Faced with a nearly endless amount of options, Rick decided to take it easy for now. He put his luggage away in the room and headed out to see what else there was to see.
Heading through the Animal Wing hallway, he found one corridor that led outside. He found himself in a large, open area dotted with small tents and little tables with refreshments on them. There was a large stage in the middle with microphones and spotlights, but nobody was there. Yet. Judging by the crowds milling around, there was going to be a show soon, so Rick decided to wait and see what was going to happen. In the distance, there were further venues: small buildings, large tents and marquees, even what seemed to be a spacious, forested park. There were adults of all genders and backgrounds here, but no animals. Maybe they were all undecided like he was?
"Excuse me?" Rick turned around to see a woman looking up at him. She looked to be middle-aged, with a tidy platinum-blonde updo and formal evening dress. "Do you have a ticket for the game?"
"A ticket for the what?" Rick gave her a confused look.
She smiled broadly back at him. "Don't tell me you don't even know what's going on here". She reached into her purse and pulled out a little sealed envelope. "Here you go, all yours. Don't open it until they tell you to".
"Thanks?"
"No need to thank me", she said with a wink. "Me and my hubby were going to join, but he got cold feet at the last second and headed back to his room. I've talked to like twenty people so far and you're only the second person to not have their own ticket. Have fun, and let us know how it goes!" With that she blew him a kiss and sauntered off, swaying her hips provocatively.
Rick blushed and put the envelope in his pocket. What was that all about? What had he just been roped into? He didn't have time to think about it before he heard the familiar screeching of microphones being tuned. Everyone turned around to see a man on the stage dressed in a formal tuxedo with a top hat. A lot like a magician.
"Laaadies and gentlemen!" he called. "Are your tickets ready?" Everyone hooted and cheered, some waving their sealed envelopes in the air. "Wonderful, just wonderful. The show's just about to begin, so get ready..."