"Have you seen any other promising auditions?" Chef sat by the couch by Hector's office. The palette is mostly green and earthy, with a touch of oranges. While there are loads of paper sheets on the tables, it's mostly ordinate.
"There is promise… but honestly. Tons of these are taking advantage of the fact Chris is not the main host. There are a lot of questions among the critics on whether I really, really have those 'hosting' skills to handle this."
"Uh, you seem tough enough for the job. You need the nerves to have a good face all the time." Mr. Hatchet reads the information regarding some of the auditioners.
"Look, is it big of a deal? I know Chris always complained he didn't look right in any shot." Hector sighs, as the clip he's watching… is way below average.
"We're kind of on a stall here. It feels like the usual kind of people want to join in. Let's set it for today and see what's for the runway. Hold on… Where is Chris anyway?"
"Failing to get his show back over and over." Chef shrugged.
"That's so comical, lord. What? Is he trying to plan to kidnap me ala Mutant Ezekiel? His problem." Hector stood up and shut the computer down.
"You picked, the Island of the Colossus for a reason, right?" Chef walks together with Hector.
"I could use a better location since we don't have to cover 75% of the expenses on "Chris: Beauty and Care" anymore. Preparations on the island are underway… And we had to fence part of it, for now." Hector picks up his coat and a hat as they leave the building.
"Something off with the island? Again?" Chef frowns hearing the last drib of information.
"Nope, it's just that one part of the island is geologically dangerous. Who knows what has been there? I already lost two interns trying to explore that part. And while production puts an extremely low pay and puts such a high job acceptance… I feel I don't want to lose any other intern." Hector brushes some dust out of his coat.
"Two interns? What kind of geological danger are we talking about? Quicksand? Sinkholes? Ancient, crumbling ruins cursed by island shamans?" Chef peppers Hector with questions.
"Nah, nothing that exciting. It's…unstable. The ground shifts. Cracks appear. One minute you're standing on solid rock, the next you're ten feet down in a chasm filled with…well, we don't know what it's filled with. That's why it's fenced off." Hector taps his foot impatiently, glancing at his bag. "Where is this thing?"
"You'd think a millionaire show host could afford a driver," Chef mutters.
"I prefer to drive myself," Hector slides into the driver's seat. "Besides, my driver keeps trying to pitch me his screenplay. It's about a sentient toaster oven that becomes a world-renowned chef. It's… unsettling."
Chef snorts. "Sounds like something Chris would try to produce. Speaking of Chris," Chef starts, buckling his seatbelt as Hector pulled away from the curb, "Did you see that billboard of him advertising… denture adhesive?"
Hector chokes back a laugh. "No! Seriously? The guy with the supposedly perfect smile? Karma, man, pure karma." He shakes his head. "Maybe he should audition for my show. We could use the drama."
"He'd probably demand to be co-host," Chef grumbles. "And bring back his hair gel budget."
Hector said, smoothly navigating the city traffic, "But we've got a new sponsor proposal this season. Ever heard of 'Gourmet Squirrel Food'?"
Chef wrinkles his nose. "Squirrel food? Seriously?"
"Hey, they're loaded. Apparently, pampered squirrels are the new pampered chihuahuas. And their owner, Baroness Von Nuttingham, is…eccentric." Hector giggles. "She insists on a squirrel-themed challenge. And she wants to be a guest judge."
Chef groans. "This is going to be a disaster. Imagine the challenges! 'Build the best nut-gathering contraption'? 'Create a five-course meal using only acorns and berries'?"
"That's exactly why I haven't confirmed the sponsoring. I'd rather… not do that." Hector still looks to drive right.
"But would be a squirrel-filled obstacle course be ratings-friendly?" Chef looks at someone outside the car window. He looks suspiciously similar to Hector.
"I already have that covered. Not literally." Hector shushes him up.
"Don't worry about it," Hector says, his eyes fixed on the road. "Just a…fan. Probably heading to the runway show too. I'm not the one to wear so much plaid."
Chef gives the retreating figure one last suspicious glance before turning back to Hector. "So, back to this Baroness…" he began, but Hector cut him off.
"Nope. No more squirrel talk. Let's focus on the actual show. The runway is just a little palate cleanser before we dive back into the pre-production madness." He pulls into the valet parking. "Besides, I need to see what the current trends are. Inspiration, you know?"
Chef rolls his eyes. "You're telling me the latest in high fashion is going to inspire challenges involving what now?" As they walk towards the venue, Chef notices Hector scanning the crowd, a slight frown creasing his forehead. "What are you looking for?"
"Just…recon," Hector mutters looking at a notebook. "Checking out the competition. And sponsors. Because production asked for many." His eyes narrow on a group huddled near the entrance, their voices hushed. "See those guys over there? Definitely network executives. Probably discussing their fall lineups."
Inside, the venue buzzes with anticipation. Hector, despite his earlier claims of simply seeking inspiration, seemed to be meticulously analyzing every outfit that paraded before them, jotting down notes in a small, leather-bound notebook. He's writing some challenge ideas as well…
"So, any early favorites?" Chef asks, trying to make conversation above the thumping music.
Hector doesn't look up from his notes. "The third one out, the one with the asymmetrical hemline and the feathered epaulets? Potential. Good movement, and a strong silhouette. But the fabric choice is questionable. Needs more texture." He pauses, his pen hovering over the page. "And the shoes. The wrong shoes."
The chef, who considers a clean striped t-shirt and black jeans a fashion statement, just nodded, pretending to understand. "Right. The shoes. Crucial..."
So hold on, how does this SYOC work?
Starting from the last 10 character reveals, at the end of each episode, several questions will be given. They can only be responded to by the SYOC participants, and rules will be explained following suit.
One guaranteed question is who do you want to interact with the most positively, and then negatively.
The other questions will regard challenges. Those questions are open, and you can answer them in any length of words.
"If you choose between red and blue balls, what would you choose?"
"If you had to choose between a burger or pizza, which would you eat first?"
"What would be your strategy for facing a hurricane?"
Those are extremely generic questions, but the questions will be a lot more specific, and especially a lot more influential.
You can always not answer to not sway your luck in anything. Not giving any input in what your character does is allowed, but nothing will rain the grass if the rain goes to the desert first.
Submissions are closing very soon! February 8th is the last day you'll be able to submit.
See you on the last character reveals!