Written by PML — 2011 — from WamLibrary
gameshow, GYOB, m/f, slime, tv
It was the final day. Emma sat in her dressing room, wondering what this day would bring. For months, she had heard the rumour that a vote was going down, and that she was still in the running to top the poll. Her agent had hinted to her that people were voting for the sexiest lady of many in the world. He had also told her that the poll involved getting gunged, but that didn’t worry Emma too much. After all, she had been slimed by that American show that she and Rupert had appeared on. She had enjoyed it somewhat, it being release from the usual work of her acting schedule, and allowed her to just have fun. So no, getting gunged wasn’t too big a deal to Emma. If anything, it let her be young again.
She had arrived at the reception to find that the semi finalists had all been invited for the final. She was the youngest by far, all the others being in their thirties. It was slightly unnerving to be still in your teens, and trying to compete with these hot women. Still, to be considered as sexy as Rachel Stevens, someone she used to watch in S Club 7, made Emma honoured, though she did wonder who was voting. She had been shown to her dressing room, when she saw the T-shirt she would have to wear. Seeing the GYOB top made Emma reminisce about her childhood, and the sort of television that used to be on. Seeing what was on these days, she considered herself lucky in that respect. As she slipped into the yellow top, she wondered whether she’d be taking part in her own little piece of television history. She stuck the fairly tight black shorts on, leaving her legs bare. Emma called for make-up, who brushed up her light brunette hair and made her look dazzling for whatever lay ahead that day. She took one last look in the mirror, before the runner called her to begin.
After a slow walk through the corridor, she was ushered into a side room with Jennifer Aniston. Emma felt like squealing. Friends was one of her favourite shows ever, and here she stood with one of the stars of the show. To say she felt like having a fan moment was an understatement. She vaguely noticed Jennifer dressed in the same yellow GYOB outfit she was in. It didn’t bother her, as they waited in silence for a stage-hand to return for them. She looked up as the door creaked open, allowing the stage-hand holding a clipboard to enter. Behind him, another guy with a camera which brought the message home to Emma; this will be going to television, and if she was to end up in that gunge tank, it would affect her career, whether it is in a good or bad way. She’s not too worried though. After all, her agent knew about the whole gig, so he must have thought no harm could be done, save losing a little dignity.
“Right, you’ve both been told why you’re here today. We thank you for agreeing to do this one off special and for agreeing to the consequences of whatever the result is. As previously discussed, all profit will go to charity of the winner’s choice, which will be told to the public by the presenter after the main event. We called you up when we were at the semi-final stage, and I’m here to reveal the result of that contest. The losing semi finalist will stand on the podium, pulling the lever if the winning semi finalist is the overall winner.” He took a deep breath, then smiled. “I can reveal to you now that the lady going through to the final showdown is…” He paused for dramatic effect. All the while Emma began to feel nervous about the whole ordeal. “…Emma.”
Emma bowed her head slightly, putting her hands to her face. That didn’t stop her grinning to herself at what was going to happen to her. She raised her head back up to see Jennifer looking relieved, and offering her a commiserative hug. After they parted, Jennifer said, “Good luck girl.” Emma smiled up at Jennifer before the stage-hand guided her away. As she was guided into the main TV studio, she couldn’t help all her nerves about the whole thing. Emma gasped as the giant gunge dunk came into view. She was mesmerised by the swirling green slime floating in the massive vat. Emma enjoys having a laugh with her mates from time to time, though that normally involves nights out. She wondered what any of them would say if they knew she was here, and could be potentially be gunged in a make up of an old children’s TV show. Opposite her, she saw Kirsty Gallagher being led to the gunge tank. She was dressed in the blue version of the T-shirt she was wearing, and it was clear that she was Emma’s opponent in this crazy idea.
The stage-hand led Emma up by the side of the gunge pool, towards the left ramp seat. She was helped into the seat, and before Emma realised, she was sat halfway up the ramp, and everyone was ready to begin. She looked over to the other side of the gunge pool to see Kirsty halfway up the other ramp, while Rachel Stevens was stood where the child on the old GYOB show would traditionally stand. On her side, Jennifer Aniston was standing opposite Rachel, the losing semi finalists clearly. Emma sighed to herself, before steeling herself come what may.
Another stage-hand caught Emma’s attention. She looked her way, who seemed to be ready to get things started. “Ladies, we thank you all for coming along today. As previously agreed, the profits will be going to the charities of your choice, with the ‘winner’,” she quoted as she said that, “getting a bigger share. They of course will also get other things, but I think that is obvious,” she looked down into the green swirling slime. “The titles will be rolling very soon, then today’s presenter will come out and take you through to the end. Don’t worry too much, everything is safe, and it’ll be over sooner than you think. Kirsty, Emma, good luck today.” With that she walked to the back.
Emma waited quietly as a small TV behind some camera rolled through the title sequence of get your own back. She knew the theme tune well, seeing as she had watched it along with many other children’s TV on CBBC. The tune came to an end, and the audience, albeit it only being made up of crew, cheered loudly. On the platform between the two ramps stood a man that you knew fairly well: Dave Benson Phillips. That helped add authenticity of the whole event if they managed to get the original host and all.
“Hello. Welcome everybody to this one off special of get your own back. Today we have two beautiful ladies sat ready to take a drop in the slop. Over the summer, the great guys at ECG have been voting for who they wanted to see up on those infamous chairs.” He laughed wildly at this. “We have the finalists right here, who we revealed to you last week. First up: She started out as the young heroine in Harry Potter, before breaking through as a model for Burberry. Please welcome Emma Watson.” The crew clapped as Emma smiled and gave a small wave for the camera. “Now, joining Emma we have the sports presenter who has been repeatedly voted in the top 100 sexiest women. Please welcome Kirsty Gallagher” Kirsty blushed as the attention focused on her. “So, ladies, how you feeling?”
“Really nervous,” replied Kirsty.
“Yeah, nervous about covers it,” Emma chipped in.
“They’re nervous now folks, just wait ‘til we reveal the vote.” Dave performs his trademark maniacal laughter. “Now, the folks out there have been voting all week for who they want to see plunge into the gunge. Throughout all this, they managed to raise £50,000 for charity, so I say that deserves a round of applause.” Dave led as the crew clapped at the announcement. Jennifer and Rachel also joined in too. “Now, I have the result in this golden envelope here, but first, let’s see who they each beat to make it to the final here.”
The TV at the back rolled through a number of celebrities. Emma recognised some of the faces, including Britney Spears, and the cheerleader from Heroes. Others were complete mysteries to her. After the reel had finished, the camera settled on Jennifer and Rachel, both of whom were smiling.
Dave started up speaking again. “And now for the moment of truth, who have you decided will do their bit for charity in the lovely green goo.” Emma took a sharp breath of air, wondering what the result could possibly be. “With 54% of the vote, the person taking a drop into the slop is…” dramatic pause, “EMMA!”
Emma reeled as her name was called out. Sat in disbelief, she barely took notice as Kirsty visibly relaxed. She was never sure whether she would mind going in the tank, but that’s completely different to knowing she was going in. She apprehensively eyed the green slime below, which didn’t seem as mesmerising as it did 10 minutes ago. The noise going on around the studio was simply tuned out for Emma, still processing what was happening. ‘I’m only 19, and I’ve beaten all these sexy stars in their thirties. And now for all that, I’m gonna get gunged?’
She was soon back to reality as Dave announced, “Crank her up.” Emma squeaked as the chair lifted her up to the top of the ramp, accompanied by a loud cranking sound. Once at the top, the chair locked into place with a loud clunk, which started off the bright flashing lights and wailing sirens. Emma dug her face in her hands for a few moments, before looking back down at the gunge. The butterflies floating around in her stomach kept getting stronger. She anxiously tried to calm herself, even try and enjoy the moment to some extent. After all, people thought she was the sexiest amongst so many women. That had to be some comfort.
Dave started speaking again. “Emma, you’ve been the darling of the film world since first gracing the screens. Now it’s time for you to take a trip into the dip. Jennifer, please pull that golden lever.”
The jets of gas blew behind Emma as the seat started rolling down the ramp. She couldn’t help it. Emma screamed at the top of her lungs as she gathered speed. As she approached the gunge, she ducked her head down, which helped as at that moment, more green slime splattered down from above, impacting down the back of Emma’s smooth hair. The chair suddenly tips forward, and Emma found herself hurtling downward face first into the gunk. She broke the cool surface with her nose, before plunging right under the surface. She was completely under as she felt the gunge cascade over her back. She arched up quickly, thick green gunge flowing from the crown of her head.
Emma wiped the cold clammy gunge from her face, though it didn’t seem to help much. Her T-shirt was soaked through, hanging off her shoulders. Her once silky hair was now dank with the gunge it had been soaked in, including the thick patch still sat on top. The pool of goo was deep, that if Emma had stood, it would’ve been up to her chest. She didn’t rise up and out of the gunge though, swimming around a bit. Emma could feel the gunge sift in-between her toes, although the slime felt really smooth against her legs. Just as Emma began to think the worst was over, more green gloop feel from above, hitting Emma right on the head. She squealed loudly, but didn’t shy away, simply batting at the falling gunge.
Dave started speaking up again, not that Emma could listen with all the gunge in her ears. “That was brilliant. I’d just like to thank Emma for being such a good sport, and for you people, for your contribution to charity. Until next time, goodbye.” Emma simply swam around in the gunge, wondering what Dan and Rupert will say next time she sees them.