No, they managed to do something right for once

Siobhan took a deep breath, trying to ease her shaky nerves, and glanced around the room, hoping to ground herself. They were in some kind of great hall, with a large chandelier hanging above them. A fire crackled warmly in a massive fireplace at one end of the hall, opposite a set of imposing wooden double doors. She and the others were seated at a round table - though they only filled half of the seats - each with a computer screen inlaid into the table in front of them.

"So," Aliya was the first to speak, "let's make a plan." Her voice was firm, but her fingers tapped nervously on the arm of her chair.

"We need to figure out where we are, first of all," Siobhan offered. "Then we can work on how to escape, or contact someone."

"Is that even worth trying?" Renée's gaze was distant, and her voice thoughtful. "They grabbed us in the middle of the day, from our home, and if even a fraction of what this... primer... says is true, they could easily... do whatever they did to us, again, and bring us back."

"Guys," Pepper said weakly, "I, uh, appreciate the can-do attitude, but I... There's a lot going on. Let's take a second?" The room was warm, almost uncomfortably, but she was shivering anyway.

"Yeah, shit," Dee whistled through her teeth. "This kind of power... I mean... damn. I can't really wrap my head around it."

"They're fucking with us." The sixth voice spoke up confidently. Alexandria was dressed for a long plane ride, complete with neck pillow and pink pajama bottoms, but she nevertheless radiated competence. She stood and placed both of her palms flat on the table, brown eyes glinting with fury. "I don't know what kind of sick assholes we're dealing with, but that's it - sick assholes. All that 'reality-bending power' spiel? Absolute bullshit, trying to confuse and frighten us. Like little girls. There's no way."

"Maybe..." Renée had returned her attention to the screen in front of her, rapidly clicking through menus and options. "But this is a lot of effort, all just to gaslight us?"

"I don't plan on finding out," Siobhan said, clenching her fists. The power to change who she was, totally. To erase her identity and create a brand new one around it. To turn her into some kind of sexified servant, all 'yes Master,' and 'no Master,' and 'if it please you, Master,' with eager eyes and bouncing tits. She didn't even know how to begin thinking about that.

"Well," Dee said, "it's a game. So if we can't escape, let's just win!" She laughed, only slightly hysterically. "I've always said I wanted to go up a cup size or two."

"Dee," Aliya grimaced, "It's a competition. For one of us to win, the others lose. I won't do that." She glanced around the rest of the room. "None of us would."

Dee shrugged, slouched into her chair. "Don't look like we got much of a fuckin choice to me." She said plainly.

The room fell quiet, and the six women looked at each other, appraising them in ways they never had to before. They had been friends for years, trusted each other, but each one now wondered what the others would be willing to do to preserve their very selves.

"Cooperate or betray. I hate the Prisoner's Dilemma." Pepper said softly.

Alexandria scoffed. "Fuck that. The Prisoner's Dilemma is just a way for assholes to convince themselves they can be selfish without being evil. No way am I flipping on anyone. Not a chance in hell."

Aliyah nodded. "Absolutely."

"A key part of the Prisoner's Dilemma is that the prisoners can't communicate," Renée added. "We can. We know we won't betray each other." She looked to Alexandria, eyes intense. "Not ever."

The three turned to Siobhan, Dee, and Pepper expectantly.

Siobhan hesitated. "I-"

A loud crackle interrupted them, as a nasally, cheery voice echoed from a hidden intercom.

"Alright ladies! Primer time is up, it's Primetime, now!" The voice attempted a giggle - though, truthfully, the result was more of a cackle - and continued. "Hope you read up on all the rules, but if not, no fear! After the opening is finished, you'll have access to terminals in your rooms to answer any questions you might have. Now, please line up, and let's get this show on the road!"

Siobhan hid a sigh of relief - she wasn't even sure what she was about to say, but she was glad she had an excuse to not say it.

"We're not going anywhere, dickhead!" Alexandria called out. "So how 'bout y- what the fuck?"

The angry woman robotically straightened, and the other five lurched to their feet. Siobhan could tell from their panicking faces that they, like her, had no control over their actions, and her heart sank. She tried to speak, and found her mouth would not cooperate. All six of them marched woodenly to the double doors, falling automatically into an order they were never told, and waited. Siobhan was first. She could hear a muffled voice from beyond the door - someone announcing the show, preparing to introduce the contestants. The victims.

"When your name is called, please walk out and let our wonderful host, Ceth, introduce you, then take your seat. If you try to do anything else, including standing still or speaking out, you will be **** to comply, and then be penalized!" The voice declared happily. "Now, none of you are dumb bimbos - at least not yet! So I'm sure you'll follow instructions and this will go swimmingly!"

Siobhan swallowed, hard.

******

"You have met our Master, dear viewers," Ceth intoned, "Jonah Saltz, an loyal, caring and... intelligent young man." She was fully immersed in her character once again, accent and all. Jonah sat still, subdued and anxious.

"Soon we will go over what makes this season of Harem Hotel unique from what our viewers have experienced before - of course, all participants are aware of the rules," her eyes flashed to Jonah, daring him to speak, "so we will not be detailing all of the workings of the game. You can download our companion app, HandheldHotel, for a full rundown." The corporate plug sounded surreal coming from her, but she was nothing if not committed.

"But before this, we must introduce the six - for now - women who will be competing for Master Jonah's affections. Here is our first change to the usual formula, dear viewers: you have seen friends and foes, rivals and lovers, lifetime companions and near strangers, all together in many different combinations, a wheel centered around the Master. But, for this season..." She paused for appropriate drama. "For this season, our first six contestants will all be good friends to Master Jonah... and, to each other. Not a wheel, but a truly tangled web of love, history, and troubles. How will their dynamics change as the show progresses? Tune in every Friday at 2100 Standard Time, to discover, along with the contestants themselves, what their relationships are truly worth."

Jonah's eyes widened at the 'for now' comment, and looked apprehensively to the large double doors opposite the podium from which Ceth spoke.

"Contestant number one, dear viewers, is... Siobhan Kelly!" The doors creaked open, and a grim looking Siobhan walked down the aisle, avoiding looking at either Ceth or Jonah. Goosebumps peppered her freckled skin, much of it left uncovered by her daisy dukes and baggy t-shirt.

"Hailing from the illustrious city of New York... City," Ceth hid a grimace and cursed the teleprompter, but continued on. "Siobhan studies bio-engineering, and hopes to patent a new form of disease-resistant grain, to help end world hunger. Very noble, Siobhan. Now, please take your seat."

Siobhan nodded, teeth clenched, and walked quickly to a row of six seats across the aisle from Jonah.

"That is only the beginning, dear viewers. Contestant number two, is... Aliyah Ibrahim!" The doors had closed behind Siobhan, but now they slowly opened again. Aliyah, in cargo shorts and a white tank top still sweaty from the move in, walked purposefully forward, head held high. She looked to Jonah immediately and nodded at him reassuringly, before looking to Siobhan - but the redhead was hunched over, looking at her shoes.

"From the city of Charlotte, Aliyah studies physical therapy, and wants to open her own practice someday. So ambitious, Aliyah."

Aliyah seemed unbothered by implicit mockery in Ceth's statement, steadily matching her cool gaze. After a moment, the host's eyes narrowed, and she continued: "Take your seat, Aliyah."

Aliyah moved quickly to the spot next to Siobhan, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Contestant number three, marking the introductions as halfway complete, is... Pepper Thomson!" Jonah and Ceth both watched expectantly - one with dread, the other with boredom - but after the door opened for the third time, no one came out. Jonah shot a glance towards Aliyah, who shrugged, looking worried. He thought about speaking up, but before he could, he heard an "Eep!" and Pepper emerged, pale as a ghost, walking mechanically down the aisle in her worn jeans and old button-down.

"From Jonah's own home of Cincinnati, Pepper studies psychology, but isn't yet certain what she wishes to do with her life. Perhaps the results of this season can give you some direction, Pepper- it seems as though you need it. Now, take your seat."

Pepper's legs took her next to Aliyah, and she promptly collapsed into her chair. Jonah tried to stand to go help her, but found that he couldn't move from his seat.

"Contestant four is..." Ceth was tired of dragging out the introductions, so she began skipping the formalities. "...Dee Williams!"

Dee came out easily, resigned smile on her face and hands in her overall pockets. She walked up to Ceth and did an exaggerated curtsy, and the host's lips twitched.

"From Boulder, Dee dropped out of college and works as a freelance writer. She hopes to retire by the time she is thirty and live on a tropical island with nobody bothering her. Unfortunate that you missed the beach resort season, Dee."

Dee shrugged. "I'll get over it."

"Perhaps. Please be seated, now." The tomboy walked casually to her seat next to Pepper and sat down, putting her feet up on the table and leaning back. Aliyah started whispering something to her, but she just shook her head. "Not now," she muttered.

"Number five:" Ceth's voice had lost much of its mysterious tone at this point, but she persisted. "Renée Watson, from Oakland."

Renée's eyes were darting around the marquee as soon as she entered, taking in as many details as she could. Jonah tried to catch her eye, with no luck.

"Renée studies computer engineering and sociology, with the intention of creating her world's first true AI. Very-"

"-MY world?" Renée's attention snapped to Ceth with alarming speed. "There are others? Are you-" She choked for a moment as her words became locked behind her own disobedient lips.

"Save your questions, my dear," Ceth said, annoyed, "and be seated - quickly."

Renée nodded and quickly sat down, pushing Dee's legs out of her way.

"And, our final contestant - for now - " Ceth pulled herself back into character for the final introduction; She had been warned that this one would be trouble. "The incorrigible Alexandria Wilson!"

If anyone was expecting Alexandria to ignore the summons, they were in for a surprise. She emerged immediately, with fiery eyes and a purposeful stride that made her intimidating even with her short height and pastel pajamas.

"Alexandria is from Sacramento, and studies law. She intends to be-" Ceth stopped, surprised, as Alexandria reached the stage and, instead of stopping like the others, immediately hopped up to the podium. "What-?" The statuesque host got no further as the furious coed proceeded to punch her straight in her goddamn mouth.

For an instant, everything was still.

"Scatter!" Alexandria shouted, and the spell was broken. Dee whooped in glee as they all jumped to their feet, Jonah moving to get to Pepper as Aliyah mounted the table to join the attack. They had a chance - they could be free. Alexandria pulled back her fist for another blow, and then:

"STOP."

And, even quicker than it had started, it was over. Once again they were frozen, Aliyah half up the table, and the others in various stages of motion. Alexandria's fist had stopped inches from Ceth's face, and both womens' faces were filled with fury - one burning hot, the other icy cold. The host opened her mouth.

"We're going to cut to commercial for a moment."