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“Welcome toWhat the What?the only game show where the tasks get wilder each day.And it’s all happening live. I’m your host Waylen Archer. I’m calling today’s challengeShoestring Cinema.”
Shoestring Cinema? What was that supposed to mean? Were we expected to make movies where all the characters were shoes? Or did this have something to do with a budget?
It was the last day of filming before a three-day reprieve. Surviving today’s challenge meant being in the semi-finals. It meant having a place to live for another week. I had to rise to the occasion. Whatever craziness was coming my way, I could do this!
“You’ll need to create a thirty-second video inspired by a classic movie scene using only the camera of the phone at each of the stations around the room and the budget box of props from today’s sponsor, Dollar Central. Ready, set, go!”
Everyone ran, and I was no exception.
This was the first challenge that didn’t require us to craft something with our hands. I grabbed a station and tried to figure out what I could do with a roll of fishing wire, a pad of construction paper, and a bunch of plastic garbage. I couldn’t even think of a single classic movie.
Gulp.
I rifled through the plastic knickknacks and drew a blank. It took every ounce of my energy to put together something, anything, in hopes of not getting kicked off. I settled on making some wonky cutouts of birds, attached them to the fishing wire, and marionetted them bouncing around in ode to the Hitchcock classicBirds.
Judging commenced.
Top performers were named—Layana, Glitter, and Chester.
And the bottom three—George, Carla, and me.
My heart pounded in my throat.
It was time to announce the winner and loser. Glitter won. I clapped and smiled, genuinely happy for her despite the sinking feeling in my gut that I was the one going home.
“And tonight we have to say goodbye to…” Waylen stuck out his bottom lip and looked between George, Carla, and me. My film was the worst. It had to be me.
I was going to lose the shelter Miso, Tristan, and I relied on. I was going to have to go home to Cricket Falls. And there was nothing else I could do for Tristan.I’d never see him again.
Dread descended over me, a freak storm charging the air and dropping my stomach to the floor.
It was all over.
Finally, Waylen said, “Carla.”
I blinked and stared at Waylen’s orange face, not believing my ears.
“Thank you for the opportunity,” Carla said. “I’ve had a blast.”
My heart swelled with relief. I’d survived by the skin of my teeth. I couldn’t wait to tell Tristan how sure I’d been that I was going to fail, and how sweet it felt to get another chance.
Just like always, the bus ride back to the hotel had mixed vibes. Glee and disappointment mingled, while the friends of the person going home tried to be happy for the winner, and the friends of the winner tried to contain their excitement for their friend.
As we rode the elevator up and the groups split, I gave Glitter a shoulder squeeze. “I really am so happy for you. You deserved that win.”
She did. She’d made a somehow artful rendition of the socks and underwear dancing scene from risky business with an action figure and paper props. I had no idea how she’d pulled it off.
“Thank you! I thought your birds were cute, and I’m so glad you’re still with us,” she said. “Oh!”
“Thanks,” I said, as I watched her dig through her bag.
“This is for you.” She pulled out a necklace of colorful squares and lifted it over my head.
Those squares were individually wrapped condoms.
“They’re leftovers from yesterday’s challenge. I meant to give it to you at the bar. Use it wisely.” She leaned in and waggled her brows. “Or unwisely. Totally your call.”
“I, uh….”
