“And we’re back!” the voice on the television blared. “So far, Perry has won $857. And I’ve got good news for him! For the next round, he can choose his fate!”
“What on Earth are you watching?” Ann asked, walking into the room.
“It’s some kind of poor man’s ‘Fear Factor’ on one of those high numbered cable channels we never make it up to,” Aubrey answered.
“Your first option is to enter this tank filled with centipedes,” the TV continued. “Inside you will find $500 worth of singles.”
“Okay, but why?”
“I dunno. I used to watch ‘Fear Factor’ with my brother as a kid. It’s kinda nostalgic or something.”
“Option two: If you look overhead, you will see a tightrope, forty feet above the ground. Cross it successfully, you earn $1000. Fall and you are out of the game.”
Ann sat on the couch next to Aubrey. “Nostalgic for a time when Joe Rogan was just that guy from ‘NewsRadio’ and not the subject of a thousand hot takes every hour on Twitter?”
“That might be part of it.”
“Or option three: inside this room are six of the people you know best in this world and six total strangers. If you can do three gymnastic maneuvers, you will win $800. And, oh yeah, you must be completely nude.”
“Team Centipede,” Aubrey said.
“Naked somersaults,” Ann said.
Perry chose the tightrope.
“This is so dumb,” Ann said cuddling with Aubrey.
“I’m getting kinda used to our dystopian present.”