Magic Mansion by Jordan Price (best fiction books to read .txt) 📕

“Yeah. That did work out okay. I guess.”

Way better than okay. Who knew Kazan had that kind of waterworks in him?

Iain stretched and said, “If that’s all you need….”

“One last thing.” Marlene sent a document from her PDA to the printer, and handed him the printout. “I had Monty and a couple of cameras stop off in the library. Give this to him, then go grab Sue and have her meet him there for one quick shot.”

Iain perked up. “Are they gonna, y’know…go at it?”

“What? What do you…? No. Of course not. That’s crazy.”

Chagrined, Iain pried himself from his chair and slunk toward the door.

Before he left, Marlene added, “I’d never stage an affair with an amateur like Sue. You’d be able to spot the lack of chemistry a million miles away.”

___

“What is it?” Sue whispered as Iain pulled her into the hallway. “Is everything okay? Is my family okay?”

Man oh man. These contestants were wound up tight. Normally, Iain would have enjoyed being as ambiguous as he could and watching Sue work herself into a tizzy by the time she got to the location—but his eyes were full of grit, he was dying for a shower, and the sooner they got the damn shot, the sooner he could go home and go to bed. “It’s nothing like that. You’re fine. Team leader stuff. That’s all.”

“Oh…okay, then. I guess that’s to be expecte—”

“And here we are. You stand in the doorway. Monty’s going to read something to you. You give him an answer.”

“But why—?”

“Was there some part of those instructions you didn’t understand?”

“No,” Sue said quietly. “I understand.”

Iain turned to the ornately carved wooden desk. It was one of the few original pieces left in the mansion, and likely Marlene had nixed his cabinet-switch idea just to get a chance to showcase it. Monty, for all his blond surfer-babe charm, looked very official, even imposing, sitting behind that desk in his charcoal pinstripe suit, with the lighting low, and a crystal glass at his elbow… “Is that scotch?” Iain sputtered. “Drinking on the job—are you insane? Who do you think you are, Ken Fucking Barron? I’m giving you exactly one take—”

“No worries, mate. I won’t touch it ’til you say it’s a wrap.”

Iain’s head throbbed. He pinched his temples, then turned and backed out of camera range. “Okay, fine. Just…go on. Go.”

Tape rolled, and Monty said, “Hi, Sue, come on in and have a seat.”

Sue did as she was told. She looked good and nervous.

Monty continued. “Congratulations on Gold Team’s victory tonight. Kevin was on to something when he said a team was nothing without a good leader. Unfortunately for him, that good leader is you.”

“Thanks, Monty,” Sue said hesitantly.

“Which is why we’re giving you a little heads-up on the next vote.”

“Another elimination? But how…?”

“Not an elimination, but a vote that will affect you, all the same. You’ll need to say goodbye to one member of the Gold Team, but that magician won’t be voted off the show. They’ll join your competitors instead.”

Sue looked thoroughly aghast at the mere thought.

“Since you won tonight’s challenge,” Monty said, “I’m able to give you a little perk. While I can’t let you choose the magician who gets switched…I can allow you to select one teammate you’d like to keep on your team.”

Sue groaned and put her face in her hands.

“Choose wisely, Sue. You’ve got a diverse and talented bunch—and you’ve made friends with them all. Which of them do you need by your side to keep winning challenges?” Monty leaned forward and steepled his fingers. “Which of them would turn around Red Team’s losing streak if they were to switch sides?”

Sue twisted the edge of her nightgown and blinked back tears—she was a pretty good weeper herself, though Kevin’s outburst was better, since you’d expect plenty of crying from someone like Sue.

“Who’s it going to be, Sue? Who will you grant immunity from getting voted off your team?”

Sue took a few deep breaths to compose herself, then said, “I choose Ricardo, Monty. I want to keep Ricardo.”

___

“The Gold Team leader has spoken. She’s decided she wants to keep Ricardo the Magnificent by her side. And so, one of her other talented teammates will join the ranks of the enemy. Who’s it going to be? That’s up to you, the audience.

“Will it be the oldest female contestant in the game, the spirited spiritualist Muriel Broom?

“Will it be the beautiful and talented assistant-turned-magician, Amazing Faye?

“Or will it be the Gold Team’s MVP from tonight’s challenge, the clever Math Wizard, Bev Austin?

“I’m your host, Monty Shaw, bidding you happy voting. Remember, your vote will decide who dons the Red, next time…on Magic Mansion.”

Chapter 20

UNEVEN TEAMS

VIDEO JOURNAL - AMAZING FAYE

When Red Team unveiled their Zig Zag Cabinet, I’ll admit, I was a little scared. It looked really, really good. They’ve got some serious talent over there—especially now that all their deadweight is gone. They’re all pros. Not that the Gold Team members aren’t…we’ve got Ricardo. He’s good.

What’s funny is, back on the first day, I wasn’t exactly thrilled when Sue picked me—because, come on, she works in a gift shop. I really thought it was some kind of fluke that she’d come in second place on that initial challenge, and Red Team was going to be the team to beat. I even figured if there was one consolation to being on a team full of losers, it would be that I could outshine them.

And then we won. Every single challenge.

I think sometimes luck, or fate, or whatever you want to call it…I think that plays a big part in people’s lives. I wouldn’t have chosen to be on Gold Team myself, but now look at us. We’re kicking some serious ass.

Which isn’t to say that providence is just going to hold your hand and present everything to you on a silver platter. You’ve got to work for the things you want. And I’ll be damned if I ever bomb another challenge.

___

“Can’t you