The Ladies of Week 5 Are Drawn

The house lights dim, the spotlight tightening around the ever-smirking Rhett as he steps forward with mic in hand. Behind him, the massive vertical screen flickers to life, casting a warm glow across the eager crowd of players and watchers alike.

"Welcome to Week Five of College Spread," Rhett announces, his voice rich with theatrical flair. "We’ve hit the end of our first four-week cycle—and you know what that means..."

The crowd murmurs in anticipation. Rhett flashes a grin that says he knows something they don’t.

"All cards previously locked for points are now back in play. That’s right—if you scored with her, she’s back on the board. No hard feelings... unless one of you was a disappointment to her of course. Now remember, while most of the Ladies in the College Spread deck don't know about the game until one of you lucky contestants tries to fulfill a challenge with her and has to reveal your situation, those returning have all had at least one of you make a play. They're ready, they're definitely able... but are they willing? Be on your best behaviour, boys... and Cassie... you might need to be far more charming this time."

The screen flashes white, then shifts to a deep maroon. Five card backs begin to drift into view, spinning slowly, orbiting one another as they settle into formation.

"But not every card comes back," Rhett adds smoothly. "If a player held onto a girl—kept her close, didn’t lock her in—she stays right where she is. Held and reserved cards remain with the loyal. And frankly..."

He shrugs, adjusting his lapel.

"This game could use a little more loyalty."

With a crackling sound, the five card backs slam forward one by one, flipping over and locking into place in crisp high-definition.

"Here they are," Rhett declares, turning to gesture at the display behind him. "This week’s fresh temptations. Choose wisely—or at least memorably."

The first of the five cards drawn this week spins into view.

Rhett claps his hand to his mouth melodramatically before introducing her. "For the first time this year, a dean comes into play. And there she is," Rhett announces. "The Ace of Diamonds herself—Dr. Mireille DuPont, Dean of Economics. That’s a hundred-point powerhouse, folks. Cold, commanding, and absolutely unforgiving. If you think you can handle her—think again. She doesn't do mercy. She does mergers."

Another card spins into place with an attractive young woman on the face, who still manages to be a stereotyped nerd.

"Next we have the seven of spades—Cassidy Lange, physics major, track runner, and smug little know-it-all. Don’t let the number fool you—she’s quick, cocky, and looks like she’s already calculated the odds of breaking your heart. Twice. In radians."

The third Lady of the College Spread deck marks the midpoint of the draw. Rhett acts less than impressed.

"3♥—Eun-Mi Park. Literature major, twenty years old, and... well, let’s just say she’s not exactly making waves. Yet."

He gives a crooked grin.

"Some girls turn heads. This one makes you do a double take just to remember she was in the room. But hey, sleeper picks can be dangerous."

And then comes number 4. As her image swings into view, the room grows quiet.

"We've all seen the 10 of spades even though none of our players actually challenged her," Rhett says, a sly grin tugging at one corner of his mouth. "Raven Moreau. Just ask Tank Marshall. Graham played ‘Illusions’ and dropped this dark jewel into his hand like a lit match in a fuel tank. Gorgeous, lethal, and utterly wrong for the hand he was building. This time, though? She’s fair game."

That leaves the final card to come into play.

Rhett nods slowly, almost respectfully. "And finally, the five of clubs—Jada Washington. History major, twenty-two. Knows everything about the past, and practically nothing about how to flirt. She’s awkward, bookish, and criminally underrated—I can personally promise you that!—which, in this game, might just make her dangerous."

As the five new cards settle into place behind Rhett, the camera cuts to the players watching from their seats, expressions tense and calculating. But before the first pick can be made, the spotlight swings back to the host.

"Now, now... don’t be so quick to pounce."

Rhett raises a hand, palm out.

"Before anyone gets too thirsty, let’s not forget—we’ve just closed our first four-week cycle."

The house lights flash briefly gold, the crowd murmuring as the screen behind Rhett flickers to a scoreboard.

"Which means it’s time to crown a temporary king—or queen—of the cycle."

"The rules are simple: whoever scored the most points in this cycle gets a little something extra to play with."

He grins.

"One roll. One reward. One delicious edge... that lasts until the next elimination resets the game. And there's no surprises as to WHO our king is for this cycle is there? Cycle One's top scorer, by a landslide, is—"

He pauses, letting the silence hang just long enough.

"—Milo Gutierrez. After an amazingly high scoring spade flush, he's sitting pretty on over 5000 points!"

Scattered applause, a few knowing glances. But Rhett doesn’t stop there.

"Of course Milo technically isn’t calling his own shots anymore, is he?"

A new image pulses onto the screen: the dark spade symbol, the Q, and a chillingly elegant portrait of Dr. Selene Ravensmoor.

"As part of that spectacular flush that landed him here, Milo signed a little... agreement."

Rhett’s voice lowers, teasing and wicked.

"And under the terms of that contract, every choice he makes from this point forward belongs to the Queen of Spades."

He hits a button and an animated die rolls across the screen. When it stops it shows a cartoon graphic of a tongue salivating as it lolls out from two parted lips.

"And she just rolled... Horny As Fuck."

"So for the next four weeks, Dr. Ravensmoor may choose to make Milo face two challenge cards with his chosen Lady instead of one—stacking their value and doubling the danger. If she decides to unleash that particular kink..."

He gives a little bow of the head, mock-respectful.

"...our king is going to be a very, very tired boy and the rest of you had better start playing very carefully."