Hotel Challenge Part One
Tuesday, September 24, 2002

"Well, well, well" Dern said as the contestants filed into the lobby of their hotel in Sweden, "Aren't you a sorry looking bunch." The contestants ignored Dern's remark and seated themselves in the chairs and couches that were scattered throughout the lobby. Jack, Connie, Richard, Eugene, Mitch, Monica and Jason were the remaining players in the game, with Mary, Wooton, Margaret, Arthur, and Barry having already been eliminated. One of them was a mole, secretly working against their team in hopes of taking money out of the group pot and sabotaging as many challenges as possible.

"So gentlemen," Dern grinned then nodded at Connie and Monica, "And women. The numbers keep dwindling and yet you've all managed to survive each of the voting rounds." Richard smiled and patted himself on the back. "Anyway, we have a little quiz prepared for you this afternoon that I'd like you all to participate in."

"Ah, Bryan?" Jack said looking confused, "This isn't going to result in one of us getting eliminated, is it?"

"Quite the opposite in fact", Dern chuckled, "But we'll get to that later. Now everyone, please accept the card that my assistant is passing out to each of you."

The seven contestants each took a card and read it over.

"Surely you jest!" Eugene exclaimed after reading the card.

"No Eugenie, I don't." Dern smiled.

Mitch scratched his head and then looked at Dern. "So let's get this straight. You want us to rank the remaining players in order of our favorite to our least favorite?"

Dern rolled his eyes. "That's what the card says, doesn't it? You have two minutes. Beginning now. Go!"

The contestants quickly glanced at one another and sadly shook their heads. They then shielded their cards from the other players and did exactly as they were told.

The assistant then returned and gathered everyone's cards and handed them to Bryan Dern. Dern looked them over and then turned back to the audience. "Let us begin. Connie Kendall ranks her favorites as -"

"Don't you dare Mr. Dern!" Connie shouted on the verge of tears.

Dern looked at Connie and then chuckled. "I'm only kidding. It's now time for today's challenge!"

Monica looked confused. "Well what about those cards. What was the meaning of those?"

Dern ignored her and continued. "In this hotel, we have booked out seven different rooms. In each of these rooms is a task or obstacle that you must endure if you're going to make any money for the group pot. If five or more of you successfully complete your objective, one hundred thousand will be added to the pot! However, if any less then five of you finish the job, then no money will be added. Got it? Good. Jack, let us begin with you. I'll take you to your room."

Jack stood up and followed Dern up the stairs. He was taken to the end of a long hall and entered a room on the far right. The room was extremely bright and Jack and Dern both shielded themselves from the light. "Well Jack", Dern said squinting, "This is your room. Successfully stick it out in here till midnight tonight, and you'll win the challenge. Sound simple? Don't be fooled. You think it's bright now? Wait till they crank it up a notch. If at any point in time you open the door we just came in, we will assume that means you have given up the challenge. So be careful. Goodbye, Jack!"

Dern slammed the door and returned to the lobby. "Mitch, follow me." He exclaimed, and Mitch groggily stood up, winked at Connie, and followed Dern. Dern lead him down the hall to the room right beside Jack's. Inside, the room was completely dark. No light was being allowed in. "This is our dark room, Mitch." Dern said as he felt around for Robert Mitchell, "All things considered, you've got it pretty easy. Successfully stay in this room until midnight tonight and you'll win the challenge. Good luck!"

Dern then left the room and shut the door. He once again made his way down to the lobby. "Eugene, I'd like you to come with me." Eugene got up from his couch and walked up the stairs to a room that was right beside Mitch's. Inside was a pool of water. "It's time for you to take a little swim."

"B-b-b-but Mr. Dern!" Eugene cried out looking at the water, "I'm fully clothed and am not sure my technical abilities in H2O will be sufficient enough for water of such depth!"

Dern smiled. "You either do it Eugene, or you lose money for your team."

Eugene thought for a second and then looked back at Dern. "If it is for the team, then I shall do so." Eugene clenched his teeth and slid into the water, clothes and all. "Yeowwwwwwwwwww!" Eugene screamed as he felt the freezing water splash against his leg. Dern chuckled. If at any point in time you climb out of the pool, you will lose the contest. You must stay in the water until midnight tonight. Remember, two of you are allowed to lose the challenge and still earn money for the team. You have no way of knowing of how the other people do of course, so it's a risk you may not want to take. Eugene was shaking violently in the freezing water but was still making eye contact with Dern. "F-f-for the t-t-t-t-eam." Eugene said with great difficulty. "Very well Eugene", Dern said and left the room. He then made his way back down to the lobby.

"Monica! You're next!" Monica climbed out of her chair and waved at Connie, Richard and Jason. "Wish me luck!" She said and followed after Dern.

"Welcome to your room!" Dern said as he opened the door across from Jack's room. Monica looked around and laughed. "You mean that chair? I've gotta sit in that chair?"

Dern patted her on the back. "Pretty much, Ms. Stone. Successfully sit in that chair until midnight tonight, and you're going to win your game."

"I've got it easy," Monica said and promptly walked over to the chair. "I guess I'll seeing you here at midnight tonight Dern. There isn't a chance of me messing this one up."

Dern laughed and shut the door. He then walked down and looked at the three remaining contestants. "Who wants to go next?" Richard looked at Connie.

"Ladies first, I always say!" Richard said. Connie stood up and stuck her tongue out at Richard.

"Alright Connie, follow me." Dern then took Connie to the room that was right beside Barry's. Inside the mildly lit room was a hard wooden bed. "Well Connie", Dern said motioning to the bed, "You've got to lie down on that thing till midnight tonight. Think you can handle it?"

"Please!" Connie exclaimed and walked over to the bed. "I'm used to harder beds then this!" She then crawled onto the bed and lay down. "See? No sweat!"

Dern smiled and closed the door behind him. He then walked down to the lobby where Jason and Richard were in deep conversation. "Sorry to interrupt, boys", Bryan Dern announced, "Richard, I'm taking you with me."

Richard nodded at Jason and then walked behind Dern. Dern brought him to the room right beside Connie's. Inside was a stereo with a set of headphones, as well as a large square rug. "I don't get it." Richard said, looking around the room. "What do I do?"

"Ah, well Richard. Here's what you do. You cannot leave that rug. You must sit on the rug till midnight tonight."

"That's it?" Richard grinned.

"Ahh. No. You also have to put those headphones on and listen to whatever music is playing. You cannot adjust the volume or song, nor can you take off the headphones. Do both these things until midnight tonight and you will have successfully completed your challenge. Richard reluctantly
crawled onto the carpet, slid on the headphones and lied down. Dern then shut the door and returned to the lobby where Jason was getting anxious.

"Now Jason, you have the toughest competition of all!" Jason winced and rubbed his hands together. "I'm ready."

"Well Jason, based on your other contestants' own admissions, they listed you as their overall favorite contestant. We have decided to exempt you from this competition. You will automatically receive a 'pass' on this competition and not have to do anything. In fact, I'm here to invite you to
supper. Care to go?"

Jason smiled widely. "Lead the way!"

Hotel Challenge Part Two
Wednesday, September 25, 2002

It was five minutes to midnight when both Bryan Dern and Jason Whittaker made their way into the lobby of the Swedish hotel. Jason's six other teammates had all been sequestered in rooms in the hotel, each with their own unique characteristic. If five of the six challenges were completed successfully, the group would add one hundred thousand dollars to the pot. Since Jason had received the most "favorite" votes from his fellow teammates, he had not only been given immunity from the challenge; but also a free dinner with the host.

Dern looked at his watch. "All right Whittaker, in a few minutes the contestants are all gonna make their way down to the lobby. The contestants, if any, who gave up early have already been taken to a special room. They will join their teammates in the hall before coming down here. When they arrive, they are each going to give their account of what happened. Soon after, we'll know whether or not your team has got the money. Got it?"

Jason nodded his head. "One hundred thousand sure is a lot. I hope the mole doesn't mess this one up."

Dern smiled and then turned to the hall doors. "Here they come!"

Connie was the first to walk out. She had a big grin on her face. "Well that was easy!" She shouted as she saw Jason. "I did my challenge, just like they asked. It actually was pretty simple. I just had to lie on this bed all evening and make sure I didn't let any part of my body touch the ground. At times it was hard, I'll admit, but I think you know I don't give up easily. Pheww... it certainly is nice to be out of there!"

Jason grinned. "One for one. Who's next?"

Mitch walked out from behind the double doors and approached Jason and Dern. "Well, well, well. It sure is bright out here." Mitch squinted and tried to adjust his eyes to the light. "Man that room was dark. I had no idea what was beside me or in front of me or behind me. It was torture, lemme tell you. But I passed. I did the job and completed the challenge."

Jason patted Mitch on the shoulder. "Good job, Mitch. Well Dern, that's two for two. Sounds like we're off to a great start!" Mitch then walked off to join Connie at the far end of the room as Monica walked out from the hall.

"Hey Jason", she said, "I had to sit in a chair. I passed."

Jason chuckled. "That's it? Sit in a chair?"

Monica nodded and got on the defensive. "Why? You don't believe me?"

Jason shook his head. "No it's not that. But it seems like a pretty easy job, I mean… sit in a chair? There's gotta be more to it than that."

Monica shrugged. "Nope. That's it."

Jason smiled and turned to Dern. "Well then, three for three. Come on… these challenges don't sound so tough!"

The door at the end of the hall burst open and out stepped Eugene. He collapsed onto the floor, shaking violently. Jason looked at Dern, Dern looked at Jason. They then ran over to Eugene and helped him to his feet.

"Are you alright, Eugene?" Jason asked wrapping the towel Eugene had brought out with him around his body.

"D-d-d-do-o-ing a-as wel-ll as c-c-c-can be expec-c-cted." Eugene struggled to say, as he clung even more tightly to the towel. He then sneezed and wiped his nose with the damp clothing he was still wearing.

Jason motioned Eugene to sit near the fireplace that was freshly burning, and Eugene happily accepted his invitation. Moments later, Eugene turned to Jason. "I apologize Jason, I- I- I- was unable to successfully complete today's assignment."
Jason gave Eugene a reassuring smile. "It's ok, Eugene, Dern filled me in on what you had to do. Sounds like that water was really cold too. I don't blame you one bit."

"Were they successful?" Eugene asked, looking out at the other contestants who had were gathered in a group.

"Yeah, at least those ones are. Jack and Richard still haven't come back."

Eugene sniffed and rubbed his face again with the towel. He then composed himself and turned back to Jason. "Let us hope my failure won't penalize the team."

Dern then helped Eugene over to the other contestants on the other side of the room, as Richard was brought in to see Jason.

"Heya Jason." Richard said grinning. "Yours truly just sat through the most awful program in history! Over and over and over again I heard it, forward, backward, sped up, slowed down… it just kept playing over and over and over again! I couldn't stand it! I'd rather be hit by a freight train, or have a piano dropped on me or something. Just never let me sit through that program again! And to make matters worse I had to sit on this really ugly, itchy rug!"

"I've got two questions for you." Jason began, "First, what were you listening to?"

Richard smiled. "It was called Down Gilead Lane. What's your next question?"

Jason chuckled. "Did you pass?"

Richard cocked on eyebrow. "Pass? You actually need to question whether or not I passed? ‘Course I passed! You kiddin' me? Even something as bad as that ain't gonna stop me from winning money for the team. You know my motto is ‘go team' and all that."

"Fair enough," Jason said and told Richard to sit down with the others. He then turned to Dern. "Well, if Jack passed his test, that means we win the money, right?"

Dern nodded.

"Alright. Bring him in."

The doors opened and in walked Jack Allen. He was wearing a pair of shades and was stumbling around the room. Jason ran over to him and guided him to chair that was seat near the lobby's front desk.

"Hey Jack, how you feeling?" Jason asked.

Jack, who to the untrained eye looked like a blind man, reached for Jason's face and felt it. "Oh Jason. It's awful. The stuck me in this room, filled with light… and as time went on, it got brighter and brighter and brighter. It got to the point where I couldn't even shield my eyes with my clothes without feeling like I was staring into the sun. I just couldn't take it Jason."

Jason frowned a bit but grabbed Jack's hand and squeezed it tight. "It's alright Jack. There's more to life then just money. We understand."

Jack squeezed back. "What do you mean Jason?"

Jason sighed. "Well Eugene didn't pass his test either. That's all it took, two of you to fail and we would lose the money."

Jack chuckled. "Oh, Jason. I didn't fail my challenge. I stuck it out for the team. I'm not the mole you know. I'm not going to give up!"

Jason smiled and hugged Jack. "Finally a break!" He shouted. "You hear that guys! We won! We won the challenge!"

The contestants all smiled and congratulated one another. Soon after, Dern called everyone to meet him in the center of the lobby.

"Well guys, seven of you were put to the test. Jason was granted a pass, so his challenge didn't count, and so six of you were forced to complete a different task. If five were successful, one hundred thousand dollars was going to be added to the pot."

Mitch rubbed his hands together. "This is our biggest winning yet!" He shouted. "The mole failed to get us this time!"

Dern shook his head. "What are you talking about? You guys failed this challenge!"

Eugene looked alarmed. "What do you mean, Mr. Dern? According to everyone's accounts, I'm the only individual who failed the required assignment."

"That's a key phrase Eugene," Dern said looking very serious. "‘According to everyone's accounts,' you did in fact pass. However… we've got a liar in our midst."

"What do you mean Dern?" Jason asked looking shocked.

"Without naming names, one of you gathered here today told Jason that you had successfully completed the mission. We've talked it over with the crew, and know full well you were lying. I'm not at liberty to say who it is, nor do I think it's my position to state why you did so. However, the truth of the matter is that only four of the five required missions were completed. Thus… zero dollars has been added to the account."

The contestants looked at each other, speechless. The game was finally beginning to get dirty.

Speculation Week Six
Friday , September 27, 2002

Eugene: "Well this exhibition has taken a turn for the worst. I find it difficult to comprehend why the mole would lie about their participation in the most recent challenge. After all, they would know the truth would be revealed at a later point in time anyway. It just seems to cast unnecessary suspicion on that person. Of course, there is the possibility that the mole was not the person who lied. However, if that's the case, then someone has really lowered their moral values."

Richard: "I don't think any contestant had to go through what I went through. But what really makes me mad is that someone actually lied about the outcome of their challenge. I'm not the most upstanding guy myself, but I tell ya, I ain't gonna lie about something like that. I mean, the crew knows what's true and what isn't true anyway. I think if anyone lied about their challenge, it was Connie. I mean, I don't know all the details, but she has a hard time staying in one place for such a long period of time. She rolled off that bed or something."

Monica: "Well, regardless of the outcome of the last game, it gave me some time to think. I was able to sort out all my thoughts and think about the mole's motives and activities during the past few challenges. I still don't wanna change my vote on who the mole is, but this experience let me realize things I probably wouldn't have otherwise while I paced back and forth. The mole is good. Very good."

Jason: "The traitor on our team was definitely once again successful in messing up the challenge. Not only did they manage to remove one hundred thousand dollars from the pot, but they broke down the team dynamic. The moment we as contestants start getting suspicious of the activities of our teammates, we begin to lose trust. The mole wants us to suspect each other and is doing a fine job of that."

Connie: "Who would lie about something like this? Urgh, it makes me so mad! It's bad enough that we're trying to hunt down a mole, but now we gotta hunt down a liar too? They could be one in the same, but I don't know. It doesn't seem like something the mole needed to lie about."

Jack: "My, my, my, my, my. That room was very bright."

Elimination Week Six
Sunday, September 29, 2002

With one more elimination on the horizon, the cast of seven would soon become six, reaching the halfway point of the game. Jason was sitting anxiously outside the boardroom of the Swedish hotel where in a few moments they would be forced once again to say goodbye to a contestant. Jack Allen, who was standing near the vending machine, noticed Jason, walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

"Hello Jason", Jack said with a smile, "I don't think you have anything to worry about tonight. I had a dream last night, and I don't believe you're the one who will go."

Jason chuckled. "I'm not worried about that. Besides, I'm exempt from the vote."

"Oh?" Jack asked. "They didn't tell us that!"

"No," Jason responded, "They didn't. I wasn't supposed to say anything."

"Then what is on your mind Jason?" Jack replied concerned.

"Well," Jason begin, "I think Monica lied about the challenge yesterday."

"Why do you say that?" Jack said as he adjusted his sweater. "She tell you something?"

"No, it's not that," Jason sighed. "But I don't think anyone else would've. And the thing is, she can't be the mole. So it's not like she was lying in regards to the game. If the mole lied, it would make some sense. It's part of their job here. But when I was questioning her about it, she seemed a little embarrassed. Her job was pretty easy you know."

Jack nodded. "Yes. She had the room where you had to sit down if I remember correctly."

"Exactly," Jason continued, "I think she gave up and didn't want to tell me. Then the truth came out, and now everyone is suspecting everyone else. The only one who wouldn't have lied is Eugene."

Jack smiled, "Well that's true. And the ironic thing is, he's probably the mole!"

"Very possible", Jason said turning to look at Jack, "Though we can't rule anyone out."

Jack had a confused look on his face. "But I thought you told me Monica couldn't be the mole. Doesn't that mean you ruled her out?"

Jason smiled. "She's not the mole. Trust me on this one."

"Jason, do you know something I don't?" Jack asked.

"Hey guys!" Richard called out from the side of the hall, "Ready for the elimination?"

Jason and Jack straightened themselves up. Jason answered back and let Richard know they were ready.

"Good!" Richard called back, "It's beginning now!" Jason and Jack caught up with Richard and entered the boardroom. Cryin' Bryan Dern and the other four contestants were already sitting down, directly in front of a large monitor.

"Nice of you to join us gentlemen!" Dern cackled, "Hope we didn't interrupt you day".

Jason smiled. "Nope, didn't interrupt our day one bit. In fact -"

"That's enough, Whittaker," Dern cut him off. "Sit down." Dern then looked around the room and began the elimination speech. "Well we are gathered here today to kick one of you out of our family. Five have gone so far, the six will join them tonight. Earlier in the day you all took a test on the identity of the mole. The person who scored the lowest on the test will find their bags have been packed for them, and a car is waiting outside to take them back to the other losers of the game."

"I think we know the drill, Dern," Mitch said, a little frustrated. "Cut to the chase."

"Very well, Mitch. I will begin entering your names into the computer. If a green thumbprint appears, you are safe for another week. However, if a red thumbprint appears, you are the mole's sixth victim. Anyone wanna volunteer to go first?"

The contestants looked around at each other. Monica raised her hand when she noticed no one else was going to.

"All right, Monica," Dern said as he typed the letters into the computer. "Monica" appeared on the screen. She looked in anticipation at the screen. RED. The color on the screen was red!

The contestants looked around at each other in amazement. Before it had
even begun, it was over. "I'm sorry, Ms. Stone," Dern said handing Monica her bag. "You're gonzo."

The contestants stared at her as she stood up, still looking shocked from the revelation. "I didn't expect this", she said. "Goodbye guys."

Reactions Week Six
Monday, September 30, 2002

Jack: "I somewhat expected Monica to go. I believe she may have been the one to mislead the others about completing the challenge the other day, and if that is the case, I cannot bring myself to feel too sorry for her. Still, she's been around here for a while and we've all got to know her a bit. I've always stayed a bit distant, though. I can't shake off that time she pulled a gun on me at the post office when Whit and I went to pick up a package."

Jason: "I felt like I was just really getting to know Monica and was disappointed to see her go. To me, the odd thing is that we both thought - and in my case, perhaps still think – the mole was, well, Connie. Now that she did the worst on the test, I have to think maybe we were wrong, unless Monica concluded it was someone else and didn't inform me about it. Or maybe she just didn't know how to answer certain questions about Connie, but this time around, I thought it was pretty easy."

Richard: "She always made me a little bit nervous, so it's a relief to see her go. It didn't really come as a surprise to me. Actually, I thought she would have been kicked out sooner. She never seemed to quite get the game."

Connie: "I could never decide if I liked her or not. I mean, she was nice, but after all, Mitch tried to track her down once. She was on Andromeda's side, you know? And she seemed sorry and all that, but I kept wondering if she was just pretending and was really here to get back at Mitch or something. I feel a little safer now that she's gone, but I don't think I really had anything to worry about. You know me…"

Eugene: "Ms. Stone failed to make astute observations concerning the game in which we have been placed. Her decisions have been shortsighted, her words mostly babblings, her insights useless and her assistance negligible. Although ridding the assembly of more talented contestants could possibly make it easier for one to excel and therefore win the game, I believe it is in the best interest of the group as a whole that Ms. Stone has been eliminated. Now, the remainder of the group can focus on completing the challenges that loom ahead."

Mitch: "I think Monica was repentant, but I feel like a prosecutor right now. I want her to have her punishment, whether or not she's sorry now for what she did. Being sorry doesn't make everything alright and she was involved in something very bad. I didn't really like being around her, although I tried not to show it, and am kind of glad that she's gone."

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

Who is the Mole?

Jack Allen	26%
Monica Stone	23%
Robert Mitchell	19%
Eugene Meltsner	13%
Jason Whittaker	10%
Richard Maxwell	6%
Connie Kendall	3%