LAST MAN STANDING - CHALLENGE #1 RESULTS - LEAP OF FAITH
Sept 14, 2023 15:29:31 GMT -5
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Post by TIA Promotions on Sept 14, 2023 15:29:31 GMT -5
EPISODE 1 - LEAP OF FAITH
(Ragnarok was replaced by Cherry Cola just prior to Challenge #1 for more detailed on that story, please read Cherry Cola's Challenge #1 RP)
~~~~~~~
DEPARTURE
After two days of sun soaking, cocktail drinking, and team building, fourteen world-class professional wrestlers prepare for a unique experience at a luxurious beachfront resort in a tropical paradise. Last Man Standing, the spiritual successor to the World Series of Wrestling, is an underground competition with unlimited riches at stake. The event was born from the ashes of the most ambitious promotional brand to hit the sport in a decade. THIS IS AWESOME PROMOTIONS hit the professional wrestling world like a hurricane in 2022, burned white hot, and died in darkness. What remains is just a promise…from an applesauce tycoon, to a crop of hidden stars.
The sun rises on the lavish LMS Compound, a beautiful villa featuring infinity pools, fine dining, rare entertainment, and friendly staff. The location of the resort has been held under lock and key for months, but many of the guests have been able to crack the coordinates with a standard GPS or smartphone. The funny thing is that even though all of them seem to know where the event is being held, and they’ve been sharing that information with their emergency contacts in case of foul play, the truth is that each of them think they are somewhere different… or some TIME different. In truth, the LMS Compound is everywhere and nowhere at the same time. It’s a fantasy island, hidden in time and space, for the purposes of delivering the greatest pro-wrestling experience ever conceived. Just another advancement created by Kayfabe Airline engineers.
Fourteen guests, from all corners of the world, have emerged from their opulent living areas, having been summoned by the game master himself, Timothy Applesauce, lovingly known as ‘The Sauce Boss’. In the message, which has been texted to each of the wrestlers, and phoned to each of their rooms at 6 am was as follows.
SAUCE BOSS: Dear Guests. Today will be your first challenge. Please dress in the team uniforms provided in the gift boxes outside of your doors and meet at the Villa Lobby at 8am.
~~~~~~~
BUILDING BRIDGES
Selena Frost and Daniela Raye-Weathers walk across a footbridge on the red side of the LMS Villlas, sharing a laugh in the coastal sunshine as “The Distinguished” CJ O’Donnell waits at the other end.. Selena and Daniela stop in their tracks and look at one another. The laughter stops as they look to each other for affirmation and then back at CJ with judging eyes and folded arms. They consider saying something to him, but instead whisper to each other and turn their backs to walk away. CJ jogs across the bridge to catch up.
O’Donnell: Hey … wait up … I need to talk to you, both..
Selena and Daniela stop at the request, sure that the only thing more annoying than his voice is his unrelenting persistence.
O’Donnell: I want to apologize for my behavior the other day. I was completely out of line and neither of you deserved to be disrespected like that. The truth is that I was having a day from hell and you just got the backlash of it. It was misdirected anger and I regret that it ended up being taken out on you. I can admit when I am wrong. And I WAS wrong. And I’m sorry.
Selena and Daniela look at one another and then back at O’Donnell. Neither of them saying a word to him. But the apology is chipping away at the icey wall both of them had put up to keep him out. How could a genuine heartfelt apology not earn a person another chance.
O’Donnell: I know you’re still skeptical. And that’s ok. We can keep working on trust later on. But I needed to clear the air so that we can work together as a team. I did some studying last night about the challengers in this competition and I was hoping we could just have a quick huddle before we head out. What do you say?
Selena and Daniela shrug. Selena is the first to take the bait.
Frost: What did you find?
O’Donnell: Great. Selena, first of all, you’re perfect for this team.
Frost: Go on.
O’Donnell: Having you on this team is a huge advantage. You have been in the World Series of Wrestling before. You did really well. You have history with the bossman and you probably have greater insight as to what we can expect than anyone else.
The females unfold their arms and move their hands to the hips, still feeling less than talkative. Selena looks at her watch. Daniela taps her foot.
O’Donnell: And Daniela, I’ve seen you wrestle and I’ve seen you play defensive end in the LFL. People are going to underestimate you, but you have fire and we need that.
Raye-Weathers: I’m listening…
O’Donnell: We are stronger if we work together. No one will cross us if we become a trio.
Frost: What’s in it for you?
Before CJ can answer Daniela chimes in.
Raye-Weathers: More importantly, how can we trust you?
Frost: Exactly. What were you thinking the other day?
O’Donnell: It was a moment of weakness on my part and I promise you it will not happen again. You have my word on that. I won’t double cross you. I swear it. Even if there’s an opportunity to eliminate one of you from the game. I’ll protect you from any of the other creeps out here who try to hit on you or do you harm. How does that sound? Can we be a team?
CJ extends his hand to shake on it.
Frost: Not so fast…
Raye-Weathers: Do you think it’s that easy?
O’Donnell: I know my reputation isn’t the best and my mouth gets me into trouble. Just doesn’t feel right not to speak my mind and I don’t have a filter but I want to change that. I want to change my reputation. Maybe you can help me out so that I don’t seem like a complete douchebag all the time. I just need an opportunity to prove that I can be loyal. I want to earn your trust. All I am asking for is a chance.
Selena and Daniela look at each other and smile.
Raye-Weathers: Fine.
Frost: It’s a deal.
CJ lets out a sigh of relief and finally smiles.
O’Donnell: I appreciate it. I promise I won’t let you down.
Frost: Don’t you dare double cross us.
Raye-Weathers: That’s right. Don’t make us regret this.
O’Donnell: You won’t.
~~~~~~~
ALL ABOARD
Two groups of sleep deprived performers mingle in the lobby, some of them friendlier and more prepared than others. It’s been interesting to watch the blue and red teams form bonds over the last couple of days. Saucey was able to watch from a distance, careful not to be too intrusive, and striving to provide each of them with a sense of privacy. He’s aware of the stigma around himself, his brand, and the show as of late and had heard the rumors that LMS is surely some sort of mass murder plot, sex trafficking operation, or complete scam. The wrestlers that still showed up to the compound, despite the rumors, and the heat, were either desperate or foolish. They had to be. Right? Or maybe, they were the ones willing to take the risks necessary to accomplish something huge. That’s how Saucey saw it. Now it’s up to him to earn the trust that they gave him so selflessly.
Just then, a square wave blasts through hidden speakers, startling the teams awake, causing no more than two of them to spill their coffee and no less than one of them (Cherry Cola) to pee a little bit.
A banger of a song with lyrics that resonate a story resilience and toughness. The music intensifies as it begins to play through hidden speakers. As sunlight peaks through the leaves of the mango trees, a sudden disturbance shatters the scene. A rip in the fabric of space-time begins to form, birthing shimmering portals just outside the building.
Electric blue and pulsating with energy, the wormhole crackles with exotic, otherworldly hues. From its heart, two futuristic shuttle buses adorned in the Kayfabe Airlines logo emerge, their gleaming metallic surfaces reflecting the colors of the rippling vortex. Their wheels touch down softly on the cobblestoned landing, just at the entrance as the music continues to play.
(Imagine this in blue or red)
The shuttle buses are unlike any vehicle the world has ever seen. Their sleek, streamlined design adorned with intricate patterns of luminescent lights. One bus red. One bus blue. A hiss from the engine and the double doors open. And the music ceases, only to give way to a female voice programmed to deliver instructions to the challengers.
FEMININE AI VOICE: Greetings, valued contenders. Welcome to Last Man Standing. I have been designated as your program director by the Sauce Boss for the duration of this competition. My purpose is to deliver essential information regarding your destinations and schedules. Today marks the commencement of your initial challenge. Kindly proceed to board the bus corresponding to your team's color. Until our next encounter, you may refer to me as Synthia, and I shall call you my guests.
There’s some trepidation by the challengers before boarding the buses. For members of the Red Team like Selena Frost and Daniela Raye-Weathers, there’s so much to lose should something happen to them, but for the risk takers of the group, the Eli Buchanans and the Nick Dangers, braving the threshold and embarking a futuristic vehicle is a thrill ride worth taking.. Hype music plays at a moderate volume, allowing for talk amongst the team members, but loud enough to keep the anticipation building. The air crackles as hairs stand up, ambient lighting bathing the soft interior with an ethereal glow. Red Team is locked in and ready to go.
Most of the Blue Team seems to be in good spirits. There is one thing, however, that seems off. Miss Brooke Blakely trails behind. She gives the red shuttle bus a good long look before stepping towards her assigned blue vehicle.
Jacoby Spencer, the first challenger to rush to the bus, stands at the door giving each of his approaching teammates a fist bump as they board. He seems genuinely excited to work with them. But with Brooke Blakely, he has to force a smile. He hangs a fist out for her to return a bump, but she only laughs and brushes past his outstretched paw. He hangs his head for a moment, closing his eyes and grinning a cheshire smile in disbelief. Then he seals the door.
The scene inside the bus shifts as everyone chats with each other about today’s revelations, and what lies ahead, but Jacoby just stands at the front. He calls for the team's attention.
"Hey y'all. This is our first competition against the red team. I'm very excited and I know you all will kick some ass."
He points at them as he’s speaking, clenching his fist and clapping his hands. The team cheers along with him. All except one person who doesn't seem interested at all. Jacoby calms down the group and continues.
"Alright y'all, there is a bit of business to address before we head off."
The team mumbles in curiosity.
"I want us to feel like a team in these challenges. We will get to a time where the competition focuses on individual performance. But before we get there, we need to come together. And we’ve done that quite well… except for one of us. I hate to be the one to single a person out, but I feel, as the closest thing to a team leader as we have, it’s something that has to be done."
Questioning eyes roam. More than a few stop when searching when they see blonde hair. Jacoby speaks calmly and direct.
"Miss Brooke Blakely. I like you. Hell, I picked you as the first pick for this team. But, it feels like you are not being a team player. It looks like you’re someone who’s just out for themself. It looks like you want recognition more than a healthy team. And at this point in this competition, a healthy team is the most important thing. You aren’t being a good team player right now. If you think my opinion is wrong and want to express how you feel please… speak freely, and let us hear it."
He waits for Brooke to take the floor, putting the pro-wrestling rookie and real world influencer on the spot. All the eyes shift to her, while she just sits and boils. She sucks her teeth and just keeps eye contact with the team “captain”. Then she smirks and rolls her eyes, looking away while she formulates a response.
"I never claimed to be a team player. I never asked to be put on a team. I joined the competition, YOU chose me, and here I am. If you did some research and asked my tag partner, Junko Souma, she would have told you that I'm not a very good teammate. I do whatever I want and when I want. If you don’t like my attitude, that’s on you for putting me on this team. You’re my leader. You're not my father. You’re not even an authority figure. And I don’t need to follow your orders. Besides, everyone in this competition is in it for themselves. Given the opportunity, every one of us will turn on each other in order to win. None of you have any idea what to expect on this show. So stop acting like you have it all figured out. And stop me if when you think I’m telling a lie."
Jacoby maintains eye contact with her, not quite feeling as vindicated as he had hoped, and…
"No… you're not lying. The team aspect in this thing will eventually be null and void. I think we all know that. But the fact is, it is a team competition now and you're not acting anything close to how a teammate should act. Everyone else is making an effort. That’s how I see it. So I’ll just go ahead and leave it to them. Let’s put it to a vote. All in favor of Brooke being removed from this team put a thumbs down. All in favor of her staying on the team, put a thumbs up."
The scene shifts now to the members of the blue team. They each begin without a word. Starting with Cherry Cola, she puts her fist out and shows a thumbs down. She’d vote Jesus off the island just to watch the drama unfold. Eli Buchanan is next, he too puts his fist out and thumb down. Next is Zara Ivory, she puts her fist out and does the same, a thumbs down. None of them look at Brooke as they make their vote. Onto Penelope Plimmswood who, as the others did before her, fist out with a thumbs down. Now we have Candice Page. She too puts a slow thumbs down. Jacoby has his fist out, and pauses for dramatic effect. A predetermined conclusion, it almost seems cruel to make Brooke wait for a unanimous vote to kick her off the team. How does someone get removed from a team before they even have their first challenge? Her eyes lower to the tight fitting blue tank top and shorts she had put on earlier. She had even worn blue eye shadow for the occasion. But back up front, Jacoby lets his eyes fill with dread as he reveals his vote. Thumbs down. He lowers his head in disappointment and can’t look her in the eyes when he begins to speak again.
"Brooke. It has been voted upon and decided. When we arrive at our first competition, you will no longer be a part of the Blue Team. I’ll let Saucey know of our decision. Do you have anything else you’d like to say in your defense?"
Eyes shift back to Brooke, who rolls her own before snapping back.
"I look better in red anyway. I don’t need any of you to win this competition and I will be damned if I come back to you losers to get bullied and attacked for just being myself."
Jacoby slowly hangs his head as instructions advise the challengers to take their seats and fasten their seatbelts.
~~~~~~~
TAKE OFF
The seats in both buses are way more comfortable than they should be. Ergonomically designed for a smooth journey through the folds of time. It’s like sitting on a cloud inside the Millennium Falcon while faded on edibles. All around, holographic displays, and blinking lights flash as the vessel’s onboard temporal navigation system comes to life. A hush spreads over the groups as takeoff draws near. A soothing, almost hypnotic hum fills the cabin as the bus powers up and prepares for departure. The wormhole portal manifests in front of the shuttle bus, with several passengers peering out of the panoramic windows. The frame of the vessel pulsates as magnetic forces pull the two buses into the infinity highway. And just then a video appears on the mounted tv screens at the front and rear of the bus.
~~~~~~~
CHALLENGE #1 - LEAP OF FAITH
SAUCEY: Challengers, welcome to the second season of the World Series of Wrestling, also known as Last Man Standing. We’re here to find out which one of you will prove to be the most worthy and will rise to the top and inherit a fortune. But I’m getting way ahead of myself. We've brought together 14 of the most talented artists from the world of professional wrestling and divided them into two powerhouse teams: the Red Team and the Blue Team. Each of you have been brought here because you possess certain skills or traits that have proven the value of your character.
The contestants, dressed in color coordinated team uniforms, stands with excitement, at the edge of a cliff.
SAUCEY: Some of you may have noticed that Ragnarok could not join us on the Blue Team for the competition, so, replacing him is a good friend of mine, and a valuable addition to the show. She’s not one to be taken lightly. Cherry Cola, welcome to Last Man Standing!
Cherry takes a bow, twists a finger in her dimple, and shimmies her chest for the boys. Not everybody is so excited to see her, knowing the reputation she brings, but somebody had to replace Ragnarok on short notice, right?
SAUCEY: I see you all looking at the platform hanging over the cliffs behind me. In just a moment, you’ll find out what today’s challenge is. But before we do that, let’s take a minute to talk about what’s at stake. As you know, Last Man Standing is an individual competition, but you’ve been assigned to teams thus far. The way you perform today will determine your rank in the competition. But the team who wins, will be rewarded with a prize… that I think is pretty damn cool. Are you ready to hear what it is?
Several members of roster, excited at the prospects of winning free stuff, hoot out loud.
SAUCEY: What did I tell you was the only rule of this competition?
ZARA IVORY: “Don’t qu-” answers Zara Ivory before being interrupted.
SAUCEY: DO NOT, QUIT. So for the team that loses today’s competition, there is no penalty. Nobody gets cut. Nobody gets voted off the island. Nobody gets sent back home. There is no punishment… except the fear of missing out on something amazing. The winning team today will be awarded an excursion, financed by TIA Promotions in conjunction with Kayfabe Airlines as the seven of you will party in still, backstage, at a once in a lifetime event. Through the science of time travel and the amazing technology made possible by Kayfabe Airlines, a dream concert is being held on a ranch in Montana.
Jessie Lee covers her mouth as some of the rest of the roster predict what they’re about to hear. Jacoby Spencer is all smiles.
SAUCEY: For one night only, 1960’s Jimmy Hendrix, 1970’s Rolling Stones, 1980’s Metallica, 1990’s Tupac Shakur, and 2000’s Linkin Park will be brought to present day for a concert festival event previously thought to be impossible. And the winning team will be backstage, sitting VIP, rubbing elbows with legends. How does that sound to you?
For those huddled together in front of the Sauce Boss, the opportunity to see musical genius is difficult to understand. The days of top 40 countdowns and Total Request Live are long behind us. But for others in the crowd, the musically inclined if you will, the chance to find wisdom and inspiration in some of the greatest artists of the last hundred years, is so tangible that they would fight a grizzly bear naked to obtain it. The crowd is going wild now, previously convinced that this show is some sort of elaborate death cult, but now hyped up with the chance to win something worth bragging about.
SAUCEY: So, let me tell you about today’s challenge. Today’s event is inspired by the XWF and their annual pay-per-view known as Leap of Faith. Each of you put your trust in me when you agreed to attend this competition. And I’m asking for you to take one more leap of faith today. I’m aware of your skepticism about the intentions of this event. And it’s my challenge to earn your trust, but first, you need to believe in yourself. You need to believe that you’re capable of doing anything. I need you to believe you can fly.
Several challengers examine the hanging cliffs around them, etched by centuries of natural erosion, rising majestically from the crystalline waters below. The rock faces adorned with vibrant vegetation, clinging tenaciously to the sheer surfaces, adding splashes of green to the dramatic landscape. Down below, clear waters, glistening like liquid sapphire. Up above, a hanging suspension apparatus featuring seven padded platforms.
~~~~~~~
RULES
SAUCEY: Welcome to Paradise Valley, Morocco, a place known for beautiful coastal waters and some of the best cliff diving in the world. 60 feet above the warm waters of this remote cliff, your team must jump a series of platforms to arrive at a buzzer on a final platform at the other end of the course. One at a time, EACH member of your team must jump a series of platforms. If you fall, you’ll be eliminated from the challenge. There are seven total platforms. Each challenger who stands on each of them will earn a point for their team. Also, this is a timed event. In the case of a tie, the team who finishes their run and pushes the buzzer first, will win the tiebreaker. Pretty simple right? Well here’s the twist. The distance from platform to platform will gradually get longer as you go from the first to the seventh one. AND… to make things more difficult, the landing pads will gradually get skinnier and skinnier until you have to jump seven feet to get to the final platform which is only two feet wide. The team who finishes fastest, with the most players, wins. So, what do you say? Are you ready to do this?!
The teams are boasting and bragging at this point. Some are ready to tackle the challenge. Other’s set on beating their opponents. And a couple looking pretty unsure of their own abilities.
SAUCEY: We’ve randomly determined which team will be going first today and it will be… the BLUE TEAM. So, let’s get you strapped up with helmets and life vests and hoisted up there to face certain death. Are there any questions before we get started.
Jacoby Spencer sheepishly raises a hand and waits to be called on like a second grader in Ms. Jones spelling class.
SAUCEY: Jacoby?
JACOBY SPENCER: Uh, yes. Mr. Sauce… Boss. I… I mean, we… the Blue Team… have voted and decided that one of our members… Brooke… Blakely… will not longer be a member of our team. For the duration of this event, she should now be considered a member of the Red Team.
SAUCEY: Come again?
CHERRY COLA (in hushed tones): That’s what she said.
Jacoby Spencer shoots a stern look her way and he backpedals under the pressure of his disappointed faux father figure.
JACOBY SPENCER: We’ve voted Brooke off the team.
SAUCEY: Is that true? Blue Team? Brooke?
Crystal Hilton, Candice Page, Eli Buchanan, Brooke Blakely nod. Cherry Cola steps behind Eli so that Saucey can no longer see her guilty face.
SAUCEY: Well, I’m sorry to tell you all that this isn’t how the game is going to work. You don’t get to make up the rules. And Brooke, you won’t be leaving your team, no matter how much they may want you to go. Nobody gets voted off the island. Nobody goes home. Unless they want to. The teams stay as they are. Seven on seven. And Jacoby… it hurts my heart to see this happen so soon. As an Instructor at the Champions Advantage Performance Center, I expected more out of you. Everybody pack up your shit, we have a challenge to do.
~~~~~~~
BLUE TEAM
The blue team huddles together on a swaying platform high above the sea, their eyes fixed on the sheer drop that lay before them. Waves break in white caps below. The wind carries the scent of saltwater and adventure.
Jacoby Spencer, Brooke Blakely, Candice “Voodoo” Page, Cherry Cola, Zara Ivory, Eli Buchanan, and Penelope Plimmswood gather at the first of the seven suspended platforms, poised to take on the daring challenge. The cliffside location provides a stunning backdrop, with the sun casting a warm summer glow over the spectacle about to unfold.
At the edge of the cliff, with megaphone in hand, the host, The Sauce Boss, steps forward. The challengers turn their attention to him, ignoring the medical staff and engineers standing nearby in case of emergency. With hearts pounding and adrenaline coursing through their veins, the Blue Team takes the first leap.
SAUCEY: Blue Team, are you ready to take a leap of faith?
The team returns a muffled positive response through ill-fitting mouth guards. That was probably a ‘yes’. BRRRRRRTTT!!! The air horn blares. The clock starts running.
Jacoby Spencer (First to Jump)
Jacoby Spencer, fearless and determined, steps up as the unofficial leader of his team. He moves slowly, but with unwavering focus, from the first platform to the next, which is about three feet away. Then the next, which is three and a half feet. Four feet, five feet, SIX feet. The crowd watches in awe as he leaps seven feet, across an air bridge and onto the final platform, stumbling down onto his chest, but victorious, setting the pace for the field. His steady progress garners cheers from the blue team waiting on the far platform, but not everyone is impressed.
Despite being democratically voted off of her team, Brooke Blakely steps up next. Not to be outdone by a peacock with a power complex, Brooke is determined to conquer this obstacle, almost purely out of spite. On the other hand, sabotaging a team of mean girls also sounds really fun. What a nice day for a swim. Jacoby encourages Brooke to get moving, politely threatening her to stop burning up the clock. She replies by scratching the bridge of her nose with her middle finger in response. When she’s good and ready to start, she moves with confidence, quicker than Jacoby did, yet still stopping to pose at each platform, relishing the attention. But her bravado comes to a halt at the sixth platform, where she comes up a little short, clinging to the edge, almost saving it, but ultimately failing, falling, and screaming in surprised fear as she falls to her unjust demise.
Candice Page is next in line, but the degenerate behind her has other plans. Cherry Cola has been popping and locking, poorly, ever since she got on the platform, presumably to distract herself from the heights, but she seems poised to jump now. She pushes Candice Page aside and rushes to take her turn. Her determination and mental gymnastics leads her to skip over the first three platforms with ease. But her haste catches up with her, like it usually does.. Failure to make a plan is planning for failure, With a painful thud, she collides, face first into the side of the fourth platform, Her body ragdolls down towards the drink below. The gasp of the crowd is met by the swift arrival of medics on jet skis who rescued her, battered and bloodied, but breathing.
With the traumatic incident fresh in everyone's minds, Candice Page hesitates. Eli Buchanan steps forward. Confidence radiates from him as he smoothly hops the first three platforms. Showcasing impressive agility he lands on the sixth platform and hypes himself up before the final jump. It’s a clean landing! He’s in there with the second perfect run for the blue team and he springs to his feet, a little surprised by his own success. He almost embraces Jacoby, but withdraws at the last minute and offers a casual fist bump instead.
Zara Ivory, determined to shine, sets off on her journey. The Chaotic Nightmare has returned to form here as a veteran of the original World Series of Wrestling. Jacoby and Eli encourage her and she hops from the second to the third, to the fourth, to the fifth platform. She measures up to jump to the sixth platform, sprawling onto her chest and throwing a leg over the beam. The final jump looks like an impossible jump, but Zara eyes it up anyway. She launches off the platform, arms outstretched, and makes it remarkably close to hanging on the last platform, once again trying to cling to its side, but she’s gassed out and drops off as gravity claims another victim. It sends her splashing into the water below.
After waiting patiently, with class, and without complaint, Candice Page approaches her turn. She wipes her boots and rubs her hands cautiously as she’s about to begin. She looks at Penelope Plimmswood and nods her head offering her the pleasure of going first, but Penelope only returns unamused discontent. Candice begins. With measured hopes and a hint of hesitation, she navigates the first six platforms. No challenger has appeared so calculated and sure footed in their steps so far, but the final jump gives her pause. Seven feet across. Maybe an easy jump for her when she was in her twenties, but now it’s a country mile. She remembers her kids. The reason she’s here. It’s time for that leap of faith. She launches off the platform and… SHE MADE IT!!! Candice flops onto the final beam and pulls herself up. A triumph for her and the third perfect run for the Blue Team.
Penelope Plimmswood, the last to go, appears irritated by the task in front of her. The tacky blue uniform. The fake team spirit. The irritating people and the stupid looks on their faces. With little effort, she moves, no, GLIDES from the first to the third platform, with haunting grace. She leaps from the third to the fourth, the fifth, the sixth platform, with hardly a hesitation in her step. Her control and finesse is a sight to behold. It impresses some and confuses others. However, Penelope stops in place on the sixth platform, staring daggers at her teammates who are summoning her to join them on the platform before her. Heights have never been her strong suit, but the thought of these blue bodied clowns hugging her on a victory platform makes bile bubble in her gut. Without a change of emotion, her pupils dilate, she steps forward and drops straight down to the water.
Despite their confused disappointment, Candice Page, Eli Buchanan, and Jacoby Spencer react quickly and push the buzzer to end the run for the blue team. The three of them celebrate their success, knowing that they had taken a leap of faith, and hoping that it’s enough to take the win home for the team. Meanwhile, Brooke Blakely, Zara Ivory, Cherry Cola, and Penelope Plimmswood watch from the waters below, a mix of sentiment floating around them.
RESULTS: 3 out of 7 perfect runs
~~~~~~~
RED TEAM
The red team, composed of Nick Danger, Selena Frost, CJ O'donnell, Jessie Lee, Crystal Hilton, Daniela Ray Weathers, & Martina Richards psyche themselves up and work on the order which they will be jumping.
SAUCEY: Red Team, are you ready?
He asks with an air horn in his other hand. TIA’s Forever Women’s Champion, Jessie Lee returns a thumbs up as she grits her teeth on a black mouthguard. BRRRRRRRRRRTTTT!!! The airhorn sounds and Jessie takes off.
Jessie Lee (First to Jump)
With unwavering determination, Jessie Lee takes a deep breath, her adrenaline surging, heavy metal in her head. She leaps gracefully from platform to platform, giving the sign of the horns, sticking out her tongue. She’s so metal. Happier than a singing pile of poo (she thinks this line is great even if you don’t). Jessie’s bad fur day ends on the fifth platform as she lands one foot on the platform but falls backward, flipping down towards the water. Concerned looks on the faces of her teammates, but she’s ok folks. She’s all smiles and championship gold.
CJ O'Donnell follows suit, bold enough to think he can do what his teammate could not. He puts his athleticism and his heart on full display as he moves from platform to platform, determined and sure-footed. Nobody has looked more focused than he has so far. Anticipation grows from the crowd during each increasingly distant jump, but CJ is on autopilot, having an out of body athletic experience. There’s barely any question as CJ propels from the sixty platform to the finish, and the red team erupts into cheers as he makes almost a clean landing. Even the Russian judges would have given him an 8 on that landing. The reality of what he’s done finally hits him as he realizes that he hasn’t let his teammates down. He stands alone at the finish and can only beat his chest with team pride. That’s one perfect run for the Red Team.
Selena Frost (Third to Jump)
Selena Frost, a rival to Jessie Lee, which stems back to the TIA Women's Championship at the Denzel Porter Invitational, seemed to revel in the challenge. With Jessie already in the water, makeup running from her face, Selena has a chance to finally outperform “The Lethal One”. Frost taps her feet onto the second platform. The third. The fourth, and stumbles. She almost lost it there, but she’s ok. Back to her feet now and she leaps to the fifth platform. Selena is another veteran of the World Series of Wrestling. She was sure that this year’s show would be a spectacle, but she never trained for this. She’s running on instinct. Thinking not of her loved ones or her teammates, but of herself. She’s finally doing something for her. She jumps to the sixth platform and plops down chest-first just barely hanging on, but encouraged. Before trying for the final platform she pauses. She breathes. In through the nose and out through the mouth. She focuses on the eyes of her partner CJ O’Donnell. She ignores the words that flow from his mouth and don’t make much sense to anyone outside of Massachusetts. She waits until his eyes meet hers and gives her a look that suggests, ‘You got this, Selena. Trust me.” She leans, puts one foot on the edge, digs deep, and lets fly, going laterally across the gap and sticking chest first to the side of the beam. Her grip strength holds and she throws a leg up to take the victory position. The team watches on in celebration. It’s an inspiration moment, even for Jessie Lee, who’s just now climbed to the back of a jetski. Vindicated, Selena looks directly at the downed Jessie, blows her a kiss, then turns around and smacks her own butt in her direction.
Nick Danger approaches the edge of the platform, a mix of excitement and apprehension in his eyes. Truth be told, Nick hasn’t seemed like himself at all on this day. Either he’s uncomfortable with heights, or time/space travel, or the color red, or maybe he had one too many White Claws the night before, either way, he looks more nervous than a Cocker Spaniel trying to pass a peach pit. But he’s determined to do this. He’s been waiting a long time to be here and he’s not about to quit now. He makes his first jump. And nods his head, happy to have the first step out of the way. He takes the second and third. However, on the fourth platform, he overshoots the beam, and falls over the front, just barely able to grab hold. He doesn't let go. He clings, muscles straining. It seems like he might not make it, but with sheer determination, he managed to pull himself up and continue his journey. Doubting himself, he overcorrects and comes up short of the fifth platform, predictably falling to the water. If he’s going to make it far in this competition and learn how to become his authentic self, he’s going to need to bring more to the table and be more prepared next time. Hopefully he can do it because he’s a generational talent that just needs someone to give him a chance.
Daniela Raye-Weathers follows Nick, her athleticism and grace on display. When people talk about Daniela, the conversation always steers towards one noticeable feature. Booty. Time and time again, her opposition takes one look at her and dismisses her as not being a threat. But just because she doesn’t have the stereotypical body type for this game doesn’t make her a bad prospect. That’s what the World Series of Wrestling, and now, Last Man Standing, is all about. It’s all about heart. Unfortunately, you can’t teach heart. You can’t train it. And heart doesn’t get your ass over a six foot gap, 60 feet above the water. Daniela sails through the air, but as she reaches the sixth platform, only her fingertips brush the edge before slipping away. She plunged into the water with a splash, her resolve undiminished, and her booty looking formidable.
Crystal Hilton, fueled by determination, embarks on her challenge. The World Series of Wrestling veteran has been a mainstay in TIA Promotions events. But she’s never quite been able to reach her full potential on a TIA stage. LMS is another chance for her to show why she’s a multi-time world champion. With blue hair to contrast her red outfit, Crystal hops, skips, and jumps over the first three obstacles. Her jumps were confident, but as she reached the fourth platform, a momentary loss of balance sent her tumbling into the water. She resurfaced, disappointed but complacent about her performance thus far. If Crystal wants to finish strong this year, she’ll need to find a new fire in her life and bring it to the table. She can’t win this thing on an island because in competitions like this, nobody cares where you came from, they only want to see what you can do. Let’s hope she brings it from now on. Maybe start by wearing the red wig next time instead of the blue?
Lastly, standing alone on the platform, it’s Martina Richards' turn. CJ and Selena call to her to get moving, but she remains locked in place. She doesn’t move. She stands on the platform and does the math. If she has a perfect run, they tie, and it goes to next to which team had the most team members make it 6 platforms, then 5, then 4. By her own calculations, she’s already determined that it’s a lost cause. Doubt creeps in. She can’t make that final jump. She probably can’t make the one before either. And she takes a shot like Cherry Cola did early on, she could be totally put out of commission. This isn’t worth it. Nobody will even see this happen. She takes a step back and then another, shaking her head. This is hopeless. I don’t want to be up here. This is beneath me. I’m a professional wrestler for god sake. This isn’t fear or insecurity. This is just smart business. With a heavy sigh, she declares, "I can't do it." She steps aside, resigned to her decision.
Saucey tries to encourage her. “So, that’s it? You won’t do it?”
“I can’t. Bring me down from here.”
“Come on. Don’t be like that. Your team needs you. Don’t quit on them.”
“I’m out. Bring me down.”
Saucey blows the air horn. BRRRRRRTTT!!! “Fine. Martina, you’re disqualified. I’m not mad. I’m disappointed.“
The collective gasp of the crowd signifies her disqualification. CJ hits the buzzer to end their run, knowing that they have lost, but still too proud to go out without his head down. With CJ O'Donnell and Selena Frost being the only two challengers to successfully complete all seven jumps, they leave with mixed emotions. What went wrong? What could they have done differently? Something has to change.
RESULTS: 2 out of 7 perfect runs
~~~~~~~
CONCLUSION
As the sun begins to set over the breathtaking coastal setting, the host of the reality competition show, known affectionately as "Sauce Boss," steps forward, a sly grin playing on his lips. The contestants, dripping wet and catching their breaths, gather anxiously, their eyes locked on the charismatic figure.
SAUCE BOSS (with a dramatic pause): "Challengers, you’ve given me your trust and taken a Leap of Faith with bravery and determination. But there can only be one winning team. The winners of the Leap of Faith Challenge, with 3 perfect runs are... the Blue Team!"
A roar of jubilation erupted from the Blue Team members, their cheers echoing across the rocky cliffs and over the sparkling waters. They exchanged high-fives and congratulatory hugs, their faces lit up with pure elation.
SAUCE BOSS (grinning and turning his attention Blue Team): "Well done, Blue Team! Your remarkable performance has earned you a VIP experience at the Kayfabe Music Festival next week. Get ready to party with some of the greatest musicians of all time and celebrate your well-deserved victory!"
SAUCE BOSS (turning to the Red Team): "As for the Red Team, it's back to the compound and back to the drawing board. But don't worry; the next challenge is just around the corner. You’re capable of some much more than you think you are.
SAUCE BOSS: One last thing, before you go. I understand that the Blue Team wishes to part ways with one of their members. Brooke Blakely. Honestly, I don’t understand the decision and I don’t really approve of it. So, let me ask you, Brooke, what you’d like to do. Would you like to leave the Blue Team and join the Red Team?
BROOKE BLAKELY: Uhhh… Yasss please.
SAUCE BOSS: Very well. Please say goodbye to your current team and welcome your new one.
Everyone expects Brooke to do something dramatic, but she only gives Jacoby Spencer a look that could kill. She doesn’t even seem that angry about what has happened. She just has a tangible hatred for one person now. A vendetta if you will. She prances over to the waiting arms of the Red Team who are happy to accept her into the ranks.
SAUCE BOSS: Brooke, as a member of today’s winning team, you’ll still be given the same prize as the rest of the Blue Team. It is up to you if you’d still like to go. I’ll let you consider that choice and will get your answer tomorrow. Until then. I want to make the same offer I made you to each of the other challengers here today. You each came to the challenge on a colored bus chosen by the team you were drafted to. If you so chose, you may switch teams and embark the bus of your choosing. Your possessions will be moved to the appropriate villas at the compound and you will be a member of your new team beginning at the next challenge. You have 24 hours to make your decision. Until then, I wish each of you safe travels on the way back home, and I anxiously await your decisions tomorrow."
~~~~~~~
CHALLENGE #2
FORMAT
1500-2000 words - Shoot Promo (does not have to be on-camera)
PROMPT
You’ve been given the choice to leave your current team and join the other team. Write a shoot promo explaining your decision.
SUGGESTIONS
Make an impassioned persuasive argument meant to sway public opinion. Do an interview, have a drunken conversation in a bar, have a mental breakdown, make a dream sequence, have your character appeal to a staff member, have your character bare their soul to another character, pray to your gods,
SCORING
Pieces will be judged in 7 key areas on a score of 3 (excellent), 2 (needs work), 1 (needs a lot of work)
- Structure (beginning, middle, end)
Easy to Read? (Does it flow? Is it confusing?) - Originality? (Is it unique? Generic? Just like other pieces?)
- Is your Gimmick clear? (Do we know what your character’s motivations are other than just winning?)
- Is it On Topic? (Does it answer the writing prompt?)
- Spelling & Grammar (Doesn’t have to be perfect)
- Length and on Time? (is it 1500-2000 words?)
DEADLINE
Shoot’s must be posted on the forum (https://thisisawesomegame.freeforums.net/) October 1st at 11:59 PM EST. Formatting/images are allowed, but will not be scored. Segments may also be submitted, but will not be scored.
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EPILOGUE
Thank you for reading the show. I hope you enjoyed it and want to continue to participate. You’re the reason I’m still making content. Thank you for being a friend.