The spotlight focuses on the curtain next to the entrance to the ring and into the ring comes some kind of giant anthropomorphic reptilian creature!
The thing is huge, standing at least 8 feet tall, longer if you count the spiny tail dragging behind it on the ground. The monster is covered from head to toe in scales, green on the outside and a pale white lining its chest, abdomen and groin. Its' head is completely bald and smooth, lacking even ears or a nose. Instead its face is stretched out into a long snout lined with jagged sharp teeth. Short, round spines trail down in its back to its tail in parallel lines. The creature walks in on the balls of its clawed feet, standing digitigrade. You notice that the clawed foot is not only webbed but only has four toes.
That's a pretty realistic costume, you think as the creature lumbers into the arena. It walks with a hunched posture, curling the webbed five digits of its hands as it stalks around the arena.
"Let's give a warm welcome for our current reigning champion - the Grim Gator!"
The creature raises its arms in triumph, the edges of its thin lips curling in what could almost be described as a smile. Most of the crowd cheers, but a few boo loudly. The creature turns and snaps its jaws at them with a loud audible click.
"Okay, easy now. Enough fun. Our champion is ready. Do we have a challenger?" asks the MC.
The crowd suddenly turns silent. A few people look around the audience to see if anyone is crazy enough to volunteer. But most people - especially the larger men - look down at the floor, avoiding the eyes of the MC.
"Come on now. Isn't there anyone here brave enough to step in the ring? The prize is one million dollars. Let me repeat that just to make sure you people understand me: one ...... million ........ dollars. A pin will win, but even if you just survive the round you'll win a prize. Surely someone here is courageous enough to face ...."
"I'll do it," you suddenly say, standing up from your seat. The other audience members gasp and stare at you in disbelief. Even the MC looks a little surprised. But you are not scared. You know this has to be some kind of gimmick. The creature is intimidating, but it has to be just a person in a costume. Or maybe an animatronic robot or something. You doubt you will win, probably aren't supposed to, but you don't think the carnival would actually do anything that could really harm its guests. At worst you will get some kind of booby prize for being a good sport. But who knows? You might actually win. It must be hard for that guy to maneuver around in that suit. You might get lucky and trip him up.
"Excellent! A brave new challenger steps forward! Make room, make room!" says the MC to the crowd as you make your way down to the stage.
Up close the creature is even more impressive. You can see no seams on the suit, and its chest rises and falls with each heavy breath. A strong fetid odor wafts from its mouth, and you can even see a thick tongue moving around inside.
A very realistic costume, you think. Look at the detail. It must have cost a fortune.
The MC takes your hand and raises it up, turning you around the arena to face the crowd. They cheer loudly with excitement, covering up the whisper of the MC as he introduces you to the audience.
"You sure you want to do this, kid?" he asks quietly through the corner of his mouth through the closed lips of his smile.
You nod yes, but now no longer feel as confident as when you first volunteered. Something about the whole thing just seems a little off, feels a little wrong. The MC looks nervous, like he is actually worried for your safety, and you began to feel anxious in response.
But it is too late to back out now. The MC has finished your turn and presents you to the challenger. You stand in front of one another, facing off. The monster glares down at you through yellow-slitted eyes as the MC explains the rules.
"Okay you two I want a clean fight - no hits below the belt and no biting," says the MC.
The gator scoffs at that.
"I mean it!" says the MC firmly. "Now each round lasts 90 seconds. In that time you are expected to pin your opponent and hold them down on the mat for a 10 second count. If an opponent taps out or gets knocked out, the match is over and you are to stop attacking your opponent immediately. "
The MC looks up at the creature again, as if making sure it understood.
"If you voluntarily leave the ring, you forfeit. But if you can survive at least one round, we will give you a prize. Any questions?"
You shake your head no. You have seen wrestling matches before and done your own fair share of backyard wrestling with your friends when you were younger. You know the rules. You reach out your arm to shake your opponent's hand. But the creature slaps it away surprisingly hard.
"I will break you...."
The voice is deep, but shockingly feminine.
"You're a girl?!" you say with surprise.
The creature's eyes go wide and it rears up to its full height. You quickly realize you made a terrible mistake and have greatly offended the monster.
"What?! You got a problem with that? Am I not girly enough for you? I'll show you girly when I rip off your dick! I am going to kill you!" says the gator as it lunges forward.
The crowd goes wild. They were much too far away to hear the exchange. But they can tell that the Grim Gator is angry and eager to shed blood. The MC quickly steps between you two, separating the fighters with great difficulty.
"Easy, Jill, he is just a kid and this is an exhibition match. Save the good stuff for the ring," mumbles the MC.
The gator gives a dismissive snort and walks over to her corner. The MC guides you to your corner. You are beginning to think this is a bad idea. A very bad idea. But before you can back out, the MC loudly announces the beginning of the match.
"Fight!" yells the MC as a large bell gongs.