… a thin waif of a young woman clad in nothing but underwear.
“Give it up - literally - for Kirsty!” said the co-hosts as the contestant gingerly walked up onto the podium. It felt odd to look at her so passively, but it was hard not to notice just how she carried herself - an eager bounce in her step, with not much jiggle to go around. Dark hair, thick eyebrows and a narrow face marked with kindness.
“So Kirsty, how are you feeling?” called out Tanya.
The girl nodded with a smile. “I’m good!”
“Looking good, too” said Eric with a cheesy wink while Tanya’s hand subtly adjusted a suspiciously rising lump in their shared underwear.
“Yes indeed … now Kirsty you know the rules, right? Three strikes and you are out. Anything you accept on stage as a contestant - any essences, traits or parts - can’t be guaranteed to be traded back. Still want to go?” remarked Tanya.
“Oh you betcha!” rang out Kirsty with a bit of enthusiasm that seemed to surprise even herself. “I wanna see what I can get and go for the big pass!”
“Well that settles that, I think Eric”
“Alright then, Tanya …”
The hosts adjusted their poise and synced their speech.
“We’re all set up backstage, now we just need volunteers. Go ahead and say the magic words!”
The petite woman on the podium looked out at the crowd beaming.
“Hi, I’m Kirsty and I’m up for anything!”
The crowd hollered and cheered as the air filled with willing voices. Half muddled phrases cut each other off, all mentioning some body part or other until a particular smile crept across Kirsty’s face and a distinct voice grew loud in the cacophony and caught the hosts attention …