Total Drama Action: All-In
I'm glad to hear that the first aftermath was a success! I honestly expected my reader number to plummet!
I have to keep it brief with some of you because even though I love how outspoken you are, if I was to respond to every point of your reviews, I might as well dedicate a chapter to that alone!
The British Guy: I have noticed elsewhere, but I appreciate you leaving them anyway!
Xtremexavier15: I say! But to be honest she is a blast to write!
Acosta Jose Rameiro: I will!
The Phenomenal Flair: Wasn't she already established as simply a blonde, female Chris? And while the thought of them being a couple would sound neat, I do think they're too self-absorbed to put in the effort of being a couple! Anyway, I love how much you loved the aftermath and its featured guests and your analyses were fun to read!
Animation Adventures: I, I didn't even realize I wrote that good of an Izzy to be perfectly honest! Like I told you in private alright, the aftermath is not only a good way to feature eliminated castmates, but also to develop them a little! Thank you for liking it! It's sad if you considered that she showed weakness to Justin, and that went to bite her in the behind, so she probably won't be happy to do that again though. Blaineley makes sure that the Total Drama aftermath are dramatic enough in their own right with all the dread that comes with it for Geoff and the guests and that's probably not going to change soon! And other than that, I'm afraid there's nothing left to say that could possibly spoil anything. So instead, I'm happy you continue to enjoy it!
Silentsinger: I think their crushing defeats sobered up their minds a little! Heather's worldview aren't exactly alike to ours, so there's the main issue with that! Lastly I'm not implying anything but I've seen crazier lawsuits being won for no sensible reason whatsoever!
Applauze: So many words! So many topics! I'll pick a few! Putting Blaineley in the position Geoff was in in canon just made so much more sense than to let Geoff be corrupted by fame, only to be poisoned by Blaineley! Like I said before, I'm surprised people like my portrayal of Izzy so much! I was afraid she was put down too random! That was exactly what I hoped to achieve with Heather! To me, everyone in the story is at least a little human! And lastly, maybe Trent's song sounded so much like ABBA because I referenced them earlier in the chapter? :D
Xmon323: Well, it's not a very original idea in the first place! It's actually perfectly reasonable that two people individually come up with the same idea!
As for the rest; Thank you for your continued support!
Let's continue with the poll results! You were asked for your favorite horror movie title parody, and the winner of that poll is Pretty Normal Activity, and the episode to bear this title will drop soon! Meanwhile, go vote again whether the Grips or the Gaffers are your favorite team! Let's see if the public opinion has changed!
Total Drama Action: All-In castmates:
Screaming Gaffers: Bridgette, DJ, Eva, Gwen, Ezekiel, Leshawna, Noah, Owen and Sadie.
Killer Grips: Beth, Cody, Duncan, Harold, Justin, Lindsay and Tyler .
Eliminated: Geoff. Izzy. Heather. Katie. Trent. Courtney.
Do note that this chapter feels a little more aggressive than the usual fare!
Chapter/Episode 9: We Were Teenagers
''In a future past, on Total Drama Action; The castmates were left to fend for themselves in a world of death, destruction and seriously dangerous animals! But not only had the world around them gone to hell, plenty of friendships were badly strained when Gwen realized she was being given the cold shoulder, and isolated herself from the others! having sustained a injury earlier, Courtney was voted out and left not only with her hand shattered, but also her pride!''
''And now, as always, we draft two teams to fight for victory to the last man, one team bites the bullet and has one of their ranks have their next-of-kin informed! It's the usual drill on today's episode of Total, DRAMA, ACTION!'' Chris announced from a sandbag bunker on a jungle set before the camera panned out.
(Theme Song. You're about to get drafted into a nasty war!)
During the evening, most of the castmates had gathered around a campfire. Notable exception was Gwen, the latter sitting out of the circle and the former having completely isolated herself, sitting by a camp light as she drew rather unflattering drawings of the others in her sketchbook.
Back at the campfire, plenty castmates laughed before DJ slowly rose from where he sat.
''Guys? Can I have your attention for a moment?'' DJ gently requested as everyone eyed him, surprised. ''I know you all love my cooking, and I love to cook as well! But lately, I felt a lot of pressure getting on me because of it. So for my own mental wellbeing, I'm not going to cook our meals anymore!'' He announced, obvious to the disappointment of everyone.
''Nóóóóóóóó!'' Owen hollered as he dramatically fell to his knees. ''Why must life be so terrible lately?!'' He wailed, being a proper if overwrought reflection of the castmates' reactions.
''Come on DJ! You're the best!'' Bridgette kindly pleaded.
DJ looked at the sad, longing glares he got from some, but after brief hesitation, DJ resisted Bridgette's, and Owen's, doe-eyes begging him to get back on it and made up his mind. ''I'm sorry gang, but I need to take it slow for a while!'' He apologized. As the others relented and accepted his retirement while Owen pitched another despondent howl.
''I suppose you're right to do so!'' Bridgette said, a little disappointed as DJ briefly cast a look over to Eva, who shot him a slight, yet approving nod. Of which Bridgette took notice of, but didn't think much of it.
(Confessional cam. The only thing left cooking on this set are conflicts and other drama!)
''It was hard saying no to those sad faces, but for once, I had to choose for myself! It became too much to always hold everyone's wishes or requests in account; my head was about to explode!'' DJ explained as he crossed his arms and shook his head. ''I'm still not sure why Eva is helping me, but I'm grateful she does! She may look really rough around the edges, but I'm sure Eva knows what's best for someone!''
(Static)
''Too bad DJ is not going to cook for us anymore. When I asked for something without meat, he always made great vegetarian alternatives to his meals specially for me! He was such a sweetie!'' Bridgette happily proclaimed before she stuffed her hands in her pocket. ''Now we have to go back to eating Chef's meat slob, but I can't really hold it against DJ for choosing for himself.'' Bridgette continued with mixed feelings.
(End confessional cam.)
Duncan scoffed and stood up. He approached Beth, Cody and Harold, who sat at a card table, having set up a game of Myths Of Arcadia.
''Okay, so the goal of Myths Of Arcadia is to score 'victory points', which you get from-'' Cody explained as Duncan passed them and casually yet powerfully flipped the table over, sending game parts flying everywhere and startling the three badly.
''Hey!'' Harold shouted, badly offended as Duncan didn't respond at all as he went to his trailer. ''We just set it up!'' He whined before crawling down to gather the board and the pieces.
''Maybe we should just go to bed and play tomorrow. It's getting late.'' Cody suggested as he and Beth joined Harold.
''What's Duncan's problem all of a sudden? He can't be this mad that we voted Courtney out!'' Beth wondered.
(Confessional cam. Eh, it was either flipping the table or flipping the bird. You make a choice which one's worse!)
''It sucks enough that my own team went behind my back and voted out a valuable member like Courtney when there were plenty of more sensible candidates to choose from and now we have to go back to eating that primer Chef made us?'' Duncan angrily complained before he crossed his arms and furiously groaned. ''I need to do some serious venting. And what better way to do so than to the weasels who made me angry in the first place?''
(Static)
''Unlike what Duncan, or any of you think, it wasn't Harold, or Cody or even Beth who suggested to vote Courtney off, but rather; me! I subtly convinced the others that she'd be useless with her broken hand, so subtle, I just laid the words right in their mouth!'' Justin proudly revealed.
''Without her, all that's left on the Grips is a helpless mess with only Duncan remaining some sort of threat! But the Gaffers are tearing themselves apart, so no matter how hopeless my team looks, the Gaffers have it much worse!'' He cockily added before he lounged back.
(End confessional cam.)
Later, Owen came walking out of the communal shower, his body and hair wrapped in towels when Noah approached him.
''Hey Owen!'' Noah casually greeted him as he was treated to an angry glare, which prompted Noah to save the small talk for later. ''Look, I know you've been really angry at me, and I'm sure I deserve that but you didn't deserve to be ratted by me with everything regarding Izzy and stuff. I don't want to sound too sappy but I shouldn't have done that.'' He apologized, monotonous as always but seemingly genuine.
''It'll take time for me Noah, but I appreciate you saying this!'' Owen declared with a faint smile, planting his arm on Noah's shoulder briefly before he walked off.
(Confessional cam. And usually when you read seemingly...)
''Look, of course I regret what I did somewhat, it wasn't pretty seeing him distraught. But I'm not sure if Owen remembers, but this is Total Drama, where people are stabbed in the back more often; really, if it wasn't me, someone else would've taken care of Izzy! So honestly, I don't understand why Owen was still so angry with me.'' Noah explained before he placed a finger over his mouth in concern. ''I'm lucky the rest don't think so much of it, unlike what's going on with Gwen. The best course of action would be just to be a asset to my team and go on like normal, then Owen will probably forget eventually.''
(End confessional cam.)
Shortly after, everyone would go to bed, and after what felt like an even shorter night, a new day presented itself on the set.
In the trailer of the Grip guys, Cody was the first to awaken. He threw off his pinstriped pajamas and lazily strutted over to the mirror. However, when he saw his mirror image, he flinched in horror.
''Aw man! That's why my forehead was so red last night!'' Cody muttered in disgust as he looked more closely at it.
''Mornin', fellas!'' Duncan greeted as kind as he could spare to be as he stretched in his bed. When Cody heard the others awakening as well, he panicked for a moment before he dashed back into his bed and hid his face from the rest, wishing to not be seen.
''Hey Cody, you coming too?'' Harold asked as the guys got dressed.
''No thanks. I'm still feeling kind of tired! I think I'll stay in a little longer!'' Cody quickly thought up an excuse.
''Means more breakfast for me!'' Duncan shrugged before the Grip guys left, not giving Cody another thought.
Later that morning, Eva sat outside the Gaffer girls' trailer, lifting some small weights and listening to music on her MP3 player. Shortly after, Sadie, dressed in a dark blue sleeveless hoodie, grey undershirt and matching capris, an sporty outfit that surprised Eva a little.
''What's this?'' Eva asked, both miffed and confused after she removed her earplugs.
''The new me!'' Sadie happily announced, stretching her arms out to present herself.
''I thought your new you was a surfer.'' Eva uninterestedly guessed.
''Yeah, but pff! What can you do with surfing really?'' Sadie indignantly puffed as she waved it off. ''I figured that my new interests should also be productive to your health, so I picked up jogging a few days ago!'' She explained while Eva continued pumping iron. ''You inspired me! You are so strong! You must've trained all your life!'' She then raved.
''Not my entire life...''
''Besides, I could always use a little exercise anyhow!'' She interrupted Eva, giggling and tapping her stomach.
''I hope you know what you started with...'' She indifferently added as she eyed Sadie's build.
''I do!'' She confidently answered as shook her legs a little. ''I started easy with little jogs around the film lot and build it up!'' Sadie proudly announced. Eva cocked her head slightly as Sadie rubbed her hands a little nervously. ''I don't mean to be rude, but can I have those dumbbells please?'' She humbly asked.
Eva pondered briefly, but handed them over to Sadie, if only if it meant she'd be by herself again.
''Thanks Eva!'' Sadie heartily replied before she jogged off as Eva shrugged and reached into her bag to get a pair of hand grips she began to crunch instead.
Later that morning, Beth and Harold approached the trailer of the Grip boys.
''Cody? Why are you still in there? Come out! There's civilizations to be battled in Myths Of Arcadia!'' Harold urged him as he knocked on the door, carrying the game under his arm.
''You can't stay in that trailer forever!'' Beth added.
''I guess.'' Cody creaked before he opened the door and appeared to Beth and Harold. Immediately, they winced back in shock as Beth briefly yelped just as Tyler came by as well and pitched a girly screech.
''Oh dude gross!'' Tyler obnoxiously yelled, pointing at the huge pimple on Cody's forehead.
''Keep it down, will you?!'' Cody angrily hissed. But unfortunately for Cody, almost everyone heard Tyler and by extension saw why he was shocked and gathered around him in awe and disgust.
''Ew! That's the biggest zit I've ever seen!'' Lindsay declared, horrified but still compelled to watch it.
''It's humongous!'' Beth agreed, also staring intensely at it.
''Is that a zit?'' Justin asked, both frightened and intrigued as he inched back. ''I never knew they existed! I thought zits were a myth! Are they contagious?''
''No matter where I go, it looks right back at me!'' Leshawna stated in horror.
''It's even worse than that thing from a few days ago you called a beard!'' Duncan added with a mocking smile.
''It looks really gross, but in a fascinating kind of way.'' Beth marveled.
''You really need some product!'' Lindsay advised the mortified Cody.
''Nonsense! It just needs to be popped! Let me!'' Leshawna demanded as she already approached Cody with hands drawn, who scurried to escape.
''No way!'' Beth denied as she stopped Leshawna, making Cody smile initially. ''I want to pop it!'' She added, making Cody's smile fade once more as he inched away from the girls.
''Look at Cody, he finally has the girls fighting for him, and still he's not happy. Poor guy!'' DJ quipped in good nature to Eva as Cody was cornered by all the other girls.
(Confessional cam. Pimples; a big bump in the road of everyone's self-esteem!)
''If I had to make a choice between being swarmed by girls or being hunted down by bullies, I'd choose the bullies! At least you know what to expect from them!'' Cody expressed, terrified before he sighed and prodded his pimple. ''I never knew my sweetest dream was actually a nightmare trying to warn me for this!''
(Static)
''Cody should be happy for a change that Courtney isn't here anymore. She loves to pop them!'' Duncan stated with a wicked grin before his mood completely flipped. ''I learned that the hard way...'' He mumbled dejectedly.
(End confessional cam.)
Cody was pinned down by Leshawna as Beth tried to squeeze out the pimple. Cody groaned in increasing pain until everyone froze up at the sound of an air alert. An old airplane flew over the set and Chris and Chef, dressed in vintage soldier uniforms, jumped out and parachuted to the ground. Chef landed safely next to the castmates, but Chris came down screaming at an unsafe speed and crashed painfully into the roof of one of the trailers, making the castmates winch in shock.
''Can we do that again?'' Chris moaned.
What followed was a sepia error screen reading 'Technical difficulties: Please stand by' and depicted Chris and Chef snipping and sticking a film roll using scissors and glue while muzak accompanied the image.
When the shot turned back to the show, Chris now successfully landed next to Chef as if nothing ever happened.
''At ease privates!'' Chris called, but got annoyed when the girls preoccupied with Cody were only partially focused on Chris. ''Cut it out with the sixsome and listen to me!'' Chris moodily ordered as he broke up the group of girls swarming Cody, becoming stunned with shock and disgust once he noted the pimple on his forehead.
''Oh, that's a big bump!'' Chef mumbled, slightly taken aback as Cody groaned in agony once more.
Chris coughed briefly to shake off the horror and compose himself. ''Good morning recruits! I hope you're proud of your country, because you're going to serve it!''
''You draft-dodging piles of horse crap!'' Chef intimidatingly shouted as soon as Chris was done, spooking some of the castmates.
''So get your crew cuts done-'' Chris casually continued, acting oblivious to Chef.
''Get a haircut, hippies!''
''-and write a letter home to your momma,'' Chris added, to which Chef gulped, seemingly struggling emotionally.
''Hope you'll make her proud!'' Chef roared after a brief pause, as if he had a complex to deal with.
''because all of you are about to get drafted for the war… movies!'' Chris announced.
''Nice.'' Bridgette angrily scoffed as she rolled her eyes.
(Confessional cam. Too bad these kids can't flee to Canada to dodge the draft; they're there already!)
''It's not surprising, but war movies are not really high on my list! With all the conflict going on here on set, I have my fair share of hatred and conflict already! Just look at the past few days! Owen rages on and Duncan has become a complete prick to everyone!'' Bridgette sourly exclaimed before she shook her head. ''And let's not forget about Gwen, but at least she keeps to herself.'' She finished on a more mild note.
(Static)
''Good, war movies! I was aching for some violence!'' Duncan declared as he stuck his pocket knife into the table deck. ''I hate to sound like a wuss and all, but Courtney leaving left me with a serious beef for the rest of the Grips! But on the other hand, I think I can have plenty of fun messing around with the Gaffers as well!''
(Static)
''War movies? Like the ones with mud and dirt and bruises?'' Justin wondered, considerably worried. ''I better take a backseat on this one! My physique can only take so much!'' He explained before he touched up his face.
(End confessional cam.)
Later, the two teams reported to a stilted hut, a watchtower and a small hangar surrounded by a palisade wall on a massive jungle set made with both props and real fauna. The teams were decked out in army costumes consisting of netted helmets, green and brown tinted shirts, camouflaged pants and heavy boots. Justin and Owen deviated slightly, looking more like action heroes thanks to the pair of bandoleers strapped around their upper body.
''Welcome to the jungles of Chefnam! Where the temperature is so high you can grill an egg on the hood of your truck, and the air so humid you don't need a shower!'' Chris welcomed them on the jungle set. ''It's beautiful huh? We had to buy out an entire gardening center for all these trees!''
''Yeah yeah, when do we get the guns?'' Duncan asked, bored with Chris already.
''Settle down, Tackleberry, you're not going to get guns!'' Chris announced, annoying Duncan. [1]
''No guns?! What are we supposed be? The Costa Rican army?!'' Duncan exclaimed, positively irritated before he grabbed Justin's bandoleer. ''So these are all decoration?'' [2]
''They're props, but if you want to call them decoration, be my guest.'' Chris indifferently answered, raising his shoulders briefly. ''You know, we wanted to, but then the network started complaining and under threat of a serious funding cut, we decided to oblige!'' Chris explained, his mimicry and gestures displaying his relative disregard for the complaints.
''Go network!'' Bridgette quietly cheered as she nodded her head approvingly.
''Fortunately, we didn't have to become total peaceniks, and granted us these babies!'' He gladly revealed as Chef presented them a short, bamboo pipe with a crosshair. ''A blowpipe with moose tranquilizer darts!'' He added, immediately turning Bridgette's smile upside down.
Chef saw an intern walking by and decided to offer a little demonstration. One quick blow later, Chef struck him with the dart, making his muscles go numb before he, in a daze, grunted similar to a moose.
''If we're not allowed to let you kill or horribly hurt each other, we opted for the next best thing!'' Chris stated. ''One teams get these bad boys along with plenty of tranquilizer darts! Aside from those, they also get this base and everything inside of it!'' He explained, to the subtle appreciation of some of the Gaffers.
''Okay, and what do we get?'' Duncan asked, faintly optimistic at the prospect.
''This trunk!'' Chris answered as a footlocker with two poles taped to each end gently parachuted down next to him, miffing and confusing the Grips. ''But not just any trunk, it's the 'trunk of mind-blowing secret'!'' He bombastically declared as the castmates looked on in curiosity.
''How come we get all this cool stuff, and they get only that old thing? Something's not right here!'' Leshawna mistrustfully wondered.
''It must be really useful then, right?'' Ezekiel guessed.
''What is in it anyway?'' Lindsay wondered as she tried to pry open the lid until she got her finger jammed and reeled in pain.
''Maybe it's a suitcase nuke?'' Harold guessed as Tyler crouched down and, quite egregiously, violently shook the foot-locker.
''If I told you what was inside of it, it wouldn't be a mind-blowing secret anymore, right?'' Chris asked with a smug smile as he pushed Tyler back before Chris went back to business.
''The only thing you get to know of this trunk, is that it's the focal point of this challenge! The Grips have to get it through the jungle to the border post at the other end and bring this contraband safely over the border into Chrisbodja while the Gaffers have to intercept it and catch all the other Grips on top of that! Any Grips the Gaffers catch can be brought to the camp to be 'interrogated' to tell where the trunk is hidden!'' Chris explained.
''I don't like the tone of that!'' Bridgette mistrustfully remarked.
''Relax! We'll keep it safe and relatively family-friendly! The only one who'll do real torture on this film lot will be Chef and me!'' Chris calmed them down, humored. ''Not only does today's winners get immunity, they also get what's inside the trunk and I can tell you, it can win wars!'' Chris assured them as some castmates cast another curious glare at the trunk.
(Confessional cam. For once, it's not a war for oil or supremacy over communism!)
''Argh! It's like I'm eight again on Christmas morning and the tree is surrounded with presents!'' Owen exclaimed.
(End confessional cam.)
''You all get a moment on your half of the jungle to prepare yourself. When the air alarm sounds, the challenge begins! Godspeed, recruits, and hope you won't go home in a box!'' Chris called before he and Chef left.
The Grips and the trunk were brought to a nondescript corner of the jungle set.
''My boyfriend went through basic training! He gave me some-'' Beth said until she was interrupted by Harold.
''I am so pumped! My squad on The Longest Day has won numerous online gaming awards! The key to our victories? Teamwork, and a good defensive stronghold to fall back on along with battlefield honor!'' Harold began explaining as he walked around on the marshy ground.
''Yeah, those defenses you built last challenge were seriously out there!'' Duncan mockingly agreed.
''You weren't so negative about them back then!'' Harold remarked, taken aback.
''Opinions change, dorkwad!'' Duncan spat back. ''This is the real world, loser. Where the laws of your little games and whatever nonexistent skill you have do not apply! We just need to shock and awe our way through the jungle!''
''What are you going to do? Throw your shoes at them? They have vastly better resources and equipment!'' Harold vocally reasoned. ''Then I think they'll litter the jungle with traps! The best course of action would be to wait and analyse their strategy so we can catch them with their pants down!''
''You mean like this?'' Duncan asked with a grin as he pulled Harold's pants down, leaving him in his thong underwear.
''Gosh Duncan, you're being so immature! What's your major malfunction?'' Harold scolded him as he pulled his pants back up.
''Yeah what's your deal man? Go pick on someone your own size!'' Tyler valiantly told him.
''What? You want your share too?'' Duncan intimidatingly asked, making Tyler inch back as Duncan turned back to the rest. ''I don't know if you heard Chris, but we need to get this trunk through the jungle and if we keep sitting here, neither the trunk or any of us is getting anywhere!'' Duncan retorted, starting to get seriously angry with Harold as they furiously eyed each other.
As their argument went on and noted that nobody either cared to intervene or was afraid to, Lindsay decided to take charge.
''Both of you, quit it!'' Lindsay shouted as she got in-between the two, which had effect as both Duncan and Harold went quiet with surprise. ''What if we, like, do both?'' She suggested, mentally struggling to come up with a proper plan as she hadn't really thought of that yet. ''Like, we first, like, make a hideout or something like that, and then we'll check if it's safe to go?'' She continued, which was met with positive nods from the other Grips.
''Fine then. You go your way, tin soldier'' Duncan indifferently shrugged as he crossed his arms and looked away.
''In a jungle like this, it'd be a good idea to dig a underground hiding place where we'll be practically invisible in, a foxhole!'' Harold explained before he began digging at the base of a tree prop.
''I hate to admit it, but camping is the way to go for now!'' Cody meekly agreed as the others joined Harold.
''Duncan, the rest of the team agreed to this plan and your help would be kindly appreciated!'' Harold stated, annoyed with Duncan's passivity.
''Oh no, I didn't agree to digging a hole to hide in like a chicken! I'll do everything on my own today because you showed you can't be relied on!'' Duncan denied as he walked off.
Back at the camp, the Gaffers prepared themselves for the challenge as well.
Eva was inspecting some small, bamboo cages when Sadie came walking by, having a very exhausted breathing, but satisfyingly so.
''How did the jog go?'' Eva asked.
''Pretty swell!'' Sadie enthusiastically answered as she stretched her legs. ''I'm really beginning to get into this!''
''I bet.'' Eva mumbled, both uninterested and hard-pressed to believe her. ''You look tired.''
''I gave it all I got! I wanted to push it to the limit like you always do!''
''Isn't it a bit early for that? You've only been doing this for a few days and you need to steadily build your stamina.'' Eva instructed, actually a little concerned.
''I'm seeing why you are so fond of it! It gives you a rush!'' She raved, blurting out Eva's instruction as she took a quick look at her arms. ''Do you do, like, bodybuilding competitions too?''
''Bodybuilding? No! The thought alone of being watched and judged like livestock makes me sick!'' Eva spitefully growled. ''The only thing I call competition is where you put your body to use, not where you show it.'' She continued.
''That sounds, like, so right!'' Sadie agreed. ''I start small, but my big goal is doing triathlons!''
''Triathlons?'' Eva repeated, followed by her looking like she wanted to tell Sadie something, but ultimately abstaining from it.
''Yeah!'' Sadie replied as she vividly nodded her head before she inched closer. ''What do you need for a triathlon though?''
''A trisuit, and good fitness. That's all really.'' Eva answered, adding a wry tone to the latter requirement.
(Confessional cam. And you forgot sportsmanship!)
''Not meaning to brag here, but triathlons are tough even for me! There is nothing wrong with Sadie's enthusiasm, but she's not the right person to commit to this lifestyle; she goes at it with a totally wrong mindset. I doubt she'll ever be able to even do half a triathlon, but who am I to break her enthusiasm? She'll find it out herself eventually.'' Eva explained.
(End confessional cam.)
Meanwhile, a group consisting of DJ, Ezekiel, Noah and Owen walked just out of the base and looked into the jungle.
''I think Chris is specifically trying to go for a Vietnam war film approach here, and that got me thinking. The reason America lost the Vietnam war was because the Vietcong hid out in the jungle and made it their own deadly playground! I say we do the same!'' Noah suggested, spooking his fellow Gaffers slightly. ''Now of course, I don't think no one but Chris is allowed to use deadly force, so what do we use as a alternative?''
''What about snare traps, eh? Or nets? I saw them both laying around.'' Ezekiel guessed.
''Bingo!'' Noah responded, jerking a finger at him. ''Go get them!'' He instructed before Ezekiel darted off.
Shortly after, Ezekiel had made and hung up a snare trap.
''Looks good. But we need to test it to be certain!'' Noah pointed out as he eyed his fellow Gaffers.
''No way dude. There's a moment I'm stopping being everyone's guinea pig.'' DJ denied, knowing what Noah wanted from his look alone. Knowing he couldn't ask Owen, Noah sighed and stepped onto the snare himself, setting it off as he was powerfully hoisted in the air.
''I think it works, eh!'' Ezekiel stated, sounding somewhat oblivious.
''Tell me something I don't know.'' Noah cynically responded as he hung upside down, which made Ezekiel think.
''Did you know that an eagle can kill a young deer and then fly away with it?'' Ezekiel said, having completely missed the context of Noah's statement as both he and DJ eyed him rather puzzled.
''Whatever...'' Noah shrugged as DJ and Owen helped him get free. ''Let's hang up some more traps!''
(Confessional cam. Mind you, not the kind of traps as they're known in anime fandoms; those are something completely different!)
''I trusted Noah, and when I heard my best friend went behind my back, I got the angriest I've even been! I wasn't even as angry when my brothers framed me for feeding our salad to the dog so they could have my Christmas dinner! Him apologizing yesterday soothed me, and if he can show he doesn't just care about himself, I'll completely forgive him!'' Owen calmly, yet positively explained.
(End confessional cam.)
A while later, the air alarm howled, signifying the beginning of the challenge. Excited, Duncan rubbed his knuckles and went ahead into the jungle.
''Team, we need to be very careful when we're looking for a path!'' Lindsay began to hold a motivating speech to the others, but was quickly interrupted by Duncan.
''Way ahead of you! Keep it up, maggots!'' Duncan called out to them as the other Grips almost couldn't see him through the foliage anymore. Lindsay sighed in mild disappointment as the Grips followed Duncan. Harold fitted a ace of spades card between the rubber band of his helmet and ran after the rest into the jungle. [3]
''Everyone, keep your voice down! We have to be eyes and ears; listening to the jungle and seeing its dangers!'' Harold wisely instructed in a hushed voice, coating his hand in some mud and wiping it on his face as improvised camouflage.
Without saying anything, the Killer Grips slowly and carefully navigated through the jungle and its swampy ground while remaining on guard for anything in the trees or on the ground. As Duncan was walking ahead and was rather indifferent to whatever obstacles could be around, his eyes wandered onto something hidden under some leafs. He wiped the leaves away and was startled to see that it was a net trap.
''Hey-'' Duncan wanted to call out, but paused almost immediately and grew a pleased smirk as he kept quiet, hid the net under leaves and walked on instead.
''I think this route is pretty safe!'' Tyler whispered moments later to Cody. Ironically, it was about that moment that he triggered the trap, and he, Cody and Harold were hoisted up in the air in a net, spooking the remaining Grips behind them as they shrieked in alarm.
''The place is full of traps!'' Justin hollered in panic.
''Keep your voice down!'' Harold angrily hissed.
''Dude!'' Tyler yelled in annoyance.
''Couldn't you have warned us for that Duncan?'' Cody added, distinctively calmer but not any less annoyed.
''Keep your voice down!'' Harold repeated, angry for being ignored.
''Sorry dumdums, I didn't see it laying around either!'' Duncan responded, looking back and not paying attention to where he walked as he was soon caught by surprise when he too walked into a snare trap and was hoisted up. ''Just like this one.'' He muttered in defeat.
''We'll get you out!'' Lindsay declared as she tugged on the net.
''Did you hear that?'' The Grips could hear Sadie call from a distance as they heard rustling of the bushes getting louder.
''Retreat! We won't stand a chance if they catch all of us!'' Harold told the others.
''Run!'' Justin gratuitously made use of it as Beth and Lindsay followed, the former being a little more hesitant a short while before Eva, Gwen and Sadie came by and eyed their prisoners.
''There goes the rest!'' Sadie shouted, pointing at the fleeing Grips. ''I'll catch them!'' She offered as she quickly stretched her legs.
''Alright then.'' Eva shrugged as Sadie gave chase, panting profusely while she and Gwen began to get the trapped Grips down.
(Confessional cam. You waited for it, but you got to wait a little longer for the anime trap jokes!)
''Noah is pretty smart! When he helped lay out all the traps, he made us all these maps with the locations marked down!'' Sadie explained, holding said map.
(End confessional cam.)
As Sadie briefly stopped, she loaded a dart into her blowpipe and aimed at Justin, barely missing him before she resumed her chase.
''How has Sadie become so fast?'' Justin exclaimed as they ran, seeing how quickly Sadie was gaining on them.
''She's been jogging like crazy lately!'' Beth answered. ''We'll never make it back to the hole in time!''
''Then we must hide here!'' Lindsay proclaimed.
''Easier said than done! Where do we hide?'' Justin panicky asked.
Her eyes darting around quickly and noticed a mud pool at their feet.
''This mud hole must be deep enough!'' Beth suggested, disgusting both Justin and Lindsay.
''Mud? As in, unsanitary, non-spa mud? No wait! We-'' Justin protested.
''Into the mud we go!'' Lindsay resolutely agreed, though still very reluctant to actually do so as she and Beth pulled Justin into the mud, almost completely covering them with mud and making them nigh invisible.
Sadie came by the mud pool and got confused as to where the Grips had gone to. She rested her body and breathed to gain energy before she slowly paced around, looking for tracks. This made the Grips nervous as Sadie repeatedly almost stepped onto one of them; at one point even parking her boot on Justin's body as he had to suppress a cry of pain. Fortunately for them, Sadie disappeared back into the jungle shortly after, after which the Grips slipped away.
(Confessional cam. A more literal and less malicious kind of playing dirty!)
''That mud was really gross! It went everywhere!'' Lindsay quietly whined, covered in dirt as she shook out her helmet, making a good amount of mud fall out. ''And this outfit; these colors are seriously unflattering on me! But when you want to win and show you're important for your team, you got to do not so nice things sometimes!'' She reasoned, already a lot more collected again.
(Static)
''Why do I have to suffer so bad? I already had been caked in dirt, and now someone stomps down on my spine too? Paraplegics aren't supermodel material!'' Justin wailed.
(Static)
''I grew up on a pig farm, so I'm used to a little mud, but pretty people like Lindsay and Justin probably have never even been on a farm! This must've been a nightmare for them, just diving into the mud and ruining their looks! I really appreciate how they pushed through nonetheless! You really can win a war with such people!'' Beth proudly stated.
(End confessional cam.)
''That was close!'' Lindsay whispered as they reached their foxhole and slid in.
''But what now? What if they make the boys talk about where we hid the trunk?'' Beth worried.
''We must hide the trunk somewhere else! If they don't know where the trunk has been moved to, then they can't spill it either!'' Lindsay stated before she briefly pondered until a smirk formed. ''And I think I know a great place where they'll never look!''
''Where?'' Beth eagerly asked as Lindsay pulled the trunk with her.
''I can't tell you that! It's meant to be a secret!'' Lindsay answered as she and Beth tried to push the trunk out of the hole.
''Good idea! Me and Beth stay here and guard our hole until you're back!'' Justin offered as he sat in a corner.
''Oh my-'' Beth mumbled, a little flustered at the suggestion of her and Justin alone.
''No way! Once I'm back, we both are going to find a way to save the others!'' Lindsay valiantly declared.
''Good idea Lindsay!'' Beth enthusiastically agreed before Lindsay left and Beth turned back to Justin. ''I- I guess we'll have our private moment another time!'' Beth unsurely promised while Justin glared after Lindsay.
(Confessional cam. What were they planning on doing anyway in that hiding spot? Writing a diary?!)
''I don't like this new Lindsay, she's way too independent... and assertive! Even worse, she seems to make Beth more independent from me too. Normally, I'd say she'll deal with herself, but something tells me I need to help this time!'' Justin pondered, folding his fingers together. ''But first, I'll have to make sure Beth is under my spell again! I need all allies I can get regardless of how unattractive they look!''
(End confessional cam.)
Meanwhile, the captured Grip boys were brought to the Gaffers' base, and all except Cody were locked in bamboo cages that were so small that their legs sticked out while Eva took Cody with her.
''I'll lead the interrogation!'' Eva announced to the other Gaffers as she took Cody with her, who gulped nervously as his imagination ran wild with ideas of how brutal his torture may be.
''Eva don't you dare hurt anyone!'' Bridgette angrily warned her as she came by, pointing a strict finger at her.
''If they talk, I don't have to.'' Eva plainly answered, not concerned with Bridgette as the former moved on. ''Hey DJ!'' Eva called out to him.
''What?''
''I need you for this!'' Eva declared before Bridgette gasped quietly.
''DJ, don't help her!'' Bridgette pleaded.
''Don't worry. I'll make sure she won't overdo it!'' He gently assured Bridgette before he hesitantly followed Eva, leaving Bridgette to glare at her. ''Hey Eva, just for the record, I don't like war movies and I'm not so fond of torture!'' DJ explained as he caught up with her.
''Neither am I, but this will be a good way to teach you how to be intimidating when you need to be!'' Eva announced, which did little to sooth DJ's worry.
(Confessional cam. We're not talking torture like Wet Willies or something like that!)
''Don't get me wrong, I would never legitimately torture anyone but I can be very intimidating if I want to, and that will probably be enough anyway!'' Eva stated as she crossed her arms. ''It's all about psychology!''
(Static)
''I got a kind of bad feeling in my gut when Eva asked me to help her, but she learned me to choose for myself, so I guess that deserves some sort of payback!'' DJ unsurely said.
(Static)
''There is already enough pain and torture on this show as it is! I can't believe DJ is willing helping Eva bring some more to it!'' Bridgette exclaimed. ''They've been pretty close lately anyhow. And it's not that DJ isn't allowed to hang out with Eva or anything, but she is being really bad influence on him like this!''
(End confessional cam.)
''I don't think I like the sound of that.'' He mumbled as they entered the hut and were surprised to find Chris inside.
''Hi! I see you're about to interrogate someone! That's cool and all, but I do have some rules you need to abide to!'' Chris stated, with a fake-looking grin and an off-putting tone of voice. Chris took a small piece of paper from his pocket, but to Eva's surprise and annoyance, folded out to reveal that it was actually a really long list; so long, it rolled out of the hut.
''Who do you think I am?'' Eva asked, a little offended.
''You're not allowed to wound, flog, dismember, behead, use thumb drives, waterboard, inflict lasting trauma both physical or psychological, force them to watch videos of their birth or about everything else the Geneva conventions forbade!'' Chris matter-of-factly explained, reading some examples from the list.
''What can I do then? Tickle them?'' Eva sarcastically asked upon seeing the long list.
''Don't even think about it! That's forbidden too!'' Chris scolded her, making Eva sigh in utter annoyance as Chris stapled the list to the wall. ''Coming to think of it, just don't touch or hurt anyone at all! I'll leave this here for reference! You're only supposed to find out where the trunk is, not land yourself in court for war crimes!'' He concluded before he left.
''Sure.'' Eva indifferently relented in a sigh before she cracked her fingers. ''First things first then. DJ, hold him down!'' She sternly instructed.
''What are you going to do?'' DJ stammered, becoming a little afraid of Eva's intentions.
''Don't worry, this will be for the greater good!'' She assured him before she put Cody down on a chair and pinned him down as Cody's eyes went wide in horror when he realized what Eva was to do.
''No- no!'' He yelled before hollering in pain while DJ initially looked on in shock, but mellowed out very slightly once he too saw what Eva was trying to do.
(Confessional cam. What would be worse; giving a elaborate description on whatever Eva was doing, or leaving it to your imagination?)
''I tell you, I still don't really approve of Eva's brutish attitude, but what she did to Cody was really necessary! Believe it or not, I'd even say Cody should be grateful for what Eva tried to do, even if she was rather harsh!'' DJ solemnly stated.
(Static)
''Ew! All that squeezing only makes it bigger and more obvious!'' Cody disgustedly noted as he prodded his pimple.
(End confessional cam.)
Cody's pained cries were heard all over the set, even the remaining Grips in the jungle could clearly hear them.
''I guess the 'interrogation' has started.'' Justin guessed, using air quotes.
''Poor Cody!'' Beth quietly wailed.
Back at the base, everyone listened on in horror at Cody's persisting cries. It didn't take long for Bridgette to take action and storm towards the hut, intending to stop whatever was happening.
''What's going on here?!'' Bridgette yelled as she came storming into the hut and saw Eva squeezing Cody's forehead, puzzling Bridgette instead.
''I second that! What's going on here?'' Chris asked as he arrived almost immediately after.
''I haven't started, I'm only trying to squeeze his zit! I can't focus with that big thing on his forehead!'' Eva explained, giving Cody a moment of rest as he breathed in exhaustion and largely quelling Bridgette's feelings of shock and fury.
''Have you even read the list?''
''Uh, yeah, of course. It's not on it.'' Eva mumbled, making the contrary rather obvious.
''Hmm...'' Chris hummed as he checked the list. ''No; it doesn't read anywhere that that's against the rules!'' He announced with a smile, while Cody's grief couldn't be reflected in their faces any better. ''Carry on!''
''That thing can't be busted, and I can't lead a good interrogation with that monster distracting me!'' Eva stated as she leaned against a wall while Bridgette looked on, slightly glad.
''Thanks?'' Cody hesitantly responded.
''Put him back in his cage.'' Eva told Bridgette, who took Cody with her and left.
''How are we going to make them talk without any pain...'' Eva muttered as she leaned on the table standing in the room when she saw another room she hadn't noted before. Inside, she found, among some other things, a few jars containing a milky white substance.
''What's this?'' Eva disgustedly wondered, picking up a jar.
''Oh, that's a truckload of ingredients Chef ordered by accident at the start of the season.'' DJ answered before he smelled the stench. ''Oof, and it's pretty spoiled by now!'' He added, which made a darkly content grin form on Eva's face.
''The quickest way to a man is through his stomach, right?'' She asked.
''That's what they say... It probably worked for my dad.'' DJ replied, offhandedly mentioned the latter before he raised an eyebrow. ''Why?''
Duncan and Tyler were brought inside the hut and were seated on opposite ends of the table. While Duncan remained calm, Tyler was shaking a little.
''Don't dye your pants yellow Tyler, it's only a challenge!'' Duncan pointed as he rested his head on his arm. Then, Eva retrieved something and walked around the table at a intimidatingly slow pace as DJ watched, further unnerving Tyler while Duncan remained relatively calm.
''We're going to play a fun little game that's not for the faint of heart!'' Eva announced rather businesslike as she laid a big, paintball gun modeled after a revolver down on the table.
''Russian roulette?'' Duncan asked, a little unimpressed.
''Yes.'' Eva replied before she took a capsule out of her pocket. ''Do you know what this is?'' Eva asked, showing the silent Grips a capsule containing the milky white goo. ''Two-week old horse...'' She paused for a moment as Duncan and Tyler's eyes went wide with horror at the utterly disgusting implication of what relation the substance had to horses. ''-radish!''
''NÓÓÓÓÓÓÓÓ!'' Tyler immediately wailed in agony, spooking everyone as he let himself fall on the table.
(Confessional cam. I heard that horseradish makes a good music instrument!)
''I think this would be more appropriate for frat boy movies.'' Duncan coolly noted. [4]
(Static)
''Some people hate broccoli or Brussels sprouts, but I hate horseradish! Every thanksgiving, we'd have dinner at my grandma, and she always used horseradish in her meals! I hated it! I hated the gross bitter taste! I always tried to eat around it but my grandma used so much horseradish that that wasn't even possible! And I wasn't allowed to leave the table until I had eaten everything even if that meant mom force-feeding me-'' Tyler explained with increasing trauma until he was a sobbing mess laying on the desk. ''And you know what we always ate for dinner? Chicken!'' He added.
(End confessional cam.)
''You put the barrel in your mouth and hope you don't get a mouthful of this...'' Eva explained before she loaded a chamber and aimed for a lamp dangling from the ceiling, the bang spooked everyone else as the shot coated the lamp in horseradish, and even seemed to corrode it. ''We'll keep playing this until one of you fesses up where the trunk is hidden.''
''Maybe I can be of hel-'' Tyler shakily offered with a weak smile.
''Shut up Tyler!'' Duncan aggressively hissed, forcing Tyler to keep quiet as he began to sweat profusely while Eva loaded three capsules into the gun.
''Can we start off easy?'' Tyler sheepishly requested. In response, Eva shot him a frown and a smile and took another two capsules out of her pocket and loaded all but one of the chambers.
''Well done Tyler.'' Duncan mumbled as Tyler began to quietly panic.
Eva spun the chambers, and then spun the gun on the table. When it came to a halt, the barrel pointed at Tyler, whose eyes went empty with dread as he breathed heavily.
''Pick up the gun.'' Eva instructed as Tyler did what he was told, his movement absent like a zombie as he jammed the barrel between his teeth. ''Come on, pull the trigger!'' She urged Tyler, leaning over him.
''Hold on!'' Tyler begged, his hand shaking like crazy.
Meanwhile, the Grips who hadn't been caught yet arrived at the base and pressed themselves up against the palisade wall.
''We found it! Unbelievable how we made it through!'' Justin said, relieved as well as a little amazed.
''So, we're at their base. How are we going to rescue them, Lindsay?'' Beth asked.
''What if we, like, dress up as clowns! They expect soldiers, we can totally fool them!'' Lindsay suggested with increasing enthusiasm.
''That has been tried before Lindsay... it didn't work.'' Beth explained. [5]
''Then, then we should wait for whatever comes up in our heads!''
''That'll be a long wait.'' Justin wryly sighed.
Meanwhile, DJ and Eva were still waiting for Tyler to pull the trigger, and especially Eva was losing her patience.
''Today!'' Eva intimidatingly growled to the shaking Tyler as she slapped him across the face, to which DJ shot her a disapproving glare.
''But I don't wanna...'' Tyler bawled as he was crying.
''For once, don't be a wimp!'' Eva spat before dealing another slap to the face. This seemed to aggravate Tyler into manning up.
''I'm not a wimp!'' He quietly stated.
''Prove it then!'' Eva barked.
Tyler loudly heaved a few times as his expression became slightly more courageous. He then pitched a loud scream and pulled the trigger; a click followed. No one could believe Tyler's luck as he slammed the gun on the table and shot up to pump his fists out of pure elation, only to be seated back by DJ with minor force.
''Lucky.'' Eva grumbled as Duncan took the gun while Tyler looked on, overjoyed that he didn't get a mouthful but guilty that Duncan was going to have it for certain. Duncan placed the barrel on his lips as his eyes darted around the room and calculated something. He saw Eva smile a little darkly, and then he slowly began to laugh, confusing DJ and Tyler, but Eva not so much.
''Don't bother. I saw that movie too.'' Eva flatly cut him off. [6]
''Worth the try.'' Duncan shrugged before he eyed Tyler. ''Well Tyler, you ruined it for us again.''
''What do you mean?'' Tyler responded, obviously confused.
''That you've been a total screw-up so far!'' Duncan pointed out.
''No way! I've been a asset to our team!'' Tyler confidently insisted.
''You're joking right? You caused about ten times more trouble than you did good and then I'm being kind!'' Duncan spat. ''You're just like Lindsay! You're both moronic dead-weights!'' He continued, which made Tyler glare violently at Duncan.
''Take that back!'' Tyler hissed, immediately getting angry as he pounded the table.
''Take what back? That your girlfriend is as poor a leader as she is in brains with the intelligence of a bag of potatoes? No way.'' Duncan casually denied as Tyler gritted his teeth in utter fury.
''You mo-'' Tyler roared as he lunged over the table to get Duncan, being stopped at the last moment by DJ as the latter struggled to put Tyler back in his seat.
''Take it easy dude!'' DJ tried to calm him down as Tyler swatted a few more times at Duncan, Eva watched him do so. Knowing that he caused a distraction, Duncan quickly aimed the gun at Eva and shot her in the face, taking everyone by surprise. The impact was strong but not very painful as Eva fell to the floor with a face full of horseradish.
''It's in my eyes!'' Eva violently groaned as Duncan aimed at DJ, who held his hands up and inched back while Duncan and Tyler exited the hut and jumped over the railing, the latter's aggression having disappeared instantly while DJ went to help Eva.
The other Gaffers in the base weren't really aware of the escaped Grips until they were standing over Cody and Harold's cages. Bridgette likewise didn't take notice of them until Duncan grabbed hold of her and placed the barrel against her head, forcing a surprised yelp out of Bridgette and properly catching the attention of all the Gaffers present.
''Everyone, back off or she gets a face full of... stuff!'' Duncan calmly yelled as some of the Gaffers approached or had aimed their blowpipes at them.
''Don't shoot!'' Bridgette pleaded, more startled than afraid, forcing the Gaffers to lower their pipes.
''Harsh much?'' Cody wondered as he and Harold were a little spooked by Duncan's aggressiveness as well.
''Not now zithead! Tyler, open their cages!'' Duncan instructed as Bridgette tried to break free while Tyler grabbed a stone from the ground and attempted to smash the cages' locks.
''Taking hostages goes against all moral fiber of war, Duncan!'' Harold remarked.
''Shut up and let me focus!'' Duncan replied as he thought he had accounted for all the Gaffers, he failed to take notice of Ezekiel hiding in the tower above him, hesitating on what to do.
Noah saw that Ezekiel had a clear shot, and tried to instruct Ezekiel with subtle gestures to shoot, which Ezekiel didn't catch on to and only cast a confused glare while Noah tried to make his gestures more easy to interpret and this made Ezekiel smile and nod vividly as he now understood and aimed his blowpipe. The dart flew right past Bridgette's and Duncan's head, spooking them both greatly.
''What the-'' Duncan breathed as he, in a slight panic, frantically looked around in search of where Ezekiel was hidden.
''Zeke!'' Bridgette yelled in anger, looking up to the tower where he was.
''What's wrong with you Zeke?! You could've hurt Bridgette!'' Leshawna scolded him as she was more startled than angry.
''Noah told me to!'' Ezekiel defended, making Noah mentally slap his forehead.
''Thank you for sharing, Zeke!'' Noah groaned, slapping his forehead, the mild frustration displayed being unrepresentative of Noah's actual level.
''Wow wow wow. You mean you wanted to risk hurting Bridgette?'' Owen exclaimed as he stomped over to Noah from where he stood next to the storage shack.
''Dude! Keep it together!'' Noah responded as the Gaffers slowly became more concerned with their team bickering than with the Grips, shooting Noah glares as they partially agreed with Owen.
Meanwhile, Beth, Justin and Lindsay had been following what went through walls in the wall, and as Owen abandoned his post and saw a map fall out of his pocket, Lindsay cautiously smiled.
''I think I have something of an idea! But we have to be quick!'' She quietly announced.
''I never thought you'd just risk letting a teammate of yours get shot!'' Owen said as Lindsay was boosted over the wall by Beth and Justin as she sneaked to the now unmonitored storage shack.
''We need to stop them!'' Noah reasoned.
''But at the cost of her safety? Moose tranquilizer is strong stuff! Would you do this in a real situation as well?'' Owen exclaimed in both horror and disapproval as Noah rolled his eyes in utter annoyance.
''So what Owen? It's not a matter of life and death; It's only a game!'' Noah growled, fed up with Owen's ranting, making him glare daggers at Noah. As they did, none of the Gaffers noticed Tyler busting the second lock as well.
''Go! I got your backs!'' Duncan hushed them as the Grips dashed off into the jungle while Duncan scuffled back, using Bridgette both as leverage and a human shield. Bridgette tried to yell to get her team's attention, but Duncan covered up her mouth. In the process though, his gun slipped out of his grasp and he didn't have time to pick it back up again.
''Only a game? You sound just like Heather right now! Was voting Izzy off only a game to you as well?'' Owen accused, getting really angry. ''That apology of yours was only a game too, was it? Good (Censor) I only now realize how little you care for anyone but yourself!'' He concluded before he walked off and powerfully kicked over a drum. When they turned their focus back on the Grips, they were left surprised about where they went.
''Wh-where did they go?'' Sadie wondered.
''Ask Owen!'' Noah spat.
''Don't blame Owen for giving you the business!'' Leshawna retorted.
(Confessional cam. Being intelligent doesn't always equal being smart...)
''I've tried to gain favor with the rest of my team by playing smart, but that turned the public opinion against me... great.'' Noah muttered before he began pondering. ''How am I going to get myself out of this mess?''
(End confessional cam.)
Meanwhile, the escaped Grips had run far enough from the base and were now aimlessly wandering the jungle set with Duncan still holding on to Bridgette, who wasn't as much spooked anymore as she was annoyed.
''Can you let me go now?'' Bridgette morosely requested.
''We're not being tailed, so fair enough!'' Duncan relented as he let go off Bridgette. ''The camp is, that way!'' He added with a smirk, pointing in one direction. Without giving it another thought, Bridgette jogged off, but was almost immediately after caught in a snare trap.
''That was stupid...'' Bridgette admitted as she hung upside down.
''But hilarious!'' Duncan cackled as the Grips walked on.
''Guys, it's cool we got out again, but where are Justin and the girls?'' Cody asked.
''I'll try to contact them!'' Harold offered before he cupped his hands around his mouth and stretched. ''Caw caw! Caw caw!'' He loudly squawked, forcing the others to cover up their ears.
''Isn't that the mating call of a turtledork?'' Duncan scoffed when they heard someone running through the vines afterwards.
''Guys! Over here!'' Beth said as she appeared, beckoning them to come along as Harold smiled superiorly at Duncan, who used his free hand to once again pull his pants down and left. Harold tried to both follow and pull up his pants, but figured that didn't go well together when he tripped over his own pipes.
(Confessional cam. I'm tempted to call them 'birds of a feather'!)
''I wasn't sure that would work! I was sick the day we tried that on Spying Steve's birdwatching camp!'' Harold stated, pleasantly surprised.
(End confessional cam.)
Beth led them to a small clearing, where the others were surprised to see Lindsay and Justin emptying a crate containing some darts and blowpipes.
''Where'd you get this?'' Tyler asked.
''We stole it from the Gaffers! Lindsay snuck in when you were trying to escape!'' Beth explained.
''Alright! Go Linds!'' Tyler cheered, his enthusiasm making Lindsay wave it off bashfully as he turned to Duncan. ''See? Lindsay isn't useless at all!'' He cockily pointed out.
''Whatever.'' Duncan huffed as he crossed his arms.
''What do we have?'' Harold wondered as he crouched down and searched the crate. ''Darts, and a blowpipe! At least now we can fight back!'' He wheezed as Duncan noted a map and picked it up.
''What's this?'' Duncan wondered as he read the map. He then walked over to a spot nearby and searched the ground, finding a hidden trap and setting it off.
''Oh wow! It's a map with the traps marked down!'' Duncan exclaimed in excitement. ''I think I'm getting a plan that can help us win the challenge!'' He announced with a small smile.
''Does it involve your dishonourable tactics? Because I don't want to win that way!'' Harold mistrustfully declared.
''Yeah! Not only is threatening to shoot Bridgette seriously not cool bro, you're also being really mean to all of us!'' Tyler pointed out.
''Let's just agree that I'm just a little on edge, and making the most of that!'' Duncan relented, if subtly frustrated. ''My plan is to find all the traps and lay them out differently so that the jungle becomes one big minefield for the Gaffers instead of us! When they are all dangling upside down from the trees, we make a beeline for the goal and win this thing!''
''That is a good idea Duncan-'' Harold admitted.
''Of course it's a good idea!'' Duncan cockily snorted.
''-But what if they catch on and lay in wait to ambush us with the trunk?'' Harold continued, faintly annoyed at being interrupted.
''We just give them their moose tranquilizer vaccinations!'' Duncan smirked, twirling a dart between his fingers.
''I'm still not very certain of the strategic efficiency of your plan!'' Harold pointed out as he crossed his arms while Lindsay looked around and spotted a very tall tree on the set.
''What if someone goes into that high tree to view the whole jungle?''
''Excellent plan Lindsay! After all, air support is crucial for ground advancement!'' Harold explained matter-of-factly. ''I'll be our eye in the sky and shoot darts!'' He proudly declared.
''You think you can do that, tin soldier?'' Duncan asked, unimpressed. Despite the cynical tone, Harold proudly saluted.
(Confessional cam. Harold seemed a little with his head in clouds at times anyway!)
''If I can do that? It's all a matter of mastering your breathing! Watch this!'' Harold excitably said as he put several peas in a straw and blew them up in the air. He sticked his finger up after which all the peas all landed the tip of his finger, making a perfect stack. ''You learn the most wonderful things when you play with your food!'' He added while balancing the peas.
(End confessional cam.)
A while later, all the Gaffers marched out of their base.
''So what if they escaped? We just have to go into the jungle and get them out ourselves!'' Leshawna valiantly announced as she led the group through the jungle. Moments later, Bridgette saw something small, but obvious on a tree trunk.
''What's that?'' She wondered as she slowly approached the tree, the others not really aware of her. She was just close enough to make it out to be a ace of spades playing card when she triggered a snare trap, making Bridgette yelp and startling everyone else. Instinctively, some of the Gaffers inched back and this set off another trap and Noah and Ezekiel were caught in a net, giving them another scare.
''This can't be! There shouldn't be any traps there!'' Noah muttered as he frantically checked his map.
''Wait! Where's my map?'' Owen wondered as he searched his pocket.
''They must've stolen it somehow and moved all the traps!'' Noah pondered.
''So we just walked onto one big slippery slope?'' Leshawna exclaimed.
''As slippery as a grease pit!'' Noah replied.
''Settle down! We go in smaller groups. Now that the Grips have laid out traps, they'll probably be confident in their chances and not bother sneaking anymore! But they may have the traps, we still have the firepower! Spread out!'' Eva ordered as they split off in several smaller groups.
Owen took down the net Ezekiel and Noah were trapped in by simply hanging on to it, the weight tearing the rope and making it fall down while DJ and Leshawna looked on.
''Thanks big man!'' Noah quietly thanked him as he got up.
''Save it Noah! Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...'' Owen growled until he pondered on it and considered that this wasn't the right idiom to use. '-Well, more shame on you!''
''No listen! That thing with Bridgette was only a strategic decision! I really am sorry for causing you all that trouble about your self-image!'' Noah submissively assured.
''Really? Then why was I still so upset even if you helped me with them?''
''Uh...'' Noah stammered as he thought for a few seconds. ''Because I lied to you right?''
''That too, but also because you set the whole misery rotisserie in motion!'' Owen answered.
''But I don't understand-''
''If you still don't, then you can't be sorry!'' Owen brutishly proclaimed.
''You're not reasonable right now-''
''I'm sorry, but I am feeling a little unreasonable right now!'' Owen roared with increasing volume, angry that Noah kept on trying, before he stomped off, scaring Ezekiel a little more.
''You messed up big time dude.'' DJ told Noah with a hint of disapproval before following Owen.
''You two go to the edge of the set!'' Leshawna ordered before she followed the other two.
''Yes Leshawna!'' Ezekiel loyally, if still a little shook up, replied as she left.
''Owen is really scary now, eh!'' Ezekiel remarked as he and Noah split off.
''I say.'' Noah agreed, baffled and feeling dreadful.
''Would he be mad with me for spilling the beans?'' Ezekiel worried.
''Oh yeah, I bet he would!'' Noah assured him after briefly pondering on Ezekiel's statement, making Ezekiel even more conflicted.
By random chance, Bridgette and Gwen had formed a group on their own and through their frowns, it was clear that even if they accepted it, didn't mean they were happy with it and walked through the jungle in a tense silence. Bridgette eventually mellowed out a little and turned her head to Gwen.
''Hey-'' Was all Bridgette said as she didn't watch where she walked and stepped onto another snare trap, having only been freed from her previous ensnarement not five minutes earlier.
''Not again!'' Bridgette griped as she dangled upside down while Gwen stared at her. ''Little help?'' Bridgette requested. In response, Gwen frowned and walked off, appalling Bridgette greatly.
''Gwen!'' She shouted after her. When she realized she was alone, she tried to pull her upper body up to untie the snare herself.
(Confessional cam. Way to leave someone hanging!)
''Let's see how much Bridgette likes it to be let down when you need someone's support!'' Gwen spitefully explained before she shook her head. ''It may've looked rude, but believe me, she had it coming!''
(Static)
''What was Gwen's damage?! I was starting to let go off my grudge and then she does this! I'm so done with her right now!'' She declared as she crossed her arms, unusually angry for her being.
(End confessional cam.)
Meanwhile, the Grips, save for Harold, were moving through the jungle at a good pace while Beth and Lindsay carried the trunk.
''Geez Lindsay, how did you ever come up with the idea of hiding the trunk in your bunk?'' Duncan asked as he lead the group, holding the map.
''I thought that everyone would be too busy to look here in the jungle to check the trailers! Wasn't that smart?'' Lindsay cheerfully replied.
''Sort of. But it did cost us more time to get it back here than it should!'' Duncan pointed out. ''The Gaffers are probably hiding all over the place by now-'' He continued until they heard rustling coming from the bushes behind them and saw Ezekiel, Leshawna and Owen appeared and shot a dart at them, one of them hitting Cody, who went limp immediately after.
(Confessional cam. Sweet dreams of growing antlers and sleeping while standing up!)
''Some dudes are born, lucky plain simple, manly and a head free without pimple! But it ain't me! It ain't me! I really ain't no fortunate son... today!'' Cody woozily murmured as he slowly wobbled back and forth, still dazed by the tranquilizer. [7]
(End confessional cam.)
''See?'' Duncan angrily exclaimed as the other Gaffers ran onto a clearing with the three Gaffers chasing them. Once the Gaffers were out in the open, DJ and Owen were suddenly struck by darts and fell to their knees, shot by Harold from the highest point of the set, while Leshawna ran on unaware of her downed teammates.
The Grips ran quickly though carefully through some bushes as Leshawna gave chase, less cautiously so as she triggered a trap.
''Guys?'' Leshawna wondered as she hung upside down and realized Ezekiel and Owen weren't around. Instead, she tried to untie herself, but struggled due to her girth. ''Man, my love handles keep me from a getting a grip!'' Leshawna regretfully mumbled until out of nowhere, something small tore the rope and made her fall down.
''I do hope my guardian angel isn't telling me to drop some weight!'' Leshawna quietly scoffed as she dusted herself off and took the rope off her ankles.
(Confessional cam. Let's see William Tel do that!)
''He wasn't at all!'' Harold dreamily answered. ''I know it wasn't right to help someone on the other team, but all is fair in love and war!''
(End confessional cam.)
Gwen wandered through the set somewhat aimlessly when she heard the Grips approach.
''Let's go! Let's go!'' Tyler yelled as Gwen saw them pass her a short distance away. Gwen took aim, shot, and hit Tyler in his neck, who had the misfortune to stumble face-first into a tree when he reeled from being hit.
Gwen wanted to give chase, but found herself caught in a net pretty quickly. Upon realizing she was trapped in a constrained space, Gwen began to panic.
''Get me out! Someone!'' She hollered just when Bridgette, Eva and Sadie came by.
''I spotted the Grips, but then I got trapped!''
''Where did they go?'' Eva quickly asked, alarmed.
''Over there!''Gwen answered just as quick as she pointed in a direction but thrashed around in a desperate attempt to break free immediately after. ''Someone get me out!''
''You get her out!'' Eva quickly ordered Bridgette as she and Sadie ran off before Bridgette could object, which as judged from her sour expression she would.
''Bridgette! I'm sorry for leaving you hanging earlier! Help me!'' Gwen sheepishly apologized as Bridgette huffed and ignored her, after which Gwen's dread hit its maximum. '' Please! Please! I'm losing my mind!'' She desperately pleaded, on the verge of crying as Bridgette walked off. However, Gwen's pleading made Bridgette's conscience pry at her, and though reluctantly, she went back and untied the net as a weak smile grew on Gwen's face. Once undone, Gwen fell down in the dirt with a big oof.
''Thank you-'' Gwen tried to say, but grew very dejected once Bridgette walked off, clearly showing that she wasn't interested in Gwen's gratitude at all.
Somewhere else, Eva and Sadie had given chase to the Grips. Eva aimed and shot a dart, hitting Duncan who stumbled down shortly after.
''No no Courtney, I'm not taking on your last name! Duncan Ochoa sounds- uuurgh.' Duncan groaned, dazed by the tranquilizer before he passed out completely as Eva and Sadie ran past him, still hot on the Grips' trial. However, a loose tree root tripped up Eva as she stumbled and rolled over the ground. Concerned, Sadie stopped to check on her.
''First a face full of horseradish and now-'' Eva angrily growled, holding her ankle as she stood up. ''I can walk this off!'' She determinedly groaned as she ran at a significantly slower pace.
''I'll get them! I can do that!'' Sadie declared, both enthusiastic and heaving heavily from the previous running as she committed herself to running even harder. Sadie was determined and confident to push her limits and while at first she seemed to catch up with the Grips, the pain in her chest became unbearable as her sprint slowed to a jog and she conclusively fell to her knees as Sadie heaved heavily out of pure exhaustion.
''Oh my heart!'' Sadie moaned before she grimaced and vomited due to the overexertion. She then rolled onto her back and breathed some more when Eva came by and stood over Sadie.
''I admire your drive, but working out is more than just running until you chuck up your lunch.'' Eva calmly lectured. ''Everyone can do it, but not everyone have the right mindset or endurance to commit to the lifestyle!''
''I figured.'' Sadie wheezed, disappointed but realistic as she mustered the power to sit upright. ''I'm sorry I let them escape!''
''I wouldn't worry about that!'' Eva answered with a smirk.
Meanwhile, the remaining Grips were reaching the end of the jungle set as they saw the sea of foliage coming to an end in the distance. Once they reached it, the only obstacle left between them and the border post was a wide, muddy pond. Well, pond, it was meant to give off the idea that it was a river.
''We're almost there!'' Beth gleefully stated.
''But where's the rest of the bridge?'' Justin replied, looking at the base of a bridge on which construction seemed to have ended abruptly.
''The bridge has been bombed to dust to slow the advance of the enemy!'' Chef called from the other side of the 'river', still dressed as a soldier.
''Then we should just walk around it!'' Justin nervously suggested as he already began walking after he looked down and noticed the muddy 'river'. Just then, they heard rustling in the bushes behind them, and were startled to find Ezekiel and Noah running towards them.
''Stop, eh!'' Ezekiel shouted.
''If we can't go back, we just have to go forward!'' Lindsay valiantly stated.
''Oh no not more mud!'' Justin creaked.
''We've had it worse before!'' Lindsay boldly proclaimed as she pulled the trunk and a very unwilling Justin along with her into the 'river', sliding down the bank until they stood waist deep in water.
''No! I hate dirt!'' Justin wailed after he resurfaced.
''Keep it together! You'll survive!'' Beth sternly yet supportively told him, which rubbed Justin the wrong way.
''I doubt that!'' Justin muttered as Ezekiel and Noah drew their blowpipes at them.
''Go go go!'' Lindsay yelled as they dredged through the muck, her and Beth carrying the trunk as Ezekiel and Noah repeatedly shot darts at them. The grips screamed in terror all the way until the reached the other shore, had climbed up the bank and passed the border crossing, miraculously avoiding being hit at all while Ezekiel and especially Noah looked on with dread as they won the challenge.
''Hogwash!'' Ezekiel exclaimed.
As the Grips caught their breath, Chris dropped by. ''Congrats Grips! You managed to get this contraband out of hostile territory and secured victory!'' Chris announced, which understandably made them cheer.
''Thanks to Lindsay!'' Beth vividly pointed out, which took Lindsay by surprise and made her blush.
''Yeah, woo hoo!'' Justin weakly cheered along, still a little shaken up.
''And with winning, you also get whatever's inside the trunk of mind-blowing secrets!'' Chris added.
''I hope it's soap!'' Justin moaned as Beth and Lindsay gathered around in curious excitement as Chris unlocked the footlocker. The lid opened, and as soon as Beth and Lindsay peeked inside, their excitement largely.
''Pop?'' Lindsay confusedly said as she took out one of the bottles secured with memory foam.
''That's right! Because soda helps you win the war on thirst!'' Chris happily stated, enjoying their disappointment. Nonetheless, while it was obviously not up to the Grips' expectations. They shrugged it off and gratefully took the bottles.
As the evening set in, Cody sat in his trailer's dinette, still a little woozy from the tranquilizer, and finished his soda when Beth entered.
''Hey! What's up?'' Beth asked as she sat opposite of Cody, drinking out of her own bottle.
''The tranquilizer's not yet out of my system, but on the flipside, I'm happy you guys won it for us! This is great pop!'' Cody answered, slurring a little but otherwise coherent.
''Speaking of pop...'' Beth began before casting a guilty smile. ''Can I try to squeeze out that pimple?'' She delicately requested.
Cody treated her to an annoyed look, but quickly rolled her eyes and relented. ''By now, I just want that stupid thing to be gone. Go ahead!'' Cody listlessly granted as Beth eagerly got up close and began to violently squeeze on Cody's pimple before he was barely done speaking. ''Oh! Auch! Hey! Stop it!'' Cody cried in increasing pain as Beth hurt him trying to pop his zit. But Beth was deaf for Cody's protests as his cries of pain persisted.
''Almost...'' Beth groaned as she strained, and shortly after, the pimple popped.
''Got ya, you disgusting bump!'' Beth exclaimed out of pure adrenaline.
''Why would you hurt me like that?'' Cody sobbed as he began to quietly cry out of sheer pain and trauma, sending a wave of guilt over Beth.
''Oh! I'm sorry Cody! But at least it's gone now!'' Beth tried to warmly console him, when she noted that Cody didn't respond to it, Beth felt even more sorry for Cody and she offered him her bottle of soda as Cody's head peaked up and he at least seemed to appreciate the gesture, accepting the bottle.
Meanwhile, Duncan was loitering around the trailers, enjoying his soda pop when Justin approached him, wearing only a bathrobe as he came fresh out of the showers.
''Can I have a chat with you Duncan?'' Justin requested as he walked next to Duncan.
''You got 30 seconds.'' Duncan indifferently mumbled, not even gracing Justin with eye contact.
''You're a valuable member, but let's not pretend like you made the whole team like you a lot today!''
''Pff, then those wackos shouldn't have made the stupid decisions they have. Payback's a bi-'' Duncan scoffed.
''I'm just as angry about Courtney's elimination as you! She was about the last functional member of our team! Now it's just you and me while the others are probably going to gang up on you as well! I can help you last!''
''I think some of that tranquilizer is still fogging my mind a little, what are you trying to say?'' Duncan asked, slightly annoyed with Justin's cryptic explanation.
''That you and me should form a little alliance!'' Justin announced before Duncan finally eyed Justin. ''I can convince Beth to join in too, and if we get a fourth member, we'll have a majority!'' He assured Duncan as the latter pondered on it. ''If not that then at least think of it as a pact to not vote for each other!''
Duncan considered one more second before he smiled. ''To that I can agree!'' He said before he and Justin clinked their bottles to seal their deal.
(Confessional cam. And it shall hereby be known as the Crooks And Looks Alliance!)
''With the strongest Grip on my side, I'll be basically invincible!'' Justin proudly stated before sat upside and danced slightly. ''Who will call the shots now, and has full control? Who can play this game from the start and to its soul? Become a fan, 'cause the man candy can!'' He sung with dark playfulness.
(End confessional cam.)
Meanwhile, the Gilded Chris ceremony had begun with yet another montage meant to flatter Chris. Once it had finished, Chris appeared on stage, wearing a general's cap and epaulets along with having put plenty of medals on his shirt.
''Gaffer company, you survived the war movie. But surviving doesn't equal winning and as such, you aren't rewarded with purple hearts, but with Gilded Chrisses! Those who don't get one, will be deemed as the next big flop and be dishonorably discharged from the film lot! Vote away!'' Chris instructed.
For a change, the camera subtly peeked over the shoulders of some of the Gaffers. While it was obvious who Owen voted for, surprisingly not everyone was as resolute.
''Noah is a prick, but Owen did lose his map and that cost us the challenge, so...'' Sadie quietly hesitated before she voted for Owen.
''I don't care if you're more useful! I don't want any backstabbers on my team in any way!'' Leshawna grumbled as she cast a vote for Noah while Bridgette sitting next to her did the same.
''Noah probably was right when he said Owen's after me too!'' Ezekiel worried, casting a vote for Owen.
DJ and Eva sat in silence and both cast a vote for Owen.
Gwen, looking rather glum, doubted briefly before she casted a vote for Noah while Noah himself noticed the camera behind him and positioned himself in front of it, obscuring his vote.
Seconds later, Chef came on stage in his ceremony dress, holding a plate with awards and an envelope. Chris opened the envelope and read it, after which his smile slowly faded and remained quiet for a short while.
''And tonight's Gilded Chris go to...'' Chris spoke before he took a award and was ready to throw it. ''Private Dylan!'' He said, throwing Bridgette her award. ''Private Joseph!'' He continued as DJ received his.
''Private... Shi- Shimechko?'' He spoke. Eva rolled her eyes as he struggled with the pronunciation before Eva got her award.
''Private Goodday!'' Was what Leshawna heard before she got her Gilded Chris.
''Private Rosinski!'' A subtly delighted Sadie heard as she effortlessly caught her award.
''Private... Van Der... Heijden?'' Chris said, once again struggling.
''I pronounce it Hay-den, eh!'' Ezekiel demurely stated, understanding of Chris's struggle.
''Good grief some of your surnames!'' Chris grumbled as he shook his head. ''Private Dettweiler!'' He immediately continued as Gwen received her award, but still didn't look any happier
''And that leaves us with privates Ogg and Dasari!'' Chris called as tension grew among the last remaining Gaffers. Owen cast another angry look while Noah had trouble keeping his cool. ''The final Gilded Chris of the night goes to...''
''...''
''...''
''...''
''...''
''...''
''Noah.'' Chris humbly announced, shocking almost everyone as Owen just stared blankly with his mouth agape at Noah, who was just as surprised, and the award he got. ''I'm genuinely sorry Owen, but you have to go.'' He added, sounding legitimately somewhat remorseful.
''I- I didn't expect this at all!'' Noah said, still surprised before he faced Owen. ''I understand that it holds no value for you, but do know that I'm really sorry for everything that has happened!'' Noah calmly assured him as he placed a hand on Owen's shoulder.
''That's not what I believe!'' Leshawna indignantly interrupted. ''You've been skulking around, asking who was going to vote for Owen but not at all trying to convince them to vote for you. You keep saying you're sorry, but if you really were, you'd have taken the fall for Owen!'' She scolded Noah as he smiled sheepishly and slowly retracted his hand while Owen glared at him once more as Noah began to nervously sweat.
''But why? Just... why would you vote for me?'' Owen yelled as he shot up and looked back at the Gaffers, some as baffled as Owen was, some with a tinge of regret.
''I'm sorry Owen, but I got scared that you'd be mad at me next, eh!'' Ezekiel stammered, afraid of Owen's reaction.
''No Zeke, I was never angry at you! I think you did the right thing for telling me!'' Owen assured him, having calmed down slightly. ''Who told you that I was?''
''Noah!'' Ezekiel answered as Noah began to sweat even more. ''Wait, did that mean that Noah lied to me?!'' He asked in realization.
''I think I've heard enough!'' Owen declared before he cast one last glare at the Gaffers and one particularly nasty at Noah before he left for the Red Carpet Of Shame, where a intern was blowing the last post on a trumpet to accompany Owen's departure.
''Cut that out!'' Owen shouted before he snatched the trumpet out of the intern's mouth and tossed it away before he got into the Lame-O-Sine and slammed the door so powerfully that it broke out of its rusty hinges, leaving a hole where the door was as the Lame-O-Sine drove off, leaving a team that all shot Noah a look in one way or another.
(Confessional cam. I lied. There are no traps this chapter. Unless you count Chef Hatchet in his dress!)
''I wasn't sure on what to do earlier today, and to keep all options on the table, I kind of talked Zeke into the idea that Owen could drink his blood too!'' Noah admitted, well aware of the consequences it had. ''But I still don't get it, I considered ganging up against Owen, but I didn't! Yet, there are more people on this team who wanted me gone for this mess than there weren't, so that meant I was a guaranteed goner! So who was the swing vote and saved me?'' He wondered, scratching his chin before he cast a knowing frown.
(End confessional cam.)
A short while after the ceremony, Noah determinedly walked up to Eva, who was pumping iron outside her trailer again.
''It was you who voted for Owen instead of me!'' Noah resolutely accused straight to the point.
''Yes I did.'' Eva plainly admitted, treating Noah to a sideway glance.
''But it wasn't just you alone! Who did you string along? DJ?'' Noah guessed, a little more unsure.
''I didn't string anyone along! DJ probably voted for him for all the cooking troubles!'' Eva guessed, cocking her head slightly.
''But why?''
In response, Eva put her dumbbells down and faced Noah. ''Just like you, I'm a pragmatist. To a degree, I'm not as interested in things like morals or humanity if it gets the job done right. So if I had to choose between keeping a intelligent rat or a useless bear, I'd side with the rat.''
''Flattering comparison.'' Noah cynically remarked as he rolled his eyes. ''So that's why you voted for Owen? Because I was more useful to the team?''
''Maybe. It still didn't feel right voting out the victim in all of this though.'' Eva answered, confusing Noah.
''Then why did you still do it?'' He wondered before Eva cast him a dark glance.
''After stabbing your best friend in the back, you deserved punishment! Enjoy your stay with the whole world hating you!'' Eva imposingly stated as she walked off, leaving Noah to blankly stare in dread, realizing that Eva was right.
(Post-elimination clip.)
The interior of the Lame-O-Sine seemed to have been damaged a little worse than it already was, thanks to an angry Owen apparently.
''Good lord am I angry! I thought I was angry before, but then today happened! I seriously didn't know anyone could get this mad!'' Owen fumed as he crossed his arms. ''Noah thinks he's so smart, but he was so busy scheming and pretending to apologize for putting me through that depression, that he never seemed to have realized that if he didn't get Izzy voted off, I wouldn't have gone through that depression to begin with!'' He grumbled as he felt another flash of anger flare up as he seemed to turn his focus to the driver. ''Driver! Bring me to the nearest drive-thru! I need something to chew my anger away with!''
(End post-elimination clip.)
To answer my own question: Cody was the most unfortunate castmate not just because of his bad luck, but also because this was the first award ceremony ever he did not have to attend!
[1] Duncan eagerly asking when they're getting guns and being called Tackeberry for it is a reference to the gun-toting motor officer from the Police Academy movies.
[2] This may sound random, but the remark makes sense if you consider that Costa Rica has no standing army!
[3] During the Vietnam war, the Americans thought that the ace of spades card was a bad luck sign for the Vietcong, hence why they wore the cards on their helmets and dropped them to demoralize the Vietcong. Unfortunately for the GI's though, the ace of spades meant nothing to the Vietnamese.
[4] A nod to the 5th American Pie movie, where the same game with a similar colored horse-related product was played! In turn, this game was a homage to author note number six!
[5] Referring to a particular, and personally speaking, hilarious gag from one of the earlier seasons of Family Guy!
[6] Duncan laughing and hoping to distract the others is a reference to the Russian Roulette scene from The Deer Hunter, on which I based this whole challenge element.
[7] A slightly butchered reference to the Credence Clearwater Revival song Fortunate Son.
I once again better explain the choices I made before the rioters break through! I always made it clear that Noah is rather selfish, I want to explore that side of him and unfortunately, Owen had to take the fall for it to display it! As such, for this elimination, I made the voting open because I wanted to be sure Owen's elimination made as much sense as it did!
That I went with the army challenge was a rather late decision. At first I wanted to do crime movies in its place, but unfortunately I couldn't come up with a good challenge that didn't break the boundaries of decency. Then, at first I wanted them to do a challenge with submarines as a homage to the movie Periscope Down, but not only was that a little out there to let teens work with military subs, I also aim to not let them get off the film lot as often anymore. Then I briefly considered a Normandy invasion-like challenge, but I had already done that elsewhere so instead I refitted the canon challenge and that worked out fine!
That they only use blowpipes instead of paintball guns was because otherwise the mood would become too violent when it already was rather action-packed!
Now that we're through the chapter again, I'd like to ask to Fave, follow or leave a review if you like!
Until next update!
:D,
L.W.