Chapter 300: Flower power (1/2)
When Ben's photo received a standing ovation, Darryl couldn't help but scowl.
It infuriated him that everyone reacted like that! Yet, even after all the fanfare, he was still confident he'd win. 'I don't believe there was anything special about his photo. But, even if he managed to fool others, one thing's still for sure: my technique was better! And that, should be enough to win!'
As someone who placed great importance on this contest, he wouldn't be unaware of the rules that gave a heavy weight to technical ability. So, as he recalled them, his face relaxed, having found something positive to deal with his discomfort. Yet, he wasn't the only one annoyed.
To his side, Stacy's face had scrunched into a grimace. 'THAT girl is getting more praise than me?' She didn't see how that was possible! Although the blonde didn't understand photography, she knew what was hot and sexy, and in terms of looks, she believed she was much sexier than Charlotte. No, she knew it for a fact! So how could it be that she only got a few words of admiration while that short girl received so much applause! 'Is short with glasses in style? Is this a new trend? Like the recent one of obesity being healthy and sexy?'
Stacy didn't get it, but she vowed to scour the brainwashing fashion mags when she got home, trying to understand this event. However, the ones in the toughest position at the moment weren't any of the photographers or models, but the judges, because they needed to score Ben's photo, and it wasn't a casual decision. Each one of them believed their scores would decide the winner of this contest. As for the entrants coming after? F*ck 'em.
...
Their deliberation took longer than with any of the pictures before, yet, with time pressing down on them, they all made their decisions.
The first female judge announced her score to the audience. ”I rate this photograph…a 10!”
Gasps ensued from the audience! She gave it a higher score than Darryl's? It was shocking!
Darryl and Stacy also couldn't believe it! The redhead realized he might lose, and paled...
The blonde realized she was unhappy, and popped a Xanax in her mouth...
…
As for the judge, she was proud of her decision. Although Ben's photo wasn't perfect, it showed the kind of magic that technique alone could never capture, and that was enough to get the highest score from her.
Next, it was the obese judge's turn. His expression was complicated but he also announced his decision. ”I give this submission the grade…of a 9!”
The audience began mumbling once again as they shifted forward in their seats. Now, the fight was on! Darryl and Ben were neck and neck with a 10 and 9 each, and the next judge would decide the winner. Darryl also sighed with relief. 'The last one must've been a fluke. That judge must dislike me because of my hair color…'
He believed his redheaded people had been silently oppressed for thousands of years…
And that the dark-haired and blonde-haired persecutors needed to check their privilege…
As for the obese judge, he coughed, because announcing the judgment irritated his throat. It was a tough decision, but one he needed to make. Ben's photo was outstanding, marvelous. In fact, he believed it edged out Darryl's in quality. Yet, the judge's eyes couldn't accept it, because those eyes already belonged to another. He turned to gaze at Stacy. That's right, he was also a member of her OnlyFans!
…
Then, as he stared at her chest for an inappropriate amount of time, the other two judges cleared their throats, causing him to regain his professional attitude. He was a professional, at sneaking glances when no one was looking…
In any case, now, the scores were one to one, creating an air of tremendous tension in the room. Ben's hands became clammy, anticipating the impending climax.
Meanwhile, to his side, Charlotte was even more anxious. She'd never squeezed her little hands together so hard. Even though she didn't care if her photo won the contest, she wanted the victory because Ben deserved it. As such, she clenched her jaw in anticipation, unable to recall the last time she desired something so much, until a moment later when she did remember, because it was only a few minutes ago when she prayed to find and kill that sniper…
Either way, it came down to the final judge, a very old woman with deep wrinkles and white hair. The room quieted down as the fiery eyes of every person fixated on her, awaiting her pivotal decision. Then, the woman closed her eyelids, as if entering deep contemplation about who to choose.
A minute later…she was still in that pose.
”Somebody check her pulse!”
…
The place became chaotic as everyone realized they were in a room with a corpse…
Anything could happen now. Would she become a zombie? A vengeful spirit? They didn't know! Even if unlikely, the chance wasn't zero...
Yet, their concerns soon ceased, because the old woman sat forward in her seat, opening her eyes and blinking as she noticed everyone staring at her with a mix of concern and fear of the unknown…
The elderly judge smiled. ”Excuse me, I fell asleep.”
Everyone grumbled, but they couldn't bemoan it much. After all, who would they complain to? The one who decided to make old people enjoy naps?
Regardless, they were all relieved the third judge was fine; so much so that they didn't notice her eyes narrowing in a sneaky fashion, as her thin lips curved into a tiny smirk. The truth was, she wasn't sleeping. She just liked the attention!
...
At her age, it was difficult to even get her grandkids to visit her, so she pulled this move whenever she got the chance…
The first and second judges were more experienced than most of the audience though, so they shook their heads in disapproval. 'This is why we shouldn't have chosen one judge to be narcoleptic Nancy!'