Back to the mansion

Announcer: Back at the mansion, the girls gather for some much needed relaxation.

The women were gathered around the trophy case in the spacious living room. Angela was holding the heart-and-star-trophy that Jane had won that day.

“Congratulations on your first day, ladies!” she said. “Give yourselves a hand!” The women all clapped.

“And congratulations to Jane, who took our first win of the game!” Everybody clapped again, except Carmen, who glared at Jane with a dirty look.

The upper left of the trophy case already held a supportive cradle resembling a large decorative plate holder. There was a small plaque attached to it, reading “Jane.” The rest of the top shelf and all the others were still empty.

Angela opened the trophy case and placed the trophy onto the holder, facing outward, to proudly display it to all onlookers. Then, she closed the glass door again, locked it, and turned to the women.

“Everyone who takes top place in a competition will get their own award placed in the trophy case!”

The camera showed the women’s faces, which looked hopeful, envious, or even devious.

Angela continued, “It’s been a long day, but we have a special treat for you. Everyone head upstairs and put on your evening wear.”

The camera showed the group walking up the elegant modern staircase in fast motion. Then, it showed them filing back down the stairs, looking similarly elegant. In the front, Jane looked stunning in a strapless dress and heels. She wore four-inch stiletto pumps that made her already tall stature tower over the other women. Anais looked seductive in her black dress hugging her wide hourglass figure, slit down one side to her hip, wearing her rectangular glasses, all accentuating the natural allure of her swinging hips and pouting lips. Haylee looked ready for clubbing in a loose crop top and skirt. Macie looked awkward and uncomfortable to be wearing a dress. Georgie wore a frilly yellow dress that hung loosely from her like a sundress, yet was cut low enough to reveal some of her generous cleavage. Penelope wore a conservative brown pantsuit. Libby wore a very conservative short-sleeved blue dress with a collar. Sadie wore a shirt and blazer with jeans. Carmen wore a tomboyish white tank top, jeans, and sneakers. Everyone else wore various kinds of appropriate evening wear. Taking up the rear, Brenna wore a loose white blouse and black panties, to prevent the transparency problem from earlier. The blouse’s bottom hem was not quite long enough to cover the panties in front; and it exposed almost all of her fullback panties in back.

Angela greeted them at the bottom of the stairs and walked them to the dining table, where a sumptuous meal was waiting for them.

“We have a special celebratory dinner for you!” The women marveled at the exquisite spread in front of them.

“Everyone take a seat. Jane, since you took first place in our challenge today, you sit at the head of the table. Carmen and Macie, as runners up, you sit next to her. Brenna, since you took last place, you sit at the foot. Penelope and Georgie, as second to last place, you sit next to her. Everyone else, sit wherever you want.”

Jane sat smugly at the head, silently gloating over her victory. However, Macie was clearly upset over Jane’s win, and Carmen openly had a dirty look as she conspicuously avoided eye contact, staring at her plate instead. “Pass the wine,” she scowled at no one in particular.

Jane gave Brenna a haughty smirk across the length of the long table. Brenna averted her eyes.

Brenna stewed in her shame. The current locale only emphasized it. Ordinarily, a table would have covered Brenna’s bottom half, but both the table and chairs were see-through. The best Brenna could do to cover herself was to slide her place setting over, to cover her lap from her perspective, so at least she did not have to see her exposure. She looked glum, but Georgie put a sympathetic hand on her shoulder.

Meanwhile, Penelope looked nervous next to Brenna, knowing how close she came to that being her. “Can I get some more wine as well, please?” she asked. The women had some light conversation and laughter until they had finished their meal. When they were finished, Angela reappeared.

“If you’ll follow me upstairs, we have a few more things to go over,” she said.

The camera showed them all in fast motion again, zooming up the stairs and to the bedroom. The video slowed down, showing them all standing next to their beds.

“Everyone take a look at your chests,” Angela said. Anais looked down at her abundant cleavage.

“No, the chest on the floor,” Angela replied.

“Ahh, of course,” Anais said in her accent.

Angela continued, “everyone has their own personal chest with a combination lock. The combination is currently set to your measurements. There are instructions on the back for resetting it later. These chests are to store all your valuables. Anything you don’t want taken, put it in here. Now, everyone open your chests.”

The women discovered that the chests were already filled with items. Each of them contained a cell phone, a smartwatch, a tasteful purse, a small leather bound book, a pen, and the women’s coin pouches.

“F*ck yeah!” Haylee said, picking up the cell phone. She tried checking her social media, but a large red X appeared on the screen when she typed the URL into the web browser.

“What the hell?” she said.

“Ah yes, I meant to mention,” Angela said. “Your phones are limited to the apps already installed on them and the list of phone numbers in the contact list. Your web browser has a filter on it that blocks most sites.”

“Dammit!” Haylee said. “How am I supposed to see what my adoring fans are saying?”

“Unfortunately, all communication with the outside world is cut off for the duration of your stay. You’ll just have to use your imagination.”

“This is bullsh*t,” she sulked.

“It might help you focus better if you stop obsessing over Instagram likes and start focusing on why you’re here. Winning money, right?” Sharon said.

“Whatever, mom,” Haylee shot back.

Sharon looked as if she was about to say something, but then thought better of it and kept her mouth shut. She still glared at Haylee, however.

“I agree with Haylee,” Chrissy said. “I feel so… unplugged. How am I supposed to know what’s happening in the world without my newsfeed?”

Kiki replied, “You all gotta chill. Get your mind out of those little screens and just enjoy the moment. The world’s still gonna be there without us. Just vibe, dudes.”

“Yeah, Kiki’s right,” Georgie agreed. “Let’s make the most of it while we can. We may miss our devices, but we also have a chance to connect with ourselves and each other.”

“Hh-lame!” Gwen coughed.

Libby shifted anxiously. “Umm… well, maybe it won’t be so bad.”

“Right on,” Kiki concluded. “Now, let’s focus on what’s really important: Does this thing have a pizza app? Or like the number for a dealer?”

“No,” Angela said. “Now, getting back on track, you’ve each also received a smart watch. It monitors all your vital signs. Very helpful for exercising. If you open your coin pouches, you’ll see that the coins you won today have been deposited into them. Each of you also have a diary. Feel free to write whatever you want in it. It can be very psychologically beneficial to get things off your chest.”

“Like your shirt!” Sadie shouted. Angela smiled wryly. “If you want,” she replied.

“One more thing,” Angela continued, “as our first-place winner, Jane is entitled to use a private bedroom and bathroom for the week! Isn’t that great?”

Jane’s face lit up, delighted. Carmen scowled heavily, looking like she was at her breaking point.

“Don’t be too jealous,” Angela said. “The winner of next week’s challenge will get their turn with the master bedroom, too. Work hard, and you all have a shot at your own personal private area!” Angela beamed.

“And that’s it!” Angela said. “You can lock up your chests now. Take anything you want with you. Now you all get some free time to yourselves! Go do whatever you want! You’ve earned it!”