Author's Notes: I meant to have this out on New Year's, this collection's anniversary, but I didn't because I'm a lazy bum. I hope you enjoy it anyway.

Current Interaction: Billy the Intern and Cameron.

Billy practically ran down the corridor of Total Drama Studios, clutching a box of possessions tightly to his chest. Finally, after two horrible years that felt like a thousand, he was almost free. He just had to make it to the elevator and dash across the lobby, get into his beat-up car, and then drive far, far away to someplace where this show would only be a terrible memory and—

"Oof!"

"Whoa!"

Billy fell to the ground, his box spilling onto the floor, as he crashed into a small boy who had dashed out of the elevator. "Cammy-Bear!" said the woman walking with him, bending down to lift him to his feet. "Are you hurt, honey? Here, let Mommy see..."

Billy refilled his box and climbed back to his feet as the woman continued to fuss over her son, who protested weakly. "Sorry," Billy said, edging around them. "Just in a hurry, wasn't paying attention—"

"Hey, I know you!" the boy said suddenly, managing to pull away from his mother's grasp. "You're Billy, right? The intern from the show? You're really popular on the Internet! Not that I ever go on except for lepidopterology research," he said quickly, as his mother gave him a startled look.

"Uh, yeah. I was. An intern, I mean. I'm still the Billy part. But my contract just expired, so I'm heading out now," he said, motioning to the box in his arms.

"That's too bad," the boy said, and his disappointed sounded sincere. "I'm just starting the show this season," he added.

"Oh! Really?" Billy tried not to sound too surprised. Is Chris using twelve-year-olds now, or is this kid just really scrawny for his age?

"Yeah! We already signed the contract and everything. So, what's it like, being on the show?" the boy asked excitedly. "I mean, I know you just worked there, but it has to be pretty cool, being on TV and everything, right?"

"Is it safe?" the mother interjected worriedly. "I've heard some...things, and...well, it's not going to be too much for my little Cammy-bear's health, is it? He's very fragile."

Billy let his mouth hang open for a moment, not quite sure what he could say. The enthusiasm on "Cammy's" face brought Billy back to when he got started, fresh out of film school and ecstatic at the thought of working on a real, internationally-recognized television show. And then what did he get? Two seasons of absolute hell. He was barely paid, the equipment he had to work with was always broken (at least the important equipment—the studio saved the big bucks to pay for the insaner challenges) and he was constantly forced to evade rabid animals and psychopathic contestants, all of whom always seemed desperate for his blood. Chris McLean was an absolute tyrant, Chef was hardly better and some of the producers could actually be worse. The World Tour season had been especially bad—he had been dragged around the world in that decrepit plane, with tiny quarters and no decent food, for months without seeing his family or friends.

"It's, uh...an experience," Billy said finally. "And, uh—you know. Maybe you'll win!" Billy frankly doubted that—the kid didn't look very fit, the producers didn't seem to like underdogs and, after all, there were a dozen or so other contestants to compete with. Still, he had to give the kid some hope—he knew he would have gone crazy without that promise of a bump on his résumé.

The woman checked her watch. "Well, we better get a move on, Cameron—we don't want to be late for our appointment with Mr. Arom."

"Okay. Nice meeting you, Mister...Billy."

"My pleasure. And, uh...good luck, kid," Billy said, hefting his box. You're definitely going to need it.

Next Interaction: Sam and Dakota.