FIVE

Piper checked over her4 list of ingredients for the days' competition. This day the cuisine was French. It appeared that all of her ingredients were all present. And everything was all ready measured and cut and prepared. She had to admit her Souse chef was excellent.

Piper looked around at the other contestants and the workers. One chef had all ready been eliminated. Today another chef would go on the cutting board. So far she had made a very good showing.

"All ready to go, I see," said a voice behind her.

Gui Smiley stood next to her. This wasn't an unusual occurrence. He said hello to all the chefs before the days' competition began. He would even predict the days' winner.

"Yeah, I guess so," said Piper. "So what's the prediction for today?"

"I'm thinking, Raul," said Smiley, looking at Piper's recipe card. "Although I must say you'll be giving him a run for his money. I must admit that French food is not my favorite. But the recipes all seem quite fabulous."

"Well, you were right about the winner yesterday," said Piper. "Almost like you had a gift for it or something."

"Oh, nothing of the sort," said Smiley. "I just make sure I know what the judges like. Of course, I have been wrong before. So far I've been lucky here."

"Yes," said Piper. "And you think Raul will be first today?"

"Call it an educated guess," Smiley said, getting a perplexed look on is face. "You seem to doubt me."

"Everyone is entitled to their opinion," said Piper. "I'm just hoping you're wrong, that's all."

"Well, I should be letting you get to work," said Smiley.

Smiley walked over to the next table as Piper began to prepare her meal. He glanced back at her with the same perplexed look on his face.

It was just past noon when Charles walked up to Smiley who was standing in the wings watching the contestants.

"Is there a problem?" Charles asked. "You don't usually stand in the shadows like this."

"Contestant number five," said Smiley. "I think she might be a problem."

"What kind of problem?" Charles asked, looking over at Piper.

"She's resisting," said Smiley.

"Are you sure?" Charles questioned.

"Yes," said Smiley. "Earlier today I suggested that contestant eight might be the winner today. She didn't seem to agree with my prediction."

"That's impossible," said Charles. "You know as well as I do how your suggestions affect everyone. You must have misunderstood her reaction, that's all."

"I didn't misunderstand anything," said Smiley. "I tell you she's resistant. That could cause us some serious problems later on."

"And I told you," said Charles, "that's simply not possible. Every contestant has been prepared. She couldn't possibly be resisting you."

"She could if she's a witch," said Smiley.

"A witch?" questioned Charles, fear evident in his voice. "And you let her take some of the food home with her. What if she discovers what's going on? If she's a witch she'll be able to do that, you know?"

"Don't excite yourself," said Smiley. "My guess is she's just like every other contestant. She probably doesn't have any idea of what's going on. Besides, we have to be sure. It could just be a fluke. We need to figure out if she is a witch. If she is then we'll need to do something abut it."

"How do you propose we find out if she is a witch?" Charles asked.

"I don't know," said Smiley. "Yet. But if she is we can't do anything as long as she's a contestant. It would be too high profile. Once she's been eliminated from the contest she'll fall into the background. Then we can deal with her without complications."

"It makes me nervous," said Charles, "having a witch on the set. What if she tries something?"

"You worry too much," said Smiley. "Even if she does, we've got more than enough help to deal with one witch, no matter how powerful she might be. Besides it might be useful having a witch. You know she's affected just like everyone else."

"Yes," said Charles, "but it's not permanent like the others. What happens if it wears off?"

"We just make sure that doesn't happen," said Smiley. "Just make sure she gets a reapplication periodically. And as long as the contest is going on that's not going to be a problem. Now go let the others know. They need to be prepared in case she does try something."

As Charles hurried away, Smiley continued to observe Piper. If she were a witch he would definitely have plans for her.