Episode 5
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Previously on "Gladiators." A surprising alliance was formed as Sarah spared Reese's life. Reverend Clarence provided what comfort he could to the wounded gangster Abruzzi. Mcnamara and York were engaged in a brutal gunfight with Gaines and Mandy to see who could kill Abruzzi and gain immunity. York provided a diversion and Mcnamara was able to get their first and eliminate Abruzzi from the game. Only one more player can win immunity. Who will be the next gladiator to fall? And who will ultimately win this game? Only time will tell.
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4:14
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Colonel Mcnamara ran out of the hospital. He had immunity for now, but his partner was still in danger, and outnumbered, he had to protect him.
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4:17
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Gaines and Mandy reloaded their guns, ready to kill Alan York if they could. They also checked their smartphones, Abruzzi was dead, and Mcnamara had immunity. Still, there was one more immunity spot, which one of them might get if they could kill Alan. Alan was glad that his partner had immunity, but he also wouldn't mind killing one of those mercenaries and getting immunity back for a little while.
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4:20
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Colonel Mcnamara walked out of the hospital, and straight into the path between his partner and the two mercenaries. Mandy and Gaines were shocked, but they dared not fire on the man with immunity, for fear of being eliminated from the game. Alan York was a little surprised, but soon used this opportunity to flee. He went back to their meeting place, to prepare and strategize for the next round.
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4:23
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Reese and Sarah saw their phones, Abruzzi was dead and Mcnamara had immunity for round 5. Sarah had mixed emotions about this.
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Sarah: The bastard killed my mother. I'm glad he's dead, but I wanted to be the one to kill him.
Reese: I know what you mean. I'd love to kill Jeffrey, or that bitch Lindsay. But if either of them dies in the next few minutes, I'd be comfortable with that too.
Sarah: At least he's dead.
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While Sarah and Reese bonded, they barely noticed as Bobby and Julia walked into the Quick Stop for doughnuts and orange juice. The lovebirds tried not to be noticed, just to get their breakfast and go to the park to watch the sunrise. Neither Reese nor Sarah wanted to kill those two just yet, but eventually they'd have to. But for now, they just tried to avoid each other.
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4:44
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Reverend Clarence sat in the hospital chapel, feeling dejected. He had failed to save Abruzzi's soul, failed to stop Jamal and Tyler from killing each other, failed to convince the other's at Teri's meeting to refuse to participate. Clarence was well aware that he was a dead man on furlough. Even if the others didn't want to kill a man of God right away, they would get around to it eventually. He had no doubt he would go to Heaven when that happened, but he felt sorry for those who would go to Hell for their participation in this barbarism. Still, Clarence had convinced Bobby and Julia to refuse, and had the privilege of performing their wedding ceremony. Clarence took great pride in the fact that they would soon be joining him in Heaven, but that still left another nine souls who were in danger. Eight of those souls would be going to Hell if he couldn't reach them. Clarence decided to stop feeling sorry for himself, and dedicate what remained of his life to trying to reach these 9 souls.
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4:56
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Reese received a surprising call, from Lindsay.
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Reese: Now what do you want?
Lindsay: You heard about Abruzzi?
Reese: He's dead, Mcnamara has immunity.
Lindsay: Which leaves one more immunity left. I didn't set you up, someone's setting us up to kill each other. Jeffrey tried to rape me as well, but I got away.
Reese: I still don't trust you. Probably for the best since there can be only one.
Lindsay: If you want to settle up now, finish the duel we planned, I'm in.
Reese: Fine, let's get it over with. I'm at the Quick Stop on route...
Lindsay: I know where it is.
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Lindsay then revealed herself. She'd been hiding behind the dumpsters, waiting until Reese agreed to the duel.
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Lindsay: So how does this work exactly?
Sarah: Well I've seen a few movies with duels. In theory this can be a gentle, womanly agreement, with a very quick verdict.
Reese: Okay, explain the rules.
Sarah: I assume you each have bullets in your guns.
Lindsay: Ofcourse.
Sarah: You turn you backs towards one another, and I count to ten paces. On ten, turn and shoot. Whoever shoots first, if you fail to kill your opponent, you have to stand still while your opponent takes her shot. Lindsay, you want to get something to eat first?
Lindsay: No thanks, I've already eaten, what might be my last meal.
Sarah: Neither of you want a last ciggarette or something?
Reese: No, let's just get this over with.
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Reese and Lindsay turned their backs towards one another, and began walking. Sarah counted the paces, but just as she said "Nine" Reese turned around and fired. She just barely missed, her bullet sailed right past Lindsay's ear. Lindsay was shocked and angry, even Sarah seemed dissapointed that her partner would resort to cheating. Still, Reese stayed still, waited for Lindsay to take her shot. Lindsay tried to regain her composure, she calmed down and took her shot. She missed. Sarah wasn't sure if Reese deliberately missed, she wasn't exactly a hardened killer, or an experienced marsksman.
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Lindsay: So what now?
Sarah: You have the option of another round. In theory, if neither duelist is dead after three rounds, it means that neither really wants to kill the other.
Reese: Except that in this game, at least two of us have to die.
Sarah: That doesn't mean we can't reach resolution.
Reese: Like what, we include her in the alliance?
Lindsay: Why not? Jeffrey raped you, tried to rape me. I want him dead as much as you do.
Reese: The alliance can only get so big. Even if all three of us make it to the final phase...
Lindsay: Then we do russian roulette, or something to that effect.
Sarah: Good a way as any to die.
Reese: Fine, the three of us are a team. At least until that child molester is dead.
Lindsay: Agreed.
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5:28
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Julia and Bobby watch the sunrise in the park. They hold each other, knowing this might be the last time they ever see the sun rise again. They might be dead before sunset. These two have made up their minds, if one dies the other commits suicide.
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Julia: You think there's any chance the reverend will win?
Bobby: I don't see how, if he really refuses to kill anyone.
Julia: Maybe we die, everyone else kills each other. Maybe when the soldiers come, they'll also have a problem killing him.
Bobby: I guess that's possible, maybe even for the best. The world is pretty F...d up if people want to see a reality show like this. Maybe they need someone like Clarence around to remind them of good values.
Julia: I think I might be pregnant?
Bobby: Are you sure?
Julia: No, just a feeling.
Bobby: Wow, this changes things.
Julia: No it doesn't. If I can't be with you, I don't want to live.
Bobby: But if you're carrying our baby...
Julia: Do you think I want to bring a child into this world? A world where she could be forced to kill others. Where she might somehow enjoy watching others kill each other. If we die, we die as a family.
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6:03
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Jeffrey snuck into the hospital, he had to be covert when so many wanted him dead. He needed pain medication from Lindsay's injury. Jeffrey used his gun to force a nurse to give him medication, but hospital security tried to stop him. Jeffrey took the nurse into a closet. It was a standoff, with Jeffrey holding the nurse hostage, and the guards seemed ready to shoot, even without a good shot. Reverend Clarence was alerted and tried to resolve the situation peacefully.
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Clarence: Jeffrey, this is reverend Clarence.
Jeffrey: I just want some pain medication.
Clarence: Okay, we can get you some, but you need to let the girl go.
Jeffrey: I do that they'll kill me.
Clarence: How about an exchange, let me be your hostage while they get you some meds.
Jeffrey: What's to stop me from killing you?
Clarence: Maybe nothing. But I'm hoping that you don't want to kill me.
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Jeffrey decided that one hostage was as good as any. He let the nurse go as soon as Clarence came into the closet.
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Jeffrey: If I win immunity now, those guards won't mess with the show.
Clarence: You might be right. What then?
Jeffrey: I'll be safe for a little while. One more gladiator dies while I sit on the sidelines.
Clarence: Then nine more people have to die so that you can live?
Jeffrey: I didn't write the rules.
Clarence: You're not worried about going to Hell?
Jeffrey: I told you, I've already accepted Jesus as my savior.
Clarence: But you haven't tried to sin no more, in fact you're using it as an excuse to sin even more.
Jeffrey: I don't relish killing a man of God, but I'll do what I have to do to survive a bit longer.
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The pain medication arrived. Jeff seemed uncertain what to do. Killing Clarence might keep him safe from other gladiators, for a little while. But these security guards might not feel so bound to the show's rules. He just walked away and the guards didn't stop him. He and Clarence were still alive, for the moment anyway.
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7:29
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Jamal woke up and checked his phone. His immunity was gone, Mcnamara had immunity for round five. The game was speeding up, from this point he would have to step up his own game if he wanted to survive.
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8:37
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Mcnamara and Alan woke up at their safehouse. It had been a short rest, but the best they could manage under the circumstances. Mcnamara was safe for now, so they used this opportunity to strategize. It seemed likely that Gaines and Mandy hated them, might as well settle up with them first.
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9:09
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Gaines and Mandy were resting when they received a call from Alan and Mcnamara.
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Mandy: What do you want?
Mcnamara: We don't like each other, but for now we can't kill each other.
Gaines: That's going to change soon.
Alan: Yes it is. And those soldiers will be hunting us all pretty soon. They won't stop until there's only one still standing. Wouldn't it make sense for us to confront each other and get it over with.
Gaines: So you want to set up a meeting, after Mcnamara's immunity is gone?
Mcnamara: Yes.
Mandy: How about the old office building at Dunlop Plaza?
Alan: Sounds good. Tonight, around 9pm, assuming that my partner no longer has immunity.
Gaines: Agreed.
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The following is an excerpt from an interview conducted with major Harris Barnes during round 5 of "Gladiators."
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Interviewer: I understand that you're soldiers are getting ready to deploy for the second phase.
Barnes: Yes, at this stage we need to be ready to deploy at a moment's notice.
Interviewer: I understand that phase 2 begins at the conclusion of round 6, it's only round 5.
Barnes: True, but the eggheads who invented this game predict that, at this point, things will progress more quickly. The gladiators are becoming more agitated, more likely to want to kill the enemies that they've made. Round four ended much more quickly than the previous rounds.
Interviewer: Are you planning to target anyone specific?
Barnes: Me, no. However a number of my soldiers are involved in pools, to see when each gladiator falls. Towards that end there have been some unofficial bounties placed on some, this ofcourse is in addition to the bonuses that the company provides to anyone who has a confirmed kill.
Interviewer: How long do you estimate that phase two will last?
Barnes: Difficult to say for certain, but I estimate that phase two will last approximately half as long as phase one. Approximately.
Interviewer: Can you tell us anything about your plans for phase 3?
Barnes: Sorry, that's a trade secret.
Interviewer: Well I'll let you get back to work. Good luck.
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9:45
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Sarah received a call. It appeared to be from the same mysterious "Friend" who had contacted others. When the call ended she told her two partners.
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Sarah: Whoever that was, they said that Jeffrey is at the local mall.
Lindsay: Makes sense, if he thinks these are his final hours he'll want to spend them stalking young girls.
Reese: Are we sure this isn't another trap?
Sarah: It probably is. The network wants to set up these confrontations to make it more exciting. Jeffrey probably knows we're coming for him. But other than the reverend being nice to him, he has no allies to speak of.
Reese: You're probably right. But just remember, animals are most vicious when they're desperate.
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Clarence was going to see Jamal. He had called the reverend, asking for a meeting. He hoped Jamal was ready to listen this time, but he couldn't be certain. When Clarence got to Jamal's house, Jamal immediately pulled his gun on the reverend.
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Clarence: This why you wanted to meet Jamal?
Jamal: Nothing personal reverend. But I kill you then I'm safe for a little while.
Clarence: You were safe after you killed Tyler, but that didn't last very long now did it?
Jamal: Better than nothing. Besides, I have to step up my game. That one girl killed her own mother, everyone thinks she's the biggest badass on the block.
Clarence: And you want that reputation for killing a man of God.
Jamal: You got it.
Clarence: Very well, but ask yourself one question, will the violence ever end?
Jamal: It will if I win?
Clarence: Will it. Maybe the network will keep it's word, maybe you'll get ten million and a full pardon. But you'll have to live with what you've done. And you will see more violence, knowing that you helped glamorize it. Is that what you really want?
Jamal: What else is there?
Clarence: Do you really want to know?
Jamal: Okay, make your sales pitch.
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10:23
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Sarah, Reese, and Lindsay enter the mall covertly. They know that at the very least Jeffrey knows that they're coming for him, they hope to spot him before he spots them.
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10:26
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Jeffrey sits on the bench, trying to enjoy the sight of so many underage girls wearing few clothes. He also fumbles with his pain medication. If the pain gets too bad, he won't be able to focus when those girls come for him.
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10:29
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Bobby and Julia are at the mall. Julia is trying on a bikini and planning to pay for it with her credit card. If the card is declined, she could try to shoplift it. Julia and Bobby had sworn not to kill the other gladiators. But with society forcing them to kill each other, Julia had little problem stealing. It was incredibly unlikely that they'd live long enough to go to the beach, but it was something. While she made her plans to steal, Bobby received an unusual call. Whatever it was about, he got very excited. He brought his wife out of the store, didn't even realize he was helping her to steal the bikini.
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Julia: What's all this about?
Bobby: I got a call, claiming to be from the Underground.
Julia: Seriously. I thought the Underground was a myth.
Bobby: They claim they're trying to get us out of here, can help us get across the border to safety.
Julia: Would Mexico really accept us?
Bobby: If we're really refugees, you'd have to be a sociopath not to take in refugees. I can't guarantee this is really from the Underground, but it's worth a shot.
Julia; Yeah, either we both die or maybe we can live, maybe we can raise our baby.
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10:35
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Sarah was scanning for Jeffrey, planning to murder him. Finally she saw him, and it didn't seem like he spotted her. She immediately called Reese and Lindsay. The three women quickly ran to Jeffrey's location, he spotted them at the last minute. Jeffrey tried to flee, and the three women shot at him. But as he got away one bullet hit someone unexpected, it hit Bobby. Bobby died instantly, in front of his wife. Julia was horrified, her husband was dead. She thought she had prepared herself for this, but somehow she found herself unprepared for seeing her beloved Bobby killed like that. Sarah had not intended to kill him, a part of her wanted to apologize to Julia, to comfort her now. But Sarah knew Julia might kill her in revenge, even if she had immunity. Not that Sarah could blame her, but she needed to survive. So Sarah fled, and hooked up with her team. Julia checked her smartphone, it already confirmed that Bobby was dead. Round six had begun, and Sarah had immunity again. The bitch who killed her own husband, who killed her own mother, was temporarily safe. Julia had sworn not to kill other gladiators, but she also wanted revenge for Bobby's death. There was one thing she could do to take away Sarah's immunity, and make her a target for those soldiers. For a brief moment, Julia had believed that she and Bobby could raise their child together in Mexico. But now, that would never happen. And she didn't want her baby to be part of this horrible world. So Julia took her guns and blew her brains out all over the mall. Round six had indeed been very short, only a few minutes. Now it was round seven, and phase 2.
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The following are excerpts from the final recorded messages of Bobby and Julia.
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Bobby: I love Julia, I always have and I always will. I would have killed to be reunited with her. But now, they say I'd have to kill her to survive, I'd rather spend my last days protecting her. I'd give my life for her to live. Not much of a life anyway for us recently un-incarcerated. I'm a little scared of death, but maybe I can look down from Heaven and smile upon her. That's all I have to look forward to at this point.
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Julia: I always knew that Bobby and I would be reunited one day. I think, I might have killed to be with him again. Instead we're both gladiators, only one of us can survive. I'd rather die, rather be do a suicide pact like Romeo and Juliet. They got to be together in the afterlife, why not us?
