"Everything's clear over here", Monica Stone called into her walkie-talkie, "Still no signs of movement."
It was 9 o'clock in the evening and the eleven contestants had no idea when or where the opposition was going to strike the castle. There goal was to protect a large chest stationed in the center of the fortress, as well as the power supply room in the barracks just east of the castle. Four towers stationed around the castle grounds served as look out points for the contestants and each member was geared with a paintball gun and pair of goggles to use once the playing field would become to dark to see otherwise. Richard Maxwell was the only one stationed inside the castle itself, where he sat waiting next to the white button, which, if pressed, would sound an alarm and announce to the eleven contestants they had failed their mission.

"Roger that", Jason Whittaker responded to Monica's observation, "How about you Jack? You or Mr. Dent see anything over in the North East tower yet?"

"Negative", Jack replied into the receiver, "It's been nine hours and nothing's changed. I'm getting the feeling that we have these night vision goggles for a reason. If the opposition is going to strike us, they're going to do it under the cover of darkness. And they're going to do it soon."

"I agree with Mr. Allen", Eugene interjected from the barracks east of the castle, "Our foe will most certainly be inclined to attack when our vision is impaired. And, it is in my humble opinion that they will strike the castle from an entrance we have yet to discover."

"Why do you say that?" Maxwell asked from inside the castle.

"Well", Eugene began "It's obvious that whoever our mole is, likely has a way to communicate with the opposing team. Since the castle itself is clearly the most ill defended sanction on the field, it would be the target of choice for a team of infiltrators. And while the barracks house the power unit, there are two towers to the north and south of us. In turn we have nearly six individuals keeping a watchful eye on the power supply. And while those same towers are in close proximity to the fortress, the castle is not yet fully explored. We do not yet know if there are hidden tunnels or access routes that you're not informing us about."

"Eugene, I already told you I took a look around the castle. There's no other way in!" Richard Maxwell said, clearly perturbed that no one felt they could trust him. "I swear to you, I'm not lying!"

"Richard," Jack said in a calming voice, "It's not that we don't trust you as a person. But this game is designed to turn everyone against each other. One of us here is a traitor and I think that's on everyone's mind. It's so hard to keep a level head and put our trust in anyone but God, when we're being forced to live in a world that has been turned upside down. We want to trust you Richard. But in this game, you can't trust anyone."

"Well put", Margaret Faye said from her South West tower, "Nothing is as it seems. Anyone of us could be the mole and we have to keep that in mind. I could be the mole just as easily as Richard could be. And Barry could be the mole just as easily as Connie could be. No one here is safe of not being the mole."

"Well I know I am", Mitch said into his walkie talkie several feet from Margaret. "If I were the mole, I think they would have told me."

"Did anyone hear that?" Arthur Dent's voice came crackling over the airwaves, "I think they're coming for us!"
"I didn't hear nuthin'", Barry said as he slipped his night vision goggles on, "But I guess we should check it out. I'm getting a stiff neck sitting in this position."

"There it is again!" Eugene excitedly called into his device, "It sounds like… a helicopter!"

"I've got a visual!" Jason yelled, "They're coming from the east. It looks like there are four guys hanging from the rails of the copter. Everyone get on your goggles and get your guns ready."

"Yehaww!" Muntz called from his North West location, "I'll join you guys in the east. No need for me here now that the action seems to be on the opposite side and Monica's agreed to hold down the fort. Anyone wanna join me?"

"I'm looking for a little excitement myself", Mitch responded, "I'll meet up with you on the field below. I want some real action!"
It was 9:15 and the battle had finally begun. The helicopter was fast approaching the castle grounds and the towers in the east began to turn their paintball guns toward the aggressors. Connie climbed onto the roof of the barracks and took aim. She felt uncomfortable holding this gun, as did most of the other contestants, but it was part of being involved in the game and she didn't want to lose money for the group. She fired a shot from the barrel of the gun and watched as the paintball flew across the air and missed the helicopter by a long shot. If she was going to hit any of the four hanging from the bottom rails of the copter, she was going to need to wait till they were closer.

Meanwhile Barry and Mitch jogged across the field towards the eastern most buildings. But suddenly Robert Mitchell stopped dead in his tracks.

"I don't like the sound of that." He said as he turned to look behind him, "It's a jeep. And it looks like they've got two more guys on board. They're coming to hit us from both ends! Tell the others Barry!"

Barry reached for his radio receiver and pressed the button, "Guys. We've got company. There's a jeep coming and they got some guys on board. And it looks like they're armed." Barry released the button and waited for a response. Nothing.

"We have more coming from the west!" he shouted into the radio transmitter, but again did not receive a response. "Forget it", Barry said turning to Mitch, "Either my radio transmitter is dead or we're being blocked. But we've got to take out that jeep. Come on!"

Meanwhile in the east, all six members stationed across the two eastern towers and the barracks had their guns aimed high at the helicopter. The copter was about 50 yards away and fast approaching. Jason Whittaker fired his weapon and watched as the paint ball flew through the air, and much like Connie's, completely missed the target. Arthur Dent crouched down in his Northern tower, took aim, and fired. He hit one of the four individuals hanging from the rails of the copter. "One down, four to go!" Jack Allen told the group via his walkie talkie, "Arthur pegged one of them off."

Back in the west, the small team of Barry and Mitch were rushing towards the jeep with their paintball guns blazing. But due to the size and speed of the vehicle, the two opponents managed to avoid being hit through a serious of defensive maneuvers. Suddenly Mitch and Barry lost sight of the jeep. "Can anyone see it?" Mitch asked pulling his radio transmitter out of his overalls, "We've lost it!"

"Lost what?" Monica Stone asked from her tower.

"The Jeep!" Mitch yelled, obviously getting frustrated.

Monica responded and said she had no sight of any jeep, nor was she aware there was one in the area. Margaret Faye responded shortly after and conceded she too was unaware a jeep had breached the grounds.

"I told you we were being blocked." Barry said kicking the dirt, "The mole got to us."

"Somebody get here quick!" a voice came blasting over everyone's walkie talkie's "They've breached the castle!" The voice belonged to Richard Maxwell.

"Mitch and myself are on our way", Barry answered, and the two began to race toward the castle itself.

Richard sat with his head against the heavy door listening into the hall just beyond it. He heard the sound of footsteps creeping nearby and the hushed whispers of two males obviously discussing strategy. His heart was pounding. Nearly the entire team thought he was the mole, and he wanted to throw their suspicion elsewhere. He needed this victory and he was going to do whatever it took to get it. Maxwell glanced at the white button several meters from where he sat motionless; it was taunting him. But before Maxwell could realize what was happening, a door burst open on the west side of the banquet hall and a man dressed in commando gear rushed in. Richard pulled the trigger and fired. He missed and the commando ducked behind a chair that was in the corner of the room.

"Give up!" Richard yelled to the intruder, "There's no way I'm letting you hit that button." His statement was followed by silence and Maxwell began to slowly approach the chair. He took one step. Then another. And then another. He crept quietly and made his way to within five feet of the chair. Suddenly the door behind him burst open and in rushed a second man dressed in commando gear. Without thinking Richard dived and fired his weapon wildly in the air. He struck the commando twice in the shoulder blade and watched as the man got on his knees and surrendered himself.
"You're a fool", a voice said from behind Richard, "Game Over."

Richard winced as he remembered the other opponent who had been hiding behind the chair. He turned to look his enemy in the eye but just as he was turning he caught sight of a ball of paint flying past. It hit the intruder square in the goggles and the man threw his gun on the ground in anger. Maxwell turned to find out who had saved the day. It was Eugene Meltsner.
"Took you long enough Eugene", Maxwell said with a bit of a chuckle. "But thank you."
"It was my pleasure Mr. Maxwell. After no individuals responded to your call for assistance, I decided it was my duty to aid you in anyway I could. I feel awful that earlier this evening I insinuated you could not be trusted. And for that, I apologize. Will you forgive me?"

"Me forgive you? You crack me up Eugene. But yeah, of course I forgive you!" Richard said and offered his hand. "Where'd you learn to shoot like that?"

"I was quite the marksman with a water pistol I'll have you know", Eugene said with a smile, "I once won an entire treasure chest full of coupons for my proficiency".

"You don't say!" Maxwell said and then looked at this radio, "Wait… how are the others doing?"

Barry and Mitch burst in through a third door in the corner of the banquet hall and then looked around the room as they saw two of the hired enemies crouched with their hands above their heads. "Looks like we're a little late", Barry said turning to Mitch, and then added with a smile, "We said we were coming. Couldn't you have waited to hold the party till we arrived?"
"What?" Richard said turning to Eugene, who looked just as puzzled.

"I'm only kidding Maxwell!" Barry chuckled, "I'm glad you didn't need our help after all."
"Not that!" Richard said, "You guys said you were coming?"

"You mean, you didn't hear Barry telling you that we were on our way?" Mitch asked looking suspiciously at the man he had just ran through the castle halls with. "Barry, you did tell them… didn't you?"

"Of course I did Robert!" Barry said defiantly, "You even saw me-"
But Barry was unable to finish his sentence. He was caught off by the loud booming sound of the siren. It had been set off. Suddenly the lights went dead in the room and the sound of electrical movement throughout the castle began to cease.
"Miss Kendall!" Eugene shouted at the top of his lungs and ran out of the banquet hall, "What have I done?"
The competition was lost. Twenty minutes later the eleven contestants met back in the banquet hall where the power had been restored. "Well that was pathetic!" Bryan Dern cackled, "You managed only a measly $30,000 on today's challenge where you had the potential to earn $140,000! That's nearly $110,000 you lost out on today because of poor communication! You guys make me sick!"

"$30,000?" Monica asked, "So we shot down six of the other team members?"

"Brains and beauty 'eh?" Dern said in a way only he could, "That's right. The eastern front managed to shoot down the four in the copter, and Maxwell and Eugenie here took out another two."

"What about the remaining two we didn't hit?" Wooton Bassett questioned from the seat at the furthest end of the table, "You told us there were gonna be eight coming to get us."

"Well that's for you to decide", Dern responded looking them all over, "You see we have a bit of a dilemma. Either the final wave of attacks was going to consist of the other two team members striking the base, and that final wave wasn't needed… or one of the remaining two is responsible for shutting down the power supply and ending the game. However, there is another option."
"And that is?" Eugene asked, feeling responsible for the group's failure after leaving Connie to defend the barracks by herself.
"The mole is the one who flipped the switch and shut the power down on their own." Bryan Dern said flatly. "Not everyone is accounted for during this period of time, and I'm going to leave the speculation up to you. In the meantime I think you eleven better get some sleep. You've earned a grand total of $28,000 and I want to see better results in the coming weeks… you can't let the mole beat you at your own game."

"Excuse me Mr. Dern", Jack Allen began, "But didn't we earn $30,000 in the Castle Challenge?"

"Yes Mr. Allen, you did earn $30,000 in the Castle Challenge before deductions. Unfortunately, Jason Whittaker's absence when I was giving you the directions back at the hotel this morning has cost the group $2,000. Don't let it happen again Mr. Whittaker."

"I'm sorry guys", Jason said sinking lower into his chair, "I must have been sleeping pretty heavily when Dern came into our rooms to wake us up. I don't remember any of it."

Following the Castle Challenge, the contestants of AIO Mole sat down and talked with Cryin' Bryan Dern. They shared their insight into things they have noticed and information that might help in determining who the mole is.

Jack: "This is a very difficult game to play. I don't like how we've been turned against our own friends. I don't want to sit her and speculate that Connie could be the mole, or that Eugene is a traitor, or that Jason is sabotaging challenges. But one of the eleven left here is doing just that. However, after watching with my own eyes and listening to stories told by the other contestants, Jason Whittaker is in fact the one I'm beginning to believe is planted by the producer. For starters, he penalized the group $2,000 and then wasn't able to hit any of the targets in the Castle Challenge. Considering his background, I would think Jason would have a slightly better shot."

Connie: "I feel bad. I know that game was lost because they shut down the power, and I was in charge of watching the barracks while Eugene went to help out Richard. If the mole pulled the switch, then Monica and Mayor Faye have absolutely no alibi. Both girls were in towers in the west where Mitch and Barry had been, and so for the final fifteen minutes of the challenge, no one can account for either of their whereabouts."

Richard: "Barry Muntz. Something about that guy just isn't right. He claimed he told the group about a jeep they sighted on the west side and also claimed that he had radioed back to me that him and Mitch were coming to help. Everyone I've talked to doesn't recall either of those conversations taking place, and as a result, Eugene came to help me out and left Connie to fend the barracks by herself. I really wish I could get into the mind of the mole, and figure out what they're thinking."

Monica: "Well my gut tells me that Jason isn't the mole. Though, maybe I just want to trust him so much. We've talked it over and decided two heads are going to be better then one. We've gone over the contestant profiles and things we've noticed during the competition and both of us agree we have figured out the mole. I don't want to name names, but she seems to be flying under the radar so far and my guess is that she hasn't found an opportunity to sabotage yet."

Robert: "Before today's events, I was pretty stumped as to who the traitor is. But after today, I have a pretty solid idea of who I'd put my bet on. I was with Barry pretty much the entire night. And while he wasn't anywhere near the power switch in the barracks, I think it's highly likely that one of the two guys we didn't hit pulled it and Barry used the confusion as a means to distract us. Besides, my radio worked fine when I used it. Why didn't his?"

Eugene: "Well certainly this is a most challenging game. I have brought my laptop with me on this expedition and have compiled a list of traits and characteristics of all my fellow competitors. After doing a cross reference with known attributes the producer would be looking for in selecting the infiltrator positioned among us, I have come to the conclusion the mole can be none other then Robert Mitchell. His cunning behavior and ability to manipulate others is a powerful tool to yield in a competition such as this. However, the data I have assembled does contain a five percent margin of error."

Margaret: "I wonder how the town of Odyssey is carrying on in my absence. I don't know how I got into this mess of a game, nor do I enjoy the fact that the producer pulled a fast one on all of us and replaced everyone in their respective employment with someone else until the game is over. Even after I get eliminated, which I surely will, I'm going to be forced into seclusion until the game is all wrapped up. I am not looking forward to spending several more weeks with these people."

Barry: "Everyone's teaming up against me! Can't a guy get a break? I mean I know I'm not in with their circle of friends, but really! I try to fit in, but these people just won't give me a chance. Here everyone's blaming for me the problems, and forgetting the fact Meltsner left his post. Shouldn't he have told someone he was going to be leaving Connie all alone to defend the thing? Poor decision making for someone who is a so-called genius."

Arthur: "I am one hundred percent positive that I'm the mole! At least I think so! I can't be sure however. Novacom and their experiments have certainly impaired my judgment. However, if I'm not the mole, then I will declare that The Chairman is! He sure is a sly one. I don't know how he does it. He just seems to pop up at the oddest moments. Out of the corner of my eye I see him watching, and I turn and he disappears! He's certainly a clever one. Definitely mole material - What? - What do you mean the Chairman is not a competitor? Oh dear me. Then it's true. I am the mole!

Elimination Week 2
Sunday, September 1, 2002

The eleven contestants gathered in the banquet hall of Schloss Stolzenfels, the same location where their Castle Challenge had taken place earlier in the week. The AIO Mole players had each been sent to a secluded location on the grounds, where they were asked to complete an exam based on the identity of the mole. The questions ranged from "What did the mole eat for breakfast this morning?" to "What was the room number in which the mole slept?". Several of the questions dealt with the mole's location and performance in the previous challenge, and other questions dealt with physical attributes of the traitor the producer had selected. To help the contestants with their answers, every one of them had been given a journal to fill in with information and observations they had made throughout the course of the game. If the players wanted to succeed in the game, they had only two options: Either they do well on every one of the tests administered to them and keep their hopes alive, or they happen to be the mole and are immune from being kick out. The contestant who scored the lowest on any of the exams would then be eliminated from the contest and the game would continue with smaller numbers. The time for the results of the test were about to begin, and host Cryin' Bryan Dern motioned for the contestants to sit down in the chairs surrounding the great table.

"Good evening!", Dern said with his trademark smile and laugh, "Welcome to the second of nine elimination's! We've already gone through this once before, where we all bid our fond farewell to that unfortunate soul Mary Hopkins. Tonight, another person will join her and kiss their chances of winning the money at the end of the game good-bye. In a moment, I will begin to enter your names into the computer beside me. If a green thumbprint appears, you are safe for this round and will not be sent home till at least next week. However, if a red thumbprint appears, you are the Mole's second victim. Does anyone have anything they'd like to say before I begin entering the names into the computer?"

Arthur Dent raised his hand and Dern motioned for him to stand up. Arthur then turned to face everyone in the group. "I would like to apologize to those who answered incorrectly to the questions in tonight's challenge. Being the mole is a difficult job, but someone has to do it."

"Sit down Mr. Dent", Dern ordered, "You still don't get how this game works, do you? The mole is a secret agent! He or she is not going to tell the others that they are the mole, and they certainly aren't going to admit it in front of the group. In doing so, you automatically tell others you are not the mole. Do you got it?"

Arthur Dent smiled and straightened up in his chair. "Of course Bryan."

"Don't let your delusion of being the mole get out of hand again. Now then, unto business. Let us begin the execution."

The contestants grew nervous and watched as the monitor behind them displayed a thumbprint. It was neither red nor green. It was neutral until one of their names had been entered. Dern looked at each of the contestants as he held his fingers paused above the keyboard. He then cracked a smile when he looked into the eyes of the first person he would enter into the computer. "A-r-t-h-u-r" appeared on the monitor for all to see. A moment passed. And then another. The monitor then changed from a solid black to a solid green. Arthur nodded his head and looked back at the other contestants. He was going to be around for at least another week.

"Eugene" was entered into the computer second. Eugene looked down at the ground and adjusted his glasses. Green. Eugene straightened up and looked over at Arthur. They were the only two safe so far from the elimination process.

"Jason", "Monica", and "Margaret" were entered next. Green, Green, Green. Barry grew anxious in his seat and looked down at his shoes. He wasn't sure his answers were correct on the test, let alone if he had selected the right person as the mole and he certainly wasn't ready to go home. For him, the game had just begun and he wanted to show the others he could be trusted. Suddenly the room filled with the color of red and Barry braced for the worst. He looked up to read the name of the contestant and saw "Wooton" written across the red thumbprint background. Barry sighed with relief and then looked over at Wooton to say good-bye.

"Ah, well, that's just too bad." Wooton said as scratched his head, "I guess I didn't really figure this whole game out like I thought I did, 'eh?" Connie tearfully stood up and hugged Wooton.

"I'm sorry", she whispered into his ear, "I don't want you to go."

Wooton hugged Connie back and wiped away her tears. He then turned to the contestants who were still seated and and gave them a thumb's up. "Go get 'em guys. This is probably the best thing to have happened to me anyway." Dern then handed Wooton his packed bag and motioned for him to go out the large double doors at the end of the hall. Wooton nodded, and then waved good bye to his fellow contestants.

Only ten remain.... who is the mole?

Reactions Week 2
Monday, September 2, 2002

Margaret: "Who was that Wooton fellow? I didn't so much as hear a peep from him during the course of the game. Either he was absolutey petrified at the thought of this contest, or he simply felt above the rest of the contestant. However, I will not mourn his loss. This just solidifes an opportunity for me to be one step closer to winning all the money at the end."

Connie: "Why Wooton? I mean, he's such a great guy! He was always kind, generous, and loved being around other people. I loved being around him and I know the other players here thought he brought a little something different to the game. He's going to be really missed, and I mean really missed. I'm beginning to think this game is really going to take it's toll on me by the end, there's just so many emotions!"

Jason: "Some people got it figured out, some people don't. Clearly Wooton was one of the one's who hasn't figured it out. For me, I went with my gut on that test and am grateful to still be around today. Does that mean I'm right in my assumptions about the mole? Hardly. But I think I'm definitely on the right trail. This game is just beginning to get fun!"

Arthur: "Well isn't that ironic? The mole cannot be ejected from this game, and look at me! I was not ejected from the contest either. Is it a coincidence that I am sitting here today? No. I tend to think there's a higher power at work here... someone pulling strings and operating under a false pretense. Oh wait, that would be me. Yes Mr. Dern, I am the mole, no matter what you say. And it was I who was responsible for the elimination of that goofy looking gremlin fellow. Wooton Bassett? Oh no - I was referring to Miss Hopkins. Certainly she is in a much better place."

Richard: "What kind of a name is Wooton Bassett? I feel bad for the guy, but really! You have to know how to play this game right if you're going to make it till the end, and the guy didn't know how to play it at all. Besides, his elimination doesn't make this game any easier for any of us. I never suspected him of being the mole, even considering his lack of help to the group, so I can't even cross him off my suspects. As the game continues, I'm sure my list will get shorter and shorter. But for this week, it seemed like we got rid of one of the duds."

Jack: "This game really isn't as complicated as people are making it out to be. I'm sorry to lose Wooton as a contestant, but I also am aware of the spirit of the game. I wish no one had to be eliminated, but ten contestants will have to be kicked out... leaving only the mole and the winner at the end. We signed on to compete with each other knowing one of us would be working against the team. I hope the other contestants leave with the same grace and dignity that Mary and Wooton have left with, realizing this is only a game and no one is out to hurt other's feelings."

Barry: "At least it wasn't me. That's all I've got to say."

Below are the results of Week Two's "Who is the Mole?" Poll:

Who is the Mole?

Robert Mitchell	16%
Barry Muntz	13%
Eugene Meltsner	13%
Connie Kendall	13%
Wooton Bassett	9%
Richard Maxwell	6%
Margaret Faye	6%
Arthur Dent	6%
Jack Allen	6%
Jason Whittaker	3%
Monica Stone	3%