The Tribute

"The Tribute: Start a five-minute timer. If the timer expires, every participant must get naked. However, if any one participant is naked before the timer expires, the remaining participants may remain clothed."

I read the card aloud and pulled a stopwatch from my pocket.

Me: Time starts now. I'll update you for every minute that passes.

For a while, no one moved or said anything.

Me: That's one minute.

Danielle: Okay, does anyone want to volunteer?

Her words earned still more silence as the participants looked at one another. A blush began to cross Ryen's face.

Me: Two minutes gone.

Mike: Look, it sure seems to me like someone should volunteer. Otherwise you're going to end up naked with the rest of us.

His focus was clearly on Ryen as he said it, and her blush deepens.

Gina: I don't see you stepping up, Mike. You can save all of us right now.