"Welcome to The Dating Game.  Let's have a big round of applause for your host… Marylou Wilson!"  The audience roared as the host came out.

"Hi everyone.  And thanks for tuning in to this week's episode of The Dating Game.  I'm your host, Marylou Wilson.  Now, let's give a great round of applause for tonight's eligible bachelorette, Sydney Bristow!"  The crowd applauded and cheered.

Sydney appeared from backstage, looking gorgeous.  Her hair was in waves, her makeup fresh.  She was wearing fitted black pants and a red v-neck sweater.

"Hello Sydney."

"Hi Marylou."  Sydney replied nervously.

"Tell us a bit about yourself."

"Well, I'm 30 years old, and I'm an LA native with an English degree from UCLA.  I work for the government, but I'm taking some much needed time off right now ."

"Well, you sound like quite the catch.  What made you decide to participate in The Dating Game?"

"Actually, my mother signed me up for the show.  You see, I was 'away' for 2 years, and when I returned to LA a couple of months ago, I found out that my boyfriend had gotten married while I was gone.  So I realized that I had to move on and here I am."  Sydney smiled, a sadness evident in her eyes.

"Wow.  That's quite the story."  Marylou exclaimed.  "Are you ready to start the show?"

"Yeah."  Sydney replied.

"Okay.  Have a seat!"  Sydney sat on the stool provided.  "Now let's bring out our eligible bachelors."

"Let's do it!"

The bachelors walked out and sat on the other side of a screen so that Sydney couldn't see them.  "Bachelor 1 is a 32 year old journalist from Texas who resides here in LA, Bachelor 2 is a 25 year old entrepreneur from Ireland, who travels a lot but is based in LA, and Bachelor 3 is a 37 year old former government official from France who resides here in LA.  Now Sydney, I don't know if you know how everything works on this show.  The bachelor's voices are distorted so that they aren't recognizable, in the off chance that you are acquainted with them.  You are provided with some questions to ask the bachelors, and you are free to add your own questions as you see fit.  Are you ready to start?"

"I'm ready Marylou."

"Alrighty then.  Go ahead."

"Okay.  Ummm, bachelor number 1.  Where would you take me on our first date?"

"I'm the traditional kinda guy, so I'd probably do the whole dinner and a movie thing.  Of course, you'd get to pick the restaurant and movie."

Sydney smiled.  "Bachelor number 2, same question."

"I'm the complete opposite of the imbecile next to me.  I'd take you to a museum, or maybe a beautiful garden where we could have a romantic picnic."

"Sounds great."  Sydney said, smiling.  "Same question for bachelor 3"

"I'd take you to a romantic French restaurant and afterwards we could walk along the boardwalk."

Sydney smiled again.  "All three sound great.  Okay.  Bachelor number 2.  If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?"

"Oh, I'd definitely be a tiger.  I'm handsome to look at, and I go for whatever I want."

"Okay…"  Sydney forced a smile.  "Bachelor 1, same question."

"Hmmm, I'd probably be a dog, because I'm loyal and trustworthy."

"Boring!"  Said bachelor number 2.

"Thank you bachelor 2.  Bachelor 3?"

"I'd have to say that I'm most like a cat.  I'm independent and headstrong when need be, but I'm also very loving."

"Okay.  Next question.  Bachelor 3.  What's your favourite sport and why?"

"Definitely hockey.  I love hockey.  I just love the aspect of playing for a team and… I just love hockey."

Sydney laughed.  "Okay then.  Bachelor 1?"

"Ummm, baseball.  Like 3 said, I like the team aspect, and it's a lot of fun to play."

"Bachelor 2?"

"Hunting.  I love hunting.  The power of being in control of another's fate is quite exhilarating."

Sydney made a face.  "Okay..."  She continued tentatively.   "Last question.  Bachelor 1.  What kind of car do you drive and why?"

"I drive a blue ford focus.  It's reliable and it's not too bad to look at."

"Bachelor 2?"

"A red Ferrari.  Cause they're fast, great to look at, and it's quite the status symbol."

"Bachelor 3?"

"I drive a black SUV.  It's also reliable, but it's sporty and, well, it was given to me for my job."

Sydney laughed.  "Don't I know it.  Well.  That's it for my questions…"  She looked uncertainly at Marylou.

"Now's the part where we bring out the parents to ask some questions.  Let's see how our bachelors fare with Jack and Irina Bristow!"

***

That's all for chapter 2 – be sure to let me know what you think!