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Post by Host Kyle on Jan 22, 2006 23:53:52 GMT -5
Survivor Holidays: All Stars
Episode II
“El Commander”
Saint Patrick’s Day: Christopher, JoJo
Independence Day: Missie
Halloween: Angie, Ashley, Drew, Isaac, Jake, Jon
Valentine’s Day: Beth, Elisabeth, Jamie, Jenne, Kyle, Rami, Ryan, Taylor, Tenzil The conclusion of the premier tribal council of the great all-star game was not met with silence. In fact, the opposite was true. Filing out of the council area that evening was more clamorous than the first day introductions. People were shocked, people were nervous, people were angry. There was most definitely a mixture of emotions as the eighteen remaining castaways left all a-chatter. Tenzil Goodman who had admittedly been content to sit in the corner and watch the game fly by him was fuming. What had he done? Where had the votes come from? As he eyed all those around him, consumed in their own swirl of discussion, he growled to Beth Sowles. Tenzil: I have an announcement. The soft cuddly Tenzil is now dead. The commander is coming back! Beth shot him a sidelong glance. This wasn’t necessarily good news as she remembered Valentine’s Day, Socotra, Ionian Seas, just to name a few games she had played with him. His self-inflicted title El Commander always landed him shortly to the loser’s lodge. Nevertheless, she laughed it off. Beth: No doubt. That was just…ick. I voted Lisa! Tenzil glared across the way at Taylor as they walked. Tenzil: I voted for Taylor. Kyle glanced around nervously. It was like a great stamped with all the castaways heading back to their aisle of huts all at the same time. One was easily lost in the shuffle, and with his skewed vote for Tenzil, that’s exactly where Kyle wanted to be. He glanced over at Taylor who seemed a bit finicky and hurried on ahead of the crowd. Turning to look over his shoulder, he saw Jamie marching up quickly, and directly to his left was Jake, every bit ill at ease as a lot seemed to be. Kyle leaned in to say something to him, but Jamie Drayson caught up with him. Jamie: Did you vote Tenzil? Kyle: I voted Lisa! How did all this come about? Jamie: Last minute panic by Tay? Kyle: But that many? Jamie: Good grief! Kyle: We need to watch him a little more closely. Geez, I thought there for a minute that I was going to have to play it up to Lisa that I didn’t vote for her. Jamie looked back at Tenzil, her face slightly troubled. Jamie: It’s not like I don’t want him gone. I do. But on my time and my terms! Kyle: I think that was the most nervous I’ve ever been. Jake glanced around quickly before he caught up with Christopher Collins and JoJo Treadwell, JoJo keeping her gaze directly ahead of her as she walked quickly. Jake: If Jenne asks, I should say I voted for Lisa, correct? Christopher peered over his shoulder where he saw that Jenne had fallen in stride with Tenzil and Beth, trailing the entire parade. Christopher: No, Jenne is ok. She knows what I did. Jake: Well, she’ll tell Beth, though. Or does Beth know? Christopher: Beth knows I did. They don’t know about you, though. I don’t speak for others. He offered Jake a wink. Jake: I doubt they’ll try to connect it, so I won’t worry. Christopher smiled and patted Jake on the shoulder. JoJo merely looked over with a weak smile. Jake was a young man beyond his years. But JoJo was not nearly as calm about the situation. Beth had clearly implied she would be voting Tenzil and had led JoJo to believe as such. JoJo had felt safe and confident in her decision, but when Lisa ended up leaving, everything changed. JoJo: I feel like a stupid idiot. Christopher and Jake both looked up, startled. JoJo: Over tonight’s vote, and sorry I just leapt upon you. Christopher: What’s stupid idiot about it? JoJo: Beth saying Tenzil and then not voting for him. Screams season four to me! Christopher: Agreed. Beth was shady. She told you one thing and me something slightly different, but I wouldn’t hold it against her for now. JoJo: What did she say to you? Christopher: She was pretty minimal in terms of response. I thought it was sloppy of her and don’t know why she couldn’t vote Tenzil. JoJo: I feel like I need to tell Tenzil and Jamie that I got pissed by his answer at tribal council. Christopher stopped quickly. Christopher: No, do not! He has no clue! JoJo: Well, Taylor told me what an ass Tenzil was…I could say he put the idea in my head. Christopher: No, let it be. JoJo sighed deeply and Jake simply watched the discourse quietly, taking it all in. JoJo: Ok, babe. You are my JC. Christopher: Tenzil has no clue, and he will crack. This is actually good. At the end of the line, Jenne had no words for Tenzil. She had no comfort for him but to reach up and touch his arm as they walked. Tenzil stared ahead, his jaw set firmly. Beth and Jenne exchanged glances and then were startled when he finally broke the silence. Tenzil: Is it bad that I want to go commander on their asses? Or should I keep being sweet? Jenne: You know my answer. Tenzil: I want to be sweet. Jenne: El Commander will just get himself voted out. Tenzil: But this is so tempting. Jenne: Stay sweet. Promise? Tenzil: I’m doing something I never did before and keeping my mouth shut about everything I’ve heard since tribal council ended. Jenne: You can’t say that to me, meany. Tenzil: I need to show me differently, so I’m keeping my mouth shut. Jenne: You’re going to hold out on me? Tenzil: On everyone. Jenne: Oh jeez. Jenne removed her hand and looked at Beth once again. Beth merely shrugged. Jenne: Alright. Do as you like, but a word to the wise…if you are gonna hold out on someone, don’t tell them you’re doing it. At least in my case. Shaking her head, Jenne hurried away from them, leaving Beth and Tenzil to walk alone. Beth patted him on the shoulder, and they continued on in silence. Slowly the cast made their way back to their huts. By the time they reached the aisle, the clamor had calmed considerably, but minds were restless. Elisabeth Marie walked in silence, and even secluded herself in her hut. As soon as she returned she flounced on her bed. Her question was like everyone else’s—what had just happened? Tenzil was an acquaintance, albeit a more familiar acquaintance than most, but his receiving votes wasn’t the major issue. Elisabeth had voted for Lisa Smith for no other reason but because everyone else was doing it, and it pricked her heart. She remembered vividly voting Lisa out in Valentine’s Day the very first tribal council to save Jenne, and here it had happened again. She didn’t care about socializing that night. She didn’t care if the whole tribe convened without her. She just wanted to sleep. Though not everyone went straight back to their huts. Such a tribal council upset could not go unheeded without alliance conventions. Groups gathered sparsely, plus or minus a few members to figure out what had had happened, and in some cases to figure out how to cover tracks. The vote had most definitely occurred across alliance lines. One of the first groups to gather was Jamie and her core three of herself, Kyle, and Beth. Jamie had been the most upset about the skewed voting than anyone. Jamie began once the door was tightly shut, and much to Beth’s and Kyle’s surprise, singing praises about Missie. Beth and Kyle exchanged curious glances quickly. Kyle: Just out of curiosity…why the sudden change on Missie? Jamie: Some things she told me tonight. I don’t perceive her as the largest threat. Beth: Can you share? Jamie: I want her gone, but for the moment she may have her uses if I can continue to butter her up. I can’t trust her, but I can watch her that way, right? Beth: What kinds of things did she say? Jamie: Basically she told me she voted Lisa both times, and she gave me ideas on who voted Tenzil—most of which were obvious, but some others made sense. Kyle glanced down guiltily, and Beth tossed him a glance. Beth: Oh? Jamie: Ok…information from Missie: Drew mentioned he didn’t think Lisa should go during the first vote. This I can imagine. He’s a sloppy, dirty player who I have reprised my opinions about since our first conversation. Beth: Drew said much the same to me. I just agreed and didn’t fight it. Jamie: Anyway, Missie insinuated that Drew might have tried to save Lisa a second time. She deduced that those who voted for Tenzil were Drew, Jake, Rami, and Lisa. Missie claimed to vote Lisa both times. Kyle: I honestly believe that Missie voted Lisa both times. Jamie: I do as well. She genuinely seemed shaken by the Tenzil vote, though I’m not sure what her schtick is. Beth: So three more votes for Tenzil unaccounted for? Jamie: Who do you think? Tay, Jake, Drew, Rami, Lisa? Beth: Ryan? The names were being tossed out so fast, and Kyle knew full well the complete list. It was killing him that innocent people were being tossed in the mix. Furthermore, Jake Erickson knew full well that he had voted for Tenzil. Word was bound to get around eventually. Still, Kyle clamped his jaw shut. Jamie: Ashley? Beth: Makes sense to me. I think those are the seven. Jamie: With what we knew of the game, that makes sense. And as I care for none of them, they can sit high and mighty on my target list. Kyle cringed at that. Beth: And you both know my concerns for Jon. But I want what is best for us. Jamie: Jon can be handled. There was a pause before Kyle looked up. Kyle: Ok, so what exactly are the lines now? Just the ones who voted for Tenzil versus the ones who didn’t? Jamie and Beth looked at each other and then nodded together. Jamie: For now? Seems fair enough. As I see it, none of them are controllable. Kyle: This confuses me on Missie’s placement. Jamie: Me as well. Beth: Add me. Jamie: I want her gone, but I can’t place her on a side. Beth: One thing to think about with Missie is Tenzil believes she’s firmly on his side. Jamie: I think that once we’re rid of the troublemakers, we’ll have more numbers in the majority to push toward bigger, more important threats. There was a silent agreement among them, but when Kyle looked down again, there was an awkward pause. Beth and Jamie both looked at him questioningly. When he finally looked up, he appeared miserable. Kyle: Can I just say something and trust that as my alliance you know I’m good with my word? Beth and Jamie exchanged glances. Jamie: Of course. Beth: Of course. Kyle: I know all seven people that voted Tenzil, and it was in no way an alliance or an attempt at causing trouble. Jamie crossed her arms. Jamie: What’s the deal? Kyle: It was random, and it was Taylor’s doing. Jamie: Explain. Kyle: Taylor, JoJo, Christopher, Jake, Drew, Lisa… Jamie: JoJo and Chris?! Kyle: …and me. I’m sorry, but I had no idea others were voting for him! Jamie: Oh Kyle. Jamie went to sit down, all the while rubbing her chin. Beth mirrored her shock—almost perfectly. Beth: JoJo and Chris?! Are you positive? Because I don’t think so. Kyle: Now hear me out…hear me out. You know I was trying to rally Lisa for Shaun right? I talked to her like right before tribal council and told her I wanted her on my side. When the second vote came up, I felt like Satan himself. Jamie: You should’ve told me, Kyle… Kyle: I was afraid, Jamie! Everyone was so blown up about it! I didn’t want you mad at me from the very first tribal council. I thought it would be just a couple of votes. I had no idea that Taylor would put some action into gear. Jamie: I wouldn’t have been mad. I told you then when I’d asked if you’d done it. I just would have liked to have been in the loop. You denied it. Kyle: I was freaked at the heat of the moment. Beth: How do you know who the votes were? Taylor? Kyle: Taylor. Beth: That figures. I don’t believe him. Jamie: Well, he has six people it seems to me. What person under his fingertip can we take out first? Kyle: No, he doesn’t. Chris and JoJo aren’t with him and neither is Jake. Jamie: Whether or not Tenzil and I are actually dating, I saw that vote as something against me as well—especially after the questions. I’ve been worried all day. Kyle: I’m so sorry, Jamie. I don’t want you to not trust me this early. I just thought my vote would fade in the background as a random vote. Beth: I still don’t think Chris and JoJo voted Tenzil. Jamie: The only way for us to hold control of the game, Kyle…communication. Once that is gone, none of us can do this. And the debate went on for some time; some trust waned between the three of them. The twist of having a second boot at one tribal council had rattled everyone in the same way. The meeting between the three adjourned which much to think about over the new developments. It would seem that lines were becoming clearer. The three of them agreed for more communication for the rest of the time but by the end of the evening, they parted with mixed emotions. Jamie’s trust in Kyle was a bit stronger after his admission, but Kyle was suddenly wary of Jamie’s demands. Beth…well, Beth took her information straight to the “other side” as it were. Kyle made his way back to his hut and to end the day with added stress, he found Tenzil ambling about. Kyle’s heart thudded within his chest as Tenzil approached him. There was no anger or malice on his face. This was a gentle side of Tenzil that Kyle had never seen, and when Tenzil spoke, he could sense the hurt edge in his voice. Tenzil: Kyle, do not take this the wrong way, but… Kyle’s eyes widened and he hoped the guilt on his face was not apparent. Tenzil: You would tell me if someone targeted me, right? Kyle: Yes, if you promise not to go off the handle. Tenzil: Kyle, I…honest to God. I was just having fun. I didn’t target anyone at any time. I just supported what my friends wanted. So, I am honestly shocked for the first time ever. Kyle: I was approached to vote you out and didn’t respond. Tenzil eyed him for a moment. Tenzil: My first instinct was to tell Beth you know something…but I didn’t. Kyle: Promise me you won’t target him so soon. I can already tell he’s not going to like me after this game. He takes things way too personally. Tenzil: Taylor. Kyle looked down and nodded slowly, releasing a sigh. Tenzil: Did he say any names? Kyle: Gosh, why do I feel like I’m sealing my own death warrant, or the end of my friendship with him…yeah, he said a name. Tenzil: Kyle, this is between you and me and only you and me. I won’t even tell Jamie. Kyle: He said you. Tenzil nodded and looked down briefly before he went on. Tenzil: Did he say who was involved? Kyle: No…that I promise you I don’t know. Tenzil: It’s killing me not to tell Beth, but I want you to know that this time I’m serious about trust. If you can find out more, please let me know. Kyle: I think we’ve built quite a better trust than we had in Valentine’s Day. You ok? Tenzil: Yes. Well….no. Biting my tongue. Kyle: And I thought this game was turning out to be somewhat straightforward. And Tenzil left it at that. Kyle closed the door after him and stood their quietly, his mind a blur. That second vote had come so unexpectedly, and he hadn’t even considered who he would write down as a second boot. He just knew he couldn’t vote for Lisa, and Taylor had thrown Tenzil out there for him. It wasn’t that he disliked Tenzil in any way, it was that whole Survivor Central group. How could he possibly believe that Tenzil and Jenne were sitting idly by—especially with the lies he had already caught Jenne in. Tenzil and Jenne were playing this game. Kyle leaned against the door and groaned. With that he pillowed his head for what would be another restless night. A restless night for everyone. Beth found her way back to Jenne’s hut where she knew Christopher and possibly JoJo would already be waiting for her but what she found was Christopher and Jenne alone. Jenne seemed a bit disturbed but Beth ignored it for the moment. She also ignored JoJo’s absence as she plunged into her information. Beth: Just wanted to tell you both… Jenne: Uh oh. Beth : Taylor is evidently trying to tell everyone how everyone voted. Jamie is up in arms. Jenne: Ewwww, what is his problem? Can’t keep his mouth shut, can he? Beth: No idea. I’m blaming it solely on Taylor. Christopher: d**n him. I will kick his ass. Jenne: What a moron. Can we just vote him out now before he causes any more damage? Hell, we could even get his whole alliance in on it if we tell Missie that Tay orchestrated the Shaun vote. Beth: I was gonna ask if anyone had told Missie yet. Jenne: Nope. I wouldn’t yet. It’s a valuable tidbit. Christopher: Who did he blame? Everyone should be playing dumb right now! Jenne: I for sure didn’t tell Tenzil where or why it happened tonight. I played dumb. No need to set anyone off. But I do have a concern I need to bring to the group as soon as we can get with JoJo in the morning. So they all agreed. It was time to lay low and sit on all the information hurled at them. Apart from the group, JoJo had retreated to her hut alone, not at all settled with the decision she had made at tribal council. She was going to have to own her vote or cover her tracks and she had no idea which route would be best. There was just too much to think about. Aligning with the Fab Four from Valentine’s Day seemed risky when Christopher suggested, but JoJo thought she would take her chances. Now she wasn’t so sure. Beth had misled. It seemed like Valentine’s Day all over again. She closed her eyes and attempted sleep. |
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Post by Host Kyle on Jan 22, 2006 23:54:19 GMT -5
Still there were others not content with ending the day without a few answers. Ryan had walked quietly back to the huts studying the others, listening to conversations, methodically scrutinizing everyone around him. He thought back to the tribal council when the second vote had erupted into a frenzy of scrambling. Taylor had been the first to approach him.
Taylor: Change your vote to Tenzil!
Ryan: Why?
Taylor: I just don’t trust him. He called some alliances out at the start of TC, and that’s not cool.
Ryan had paused. He knew exactly what alliances Tenzil had called out, and he found it odd that Taylor would be upset about it. Ryan was rather grateful for the heads up, and at the moment Tenzil wasn’t seeming like the right vote. So, Tenzil did not get his vote. But this would lead to some interesting investigations for the next tribal council.
Once most all of camp had dispersed into their huts, Ryan let in Rami Ghoener and closed the door.
Rami: We’re going to have to figure out who is out to get Tenzil. That put him in his place; he didn’t say a word after that.
Ryan: Let’s tell people we didn’t go after Tenzil so they don’t think we are doing what we did last season.
Rami: Yeah, I know Tenzil will point the finger right at us. This might have been a set up to get us out, too.
That had also crossed Ryan’s mind, too, and he was none too pleased. He needed to talk to Jenne and quickly. What they had gained so far was real, and he knew she would listen to him, possibly even protect him.
Rami: Maybe people think we have control. I don’t feel very safe. Those seven votes for Tenzil means it was planned, so there are seven people working together.
Ryan: I’ve figured out some of them. Taylor approached me tonight saying they wanted to boot Tenzil because he revealed alliances.
He paused and leaned in to Rami to lower his voice.
Ryan: The only alliance Tenzil mentioned was Chris and JoJo. So my guess is that JoJo, Chris, Elisabeth—who is close with Chris—Taylor, and Lisa are five of them. Taylor let it slip that that’s why he was voting for Tenzil
Rami: But I talked to JoJo, and she seemed surprised about the votes.
Ryan only smirked.
Rami: But she could be playing that way.
Ryan: Of course. Who do you think we should push for elimination? I think we say we’ve only heard Ashley and Elisabeth. If we go for Elisabeth and are successful, we’ll cut the group of seven down to six, then use them to get rid of Ashley.
Rami: Who can we talk to that will actually listen?
Ryan: Don’t approach anyone. Tomorrow people will be asking around. Just say that you’ve only heard two names so far…Ashley and Elisabeth.
They looked at each other for a moment. It was quite possible they could sneak in and undermine those that were trying to rise to power so early. They needed to work together closely.
Ryan: Don’t let anyone know where you stand.
And so they left it at that.
Day four would start a new day. Ryan and Rami would figure things out together. There was no way the same people were going to control the game.
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Post by Host Kyle on Jan 22, 2006 23:56:03 GMT -5
Day 4
Jenne Lotz didn’t wake up in the same spirits as she had the day before. No, she wasn’t at all pleased with what happened the evening before, not only because Tenzil had been targeted so early on but because she had been left out of the plans.
As soon as she was ready for the day, she rounded up her core alliance members and convened in JoJo’s hut. Beth and JoJo were a bit groggy, but Christopher was awake and vibrant, smiling as Jenne addressed them all seriously.
Jenne: Ok, guys, I have a concern.
Beth and JoJo exchanged glances. Christopher merely smiled and crossed his arms.
Jenne: I know why you did what you did, but why have a bottom five if we aren’t going to stick to it? Especially when things get all screwy at TC.
JoJo: It’s going to be hard if twists are thrown at us.
Jenne: Yeah, that’s my worry. Just had to say it.
JoJo: I just wanted us to vote together.
Christopher: TC can change things up sometimes.
Jenne: Dude, you guys had every right to vote the way you did…that’s not my problem. My concern is if I’m left out, I can’t change with you guys so you can’t even count on my vote.
Christopher: Tenzil was totally a jerk and proved to be a heck of a lot more dangerous to me than Lisa who never opens her mouth.
Jenne: No need to explain why. I back you guys’ decision.
Christopher: I hear you Jenne, but I don’t know. Sometimes things change. I don’t expect they always will. And Beth, what happened last night?
Beth looked up quickly.
Beth: With my vote?
Christopher: Yeah. I’m not calling you out. Just trying to piece things together.
JoJo: You really didn’t want to, right? Mama doesn’t want to gang up on you…just lay it out there, hun.
Beth: Not to excuse my vote, but it felt rushed to me.
They grew quiet for a moment. A negative air hung over them.
JoJo: I’m sorry about the miscommunication last night, Jenne.
Jenne shrugged.
Beth: Are we all cool with each other?
Jenne: Last minute changes happen.
Beth: Do we need more planning?
JoJo: It was a last minute scramble thing.
Jenne: Just worries me if I can’t be a part. I just see myself booted that way.
JoJo: Hell, no, Jenne! You don’t get booted.
Beth: It just felt rushed. I don’t do good quick on my feet, and I honestly feel bad. But the only people I will protect are Chris, JoJo, and Jenne. I feel like I let you guys down, and I’m sorry. I know, JoJo, you’re concerned of a repeat of me protecting Tenzil—which I ain’t doing. You three are who I will protect.
JoJo: I appreciate you hearing me, Beth. I so trust you which is why I laid it out there.
Beth: I was glad you could come to me.
Jenne: Open forum to discuss and set stuff straight. Keep miscommunication to a minimum.
JoJo: Absolutely.
Christopher: Yeah. I trust you all, but I totally understand JoJo’s point. And, Beth girl, you gotta work on your wording. Last night you did tell us both something different. It was kind of…wait a second! I want straight talk from my Beth! Or lie to me…just don’t let me find out.
Beth chuckled nervously.
Beth: No Lying!
Christopher: Let’s put it behind us.
JoJo: Absolutely.
Jenne: Like I told JoJo last night…the bitches can’t be down on ourselves or one another. We only talk crap about everyone else.
They laughed in agreement and shared a moment of reconnection.
Beth: So on to game stuff. How are we going to keep Jon and Missie from getting immunity?
Christopher: It would actually be good if Tenzil didn’t win immunity either. That way when he stays and gets no votes, he will settle in feeling safe again. If he wins immunity he’ll still think he’s running from the vote.
Beth: Just as long as Jon and Missie are not immune.
JoJo: I think Missie and Angie want me gone.
Christopher: Taylor has Missie wanting Jon out—so he says.
JoJo: Does Missie know Taylor wanted Shaun gone?
Christopher: Not that I know of. Taylor could’ve voted Lisa the first time for all I know. Missie is dangerous but useful for the moment, and if Taylor is the funnel to Missie, that gives him momentary use as well.
Beth: Missie told me earlier the next two people she wants out are Jon and Lis.
JoJo: I still think Missie and Angie will target me. Probably Jamie. I messed up by trashing Missie to Jamie.
Beth: Jamie talks with Lindsay.
That piece of information garnered everyone’s attention at once. Lindsay was a notorious member of the Survivor Central group not very highly thought of by the rest. JoJo, in particular, felt threatened by this girl who had allegedly sent people to other games JoJo had played just to get her out.
Now JoJo felt like Jamie was sent her way for a purpose, even though the all star game was comprised of former Holidays contestants, some voted on by fellow Holidays players.
JoJo: I don’t know Lindsay and yet she keeps sending people to cut my throat.
Perhaps the biggest fear for this group of four was this Lindsay and Michelle from outside of the game, so their new bottom four became Angie and Missie for being initial threats and Jon and Jamie for their connections to Lindsay and Michelle.
Once their new targets were confirmed, they split up for the day to work their magic on the rest.
JoJo remained behind, still nervous of this new gaming experience. She simply was not comfortable any way she looked at it.
As the day began, the question on everyone’s mind was, “who voted for Tenzil?” It was a mad scramble to find the answers, and it was a mad scramble for some to cover their tracks.
JoJo found Tenzil immediately that morning to make nice with him and set her own nerves at ease. However, if she was going to cover her vote now, she was going to have to cover her vote for as long as she and Tenzil were in the game together.
To find him, she had to go to his hut. Tenzil had not planned on leaving until time for tree-mail reading. Socializing was not his lot anymore. But immunity was.
JoJo knocked gently on the door and waited a moment before Tenzil answered.
JoJo: Hey.
Tenzil looked her over quickly.
Tenzil: Hey.
JoJo: How are you feeling about everything?
He merely shrugged and the set to his jaw and frown told her everything. She nodded.
JoJo: I just took off. It was way too weird. This game is already being so…well, game-like.
Tenzil: For the first time ever, I wasn’t playing at all and never intended to, and look what it got me.
JoJo: This is something that happened before the game?
Tenzil: Has to be. These people got no reason from me; people worked this vote.
JoJo: Who was Lisa aligned with or was it completely something separate?
Tenzil grunted with a smirk.
Tenzil: I obviously don’t know about who’s with who.
JoJo: I expected there to be votes all over the place, but this was like two sides against each other already. Some people have some incredible power already.
Tenzil: It was a weird time to throw it around.
JoJo: Yes. Very, very early.
Tenzil: Whatever happened I have not been included.
JoJo: Well, you are here. I hope you aren’t throwing in the towel. I know you told me you wanted to sit on your butt until you were voted out, but obviously this is hard on you.
Tenzil: I have no idea what I want to do. This is the first time I never saw it coming. I’m taking it on a personal level. Before it was always game level, but I find it hard not to think it’s on a personal level.
JoJo: Well, if this was a normal game, we wouldn’t even know each other—none of us. If people met you just four days ago, you wouldn’t even have had a vote. In my opinion.
Tenzil: Going in I expected no votes. When the first came, I thought it was just someone being a jerk, but they kept coming. Most of my cast likes me, so it meant people I don’t know had a big help in doing this.
JoJo: Well, this will be an interesting game. Seems like a lot of feelings and friendships are involved. It’s hard for an outsider like me to react to everything.
Tenzil: It’s not your job to react. Everyone denies it. Everyone is surprised.
JoJo had nothing more to offer before Christopher appeared at the door. Both she and Tenzil turned around quickly as he let himself in, his face a picture of shock and concern.
Christopher: Ummmm….
He held his hands out and pressed his lips together, feigning a speechlessness that was never Christopher Collins.
Christopher: I just wanted to acknowledge the…wow!
Tenzil: I was just gonna coast through having fun, but now? I want blood.
Tenzil glared at them both seriously. JoJo frowned but Christopher grinned, suppressing a chuckle and clapped him on the back.
Christopher: Awesome! He’s back.
Tenzil: I don’t do anything, sit on my butt, and shoot the breeze, and I still get it?
Christopher: I totally hear ya. Someone must’ve thought you were playing, or maybe Missie doesn’t like rejection to her advances?
Christopher shrugged nonchalantly. Tenzil eyed him for a moment and frowned.
Tenzil: Everyone has accused people. You’re all with me. You’re all against me.
Gaping, Christopher pretended shock, his eyes wide.
Christopher: Have people accused people? I was just being flip!
Tenzil: Dude, someone accused Jamie! Jamie!
Christopher : Maybe she doesn’t like you and Missie flirting. Did you piss off Ryan and Rami during season four? Drew? Maybe it was just a bunch of season four randoms, and they decided you were a great evil of the final four.
Tenzil: I just don’t know. I just don’t know.
Shaking his head, Christopher put a hand on his shoulder.
Christopher: I don’t either, yet. If I hear, I will let you know. Should be interesting.
JoJo didn’t think it was as awesome as Christopher had said about the return of El Commander, and Tenzil didn’t feel awesome, but Christopher loved it. He knew that with Tenzil on the rampage, when it was his time to go, it would be easy as pie.
Smiling, Christopher led JoJo out of the hut. He had already done his own investigating in the early parts of the day and had gathered quite a bit of information.
Once they were clear of Tenzil he looked at her and smirked.
Christopher: Well, I have an FYI for you, babe. Taylor blamed the Tenzil vote on you and me. He told people he had made others mad by calling out alliances at tribal council. He only mentioned me and you. So it must have been pretty obvious to a few people—especially Missie. Missie has been buttering me up about Tenzil all morning.
JoJo frowned even more.
JoJo: I wonder if that’s why he said all that stuff about Tenzil during tribal council. Was he wanting me to vote Tenzil to set me up?
Christopher shrugged.
Christopher: Well, I gave Taylor what for. I told him he was not to point any fingers at me—ever. Anyway, I don’t think Tenzil’s heard anything.
JoJo: Missie hates me. This probably gives her more reason.
Christopher: She wants allies. She lost Shaun, and she knows Tenzil is now a target. She might want to swing to get him out, and she mentioned wanting Jamie out, too.
JoJo: This game is intense.
They walked along the beach talking for some time. Christopher was a bit more upbeat and sure as he rattled off his plans and observations of the others. JoJo merely took it all in. If Christopher proposed a plan, she would go along with it. He seemed to always know his strategy.
Christopher: I still think the Beth thing was shady. When end game hits, it will figure in for me. I just don’t appreciate being misled.
JoJo: I reminded her that she wanted Tenzil gone first before the game started.
Christopher: I like her a lot and hope we all last a long time, but that just bugged me.
With that JoJo agreed wholeheartedly. Beth had told her many times before the game started that she wanted Tenzil gone early, and now she seemed to be protecting him—just like how the game played out in Valentine’s Day.
For the time being JoJo and Christopher parted ways. It was time to relay stories and protect themselves for the vote that had just gone down. There were many on their lists with whom to discuss matters, stir up waters, get those targets ever pointed away from themselves.
And they wasted no time.
Tree-mail reading for the second challenge of the game was scheduled for noon that day, and like clockwork the remaining castaways prepared for the big meeting.
Jamie had dragged that morning, having tossed and turned the night before because of the shock that had been the first tribal council. Never before had she been that far from power in such early stages of the game.
In all honesty, it infuriated her and caused her wheels to turn.
She spent a bit showering and primping herself for the day, and when she was finally ready to leave her hut, she was startled to find Christopher just getting ready to knock on the front door.
Christopher: Random question. Did you try and get Tenzil out?
Jamie gaped. Random was an understatement. That was completely made up for no other reason but to rile Jamie up. She wanted to go off on Christopher at that moment, but she collected herself and held her peace. The game was starting early.
Still, Jamie could not believe the question.
Jamie: Excuse me?
Christopher: I only ask in the sense that it seems weird that someone would even bother to suggest you as the push for Tenzil last night.
Jamie: Should I ever do that, which is highly unlikely, it would never be this early in the bloody game. Chris, I can’t believe you would ask that!
Christopher: Well, someone is dumb then because you are the last person I would point the finger at. Nobody would believe it.
Jamie: Well, yeah! Who else said it?
Christopher: Just Tenz, and he didn’t seem to take it seriously.
Jamie: I sure hope not!
Christopher wanted to snicker to himself at the raw emotion on Jamie’s face. His plan was working perfectly. Now it was his turn to step in and act like the ethical peacemaker.
Christopher: Oh, don’t get all up in arms. You have to look at things like this: Chris is asking me a question as opposed to asking other people about me. You won’t find a lot of players like that in this game. If I have a question, I ask. Well…if I like the person, I ask. If I don’t, then I avoid them.
He offered her a charming smile.
Jamie: I’m not mad. Just irked that Tenzil would even let that pass his lips.
Christopher: Good. I don’t think it was you, but I figured I would ask since it was out there. You can tell me yes or no. He didn’t say he thought it was you. He said he was asking around and someone suggested it was you.
Jamie looked him over briefly. She couldn’t act before she thought this over. This was just too inconsistent with what had happened the first four days of the game.
Jamie: Thanks for coming to me before bringing it up with others first.
Christopher nodded. He was much obliged to come to anyone about anything, whether true or not. Tenzil had mentioned the accusation; why not mention it to Jamie herself? At the rate he was going, he wouldn’t have to own up to any vote he had cast the night before. All eyes and furies were going to be turned on others. Allies were going to be turning on allies.
He loved his job.
The noon hour quickly approached and all eighteen castaways gathered on the beach awaiting the reading of tree-mail for the next challenge. Karen waited patiently as the Survivors trickled in little by little.
With the result of the previous tribal council it was a fair expectation that each castaway—including, especially Tenzil Goodman—would be giving their all for that immunity necklace.
Karen watched with a stone face as the castaways gathered in a tight semi-circle around her. Once every face was accounted for, she opened an envelope and read aloud.
Karen: High or low, which way do you go? Get the biggest number you can to stay on All-Star Island and get more tan!
A giggle went up from most of the castaways.
Karen: Challenge tonight, right here, seven o’clock sharp.
And the meeting was over like that. The circle parted to allow Karen out and the rest commenced to chattering about the pending challenge. Some had ideas and with those ideas much concern, but others resigned to expect the unexpected and left off guessing.
JoJo Treadwell still had that sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, the feeling she had contracted ever since Lisa had been revealed as the second boot that evening. Besides feeling like she had made a grave mistake in voting Tenzil, she felt stalked by the very people who had sent attackers in other games. JoJo was not at all at ease with Jamie Drayson and Jon Kennedy and their ties with certain enemies outside of the game.
Amidst the hubbub of challenge discussion, JoJo made her way to Jamie and pulled her aside gently. They had grown to like each other, or JoJo thought. Surely Jamie could give her an honest answer.
JoJo: Had you heard of me before this game? You’re welcomed to tell me to quit being all serious.
Jamie: No, I hadn’t heard of you. I’m new to this scene as of last year.
JoJo: Can I keep throwing questions at you without you being too annoyed?
Jamie blinked and eyed her curiously.
Jamie: Sure, I’ll answer.
JoJo: Do you know Thomas Kearnes?
Jamie: No.
JoJo: I played a game with him and he made up a bogus rumor about me. At the end of the game he told me that a friend of his said I was ruthless and that he needed to get rid of me. I kept bugging him and finally found out that it was a friend of his named Lindsay and that she sent him to that game to get me out. I recently heard that you and her are friends, and I thought…uh oh…
Jamie looked down thoughtfully.
Jamie: Lindsay…that name is often repeated. I think I know her.
JoJo: I wondered if she sent you to get me.
Jamie: Yes, we are friends, but she has never spoken of you.
JoJo: I played in season one with Michelle, so evidently that’s the connection. I just wanted to ask.
Jamie: I’ve never heard of Michelle, other than in negative connotations. Linds is a good friend, but I don’t trust her judgment of others. I’ve seen her friends screw me over one too many times to think she has good taste…which probably doesn’t speak well for me.
JoJo: I appreciate it, and I’m probably being melodramatic.
Jamie: No, darling, no…perfectly warranted question.
They smiled at each other. JoJo wasn’t sure how much she could trust Jamie at this point, but she did feel better. It was something off her chest, at any rate. A lesser burden now. What Jamie did with the information was out of her hands. They hugged quickly and went about their businesses. Jamie watched her disappear into the crowd for a moment.
She would need a word with Miss Sowles shortly, but first things first.
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Post by Host Kyle on Jan 22, 2006 23:57:14 GMT -5
Taylor Napier had eyed Tenzil throughout the entire reading, just wondering what was going through his mind. He was a blank stare, though Taylor knew a raging storm was blowing inside. Tenzil would go all out for this challenge, Taylor was certain. And if Taylor didn’t pull off an immunity, his life in the game could very well be in jeopardy.
Christopher had spent a good while that morning, reaming him for pointing fingers. Word had already made the rounds that Taylor alone had spearheaded the vote.
Taylor’s best bet was to have a word with Tenzil himself…before things got out of hand.
When others began to disperse, Taylor approached him slowly.
Taylor: I know I’m probably not the person you want to talk to, but I kind of feel like we needed to talk.
Tenzil grinned and crossed his arms. It seemed that a new duo of nemesis had been born.
Tenzil: Yes, yes.
Taylor: I’m sure you know I voted for you…
Tenzil: Immediately.
Taylor closed his mouth, nodded, and looked down momentarily.
Tenzil: But I gave you the benefit of the doubt.
Taylor: I felt as if you were targeting me last night. I feel like we are ramming against each other, and it will only hurt the both of us in the end.
Tenzil said nothing as he arched his brow.
Taylor: I’m not offering an alliance or anything. I just want to make peace.
Tenzil: Well, I wasn’t targeting anyone, by the way, though I wasn’t hiding my feelings on the matter.
Taylor: I know. I just don’t want us to be the reason the other leaves. I think it’s foolish for us to try and get rid of each other, and I just want you to know that. The vote last night was a rash decision to help someone who was desperate.
Tenzil: The genie is out of the bottle now. I am a potential target.
Taylor: As am I.
Tenzil: People I was getting along with are questioning me when I hadn’t done anything. A lot of damage was done on your part, and it may well cost us both now. Even if we did make peace, I’m greatly worried that we’re doomed no matter what.
Taylor: That may be true. I don’t exactly understand what or why people are questioning you.
Tenzil: It came across as a power move, and we’re both likely to be left far, far behind. Right now I doubt either of us will make even jury.
Taylor: I doubt I’ll survive the next vote.
Tenzil: Well, I honestly don’t know. I’ve told people I’m not opposed to voting you, but it doesn’t seem to be the thing they want to do.
Taylor: There was more to the second vote than me.
Tenzil: Oh, obviously.
There was an awkward pause between them. Taylor wanted so much to dump Christopher on him, but he had already been reprimanded. Taylor didn’t need Tenzil and Christopher against him at once.
Taylor: It wasn’t my intent going into that tribal council to vote for you. I feel like we are communicating between people, and it’s not getting through clearly. So, I wanted to come to you.
Tenzil: Well…like I said. The damage is pretty much done. And it’s very likely too little too late for either of us. I think you are on some thin ice with some people, but you might be able to rough it out. I honestly have no idea.
Taylor: I’m sure you wouldn’t mention who I’m on thin ice with, so I won’t even ask.
Tenzil: I’m pretty sure you have some names in mind.
Taylor: I’m sure it’s the same people you are on thin ice with.
Tenzil: Whatever, it wasn’t worth trying to pull that off.
Taylor: Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. For all we know, we could be the final two.
Tenzil started to say something but stopped and looked down as he covered his mouth. Taylor waited patiently as he gathered his wits, or so it seemed. When Tenzil looked up, he was slightly smiling.
Tenzil: Ok, I’ll say this: even though I want to punch you right now, you actually made me laugh for once.
Taylor managed a smile as well.
Taylor: Well, goal number one is out of the way. What’s done is done. I’m glad I got to talk to you.
Tenzil: My door is always open.
And Taylor left him. Tenzil watched him go, scratching his head, wondering. Nothing made sense yet—nothing at all. And Taylor was going to tell him there was more involved in the vote last night than him? Tenzil had been racking his brain trying to figure out what—or who.
So many things had flown about that he doubted the truth would ever come out. Even Jamie had been accused…
His thoughts were broken when someone cleared her throat behind him. He turned quickly and found Jamie glaring.
Tenzil: Yes?
Jamie: Why is it that you mentioned to someone that I started the vote? Or that you’d heard that? This stays between us.
Tenzil: What? I did no such thing. Ever.
Jamie crossed her arms and berated him with her eyes.
Jamie: That’s not what Chris said. You mentioned to him that someone said to you that I might have led the charge last night. Don’t repeat this. I had to talk to you about this. Chris made me promise not to tell. There is a lot of lying and hard-balling going on around here, and I want to get to the bottom of it all.
Tenzil: What I said was that people were blaming one another to me.
Jamie: And no one said me?
Tenzil: Including you.
Jamie: Who said me?
Tenzil: I’ll only give you context. Basically it’s your friendship with Lindsay and your obscure ties, if any, to Jon. Know what I mean?
There was that name again, within a span of five minutes. Jamie groaned out loud. Why was her friendship with Lindsay such a big deal?
Jamie: Remind me never again to mention my friendship with Lindsay. And you’re friends with her too! That chat in context was with who?
Tenzil looked around quickly.
Tenzil: You have to promise me two things—you will not act or say a word of this, and remember this wasn’t a remotely serious suggestion.
Word was traveling fast that Jamie had a friend outside of the game. Apparently it was a serious suggestion, but she held her peace.
Jamie: I just want to know who.
Tenzil: And just remember, this person does not get along with Lindsay and is suspicious of her and all her friends, ok?
Jamie: JoJo. She admitted her fear of my friendship with Linds moments ago.
Tenzil: No.
Jamie: Chris? Tell me ! Why are they so fearful of Linds ?! JoJo just now mentioned it to me! Does that mean they think I’m of her ilk?
Tenzil: No, and I swear, if this leaves us I will burst into tears ‘cause I’m at my wits end.
Jamie: Beth.
Tenzil: Yes. Lindsay has treated her horribly.
Jamie groaned once again and paced. The web was only getting more tangled.
Jamie: I trusted Beth with that information. I didn’t know it was going to start all this.
Tenzil: It’s started nothing.
Jamie: I’m feeling a start of something! Beth told JoJo, and JoJo just confronted me about it. Who else knows?
Tenzil: Beats me.
Jamie: Well, tamper it down if you have any influence! What I don’t get is that Beth knew how upset I was with last night’s vote.
Tenzil: Nothing’s happened. Everything’s cool.
Jamie grunted and began to walk away with Tenzil behind her.
Jamie: I want immunity or I won’t be comfortable.
Tenzil: Is it ok that I want it super badly?
Jamie: Yes, but you’re fighting me, and I’m bloody determined.
They walked away together, sparring over the challenge, leaving behind a beach full of castaways.
Jenne Lotz was just as eager to get on with the challenge as anyone, but she had some other concerns than trying to figure out what the challenge might be. Besides, they would all know in a matter of hours. Why try to figure it out before hand?
What Jenne wanted to figure out was where Kyle Adams stood with everyone. Though she had told him time and time again that she was not playing the game and avoiding strategy at all cost, she wondered why he would never talk “game” with her. She wondered why he would never approach her about anything strategic except to flirt and cut up.
She never thought that she had, in essence, told him not to approach her about the game. Furthermore, his answer to his question at last night’s tribal council had worried her greatly.
Was he really out to beat the final four from Valentine’s Day?
Jenne: Do you feel like you want to beat us?
The question came from nowhere and Kyle looked at her oddly as they made their way across the sand to the resort for lunch.
Jenne: I know you wanna win, but, like, are you coming after me?
Kyle: Of course winning would mean I’d have to beat you at some point, but no I’m not coming after you.
She eyed him skeptically.
Jenne: I don’t mind going, but I don’t like the idea of a friend betraying me either. I’d rather have just never signed up to play than that. I don’t think I could handle it after all the Taylor stuff last time.
Kyle: You know I couldn’t betray you.
Jenne: Kyle, you know how I treat my friends—in game and out. You saw how much I fought for my friends last time. I don’t change. Jenne is Jenne, and you managed to weasel into my li’l Jenne heart. So, yeah, I gots your back.
Kyle smiled, though he didn’t honestly believe her. There was so much she was withholding, and he knew it.
Kyle: And I’m glad to be there. You know…it’s kind of weird not talking strategy with you.
Jenne: I’ve been trying to avoid it all game! It’s been hard. You can talk to me though. It’s you and me.
Kyle: I know. Did you vote Shaun?
Jenne: All I heard was Shaun and Lisa. Talked to Shaun for the first time last night, and Lisa…well, you know. Shaun was a goner, though.
Kyle: Yeah, we don’t want Missie to have any life support.
Jenne: Missie never talked to me once until after the challenge, then told me to vote Lisa…having never talked to me before.
Kyle: Missie is not our favorite.
Jenne laughed aloud.
Jenne: Our…
Kyle: What?
Jenne looked at him and smiled.
Jenne: There is so much “our” in this game already.
Kyle: I just meant our in general, as in a majority.
He looked at her curiously. She had always been so adamant about standing by her friends, seeing her friends to the end, making sure he in particular got far. What was wrong with “our”?
Jenne shrugged and pressed on.
Jenne: You know, I talked to Ryan for the first time…like a real convo.
Kyle: How did that go?
Jenne: It was sorta cool. We keep teasin’ each other ‘bout being nemesis. He converted me the other night.
That deserved an arched brow.
Kyle: Well, I’m glad. Do you happen to know where he stands?
Jenne: Well, no, not really. I don’t really think he’d lay his cards out.
Kyle: I suppose that’s true.
Jenne: But he didn’t seem totally opposed to us working together at some point.
Kyle: I’m just hoping the R Twins don’t have a vendetta against me.
Jenne: I would think they’d want to work with you.
Kyle: I’ve already caught Rami in some fat ones!
Jenne: Tenzil said that earlier! He said Rami can’t lie worth crap!
Kyle: Not at all! He told me yesterday he didn’t know who the targets were. That’s crap!
Jenne: Oh jeez…first day everyone knew it was Shaun versus Lisa. Even me, and I’m outta the loop! Why’d he be so dumb?
Kyle: Who knows? I don’t question.
Jenne: Anyway, I heard he was in an alliance with Missie.
And Kyle had heard that too. In fact, if one person in this great all-star game heard anything, chances were that everyone else had already heard it…or created it. It was quickly becoming apparent that nothing would remain a secret on All Star Island. Lips were going to have to be sewn more tightly to pull anything off.
Like Jenne’s. Kyle had hoped she would reveal more, particularly over her latest investment in Taylor, but she didn’t.
Jake Erickson had lain fairly low thus far, proud of his performance. He felt particularly proud of his maneuver against Tenzil—with the help of Christopher, of course—but he thought of it as his own baby, and quite successful after only a minutes worth of scramble at that.
At the conclusion of the reading, Jake was content to watch. Wait and watch, and be confronted. He had his allies in Chrstopher and JoJo, and whoever came along with them would be allies of his. Other than that, Jake was confident in his old friend Isaac, even though he was rumored to be in an alliance with public enemy number one and the late Shaun Hampton. But that meant nothing to Jake. Isaac was still a friend in his eyes.
Jake turned and saw Kyle and Jenne walking together in the distance. Jenne was his through Christopher, but Kyle was one Jake wanted to trust. He thought back to earlier that morning when Kyle had approached him, somewhat urgently.
Kyle: Do you trust me?
Jake: More so than anyone else that I didn’t know before.
Kyle: It looks like we’re both in a precarious situation.
Jake: How so?
Kyle: The Tenzil vote.
Jake: Mmm…makes sense.
Kyle: Can I ask you how you came up with his name?
Jake: He never talks to me. And between quick agreements with people last night, we seemed to have reached a consensus.
Kyle: Well, Taylor laid out all the names he knew voted Tenzil, which could get us in trouble. So, I’m asking you to stick with me on this one.
Jake: He should not know that I voted for Tenzil. Was I on the list?
Kyle: Yes.
Jake: That’s interesting…maybe he’s guessing. I suppose someone could have told him.
Kyle: I don’t know what he’s doing…but I don’t like it, and I’m asking you to stick with me.
Jake: No problem. I’ve got your back. But I’m wondering why this is even a big deal…Tenzil hardly seems to care about the game.
Kyle: I think because it was a scramble of sorts, people are thinking there’s a power alliance and are aggressively trying to sniff it out. What’s scary is that they could easily pick us out and decide to start getting rid of us—especially with someone rattling off names blindly.
Jake: But they don’t know who “we” are! I don’t even know who “we” are!
Kyle: Taylor does. My guard is up. I’m not saying anything is going to happen, I’m just using this as my opportunity to get us to work together—without beating around the bush anymore. Ok…I’m out of breath…
Jake: You are suggesting an alliance. And I am saying yes.
So they had shaken on it, and both of them had been thrilled. The way the game was turning out, any protection available was much welcomed.
Jenne and Kyle walked to almost out of Jake’s sight when JoJo approached and startled him out of his thoughts. He needed only a half second before grinning broadly.
JoJo: How’s Jakey?
Jake: I’m well. Well as can be expected in a game of this caliber.
JoJo agreed wholeheartedly. As well as could be expected was as good as any of them could do. JoJo felt she could be better after the Tenzil debacle, but she still lacked work.
JoJo: Taylor is saying Chris and I organized the Tenzil vote.
Jake grinned up at her.
Jake: I think it was me, quite honestly.
JoJo: You think it was you?
Jake: I think I organized it. I said Tenzil to Chris, and he took it and ran.
JoJo: Well, basically, I’m lying through my teeth! And Beth or someone put it back on Taylor.
Jake: So now you and Chris might be targets? That sucks! Kyle says that he and I are targets because Taylor is telling people all the people he knows voted for Tenzil.
JoJo: Nah, I haven’t heard a thing.
So that made Jake a little bit more confident about the present situation that Kyle had brought to his attention. If anything was in the works, JoJo would know. She was top notch at staying in the loop. And Kyle—well, Kyle seemed a bit edgy, especially for such an early stage of the game. Whatever the case, he seemed like a trustworthy sort for now.
Then Jake saw Isaac Miller in the distance, strolling toward the resort on his own. Isaac was his friend, his Halloween confidant. Together they had bulldozed their way to the finish, sitting together at the final two as planned from the beginning—when AJ had discovered Zach’s cover. The plan had worked for them flawlessly.
Jake thought back once again to those days he had met Isaac.
AJ: Ahhh, Zach, we need to talk. I know who you are. I know why you’re here.
Zach had been taken aback. A target already?
Zach: My time is limited…
AJ: No…you have to realize how much of a risk I’m taking in telling you this.
Zach: Ok, I’m confused right now.
AJ: For the moment, let’s both go by our real names.
Zach: This is my real name.
AJ: No it’s not.
Zach: Yeah it is.
Zach was officially worried. But AJ merely smiled as he sighed and took a step back.
AJ: This isn’t nearly as easy as I thought it would be.
Zach looked him over slowly. It was obvious he had been found out. The only thing left was to fess up.
Zach: Well, you leave me with no choice. I have to admit that I’m Isaac. So who are you?
AJ: I’m Jake, and I want to work together.
AJ had risked a lot, Zach knew that, and working with him seemed like a good plan. But how well could he trust Jake?
Zach: I will tell you right now, I am not going to backstab you ever, and I want the same.
AJ: I will never backstab you. You are the person I know I need to go to the end with.
And that’s just how it had happened—all the way to the final two with scarcely a vote to either of their names, though Desiree and Ashley and Gary had tried to remove them on numerous occasions.
Jake lingered on the moment but was certain it would not be possible again. The decks had been shuffled so much differently than before
Still, Jake wanted to protect his old friend for as long as possible, starting with passing along the gossip that could endanger him.
He caught up to Isaac quickly.
Jake: I suppose I should say this…things have been going around about Missie’s alliance.
Isaac: Alliance with?
Jake: I’ve heard Rami, Shaun, Taylor, and you. I don’t know if this is true.
Isaac: I’ve never agreed to anything with Missie. I hardly talk to Taylor, and I’ve never had a full conversation with Rami. Who did you hear this from?
Jake: It’s been going around for days. Multiple people. I just want to say if you’re with Missie—she’s backstabbed you once, and she will not hesitate to do it again.
Isaac: I know, I’m aware of that. But I’m not with her. There are no alliances for me for now.
Jake looked at him momentarily. Somehow it screamed truth, and Jake had learned first hand that Isaac was a man of his word.
Jake: I believe you.
Isaac: Thanks, Jake. Of course people are going to make assumptions because of previous seasons.
Jake: Well, yeah. Same thing has happened to me.
Isaac thanked Jake for the heads up, though he wasn’t exactly sure of his intentions. Was he trying to stir up trouble? Or had there really been rumors floating around. Jake Erickson had been a bit too quiet for Isaac’s comfort, but he took the information with stride—and stride with it right back to Missie he did.
The alliance may not have been official, but something was there. For the moment, Isaac trusted it more than he trusted Jake Erickson.
Isaac found Missie quickly enough and ducked with her out of the public eye. Missie was intrigued by his urgency.
Isaac: Jake told me that there is a rumor that you, me, Taylor, and like two other that I don’t remember are working together. I’m not sure if he really meant it as truth or where he heard it—Jake just makes me uneasy. Rami was one of them. I just thought you should know that.
Missie paused and cocked her head.
Missie: Someone else told me today I had an alliance with Rami. I’ve talked to him once!
Isaac: I have never talked to him. It’s stupid, I don’t know how these rumors get started.
Missie: This is insane.
Isaac: Anyway, if we had to vote now, I would vote for Drew. We’ll see what changes in the next few days.
So they left it at that for the time being.
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Post by Host Kyle on Jan 23, 2006 0:02:33 GMT -5
The challenge was quickly approaching, with much anticipation. It was going to be a fight for that necklace. Jon Kennedy lingered at the beach, away from the clamor of strategy and snooping and schmoozing. While he had had a great time getting to know people, it seemed that drama had already started, and he would just as soon stay out of it.
The first tribal council had baffled him. His thoughts were completely jumbled about the votes, the outcome, and many of the people most vocal about it.
He walked silently down to the pier, alighted the steps and made his way to the end where he peered out into the water. The sun was high overhead that afternoon and he was acutely aware of its rays beating down on his back. But the breeze from the sea balanced any discomfort.
He loved being on All Star Island. He loved playing with these people. He loved everything about…
Christopher: So…how come you didn’t tell me you were friends with Lindz and Michelle? Were you saving that for a special moment?
Startled, Jon whirled around to find Christopher standing on the other side of the pier with his arms crossed. He was not smiling. He was not joking. Jon stammered for a moment.
Jon: Oh..oh…I didn’t mention when I asked about Okinawa? I know Lindsay but don’t know Michelle.
Christopher: Nope. You didn’t mention it. It would’ve practically made you a kissing cousin.
Jon laughed nervously.
Jon: What?
Christopher: Shauna/Michelle was my alliance partner in season one.
Jon: You knew it was her right?
Christopher: Of course. We ended up figuring it out after a series of trial and error. Just kind of proved that we were connected, that we would keep aligning even when we didn’t know it was us.
Jon: Fate maybe?
Christopher snickered, but offered nothing more
Christopher: Hafta run…almost challenge time.
And with that, he left Jon to stare after him, dumbfounded. Suddenly a big deal was being made about his friends outside. He hadn’t a clue what it all was leading to, but as he watched Christopher walk slowly away, he wondered after him.
He shrugged it off. It was nothing he was going to figure out immediately. He knew it was better to leave it alone and let things play out on their own. They would eventually. For right now, he was concerned only with that immunity necklace, and that is where he would dwell.
After a couple of hours with Tenzil, Jamie ventured out for a confrontation of sorts. This bit involving Lindsay and Michelle seemed a bit petty and entirely frustrating. Jamie Drayson was playing in the All-Star game for no other reason but that she had played in the preceding season. How could she have been sent by outside forces, just to destroy JoJo Treadwell? How could Beth already betray her trust in this?
She luckily found Beth in her hut.
Jamie: I have something I want to talk to you about.
Beth: Ok.
Beth had been resting and wasn’t sure what was up, but Jamie seemed very driven. Jamie entered the hut, walked past Beth and settled in the den area. Beth followed and remained standing.
Jamie: Someone has already approached me about my relationship with Linds, and as you’re the only person that knows it or sees it as significant, I figured it came from you. It has me curious to know if you still fear it or if there are underlying questions about it.
Beth sighed. There was no getting around this one, and she knew she should’ve kept her mouth shut about the whole thing. It really was a ridiculous fear.
Beth: I told Taylor about you knowing Lindsay. I know he was worried about Jon, too, but honestly neither of us thought I reflected on you. I’m sorry if I shouldn’t have.
Jamie cocked her brow.
Jamie: It wasn’t Taylor that brought it to me. So he must’ve told someone else. I don’t care who told, love. I just don’t want you thinking I could have ulterior motives or anything else because of said friendship.
Beth: I shoulda known better than to say anything to Taylor.
Jamie: If anything he probably toted it around to use against me.
Beth: He doesn’t have enough power. I think a ton of people want him out. But I’m sorry, Jamie. I shoulda known better than to say anything about it.
It was ok with Jamie…really. She just didn’t want people thinking she was so trivial as to use outside relationships or influences in a current game. As long as no one was out to get her for that reason, she was fine, and she told Beth as much. They parted with hugs and agreements, so things seemed fine.
But while things were spinning all over the place, Tenzil Goodman was still on a mission. He was going to find out exactly who was behind his push the night before. Taylor, of course, voted for him—that would be a given at any time. But Taylor being behind the wheel of that maneuver just didn’t add up.
Tenzil’s mission was to figure it out, and then go guns blazing into the immunity challenge. He would not be a punching bag in this game. Never.
He found Ashley milling around the gift shop back in the resort and he confronted her immediately. They hadn’t made the tightest of connections, and she wasn’t the easiest to hold a discussion with, but Ashley seemed fairly drama free at the moment. At least she hadn’t been running her mouth around the beach, pointing fingers. She had openly cast her vote, sighed, and walked away from the council.
That made her an enigma in Tenzil’s eyes, and someone he could swing. He approached her as gingerly as possible, and she received him well.
Tenzil: Were you approached at last night’s tribal council? About the vote?
Ashley: Meaning did someone ask me to vote for you?
Tenzil: Yes.
Ashley: Yeah, but I had already voted. I wasn’t going to vote you off anyway.
Tenzil: Who did it?
Ashley: I can’t tell you because I don’t wanna start drama.
So much for an easy swing. It was respectable though.
Tenzil: Understood.
Ashley: I had no idea someone was after you because they was talking about Shaun and Lisa.
Tenzil: Ok. Thank you for being honest.
Ashley: No problem. I would have wanted you to do the same.
Tenzil: I’m sorry I haven’t talked with you more one on one. After tribal council, I decided to stay low.
Ashley: Yeah, I would have too.
Mission failed. No information was coming his way from Ashley Miller. Nevertheless he thanked her, hugged her, promised more friendly conversations later, and continued on.
What he found that day as the challenge came quickly was the same as he had received since the night before. Nobody had voted for him, and everybody had been approached by some nameless, faceless being who could annihilate his prey with a single breath of fire if they exposed the hideous truth.
Tenzil was actually jealous. He was the righteous god of thunder and no other! No one could take that title from him!
Little did Tenzil know, however, that he wasn’t on the case alone. Missie had been openly asking questions, sniffing things out, if not for Tenzil but for her own sake to know who this powerful alliance of seven was.
With the challenge only an hour away, Tenzil headed back to his hut to lay down for a while before bringing out his guns. Missie cut him off.
Missie: Chris definitely voted you.
Tenzil: Proof?
Missie: I just asked Taylor if anyone came to him, and he said that Chris did but that he didn’t think much of it. Thought it was just a random thing.
Tenzil nodded. That was exactly what he needed to hear, and that made all the sense in the world.
Tenzil: Oh well. I need to move on. I need light and mirth.
Missie: Assume it’s Jon, Drew, Rami, Jake, Ryan, and Chris?
Tenzil: I will not assume anything.
Missie: Ok, wrong word. I didn’t mean it like that, but you can’t assume or get it out right now, so just go with it.
Tenzil: I am just not assuming anything.
Missie: Drew was all sad when I talked to him..it would be so sad for Lisa to go first in two games. It’s apparent that grudges are a part of this game.
Tenzil shrugged, thanked her for the information, then bade her a good hour before the challenge. He would deal with things his own way, firstly by acquiring immunity. Then he would figure out what to do.
The good note was, Missie was apparently on his side.
Still there were others trying to figure out the whole Tenzil scandal. Angie Cristobal was not tightlipped in the matter, asking any and everybody she came across.
Angie: Were you one of the ones that voted for Tenzil?
Christopher had just stopped by the bar and was not expecting anyone else but his buddy Jenne. Angie had sneaked in behind him and without even so much as a greeting went right for the big ones.
Where was Jenne? All he wanted was some drinks before the challenge with his girl. He didn’t want anyone snooping in his private strategic affairs.
Angie: I swear I’d never tell. Just curious.
Christopher: I couldn’t vote for Lisa. It seemed heartless, so yes…I was. And you are the only person I have admitted that to.
Angie: My lips are sealed, I promise you.
Christopher: I appreciate that, but I tell you that to be honest. And one more reason…I think that probably makes it clear that I am not in any sort of alliance with the season four people.
He nodded to her, and Angie couldn’t help but beam. She knew she loved Christopher.
Christopher: I know I was afraid of the eleven-person juggernaut when this game began, but I also know that some think I would automatically be with them.
He looked at her and grinned.
Christopher: Nope. Shhhhhh…
Angie: Whose idea was it? I mean, no one told me anything.
Christopher: That is a good question. A flurry of whispers seemed to go around with three different names—none yours.
Angie: That’s nice to know.
Christopher: I saw Tenzil, Taylor, and Lisa…so I picked one.
It was good enough information for Angie. She left him alone at that, satisfied that at least one person had owned up to a vote against Tenzil. How she would use this information she wasn’t sure, but she knew it was somehow an integral bit.
She passed Jenne on the way out of the bar, they exchanged pleasantries and then Angie was gone.
Jenne watched her go and turned to Christopher with a question on her lips. He merely shrugged.
Christopher: Pumping me. Have a drink.
Angie Cristobal marched toward the aisle of huts, feeling bloated with new information. Her goal thus far into the game had been to build an alliance against the formidable institution of Valentine’s Day. Now it was to discover the so-called Tenzil deviants and either block their efforts or expound upon the job they had started.
When she crossed paths with Jamie Drayson, she realized she wanted to heal a broken past and reprise a companionship. Jamie would be key to her survival if she was to outlast the final four from Valentine’s Day.
And Jamie’s romance with Tenzil was the key.
Angie: I’m sure you can figure, there are some people that are wary of you and Tenz.
Jamie stopped in her tracks and looked at her. Angie had never been an enemy in her eyes, but someone with whom a trust needed renovation. Angie had somehow implied wanting to work with her, and Jamie was open. She decided to listen, take her at face value—which at the moment, was very forthright.
Jamie: Any names just so I know? I can understand wariness, but at this stage of the game wouldn’t it be wise to join in an alliance of a guaranteed block of two?
Angie: I agree with you.
Jamie: I’m also much more flexible than I was last season.
Angie: With so many people and no tribes, it’s really hard to see how things will work out, you know?
Jamie: Most definitely.
They paused, both fishing for the right words.
Jamie: If you’re interested, the offer of an alliance with me is most definitely on the table.
Angie didn’t even hesitate to extend her hand. This was what she had been hoping for with Jamie Drayson, regardless of past dealings.
Angie: I’m with you.
Jamie took her hand warmly.
Jamie: We’re together.
Angie: And I’ll tell you…I’d much rather Tenzil go down before you.
Angie winked, and tilting her head back, Jamie spewed laughter.
Jamie: At least one person thinks that this season!
Angie: After what happened between me and you in Paradise and you in Valentine’s Day, he has to go first.
Jamie: We need to get this done, and I think you’re the right person. Toast! To the end of Paradise and the burial of Valentine’s Day!
Angie: Here! Here!
And yet another of scads of alliances was born
At seven o’clock sharp the castaways gathered back at the beach for their second challenge of the game. The atmosphere was very intense as everyone would be pushing hard for this particular immunity. It seemed that every security was at risk.
Tenzil came in, straight faced as ever and stood next to Jamie. Beth came in with JoJo next to her. Little by little, everyone trickled in. Jenne and Christopher were the last to arrive, slightly clumsy and buzzing from few drinks, all smiles. Jenne giggled out loud until Karen took her place before them.
Taylor inched up next to Kyle and whispered quickly.
Taylor: Have you heard anything bad about me?
Kyle: No, I haven’t.
Taylor: Well good. The same here about you.
Kyle paused thoughtfully before he added more.
Kyle: Just that you might have been the one to rally the troops last night.
Taylor: Is that good or bad?
Kyle: Depends on who you ask. Tenzil says the commander is back. Beth told me. I think the only thing he’ll be able to commandeer is himself to the loser lodge.
Taylor: Ah, well. It’s funny that you have heard that I rallied the votes because it wasn’t me.
Turning fully, Kyle looked at Taylor.
Kyle: Who did? Total coincidence?
Taylor: Chris. But shhhhhh….
Kyle nodded and glanced over to where Christopher and Jenne were clinging to each other, obviously trying to stifle laughter. How interesting. And it made a lot of sense.
At that moment Karen raised her hands and cleared her throat loudly, garnering everyone’s attention.
Karen: I know you all have speculated something completely different for this challenge. Tonight you will be playing cards. More specifically, Pyramids. This challenge will test your skill and patience. This is a computerized game, and you will all receive your own personalized mechanism to keep track of your scores. Play as often or as little as you like to gain the highest score possible. This challenge will end tomorrow night so you have twenty-four hours to submit your final score.
As always, a gentle rumble arose from the group. Some grumbled. Beth Sowles thought about a deck of cards and her stomach turned. Little machines not unlike Gameboys or miniature Playstations were distributed among the castaways, greeted with a plethora of attitudes. Many of the guys, particularly the younger guys, were chomping at the bits to get started on this challenge. The women, by majority, groaned within themselves.
This challenge was nothing JoJo wanted to see with her security on the line, especially with what she considered her current, dire situation. Ever since she had written Tenzil’s name on that dreadful piece of parchment, it seemed that a dark cloud loomed over her head.
She suddenly realized she was bumping elbows with someone she feared most—none other than Angie Cristobal.
Angie turned, excused herself, and offered JoJo a smile. JoJo returned it weakly. The history between them was rather bleak, and JoJo for some reason felt it intensified.
Angie, on the other hand, hadn’t even thought about it.
Angie: JoJo, I hate Pyramids!!!
JoJo: Same here! Hold me!
Angie laughed aloud and gave JoJo a side hug. JoJo felt a bit more relaxed at Angie’s response, but guarded just the same. Angie was someone she needed close by her side to keep the slightest target away.
JoJo: I’ve been asking around were you have been. I haven’t seen you around camp.
Angie: I’ve been here.
JoJo: Honestly, I haven’t been around much. But I did hear that Taylor threw your name out as a possible vote and was bragging that you “thank God for him” or some such.
Angie flinched. This was news to her. She and Taylor had been nothing but amiable with each other. It suddenly hit her that it was the whole final four from Valentine’s Day. She wanted to frown but she didn’t.
Angie: What?!
JoJo: Now I like Taylor! So feel free to keep this to yourself.
Angie: I never did that!
JoJo: I know we haven’t really been “working together” yet, but I still had to tell you that.
Angie: Thanks. I won’t say anything.
They paused for a moment. JoJo looked around briefly. There was still a commotion over the game so no one that had lingered around at challenge beach was paying attention.
JoJo: Taylor didn’t tell me, though, and I promised I wouldn’t rat out who told me. Just keep it in mind.
Angie: I honestly never talk to him much.
JoJo: Me either. He just told me he didn’t like Tenzil but then evidently told people that I organized those votes for Tenzil—which wasn’t true! So I’m keeping my eyes on him.
Angie: I heard he organized those votes! Did you vote Tenzil?
JoJo: No! I voted Lisa! No one even talked to me about it…I was completely shocked!
Angie nodded. Things were just not adding up. Like Tenzil had said, no one was owning up to those seven votes. It was miracle how they appeared. As far as Angie knew, Christopher Collins was the only honest person in the bunch.
Once again she nodded her thanks to JoJo before continuing on her way, with a new fear of Taylor. Why did Taylor have something against her all of a sudden?
She saw Kyle in the distance standing there, seemingly studying those around him. If anyone could shed light on the issue, he could. Angie knew that Kyle and Taylor had been close before, and as she and Kyle had solidified something of an agreement earlier that day, she was certain she could get something out of him. If nothing but protection.
Angie: Do you talk much to Taylor?
Kyle: Not a whole lot, why?
Angie: Has he talked about me?
Kyle: Not to me. What’s going on?
Angie: This is between us, right?
Kyle: Of course…we’re working together.
Angie: I was told that he brought up my name at the surprise second vote last night and that he has been going around bragging that I “thank God for him.”
Kyle flinched, and immediately flipped through the files of his mind. He recalled Taylor mentioning a reservation toward Angie at some point, but nothing to the extent of what Angie was saying.
Kyle: I haven’t heard that at all…who told you that?
Angie: It was from someone I think I can trust. Taylor didn’t say it directly to this person. They were told by someone else about it.
Pausing, Kyle tried to figure her wording out. Too many variables.
Kyle: Ok, that was just over my head.
Angie: Taylor didn’t talk to this person directly, and they wouldn’t tell me who they heard it from.
Kyle: Well, who is “this” person?
Angie: It was JoJo that was telling me.
Kyle’s first rule of thumb was to never trust the “I-heard-from-someone-who-heard-from-someone-else-but-I-can’t-say-who” spiel. It just screamed of fabrication. He bit his lip thoughtfully.
Kyle: I honestly haven’t heard of anyone talking about you, but if JoJo said…she seems like a trustworthy sort.
But Kyle was not completely sold.
Kyle: I’ll keep my ears open.
Angie: I hadn’t seen her much since TC. She said she’s been asking about me and that even though we weren’t together, she wanted me to know that.
Kyle: I’ll need to talk to her some more…
Angie nodded. If Kyle knew nothing of it, then she believed him. It could all be just a ploy against Taylor for all she knew. She decided to blow it off for now.
Angie: Guess who asked me for an alliance today!
Kyle: Who?
Angie: Guess!
Kyle: Jamie?
Angie: Yes !
Kyle was openly jolted at that. He opened his mouth to say something, but stopped. Jamie had mentioned nothing of it to him…yet. Would she? What if she was rallying up support against him since he had already gone against her at the first tribal council?
Kyle: What do you think about that?
Angie: I haven’t brought your name up, though. I’m waiting for the right time. She and I started talking about how Tenzil had to go.
Kyle: Excuse me?
Angie: I told her she had to outlast him in this game. She said it sounded like a plan we needed to put into action.
Kyle: Can we trust that? I thought they were joined at the hip.
Angie: Well, Tenzil told me they both agreed from the start that they both were going to do what they needed to do. But anyways, I’ve heard Taylor’s name come up for the next tribal council.
Kyle nodded absently.
Angie: His and Ashley’s, but most everyone I’ve talked to talk like they were leaning towards voting Ashley.
Kyle: I’ve heard Ashley. I’m cool with Ashley.
Angie: Oh…and there was one honest person that told me, they voted for Tenzil last night.
Kyle looked up quickly.
Angie: …but I promised not to tell.
The secrecy was getting old.
Kyle: So who was the honest Abe?
Angie: As much as I trust you, I made a promise, and I would hope by not telling you that you would be able to trust me more also.
Of course, this type of honesty was a nice change of pace—but not when Kyle wanted facts and details!
Kyle: Yes, I trust you and respect the promise you made. I won’t bug you about it.
Angie: If they do something to make me feel I can no longer trust them, I will tell everyone!
Kyle grinned at that. Angie smiled coyly and shrugged her shoulders.
Kyle: Sinner! Now that you’re letting everything out, any particular threats to you in this game so far?
Angie: Well, I have promised my good friend Gary that I will do everything possible to get Jake voted out pre-jury.
Kyle: Woah!
That was not something Kyle expected to hear. In fact, that was an immediate roadblock in the future. Kyle was not going to turn on his new little buddy.
Kyle: Halloween carry-overs, I see.
Angie: Yeah, that’s why I thought it was funny when he commented in TC that he didn’t think there were any grudges.
Kyle: Which is why I said…come on people, it’s day five!
So much information. Kyle didn’t know whether he was in a good position or not. He had discovered a lot of things he wasn’t sure many people were privy to. At the same time he was allied with multiple people who would never side with each other. Troublesome times seemed to be looming.
He glanced out over the crowd and saw Jamie with Tenzil. Surely his newly close friend had not lost her trust in him that quickly.
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Post by Host Kyle on Jan 23, 2006 0:05:02 GMT -5
Beth Sowles caught his eye, and he inched over to her quickly.
Kyle: Angie told me Taylor’s name has been mentioned a lot. And she told me that Jamie asked her for an alliance.
Beth cocked her head. This was news, and the Bitch Four would be hearing about it.
Kyle: Let’s see if Jamie relays this tidbit to us. If she doesn’t, I say we call the whole thing off.
Beth: I have to talk to you about Jamie.
Kyle: What’s going on with her? I must know!
Beth: Things are way weird in this game we’re playing.
Kyle: Do you think Jamie’s hiding her involvement with Tenzil?
Beth: I definitely think there is something there hidden from us.
Kyle: The way she reacted about his votes…
Beth: The way she is reacting about…things. You missed it. Taylor is apparently good at this card game and Jamie just went nuts. She desperately wants Tenzil to win, it seemed to me.
Kyle: She’s already started bossing. I was kind of irked by the way I felt forced to vote Lisa, and I was pissed at myself that I felt like I needed to lie.
Beth: I know what you mean…totally know what you mean. I felt bad I hadn’t voted for Tenzil.
Kyle: If we can axe Jon next, then the following TC round up those who voted for Tenzil, plus you and Angie…done deal. It’s going to piss Jamie off, and I’m not against her, but Beffy and Kyle aren’t allowed insurance?
Beth: I was irked she blew off my concern about Jon.
Kyle: And now she’s ready to axe Taylor. Taylor is my insurance.
Beth looked up quickly and shushed Kyle. Taylor was walking their way. Kyle glanced over his shoulder and put a hand to his mouth. Beth leaned in to whisper quietly.
Beth: Taylor is dragging me into the Missie alliance with y’all.
Kyle: I really don’t think Taylor is the enemy here.
Beth shushed him again as Taylor joined them.
Kyle: Taylor!
Beth: Hey, Tay!
Taylor looked around quickly. He glanced toward the resort where Missie disappeared into the restaurant.
Taylor: We gotta talk.
Kyle: What’s up?
Taylor: What’s you guys’ take on the Missie alliance?
Kyle looked at Beth, but she only shrugged ignorantly.
Kyle: Alliance? I thought she was just a pawn.
Taylor: Well, she was, but I thought you two made an alliance that included me.
Flinching, Kyle pointed to himself.
Kyle: She made the alliance…I only talked to her because of you, and it did include you…
He glanced at Beth.
Kyle: And apparently Beth now?
Beth grinned innocently.
Taylor: I’m just wondering where we stood.
Kyle: What do you know about Missie?
Taylor: She’s not the most trustworthy person, but I know she wants me to do well.
Kyle: Just knowing her, I can’t trust anything that comes out of her mouth. I saw Independence Day, and I played with her once. Same thing.
Taylor: I understand, but I know she wants a few people out and we can use her for that.
Kyle: Who does she want out?
Taylor: Jon, Drew, Ryan.
Kyle and Beth exchanged glances.
Taylor: I don’t know if I’ve told you this but Jon is targeting me.
Kyle: So you’ve mentioned, but I’ve never heard him say. Where does Lizzie stand in all this?
Beth shrugged once again.
Taylor: Lizzie is with us.
Looking back at Beth, he noticed that she was nodding in agreement. But Kyle was suddenly struck by something frightening.
Kyle: At the moment, “us” is a broad term. I was part of an “us” before that included the two of you and you know where that led me.
Beth’s smiled faded and she looked down momentarily. Taylor led Kyle away for a moment and whispered in his ear.
Taylor: I understand your apprehension about all this, trust me. And “us”is a broad term. My alliance is still truly to you. I would love for both of us to be in the final two—don’t ever doubt that. I am the one who fought to keep you over Lucas last time, and it almost worked. I don’t want you to feel like you can’t trust me.
Kyle: Honestly, I didn’t at first. I didn’t know what was happening with this Missie alliance, and then the Tenzil vote.
The game was much too frustrating, and way too early at that. Taylor assured him of his loyalty over and over again before leading him and Beth to the restaurant where Missie Bird was waiting patiently.
Taylor entered first and found her seated at an obscure table in the back.
Taylor: I invited them. They should be coming.
Missie was buried in the electronic device before her.
Missie: Oh no problem. I’m just playing Pyramids.
Kyle and Beth filed in shortly, and they all greeted each other, made their snide comments toward the challenge at hand, then delved into strategy.
Taylor: I kinda want Tenzil gone, and I think you all know that. Does anyone here want him to stay around?
Missie: Do you think he is a threat right now or do you just not like him?
Taylor: It’s both.
Kyle: I don’t trust that he’s playing the fly on the wall role.
Taylor: I’m like Kyle.
Missie: So then, if Tenzil is immune, who is on your “wish list”?
Taylor: Ryan and Rami need to stay because they dislike him from season four.
Beth: First on my wish list is Jon.
Taylor: Jon is first.
Kyle: Jon is cool with me.
Beth: Missie, who’s on your wish list?
Missie: I’m good with that actually. I’d like Jon gone…but I’d like Jenne gone too. I feel like we need to break up Tenzil and Jamie, too. And I know Taylor has this “I won’t target you” thing with Jenne but…she has just rubbed me the wrong way. We talk about trimming the fat, and that is a good plan in the beginning. She is “fat” at this point.
Kyle: Or an extra vote. This game is so hard.
Taylor: Let’s just set Jon and Ashley up for right now, with Tenzil and Jenne on the watch list.
Missie: At what point do we go to others and ask to help vote Tenzil off?
Taylor: There were so many people who wanted him off that I think we can get it.
Missie: Did they all come to you or just Chris?
Kyle: I was approached by other than Chris.
Beth: Me too, but I voted for Lisa.
Missie: So who voted for Tenzil then? See, no one told me this, and I was totally oblivious! If you all trust me, then I wish someone would’ve told me.
Taylor: I didn’t tell you because I didn’t think anyone would vote him. I thought it would only be Chris.
Kyle: I didn’t tell anyone because it was a freak thing to me, and I thought I was being set up.
Beth shrugged.
Beth: I told anyone who wanted to know how I voted.
Taylor: Well, let’s just put that vote behind us.
Missie: I know, we should, but I’m just curious as to who all voted for him so we kinda know where everyone stands.
Taylor: That’s cool. We know Drew. I would assume Chris and JoJo…that’s three. Who else?
Missie: Jake?
Kyle: Jake did.
Missie: Jake, Lisa, Drew, JoJo, Chris…there is one more.
Kyle: Taylor.
Taylor looked at Kyle quickly.
Taylor: No I didn’t!
All grew quiet. Beth and Missie exchanged glances.
Kyle: Oh. My mistake.
Taylor: I thought about it, but I didn’t.
There was more silence. Something wasn’t right, but they pressed on.
Beth: Isaac?
Missie: Did Jon?
Taylor: Lizzie maybe? I know she and Chris are tight. Or were. Anyways, I think we have enough.
Missie: Enough numbers for Jon?
Taylor: Oh yeah.
Missie: Then I’ll tell Isaac the vote is for Jon.
Everyone nodded in agreement, though immunity was still up for grabs. It was still anybody’s game.
No target could possibly be etched in stone. But they were confident
The group disbanded for the evening, though Missie stayed behind for a drink. She needed a moment alone to think before heading to the hut for the night. The group seemed stable—in a perfect world. And she liked Taylor. She really did. But was there a word of truth out of his mouth?
She watched the television over the bar for a moment while she thought, seeing only images.
Shaking her head in disgust, Missie downed the last of her drink and arose to go. Once outside she bumped into Jake, ever alone. Or so it seemed. Missie hadn’t really seen him mingling about with anyone.
Missie: Jake, Jake, Jake…
Jake : Missie, Missie, Missie. What’s up ?
Missie clearly felt the alcohol spinning her mind. She felt bolder than normal. This little boy before her was spreading things, and she wanted it cleared up.
Missie: I just wanted to make sure you knew that I’ve spoken to Rami once this entire game. You were the second person that has mentioned that I have an alliance with him today, and I am floored. I don’t expect you to confront me, but I’d love to know where this came from.
Jake smirked, and took a step back.
Jake: It’s not like I made the rumor up. I heard it from multiple people. I didn’t know what to think either way.
Missie: Well, it’s terrifically insane! I’m so curious as to who is starting this.
Jake: I heard it secondhand. I told Isaac, and it was thirdhand. So, you’re hearing it at least fourthhand.
He smiled at his own wit. So, his friend Isaac was in cahoots with Missie after all.
Missie: Well, Taylor told me today, too.
Jake: Hmm…
Missie: I’m a bit confused. Maybe he was starting it!
She laughed in spite of herself. It was tickling to Jake as well. Defending his source was seeming to be problematic, but Missie had come up with the solution herself. Jake didn’t have to say a word.
Missie left him grumbling about Taylor under her breath. Jake merely watched her walk away.
Late into the evening Christopher Collins and Jenne Lotz were still partying hard in the bar. What was a challenge to them? They’d worry about it tomorrow. Now they just wanted to have some fun.
Jenne tipped back a Cosmopolitan and downed it before Christopher could even pick up his glass, and he spewed with laughter. Jenne only wished she could enjoy a pina colada with a buff Latino oiling her down.
That had happened in Valentine’s Day and almost cost her the first tribal council. She settled for other mixed drinks and Christopher. They had laughed so much that their sides literally ached.
Christopher: We gotta talk about the game…
Jenne: Drunk!
Christopher: We gottsa say…a whole lot of these bitches have no clue what is happening out here!
Jenne slapped him on the arm.
Jenne: We’re sexy bitches!
Christopher: Hells to the yes.
Jenne: I’m a really good hooker, and Christopher is a really dark angel.
Christopher smirked and put a hand over her face. She clumsily shoved it off.
Christopher: Ok, Jenne is being incoherent. Barring any unforeseen circumstances…we have these bitches under control.
Jenne: All the ugly bitches are going home! d**n straight!
Christopher laughed and pounded his head on the table.
Christopher: I am drunk!
Jenne: I am eating pizza!
Still howling in laughter, Christopher couldn’t even sit up straight. Jenne ignored him for the moment while she tore into a slice of pizza until she’d had enough. She slapped him on the forehead.
Christopher: Ok, I have regained my composure. Tonight you realize…if we keep people like Missie and Ashley, it doesn’t matter. Because we rule this game. We are going to set Taylor and Tenzil up…make them hate each other even more!
Jenne: So we be lookin’ like angels! In fact, if we keep ‘em hating on each other, and they’re not looking at us, we can slip by.
Christopher: We are going to have Jenne subtly blame Taylor for the vote.
Jenne: I am doing that?
Christopher: Yeah.
Jenne considered it dramatically for a moment before shrugging and chomping into her pizza.
Jenne: Ok.
Christopher: We can now keep the boys focused on each other instead of us.
Jenne: And Missie just going whatever. Dem ugly bitches are going home!
Christopher: Yup! The goal right now is to keep Tenzil and Taylor at each other’s throats and to exploit Missie’s lack of alliance partner.
Jenne now fell into a fit of giggles.
Jenne: Exactly!
Christopher: We can get Missie to vote the way we want via Taylor!
Jenne: I love you!
Christopher: I love you, too!
They hugged and fawned over each other for a moment, broken up by fits of laughter. In chorus, they shouted, “And we love Karen!”
The day drew to a close with anticipation of much more to come. Many had planned to stay up most of the night, working furiously on the electronic card game. Ryan and Rami were no exception to the matter, and Rami was fairing quite well. Ryan gave up long before him and turned in to his hut.
In the wee hours of the morning Rami was still wide awake. He finally forced himself off the device and into bed.
Staring up at the black ceiling, he could feel his adrenaline pumping. Things were looking good.
Kyle Adams went to bed that night thinking hard about the events of the day, wondering what in the world Jamie Drayson had been planning, if anything, with Tenzil. He knew he could trust her, he felt he could trust her. But why had she been so adamant about Lisa going? And why had she reacted as such when Tenzil had received votes. And why had Beth said she reacted more when it was feared that Taylor might take the upper hand in the challenge, leaving Tenzil vulnerable?
This and more ran through his head like a blur.
Day 5
The fifth day of the great All-Star game dawned for many groggy people who had stayed working on the challenge. For a couple it dawned to quite intense hangovers. For several others, the day began another incessant round of Pyramids on the electronic devices—particularly for Tenzil Goodman. Immunity would be his.
Christopher Collins awoke, ate some breakfast, showered and settled with some coffee, slowly easing away the hangover. He and Jenne had quite a time the night before, and he remembered every bit of it, though he wasn’t feeling as lethal and degrading as he had felt the night before.
Shaking his head, he went to work on the challenge.
And that’s how most of the day was spent for everyone—working on the challenge. Playing the simple card game over and over again in hopes of recording the highest score possible.
Evening time rolled around quickly, and strategy had been kept at a minimum with the exception of a boot name tossed about here and there. So far the running tally for potentials had been Elisabeth, Taylor, Ashley, Jon, and Drew.
Tenzil had begun actively pushing for Taylor’s eviction, much to the chagrin of Jenne and Jamie and those who feared the Commander title he liked to assume for himself. They feared he was digging his own grave.
Over an early dinner, Tenzil expressed his concerns to his number one lady.
Tenzil: Who do you trust? Who do you sorta trust? Who do you not trust? Who could you never trust?
Jamie giggled. They had been having a sweet and innocent conversation until he just plowed her with strategy. It was cute, she thought. She took a sip of her drink and thought for a moment.
Jamie: Beth, Angie, Kyle, and JoJo are my tops along with you. I do not trust Taylor, Drew, Jake, Rami, Ashley, and Lis. I will never trust Taylor. Why?
Tenzil shrugged and looked around him.
Tenzil: Just this resistance to booting Taylor. It disturbs me that people won’t do it, and it’s making me very insecure.
Jamie: I told you the plan to see him gone.
Tenzil: I know. It just makes me feel like I don’t matter to them.
He tipped his head toward Jamie and shot her a seductive brow-crinkle.
Tenzil: I need love.
Jamie smiled back at him, kissed her finger, and touched his lip gently.
Jamie: You do. But Taylor is a hard one to push. Commander should’ve stayed dormant.
Tenzil: He was.
Jamie: Put him back to sleep.
Tenzil: I have. I’m voting for Ashley and not liking it.
Jamie: Good boy. Everything will fall into place. Keep your friends close and your enemies too. So…Ashley, and if there is a second boot…Drew. Sound good? Spread the word, but with a light whisper.
Tenzil: I am voting for Ashley first and Taylor second. Taylor is for my sanity.
Jamie leaned forward and cupped his face with her hands.
Jamie: If we need you…you will vote Drew. Do you hear me?
Tenzil nodded, and Jamie leaned in to kiss his cheek.
Jamie: While your commander has fallen asleep, my manipulative bitch has awakened.
Though Tenzil’s push was for Taylor, the names on everyone’s lips were Ashley, Jon, and Drew. Some tossed around Elisabeth Marie, but her names seemed to have faded into the events since the last tribal council.
When the challenge results came in, Jon Kennedy’s name fell off the block as he had garnered himself immunity.
The castaways gathered at the beach for the big revealing, and some even held hands as Karen approached them with a list in her hand.
The sun had just set over the sea, casting it’s purple hue over the land. Karen held the list before her and paused as dramatically as possible before breathing.
Tenzil squeezed the life out of Jamie’s hand and closed his eyes.
Karen: You all did a fantastic job with Pyramids. But from all the scores we take the top nine, and those people will be immune at the next tribal council. The top scorers and immunity winners in order of the most points are…Tenzil with 137,110 points, Rami with 117,610 points, Ryan with 114,770 points, Jon with 109,250 points, Beth with 97,690 points, Christopher with 88,740 points, Missie with 79,180 points, JoJo with 78,040 points, and Kyle with 75,240.
The survivors turned and looked at each other, chattering among themselves. Jenne instantly grew nervous. At the same moment Drew Herlitz felt the similar discomfort and they met each other’s gaze. Kyle heaved a sigh of relief by hanging on to immunity by a thread. Taylor dropped his head.
Karen: Congratulations to you for winning immunity. The rest of you are vulnerable to tomorrow night’s tribal council.
Karen then motioned for Tenzil to come forward. He looked around quickly before obeying, and the two of them deliberated for a few moments alone. The rest of the cast waited anxiously until their tiny huddled broke and Karen faced them all.
Karen: One more thing for you to know…as the top immunity winner, Tenzil has chosen seven people without knowing why. He chose Angie, Beth, Jamie, Jenne, Jon, Kyle, and Rami. More information regarding these choices will be announced at tribal council. I will see you then.
Like a phantom, Karen was gone. Discussion erupted before anything could sink in. Since Jon Kennedy was now immune, plans had changed drastically for a vast majority.
Drew Herlitz glanced over to Angie Cristobal, both of them wide open for the vote. Drew had heard rumblings of his name and now he was petrified. Because Angie was a fellow potential, he ran to her quickly throwing out names he had heard—anything to steer people clear of his own.
Drew: I’ve only heard two names and they’re not yours! Ashley and Taylor.
Angie: What do you think about that?
Drew: I’m completely fine with it, actually.
Angie: I could go either way. Leaning towards Taylor, though—just to eliminate some of those season four people.
Drew: Would there be enough votes? If it fails, we could get into some huge trouble!
Angie: Like whoever cast all those votes for Tenzil.
Drew: No kidding.
Angie: Did you?
Drew froze. Such a pointed question. One thing was certain, Angie was very direct in what she wanted to know. Drew looked at his feet as he answered.
Drew: I didn’t. Although it was really painful voting for Lisa.
Angie nodded. What did it matter? They had bigger things to worry about now—like keeping themselves out of harms way.
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Post by Host Kyle on Jan 23, 2006 0:05:27 GMT -5
Beth still wasn’t exactly sure where Elisabeth Marie stood in the mix, still feared a vengeful side to avenge all the times Beth had voted her out. She found Elisabeth walking out by the beach and the moment was opportune to rally Lis to her side.
The fear was still way too real, but as always, Elisabeth greeted her with that signature smile. Beth took a breath and gathered her wits.
Beth: Ok, girl, I need your attention a minute. With me?
Elisabeth:Absolutely.
Beth: Good. Your name was tossed around, and I wanted to give you a heads up. As far as I can gather, you aren’t getting votes.
Elisabeth sighed and a frown attempted its way across her lips, but she fought it with all the spirit she had.
Elisabeth:Thanks for the heads up. I really appreciate it.
Beth: I’m doing right by you this time, and I mean it!
Elisabeth:About time!
They shared a lighthearted laugh together.
Elisabeth: No, it’s fine, really. That’s Survivor.
Beth: Well, Survivor sucks then!
Elisabeth:Or so the website says! Nah, whatever, we all get votes at one time or another.
Beth: I hate that rule.
Elisabeth:I am nervous for TC though.
Beth: I think you’re good. But I sorta felt like you should know the other stuff.
Elisabeth:These TC’s are just no fun.
Beth brightened and took Elisabeth by the hand.
Beth: Let’s go for some ice cream instead!
With a giggle they hurried to the restaurant.
The day was an interesting day. The targets shifted from Ashley and Taylor to Ashley and Drew, then back again. Unfortunately for Ashley, her days weren’t looking too lengthy.
Deliberations went on until well into the night.
Interestingly enough, Christopher Collins was content to watch and analyze the day out. He noted who was fighting hard, he noted who acted the most vulnerable. More importantly, he noted who acted the most secure. What was easily pinned down for him were those who looked easily swayed.
He focused his sights on Jamie Drayson that day, watching her fawn over Tenzil and throughout her discussions with others. He had even shared some pleasant conversations with her, even humored her suggestions.
The more he watched her, the more he thought about her, the more a plan began to hatch in his head.
Whatever the case, Christopher had agreed to no partying with Jenne for a while. Well at least not for a day. They needed but a few moments at least for some clear thinking and strategy. They would celebrate after the second tribal council.
He turned in fairly early that night, considering all he had noted that day. There was so much mind candy that it was baffling, but he could be the one to figure it all out.
And make it work…
This new plan would be employed first thing in the morning.
Tonight he would sleep.
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Post by Host Kyle on Jan 23, 2006 0:06:44 GMT -5
Day 6
Of course Christopher slept well that evening but was much too excited to sleep in. He had some stepping to do, starting with taking his little buddy to breakfast.
Jake Erickson was down by the beach skipping rocks when Christopher approached. He himself had been anxious before turning in the night before—anxious to know why Christopher had blessed him with such a peculiar phone call. No answers, no explanations, just instructions—coupled with a charming invitation to breakfast.
But Jake didn’t question him.
Christopher: Mornin’, Jakey. Let’s go get some breakfast.
They headed over the sand, past the aisle of huts, and toward the main resort. Breakfast was calling both of them.
Christopher: Heard anything?
Jake shrugged.
Jake: Names that are being thrown around are Ashley and Taylor.
Christopher: Interesting. Who is throwing around which ones?
Jake: Well. I threw around both. Drew agreed mostly. Beth and Elisabeth are for Ashley and not so much for Taylor as I expected.
Christopher chuckled to himself. It was cute, but he had something more worth their time and effort.
Christopher: I have a different proposition. It is dastardly.
Jake: Proposition?
Christopher looked at Jake for a long moment as they walked that it made him uneasy. He swallowed and faced forward. Christopher lowered his voice.
Christopher: Jamie.
Jake looked up quickly? Was he serious? Hadn’t it been enough that they had made a failed attempt at axing one of the most powerful Holidays players? Now he was talking about going after Tenzil’s own girlfriend!
Immediately Jake thought it a bad idea.
Christopher: We get Taylor and Missie to spearhead a Jamie vote.
Then again, maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea. Jamie and Missie weren’t exactly on the same page of friendship with the whole flirting issue.
Christopher: We break up Jamie and Tenzil. Tenzil thinks it’s just an extension of the vote for him last week. We “help” him get Taylor and Missie the following TC. Keep them focused on each other.
It sounded beautiful. It sounded almost too beautiful to be true. Would it work whether or not Jamie left the game or not? Jake eyed him suspiciously.
Jake: I think it could work. If we can get the votes for Jamie. We’d need nine if we go for her the second vote.
Christopher: Not necessarily. If we get a solid number on her and split the votes even between two people…seven votes could end it for her.
Jake hesitated. It sounded way too good.
Christopher: Let me work on it. Can you count on Drew not to spill or should we wait on telling him?
Jake: I forget his thoughts on Jamie, but I trust him enough, yes. I can’t talk to too many people though. It’d be suspicious.
Christopher: Let me see what I can do tonight.
Jake: I’m all for it.
Christopher: Give me a bit, and I will update you. For now, let’s go eat.
They continued on to breakfast, but the meal was rushed. Christopher had business to attend to.
Missie Bird was up later than normal. The past few days had been eventful enough, and she had welcomed the extra couple of hours of sleep. All the day before she had stewed incessantly over the lie Taylor had told her about Tenzil’s vote, but Missie needed Taylor’s support. She knew she couldn’t afford to lose his trust, so they worked things out. It had taken a while, and they didn’t exactly see eye to eye, but they finally came to a resolution.
And Missie felt good about it.
She was startled by a knock at her door and even more startled to find Christopher on the other side.
Christopher: I find it interesting that we started the game with, what…eleven or so season four peeps? The first vote wasn’t one, and now the third vote is pointing to Ashley—who isn’t one. Jon was up for boot but isn’t now.
He had totally skipped the pleasantries, brushed past her, and hurled the observations at her. She scarcely had the time to be offended before her mind was working.
Missie: Totally.
Christopher: There were already only nine of us, and we keep booting ourselves. The only one they booted was their first boot. Jamie needs to go.
Missie considered for a moment. Of course she had tossed this idea around before, but Christopher coming to her about it could seal the deal.
Missie: Beth seems to be with me I’d think. I wonder if she’d vote with us. Kyle seems worried about it, but I think he’d do it.
Christopher: Beth and Kyle are cool peeps.
Missie: Kyle is worried about making a power move so early, but I told him we won’t be around if we don’t do something. It will be all of them.
So the seed had been firmly planted and watered. Only time would tell if that vegetation would grow like wild fire.
Meanwhile, Jake was doing his own stepping and after much deliberation with himself he took the gander to approach Drew. He and Drew didn’t have the greatest history together as AJ had been instrumental in backstabbing Drew twice in the Halloween season—once initially and twice after an outcast twist had brought Drew back into the game.
Jake had tread lightly of late with Drew Herlitz, but he was confident that they had finally built a rapport. Earlier they had discussed voting Taylor, and Drew had been susceptible as long as the votes were there.
This would be a different, more delicate situation.
Once approached, Jake felt his stomach drop when Drew didn’t receive the change as well as he’d hoped.
Jake: It’s just that I think the vote is heading towards Jamie and Ashley.
Drew: Wow, that is a shocker.
Drew hesitated for a moment.
Drew: I guess as long as it isn’t me.
Jake: It’s really a secret I think, but it wasn’t my idea. The way it sounds is that there’s already a majority for it.
Drew: Wow.
Jake: Are you ok with that? I mean, I’m not even all for it, but this is a delicate situation with only nine people not immune including you and me. If it gets out to Tenzil and Jamie, you can expect things to be very, very explosive. So, it’s on the down low.
Drew: Fair enough. So, is Jamie the first vote or Ashley?
Jake: Jamie, then Ashley. I feel like an evil dictator saying this.
Drew: You already got to be an evil dictator in Halloween. Do you need to be one again?
Jake frowned briefly.
Jake: I’m really not the evil dictator.
Drew: I’m going to have to think about this vote. I may end up voting for Ashley, just so you’re not surprised. I just don’t think that I can bring myself to vote for Jamie at this moment.
Jake: Ok, that’s fine. I don’t want to force you into it.
So that was that. If Jake had to lay money down, Drew Herlitz was a no go. Jake decided he would approach no one else and leave it to Christopher.
Christopher found his other number one girl, ready to pass on the change he knew would thrill her beyond measure. Jenne greeted him with a broad smile, as usual, even tackled him with a bear hug.
After the enthusiastic, morning greeting, Christopher released her and faced her directly.
Christopher: You have a job
Jenne beamed, saluted, and mockingly snapped her heels together.
Jenne: Cadet Jenne reporting for duty, sir!
Christopher looked around quickly.
Christopher: Ashley. Warn her she is on the block. Tell her she needs to vote Jamie to stay. But get her to do it and keep her mouth shut.
Jenne: Missie approached me earlier. Wanted me to talk to Ashley, too.
Christopher: Jake has told me Drew won’t vote Jamie, so we need Ashley. And something to consider…Angie is becoming problematic for both Beth and myself.
Jenne: How so?
Christopher: She’s been pushing both of us hard on the information/alliance front. She works from a guilt standpoint.
Jenne: I think she is tied to Jamie.
Christopher: I like her but not sure I can take it for a whole lot longer.
Jenne: She is way anti-Taylor.
Christopher: I’d rather not give up a sure vote like him, yet.
Jenne: Well…Jamie, then who?
Christopher: Well, who are our options? Angie, Ashley, Drew, Elisabeth, Isaac, Jake, Jamie, Jenne, Taylor. So that leaves Angie, Ashley, Drew, Isaac, Taylor. One of those five.
Jenne: I’d say Ashley. Angie will be at a loss if Jamie goes.
Christopher: Problem is if Jamie goes, Angie is only going to get more hardcore on me and Beth. She keeps working the angle that she doesn’t know what is happening, why aren’t we talking to her, how did the vote happen? She is relentless. If Jamie goes, she will be doubly annoying. One good thing about keeping Ashley is that I could see her following you, which could be a vote in our pocket.
Jenne: Ash and I have yet to talk game.
Christopher: But you will soon…to “save” her. Which could completely endear you to her.
Jenne: So Angie?
Christopher couldn’t agree more. So the plan had changed yet again. From Ashley and Elisabeth as the initial suggestions, the chopping block morphed through names until a final decision of Jamie and Angie had been finalized.
At least in the eyes of Jenne and Christopher. There were still sixteen other variables to contend with.
Slowly and methodically Christopher and Jenne maneuvered around their closest allies spreading the word every so lightly. Any piece of it falling on the wrong ears could be detrimental to their scheme, so they walked lightly.
JoJo was brought up to speed and was pleased with the idea.
JoJo: I dig
Christopher: So put on your devil horns, cause we baaaaad!
JoJo: Ryan just told me Tay, Ashley, Drew, and Lis.
Christopher: Good. We need him outta the loop. We need a few votes to claim as ours.
JoJo: Can Kyle know yet?
Christopher: Dunno. I think someone is checking out that angle? Beth? Anyway, Angie for the second vote….if it happens.
That was news. JoJo did a doubletake.
JoJo: Ok.
By mid afternoon, Kyle had already been approached by all three of JoJo, Christopher, and Beth about voting for Jamie, and it was nothing he received well. His first quandary was from whom her name had surfaced. The one thing Kyle had planned on staying abreast of in this game was who was calling the shots at all times. Cutting the power as it surfaced was his goal, and he already felt a failure at sniffing the powers out.
Whoever was behind the latest developments had been smooth. In fact, Kyle began to feel his anger pressing through with the recent aggression in the game.
Kyle: What I do have a problem with is that plans changed, and I don’t want to play that game where Kyle has no say in what’s going on. I’ve been there before.
Christopher flinched at his directness.
Christopher: Oh. I can understand that.
So the news spread more, and Kyle was plunged into bad humor. Things weren’t looking good. Someone else was calling the shots and by the looks of it, his final two partner was taking the hits.
By the time Taylor came to him, word had reached everyone—even those who weren’t to know. Particularly Tenzil and Jamie herself.
Kyle was in no mood for Taylor, but Taylor dove in with strategy anyway.
Taylor: There’s a plan in place, and I don’t want you to be shocked.
Kyle glared at him angrily.
Kyle: I don’t want any plan that I wasn’t a part of creating. So, no! I’ve been there before.
Taylor: I understand. I just want you to know so you’re not surprised. If you wouldn’t want me to tell you, then—
Kyle: I already know what it is, and I don’t like it!
Taylor: Well, please don’t ruin it if it doesn’t go through. I didn’t start it.
Kyle: Then fix it with us. Missie is not in control of this game.
Taylor: I can’t vote Missie off. She has immunity. I want her gone—
Kyle: Who said anything about voting her? I just don’t want her in control of anything.
Taylor ducked his head and nodded. Kyle was going to be in no pliable mood, that much was obvious.
Taylor: What do you mean by fix it?
Kyle: I don’t know. I’m just not playing the Kyle has no say game again.
Taylor: I can understand that.
But Taylor felt reprimanded, even berated. As much as he liked Kyle, it looked as though they were going to butt heads out here in All-Star Island. A stubborn streak Taylor had never known had surfaced quickly. It was disheartening and unsettling.
Kyle was now torn by a plethora of emotions. Firstly his trust for Jamie had weakened, and he’d opened his mouth about it. Now he felt as though he was the reason her name had surfaced as a boot. Guilt mixed with the anger of someone else aggressively calling the shots was not a good combination for Kyle Adams when thought processes needed to be clear and precise. Kyle never thought strategically in the initial moment of upset. It was his worst flaw.
The ball was definitely rolling and much to Christopher’s pleasure, there was nothing Kyle could do about it. Between Missie’s crew and Christopher’s, word had traveled quickly and Christopher could only sit and revel.
Beth had enjoyed quality time with her number one girl, Jenne Lotz, on that sixth day of the great All-Star game. It would seem that they had been tugged in several different directions with the hike of cast numbers. The two of them sticking together and making All-Stars what they missed in Valentine’s Day by one challenge flub should have been a no-brainer. The complications to the present situation was the number of people they called friends. Loyalty was going to be a very tricky issue. Beth had already found herself in a very shady situation, floating into the good graces of almost every alliance on All-Star Island. Even she didn’t know which route she would take.
However, at the moment, she was talking to Jenne—and at the moment, her loyalty was to Jenne. This is to say until she gleaned everything she needed and passed it along to Kyle or Jamie or whoever else she thought needed to hear.
They had spent a good portion of the day relaxing in Jenne’s hut. Christopher was doing all the work on the outside, so why should they lift a finger? Besides, Jenne was going to have to play her role as Ashley’s savior pretty quickly. She might as well relax before.
Jenne: Taylor has been pouring his entire game strategy out to me.
Beth giggled as she snuggled into the couch and propped her legs on the arm rest, looking at Jenne from an upside down vantage.
Jenne: What’s funny is the Bitch Four are in his ideal final seven. So it might not be a bad idea to let the sucker work out his own little schemes, then snap his neck later on—after he does all the work for us.
Beth: I’m good with that. Who else does he see in the final seven?
Jenne: You, me, him, Kyle, Chris, JoJo, and Lizzie. Vote him out at seven, then Lizzie, then Kyle.
Beth: Hell yeah.
Jenne: Kyle can get one better place then last time and us final four.
Beth: Do you think Lizzie will make it that far? People are talking about voting her out already.
Jenne: Eh, hope not. Jake could take her place. Chris thinks he can control her, and I just don’t think it’s possible.
They paused for a moment, settling in to the power they owned. Then Beth propped herself up on one elbow and looked at Jenne.
Beth: I’m all down for the Jamie vote…and Jamie made an alliance with Angie last night. Angie talked to me last night, lamenting on how no one in this game was making alliances. And Kyle was sorta complaining about Jamie. I haven’t said much to him.
Jenne: Missie said Kyle would go along with the vote but that he was scared of power moves.
Beth: Quite possible, and Tenzil may be glad to be rid of her.
Jenne smirked and shook her head.
Jenne: He won’t be. I think she’s reeling him in again, but we voted off his girlfriend before. Earlier this time before she gets her hooks into him. I think it’s in the bag really. So what is Kyle pissed about?
Beth sighed and shrugged and folded her arms behind her head.
Beth: Evidently Jamie is trying to tell him what to do.
Jenne: Good! Maybe he’ll vote her out. Jamie must think she has Angie, Tenzil, and Kyle all wrapped up.
Jenne paused and frowned for a moment.
Jenne: It’s weird to me that Kyle hasn’t talked game with me at all. He talks to you and Chris and everyone but me. Makes me sad—and worried.
Beth: Have you talked to him? Tell him you’re sad.
Jenne: I don’t see him much.
Beth: Well, he doesn’t say much to me either.
Jenne stretched lazily and looked at the clock on the wall. Time was marching on, and she had a chore. She bade Beth a good afternoon and headed out to find Ashley Miller. The outcome of this scheme would be to the good of her alliance two-fold. One, it would insure Jamie’s exit. Two, it would indebt Ashley to Jenne, thus slipping another vote in her pocket for future reference.
Jenne loved her job almost as much as Christopher did.
When word had reached the ears of Tenzil, Jamie, and Angie, a portion of All-Star Island was not a happy camp. Guards went up, claws came out. At first, Jamie had to take a seat, baffled that her name had come up so early. The first person she ran to for support, even before Tenzil, had been Mama JoJo. If anyone would protect her besides her few spoken allies, JoJo would.
And JoJo spent a good while rubbing her shoulders while she vented.
Jamie: Is this because of the whole Lindsay debacle?
JoJo: I would say certainly not!
Jamie strained her neck to turn around and look at JoJo, and JoJo was touched by the desperation in her eyes.
Jamie: Do you know why? I just want a reason. If I leave this bloody early, I want a reason. Do you know how you’re voting?
JoJo sighed within herself and was grateful when Jamie turned back around. Just how was she going to answer this question? Tell her the truth? Skirt the issue? Put up a smoke screen.
JoJo paused for longer than suited Jamie’s comfort, then chose the truth—the delicate truth.
JoJo: Jamie, I’m trying to get a feel for how the votes will go. If I think it is best for me to go with the crowd this early, I likely will. And I’m sorry because I think you know that I like you—
Jamie jerked around quickly, her face aghast.
Jamie: You’re kidding me…
JoJo quit massaging as Jamie sat up quickly and remained quiet. She turned her head to look out the window.
Jamie: Jo?
JoJo: Yes, hun…
Jamie: No guilt trips, nothing. I just want plain truth. Who? Why? How many?
JoJo: Well, I’m working on that too. I really don’t know the answer to that yet, and I don’t want to rat on people just in case. I just can’t be dishonest with you. I really like you!
Jamie: Jo, under the veil of secrecy that I know you’ll keep for me…what if I could, with assistance, orchestrate a Taylor vote? If it was close, would you side with me?
JoJo hesitated.
JoJo: Believe me, you’re secret is safe with me…and I just might, yes.
That’s all Jamie needed to hear before she was upon her feet and ready to start turning the tables. JoJo scarcely had time to look up before Jamie rattled off plans.
Then the door opened and Christopher walked in. Both Jamie and JoJo turned to look at him, and before Christopher had a chance to question Jamie’s presence, she was on him.
Jamie: Chris be honest with me, and know that I won’t hold it against you. Am I in danger? And who are you looking to vote?
Christopher eyed JoJo for a moment before he faced Jamie squarely.
Christopher: Yes. I think you are one of the people I’ve heard most, along with Taylor. I heard some Drew’s too. I am not totally certain what will happen. Everyone seems to be worried.
Jamie: I’ve been hearing Drew and Ashley myself.
Christopher: I heard Drew for sure, but two people told me Taylor pissed them off, so he may pop up as some votes.
Jamie: Who do you want to vote?
Christopher chuckled and walked past Jamie into the hut. Putting his hands behind his head, he stretched his back casually.
Jamie: Seriously…it’s a good question.
Christopher: I’m thinking I may vote Drew, but I also know I got a flurry of whispers at the last tribal council.
Jamie: Ok, let’s say sides were going against me and Taylor….honesty set to “on”.
Christopher: Do you mean who would I vote between you and Taylor?
Jamie stepped up to him. JoJo merely watched the seen before her.
Jamie: If people were voting either me or Taylor, would you march to your own drummer or side against one of us?
Christopher looked at JoJo briefly and rubbed his chin.
Christopher: It’s a good question and one I haven’t taken into my head too much. I won’t lie, this is a hard one. Taylor is very sweet to me, even if he sometimes overplays. Luckily I have more than the two of you to choose from.
Jamie: I just don’t understand why this early in the game my name has made it to the forefront. I think that is what is disturbing me the most.
Christopher: I am not sure. I’m not sure why Drew’s name is out there to be honest. I think people are having a hard time picking.
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Post by Host Kyle on Jan 23, 2006 0:08:10 GMT -5
Jamie had a feeling she was getting the run around. This was a hopeless cause. Right now, her fate lay in the hands of her spoken allies. Promptly she left JoJo and Chris for better support. Kyle she couldn’t find immediately, nor Tenzil but she soon came across Angie Cristobal who had been scouring the beach looking for her.
Ideas came bursting as soon as they approached each other. Angie threw out names like rice at a wedding.
Angie: Are you and Jenne kosher? Do you get along with her pretty well?
Jamie: We did in Valentine’s Day. She hasn’t been around much.
Angie: She’s the one that told me someone brought up your name. I couldn’t believe it when I heard your name! I was like, no, this can’t happen!
Jamie: It baffles me! I’ve been playing nice.
Angie: I’ve talked to Beth, Jon, and Kyle and they’ve pretty much agreed to not vote you.
Jamie: Tenzil’s gotta go if I want to stay it seems. If my name came up this early it’s because of our relationship, right?
Angie: More than likely. No one’s really said why your name came up.
Jamie: How many could we push for Drew?
Angie: I don’t know.
Jamie: Is there anyone else we can approach?
Angie: Lis? Ash? I’ll ask Ashley.
Jamie: Thanks, Angie. I really appreciate all this.
So now a new work was in progress. It was the march on the aisle of huts with the “Save Jamie” picket line at it’s strongest. Angie and Jamie would not give up until they won.
Tenzil was irate when he heard the news, but Beth was there to comfort him and set him at ease. Surely she wouldn’t go against him again like she did the last time. Beth gave him a gentle hug when she approached him, knowing that he would be upset.
Beth: Have you heard about Jamie?
Tenzil: Yes.
Beth: I feel left out.
Tenzil: So do I. Which is why I wonder why we didn’t do more to vote out Taylor. I sort of feel like we dropped the ball. Instead of addressing active threats we’re going after Ashley of all people. There’s this group out there and we pretty much chose not to do something. I hope nothing weird happens tonight, but I have a feeling I’ll be saying ‘I told you so.’”
Beth was a little short on words, and Tenzil couldn’t fathom it. Something was in the works, and if something was in the works, chances were that Jenne was in the middle of it. She would tell him up front what was going on.
But at the moment, Jenne was busy working her charms on Ashley Miller. Ashley wasn’t one to react heavily to any happenings on camp. She was content to be, to live and let live, to watch the game go by before she found her place, to file her nails, to toss her hair. Nothing was as serious as people made things out to be.
Even when Christopher had come to her all fired up over her safety, she had shrugged her shoulders.
Christopher: I’m worried about you! People are tossing your name around. But Jenne told me she had a plan that could save you.
Ashley: Really?
Christopher was amazed at her lack of response. It was almost as if she didn’t believe him. Who could not believe Christopher Collins in a moment of such tender care?
Christopher: I dunno why they picked you, but Jenne can save you, and I agreed to join ‘cause I like you.
Ashley: I like you guys, too. Thanks.
Christopher: Well, talk to Jenne. Get confirmation!
Ashley: Ok. Hopefully it works.
Christopher: We will save you.
And Ashley walked away as nonchalantly as humanly possible. She didn’t know where Jenne was. What was the rush. But she did cross paths with Isaac on the way to the resort. She adored Isaac. Isaac was the one she knew would stick by her.
Ashley: People talking about voting me off.
Isaac: Yeah, they have been. I’m not though. I’m voting for Jamie or Taylor. Just make sure you vote for one of them.
Ashley: I hope you didn’t think I was voting for myself.
Isaac: No, I didn’t think that. Just vote for one of the two.
A voice interrupted them, and when they turned Jenne came bounding up behind them.
Jenne: Girl! Do we need to talk!
Ashley stopped and turned to face her. The urgency in Jenne was so real, that she couldn’t help be affected. Yes, Ashley Miller felt a lump in her throat when Jenne approached her with such a serious glint in her eye. Isaac left them alone and excused himself back to the aisle.
Jenne: Some prick was mentioning your name! I was like…what! She ain’t doin’ nothin’! She’s my homegirl! But those idiots don’t know their head from their asses!
Ashley: I know. I have a few ideas. I think it was either Jake…
She paused thoughtfully and looked up. No other names came to mind.
Ashley: Either him or someone who was mad at me.
Jenne: I doubt it. Someone told me Jake was voting for Jamie. I talked to Missie this morning, and I’ve been pushing the Jamie train as much as I can. Tell whoever you see to vote for Jamie.
Ashley: Ok.
Jenne: A vote for Jamie is a vote for Ashley to stay! And you know you have me in the bag!
Ashley cocked her head.
Ashley: What?
Jenne: I’m voting for Jamie.
Ashley: Ok.
She paused and narrowed her eyes as if reciting from memory.
Ashley: A vote for Jamie is a vote for Ashley to stay. I think I have another idea who is behind this. Tenzil, maybe, but I’m not sure.
Jenne: He’s gonna be a lot less scary once Jamie is knocked out from under him. He hasn’t talked to me about this vote at all.
Ashley: Are you guys trying to get all the couples off first? I heard someone is talking Isaac.
Jenne: I hadn’t heard Isaac. Is he a couple?
Ashley grinned broadly.
Ashley: With me. He’s my li’l boo!
Jenne: Awww, I had no idea. I’m so out of this stuff. Isaac and I have talked more than most, but not about game really.
Ashley: Hey, what are you doing hitting on my boyfriend!
Jenne froze. If she didn’t know Ashley any better, and she really didn’t, she’d think she was serious. Her face had suddenly grown stern, and Jenne’s stomach sank. It was as if she had just made the clumsiest mistake of the whole game. But slowly Ashley grinned again.
Jenne: Sorry! I ain’t hitting on him!
Ashley laughed and shook her head, but Jenne was still caught totally off guard.
Ashley: Just kidding.
Jenne: Ok. Vote Jamie.
Jenne hoped above hope that she had played the right cards with Ashley. She had just thrown her for a loop. Ashley was key in this game-changing selection, and so early in the game at that.
In her quest and mad scramble, Jamie finally stumbled across her man, after having scrounged up as many Drew votes as she thought she could get. Tenzil was not smiling when she rushed him. He had not really smiled for the past three days, ever since his name had appeared on that first fold of parchment.
Jamie: Drew…it’s Drew!
Tenzil: Not Tay? Or Ash?
Jamie: It’s Drew! I’ve been fighting tooth and nail here.
Jamie was out of breath as Tenzil put his arms around her and pulled her close, running his hands through her hair.
Tenzil: My baby’s scrappy.
Jamie: I’m trying. Any idea on where anyone stands?
Tenzil: None.
Jamie: Do you and Rami talk anymore?
Tenzil: He talks to me when he wants to pretend he’s smarter than he is.
Jamie: JoJo and Chris were being very dodgy…
Tenzil sighed and held Jamie out so she could look at him.
Tenzil: Babe, Chris is a friend, but he is an evil manipulative bastard.
Jamie: I want to cry. This is so pathetic.
Tenzil: I feel like you’re catching it for knowing me.
Jamie: I am. I did in Valentine’s Day…I am here.
Tenzil: Wonderful. Nothing like playing the game in the most chicken way possible.
Jamie: What bothers me the most is that I’m being judged on my performance in Valentine’s Day. Even Isaac said he’d heard I was pushy with votes in that game, and that’s why he’s considered voting for me. I was such a different person then! I’ve had to grow up so many ways since the death of my father!
Tears welled up in Jamie’s eyes and Tenzil reeled her in close, stroking her head. She let out a gentle sob against his chest.
Tenzil: For me…I treat people nice, I don’t threaten, I’m basically me. They still want to destroy me.
Jamie: I hate this. I knew I should…I knew I should’ve just given up playing. I’m finally ready to open up those emotional floodgates, and when I do and let people in, they just took advantage of me.
Tenzil: My baby. Kyle is with us…and Beth.
Jamie: And Angie…and Angie thinks we have Jon.
Tenzil wanted to hold her until tribal council. His heart ached with every inch of her heartbreak. He could’ve stood there for days with her in his arms, but he had work to do. They were not going to take advantage of his lady.
On his warpath through the aisle of huts he crossed paths with Kyle. Kyle had been ambling about the beach with his head down, but when he noticed Tenzil and the determined gleam in his eye and set to his jaw, he knew immediately that Tenzil had heard the new plan.
Tenzil stopped quickly, stepping up to him.
Tenzil: I’ve the feeling some people I like are going to let me down. And it’s very disappointing. I don’t care to be pleasant for their sake.
Kyle knew exactly where Tenzil was headed, but before he had a chance to open his mouth, Tenzil plunged on.
Tenzil: I don’t even know anymore. Kyle, please be truthful, and it will be between you and me. How are you voting?
Kyle: Drew! I’m not going against Jamie!
Nodding, Tenzil relaxed and stepped back.
Tenzil: Thank you. I didn’t think you would.
Kyle: I’ve been down that road with her before, and I won’t go again.
Tenzil: Just a warning. I may not be very good company afterwards if this goes against us.
And that’s exactly what Kyle feared the most. Angry Tenzil was the most uncomfortable presence he had ever occupied space with. In Valentine’s Day, the wrath of angry Lucas had been unleashed upon Jamie’s departure, Kyle bearing the brunt.
Thinking back to that occasion, Kyle cringed. That night out on the pier after Jamie had been voted out of Valentine’s Day had been a most memorable experience. Kyle would not soon forget.
Kyle: Hey buddy. You voted for me didn’t you?
Lucas: Well, I was told you or Kelley, and last I heard it was a tie. I didn’t want the rock.
Kyle: Uh huh.
Lucas: I was left out of the loop. Ask them.
Kyle: I put my neck on the line to save you three TC’s in a row! I sacrificed Ryan for you, Lucas. And I DID NOT spill the alliance to him.
Lucas: Now pardon while I go slit my wrists.
Kyle: You don’t have to be nasty about it. We were tight man.
Lucas: It was nasty to me, not you. I hate myself completely.
Kyle: It’s a game.
Lucas: I want to die.
Kyle: Lucas…you’ll be alright. It’s just a game! Just don’t turn on me again, please?
Lucas had been so peculiar that night, and frightening, not even looking at Kyle while they were speaking.
Kyle: I’m going.
Lucas: I’ll be here, throwing a rope over my rafter.
Kyle: Lucas…stop! You’re fine! It is a game, and you were trying to be safe!
Now, listening to Tenzil’s warning, Kyle wondered if he was up for dealing with his wrath. Something told him the second go-around would be exponentially worse—especially since he and Jamie had had nearly a year to develop their relationship.
Things were going to get ugly. Kyle could see himself catching the wrath or falling in the middle.
When Jenne made her way from the resort, she wasn’t totally certain that her ploy with Ashley had worked. Ashley seemed to sing her own tune, but Jenne wasn’t finished. She knew she could charm any of the younger guys, thus influencing their vote. Of all those impressionable young guys of Isaac, Drew, or Jon she was sure she could make some waves. At the moment she was fairly confident she had a handle on Ryan Appel.
However, Drew caught her eye. Drew at the first tribal council had seemed dependent on direction; he had turned to her for some advice at any rate. Maybe he would trust her judgment again.
Jenne: How’s it going, Drew?
Drew stopped and allowed her to approach. His countenance reflected the concern he had for his present safety in the game. It immediately hit Jenne that he was a perfect sway. His name had been the forerunner to this new plan toward Jamie.
Drew: Not bad. Just worrying about TC.
Jenne: Yeah, I wanted to talk to you about that, ‘cause you came to me last time, and I totally appreciated that. The good news is I’ve heard three names—and none of ‘em are us!
Drew cocked his head dubiously; he had been hearing his name bounced off the walls like pinball for three days. How could it have changed so suddenly?
Drew: Nice. Which three are those?
Jenne: Taylor, Ashley, and Jamie.
Drew: That’s exactly who I heard earlier.
Jenne: Word goes around fast. I just found out! The loop always leaves me out!
Drew looked away toward the aisle of huts nervously. He wasn’t at all certain.
Drew: I don’t know who will get the votes, though.
Jenne: I think they are piling on Jamie. This early it always feels like such a bandwagon deal. A name goes out there, and everyone jumps on it ‘cause it ain’t them. Hate to do it, but I’d go for any of the three, if that’s where the votes are going.
Drew: I’m just not sure how I feel at this point. I mean I’m glad it’s not me, but I hate to see Jamie go after she’s been so nice to me.
Jenne: I’d rather not vote for Ashley. She’s like the one person who actually talks to me. Jamie hasn’t spoken to me once out here.
Drew: Really? That surprises me, she seems like she talks to everyone.
Jenne: Great! Guess I know where I stand with her!
Drew: I guess.
Turning away from Drew, Jenne feigned hurt.
Drew: Don’t kill he messenger.
Jenne: Oh never! I think Jamie tends to look for people she can use. That’s what she tried to do to me in Valentine’s Day, and I guess she learned from the first time that I don’t fall for her charms.
Drew looked down thoughtfully, thinking of the genuine conversations he’d had with Jamie in the past week.
Drew: I think that’s what she’s doing exactly, but I think I’m learning from it.
Jenne: Quick learning curve will keep you alive in this game. Maybe we can pow-wow and compare notes from time to tome like we have these past two TC’s. It has been enlightening for us both already, I think. We all need friends, and I promise I won’t tell you what to do ever. You be a free man.
Drew: The promise is likewise.
A lot of what Jenne told him made perfectly good sense, but it didn’t change the fact that Drew had taken to Jamie since had spent a bit of time with her in this new experience. He would have to think about it, and there wasn’t much time to do a lot of thinking.
Jenne headed about her own way looking for other young guys. Drew had been checked. There was still Isaac and…
Taylor: Kyle is going to be a little bitch in this game.
…and Taylor. Her secret boyfriend. The only one of all those young guys she knew would follow her every move for as long as she needed him to. Taylor was a given check. But what was this about Kyle?
Jenne: Why?
Taylor: He just told me earlier that he is not playing this game when he has no say.
Jenne giggled. Kyle would have no choice.
Jenne: Oh, I love him. Anyway, I talked to Missie this morning.
Taylor: What did Missie have to say…since she wants you gone so badly.
Jenne started to explain Missie’s zeal for getting rid of Jamie when she flinched and looked at him.
Jenne: What!
Taylor: She was pressuring me to get rid of you earlier…
This left Jenne fuming. But Missie was needed for the time being. Jenne would have to play nice. After the evening ran as smoothly as she knew it would and Jamie and Angie were gone, they could toss Missie to the curb. They were as good as headed to the end of the game.
So the struggle was on. Christopher and Jenne were subtly spreading the word as if they were defenseless followers staying in the game while Angie and Jamie were bulldozing their way through, gathering votes for Drew in an attempt to keep Jamie on her feet. It was most exhausting.
For all those in between, there was a mixture of feelings. Rami Ghoener and Ryan Appel felt as though they were making a major strike against a powerful force that would hurt them in the future. Ashley Miller felt she was saving herself.
Isaac Miller considered it a risky move but necessary to cut the force of the Tenzil/Jamie duo.
Missie Bird considered it a move to drag her out of the pit she felt the last tribal council had plunged her deeply in with no hope of escape.
To Christopher, it was an accomplishment of the century. Without Jamie, neither Kyle nor Tenzil would have any footing, and Tenzil would soon fall. Without Tenzil, Jenne would have fewer loyalties to interfere with who Christopher wanted to place in the final stages of the game. It looked good. It looked really good, and as the evening came to a close, all that was left was to sit back and hope his plan had worked.
To Jamie, her last hope was in Ashley Miller, her fellow target. Once simple knock on the door would open up Jamie’s last resort before tribal council begin in a mere half hour. Ashley opened with a smile.
Jamie: Ash…
The sight of Jamie caused her smile to fade. She had heard of Jamie’s scrambling.
Ashley: Yeah, hi.
Jamie: Look, your name, my name are on the table—for no other reason but your quietness and my previous ties. I’ll be honest and say that I signed on to vote you off because you and I had never really sat and chatted. I’ll even go the step further and say that after I agreed to that vote, I went to some friends and suggested it to them.
Ashley crossed her arms and leaned against the door post.
Jamie: I’m willing…if you are…to stick a great big olive branch between us and seize some control of this vote. Control that would allow us both to continue playing. Just…a thought.
Ashley: Thanks for being honest.
Ashley said nothing else, and Jamie waited.
Jamie: That’s a thanks, but no thanks?
Ashley shrugged.
Jamie: I understand. I don’t know what people have been spreading around about me, but I can guess. I played Valentine’s Day just under a year ago, right after my father died. I’m not the same person. I truly was insecure then and desperate for control of something because I couldn’t control my life or happiness. I’m not the same woman, same person, same player.
Ashley: I totally understand, but I wasn’t going to vote you off anyway.
Jamie: May I inquire to which way you’d be voting?
Ashley: Well, I heard that everyone is voting for Taylor, but you never know.
Jamie: Really? Well, that’s certainly a change. I heard a possibility of Drew.
Ashley: With this game you never know.
Jamie: I can promise you this—and cheesily on the grave of my father—that I’m not voting you at this tribal council. Just so you know.
Ashley nodded. There was nothing more to say. She had already told Jamie she wouldn’t be voting for her, and there was nothing more to plead. All Jamie had left was hope that those she had spoken with would remain true to her word. The only given votes of safety she had would be from Tenzil, Kyle, Angie, and Beth, and that was far to few a number to rest easily in.
On the way to tribal council, Jamie vented her heart to Kyle.
Kyle: Jamie, I’m sorry your name came into this. It’s the first time it came up and it depressed me.
Jamie: I know I haven’t played in months, but am I so rusty as to paint a target on myself this early?
Kyle: I don’t think you did. I think it was painted for you for no reason other than this game is clearly divided by season and previous power.
Jamie: Who else can we get to vote any way?
Kyle: Isaac said he’d think about it. I wasn’t going to approach Jake. I’m afraid I’ve way blown our cover.
Jamie sighed heavily as they walked. The waves crashing against the shore did nothing to ease her. In fact, it caused her to miss the island already.
Jamie: I don’t want to go.
Kyle: I don’t want you to go. Why is it that now that I want to work with you, I have to worry about you leaving? Am I a curse?
Neither one of them could understand. The power was out of their hands.
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Post by Host Kyle on Jan 23, 2006 0:08:39 GMT -5
Elisabeth Marie ventured out of her hut for the first time that day, dressed and ready for the council. She had spent the entire afternoon in her hut, sleeping, reading, watching television, not having the slightest desire to mingle on the outside. The previous tribal council had sucked the life out of her and here she was read for another—and vulnerable at that.
Christopher Collins met her at the door as she came out, took her by the hand, and helped her down the steps. They had arranged the date to accompany each other to the council. It was only fitting. They were going to protect each other throughout the game.
Christopher: Any thoughts on the vote?
He glanced at her sidelong. Since Elisabeth had been secluded, he wasn’t sure she had heard anything about the plans for the evening.
Elisabeth:I’ve heard Ashley and Taylor. I would rather vote for Ashley.
Christopher: Agreed. I don’t know her well.
Elisabeth looked at him squarely as they made their way along the beach.
Elisabeth:Chris, I have a question. Well, more like a personal worry or just observation—whatever you want to call it. I’m loyal to you to the end. You can vote me off or whatnot, but I’m not ever going to vote for you or conspire to get you off or anything like that. I’m just wondering where alliances stand in this game. Do you know?
Christopher: A fair question.
Elisabeth:Like are we part of an alliance? Do you know what I’m saying?
Christopher: I specifically have told Beth, etcetera that I won’t make an “A” word. I will work with people. I don’t want to promise anything.
Elisabeth nodded with disappointment and looked down to watch her feet kick up sand as they walked. Christopher noticed right off and stopped, turning her to face him. He lifted her chin with the tip of his finger.
Christopher: But babe, I am so not voting you. I have your back. In fact, I heard your name last night. You don’t need to worry, but apparently Missie sees you as a problem after a few votes
Elisabeth:Missie does?
Christopher: Yes. Don’t fret though. Nobody seems to like her much.
Elisabeth nodded quietly. That actually didn’t bother her at all. Elisabeth wanted in with the friends she had known all along, and with the exception of Taylor, no one had said much to her here at the beginning of the game.
Elisabeth:Actually, I just meant if we were part of the Jenne, Beth, JoJo, Taylor, me, you thing. If that’s what we were.
Christopher: Well, I think it’s a lot looser than that, and Jenne and Beth have been told that. JoJo too. I haven’t said much in terms of my strategy to Taylor because his mouth is a bit big.
Elisabeth giggled.
Christopher: JoJo is sweet. Get to know her. Anyway, vote for Jamie tonight.
Elisabeth:You’re saying go after Jamie instead of Ashley?
Christopher: Yup. Ashley is harmless. Jamie is trouble. Plus…
Christopher narrowed his eyes as he looked at her, more efficiently proving his point.
Christopher: Didn’t Jamie vote you out before?
Elisabeth:Oh, yeah. I’m all for it. I’m just wondering if Beth and Jenne would do it. I thought they were all in an alliance in Valentine’s Day.
Christopher: They really don’t like her.
Elisabeth:Then let’s get on up and vote her off!
Christopher: For real. I don’t like people who turn my Lizzie out.
Elisabeth:Alright, sounds like a plan. So it be written, so it be done.
A few yards ahead of them, JoJo and Jake had almost made it to the council area, JoJo not nearly as sure of things as Christopher was or as Jake seemed to be. The past few days had seemed like nothing but a huge mess and tangled web of miscommunication and power struggle.
Her vote for Tenzil the last time hadn’t gone through. How was she to know her vote for Jamie would? Kyle Adams had blatantly told her he would not be voting Jamie—how many others were there. If she fell into another minority JoJo thought she would just as soon pack her things and head home.
Jake said little as they walked. Jake said little any other time. He was so calm, and JoJo wished she could share the serenity.
JoJo: There is some good drama we are staying out of right now…
She wanted to break the silence if for no other reason to hear something besides the crash of the ocean.
JoJo: Just so you know.
Jake: Good drama! Between whom?
JoJo: I think right now our Kyle.
That was not good drama to Jake. Kyle was one he hoped he could work with, thought he could trust.
Jake: Oh no.
JoJo: Seems he learned about the Jamie vote, but says lets not.
Jake: Oh golly.
JoJo: So he is being accused of working with her or some such thing. And I guess Angie and Jamie are close. Didn’t know that.
Jake: Neither did I. They have played together before, correct?
JoJo: Angie says to me every few days, “Has everyone asked you for an alliance?” And I say, uh no!
Jake: That would be difficult. She is peculiar, that Angie.
JoJo: I don’t even know what it means when she says those things.
Jake: Angie is on her own wavelength.
JoJo: Anyway, Jamie…second vote Angie.
Jake: What?!
He stopped in his tracks and pretended to hold a microphone, tapping it for functionality.
Jake: Explanation, please!
JoJo: That’s just what I heard. Splitting up Missie, Angie, Jon, Jamie, Tenzil.
Jake: Who are….? An alliance?
JoJo: The way I understand it. Definitely Angie and Jon.
Jake: Do we have the votes for sure to get Angie out?
All his new information, Jake Erickson was growing tired. But whether the votes went through or not, they wouldn’t be harmed in anyway. The fall back would be Ashley and he would’ve voted for before all the new information came up. JoJo had been obscure as to who had made the decision, but Jake had a pretty solid idea.
He was glad for Christopher. Allying with Christopher meant that his schemes would be hidden.
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Post by Host Kyle on Jan 23, 2006 0:09:33 GMT -5
Tribal Council 2
Once again a fire burned, it’s crackling echoing within the stone area that was the tribal council area. Host Karen Trahan stood gravely on one side of the bonfire, facing the stone benches.
Eighteen castaways filed in like lambs to the slaughter, but only two would leave the ultimate sacrifices of the majority.
Jamie Drayson came in glum-faced and sat next to Tenzil Goodman. Beth Sowles kept her eyes to the ground.
Others such as Taylor Napier and Ashley Miller entered with sighs as their names had been removed from the blocks.
But all of them were exhausted, and just a few short minutes, and only one faction would be rewarded for the hard work.
Karen: Welcome, Tribe Snickalick to Tribal Council number two. Unfortunately one—or two of you—will be going home tonight.
Christopher Collins reached over and gave JoJo Treadwell and pat on the leg, and then squeezed Elisabeth Marie’s knee to his right. Neither of the evictions would be his girls.
Karen: Let’s get started. Missie, how does the size of the cast reflect the choices you make?
Missie glanced around her quickly. The cast had been much larger than she preferred for a standard game of Survivor. It was much too unruly to control a facet of the vote so early.
Missie: It affects it a lot. Usually you can get by a few people wanting to go one direction but with this many you have to talk to everyone—or at least touch base with everyone. Also there is more room for three or even four factions so you have to go with a group, making sure it’s the right choice.
Karen: Shaun was a friend of yours. Was it upsetting to see him eliminated first? Did you see it coming?
Missie: I have a lot of people in this game I talk to more or as much as I spoke to Shaun since season two has been over. It’s not like I’m devastated and ready to throw myself down a well. I’m sad because he’s a good guy and honestly is a good player, but I also think he’d have slashed me sooner rather than later. In that respect, I’m almost kinda glad. I figured he was going to go. People thought I was so close to him, and they couldn’t tell me. But he sealed his own fate like Lisa by not having enough time to get to know people.
Karen nodded, then grazed the castaways before her with her eyes until she settled on Jon Kennedy.
Karen: Jon, what do you think the significance of Tenzil’s choices were after he won his immunity?
Jon: It could be anything…tribes, immunity if there’s a second vote. Of course I hope it’s something good, but it could be anything.
Karen: How do you feel about him picking you?
Jon: Should I be thanking Tenzil ahead of time?
Karen merely smiled at him and Jon snapped his fingers when he got no definite answers. Some around him chuckled, and he signified the end to his answers.
Karen: Beth, How do you know who you can trust in a cast of this immense size?
Beth laughed aloud and glanced around her.
Beth: That’s easy! You don’t!
Karen: Taylor, in your opinion, do you think it would be a wise move to be targeting high profile players this early on?
Taylor swallowed and looked around momentarily. Tenzil was staring him down, and he immediately took his attention back to Karen.
Taylor: I don’t think it’s a good or bad thing. Honestly, wise or unwise someone has to go. Whether it be the first boot from season four or someone who did very well in season two, someone has to leave each week. Could it hurt you? Sure. But at the same time, it could hurt you targeting the most under-the-radar player. So there is really no right answer to that. I guess it just depends on what the lay of the land is that time.
Tenzil snickered, shook his head, and faced the front.
Karen: Rami, do you feel like you are making an effort to get to know all of your tribe members?
Rami: Yes. I do try to talk to everyone, and I have gotten to know a lot of new people here. In season four I didn’t talk to hardly anyone, and I know that hurt my chances. I’m trying not to make the same mistake again.
Karen: Angie, how does the backstabbing, deceitful nature of this game mesh with your Christianity?
Angie: It doesn’t much. I try to be as honest as I can, though I know some can consider not talking as dishonest as right out lying. I just try to be as open as possible without letting out too much of the wrong information. If that makes any sense.
Karen: JoJo…
JoJo had been staring at the fire the entire night, not even really paying attention to the council around her. She hadn’t even heard the first questions and answers, and she snapped to with a start.
Karen: You made the final three in season one only to be voted out by Rafe. Is there anything you would change if you could go back?
JoJo: That game was a really long time ago. I was very naïve at that time, but I don’t think I would change anything in hindsight. I loved the game at the time, and now I’m really excited to be involved in another one. It’s just a whole new game now, and I’m excited for the opportunity.
Karen: Isaac, you lost season three in the final two by a seven to zero vote. How did that feel?
Isaac frowned as he thought back to that live vote revealing when every vote revealed turned for AJ after AJ after AJ…
He chuckled, embarrassed.
Isaac: Do not remind me. Well, it was not too bad. I expected to lose because people did not vote for me for the reason I thought they wouldn’t. It did sting to not get any votes. I thought at least one person would give me one. Basically, it sucked.
Karen: Elisabeth, you were betrayed by some allies in season four at an early stage of the game. Is revenge on your mind?
Elisabeth Marie grinned from ear to ear. Beth Sowles stiffened and dared not look at her.
Elisabeth:Am I seeing red, or am I seeing Beth?
Beth froze, and others laughed, but Elisabeth smiled the most lighthearted smile anyone had ever seen.
Elisabeth:No, revenge is absolutely not on my mind because I don’t really think they betrayed me. They did what they had to do, and that was that. It’s Survivor. I mean, what else do you expect? It just rolls off my shoulders, honestly, because I think they’re great people. They’re all great people.
Karen: Christopher, you are one of the few returning All-Stars from season one. Does that worry you?
Christopher: Sometimes. But I am trying to meet some new people, and hopefully that will give me some life in this game. I am having fun so far, and that’s all that counts.
Karen: Tenzil, how shocked were you to almost be voted out at the last tribal council?
Tenzil didn’t blink an eye. He didn’t so much as move or turn to look at anyone around him. He simply bore holes through Karen with angry eyes.
Tenzil: Very.
Karen waited for a moment until it was obvious Tenzil cared not to elaborate.
Karen: Ok, moving on to only one group question tonight…who or what seems to be the biggest threat to you so far in this game? Jon, please answer this question first.
Jon nodded and swallowed quickly.
Jon: Well, not too sure what this is asking but I’ll say time based on these challenges. The first was speed-based, and I wasn’t fast enough. The second was a race against the clock, hoping I would get a last minute high score.
Karen: Christopher, I would like you to answer this question, also.
Christopher: I think I am probably my own biggest threat. I think we all are. Granted, other people could up and vote me out, but usually it is because I have done something. So, if I make mistakes, then I blow it. That makes me my own biggest threat.
JoJo and Taylor raised their hands before Christopher even finished his statement.
JoJo: For me, not knowing what to expect is the biggest threat. We have no idea what will happen between tribal councils in terms of tribes, immunity. That is more threatening to me now than group alliances.
Karen: Taylor?
Taylor: In case you guys haven’t noticed, I pretty much suck at these challenges. I mean really bad. So, I would have to say not being able to have immunity. Like JoJo said, we really don’t know what to expect tonight from you, Karen. That’s unnerving.
There was a silent pause before Jamie slowly raised he hand, and Karen called her out. She took a moment to collect her thoughts, sweeping those around her with her eyes.
Jamie: My biggest threat is that Jamie people got to know in Valentine’s Day. I’ll get emotional and open up here for a moment. In Valentine’s Day, I was entirely different. I was dealing with the recent lots of my father, and the building of emotional barriers that didn’t come down until early in the summer. So, my biggest threat is how people perceive me, having known or seen me play earlier in this series.
JoJo frowned and looked at the ground.
Karen: Ryan? I’d like you to answer this as well.
Ryan: Well, my biggest threat thus far in the game is myself. I am always trying to over think things, and I need to just step back and relax.
Karen nodded and then paused while she looked over the group. No more hands went up. It was determined that the discussion was over.
Karen: Ok, with that said, it’s time to vote. Beth, Christopher, JoJo, Jon, Kyle, Missie, Rami, Ryan, and Tenzil are all immune. That leaves the rest of you vulnerable. One by one I’ll ask you to come place your vote. Tenzil, you’re up first.
Tenzil squeezed Jamie’s hand, arose, and made his way to the voting booth, leaving behind a team of anxious castaways. Drew clasped his hands together and bounced his legs, wondering just how many times he would see his name revealed. Taylor looked nervously all around the group. Ashley had since quit worrying about the vote, especially when Jenne Lotz turned and gave her a wink, holding up crossed fingers. Smiling at her, Ashley resorted to twirling her hand and gazing all around.
Kyle sat with his forehead in the palm of his hand. Beth had not looked up from the ground.
The time it took for eighteen individuals to arise and vote was excruciating. Nerves were thing.
When the last vote was in, Karen nodded toward them.
Karen: I’ll go tally the votes.
The silence lingered on as she went to retrieve the urn, except for the crackle of the fire. When she returned the hush over them all was even greater.
Karen: Once the votes are read, the decision is final. The person voted out will be asked to leave the tribal council area immediately. I’ll read the votes.
She pulled out the first vote and read it briefly.
Karen: Jamie.
The second vote came in like manner.
Karen: Ashley.
Ashley glanced up quickly. The last she had heard, the alternate target was to have been switched off of her and on to Drew. She was suddenly nervous now.
Karen: Third vote…Jamie. Fourth vote…Drew.
Drew’s legs quit bouncing in an instant. Just as he feared, his name was in the mix. He knew his game was about to end.
Karen: Fifth vote…Drew.
The next two votes also came up for Drew. Jenne and Christopher exchanged worried glances. Jenne immediately went to counting on her fingers the ones Jamie could have possibly influenced. Only four people came to her mind…the number of votes that had been revealed for Drew.
Karen: Eighth vote…Jamie. Ninth vote Drew.
Jamie held her breath and Tenzil squeezed her hand so hard that the color drained from her knuckles.
Only Jamie’s name was revealed for the rest of the votes until a majority had been established.
Jamie’s stomach dropped. It was over.
Tenzil gritted his teeth, refusing to let go of her hand.
Karen: Jamie, you’ll need to bring me your torch.
Jamie stood, letting go of Tenzil’s hand, she gave him one last look.
Tenzil: I love you more than you think.
Nodding she left him.
Standing before Karen was like a death sentence and her words resounded in her head hollowly.
Karen: Jamie, your tribe has spoken. It’s time for you to go.
Just like that Karen snuffed her torch. Jamie watched a faint trickle of smoke rise into the air before she turned to the remaining seventeen.
Jamie: Thanks for the shot. I’ll stick to hosting from now on.
She saluted and then made her way to the rope bridge where she disappeared from the Holidays tribal council area forever. Tenzil watched after her, biting his lip, refusing to arise and wreak havoc on those around him. There was still yet another vote to endure.
Karen: You were all surprised last time by the double elimination. Here is another surprise for you because this is also a double elimination. Those who previously had immunity are still immune. Everyone else is still vulnerable to the second vote. Please make your way back to the voting booth in the same order.
Kyle leaned over to Jake and whispered in his ear.
Kyle: I will vote with you on this one.
Jake: Ok…Angie?
Which was a name Kyle had not expected to hear. How in the world had Angie surfaced? He had not heard her name the entire day. He turned quickly to Christopher who confirmed that shocking selection. Kyle could feel his facing burning.
Kyle: Who is calling the shots around here?!
Christopher bristled but shrugged him off. They pulled off Jamie’s boot without Kyle, they could do it again with less people.
Kyle turned back to Jake.
Kyle: Is that really the way the second vote is leaning? Who makes these decisions?
Jake: I have no clue!
Kyle swallowed and sat back. For the sake of the trust Jake had invested in him, he lied once again.
Kyle: Ok…Angie.
At the same time, JoJo leaned in to Ryan Appel
JoJo: I heard Angie. Who did you hear?
Ryan: Her, too, but I thought Ashley.
JoJo: I heard five for Angie.
Ryan: Are you going with Angie? I’ve just talked so much more to Angie. Ashley isn’t active to me.
JoJo: Please, just between us, Ryan.
Ryan: For sure. No worries, Jory.
JoJo smiled broadly at him.
JoJo: Jory rocks the house.
JoJo and Ryan had found a connection together since spending six days on the island. It was Ryan’s idea to refer to themselves as Jory—a conglomeration of Jo and Ryan. JoJo absolutely loved it. It endeared them to each other.
She smiled at him, and when it was her turn to vote, she made her way to the booth and wrote down Angie’s name.
The rush of discussion between boots was not nearly as scattered as before. Most settled on voting who they had planned on voting before Jamie has suddenly become the plan.
An unnerving silence came over the council area in the moment that carry retrieved the urn of votes once again. Angie Cristobal had not a clue that her name had been mentioned once, and she fully expected to watch Drew Herlitz exit the walk of shame as initially planned.
Karen: Once the votes are read, the decision is final. The person voted out will be asked to leave the council area immediately. I’ll read the votes.
No one was surprise when the first vote was revealed for Ashley. Ashley shifted uncomfortably and looked over at Jenne.
Much like last time, the second vote brought an audible gasp.
Karen: Second vote…Angie.
Angie put a hand to her mouth.
Karen: Third vote…Drew. Fourth vote…Angie.
Still brooding from watching his girl exit the rope bridge in the dark corner of the council, Tenzil Goodman set his jaw angrily when Angie’s name came up a second time. Jamie had just been taken from him, and now his supposed friends and allies had left him out of another suggestion.
Drew’s name was the next vote revealed, followed by one for Ashley, for Taylor, and another for Ashley.
Karen: Ninth vote…Drew. Tenth vote…Angie. That’s one vote Taylor, three votes Ashley, three votes Angie, three votes Drew.
Tenzil looked over at Jenne who was sitting casually, confident it seemed. Christopher remained unphazed just to the left of her. Beth looked at the ground. Angie was not one Tenzil considered himself aligned with, and yet his good buddies had completely left him out of the loop.
Karen: Eleventh vote…Ashley. Twelfth vote…Angie. Thirteenth vote…Drew.
Others began looking around as the vote was looking like chaos.
Karen: Fourteenth vote, and the next person voted out…Angie. Angie, you’ll need to bring me your torch.
The next couple of moments for Angie Cristobal was nothing short of astonishment. Never once had she heard her name mentioned, and her she was about to leave the island with a slim majority of votes. Looking around quickly, she noted that others bore the same shock.
Angie: I’m speechless.
She arose slowly and took her torch to Karen. Even while standing there, watching her flame go out, it didn’t seem real.
Karen: Angie, your tribe has spoken.
Angie nodded and without a backward glance, she slung her bag over one shoulder and headed out of the council area, over the bridge, and disappeared into the night.
Kyle Adams sighed heavily as he had just watched two loyal partners walk away. There was more going on than what he had been previously been led to believe, and he was suddenly aware of who was behind it.
It was like déjà vu.
Karen: Now, for the rest of you, you remember in the last immunity challenge results, I had the top immunity winner choose seven names without knowing why. Tenzil chose Angie, Beth, Jamie, Jenne, Jon, Kyle, and Rami. Angie and Jamie have now been voted out. Tenzil please come up and choose two more.
Tenzil grumbled to himself as he arose. Jenne reached out to squeeze his hand, but he removed it and marched to Karen.
Karen: He has now chosen Taylor and Elisabeth. The eight of you will compete as a team in tomorrow night’s immunity challenge. The other eight of you make up the other team…Ashley, Christopher, Drew, Isaac, Jake, JoJo, Missie, and Ryan. Tree-mail will be read on the beach tomorrow at noon.
No one said much at this new development. Tenzil didn’t even bother to return to his place at the bench. He made his way out of the council area at once.
Karen: You can all head back to camp. Good night, everyone.
With a crooked grin, Christopher Collins watched Tenzil leave, having painted a much easier target on his back than Christopher could ever dream of painting himself. He glanced around at the others as they gathered their things. JoJo tossed him a smile, she looked a bit more relaxed than she had been since the first tribal council.
Christopher narrowed his eyes when he saw Kyle. Kyle Adams was visibly upset.
That was something to be exploited…and very easily…
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Post by Host Kyle on Jan 23, 2006 0:14:07 GMT -5
Jamie's Final Words "I contemplated not leaving Final Words... but that wouldn't have been fair to you, Karen. I can handle be voted out - its a game after all. I can handle being voted off early - its happened before. What bothers me, what makes me upset and what has really opened my eyes is that people I opened up to, trusted and came to care about were able to lie to my face - either by telling me they were voting Drew or by telling me there was hope. I asked repeatedly for the truth, but no one was willing, or cared enough, to enlighten me as to my plight. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I am most upset with myself. For allowing myself to trust Beth and company again after what went down in Valentine's Day. To open myself so completely to Beth and have her lie to my face about the vote. To open myself so completely to JoJo and have her tell me over and over again how great of a person I am and how there may yet be hope. Those two are high on the list of unpardonable actions. Had they come to me and said "look, here's the deal, you're name came up, and this is why I'm voting you out. Its a game so I know you won't hold it against me. I'm really sorry, but its just better for me." And I would've been pissed until the names were read, then wished them luck. I've done it before for friends, even went so far as to sabotage my own place in the game to try and keep another in. Its not beyond me. In fact that is the type of person I grew into in these games. I know now that a game cannot be played with a clique - and that is what my experience in this series has been. The dominance of a cliques of outside sources. They enter this game knowing each other and if the mask slips enough they can learn to trust the other person - because, hey! they're an old friend. Want to talk cliques? This group is just as bad as the cliques that Beth and Jo hate so much (in refernece to the whole issue with Lindsay). The difference is that Beth/Jo give the front of friendship, of sweetness and caring. And in my book that makes them the worse, at least I know Linds and company will tell it to me as it is. I really despise this community for being such a clique magnet. What fun is winning a game if you did it only because of a posse of friends? Playing any game that has any number of clique members is a joke. They used the excuse of an abundant number of S4 members to stick together when the real fear of dominance came from within the clique, not from without. All they did was remind me why I haven't played a game in 4 months and why I love hosting all that much more. Though I wish I hadn't played the game, Karen, I do appreciate the opportunity and your ability as a host. Should you ever be in the market for players, I'll heard some of my better ones in your direction." - Jamie Angie's Final Words "Well, that was a shocker, since EVERYONE kept telling me that mine was the only name that hadn't come up any. Now I have absolutely no remiss voting for Ashley, because I wouldn't for a minute doubt that she voted for me. Though there are others I'm certain were also behind this. But, that's ok. I wouldn't have been able to make it to the live challenge tomorrow anyway, and would have probably been next due to that. It's about time for me to get my game started anyway. Thanks for having me Karen!! Keep up the good work." -Angie |
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Post by Host Kyle on Jan 23, 2006 0:33:41 GMT -5
Tribal Council 2 Voting History Vote #1 Vote #2 |
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