[Repugnant Abomination]

Nicole looked just as startled to see me as I her, her crystal blue eyes searching my face for answers to our silent questions. There was no time to talk though. I am between two people, an older looking man, probably in his late 40’s, and a bombshell of a woman who fit the Hollywood standard to a T. Across from us of course Nicole, and two other men to her left. Nobody spoke but you could practically hear the buzz of our collective thoughts in the air. Sets of greens, blues and brown eyes all sized each other up; I wondered if anyone knew why they were here.
The man who greeted me at the door now stood at the head of the table, he wet his thin lips with his tongue and said in his startling deep voice “We’re all here now so I guess we can begin.” I couldn’t help think that we weren’t all here though. Where is Mr. Vosh? I had seen his picture before on TV and this man is not him. My thoughts were broken as he continued “My name is Mr. Crane, but you may all call me Jesse.” He cleared his throat and went on “You were all contacted in secrecy and I’m sure there are many questions on your minds as to why you’re here. But first let me introduce everyone. When I say your name please stand up. In order of arrival: Hank Finken.” Hank stood up. He’s bigger then I am, about 6 feet I would say. He’s also black. He wore vintage jeans and a white button up shirt, the top few buttons strategically left undone to showoff a powerfully built chest. On top of his head is a black cowboy hat, the front tipped up as to not cover his face. He nodded in a friendly manner to everyone and sat back down. Next Mr. Crane announced “Jezel Badoire.” The woman beside me stood up in a way that suggested she was use to and expecting somebody to pick her up. She cocked a hip out to the side, nearly hitting me in the face with it, and rested a hand on it. She definitely had style, that red dress couldn’t have been cheap. As I gazed up at her I noted the strawberry blonde hair and her icy green eyes. She has the complexion of a porcelain doll, pale and flawless. She sat back down. Mr. Crane didn’t miss a beat. “Nicole Sanco.” Nicole stood and the contrast between her and Jezel was palpable. Nicole has an inner light and warmth that I didn’t see behind Jezel’s eyes. She sat back down quickly, but I could have sworn I saw her smile at me just before her bottom hit the seat. Mr. Crane, who I decided I would call Jesse from now on kept going “Harper Douglas.” The man on my other side stood up. He’s overweight, mostly in the stomach. His neon green shirt was offensive to the eyes but paired with his white jeans made the outfit ghastly. Signs of balding were beginning to show at the front of the hairline and his weathered face seemed to have a perpetual sneer on it. He sat back down. Jesse continued, saying “Ben Smith.” The man on Nicole’s other side stood up. Out of everyone there he was most like me I thought. He was short, 5’8 I would say, and he had a humble face. Dressed in very casual jeans and a t-shirt he smiled and sat back down. My turn…I stood as Jesse called my name, nodded quickly, and then sat down.

“Last, but most definitely not least, your host: Mr. Vosh.” I canted my head eagerly to the chair at the head of the table, perhaps expecting him to suddenly appear in a puff of smoke. Instead the double doors behind the head of the table opened, splitting the religious scene painted on them in half. Only once the door closed again did the scene become whole again. The figure that emerged from the doors was not what I had expected, but then nothing would have met my expectations. Despite seeing him countless times on television I still pictured a God of a man to appear before me. He’d stand over 8 feet tall and have his own theme music playing whenever he walked. Eyes of silver and hair of gold would assault my eyes, and I’d have to turn away in fear of his brightness blinding me. A modest looking man now stood in the place of my vivid imagination. What is most alarming to me is the absolute normality of this man, his plainness, his dull, worn around the edges demeanor. Did he not bask in his own glory? Can’t he purchase more light to fill his eyes with? I tried to pay attention, the breath still knocked out of my underwhelmed body. He moved like a serpent, that is, he had a slithering agility about him, as if he moved forward by going side to side. His attire, casual yet business like hung loosely off his frame suggesting he’s a light eater. Brown squinting eyes studied us, like potential employee’s I hoped, for a time, until that time ended along with the silence. “Can anyone tell me why I’m better then all of you?” Vosh said while lowering into his psuedo throne. What a question! My initial offense at the audacity of such a statement rendered my tongue useless. I suspected the same could be said for some of the others too. Not Ben though, Ben was quick to answer “Your cash, sir. Money. Wealth.” “Very good Mr. Smith. That is correct. Throw your philosophies and ethics of self worth and equality out the window right now. As far as the world out there is concerned I have it all. You want what I have, don’t you? Anything you have that I want I can get, can you say the same? Why not? Money. Boil all of life’s problems down to a single ingredient and that’s what you’ll find.” He leaned back in his chair and I could taste his arrogance lingering in the air, assaulting my sense of smell. I hated him for it, and I hated myself even more for thinking he is right. “You all come from different backgrounds. Jezel here joins us from the upper class, at least that’s what she’d like to think. One could easily be deceived by her expensive perfume, yet Jezel knows better. She knows she’s clinging to the hem of the rich, desperately trying to hold on and climb up before she is shaken off and made to do without luxury. Isn’t that right Jezel?” She must have been doing her best Medusa impersonation for I swear she’s trying to turn him to stone with that cold glare. With a flip of her delicate wrist she whipped strawberry curls behind her shoulder and raised her nose to the air “Think what you want.” “I already do” Vosh replied with a knowing smile, continuing. “Harper on the other hand, well you’re lowering then Jezel can even imagine herself falling, aren’t you? For men like you a gourmet meal is mixing in a few chopped mushrooms into your bowl of ramen.” Harper shifted on his seat, much to the displeasure of his chair “That’s right, yeah, I eat like shit because I get paid shit and you know what? Shit is gonna taste like shit no matter how often you eat it, repetition only makes it worse. What’s your fucking point?” Vosh looked to his servant, Jesse, and nodded his head. Comprehension took place because Jesse turned and left. Vosh stood up and paced in front of us now, his sweeping gestures and bold proclamations putting us all under his spell. “My point is this: Everyone wants what I have. You six are a privileged few who will have the opportunity to get it.” Everyone exchanged confused but eager glances and then looked back to Vosh, who had our attention on a whole new level now. “I’m offering you the chance to rise up above your fellow man. To achieve wealth that the combined life earnings of all of you put together will never get close to reaching. You’ll feast with the Gods! The stars will be your footstool, the universe your dining table. Why do I use the universe as an analogy? Because your possibilities will be endless. Power, prestige, influence and wealth will no longer be mere words, they will be reality. Look around you! Look where you all are and then think where you have come from this morning. I can promise you this much: If you were to go back home right now it would be much smaller then you remember, much dirtier. And so, this, is my offer, to you. I’ll wipe the hardship from your face. I and I alone will take care of you, like a father would his son. Ask and you’ll receive.”

With his speech ending Vosh retook his seat and let all that he had said register with us. It was like a dream come true. Beside me Jezel was crying. To my front Hank, eyes as wide as the oceans imaging the possibilities. It was the same all around. The same, except for with Nicole. She had the same troubled look on her face that she did when I first saw her. Her teeth had seized her bottom lip and were chewing on it gently; God I wanted to hold her. “What’s the catch?” Did I just say that? I did. Voshes gaze slowly found me, I felt pierced by it, and now that he had stabbed me he would drain me of my essence. Lowering my gaze to the table I squirmed in my seat uncomfortably. Having achieved his desired effect Vosh said “The catch is only one of you will get what I am willing to give. One. I will take from the rest of you the most valuable thing you have. Your life.” It was right then that Nicole shot up out of her seat, boldly pointing a finger at Vosh and saying with conviction “Nothing is worth risking my life for, and quite frankly I don’t appreciate you building yourself up at our expense. You can have all your money, but you would do well to remember that you can’t take it to your grave with you. Now if you’ll excuse me…” She turned to leave; the first girl in a long time I had strong feelings for, stood up to a man I have idolized, and rightly said to him what nobody else in the room had the courage to say. She would not go unanswered. “Nothing but another life, dear sweet Nicole. How is your Nana feeling these days? From what I hear stomach cancer is one of the most painful ordeals a person can go through, but she seems to be putting up a pretty good fight. Tough ol’girl that she is, but make no mistake, she will succumb to it in the end. If only you had the money to help her fight it, but those darn MD’s are just so expensive these days.” He put a hand to his cheek and shook his head with mock sympathy. I forced myself to stay seated, though all I wanted to do was go and comfort her. How could Vosh say those things to her? Nicole’s back was to the whole group, but by the movement of her arms and shoulders I could tell she was wiping away tears before she turned around to face us. With great reluctance she walked to her chair and sat back down. “That’s a good girl.”

Jesse emerged through the hallway carrying a black briefcase. He set it down on the table in front of us and opened it. From within he pulled out 6 documents and passed them around to each of us. Vosh explained “These documents are binding, by law. Once you sign them there is no going back. But only a fool would sign his life away without knowing what he’s getting himself into, I will save you from that foolishness. It’s a contest, and the rules are simple. Whichever one of you can stay awake the longest without any sleep will be rewarded 50 million dollars. That’s right, 50 million, and all you have to do is not go to sleep. You may use whatever natural methods at your disposal to stay awake, be it exercise or running your head under cold water. What you may not do is use any kind of drug to aid you. This includes but is not limited to caffeine, nicotine, herbal supplements, or any kind of energy drink. You’ll be outfitted with heart monitors which will also serve as a location device so we’ll know where you are at all times. This contest area is restricted to my property, inside and out. Now this is the most important part so listen closely. If you fall asleep, you lose, not only the game, but your life. How is not for you to know. There are 6 of you right now, so if you all agree you’ll be up against 5 other people. 5 people stand between you and obscene wealth. The money will not be taxed. When you’re as powerful as me you find that there those of us above the law.” Vosh stood up then and motioned to the door “You’ll have 10 minutes to talk amongst yourself and make a decision. If you want to take a shot at greatness then sign, if you want to go back to your minimum wage jobs and fast food you know where the door is.” And apparently so did Vosh because he then exited the room, Jesse behind him.
Everyone was quiet. I stared down at the document in front of me trying to comprehend the weight of this decision. All I’ve ever wanted is what this man is offering to me and if I don’t sign will I live to regret it the rest of my life? Of course if I do sign the rest of my life might not be very long. Is that such a bad thing? Am I happy? Have I done anything worthwhile with my life? Will I ever? “Tom?” This is a once in a life time chance. I can beat these people, I want it more then them. “Tom!” I looked up from the legal papers to see Nicole reaching over the table and grabbing my hand. Everyone else was up out of their seats, some pacing, some arguing; the background noise became reduced to a dull humming in the background as Nicole captured me in her eyes. “Tom this is madness. It has to be some sort of scam and even if its not it isn’t worth it” she squeezed my hand “You should leave, go…” “Go back to what!?” I interrupted “You don’t know me Nicole, not that well anyway. I don’t have anything to go back to. This is like a dream come true, this chance. How can I go on with the rest of my life knowing I had an opportunity like this?” Now her other hand came over to sandwich mine between hers “Opportunity? Don’t let yourself give in to this temptation.” I could feel myself beginning to get angry. Pulling my hand away I stood up and put my hands on my hips “What’s all this talk about me? What about you?” The entire room seemed to grow louder as heated debate escalated between everybody. “Tom, I need this money for a good reason. My Nana is going to die, but I might be able to save her with this money.” I started pacing. “Well how wonderfully cliché!” Her eyebrows creased inwards as she said: “Why are you getting so upset?” I let out a lengthy sigh and sat back down. I wanted her to take my hand back into her own again, but she didn’t. “I’m sorry Nicole, I didn’t mean to sound like a jerk, it’s just, it’s 50 million dollars, you know? This is, it’s unbelievable. Think about it: 50. Million. Dollars. That’s a legacy. That’s setting up your bloodline for good. If I lose nobody would miss me. My parents would be sad but lately it feels like they don’t even care about me. Sometimes I wonder if I even care about me…” Jesse walked back into the room and in his booming voice announced that we have 1 minute left. Everyone got quiet then and retook their sets. It was time to make a decision.

We all signed.

Jesse put all the signed documents into a black folder and tucked it under his arm. “Well done. You’ve all been given the rules, you have free range over the entire property. There is nothing left to say other then: Good luck.” And then we were alone. I stood and walked around the table, offering my hand to Nicole “C’mon, let’s go exploring.” As she stood up Harper laughed, the kind of snorting, high pitched squeal of a laugh that even a pig would be ashamed of “You two do realize that only one of us can win. You’re competing against each-other!” He raised to his feet and made a sweeping gesture over the rest of us “If I have any advice to you it would be to go and get some sleep” he then, much to everyone’s astonishment, picked his nose and flicked a booger towards Ben “Hey Benny, catch!” Ben narrowly avoided the flying goober, stood up, and would have got into it with Harper if Hank had not stopped in between the two of them “Take it easy you two” Hank said, with authority. Ben pushed his hair back indignantly and sulked “Well then tell him not to call me Benny.” Harper smirked, pushed Hanks hand away and walked out of the room. I had thought Ben would be more offended by the booger flicking then the nickname.
I lead Nicole by the hand out the way we had come in. To my delight she didn’t pull away, instead she clutched me tightly and I couldn’t help but think maybe she needed me as badly as I needed her. “This place is so big, where do you think we should go first?” “Tom something Harper said is bothering me. He said we’re competing against each-other, and he’s right, we both can’t get out of this. One of us is going to die.” I knew she was right, but I shook my head and said softly “I’ll never be against you Nicole. When the time comes we’ll deal with it then, for now let’s enjoy the time we have.” It must have re-assured her because she smiled and said “let’s go outside while there’s still sun. I have a feeling our time here is going to be very dark.”