A rescue mission

The photoshoot ends there and Ellie untangles herself. She stands awkwardly on the emptying stage, not really bothering to cover herself anymore after what she has been through. She manages to hold herself together, though. Just some skin, after all. Only one challenge left now and she can disappear... "And quite a bit richer too", a voice says in the back of her head. "Maybe it was not all that bad?"

On that thought, though, Ellie does see something bad. Very bad. Making-her-heart-sink bad. Three tall and muscular men wearing only shorts march out onto the stage, holding canes just like the one used on her earlier. Before she can protest that she was promised no more pain, of that kind at least, things get worse. Three wooden horses are rolled out, on each a woman in a thong and a shirt. Their faces are... Well, scared, there is no other way to put it. "Now, Ellie", the host says. "To compensate for giving you **** in the last challenge, we decided to pick a slightly different one for what may be your last action on the show. You do not need to do anything at all. And bear in mind they agreed to this and are getting paid for this".

"Am I just supposed to watch them... Caned?", Ellie swallows. "Can I... Put myself up instead?" Her face pales even if she says it. The host pretends to ponder the question. "I suppose you can if you want to", he finally says. "Of course, you will only protect one at a time like that. Not to mentioned I think we already established you may not last overly long. You can, however... Distract them, shall we say. Satisfy them so they do not have to take it out on the poor girls. But as I said, you do not have to do anything. Anything at all".

With that he waves his hand. Moving in unison, the three men take their positions behind the women's exposed bottoms, draw back their arms and swing their canes. A triple crack is followed by a triple scream and three clear lines are drawn.