257 Game Preparations (2/2)

The crew had entered the resting area and Henvle had appeared on the screen. He was sitting on a couch as he stared at the live feed of the stage from the television in the resting area, mouth gaping wide open in surprise. When the television showed him on it, he looked over at the camera and then back at the television.

”You've got to be kidding me,” Henvle sighed and shook his head as he smiled. ”I just got off stage! You're not gonna give me a time to rest?”

”Sudden change of plans,” the camera man's hushed voice said.

”Gosh,” Henvle got up from his seat and shook his head. ”It'll be tough... I feel like Alevian will know a lot more about Irina than I do.”

”Are you scared?” the cameraman asked.

”Of course not,” Henvle smiled at the camera as he walked out of the resting room. ”I got this. Wait for me everyone.”

The screen then cut to black as the staff began setting up the stage for the game that will be played shortly once Henvle arrives from the celebrities' resting area. There was a frantic and yet calm atmosphere among the staff as they continued to set up, moving skillfully and with great accuracy.

”Does he know about this?” I asked.

”No,” the host shook his head and chuckled. ”I was only notified of it when you were walking up the stairs by the director.” The host then tapped the earpiece he had on.

”Are you fine with this?” I looked over and confirmed with Irina.

”Yeah,” Irina nodded. ”The questions won't be anything too bad.”

”Hopefully,” I said. ”Because people will do anything for publicity.”

”Where's Alvelyn and Muria?” Irina then asked.

”I don't know,” I shook my head.

”Those two other girls?” the host looked over at Irina and I. ”They'll be on stage as well. In fact, very soon.”

Maybe they will be involved in this next game that we will be playing in some way or form? I don't know. But according to what I do know, the original plan was scraped and changed last minute. Therefore, it has all deviated from the original script and it will mostly be improvisation from this point on. Hopefully, Alvelyn's and Muria's roles are minor. That way, we can leave all the heavy lifting to the professionals, because when the games begin, it'll be the showtime for the professionals.

”Time for us to go back up,” the host muttered to Irina and I.

The host was the first one to walk up the stairs and reemerge on the stage as the staff finished setting up the stage for the game that we will be playing. There were two decorated tables with a large, red button in the center of its surface as well as a whiteboard and marker, and on the exterior surface of the table facing the audience, there were a monitor attached. All in all, these tables appeared to be the type you would see in quiz shows. Nearby, there were also three decorated seats on the other side of the stage, with the one in the center of the three being the most extravagant.

”Welcome back everybody!” the host said in his energetic and lively voice. ”As you can see, the stage has been set up! And who do we have there?”

The host pointed in the direction of the stairway that lined the outskirts of the seating area. Walking up the stairs were Henvle, who waved at the audience with a large smile on his face.

”Henvle, welcome back!” the host greeted the young celebrity. ”Now, Henvle, Alevian, please take your position behind those two tables.”

Henvle walked over to me and gave me a firm handshake before the two of us walked over to the tables. The monitors attached to the front side of the tables displayed our names, so we both knew which ones we were supposed to go to.

”Now that the contestants ready, let me welcome the judges!” the host said loudly into the microphone as he raised his free hand in the direction of the stairs leading to the stage from the dressing room. ”The staff saw that Irina was with some friends of her's, so we nagged them to be the judge. Let us welcome them in!”

Then, to my surprise, Alvelyn and Muria walked up from the stairs and onto the stage also dressed in maid outfits to compliment Irina's. Alvelyn kind of shared my initial countenance, but beside her, Muria appeared rather calm. Almost as if she's used to standing before a crowd. However, I can sense a slight betrayal of her embarrassment in that faint blush on her face. It was probably from the outfit she has to wear.

”Now judges,” the host said as he gestured for the two girls and Irina to go have a seat on the three chairs. ”Once you've all taken your seat, the game may finally begin!”