Battler finishes with Shannon and moves on after round one.

Battler shook his head with a sheepish grin. "Nah, thanks... I'm good."

Shannon brought her show to a stop, but, sensing something wrong with him, took a seat alongside him. "Battler... Thank you for granting me this opportunity, and for making the mature decision in the end."

"Mature? Tch... Someone like George is mature. I'm just playing around like a kid, here. Something about this whole thing makes me think... I've got a long way to go until I'm an adult, somehow."

The maid shook her head again, then smiled considerately. "I think you're already a fine adult, Battler. Maybe you have a bit to pick up about responsibility. I think that's the missing key. Someday, I think you'll find the woman you love... Maybe that love is the missing piece. Once you have a reason to change, you will, naturally. A part of that is your decision, and a part is simply your environment... Don't you agree?"

"Ha... Hahaha!" Battler laughed with good humor again, then gave Shannon a friendly, appreciative smile. "You thought about this way more than I did, I can tell! All right, that's enough for now. What am I supposed to do for that second game? I'm about ready to stop hanging out in this creepy room, honestly..."

Instead of answering with words, Shannon produced a black handkerchief from beneath the cushions. Upon closer inspection, it wasn't a handkerchief, but a dark blindfold. After showing him, she stood and gently wrapped it around his eyes from behind. "The one hosting the final game has asked for you to wear this. Please do not remove it. Things will get even darker in a moment, but please, try to relax. If I thought you were in danger... I wouldn't leave you here. I'm not sure what's about to happen to you, but I believe you'll be safe. Okay?"

Battler frowned, sensing that things were about to get more creepy instead of less, but he nodded. Shannon smiled, then briskly headed for the door. She gave a quick peek both ways outside, then disappeared from the room.

The second game was about to begin...