A rundown of the rules

"What the fuck is going on." David fixed the Jester with a withering stare.

"My, straight to the point, David. Good. Its all in the pamphlets in your changing rooms, but I'll make this quick and easy for everyone; you are all now contestants on a... well, the closest concept is a Reality TV gameshow. Think of the Bachelor meets Survivor. You'll all be subject to transformations and challenges that redefine your relationship to the Master, David."

"You sick freak!" Katie snarled. "What do you mean 'transformations'? And what makes you think we'll play this fucked up game anyway?"

"A simple matter of Carrot and Stick, my dear. Play to win, and the outcome will be a lot more pleasant than if you try to quit or throw the contest."

This got a sneer from Amelia "More pleasant for whom? For you? For that worm, Fletcher?"

"For you, Miss Stone. Play the game, and you could find it most... rewarding. 100 points is all you need to win a place within the Harem... But whoever has most at the end of the season gets a Wish. Reality rewritten, within select bounds." Motley paused and cocked their head back to Katie, "That's the carrot."

"So... whats the stick?" Katie probed, her guard still up.

"The stick is twofold. One, any contestant who hasn't secured their place by the end of the season loses. Losers are still bound to the Master's service, but in far less pleasant ways. Two, points can be lost too, even dipping into the negatives. Anyone who's points are still in the red at the close of each round is Eliminated, locking in any transformations they are currently under and preventing them from competing further. Eliminated contestants therefore lose automatically."

David swallowed hard. "I never asked for this. I don't want this at all, just let them go."

"Oh master... if you quit the game, you ensure ALL contestants are eliminated. Trust me, terrible fates befall seasons where the Master doesn't play along, and no-one involved likes the outcome... well, the audience and the Producers get a laugh out of it. Oh, and don't try to run, Ms Huang." Motley's porcelain face snapped to face where the older woman was backing away out of the ring. "Our show is not strictly in your world, you will find that there is nothing beyond the borders of our fairground."

"So, to be clear... You kidnapped a bunch of random people... to **** us to fight to fuck Dave, all without ANY of our consent?" Frank finally spoke.

"That is mostly correc-" the sentence was never finished, as a swift right hook impacted the back of the hood and just kept going, the hollow fabric folding around Frank's fist, sending the mask skittering across the floor. There was a heavy moment of silence as the jesters clothes collapsed on the floor. Then, "Well that was rude. I don't make the rules here, I just host the show."

Frank watched in horror as the empty cloth staggered to its feet and shambled to where the mask lay. "Bloody hell, what the fuck are you?"

"I am the host of this season of Harem Hotel, a reality show in the place between realities. Time and space are flexible here, so don't worry; we'll put you back when and where we found you when all this is done. I am also an object lesson for the Master on what can happen if he doesn't play along. Let's just say the Producers don't let go of their toys so easily. I don't expect you to like me, given our circumstances, but I am not your enemy." Motley put their mask back into place before suddenly standing bolt upright and pivoting to face an unseen camera, "Welcome back, folks. Welcome once again to HAREM HOTEL: CARNAL CARNIVAL! Last we left off, we had just introduced our delightful Ringmaster and the six contestants that will be his acts. But it's time we find out just what acts they will be; everyone get ready for the FIRST TRANSFORMATIONS!"