Hallowed Be Thy Name

Danica

Danica only returned to the contestant floor as the sun began to set, indicating it was “morning” in the Hotel. The sunset violated the clock but it matched Danica’s mood, and as her time ran low it felt appropriate. She emerged into the common room to find Sarah and Mallory involved in a rather heated argument while the others kept a cautious distance.

“Just let her borrow it, you greedy bitch!” Mallory yelled. “It got you to zero, it can do the same to her.”

“First off, control your fucking mouth. Second, I don’t know if it will even work. I bought it and the bastard seems like it's bound to me somehow.”

“Well you’ve got to let her try!” Mallory grabbed at Sarah’s shoulders, but she easily wiggled free and slapped her hands away.

“Mallory, take a shot or something, you’re being unreasonable.” She grabbed a bottle of whiskey off the bar counter and waved it at her. “She’s Michael’s wife, why can’t she just find him and earn some points?”

“That’s what we tried! But he kicked her out of his room for some reason and she’s got less than a half-hour left!” Mallory noticed Danica standing to the side and rushed to her. “Mom! What are you doing here!? Go find Michael!”

Danica just pulled her into a hug, with tears forming in both their eyes. Danica couldn’t really find the words to comfort her, so she simply stroked her daughter’s hair and soothed her the way she had when Mallory was very young.

“He’s still with Janet.” Danica voice was less bitter than even she expected. She already tried something with him once, I’m not surprised she did again. But Danica didn’t want to dwell on that, not with her daughter here. “It’s going to be ok, Mal. I promise.”

“How can you promise that?”

Danica wasn’t sure either, but it felt like she needed to say it anyway. Was Michael going to save her? Could he? Could anyone? She’d never been the damsel before. Even as a kid she was always the superheroine, the cop, the firefighter, the cowgirl - never the one tied to the tracks. That’s why she picked a trauma center ER when it came time for her specialty. Even most doctors run from that work. She hated being in this position and was mildly comforted that it would at least be over soon. She remembered what Michael had said:

The lucky ones don’t remember.

“I don’t know, Mal. We’ll think of something. Sarah’s right though, you should take a drink to bring you down a bit before we go on air. Ok?” Danica wiped the tears from her face and Mallory’s, then gave her a gentle push towards the bar.

Michael will take care of her. He always has, even when she made it so difficult.

Danica hid herself in the team bedroom and poked into her closet. With her breasts and bottom receding most of the way back to normal, she could squeeze into some of her underwear again. She pondered the choice of what to wear for much longer than she’d ever done before. I’d never paid too much attention to my outfits until it was the last time I’d be choosing them.

She heard a small cough behind her, and turned to see Ronnie standing in the closet entrance.

“You here to gloat?”

Ronnie put up her hands in a show of peace, but Danica was only offering a temporary cease-fire. “The opposite actually, I know what you’re thinking and it’s the wrong call. It’s not the noble sacrifice you’re imagining. It’s horrifying.”

“It’s an early elimination, I doubt they’ll make me remember.”

“They love making you remember. And it’s not just about you. It will crush Mallory, it will crush Michael, and even in your best case scenario they won’t have the luxury of forgetting. You’ll be right there, every day, to remind them.”

That tore it. “And what the hell do you care?” Danica burst on Ronnie, who backed away - though not out of fear, but out of a worry that Danica might harm her position even more.

“I love Michael too.” That stung. “And he loves you. I don’t want to see him hurt again.”

“Then what’s your genius idea?”

“The same as Mallory’s. This isn’t complicated. You go find Michael and you fuck him. Over a roulette table on the floor if you have to.”

“I bet you’d love to watch that.”

“I don’t know what kind of monster you think I am. I fucked him because he’s still my husband, and I hadn’t seen him in decades. I’m not going to apologize for it, and keeping it real with you, I really would rather he not fuck you either. But, this is serious shit Danica, bigger than what’s between you and me. And I don’t want to watch those motherfuckers destroy another woman.” Danica had no answer to this, so she offered none. Ronnie stepped forward, and Danica put up her arms defensively. “There’s one other way. We can get some points, not many, but some points… with each other.”

“With you!? Now?” Danica was incredulous. She cannot be serious! After what she did with Michael, she has the nerve to come down here and offer to kiss me?! Danica steamed at the thought of owing her salvation to Rhonda.

“I’m throwing you a lifeline here.” When Danica clearly chose not to take it, Rhonda backed away, “Did you ever go to church, Danica?”

“Not really, no.”

“I used to. Back home, the Pastor loved to tell a story. A man heard on the radio that a hurricane was coming - hurricanes factored pretty big in our parables, as you might imagine. Anyway, he prays to God to save him and is totally confident that God will. So he stays. The hurricane hits and the levees break, and a sailor comes down his street in a small boat. He offers to carry the man to safety, but the man says ‘I prayed to God and he will save me,’ so the sailor moves on. The water keeps rising and the man has to climb to the roof. A helicopter sees him and swoops down, but the man rejects the ladder. He says ‘I prayed to God and he will save me,’ so the helicopter flies on.”

“Are you getting to the point?” Danica tapped her foot impatiently.

“I am. The water destroys the house right under him and the man is swept away. He gets to the pearly gates and he’s furious with God. ‘I prayed to you over and over and you never saved me!’ God just tells him, ‘What do you want? I sent a radio broadcast, a boat, and a helicopter.’”

“Are you supposed to be an instrument of God in this metaphor? I can’t believe the last thing I’ll hear on this Earth is a lecture from you.” What a high and mighty bitch! “I’m not sure I even believe in God, especially not if he allows a place like this to exist.”

“I’m not sure I do anymore either, but the lesson still holds.” The lesson!? She’s treating me like a Sunday School kid now! Danica briefly forgot that Rhonda was almost as old as she was, and she felt powerful but impotent fury at being lectured by a woman ‘half her age.’

“Does it hold? Even in your story, God sent the fucking hurricane.”

Rhonda shrugged, conceding the point and conceding Danica to her fate. She turned to leave, “I can’t make you do anything, Danica. But I did try to help.”

Danica sat down on a small bench in the closet and those tears she’d bottled came storming back. Once Ronnie had gone, she worried that Ronnie may have been right. Was she was making a catastrophic mistake that would hurt the ones she loved? But what if I am? It’s too late now. For anything. Danica wiped her tears clean in the mirror and quickly splashed her face with a water bottle. She might not be able to stop Al and Ruby, but she could at least have the dignity of going out without letting everyone see her puffy crying eyes. Her hands shook as she did so, the weight of the chances she’d thrown away and the things she was set to sacrifice resting on her shoulders.

On the way out, she passed her nightstand and saw the three pill bottles again. Why not? What have I got to lose at this point? Danica picked up the Fukitol and read the label - ‘Enhances feelings of acceptance. Easy like Sunday Morning.’ Al probably wrote it.

Al. She could picture his revolting smirk. And that’s what made the decision. Danica had only known him a few days but she knew he’d draw this out, trying to scare and humiliate her before he finished her off. Her final, meager act of **** would be to deny him the reaction he wanted. She opened the Fukitol and popped one of them in her mouth before her natural Doctor’s caution could stay her hand. Just like the expansion pill, the effects were almost immediate. Danica’s whole body relaxed. Her whole mind relaxed. Her shakes were gone. The bottle speaks the truth, this is so much easier. All the same thoughts floated through her head, but there were no longer any negative feelings attached to them. No more pain. No more fear.

It’s not that bad. Michael was with Rhonda, but they’ll make each other happy and that will be enough for me. At least I’ll still be with Michael and Mallory. My family, together again. Forever. It might be weird at first with Janet and Rhonda, and all the others…but it’s California. We’d hardly have the most unusual family arrangement.

With that weight off her shoulders, Danica flowed out of the bedroom with much lighter steps. This isn’t gonna be so bad. Why was I ever so afraid? The common room was nearly deserted, the others having all headed down to the Theater for the beginning of Round 2. Only Vivian remained, clearly waiting for her to emerge.

“We only have a few minutes, Danica, so I’ll be quick. I’ve got a way to help you out, but it won’t be free.”

The alarm bells that would have been ringing had been silenced by the ****, so Danica saw no issues with hearing her out. Once again, what else did she have to lose? She nodded for Vivian to continue.

“The rules let you buy points for other players, but it’s quite expensive, and they won’t let me buy you all the way to zero. I can get you to a negative one, and you’ll have to get yourself over the finish line.”

Even through the **** haze, Danica could see a flaw in that plan.

“That makes sense for me. Either I make it to zero or I'm cooked anyway, but what’s in it for you?”

“I want the relaxation **** that they gave you.”

“Fukitol?”

“Wait, that’s the name?” Vivian shook her head. “Yeah, if that’s the one that helps you cope, that’s the one I want.”

“How many pills?” Danica really didn’t want to sell that one, it would leave her with two very unpalatable choices the next time she needed to dose herself. But once again, what other options did she really have? She was on the way to the gallows.

“All of them.”

Mallory

The clock at the back of the theater tick-tick-ticked inexorably towards airtime. Michael sat in his armchair from opening night looking glum, which gave Mallory some confidence that he hadn’t tried anything with Janet the night before. But unfortunately she knew he also hadn’t done anything with her Mom either. Regardless, Janet still would not meet Mallory’s eyes, ever since her surprise kiss the day before.

I wondered if she had a thing for me even before this. I’m not sure it matters though, they’ve definitely given her one now.

Mallory and the others were arrayed back in the stools from opening night, but she could not stop peeking over at Danica’s empty one. Mallory pulled a small flask from her handbag and tried to sneak a quick drink without anyone noticing, but when she looked up, Al was grinning at her from his position.

Oh fuck you sideways, pal. She balled her hand into a fist rather than flip him the bird, and kept her mouth shut. Given that he may end up holding her Mom’s fate in his hands in a few minutes, she chose discretion over the fleeting satisfaction. Mallory had taken the opportunity to dress up a little for this airing, pulling out a cocktail dress that she’d worn to a few of the nicer family dinners. She noted that the others had too. Even Janet had ditched the huge hoodie for a dress, albeit a rather dowdy flowery one. Must be a hand-me-down from her grandmother.

“Psst, Mallory, may I have some?” Luciana asked from her stool, gesturing to the flask. Ok, apparently I couldn’t keep this from anyone. Mallory wordlessly handed it to her, and Luciana took an overlong drink from it.

“Easy, I need that.” Mallory said when Luciana returned it notably lighter.

“We all need some of that.” Sarah added. “The second I get back upstairs I am smoking a bowl, I wish I had thought to do it first.”

Me too.

Mallory breathed a huge sigh of relief as Danica and Vivian entered just under the gun, working their way through the seated crowd and joining the rest on the stage. Al had been pretty clear that being late was going to be an immediate elimination from now on.

“Glad you could join us.” Al said with barely contained glee. If I have to watch his smug face while he mutilates my mother, I’m gonna pop him with this stool. I don’t care how many points it costs, I’ve got some to spare now. Mallory took another drink, trying to sober herself a little more before things started. Mallory saw that Danica had a contented look on her face. She must have earned enough points!

Al and Ruby took their places and he held up his fingers to count the final seconds before launching into his spiel.

“Welcome back! Our girls have had a day to play with their new bodies, with each other’s bodies, and for some lucky girls - Michael’s body!”

Michael slumped down in his seat. Both he and Rhonda covered their faces, but Mallory noted that Danica stayed surprisingly calm.

“Before we close out Round 1, let’s take another look at the leaderboard! Remember, girls in the negative at the end will be eliminated!”

“Woah, it looks like Janet’s taken sole possession of the lead!” Ruby clapped and beamed, and the audience followed her lead. “And Sarah and Danica have made a significant comeback!”

“Congrats to Sarah.” Al said. “But Danica’s not all the way back. How did you even get that close?”

What!? Mom is still negative!?

“I bought her points,” Vivian interjected, trying to get Michael’s attention. “I saw an opportunity to help and I seized it.” She looked as if she was pleading for him to acknowledge her. Michael looked up at her, looked up at the scoreboard, and returned to his funk. Vivian looked abjectly crushed.

“At three grand a pop? You can’t even buy her to zero.” Al shrugged off his annoyance. “Ain’t my money.” Al looked at the leaderboard again. “Aww, look Danica. They even took you off the board. Close, but no cigar, sweetheart.” He popped his cigar back in his mouth and began cracking his knuckles, taking his time to dramatize his build up. Mallory was nearly frantic, and looked around from face to face. “Someone do something! Anything!”

But it fell to Danica to go the last mile and save herself.

“I need one point only, right?” Danica asked.

“Just one.” Ruby sounded hopeful.

“Fine.” With resignation, Danica slipped her spaghetti straps off her shoulders and stepped out of her dress. The crowd began to hoot and wolf-whistle, but Danica paid them no mind. She slid her panties off and put her hands on her hips, staring a hole through Michael.

“Look at me, Michael.” He was still hiding behind his hands as if he was embarrassed to see her. “Look at me, Michael.” She ordered. There’s that Mom tone I remember.

Michael remembered it too. He slowly peeked through his fingers and dropped his hands when he realized she wasn’t about to kill him.

Appeared naked before the Master +5

Seen it all -4

Oh thank god! The crowd stood up and roared their approval, Mallory right along with them, as Danica’s score popped up to a 0. A large “Family Feud”-style bell chimed in the theater and Ronnie cursed and had to grip her stool to keep from falling off as her body convulsed. Ruby pumped her fist like her child scored the winning run. For a moment, Al looked like someone had stolen Christmas but he quickly regained his composure.

“Fan-tas-tic.” He said, “Looks like all of you survive to the next round.”

“Yes they do, Al!” Ruby was still walking on air. “Danica, excellent save!”

“I didn’t do it for you.” Danica said, but given her look it wasn’t clear if she was talking to Ruby or to Michael. Mallory noticed Vivian fidgeting with her own blouse, as if fighting the urge to tear her own clothes off. Mallory could hear her mumbling under her breath, complaining that her body was better and no one was giving her credit for her part in the whole thing. Mallory saw her slip something from her pocket into her mouth, and her fingers relaxed. Caught up in the swell of excitement that her Mom was safe, Mallory put it out of her mind.

Danica sat back down on her stool and crossed her legs, not bothering to dress herself and apparently content to stay that way for the remainder of the show. Whatever embarrassment Janet had felt initially had faded, and she stared openly at the gorgeous nude woman seated one stool over. Danica kept her eyes straight ahead, glancing only occasionally at Michael but not daring to look over and acknowledge the other women.

Ruby pretended to dab sweat from her brow.

“Well, that was a mighty close call! Moving into Round 2, we have some small housekeeping and then we will announce the next challenge! Each of you will receive chips for your votes in the Best Girl poll! Janet, another win for you!

The scoreboard was replaced with the results of the poll and the chip payouts:

1st - Janet - 3.96 (373 chips)
2nd - Ronnie - 3.88 (369)
3rd - Sarah - 3.53 (336)
4th - Danica - 3.48 (331)
5th - Luciana - 2.99 (284)
6th - Mallory - 2.74 (261)
7th - Vivian - 2.31 (220)

The showgirls from the first night returned from the sides of the stage, seven of them bearing cups of chips for the contestants. They stopped to hand them to each of the girls in turn. Sarah took hers, but as soon as the cup was in her hand the chips began to dissolve into dust and fade away.

“Awww, come on.” She groused.

“House always gets paid first, baby.” Al said. “Talk to me later and maybe we can find a way for you to work off that debt.” Sarah, and indeed all of the women - Ruby included - winced in almost physical pain. “What? Floors need mopping. Get your minds out of the gutter.”

“Now, we have many places to spend or wager those chips, as most of you have discovered by now!” Ruby said, “But you’d better save some for the next round! For Round 1, we had you learn about each other, and now for Round 2 it is time for you to really meet the Master.”

Michael sat up, looking concerned that he was to be the focal point. Mallory felt the urge to yell something inappropriate at him, and snuck another swig from her flask just to keep from doing so.

“You will compete in teams, but be judged individually by our very own viewers!” Ruby said, gesturing broadly to the cameras. “Each team will have a day with Michael, split over three tasks. Since my team has four girls, two of you will pair up. One task will take place during the afternoon, to take him on an activity you will enjoy together. Feel free to utilize our grounds or take Michael anywhere in the world to do this.”

“Wait, we get to go home?” Janet asked hopefully.

“Just for a few hours, my dear. You will need to bring Michael to the next contestant once your time is up, or you will forfeit the round. The next contestant will cook or take Michael to dinner. Again, feel free to use our restaurant or kitchen, or travel wherever you may choose.”

“And finally…” Al jumped in. “The last girl of the night is ‘the closer.’ Spend the night with Michael, in his suite or anywhere you like. Remember, you’re being judged on this, so you can earn points the old fashioned way.” He let that hang in the air, “ or by winning over the audience.”

“How are we supposed to win over the audience?” Mallory asked.

“You could ask your friend, Janet.” Al offered. “The fans practically dropped to one knee and proposed.”

Vivian grumbled under her breath again, but this time it was more muted.

“One last thing, girls!” Ruby said. “You will not have access to your old resources, so you will need to spend from your chips on the date. Wherever you go, the chips will be accepted as local currency.”

“I don’t have any chips.” Sarah complained.

“Fucking’s free.” Al offered, and again the room collectively cringed.

“...Right..." Ruby pushed through. "That’s all for now! Girls, you will have just under two hours to plan out your day and the dates start at noon! Good bye from Harem Hotel!” She and Al waved to the camera as the curtain descended over the stage.