John was panicking. He didn't have any talents! He used to play rugby, but he couldn't really demonstrate that, and he hadn't played in a while anyway. He was a good soldier, but again, that was pretty impossible to demonstrate.
Living alone, he'd just spent quite a lot of time on his computer. He'd signed up to an internet dating site, as well as taking some online courses, reading articles to refresh his medical mind, and then one thing he did purely for his own pleasure-no, not like that.
The science of deduction. He'd been trying to learn it, but this Sherlock Holmes was a literal genius, so it was incredibly difficult. However, John had a lot of free time.
Shit. His time was up. He was ushered back onto the stage, where he took a deep breath, and began.
He sized up the contestants, looking for one easy to deduce. Ian looked like he could handle his life being unveiled in front of him.
"You're Welsh, but you live abroad quite a lot of the time. America, possibly Los Angeles. You make a fair bit of money, judging by your shoes, but your hat is old and battered, so a present, a well-loved present from a well-loved person. An ex then, an ex you're still in love with. Don't worry, they miss you too: if you check your phone, you have a text from them. They just heard you were going to be on here. Good luck."
John finished and breathed more heavily than he otherwise would, seeking out the reactions of the other contestants. Almost all the lights had turned off.
"Sally, why is your light off?"
"It weirds me out, him being able to know stuff like that… Everyone likes to keep little secrets, but he just knows them. It's weird."
John shrugged, kind of indifferent to her criticism.
"Ian, why is your light off?"
"It's really impressive an' all, but he's right, everything he said was right, so I'm rejecting him and going home."
The audience cheered, and John walked back over and gave Ian a hug.
"Now Sherly, why is your light still on?" Sherlock winced at the nickname, before answering simply.
"That was a good example of the science of deduction. That, and he looks a bit like Martin Freeman."
John grinned.
"So you're a Sherlock Holmes fan too?"
The audience went quiet. The contestants all turned to look at John, with an "Are you serious?" look on their faces.
Sherlock smiled, somewhat smugly, but with a hint of warmth to it.
"Sherlock Holmes. I believe you've heard of me." He offered out his hand for John to shake.
It dawned on John what he'd just done, and he buried his head in his hands.
"Okay John, now you've got to turn the rest of the lights off, and narrow it down to just two people. Whoever you pick will go on a date with you to the Isle of Fernando!"
It was the easiest choice he'd ever had to make, boiling it down to just two people. He only had to turn off three lights, but he knew who he was going to pick overall anyway.
"So you've picked Sherlock and Sarah. John, you've got one question, so make it a good one."
I know I'm almost nine hours late with this, and for that I'm sorry. I woke up two hours after I'd intended to post this, and then I had to rush because I had people over, and did not find any moment to escape. But here it is, and I hope you enjoy it.
And this stage in the show, the guy asks a question, and the girls respond with some ridiculously cheesy line. Sherlock ain't gonna' have none o' that.
For the record, I will be posting the other two ideas when the story is over and done with, as bonus bits after the epilogue and stuff.
Thank you all for your comments and I'll see you in a couple days.