to safety. Reaching with all her might, she was but a scant inches from the board. Fabiana saw this, and as the quicksand reached her ribs, she twisted herself and grabbed the board. With a sly grin, Fabiana slowly pulled herself to the center of the pool and safety. Chris looked at her opponent and saw that Fabiana wasn't about to pull her from the quicksand. She saw that James had all but planned this, letting her slowly be consumed by the mire. The quicksand was up to her chest. Fabiana began to pull herself out of the mire and onto the board for victory, when her now mud-slick body slipped over to the other side and plunged back into the quicksand. She looked next to her to see Chris not smiling, but pleading for something or someone to help. The two beauties were now shoulder deep in the clutches of the quicksand, when James announced for a commercial break. He stood above them smiling. "Ok, we can either call this a tie victory between you two, or we can call it a tie loss. Your choice ladies." He gestured to the curtain. "You don't have much time. And the audience is getting restless." Chris looked at Fabiana as Fabiana looked at her. Both had sunk to their chins and were holding their heads back to keep their mouths above the mire. Chris squeaked. "I don't wanna die. I'll take the tie." Fabiana wasn't so willing. "I want to win. I need the work." James smiled as he walked away. He went past the curtain and began speaking to the audience. "Well folks, while we were in a commercial break, a tragic thing happened. The poor Fabiana and the Lovely Christine met their fates together. Roll the tape." A nearby monitor showed the ladies sinking out of sight, pleading for help. The audience went crazy as they watched themselves sink below the surface. Chris realized that she was watching her own death, as the quicksand rose up her cheeks and over her mouth. This is the end. Farewell. The quicksand covered her completely in seconds ... The light blinded her, and as it came into focus, she saw pillars of white. Someone dressed in white stood above her, smiling at her. 'Oh, God! I'm dead. I died and have gone to heaven.' She breathed a sigh of relief. Then she realized she breathed. "Where am I?" She looked to her side, and saw Fabiana with the same expressions on her face as well. Chris looked around. It was some sort of office, people bustling around. James sat at the desk again, puffed on a cigar once again. "What happened?" "Let's just say that with the advertising of this show, and the miraculous recovery you two have made, you can write your own paychecks, and people will still be knocking down your door." James smiled for a second. "Give the people what they want, and they will scream for more each time. Who'd have thought therapy could be so profitable. Maybe next time I'll have Kathy Ireland and Angie Everhart do battle in the pit. That'll pull in ratings."