Chapter 55
by 
Ggnt
What's next?
Home sweet home
Eric stood leaning against the railing. He'd joined the girls in staring at the city in front of them.
Were they really home? Or was this another trick?
"Ah there you all are!" Isla said coming up behind them. "Welcome to Toronto. Home for most of you, first time for Beatriz and Alexandra, oh and little Mali of course. It's a beautiful sight, but it's time to return to the great hall. It's almost time to begin our challenge!" Isla went back inside, everyone else followed.
Inside the great hall they could all see the eight doors, each with a name, or in one case two names.
"Today is a very special day. You are all going to experience something most humans never will. Time Travel!
Yes, that's right. Inside each of these rooms is a time machine. You are each going to take Eric on a date in Toronto. The catch? It can't be in the present. I'm blocking out the whole 2020s. Your machines can bring you anywhere within the modern day greater Toronto area, anytime going back to 1674. You will each get 4 hours of prep time and 4 hours of actual date time.
Inside your rooms, besides the time machine, is a computer with all the information you need to plan your dates. There is also $1000.00 Canadian which will magically adjust to proper currency in any time period. Finally a wardrobe where you can dress yourself and Eric appropriately. For each outfit you will use the computer on the wardrobe to select how each of you will be dressed. After 4 hours or when you hit the ready button in the time machine Eric will appear beside you. If you don't select any time the machine will pick randomly for you. After the 4 hours of date time you will appear back here in the hall.
You don't have to use all your prep time, but won't get any additional date time if you don't. Your date doesn't have to stay in one time period, but the four hours is from your own frame of reference.
Lastly you must actually go on a date with Eric. No dropping him off at a pub with John A and leaving.
The scoring will be decided by Eric and the audience. We will use magic to make Eric honestly rate each date from one to eight. The audience will use whatever they want to pick their favourite. The final score will be averaged between the two.
I will break any ties.
Also these dates will take place simultaneously. Don't worry about how that works, it just does.
Now, any questions?"
Marcos raised his hand. "Doesn't this give an unfair advantage to the ones from this city? I visited once for a tournament years ago, and Beatriz and Alexandra have never been."
"Great question Marcos. The answer is yes, it is an unfair advantage. But you know what? I don't really care. Suck it up or give up. Anyone else?"
"Do we have to spend all the money?" Jenny asked.
"Do whatever you want with it. The audience and Eric will judge you by the date, whatever you choose. Any more?
"Does whatever we do affect the timeline? Can we meet our past selves?" Sarah asked.
"Oh I was hoping you would ask. Yes. Go see yourself in the past. Maybe have some self-cest. It's great, just ask Marcos and Mali. But no, you can't affect the timeline. Nothing you do will have any impact on present day Toronto or anyone living in it."
Yaz raised her hand. "Can we plan double dates? If we show up in the same place will we see other dates?"
"Do whatever you want with your planning time, but no double dates allowed. If you end up in the exact same time and place you will not see each other. Anyway I've answered enough questions. Prep time begins now!" A few of the girls ran immediately while others still looked confused. Isla looked to Eric. "and you, you can't help them. Into the timestream you go, when they start their dates you'll just appear there." She clapped and Eric disappeared.
Ignoring the girls, Isla looked right at the camera. "Now friends it is once again time for the best girl poll. Did anyone rise in your estimation? Anybody just piss you off? Let me know and vote!
