Penn was standing in the audience this time, watching the stage happily. Sashi seemed well in her element, having "borrowed" a karate uniform and black belt from a different room. As soon as she took them off, she snapped the heels off her shoes. She was wearing sneakers now, and was totally pummeling Boone. He was like a human punching bag.
"Oof!" He shouted again, louder than needed for emphasis. He curled into a ball to defend against another kick. Instead, Sashi bowed and helped Boone to his feet. Surprisingly, he looked fine after being beat around like a human piñata.
"Thank you!" She declared, "And thank you to my partner, too!" The crowd erupted in applause and cheers, and the blond cheerleader robot was fuming backstage. Steam shot out of her ears and nostrils, and her hands were clenched. Her coloring looked more red than usual.
Backstage, Sashi and Boone took an exaggerated bow. Penn clapped. "You guys were great."
"Thanks. I finally got to hurt something!" Sashi pumped the air with her fist.
Boone smiled. "Glad to be of service. Now, does anyone know where the snack machine is?"
While Boone went looking for a vending machine, Penn and Sashi discussed their next move.
"Okay. So, this girl, Olivia Xu, was frozen onstage when I took over her. The janitor you're in had a mild heart attack. That reporter Boone got was just about to faint." Sashi reported.
Penn threw his arms up. "So we got a confidence-lacking girl to enter."
Sashi punched him on the arm. "No, you have me."
Penn shook his head. "Sashi, are you sure you can do this? You could just go destroy the robot."
"Penn, sometimes, heroes have to do things that they don't want to do. But they shouldn't take the easy way out just to win, and sometimes lose. I have to do this mission till the end." She put on a stern face, and clutched her fist to her heart. Penn nodded.
"Alright. Let's do this!" He pumped his fist in the air and jumped up. "Umm… What's the next event?"
…
"The beauty round. Seriously. This contest is one hundred percent demeaning to girls!" Sashi shouted over the roar of the hair dryer. Boone put his finger to his lips and kept on blowing.
"Sashi, in order to win, you must be born pretty." He put down the hair dryer and put his fingers in the shape of a square. "Well, you've got that down. Now we just have to work on your clothes…"
She looked down at the red dress. "What's wrong with this?"
Boone tisked. "It's overstating your natural light. We need something that enhances and strengthens your beauty."
Penn leaned over to Sashi's ear. "He's the wise man. Just go with it," he stage whispered. Boone shot him an annoyed look.
"I'm not only a wise man! I am," He paused for dramatic effect, "An artiste!"
"That's feminine," Sashi pointed out.
"Artist! Now would somebody take Sashi out shopping?"
He looked pointedly at Penn. "Can't she do it herself?" He sighed. Boone poked a thumb over at Sashi, who was currently sharpening the end of a comb. "Obviously not."
…
"Come on, Penn! We're done! Grab a random outfit and get out of here!" Sashi was seriously annoyed after trying on the millionth dress. "We're done!" Penn was staring at her, a grin on his face. She snapped her fingers. "Penn?"
"Sashi, look in the mirror," He said, and turned her around.
Apparently she looks good in green, because the current dress was fitting her quite well. It was tighter at the waist and trailed green silk down to the floor. "Hmm. How am I supposed to fight in this?" She asked, absentmindedly twirling a lock of hair.
"You don't." The cashier walked over to her. As she turned around to look, she gasped.
"Phyllis? What are you doing here?" Penn asked before she could. Phyllis rolled her eyes at them.
"I beamed myself in to world. Had to help Sashi."
"I don't need help," She objected indignantly.
"Where your money, then?" She asks, pointing to the cash register. "You need my help. I pay. You win. Don't let Rippen win."
"Got it," Penn said, and dragged Sashi out of the store. "Come on! The contest starts in an hour!"
…
Sashi was backstage now, Boone preening over his new creation. He'd added makeup and styled her hair, and she was getting really impatient. When Olivia's name was called, she finally walked out onto the runway.
She tried to smile and wave at everyone, but bright lights were blinding her. She glanced back and saw Penn and Boone behind her, and kept walking forward.
Then, she stumbled on her heels. There was an audible gasp from the crowd, and Sashi's hand flew up to her mouth. This could cost her the competition!
She saw the judges scribbling furiously on their clipboards, and gulped. Shaken, she finished her walk and quickly went back in. The robot was strutting out onto the stage now, waving like the Queen of England. Sashi groaned as she threw herself down on a chair. Penn and Boone were at her side in an instant.
"It's fine, Sash," Penn said nervously. "We won't lose. And if we lose, at least you'll get to attack her."
Sashi nodded glumly. Great. Another one of her mistakes just might cost them the mission.