"A Family Affair"
Chapter Seven
Messages from The Feud's various sponsors were spliced into the video-tape and the game board was set up for Round Three.
Once more, the show's director directed Richard Dawson to resume play.
The game show host glanced up at the board and was mildly surprised to see that it contained more than just the usual three or four answer slots.
Normally, by the time the third round came around, they were pretty pressed for time.
Apparently, the firefighters had kept today's first taping so 'fast-paced', the producers had found themselves with plenty of time to kill.
Mr. Dawson wasn't the only one to notice the break in the show's routine.
Gage saw the increased number of answer slots and sent an urgent whispered message down the line. "If we get control of the question, we gotta 'pass'!"
Judging by their frowns, his fellow firemen didn't care too much for their coach's latest 'play call'.
Dawson finally did as directed and aimed a grin at Camera One. "Welcome back. It's 'Firefighters Versus Crimefighters Week', here on The Feud." Richard redirected his attention to their 'special' contestants. "Everyone ready for Round Three?"
Both groups nodded and applauded.
Although, one group did so a bit uncertainly.
"Great!" Richard determined. "Then, Roger…Marco…if you'll join me…"
Lentz and Lopez left their respective 'families' and stepped up to the podium in the center of the stage.
Their host waited while the two men shook hands. "Point values are now tripled," he continued, once the contestants had assumed their proper playing positions. "100 people surveyed. The top eight answers are on the board…Name something you might possibly prick your finger on…"
Marco recalled their coach's little reminder and took an extra moment or two to 'think'.
As a result, Roger rang in first. "A thorny plant!"
The director gave Richard a 'special' wave.
"Apparently, the judges feel that you need to be more specific," Dawson informed the detective.
"A rosebush," the police officer clarified.
Richard pointed toward the game board. "Show us…a rosebush…"
A 'ping!' announced a match. The third slot slid open and 'Rose' appeared.
Dawson directed his gaze toward the now grinning fireman. "Two answers can beat it…"
"A pin!" Lopez proudly replied.
"A pin…" Richard prompted and pointed toward the board.
'ping!' 'ping!' 'ping!'
"That's the number one answer!" Richard announced and looked at Lopez. "Are you going to play?...or pass?"
With the game's entire outcome on the line, Marco turned to his team for an answer.
His fellow firefighters glanced solemnly at one another. While they didn't necessarily agree with their coach's current plan of action, Gage's game 'strategy' had gotten them this far.
Speaking of Gage…
John released his held breath and grinned, as his brothers trustingly—and simultaneously—replied with a resounding "Pass!"
"We are going to pass," a somewhat bewildered Lopez obligingly passed along.
Dawson gave the devious group of firefighters a deeply respectful look. "Interesting strategy," he proclaimed, and promptly headed over to the policemen.
Marco returned to his team and the group immediately went into a crouched, whispered conference.
"Ron," Richard greeted, as he took and shook the police sergeant's proffered hand. "Name something you might possibly prick your finger on…"
"Richard," Ron smugly replied, "I've patted down enough addicts to know the answer to this one…a hypodermic needle!"
"Makes sense," Dawson admitted, and pointed to the game board. "Show us a needle…"
Another 'ping' was heard and the board's second slot slid open.
Dawson stepped up to their only female contestant and gallantly kissed the back of her extended hand. "Pretty Karen, would you like me to repeat the question?"
"Thanks, Richard. But, I think I've got it…a thumbtack!"
Richard reluctantly released the lovely young lady's trapped appendage and pointed toward the board. "We're looking for thumbtack…"
The eighth slot slid open, accompanied by yet another 'ping!'.
"Nicely done!" Dawson commended and regrettably moved on down the line, to shake yet another male contestant's hand. "Dennis, can you think of something you might possibly prick your finger on?"
The patrol officer nodded. "I often prick my finger while pinning on…my badge!"
"Show us badge…" Richard prompted.
The policeman's 'cop specific' reply earned the group their first 'bu-uzz!'
"Don't worry, Dennis," Dawson consoled him. "That's just your first strike." That said, the game show host headed back over to the start of the line. "Captain Kyle, do you have an answer for us?"
"Well, Richard, I spend a lot of time doing paperwork, and I'm always pricking my fingers on…staples!"
"Staples…" Richard repeated and aimed his gaze and his right index finger up at the game board.
No slots slid open and another loud 'bu-uzz' filled the air.
"A good answer," Dawson determined. "It just didn't make our survey." He moved on to the next man. "Joseph, we meet again. Would you like me to repeat the question?"
"That won't be necessary…nails!"
"I believe you may have hit the 'nail' on the head with that answer," Richard lightly remarked and pointed to the board. "Nails…"
The seventh slot slid open and another 'ping' could be heard.
"Roger," Richard solemnly greeted the second detective, "your 'family' has two strikes and there are still three answers up there. Please, tell me that you have one of them…" he sincerely urged.
"I certainly hope so, Richard," Roger replied, looking and sounding equally solemn. "How about…a piece of broken glass?"
"Please," Richard prompted, "show us a piece of broken glass…"
There followed an insufferable few seconds of complete silence.
Which was finally shattered by a disheartening—and rather loud—'bu-uzz'.
Well, at least it was disheartening to the cops.
The firefighters, on the other hand, found it to be a truly wonderful sound! It meant that they were still in the game!
"It's your call, Cap," Gage informed his eldest brother.
"Gee…Thanks," Stanley insincerely said.
The conferring firemen had managed to come up with five pretty decent possibilities.
If Hank happened to pick 'wrong', they would lose the game.
He and his fellow firefighters broke formation and returned to their respective places behind their counter.
"It's time to see if your intrepid opponents' strategy has paid off," Richard declared, as he stepped across the stage.
"Captain Hank," Dawson formally addressed the fire officer, "there are three answers remaining. Do you happen to have one for us?"
"We have five, actually," the Captain glumly confessed. "This would be a whole lot easier, if we only had one."
Since the judges had asked the detective to be more 'specific' about a 'thorny plant', it made sense that a second thorny plant had made the survey.
So Hank heaved a silent sigh and made his reply. "I guess we're gonna go with…a cactus!"
His younger brothers nodded and applauded his choice, approvingly.
The game show's savvy host couldn't help but grin. "Of course! That's gotta be there! Show us a cactus…"
The number four slot slid open and non-stop 'ping'ing filled the air.
Pandemonium broke out on Station 51's side of the stage.
"Congratulations, Captain!" Dawson declared and ducked clear of all the back-slapping, fist-pumping and high-fiving. "We are going to need two people to play 'Fast Money'," he informed the jubilant group of jumping firefighters.
Roy and John raised their hands.
It had been pre-determined that, if—er, when Station 51's family won the first game, their paramedic team would be the ones to play for 'Fast Money'.
Dawson hauled the grinning partners aside and then turned back to face Camera One. "Stick around. Because we'll be right back, to find out how much money Station 51 will win for their charity." Richard's attention returned to the paramedics and he proceeded to pump both of their hands. "Well played, gentlemen! Well played!"
TBC
