"A Family Affair"

Chapter Six

"All right. Time for another face off, here on The Feud," Richard announced, upon his director's prompting. "Mike…Joe, if you'll join me…"

The engineer and the detective stepped up to the center podium, shook hands and then assumed their 'proper' positions.

"The point values are now doubled, gentlemen," Dawson informed them. "One hundred people surveyed. The top 5 answers are on the board. Again, try to get the most popular answer. Name something you hope you'll never lose…"

Detective Mendez managed to ring in first, this time. "Your self-respect!"

"Self-respect…" Richard repeated and motioned toward the game board.

Self-respect popped up, along with a loud 'ping!'.

"18 people agree with you, making it number 4." Dawson turned to Stoker. "Three answers can beat it…"

"Your job!" Mike told him.

"Your job…"

'ping!'

"That's number 3. Michael, you control the question. Pass? Or play?"

Stoker turned to his team.

"Play!" "Pass!" "Play!" "Play!" "Play!" They shouted back.

"Looks like we're gonna play," the engineer announced.

Dawson followed Stoker back over to his 'family' and stopped at the counter, to stand in front of Lopez.

"Your wallet!" Marco blurted out.

Richard jumped back a bit. "Is this a mugging?" he joked. "Because I think I should warn you, we have six police officers standing right over there…" he added and pointed to the crew from Precinct 12. He waited for the laughter to subside a bit and then redirected his right index finger toward the board. "Show us your wallet…"

A loud 'ping!' sounded on the set and 'your wallet' appeared in the number two position.

"Only two answers remain," Richard realized and moved on to Kelly. "Chet, would you like me to repeat the question?"

"That won't be necessary," Chet smugly replied. "Your mind!"

Again, Richard's eyebrows arched. "I believe I may have already lost mine. Show us your mind…"

Kelly's brothers about fell over when 'your mind' appeared in the bottom slot, accompanied by a resounding 'ping!'.

Chet turned to their coach and gave him a 'thumbs up'.

John just stared, disbelievingly, back at him.

Apparently, there had been a few 'above average' people in the studio audience, on the day that particular survey had been taken…

"I think I've got it," Roy told Richard, as their card carrying host stepped up in front of him and then leaned across the counter. "Your life!"

"Good answer!" "Good answer!" his fellow firefighters decreed.

"Makes sense," Dawson admitted, and motioned to the board. "Your life…"

The top slot on the survey board 'slid' open and, once again, a continuous 'ping!' 'ping!' 'ping!' 'ping!' 'ping!' 'ping!'ing filled the air.

The game show host immediately turned his undivided attention to Camera Two, again. "So far, the Firefighters have been dominating the game. Will they continue to 'douse' their opponents? Or will the Crimefighters make a valiant comeback and 'lock up' the final round? Stay tuned, because we'll be tripling the point value. Which means, it's still anybody's game."

TBC

Author's note: Sorry for such a short chapter. Alas, farming and writing fanfiction don't mix. :(

Thanks to all who have taken a moment to leave feedback. Your comical comments and support are greatly appreciated. :)

:) Ross 7