Episode 8: "A state of looming chaos."
~Sunshine Tribe, Night 21~
(The remaining players arrived back at camp. The tension in the air was very palpable as they set their stuff down and began to reflect on the results of Tribal Council.)
Edward [conf]: "Things were rough coming back from Tribal Council. I came one vote away from getting my ass kicked out of here, but somehow I'm still not the one who took that vote the harshest. The whole walk back to camp felt like things were going to explode any minute."
(Once everyone is settled in, Gale walks towards Sidney and tries to whisper something to her.)
Gale: "Ok, I know I have some explaining to do but…"
Sidney: "Oh no, don't think this is just gonna be water under the bridge!"
Gale: "Sid, don't make this a scene."
Sidney: "No, I'm done with this crap Gale!"
London: "Ooo, drama!"
Sidney [conf]: "As far as this game goes, Gale completely burned her bridge with me last night. Finally, when I start to think she was actually able to come to a compromise, she was just pulling the wool over my eyes. I'm sick and tired of all of this back and forth. Me giving Gale chance after chance and getting nothing in return. How does the saying go? Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. Well for Gale it's more like 'fool me thrice, you're dead to me'."
Sidney: "Every time I put my faith in you, it turns out you're just being some selfish bitch only in it for your own benefit! It doesn't matter if in the game or at home!"
(The other players look on with curiosity and confusion, particularly at the last statement Sidney said. Gale noticed it to and immediately got worried.)
Gale: "Sid, ixnay on the omehay talk."
Sidney: "No! I don't care! You wanna sink my game, I'll drag you right down with me. Hey guess what everyone."
Gale: "Sidney don't!"
Sidney: "Benny and Ethan weren't the only secret pair this season. Gale and I know each other outside of this game to."
(This news peaks everyone's interest. Nick smirks at the situation unfolding, and London lets out an audible gasp.)
London: "The plot twist! Someone grab some popcorn, stat!"
(The look on Gale's face rapidly shifts between panic, fear and calculating her response. Eventually she glances a look of defeat to Sidney before turning her attention to the others.)
Gale [conf]: "I made a calculated risk last night. Voting out Ethan took out a major threat in this game, and I was hoping Sidney would be willing to listen to reason afterwards. But she is far gone at this point. I knew I'd potentially burn a bridge with her beyond repair, but this is a game. I'll apologize to her when we get home, but I'm here to win. Be it working with her or not, I still have allies to fall back on. I don't need Sidney to play my game."
Gale: "I don't know what she's talking about guys. She's just mad that she's in the minority and trying to stir up trouble. I've never met her before we landed on this beach."
Charlie: "Bullshit."
Gale: "What?"
Charlie: "I don't buy it."
Gale: "What is there not to buy? Me and Sidney worked together at the start, and she's mad that I betrayed her. She's trying to smear my name into the mud because she's bitter about that. That's all it is."
Charlie: "And I say that's bullshit."
Gale: "She doesn't even have any proof! She can say whatever the heck she wants right now, and you're just gonna believe it on a gut reaction?"
Charlie: "They've never steered me wrong yet."
(Nick chuckles to himself, causing the group to look to his direction.)
Charlie: "Something funny to ya fox breath?"
Nick: "Oh nothing. It's just I can break this stalemate."
London: "You can, Nicky?"
Nick: "Yes. The other day when we were collecting wood I was with Gale and Sid. When I was out of sight I overheard them talking to each other about things outside of the game."
Gale: "You did what!?"
Sidney: "Ha, busted!"
Gale: "You realize he just busted you too then, right?"
Morrigan: "So the accusations are true then? You and Sidney are an out of game pair?"
Gale: "I…uh…I mean…"
(Gale is flustered and stumbling over her words. Instead, she glares angrily over in Nick's direction. He responds back to her with a cheeky smile.)
Nick: "That hesitation is all the proof we need."
Nick [conf]: "I've known about Gale and Sidney's relationship for a while now, and because of it I've been warry on fully trusting Gale, since she'd always have someone closer to her than me regardless of how much strategizing we did together. Last night was the nail in the coffin as far as my alliance with her. We gave her the opportunity to vote Sidney out and prove her loyalty to our Sirena deal, but at the end of the day she chickened out. It's clear no matter how much tension is between them, their relationship is too big and too dangerous of a wild card to left unaccounted for."
~Sunshine Tribe, Day 22~
(It was the following morning and the fall-out from the previous night was still far from subsided. Gale emerges from the shelter and spots Sidney. She tries to approach her, but Sidney notices and immediately turns face to walk in the opposite direction.)
Gale: "God damn it."
Gale [conf]: "I have a lot of damage control to manage after last night. I knew I would when I made my vote, but I didn't expect the blow out to be this drastic. Sidney shot both of our games in the foot, and it concerns me the fact that none of my allies even tried to speak up for me. Instead, some just added fuel to the fire, and I need to get to the bottom of that."
(Gale then sees Nick and London and walks over to them.)
London: "Hi Gabe!"
Gale: "It's…never mind. I have a bone to pick with you."
(Gale is aggressively angling herself towards Nick.)
Nick: "Well, this should be fun."
Gale: "What the heck was that last night?"
London: "What do you mean?"
Gale: "What do you mean, what do I mean!? You both completely left me out to dry in that confrontation. Nick you pretty much just threw me under the bus further!"
Nick: "Listen sweetheart, my motto is 'karma is never blind'. We all get what's coming to us?"
Gale: "What the heck does that mean? What did I even do to you!?"
London: "Wait…yeah what did she do to us Nicky?"
Nick: "She's been playing us for our votes London. She just wanted to use us to further her own game."
London: "WHAT!? Gabe would never do that…right?"
Gale: "I…""
(Gale tries to respond but hesitates when London's face gives puppy dog eyes and a quivering lip.)
Gale: "I mean…I wasn't…I wanted for us to…"
Nick: "If you wanted use to work together with Sidney, why not be transparent about it to us. At least then we could trust you to be honest."
Gale: "I…because…I…"
(Gale couldn't come up with an answer.)
London: "Wait so Gale…everything people said last night was true. YOU were the one turned the vote onto Ethan?"
Gale: "Well…kinda…"
Nick: "Ain't no kinda. As far as I see you're the one getting direct blame."
Gale: "Ok fine, I hid it form you. But that's only because I didn't want to be seen as a threat because of it. You would've done the same thing. It doesn't change my loyalty to our alliance."
Nick: "I think last night begs to differ."
(This news seemed to come as a serious shock to London, and her face sank into one of distraught disappointment.)
London [conf]: "I really though I got to know Gabe out here. So, when everyone was accusing her of doing all these mean and hurtful things…I couldn't believe. I wouldn't believe it! Not her, not my middle-aged kinda frumpy bestie! But then if what Nicky says it's true…I don't know what to believe any more."
(Elsewhere Sidney is seen sitting by the ocean and tossing rocks in. Charlie approaches her.)
Charlie: "You doing ok Sid?"
Sidney: "I'm managing."
Charlie: "Hey, at least you don't have to manage alone, right?"
Sidney: "I guess…wait. So, you guys aren't mad I kept me and Gale a secret?"
Charlie: "Eh, we all got our secrets. You gave us your word and stuck by it, that's all I need to know I can trust you."
Sidney: "…Thanks."
Sidney [conf]: "I lost it last night, and while I stand by everything I said to Gale, I know revealing our secret can hurt me just as much as it does her. I may be in a tough position, but I'm not gonna just lay down and die. If I'm going out, I'm going out with a fight. So, it's reassuring that even in all of this my allies still have my back. That reassures me that I made the right choice in sticking by them to."
Sidney: "Hey, where is Benny any way. I'm sure last night was much harder for him than me."
Charlie: "Oh…he's still in the shelter, I don't think he's moved since last night…he's not doing good."
(Both of them look towards the shelter and see Benny laying still, his eyes almost glazed over as they stare at nothing in particular. It's clear he had been crying.)
Charlie [conf]: "That last vote hit hard for a lot of us, but Benny is clearly taking it the worst. It sucks to see such a bright-eyed kid so drained of morale. Right now, this isn't just a game to him, this is like almost catatonic levels of grief here."
Sidney: "I'm gonna go talk to him."
Charlie: "Good luck. Maybe you can get through to him."
(Sidney walks over to the shelter and sat next Benny.)
Sidney: "Hey."
Benny: "…"
Sidney: "You wanna talk about it?"
(Benny silently shook his head no.)
Sidney: "Well, at least I know your conscious."
Benny: "…"
Sidney: "Listen, I just want you to know. If you need someone to vent to, my ears are open."
Benny: "…thanks."
Benny [conf]: "After last night…I don't know what to do. I didn't even want to play this stupid game in the first place, this was Ethan's dream. He should be here, not me." (Benny is audibly trying to hold back tears) "He told me to win but…how do I even do that!? I don't even know what I'm doing! Ethan was the smart one, not me!"
(Charlie was watching the scene from afar and seemed reassured to see Sidney at least get a reaction out of him. After taking a brief sigh of a relief, she turned her sights to a different area of camp where she saw Morrigan, and immediately her expression turned to a fearsome glare.)
Charlie [conf]: "I have a lot of questions over what happened at that vote. But my biggest one is how the hell did I not detect Morrigan was stabbing us in the back. My bullshit detector has been pinpoint accurate my entire life, not even the slyest lawyer or slimiest salesman has been able to get around it. I'm going after her not just because she messed with me, but to get to the bottom of this whole thing."
(Charlie stomps her way over to Morrigan, who was sitting and eating rice alongside Edward.)
Charlie: "What the fuck was that?"
Edward: "Uh…hello to you to?"
Charlie: "Stuff it meathead, I'm talking to her."
(Morrigan continues to eat her rice, hardly even acknowledging Charlie's presence.)
Charlie: "Oh trust me sister, now is not the time to give me the silent treatment."
Edward: "Um…I'm gonna…go somewhere that's not here."
(Ed quickly exits the scene, leaving the girls by themselves.)
Morrigan: "Well I suppose this was inevitable."
Charlie: "You're damn right it is."
Morrigan: "So what? Are you here to scream at me; call me a snake; say I'm a conniving she-devil. Go ahead, it's nothing I haven't heard before."
Charlie: "What I don't get is why?"
Morrigan: "Why what?"
Charlie: "Why sell our ship down the river when you were set to be golden in it?"
(Morrigan chortles to herself pompously.)
Morrigan: "Why my dear if you need to ask that question as simple as that, you truly have no idea how to win this game."
Morrigan [conf]: "Pulling the strings last night to get Ethan voted out has a multitude benefits to me. Not only was his little romance throwing a hitch into my own gameplans, but he was the clear glue holding his little alliance together. With him gone it's only a matter of time before they fracture."
Charlie: "What's that supposed to even mean?"
Morrigan: "Explaining it is pointless. You wouldn't understand."
(Morrigan begins to walk away.)
Charlie: "Geez, is this how you get your sick kicks or something? Sadistically toying with some kid's heart like you're some kind of, I don't know, deranged succubus or something?"
(This caused Morrigan to freeze.)
Morrigan: "Excuse me?"
Charlie: "You strung this poor kid along all season long, just to rip the rug out from underneath him."
Morrigan: "Ethan was a player like the rest of us, don't make him out to be some martyr. He knew it was a game move same as you and me."
Charlie: "I'm talking about Benny damn it!"
Morrigan: "Benny?"
Charlie: "Did you seriously not realize the kid's been in a depressive state ever since last night."
Morrigan: "Over his little boyfriend being voted out? Come now, you're acting like I committed a murder."
Charlie: "As far as Benny sees it you may as well have. Listen, I don't know how this shit works in your head. But most people have a little thing called empathy. I don't care how you view it, for him his entire world in this game just came crashing down. The least you could do is acknowledge how you are the cause of it."
(Charlie's protective instincts kicked in, and she was fiercely in Morrigan's face at this last comment. Morrigan seemed taken aback both at Charlie's aggressiveness but also what she was claiming.)
Charlie: "So, you still have nothing to say for yourself?"
Morrigan: "…"
Charlie: "Then I guess I'm done here."
(Charlie storms off. Once she is gone, Morrigan's instinctual reaction was to shrug her off.)
Morrigan: "Hm, someone sounds like a sore loser."
(However, before she leaves, Morrigan looks over to the shelter where Benny was still laying. For a brief moment, her face drops to a look of concern. This drops when she sees Edward walking over.)
Edward: "What was that about?"
Morrigan: "Hmm? Oh, just another grill session from our local interrogator."
Edward: "Damn, that girl seriously needs to stop getting in everybody's business."
Morrigan: "Yeah…wait, she's been pestering you to?"
Edward: "I think she's done that to everyone. Remember how she pushed against D. Va back on Bianco. Got her to spill she was pulling the wool over our eyes and everything."
Morrigan: "Yes…she was spot on with that, wasn't she."
Edward: "Yeah. It was almost like she was some human lie detector or something."
(Morrigan's eyes suddenly widen in realization.)
Morrigan: "Oh my god."
Edward: "What?'
Morrigan: "Ed you continue to surprise me. You're either a hidden genius or the luckiest idiot in the world."
Edward: "Thanks…I think?"
~Reward Challenge, Day 23~
(The nine remaining players exit the warp pipe arriving for their next challenge, once again taking place at Pianta Village.)
DAR: "Welcome everyone to your first individual reward challenge. Or I would say individual, but for this challenge you will actually be working in groups of three. Each group will have a chain chomplet, an animal native to Isle Delfino which are pets to many of the locals. To win this challenge you must take your groups chomplet from its enclosure to the hot springs on the other side of town. Chomplets are notoriously stubborn, so simply walking them down a straight line is going to be difficult. The first trio to direct their chomplet through the village streets and into their respective hot spring will win reward. The winners of this challenge will stay back after the challenge and enjoy the Fluff Festival, an annual celebration held in this village. They will have an afternoon of food and festivities before returning back to camp tonight. We will draw for teams, and I'll give you all a few minutes to strategize."
(The teams are divided as followed. The blue trio consists of Benny, Charlie, and London; the green trio is Edward, Gale, and Sidney; while the orange trio is Louie, Morrigan and Nick. Each team has a chomplet dyed the same as their trio's color.)
DAR: "Everyone is in place. Survivor's ready…go!"
(All three teams start attempting to lead their chomplets by the leashes attached to them. Though no one gets very far, and all this leads to is a cacophony of barking.)
Chomplet: "Bark, bark!"
London: "Come on you stupid mutt, let's get to that hot spring."
Chomplet: "Bark!"
Charlie: "Wow, I'm amazed insulting it did absolutely nothing…"
London: "I know right, that usually works at home."
(Charlie rolls her eyes.)
DAR: "And everyone is starting to learn how a seemingly simple task is going to be much more challenging than it first appeared."
Gale: "One, two, three, PULL!"
(Gale, Sidney, and Edward had a strategy in place of synchronizing their pulls tug-of-war style. While it wasn't making much progress, their chomplet at least started to move off the starting area.)
Edward: "It's working!"
Sidney: "Not by much."
Gale: "Something is better than nothing right now! Come on!"
DAR: "The green trio is starting to make some headway! It may be a small lead, but it's a lead none the less."
(The camera moves over to the orange group.)
Morrigan: "There's gotta be something we're missing here."
Nick: "Hey, make your best guess. Cuz I got nothing."
Morrigan: "Come on, you're like in the dog family aren't you? Can't you talk to it or something?"
Nick: "One, I'm a fox. At best me and dogs are like fifth cousins twice removed. Two, this thing is a giant hunk of metal. I don't even think it qualifies as an animal."
Chomplet: "Woof."
(During this interaction Louie was slowly walking up behind their chomplet. The sunlight glints off the chomplet's tail.)
Louie: "Ooo, shiny."
(Louie reaches for the tail and grabs it, then yanks it towards him.)
Chomplet: "YIPE!"
(This sudden noise startles Louie and he lets go. The ricochet of the spring-back slingshots the chomplet into the air.)
Nick: "What the hell!?"
Morrigan: "Louie, what did you do!?"
Louie: "…Idunno."
Nick: "Wait look."
(The camera pans and shows the chomplet landing several meters away in the middle of town.)
Morrigan: "Wait…THAT'S how you do it!?"
DAR: "It looks like orange team is making headway."
(The other two trios look over and piece together what Louie had done.)
Gale: "Change of plans, move!"
DAR: "Everyone is starting to realize what the dominant strategy of this challenge is."
(The camera pans to the blue group, where Charlie had been mid pulling on the leash trying to get the chomplet to move.)
Charlie: "They're getting ahead! London, yank it!"
London: "What!? Like, it's tail? But that's so cruel!"
Charlie: "What?
London: "I couldn't do that! I'm against animal cruelty!"
Charlie: "For the love of…Benny, pull it!"
(Benny hadn't moved since the challenge started. At Charlie's call he reaches for the tail, but he puts little effort into it so the chomplet hardly even recoils.)
Chomplet: "…woof?"
Charlie: "God damn it!"
(Charlie drops the leash and races to the back of their chomp to pull the tail herself.)
DAR: "Everyone is now in full gear, so the challenge is properly under way."
(All three teams are ricocheting their chomplets through the twisted streets of the village. Charlie is significantly behind the other two teams due to her basically competing the challenge solo. Benny had not moved from the starting line, and a concerned London stay back to watch him. The green group found a good rhythm. Rather than all slingshot the chomplet and chase after it, they routinely sent two of their members ahead to essentially catch the chomp where it landed so they could immediately fire it again. The landings aren't precise, but this strategy is proving effective.)
Nick: "Crap, they're getting ahead."
Morrigan: "We should've thought of that."
Nick: "Can't just copy them, we're already behind. Any ideas?"
(Morrigan looks at Louie, seemingly having an idea.)
Louie: "…What?"
(Morrigan picks Louie up and walks in front of their chomplet, waving Louie to get its attention.)
Morrigan: "Hey. Who's a good boy. Does the little chomplet want a toy?"
Chomplet: "Woof?"
Morrigan: "Well, go fetch!"
(Morrigan throws Louie in the direction they were heading. He didn't go very far, but the chomplet was clearly enticed by this game Morrigan presented.)
Chomplet: "Bark bark!"
(It hops up and down with excitement and then starts to chase Louie. Louie realizes this and immediately starts running for his life.)
Louie: "NOT AGAAAAAIN!"
Morrigan: "That should do it."
Nick: "Unorthodox…but effective."
DAR: "The orange trio has changed up their game plan, but is it too little too late?"
(Louie was running at a surprising speed, and eventually he races bast Gale who was preparing to launch her chomplet. Louie's chomplet crashes past them in tow, knock Gale onto the ground.)
Gale: "What the hell!"
Morrigan: "Yes, we're going to win!"
(Louie had the hot springs in his sight. He makes a beeline to them and decides to perform a dramatic leap in order to reach them…except he overshoots them entirely.)
Morrigan: "…what?"
(Louie had completely missed the springs and went flying off the edge of the village and into the pit below, a panicked lakitu giving chase after him to catch him.)
Louie: "WOAHAHAAHAHAAAAAAAAA!"
Morrigan: (Morrigan face palms.) "Oh my fucking god."
(With Louie out of sight, the orange chomplet looks around curiously before losing interest and starts moving away from the springs. After it does, a green chomplet comes flying into frame and splashes down in the spring the orange one was just next to.)
DAR: "And it's over, THE GREEN TRIO WINS REWARD!"
(The scene cuts to everyone back on the mat, including Louie who had been recovered from his fall.)
DAR: "It took some clever thinking and perseverance, but congratulations Gale, Edward, and Sidney. You three have won reward, you will be spending the afternoon here at Pianta Village. The rest of you, I've got nothing for you. You can all head back to camp, good night."
~Pianta Village, Day 23~
(The player who didn't win reward filter out of the village, leaving only Gale, Edward, and Sidney behind. They are greeted by a number of paints who begin the celebrations by dawning a lei on each of them. An older looking Pianta with glasses and a hat walks over to them.)
Mayor: "Hello and welcome to Pianta village. We hope you enjoy our annual fluff festival, where we celebrate the annual blooming of the Delfino Dandelions and watch their gorgeous seeds fill the sky."
Edward: "Oh, neat."
(The mayor lead the trio on a tour of the village, eventually stopping at a large tree in the center.)
Mayor: "And this is the tree the fluffs sprout from. Quite magnificent isn't it? Fun fact: You may think the more branches a fluff has the farther it will travel, but it is actually quite the opposite."
Edward: "Interesting."
(Edward was barely paying attention, mostly just giving answers and assorted comments to fill the clearly tense aura that is being left by Gale and Sidney.)
Edward [conf]: "After nearly going home last tribal, I've been trying to lay as low as possible. That vote has led to a lot of conflict, and its conflict that isn't involving me. So winning reward with Gale and Sid, the two in the center of this drama, wasn't my ideal situation to put it lightly. This natural history about some large seeds is boring the snot out of me…but it's better than getting stuck in the middle of World War 3000."
(As the mayor goes off on a long diatribe, Edward leans over to whisper to Gale.)
Edward: "Is it me or is this dude a bit too obsessed with plants."
Gale: "Huh? Oh yeah sure, very interesting."
Edward: "…you didn't even listen to me did you?"
Gale: "What? Did you say something?"
(Edward let out an annoyed sigh, causing their guide to pause.)
Edward: "Look, clearly you two wanna hash shit out. I'm gonna take the extended tour, least it'll get me out of this awkwardness. Let's go grandpa."
Mayor: "Oh, well if you're in for the extended tour. Allow me to show you our village's prized collection of dried leaves from around the world."
(Edward lets out an even louder groan as he walks away with the mayor.)
Gale: "…"
Sidney: "…"
Gale: "…Sid at least let me explain."
Gale [conf]: "The spotlight is on me, and while my plan with the Sirena's is falling out on me, I still have plenty of contingency plans in place. I've got an idol in my pocket, but that only gives me one round of safety. If I want to regain my position, I need to damage control. And that starts with Sidney."
Sidney: "Gale, I don't want to do this."
Gale: "Do what?"
Sidney: "This back and forth of you justifying and making excuses. I'm just tired of it. I'm tired of arguing Gale."
Gale: "I don't want to argue. I want to come to a compromise."
Sidney: "Compromise!? I tried to compromise with you Gale, look where that got me."
Gale: "I was saving you Sid. If I didn't switch it to Ethan you would've been the one going home."
Sidney: "If you stuck by your word neither one of us would've gone! Are you seriously not getting why I'm upset with you here!?"
(Gale didn't know what to say, so both girls stood in awkward silence.)
Gale: "…You know we're both in hot water because of this, right?"
Sidney: "If we are, we are. I'm not the one who threw the first stone."
(Sidney leaves, leaving Gale alone in silence.)
Gale [conf]: "…damn it."
~Sunshine Tribe, Day 23~
(The six players not attending the reward had returned to camp. Morrigan had been carrying Louie and she placed him down in the shelter. He was curled into a fetal position and shivering.)
Nick: "What's up with him?"
Morrigan: "Hell if I know. He's been like this since that lakitu thing fished him back up out of the ravine."
(Charlie took a closer look at Louie.)
Charlie: "Damn, I think you fully traumatized him."
London: "Holy cow."
(Everyone had eyes on Morrigan.)
Morrigan: "What? This is the same guy who got ingested by a giant eel and was regurgitated out just fine. How the hell was I supposed to know a little dog chase would scare him?"
Charlie [conf]: "This is exactly my problem with Morrigan. She's not just a manipulative type of player, she's just all out cruel. She has no empathy whatsoever, to the point where I'd be tempted to call her a sociopath if that wasn't so cringe nowadays. It's one thing to be an asshole, it's another to actively hurt someone and not even give a crap that you did."
(Eventually the excitement around Louie calmed down and everyone went about their business. Benny was seen poking the fire with a stick, clearly lost in his own head. Charlie and London were also nearby, and London took note of this.)
London: "You ok Benny?"
Benny: "Yeah…no…I don't know."
Charlie: "Penny for your thoughts?"
Benny: "Look, I'm sorry guys."
Charlie: "For what?"
Benny: "For holding you guys back today. I feel terrible."
Benny [conf]: "I've been a wreck since Ethan left, and I hate it. I hate being useless, but I've just gotten so in my head about everything. I don't even know what to think…so I think I've made up my mind…"
Benny: "Guys, I need to tell you something."
London: "What's up?"
Benny: "I…am considering quitting."
London: "WHAT!?"
(Charlie also seemed surprised by this but didn't vocalize it.)
Benny: "This game has been so hard to do by myself, and it's only been a day. I came out here for Ethan, I don't have the passion for this like he did. I'm just…I have so much going through my head. So much that I need to work out."
London: "Benny no, you can't!"
Benny: "I'm trying London. But this game just isn't for me."
London [conf]: "I know how Benny feels. I was ready to be done with this game at one point to. But then I actually started playing…and I didn't realize how fun it was. I'm tired, I'm filthy, and there are moments when I feel absolutely miserable. But then I realize 'oh my gosh, I've actually made it this far, yay me!' and it makes be feel…how did Mr. Moseby put it? Pah-rood? Yeah, I'm sure he'd be pah-rood of me. I know if I gave up back then I'd have regretted it, and I don't want Benny to do something he regrets either.
London: "Charlie, help me here! Talk him out of it!"
Charlie: "…"
London: "Charlie?"
Charlie: "I mean…if he's not up to it anyway."
Charlie [conf]: "Look, I get it. This game's tough as nails, and doubly so if you've just had as rough of a past 24 hours as Benny has. I'm not gonna sit here and say I ain't got sympathy for the kid, because I do. But on the other side of the coin, if he doesn't want to be here there are people that are present and wanting to play this game. Pardon my French but if he's so willing to just lay down and die the second something didn't go his way, then maybe this game isn't the right place for him."
London: "I…I can't believe it."
Benny: "London."
(Tears had started to well up in London's eyes.)
London: "So that's it? You're just going to up and ditch us like that?"
Benny: "…"
London: "Really, after EVERYTHING we've been through! So many long and grueling days!"
Charlie: "Uh, we've only been on a tribe with you for like a week."
London: "I thought you better than that Mr. Benjamin Whateveryourlastnameis! Humph!"
(London makes a melodramatic show of her exit. Benny was left with a solemn expression on his face as she marched off. Charlie noticed this and put a hand on his shoulder.)
Charlie: "Look, maybe give it a day or so to really think it over."
Benny: "…yeah."
(While this was happening, Morrigan and Nick were down by the beach. London's voice can be heard stirring commotion a distance away from them. Her shouts cause several animals to scatter out of the jungle, and bizarrely enough Louie is amongst them running on all fours in a quadrupedal stance. He runs in circles for a bit before racing off screen.)
Morrigan: "What was that?"
Nick: "London probably broke a nail or something. Nothing serious."
Morrigan [conf]: "The last vote has affected a lot of dynamics, and things aren't as simple as 'the majority from the last vote is just going to stick together'. I had to get my hands pretty dirty in that vote, and if I'm not proactive things can blow up in my face. So, I'm getting the lay of the land to make sure that doesn't happen, especially with others at the core of the drama gone for the day."
Morrigan: "So level with me, where do we stand now?"
Nick: "Depends, what's your offer?"
Morrigan: "You're a wise fox Mr. Wild. You know as well as I do that after that last vote this game is in a state of looming chaos. Now is not the time to be complacent."
Nick: "An appeal to my wits followed up with a backhand threat. You really do know how to make a pitch don't you?"
Morrigan: "Hey, I'm just calling it as I see it."
Nick [conf]: "The band-aid has been ripped off; it's not just everyone has shown their cards. It's more like everyone just threw their hand onto the table face up. I'm not surprised people like Gale and Morrigan are starting to scramble now that they've been exposed. The easy vote is to just throw them both under the bus, but the easiest vote may not always be the wisest."
Nick: "Ok I'll humor the idea. What did you have in mind?"
Morrigan: "You've got numbers you can pull, as do I. Why not form a majority, nice a simple."
Nick: "Ah, the vaguest of pitches. Really batting a mile here."
Morrigan: "Fine, you want specifics. I know you've got London in your pocket."
Nick: "And who do you bring?"
Morrigan: "I've got Louie wrapped around my fingers."
Nick: "Hmm…interesting."
Morrigan: "You don't believe me?"
Nick: "I didn't say that, but I'll put it this way. You're not the first person to claim to have Louie at their beckoned call."
Morrigan: "…really now?"
Morrigan [conf]: "This game is all about exchanging information. I'm willing to let others know I have Louie as a number to build trust, but it's also given me some insight. Apparently I wasn't the first to consider using the little space runt as my own tool. Honestly, I shouldn't be shocked. Manipulating someone as easy as him is like Survivor 101."
(Later in the day, Louie had recovered from his post-challenge state and was sitting on a rock in the woods. Morrigan walks onto the scene.)
Morrigan: "Oh good I found you. I thought I saw you run off in this direc-…what the hell?"
(The camera pans over following Morrigan's gaze, showing that Louie had set up some sort of shrine out of assorted materials from the woods and camp.)
Morrigan: "…is this what you've been doing all day?"
Louie: "…maybe."
Morrigan: "Why?"
(Louie pulls out the idol he had been in possession of and places it in the center of the shrine on top of a piece of fabric. A single tear streams from his eye.)
Louie: "It's beautiful."
Morrigan: "Right…is that my spare blazer?"
Louie: "Uh…no."
Louie [conf]: "At home, I feel powerless. No one takes me seriously; they just see me as lazy…at fat…and a slob…and an idiot…and lazy. But this idol gives me power…so much power!"
Morrigan: "Gonna ignore that for now…but I needed to talk to you."
Louie: "About what?"
Morrigan: "About your loyalty."
Louie: (Louie cartoonishly gulps in nervousness.) "Uh oh."
(Louie tries to run away, but Morrigan reacts quickly by grabbing the antenna on his helmet. She lifts him in the air, his feet still moving as if he were still running.)
Louie: "Did I make it far?"
Morrigan: "Not in the slightest."
Louie: "Dang."
(She plops Louie down on the stump he had been sitting on before.)
Morrigan: "So a little birdy told me you've been two timing me."
Louie: "I..I…I…"
Morrigan: "Cough it up!"
Louie: "ALL RIGHT I CONFESS! I HAVE A WIFE AT HOME BUT SHE MEANS NOTHING TO ME!"
Morrigan: "What?"
(Louie gets down on knees in a praying position.)
Louie: "PLEASE FORGIVE ME I DIDN'T MEAN FOR IT TO HAPPEN IT JUST DID!"
Morrigan: "Damn it Louie, get up. I don't care about your soap opera of a home life."
Louie: "…oh."
Morrigan: "I'm talking about the game. I hear I'm not the only one you've been swearing allegiance to."
Louie: "?"
Morrigan: "You are working with someone behind my back."
Louie: "Oh that's what you mean? Yeah, I did that."
Morrigan: "…"
Louie: "…what?"
Morrigan: "Louie. You do know you're playing Survivor right?"
Louie: "I am?"
(Morrigan looks ready to pop a blood vessel due to frustration. She takes a breath to calm herself.)
Morrigan [conf]: "Brainless men are the easiest to prey on, so someone like Louie should be my golden ticket. But he's also the most aggravating person to try and manage. At this point I am fighting to keep my patience with him, because as inept as he is, his vote could be important to hold onto in the future…unfortunately."
Morrigan: "Louie…darling, just. Promise me you'll be loyal to me before anyone else."
(Louie shoots up to a standing position and salutes like a soldier.)
Louie: "Sir yes sir."
Morrigan: "I'm a woman."
Louie: "Ma'am yes sir."
Morrigan: "…close enough."
Louie [conf]: "I like playing with Gale and Morrigan. They make me feel special. Morrigan is jealous of how close I am to Gale, but that just shows she cares. She just has her own way of showing she cares…like throwing me off a cliff…her and my wife have the same love language."
(The day rolls on and eventually the three on reward returned to camp.)
Edward: "Honey, we're home."
(The get little to no fanfare when they arrive. The only person who even noticed they came back was Louie, who was sitting by the firepit. The rest of the tribe was scattered amongst the camp.)
Louie: "Hello."
Edward: "Jeez, warm welcome."
Edward [conf]: "I'm not the guy who wants to spend the day hyper fixated on the game. So, I thought getting a little break from it would be great. But spending that reward with Gale and Sidney was brutal. So, if the choice is between sitting through hours of strategy talk or being a third wheel to Gale and Sid's drama, the choice is obvious. Hell, I'd even take being stuck with Louie over them…actually, even I'm not that desperate."
(Eventually Edward manages to find Morrigan.)
Morrigan: "Oh, you're back already?"
Edward: "Yeah, thanks for noticing."
Morrigan: "Well forgive me, I've been busy contemplating our little liar game problem."
(Edward looks over to see Morrigan had been glancing at Charlie.)
Morrigan [conf]: "Working out the extent of Charlie's abilities, it all makes sense. It lines up with how she's behaved all game. She's caught lies, or as she so eloquently puts it 'bullshit', almost every day. And being able to identify when people are lying is a dangerous power in this game. Survivor is a game all about deceit, but deceit only benefits if those you are deceiving are left unawares."
Morrigan: "So what happened with the other two?"
(Edward was about to respond but was interrupted by a shout from off screen.)
London: "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU!"
(Confused and concerned, the two follow the sound of the scream down to the beach. Everyone had gathered there to see the commotion, with London and Gale in the center of it.)
Gale: "What are you talking about?"
London: "HOW COULD YOU BE SO HEARTLESS!?"
Edward: "What the heck is going on here?'
Sidney: "We just got back, and London immediately blew up on Gale. Honestly her melodrama is kinda fun when it's not targeted at me."
London: "DO YOU NOT REALIZE THE DAMAGE YOU'VE DONE!?"
Gale: "YOU'RE NOT EVEN TELLING ME WHAT I DID!?"
London [conf]: "After our time on Sirena, I thought Gabe and I were tight. Like sisters…ok she's like a bajillion years older than me so more like a cool stepmom or something. But what she did to Benny. Leaving him so demoralized just for her own gain, and she doesn't even say sorry? I thought she was nice, but she's really just a cold-hearted snake."
(Benny is the last to arrive on the scene.)
Benny: "What's going on? I heard screaming."
London: "I thought you were cool Gale. It doesn't matter how old or rotted you were, I thought you were a good person! But that last vote showed who you really are."
Gale: "That happened two days ago, you're just NOW pissed about it!?"
London: "Yes I am! Because you've driven Benny into a downward spiral. And it's all your doing. Do you even feel the least bit sorry!?"
Gale: "Sorry for what? I was just playing the game!"
London: "Oh you played games all right. You played with his heart just like you played with all of ours. I could handle you hiding your identity or whatever it is you have with Sidney from us. But driving a sweet boy like Benny to wanting to quit just because you wanted to 'play the game'. That's just too cruel."
(This revelation about Benny caused all eyes to dart to him, making him blush in awkwardness.)
Sidney: "Wait Benny, you wanted to quit!?"
Benny: "Um…"
London: "Yup. He told me and Charlie this afternoon."
Gale: "Ok…well, so he doesn't want to be here anymore. Doesn't mean I drove him to it."
Charlie: "Well you may not have pulled the trigger, but you certainly handed him the gun."
Nick [conf]: "What I learned today is to never piss London off. I thought it would be near impossible to turn her on Gale considering how close they got. But apparently Gale did all the work for me. One thing I've learned out here is when you get on London's bad side, she's out for blood."
Gale [conf]: "At the started everyone thought London was just some entitled brat. I was one of the only people who even gave her a chance, so how does she thank me? By demonizing me simply for playing the game. I've lost most the respect I gained for her after today. She's still that spoiled little princess we saw on day 1 who throws a tantrum when she doesn't get her way."
(Seeing they were reaching a boiling point; Nick starts trying to separate London and Gale.)
Nick: "All right, all right, break it up. You don't want this to end in a double ejection do you?"
London: "Hmph, fine!"
(London pouts and walks off. Gale also reads the room and separates, leaving the others to disperse from the scene. During this, Morrigan walks up to Benny. However, Charlie notices and makes a move to get between them.)
Morrigan: "Hey, what the heck?"
Charlie: "I think you've done enough damage at this point."
Morrigan: "I just want to talk to him. Don't need to go all overprotective mom mode."
Benny: "It's fine Charlie."
Charlie: "…Fine. But don't try any funny business."
(Charlie reluctantly walks away, leaving Benny and Morrigan in the shelter by themselves.)
Benny: "What?"
(Morrigan was surprised by Benny's bluntness.)
Morrigan: "You…feeling ok?"
Benny: "…What do you think?"
Morrigan: "Ok look, I know you're pissed about the Ethan thing. Fine, I get it. But you weren't actually thinking of quitting were you?"
Benny: "…"
Morrigan: "Benny!"
Benny: "Fine! Yes, yes I was."
Morrigan: (In a very sarcastic tone.) "Wow"
Benny: "What?"
Morrigan: "Nothing. Just are you really going to let Ethan down like that?"
(This clearly got Benny's attention.)
Benny: "What are you talking about?'
Morrigan: "Remind me, what were Ethan's last words to you before he left."
Benny: "…To play for me."
Morrigan: "So what is he gonna say when you show up to Ponderosa and he finds out you just decided to lay down and die."
Benny: "…Why are you telling me this?"
(Morrigan smirked and turned to walk away.)
Morrigan: "Seemed like you needed a reality check."
(Morrigan leaves. Benny contemplates what she had said to him, then gives a small smile.)
~Sunshine Tribe, Day 24~
(It was early in the morning and Louie and Gale were seen down at the beach.)
Louie: "You wanted to see me?"
Gale: "Yes I need to talk with you! Jeez, what took you so long?"
Louie: "…food."
Gale: "Damn it Louie! Can you think about something other than food for 5 damn seconds!"
Louie: "…not really, no."
Gale [conf]: "Ok, so I'm a little on edge. Can you blame me? My entire game is falling out underneath me. My pre-game strategy, the alliance I worked hard to build, all that power down the drain. At the very least I have an idol, but even that is only a temporary solution. I need to make up ground fast. Louie may be a waste of space, but at least he's a waste of space I can use to my advantage. Plus, with my fake idol gambit, he should still feel indebted to me at the very least."
Gale: "Just assure me this, you're not gonna turn your back on me because of this stupid Ethan situation like everyone else is, are you?"
Louie: "Uh…I'm feeling like no is the right answer to say here, but I don't know."
(Gale was clearly not pleased with this answer and was growing more and more frustrated.)
Gale: "You can't be serious. After EVERYTHING I've done for you!"
Louie: "What are you…"
Gale: "I'm the only reason you're even here right now in the first place! I'M the one who saved you at our first vote! I'M THE ONE THAT GAVE YOU THAT DAMN IDOL! So are you really going to tell me right now that you're going to leave me in the dust!"
(Gale's face had contorted into an almost demonic form. Louie was visibly terrified.)
Louie: "N-n-n-no!"
Gale: "…Good."
Louie: "…"
Gale: "…What are you looking at?"
Louie: "…I require a new spacesuit."
Gale: "Ew, gross."
(Gale leaves and Louie eventually makes his way back to camp. He sees Edward sitting alone eating his race at the campfire and walks up to him.)
Louie: "Hello Ed."
Edward: "Go away."
Louie: "I was hoping, could I ask for some advice. Man to man."
Edward: "Louie, I don't know what about our interactions over the last month implied to you we were friends. But you should know, I don't like you."
Louie: "See I have this thing…"
(Ed drops his bowl onto the stump nearby and rolls his eyes.)
Edward: "And we're going anyway."
Louie [conf]: "I wanted to talk to Edward about my situation with the ladies. He's always kept it real with me…plus he's the only other adult human male left in the game. We have an unspoken bond on a spiritual level."
Louie: "Well see I'm in a bit of a problem. I had this thing going with Gale back at Ricco."
Edward: "Wait, I thought you were latched onto Morrigan?"
Louie: "That's the thing. I want both of their attentions, but they BOTH want me to only give attention to them. What do I do? How do I even choose?"
Edward: "I can't believe I'm humoring this…fine. Do you really want to chose one of those two anyways?
Louie: "What do you mean?"
Edward: "Louie, both of these girls have been nothing but manipulative, neglectful and borderline abusive to you both physically and mentally all season long. Why would you find any desire in either one of them?"
Louie: "…"
Edward: "…"
Louie: "I am a man of simple pleasures in this life. Do not judge me."
Edward: "…Why do I even try?"
(On the other side of camp, Benny is seen by the shore looking out to the sea. He is soon joined by Sidney.)
Sidney: "Oh there you are, we're almost ready to head to the immunity challenge."
Benny: "Yeah, I'll be up in a minute."
(Sidney sits down next to him.)
Sidney: "Hey, about last night. I'm sorry you got caught in all this drama to. But…are you actually going to quit."
Benny: "I…don't know yet."
Sidney: "Well, I respect your decision either way. But it's definitely gonna be hell out here without you."
(Sidney jokingly punched Benny's shoulder, which got a smile out of him in response.)
Benny [conf]: "I've had a lot to think about these last couple days. Last night I was fully ready to go. But with Morrigan ripping into me…it's put things into perspective. It's clear she's part of why Ethan went home, and…I don't know if I can forgive her for that. But in her own way, it seems like she's trying to help. I may have conflicting feelings about her right now, but what she said is sticking with me."
~Immunity Challenge, Day 24~
(The players arrive back at Pianta Village. They meet DAR at center of town, the village's giant fluff tree overlooking them.)
DAR: "Welcome everyone to your next immunity challenge. Before we start Benny, I need the immunity necklace back."
(Benny slowly walks over and hands DAR the necklace.)
DAR: "Everything ok Benny?"
Benny: "Yeah…just got a lot on my mind."
DAR: "All right, well immunity is back up for grabs. Today's challenge will happen in two parts. The first part is a race from the starting line here…all the way up there." (DAR gestures to the top of the tree.) "You will be harnessed in and must climb your way to the top of the Great Fluff Tree. Only the first three players who make it to the top will move onto part two. Once you get up there you must pick a fluff seed and float over the gorge and down to a marked spot in the sand. The player that flies the farthest on their fluff will win immunity and have a guaranteed one in eight shot at winning this game. I'll give you all a few moments to strategize."
(A time skip shows everyone harnessed at the bottom of the tree.)
DAR: "Everyone is in place. For immunity, Survivors ready…GO!"
(Everyone starts climbing the tree, though some are immediately making more ground quickly than others. Gale and Morrigan are taking a sharp lead, while London and Louie are falling behind.)
DAR: "Some players are already finding it difficult to work the harness system."
London: "What do I even do with this thing."
(London yanks on her rope causing it to get snagged on a branch, the force breaks the branch loose and it comes falling down to her.)
London: "AAAAH!"
(London instinctively ducks causing the branch to fly over her head. Instead, it ends up smacking directly into Louie who was right behind her.)
London: "Whoops, my bad."
(Louie continues to lay on the ground but holds a thumbs up to indicate he was ok.)
DAR: "Louie and London are down but not out!"
(Time elapses and everyone has made good progress on their climb. Gale and Morrigan are still in the clear lead.)
DAR: "It's a heated battle for first place. But remember, climbing the tree is only half the challenge."
Morrigan: "Precisely. So why are you putting up so much of a fight in the first place?"
Gale: "Because I know damn well I need this immunity."
(Further down the trunk Edward seems to be sitting in a comfortable third place. He was whispering to himself.)
Edward: "Slow and steady, don't overdue yourself Ed. Keep it calm."
(Soon Gale and Morrigan end their race by reaching the top of the tree. Gale getting a slight lead.)
Gale: "YES!"
DAR: "Gale and Morrigan have reached the top. They are the first two to make it to the top. But they're only halfway done."
Morrigan: "Yes, so if you'd excuse me."
(Morrigan pushes herself past Gale as she was celebrating and picks a fluff seed. She turns to the direction of the landing area and makes a run for it, letting the wind catch her seed as she slowly parachutes across the gorge.)
DAR: "And Morrigan has achieved lift off."
Gale: "Hey, wait for me!"
(Gale does the same, quickly grabbing a seed and following after Morrigan. Eventually Morrigan lands. A Pianta dressed as a referee comes running out and plants a flag down where she landed.)
Pianta Ref: "24 meters!"
Morrigan: "Not bad."
(A few seconds later Gale is seen flying overhead. She lands a bit ahead of Morrigan, and the Pianta races after her."
Pianta Ref: "28 meters, new record!"
Gale: "Woo, yes!"
DAR: "Morrigan gets a strong start, but it wasn't enough as Gale was able to overtake her."
Gale: "Boom, that's how you do it."
Morrigan: "Oh pish posh. It was pretty much luck once we got the seeds anyway."
Pianta Ref: "Luck? You guys didn't know?'
Gale: "Know what?"
(Before he answered the camera pans back to those still climbing the tree.)
DAR: "We are looking for one last player to fly their fluff seed. Gale's distance can still be beaten. Edward has a lead, but the others aren't far behind him."
(In the middle of the tree Benny, Charlie, Nick, and Sidney are seen bunched relatively close to each other. All seemingly out of breath from the climb.)
Charlie: "Yo Nick…I thought a fox…would be better…at this…"
Nick: "My climbing skills…are for stealth…not speed…"
(Sidney looked over and saw Benny was clearly deep in thought, but still making progress.)
Sidney: "Hey Benny…you ok…"
Benny: "…"
Sidney: "…Benny?..."
Benny: "…I'm doing this!"
(Suddenly Benny got a burst of energy and started pulling ahead of the rest of the pack, making good time catching up to Edward.)
Edward: "Yo what the heck?"
DAR: "And Benny is making up ground. This could be a come from behind victory."
Edward: "Oh no it's not!"
(Edward picks up his pace as well and it's a head-to-head race. The battle between them is fierce, but in the end Edward manages to inch ahead enough to make it to the top first.)
DAR: "In a close race, Edward takes the last spot in part two."
Benny: "Dang."
Edward: "Hey, good game. Now, what did that old Pianta dude say?"
(Back at the landing area, Gale and Morrigan are waiting.)
Gale: "What the heck is he doing?"
Morrigan: "It seems like he's picking his fluff carefully."
Gale: "Since when was Ed the type to do anything carefully?"
(After a few seconds Edward finally picks up a fluff that appears to have significantly less bristles than the ones Gale and Morrigan had flown on.)
Gale: "What the, he can't think he's even clearing the gap with that one, can he?"
(Edward gets a running start, and to the girls' surprise he goes soaring over their heads. The Pianta ref sighs in annoyance before giving chase after him.)
Gale: "What the hell?"
(Ed eventually lands, and the ref soon arrives to him completely out of breath. He limply places the flag in the ground.)
Pianta Ref: "One hundred…and fif…teen…meters…"
(The ref passes out from exhaustion.)
DAR: "And it's over! EDWARD WINS IMMUNITY!"
(The scene cuts to everyone back at the start.)
DAR: "After a hard-fought battle, Edward has emerged victorious" (DAR places the immunity necklace around Edward's neck.) "Congratulations Ed, you will not be going home tonight. I can't say the same for the rest of you. Because tonight one of you will be voted out and become the second member of our jury. I'll see you all tonight."
~Sunshine Tribe, Day 24~
(The tribe returns to camp after the immunity challenge. Edward makes it a point to walk over and pat Benny on the back.)
Edward: "Hey dude, good effort out there. You may not have won, but you really gave a good challenge."
Benny: "Thanks, congrats to you to. You earned it."
Sidney: "So does that mean you're not giving up."
Benny: "Yeah, I'm not out yet."
Benny [conf]: "I was in a rut after Ethan left. But I can just hear his final words to me kicking in the back of my head. He was right, I may not have come her to play for myself, but I've had an amazing time playing. I don't want it to end here. So, I'm playing to win, and that means keeping my head in the game."
Gale: "How did you even win that? Your seed was like half the size of ours."
Edward: "Did you even listen to that guy on the reward or were you and Sid too busy bickering the whole time."
Gale: "…"
Gale [conf]: "…I lost that challenge because I didn't pay attention to some boring lecture about dandelions…f**k!"
(The group eventually disperses to discuss the impending vote. As they begin to though, Benny is seen whispering something into London's ear. London nods and the two silently break into different directions. Meanwhile, Gale manages to pull Morrigan aside to talk to her.)
Gale: "Ok, so what's the plan?"
Morrigan: "I wasn't aware we were planning something to begin with."
Gale: "Come on, we're the ones who pulled the blindside off last time. It only makes sense to work together. Think about it, two fierce women dominating the game. Isn't that an incredible ending?"
Morrigan: "I suppose it does have it's perks."
Morrigan [conf]: "My working relationship with Gale was purely conditional. She aided in my making an optimal move in voting out Ethan, and while I do respect her. She is far too messy of a player for me to feel comfortable working with long term. It took her nearly 48 hours to even check base with me after the last vote. She's been too busy trying to fix her damaged self image…which she hasn't been too successful at to begin with."
Morrigan: "What was your idea for the vote any ways?"
Gale: "Well, I figured we had an easy vote in Benny."
(Morrigan froze at this.)
Morrigan: "…Explain."
Gale: "I mean, he was Ethan's number one. It only makes sense to go for him next. Besides, he's basically been threatening to quit since the last vote any way. It's harsh to say, but the kid doesn't have the guts for this game to begin with."
Morrigan: "I'm not sure someone with 'no guts' as you put it would've performed as hard as Benny did in the challenge today."
Gale: "Fine, it doesn't have to be Benny. It can be anyone. We just need to get the numbers. I've got Louie under my thumb, so if we just…"
Morrigan: "Wait. YOU'VE got Louie?"
Gale: "Yeah. He's been my pawn ever since back at Ricco."
Morrigan: "Huh, interesting."
Gale: "What?"
Morrigan: "Nothing. That just put some things into perspective."
(Elsewhere Edward is seen sitting alone. He was fiddling with some branches, using his alchemy powers to transform them, cycling through various materials. To his surprise Benny, Charlie and Sidney soon appeared in the clearing.)
Edward: "Oh, hey guys."
Sidney: "Ed, what are you doing here?"
Edward: "I dunno, just chilling."
Sidney: "…You do know the vote is coming up, right?"
Edward: "Yeah, but everyone grouped up and I get left with no one. So, I'm just waiting for someone to actually compare scripts with."
Charlie: "He wasn't who you wanted us to meet up with, was it Benny?"
Benny: "No, this clearing is usually empty."
(After saying that, London and Nick emerge out of an opposite set of trees.)
Benny: "There's who I was wanting us to meet."
London: "Hi, hi."
Edward: "Am I interrupting something? Should I leave?"
Benny: "No actually, it's perfect you're here. I wanted to include you to."
Nick: "Include us in what?"
Benny: "Look, I know I've been a wreck the last couple of days. And I understand if that's turned some of you off of working with me. But I'm back in it and I'm here to play now, and I think it's smart of us to all work together."
Benny [conf]: "I learned about this game from Ethan, and he was always talking about who the most threatening people in the game were. After the last vote, the ones most threatening in my eyes are the ones who went rogue. Gale and Morrigan showed that they are out for themselves."
Benny: "So…what do you think?"
Nick: "So you're saying we just completely isolate Gale and Morrigan? All of us lock them in as the next two boots."
Benny: "Them and Louie. Since like…he's Louie."
Edward: "Amen to that."
Charlie: "They both did show their hands pretty clearly in the last vote. And both have had pretty strong influence throughout the game, so it'd be dangerous to let them just pass by unchallenged."
London: "So it's official, we're working together?"
Nick: "Sounds like it."
London: "Yay us!"
Sidney: "…"
Benny: "Sid I know you have a history with Gale. So, if you have an issue, please tell me."
Sidney: "…No. I may know her personally, but as far as the game goes she drew the line in the sand."
London: "So which one do we vote?"
Benny: "That…I'm actually not sure yet. And I know this is a big ask, but could you give me some time to think it over. I don't wanna be the only one calling the shots this entire time, but this is personal to me."
London: "Hey, makes sense to me. Right Nicky?"
Nick: "…Hey if the kid wants to pull the trigger. That's fine with me."
Edward [conf]: "I didn't expect to be included in a big plan like this, especially one lead by Benny considering I was also part of the group that took Ethan out. But hey, I guess that means laying low is working. I've not been married to the idea of working with Morrigan long term, so if they want to include me in the plans then that's all fine by me."
(After the group broke, Edward emerges from the jungle and finds Morrigan by the shelter.)
Morrigan: "Out for an afternoon walk?"
Edward: "I was actually out looking for you."
Morrigan: "May I ask for what?"
Edward: "Look, I'm only doing you this solid because you did me one last time. But your name is being thrown out there."
Morrigan: "Oh really?"
Edward: "Benny's gotten everyone together and turned them on you and Gale."
Morrigan: "Intriguing…and I take by you telling me this you are involved in this plan as well?"
Edward: "I'll be transparent. They're not set on a target between you two yet, but as much as I appreciate you helping me out, and I do owe you one, if they land on you…I'm gonna go with the majority."
Morrigan: "Well…I suppose I appreciate the bluntness at least."
Morrigan [conf]: "A target being on me is concerning but was surprised me was that Benny was the one spearheading this plan. When I spoke with him, I wanted to give him a wake-up call because…well…that doesn't matter. What matters is, my 'pep talk' may have worked a little too well."
(Elsewhere Nick and London are walking off in a separate direction. Once he realizes they are out of earshot, Nick grabs onto London's arm to keep her from walking further.)
London: "What's going on Nicky?"
Nick: "We need to talk about the vote."
London: "What!? But we're voting with Benny, right?"
Nick: "Well…yes and no."
London: "Nicky, you're scaring me."
Nick: "Just listen, I'm not saying turn on Benny. But think about it…what if he wants to go for Gale?"
London: "…"
Nick: "What do we know about Gale that would stop her from being voted out?"
London: "…"
Nick: "The idol London. Gale has the idol."
London: "Ooooh…remind me what that does again?"
(Nick face palms.)
Nick [conf]: "Normally I wouldn't want to give someone all of this power, especially someone as impulsive as Benny. But I agree Gale and Morrigan need to be taken care of, and we can only take a shot at one of them. If it misfires, I'm fine with all the blood going on Benny's hands."
Nick: "Listen London. If we all vote for Gale, and Gale plays her idol, her vote is the only one that counts. Do you really want her to have all that power?'
London: "I…guess not?"
Nick: "Then we should split our vote."
London [conf]: "Nicky is always overthinking things. I know he probably has a point, but I'm going to have a difficult time not voting with Benny tonight. I was heartbroken for him when he was ready to quit, so if he wants to get some revenge I want to help him."
(As the time for tribal council draws closer, Benny is sitting with Charlie by the fire pit.)
Charlie [conf]: "I'm on board for Benny's plan to go after Gale and Morrigan, but I'm hoping I can convince him to home in on Morrigan. Gale is a wild card, but Morrigan's been deceptive from the get-go. I thought I could keep her in check with my bullshit radar, but if she's found a way around that she needs to go ASAP."
Charlie: "So, there's no way I can convince you to lock onto Morrigan is there?"
Benny: "I'm still considering things."
Charlie: "Look, I know this is a personal move for you and I get that. But Morrigan is the much smarter vote between the two."
Benny [conf]: "Charlie's had it out for Morrigan since the start, so I get why she wants her gone. But I'm still conflicted on everything. Yes, Morrigan was clearly lying to us and is why Ethan went home in the first place. But I don't know, I still can't shake the feeling that to some degree us working together all this time was genuine."
(Soon Morrigan arrives on the scene as well.)
Charlie: "Speak of the devil."
Morrigan: "Ya know with the number of times you compare me to a hell demon, I'm gonna start taking it as a compliment."
Charlie: "What do you want?"
Morrigan: "No need to go on the attack. I've heard through the grape vine my head is on the chopping block. I'm simply here to pitch my case."
Benny: "…Well, go ahead."
Morrigan: "Actually, I was hoping to speak to you one on one Benny."
Charlie: "Pfft, you really are hopeless you know."
Benny: "That's enough Charlie!"
(Charlie was surprised into silence by Benny's forcefulness.)
Benny: "Sure Morrigan."
(Charlie rolls her eyes as Benny gets up to walk with Morrigan.)
Charlie: "Don't let her get in your head."
(The pair walk down to the beach to ensure no one was overhearing them.)
Benny: "So you wanted to talk?"
Morrigan: "I'll play it straight; I know you're between me or Gale tonight. Any way I can convince you to keep me safe."
Benny: "I don't know Morrigan. I just…why did you do it?"
Morrigan: "…do what?"
Benny: "We've been working together since the start of the game. I know you had your issues with Charlie and Ethan, but I always thought we were cool."
Morrigan: "I…was just playing the game."
Benny: "Is that your only answer?"
Morrigan: "It's not like I'm the only one who's here to play Benny."
Benny: "What do you mean?"
Morrigan: "Ok I know you and Ethan had a thing from back home, but do you really think someone like Charlie wouldn't do the same as me if it helped them win."
Benny: "At least Charlie has never lied to my face."
Morrigan: "Are you sure about that?"
Benny: "More sure then I can be sure about you right now."
Morrigan: "…I see."
(Feeling the conversation has reached its end, Benny began to walk away. Leaving Morrigan alone to contemplate things. She tried to keep a stone face, but her expression clearly showed Benny's words got to her.)
Morrigan [conf]: "I didn't come here to play with my emotions, I came to play the game and be as cutthroat as I needed to be to win. But…with Benny…ok fine, I admit it. I feel terrible for what I did to him. He's the one person who went out of his way to include me back on Bianco, game related or otherwise. And…I guess I'm not used to that where I'm from. Being a demonic succubus doesn't exactly equate to having a lot of friends in my inner circle. I need to find a way to make it up to him…and that's gonna be tough. But I may know where to start."
(Morrigan walks up to Edward who was packing up his things.)
Morrigan: "Hey, you can do that alchemy thing right?"
Edward: "Yeah, why?"
Morrigan: "I think I'm gonna cash in on that favor you owe me."
~Tribal Council, Day 24~
(The players file into the Tribal Council area.)
DAR: "Now bringing out our jury…Ethan, voted out at the last tribal council."
(Ethan walks out and sits in the jury bench. He has changed out of his typical outfit and into a new, cleaner look. He is wearing a teal and white striped jacket over a white shirt and denim jeans. His hair was cleaner cut after it grew out during the season. He and Benny share a smile as he sits down.)
DAR: "As part of the jury, Ethan is only here to observe. You are not to address him, and he will not address you. Benny, I'll start with you. Because you had a very clear reaction to the last vote. How did Ethan's departure effect you?"
Benny: "I was devastated. It's no secret that Ethan was the closest person to me here, and maybe one of the people I'm closest to in my whole life. So, when he went home…yeah I broke down."
DAR: "Not to harp on it, but you seemed to get more than just emotional. You came close to trying to give your life in this game for his. Take us back to that moment."
Benny: "I think it's no surprise I'm an emotional person. In the moment I felt wrong letting E go, since playing this game was a dream of his."
DAR: "Sidney, you also had a pretty big reaction to the vote. Can you elaborate why?"
Sidney: "Well just like Benny lost his number one, I was blindsided by someone I thought was my ride or die. And not just in the game either."
Gale: "Hey, if you can't handle the heat stay out of the kitchen."
DAR: "Gale, was she referring to you?"
Gale: "Well it's no secret thanks to her, so yes. Me and Sidney know each other outside of this game, and she's taking me not voting with her last vote as a personal spite against her."
Sidney: "It's much more than just that, but you don't seem to understand that."
DAR: "It seems there's more between you two than just voting Ethan out."
Sidney: "It's not just she voted out my ally, or that she blatantly lied to me that she wasn't going to. But all season long she's been trying to control me, treating me like I'm just some tool to do her bidding so she can win. Heck, it's not even just in this game. Ever since I've known her it's been 'Gale's way or the highway'."
Gale: "We've had this argument for the last three days. All I'm doing is trying to do what's best for our games."
Sidney: "No, you're doing what's best for your game."
DAR: "Nick, how has the revelation that some players came in with pre-existing relationships affected the game?"
Nick: "With the boys, not too much. Since they came clean about it the second we merged. I mean it's probably what put a target on their backs, but it didn't change how I viewed them as players."
DAR: "What about Gale and Sidney?"
Nick: "Oh Gale it definitely affected my views of her. At one point we were supposed to be close allies, but the fact that she was hiding something like that proves she had her own agenda. So, I could no longer trust her, since like Sid it felt like I was just a steppingstone to her and not an actual ally."
(Gale rolled her eyes at Nick's response.)
DAR: "London, did you share this sentiment?"
London: "I mean, at first I wasn't sure. I was hurt Gale lied to us because I really thought we had a close bond. But then I saw how much Ethan going hurt Benny, and she didn't even feel sorry for it."
Gale: "Because we're all here playing Survivor. People are going to be voted out, sometimes it's going to be your friends. That's just something you have to deal with. If you're going to be ready to quit the second a vote doesn't go your way, then you're not cut out to play this game. I'm sorry that that's the truth."
DAR: "Wait Benny, you were prepared to quit even after tribal council?"
(Ethan gave a concerned look at this, which Benny caught. Benny let out a sigh before answering.)
Benny: "Yes…and I know how that sounds. I was in a bad head space, and I didn't know if I could last another three days out here, let alone make it all the way to day 39. But I also got a wake-up call that quitting would just let everybody who's rooting for me down. I came in playing for Ethan, but now that he's gone it's time to play for me."
DAR: "Well I'll turn coat to get some other insight. Edward, you came pretty close to going home in that last vote. So having that immunity must feel good right now."
Edward: "It certainly does, but I'd like to hope I didn't need it tonight. That vote was a wake-up call that I needed to tone it down with my cockiness and competitive nature, and I'd like to think I have."
DAR: "Charlie, where is your head at? Since it seems a lot has occurred in the last three days."
Charlie: "The mood around camp has been tense, and Gale's definitely been a focal point. To an extent I can understand what she's saying."
Gale: "Thank you."
Charlie: "But she's not this master gameplayer she thinks she is. She made a strategic move, but her damage control has been abysmal."
Gale: "I've not even been given a chance to damage control anything!"
DAR: "So would you say all eyes are on Gale tonight?"
Charlie: "Not just her. Since she's not the only one responsible for said blindside."
DAR: "Who else is?"
(Morrigan let out a sigh and raised her hand. Ethan's face visibly changed to a sterner expression noting this.)
Morrigan: "I own up to that DAR. Gale and I were the ones who orchestrated the vote onto Ethan."
DAR: "Do you have any regrets on that move?"
Morrigan: "On a game level, no; as I do believe I made the best move I could've at the time." (As she was talking Morrigan caught sight of Benny, who seemed to be carefully paying attention to her answer.) "But on a personal note…yes, I do regret the method on which I did so. As I hurt someone on a deep level that I did not intend to."
(Charlie let out an instinctual chuckle at this.)
Morrigan: "Something funny?"
Charlie: "Sorry, find it hard to believe you'd care about anyone."
DAR: "So Louie, from what I'm hearing it seems everyone has eyes on Gale and Morrigan for this vote. Do you have an opinion on this?"
Louie: "Uh…" (Louie frantically looks between Gale and Morrigan, sweating bullets as he does so.) "I plead the eighth!"
Nick: "…You plead the right to not having excessive bail?"
Louie: "Uh…yes?"
DAR: "Right, don't where I thought I'd get with that one. Benny, can you answer the same question?"
(Benny took a moment to collect his thoughts before giving an answer.)
Benny: "Yes. The majority of us have come together, and we agreed to vote out either Gale or Morrigan. The last vote showed they're both dangerous and untrustworthy."
DAR: "Does everyone else agree?"
(Charlie, Edward, London, Nick, and Sidney all nod their heads in agreement. Louie seems confused as ever, Gale continues to roll her eyes while Morrigan is sitting with her eyes closed, deep in thought.)
DAR: "Well then why don't we give both you ladies the floor to pitch your cases. Gale, hearing it's you or Morrigan, what do you say to try and keep yourself safe?"
Gale: "Well first I'd like to point out voting out Ethan was Morrigan's idea to begin with. But I made the move as well and I stand by it. If that makes me a social pariah, then so be it. But shouldn't that make me someone you want in the game? I currently have no power, no allies, and at this point I'm running low on jury support in the end and we're only two votes into the merge. I'm the exact player you want in the game right now."
DAR: "Morrigan, your turn."
(Morrigan let out a deep breath and opened her eyes.)
Morrigan: "Right, I have two things I'd like to say while I have the floor. The first is the most important."
(Morrigan stands up and turns to face Benny.)
Morrigan: "Benny, I'm sorry."
(This seemed to catch everyone off guard. Benny looked intently into Morrigan's eyes as she spoke.)
Morrigan: "I'm not asking for your forgiveness, and I'm not saying this to try and garner your support. I'm giving you an apology that you deserve. My actions drove you to a dark place, a place that no one should be. And for that I am truly sorry."
(The camera focuses on Benny, who had a visual tear coming to his eye. But he silently nodded.)
Benny: "Thank you."
(Morrigan sat back down. The camera shows Charlie looking bewildered at this, she mouths "no bullshit" to herself.)
DAR: "Wow. That seemed like a moment that's been building for a while."
Morrigan: "I'm owning my mistakes DAR. I was taking this as a game first, and ignored how I was affecting Benny as a person."
DAR: "And you mentioned you had a second point."
Morrigan: "Yes I did…because I have something to show everyone."
(Morrigan reaches into her bag…and pulls out a necklace with a sunshine charm on it.)
Nick: "No way, that's not…"
London: "Omg!"
Louie: "What is it?"
Morrigan: "This is a hidden immunity idol. I found it, and I'm playing it for myself tonight."
(Everyone was completely flabbergasted at this revelation. But before they could contemplate it, Charlie rose to her feet.)
Charlie: "Oh no, absolutely not! Bullshit! Absolute fucking bullshit!"
DAR: "Charlie, what are you saying?"
Charlie: "There is not a chance in hell that is a real idol."
Morrigan: "And how can you be so sure?"
Charlie: "Because I know Benny had the idol from Bianco, and he played it back in our tribal council with Ricco."
Morrigan: "Who ever said this was the Bianco idol? I found this when we merged."
Charlie: "Oh that's bullshit, and you know it!"
Morrigan: "How can you be so sure?"
Charlie: "Because…I…I just can be ok."
London: "Wait, that is a good question. How are you so certain of these things?"
DAR: "What do you mean London?"
London: "Well ever since I met her Charlie always seems to know the truth. Like, she clocked my extensions the second she saw them, and I spent a fortune on the good stuff. It's almost like she can tell when someone's lying."
(Charlie's eyes bug out when London says this. Nick was quick to notice this.)
Nick: "Hold on…CAN you tell when someone is lying?"
Charlie: "I…ugh, fine! Yes, I have the ability to call bullshit whenever I sense someone is lying."
(Those who were unaware of this start murmuring in surprise. Ethan cringes from his seat at this being forced out of his former ally. But all was silenced when Morrigan chuckled to herself.)
DAR: "Something to add Morrigan?"
Morrigan: "Yes actually. While I do appreciate Charlie finally coming clean about her abilities…so what?"
Charlie: "What do you mean?"
Morrigan: "You're claiming you have the ability to detect a lie, I'm claiming I have an idol. Technically this is a 'he said, she said' scenario. However, I have actual physical proof of my claim. Whereas all you have is your word. Are people really going to stake their life in this game because you claim to have this outlandish ability?"
Charlie: "I don't need my ability to tell you're lying. I know better than anyone there's not even a normal idol hidden at the merge!"
(Charlie immediately realized what she said and covered her mouth.)
Morrigan: "And there we go."
Benny: "Charlie, what do you mean?"
Charlie: "I…I meant what I said. There's no merged hidden immunity idol…because I found this."
(Charlie reaches into her bag and pulls out the personal idol.)
Charlie: "This is a personal idol. I'll go into the minutiae of it another time, but all you need to know is it takes the place of the idol hidden for the merge camp. I don't know what Morrigan is holding, but whatever it is has no power.
(Everyone looks at what Charlie was holding, then turns their eyes back to Morrigan.)
Morrigan: "Ah, it seems my little toy has done the job."
(Morrigan stands up and walks over to the fire. She then tosses her 'idol' into the flames.)
Morrigan: "Congrats Charlie, you were correct. My idol was a fake, but it accomplished what I needed it to."
Charlie: "Which was?"
Morrigan: "To prove to some people that not everyone has been as honest as they claimed to be."
(Morrigan walks back to her seat, and the camera focuses on Benny. He nods to himself, then leans over and whispers into Sidney's ear. She in turn whispers to Edward who was sitting next to her. This leads to a whispering chain where everyone but Gale, Louie and Morrigan have conferred with each other. Charlie looked defeated and angered, but reluctantly nodded her head along with the others. Eventually everyone settles back into their seats.)
DAR: "Well, this has certainly been a lively tribal. If there's nothing else to say, it's time to vote. Gale, you're up first."
(As Gale gets up to vote, Nick looks to London and mouths 'Remember our plan'. London gave an unsure look in response.)
(One by one the tribe gets up and casts their votes.)
Gale (Votes for Morrigan): "I wanted to work with you, but it's do or die tonight."
Morrigan (Votes for Gale): "Hopefully my plan worked. It's all in the cards now."
London: "I'm supposed to split my vote, but I just can't not vote for you. Sorry."
Benny: "This may be for Ethan. But it's also for me."
DAR: "All right, I'll get the votes."
(DAR retrieves the voting urn and returns to his seat.)
DAR: "Once the votes are read, the decision is final. The person with the most eligible votes will be asked to leave the Tribal Council area immediately. If anyone has an idol and wants to play it, now is the time to do so."
(The camera focuses in on both Gale and Morrigan. And eventually, Gale stands up.)
Gale: "Yeah, I'm not going out that easy."
Sidney: "Oh you have got to be kidding me."
(Everyone shared concerned looks as Gale walked over and handed her idol to DAR.)
Gale: "I'm playing this idol for myself. I didn't want to burn it so quickly, but I'm left with no choice. Call me a cockroach, cuz y'all can't kill me."
(Gale confidently walks back to her seat and sits down.)
DAR: "The rules of Survivor state when a hidden immunity idol is played, all votes cast for that player will not count. So, Gale has saved herself."
Gale: "Thank you."
DAR: "Or she would've…if this was a real hidden immunity idol."
Gale: "WHAT!?"
(DAR tosses the trinket handed to him in the fire.)
DAR: "Gale, unless you have a real idol all votes for you will still count."
Gale: "But, that's impossible. How could I…wait…"
(A flash back scene cuts back to episode 6, when the Siren tribe was walking to the immunity challenge.)
Gale: "Remember the plan? You were making a fake idol."
London: "Oh yeah. They're in my pockets. Yours is on my left, the fake is on my right."
Gale: "Thanks."
(The scene cuts back to Tribal Council.)
Gale: "London…which hand is your right hand?"
London: "Oh that's easy, this one."
(London raises her left hand.)
Gale: "LONDON!"
London: "What!?"
Gale: "YOU GAVE ME THE WRONG IDOL!"
(Nick realizes what happened and immediately bursts into laughter.)
Nick: "Oh my god, you're kidding me. So, you just played your own fake idol? That's amazing."
Gale: "Wait, but if I had the fake idol then that means…Louie quick, give me the idol!"
(Gale stands up and turns to Louie, holding her hand out expectingly. Louie stares at it blankly, seemingly thinking.)
Gale: "Well, what are you waiting for?"
Louie: "…No."
Gale: "What?"
Louie: "No…I'm keeping it."
Gale: "But.."
DAR: "Gale, please take a seat."
Gale: "But no, that's my idol!"
Louie: "You gave it to me. I'm keeping it. It's mine."
Gale: "I didn't mean to give you that one!"
DAR: "Gale, the rules are if you willingly pass an idol to someone else it becomes their possession. Whether you meant to or not, you willingly gave Louie that idol. So it is legally his, please take a seat."
(Gale was at a loss for words. After a few moments, she reluctantly sat down with her arms crossed. Most people were both shocked and amused by this turn of events. Nick and Sidney in particular were trying to hold in laughter.)
DAR: "All right, if no one else has an idol, I will read the votes."
…
…
…
DAR: "The first vote…is for Gale."
…
…
…
DAR: "Morrigan. That's 1 vote Gale, 1 vote Morrigan."
…
…
…
DAR: "Sidney. 1 vote Gale, 1 vote Morrigan, 1 vote Sidney."
(A lot of players seemed confused by this vote. But Sidney was still amused to herself about what had just happened prior to the vote reading.)
…
…
…
DAR: "Gale…Gale…Gale. That's 4 votes Gale, 1 vote Morrigan, 1 vote Sid."
Gale: "Let's just get this over with."
DAR: "Next vote…and the eighth player voted out and second member of our jury. Gale, that's 5 which is enough. You need to bring me your torch."
(Gale stands and grabs her torch then brings it to DAR, completely ignoring anyone in her way.)
Gale: "No goodbyes, no apologies. Just snuff it."
DAR: "Gale, the tribe has spoken." (He snuffs her torch.) "It's time for you to go."
(Gale walks out without a word.)
DAR: "Tonight was a wild ride, and I think you all have a lot to unpack when you get back to camp. I'll leave you all to it, good night."
(The remaining players collect their things and head back to camp.)
Gale [final words]: "I don't have anything to say except no one here knows how to play Survivor. This is a social strategy game, STRATEGY being a key part to that. Call me Julius Ceasar cuz I've got about a million knives in my back to count after tonight. Sid, Nick, London, Morrigan…even Louie. LOUIE! God…maybe I should reflect on some things if Louie of all people did me in. I suppose I could've been a bit more…tactful in my approach. But I still think they all blew things out of proportion. I'll be laughing if any of them think they can make it to day 39 without breaking a few eggs."
The Votes
Gale (7): Benny, Charlie, Edward, London, Louie, Morrigan, Sidney
Morrigan (1): Gale
Sidney (1): Nick
