It's Back! =D - story

GREEDY, EPISODE 1

The room was dark. The pitter patter of footsteps echoed softly as the audience patiently waited for the show to begin. This is the very first premier episode of the new show Greedy.

The lights flickered on to reveal a woman sitting in a comfortable looking red antique chair. She looked nervous, almost frightened. Suddenly, music began to play as the host stepped onto the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, holding the microphone to his lips, "welcome to the very first episode of Greedy, the game show from Hell. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lucas Sulfur, and I'm going to be your host." He bowed to the crowd, and then turned to face the terrified contestant.

"We have here with us today Jannet Barrycott, a single mother of 4 daughters and 2 twin boys. Her husband left her after becoming pregnant with the twins, and refuses to pay child support, causing her to work two jobs." Lucas than proceeded in offering the microphone to Jannet. "Tell us, Miss Barrycott, what is your profession?"

Hands shaking, she took the microphone and began to speak. Her voice was horse, and it sounded as though she had been crying for a long time prior. "I-I'm a c-counselor at the local M-mental Health Clinic, a-and I work p-part time as a secretary f-for HSA Inc." She stared at the audience, the terror in her eyes apparent. The audience kept quiet.

Retaking the microphone, Lucas continued with the show, "As you can guess from the title of the show, you get to be greedy. As greedy as you want. So tell us, if you didn't have 6 children, what would you have bought with that hard earned money instead?"

The crowd began to talk amongst themselves. They had never seen a game like this before. It was so sadistic, and yet, interesting. They all listened intently to hear what Jannet would say next. She quietly took the microphone and began to speak. "I-I would prob'ly have bought a nicer house..." she began. The thought of these nicer things she wanted was making her feel less scared, "And I would get a new car, something fast and hot, that all the boys would kill for. And, now that I think of it, I would get some implants, so that I might actually be able to keep a man around."

She continued to talk, becoming more and more possessive as she spoke. When she was finished, the audience was already ablaze with discussions. As Lucas took the microphone, they quickly hushed so he could speak. "Now, Jannet Barrycott, how would you like to get everything you just named off, completely free? The only thing you have to do is 'give us your kids.'" He emphasized the last few words of his sentence. Everyone, the audience and Jannet, gasped at what they heard. "Oh, and did I forget to mention," he continued, "that your kids are all in the audience right now?"

The spot light swiveled to where the kids all sat, horror upon their faces. Jannet screamed, "NO! I WOULD NEVER GIVE UP MY CHILDREN! WHY WOULD I EVER DO THAT?"

Lucas just chuckled. "Well, it seems you have chosen to not be greedy, but the game is only partly over. Now, the audience gets to cast 'their' vote on whether or not you should be greedy. If two thirds of the audience is against you, you must go with their decision."

She lunged from the chair at him, barely missing his face with her fist. "Why would I give my children to a monster like you?"

Lucas simply smiled an evil smile, the audience watching intently. "Because, you have no choice. YOU signed a contract. YOU willingly played. YOU were the one that was greedy, so YOU are the one that must play the game the right way, whether you want to or not." He then turned to the audience, "Cast your votes.....NOW!"

After the audience quieted, Lucas walked over to a small podium on the side of the stage and pressed a button. A large screen came down from the ceiling, and flickered on. "Now, let us see what the final tally was." He turned to look at the screen, and his smug face turned into a frown instantly. "Well, this was unexpected, it seems that it is a tie, which means that Jannet gets to keep her kids, but goes home with nothing else."

He then made a motion to a tall man standing in the back of the audience, who had been keeping Jannet's kids restrained. The man moved his arm to his belt, and flipped a switch on a small box that was attached to it. The restraints on the children opened, releasing them.

Two of the daughters picked up the twins and ran to their mom on the stage. Jannet looked relieved, but was still furious with Lucas. She stood up, straightened her pose, and said, "Expect a lawsuit, you monster. I will make sure that this show never airs again." She then turned, putting her arms around her kids, satisfied that she had won against him.

"Ahaha. . ." Lucas had regained his previous smirk. Jannet suddenly felt really cold, as if someone was poring ice water down her back. "Sorry miss, but I'm afraid you signed a contract. You can't do anything about it, this show will continue to air, and you will go home with nothing but your children. And to think that you could have had it all. . ."

Jannet didn't turn around, she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of the look on her face. She took her kids and hastily off the stage, and out of sight. Lucas turned to the audience, placed the microphone to his mouth, and addressed them, "Well, it's a pity, but that is the end of our show. Tune in next time when we will have another. . .err. . .'lucky' contestant." After he finished, he bowed once more, and the lights flickered off.

GREEDY, EPISODE 2

The crowd was nearly double in size compared to the pilot episode. So many people came just to watch someone suffer.

The room was dark, just like before. The audience could barely see their hands if front of their faces. A ticking noise could be heard softly, like an old clock in the distance. Footsteps could be heard on stage, and then the lights flickered on.

The curtain rose to reveal two men sitting in large antique chairs. The man on the left was none other than Lucas Sulfur, the much despised host of Greedy, the worlds newest, most twisted game show. The man on the right looked to be in his late forties, with graying hair, a short beard, glasses, and a somewhat husky figure. He didn't look as much terrified as he did confused.

Lucas picked up the microphone from the small table between them, which also harbored two glasses and a pitcher of ice water. He stood up, walked to the front center of the stage, and spoke into it, his voice bringing chills to the audience. "Ladies and gentlemen," he began, pausing for effect, "Welcome to another episode of Greedy; I am your host, Lucas Sulfur."

He turned and motioned to the man sitting in the chair. "I would like you to welcome our guest tonight, Gary Nills. Gary here just got his third divorce and has lost half of his belongings. . .again." A sly smile adorned his lips as he said that. It was obvious that Lucas was enjoying this too much.

He walked back over to Gary and offered the microphone to him. "Tell us Gary, since you've lost a lot of stuff (your pride being no exception), what would YOU do to get it all back, or to get even more. Perhaps you could even try to get even."

Gary took the microphone and began to speak, his voice was raspy and hollowed, "Well, err, I don't want to hurt anyone. . ." his fear became apparent when he spoke. He must have seen the first episode, but then why would he participate on it if he knew he would most likely lose something precious to him? Was it that he had little left to actually lose? The audience awaited him to continue. ". . .but I would give an arm and a leg to get my money and things back."

Lucas's ears perked. That is exactly what he wanted to hear. "Aha!" he shouted, taking back the microphone. "It just so happens that we have all 3 of your ex-wives here, and everything that you lost, plus a check equaling twice the money you lost from all the divorces combined. It's all yours. . .on one condition." His mouth was twisted into an evil smile. "In order to go home with all of this, you will need to part with one arm. . .and one leg."

Gary looked stunned. He hadn't thought that he could lose anymore. "I, err, it was a figure of speech."

"That it was," Lucas exclaimed, "but what fun would this game be if we didn't make it interesting? So, what will you do? Will you take everything and part with your appendages? Or will you go home with nothing, keep your worthless arm and leg, and live a life or poverty and lovelessness?"

Gary looked down, weighing the options. He really didn't want to lose an arm and a leg, but to get everything back, and twice the money too, was no less than a miracle. He took the microphone from Lucas's outstretched hand, "I'll take the stuff."

Lucas's face lit up like the star on the New York Christmas tree. "Wonderful! But, it's not over yet. The audience still gets to vote. Remember, if two thirds of the audience votes against you, they win." He stood up and walked to the front of the stage again. "Okay everyone, you may cast you vote. . .NOW!"
After the audience quieted and finished casting their votes, he proceeded over to the podium and pressed the button that lowered the large flat screen behind him. "Let us now see how the audience voted." He turned to the screen and his face once again lit up.

"It seems like the audience had a unanimous decision. Gary, they all voted in your favor. Congratulations, you win back everything you've lost, and more." Lucas stepped over to Gary, holding out his hand. Gary took the out stretched hand, feeling uneasy, and was jerked up into a standing position. . .and his arm came off.

There was no blood, no gore, no pain. He felt nothing suddenly in his right arm, and looked to see that it was no longer there. His heart began to race as the audience let out a unified gasp. "What the. . ." he started, his face mixed with many emotions. As his stare turned from where his arm once was to Lucas, who was holding the severed arm in his hand, Gary's face instantly turned to pure horror.

Lucas just laughed. Everyone could tell that he was enjoying the look on Gary's face. He tossed the arm over his shoulder and pushed Gary back into the chair. Gary didn't fight back, he was too paralyzed by fear and horror to do anything at all. Lucas bent down, taking hold of Gary's left leg, and pulled. It popped off with the same ease that the arm did. "You won't be needing these anymore," he laughed.

Gary managed to stutter his question he had been to terrified to ask. "H-how d-did y-you do th-th-that?"

"Now, now. I can't tell you that. If I did, I may lose my job." Lucas said with a smile. He then turned to the crowd after discarding the severed leg. "Well everyone, it seems that greed of any kind always has a price. That's our show everyone. Be sure to tune in next time, when we have another vict. . .err. . .contestant."

The curtain fell, the lights flickered off, and only the cries of Gary behind the curtain could be heard amongst the stunned audience.

GREEDY, EPISODE 3

The seating was packed. Only the third episode, and already it has been sold out. The lights were dimmed so one could only see those near them, and conversations ran rampant across the crowd. Lucas watched the audience from between the curtains, careful to not be seen. His grin stretched from ear to ear at the sight of so many people. He may finally get what he was after.

The lights went out, and the audience went silent instantly. Eerie music began to play softly in the background. A very slow playing high pitched retro song, barely loud enough to be heard, echoed throughout the set. Suddenly, multiple stage lights of all colors started to whirl about the curtain, coming to focus on a single spot on the stage as Lucas stepped out and into the light. He wore a black suit that seemed so dark it was unnatural.

Lucas examined the audience, and then raised the microphone to his mouth and began to speak. "Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to welcome you to the newest exciting episode of Greedy. Please, keep quiet while I introduce our contestant." The curtains opened and the lights flickered on. A very skinny old man sat in the Contestant's Chair. He had thick glasses, a brown cap, and dark green overalls. He didn't look at all terrified, but instead he was smiling.

Lucas walked over to the man, "Everyone, I would like to welcome Mr. Eustis Baggs." He then offered Eustis the microphone, which was snatched with such speed that Lucas was actually surprised.

Eustis struggled with the microphone for a minute, muttering to himself, before he finally figured out how to use it. He spoke in a nasally, horse voice. "Just stop talkin' and git on wit' da show! I want me money!"

The audience seemed stunned. Even though this was the third episode, it seemed that Eustis would at least know that he was bound to lose something very important to him.

Lucas snatched back the microphone. "A little impatient, aren't we? Well, let us not keep you or the audience waiting." Lucas walked over to the side podium and flipped a switch. A gigantic clock came down from the ceiling. "You will have 60 seconds to tell me and everyone here what exactly you want."

Eustis couldn't believe his ears. He literally jumped out of the chair. "Anythin' I want?" He repeated. A smile almost matching Lucas's stretched across his face. "I want to be filthy stinkin' rich! Oh, and I want to git rid of dat stupid dog dat me no good wife has! And I want to know where me no good brother hid his loot!"

Not even 30 seconds had passed, "Is that all?" Lucas asked, slightly disappointed. "Well, if that's it, then let us continue." He walked back over to the podium and flipped the switch again. He then walked back over to Eustis and sat down opposite him.

"So tell me Eustis, you want a lot of money, so how much exactly do you want?"

Eustis looked him straight in the eye and said with a laugh, "Millions!"

Lucas's expression didn't faultier. "So tell us Eustis, what are you willing to do or give up to get all of what you named, and more?" Lucas began to get that evil smile of his. He handed the microphone to Eustis.

Eustis, without missing a beat, replied, "I'd sell me soul to da Devil if it meant I would be rich."

Lucas couldn�t breath. He was elated at the answer. Never had anyone gone that far. Eustis must have though he was being clever by saying something like that, but he was about to be gravely disappointed. Lucas reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of parchment and handed it to Eustis.

"What's dis?" he asked, puzzled.

"It's a contract," started Lucas, "if you sign it, you will relinquish your soul to the Devil, and will then be rewarded your prizes."

Eustis took the parchment, skimmed it quickly, and then asked, "Where do I sign?"

Lucas laughed, "Not yet. First, the audience needs to vote." He turned to the audience, "You may cast your vote on what Mr. Eustis Baggs should do.......NOW!"

Lucas waited as the crowd quieted down again before speaking. "Well, now that everyone's votes have been cast, let's see what Eustis should do." He strolled over to the side podium and pressed a button. A large screen came down in the background. Static first, and then a clear image flashed onto the screen.

Lucas turned to the screen, stared for less than a second, and then turned to Eustis. "Wonderful news!" he exclaimed, "It seems that the audience has agreed with you. You may now sign that contract." His evil smile was so large that it was a miracle his face didn't rip in two.

Lucas stepped up to Eustis, who was still seated, and pulled a pen out of his pocket, offering it to him. Eustis took the pen with much haste, and scribbled his signature on the bottom line. "Now, gimme me stuff!"

Lucas tapped the parchment, and it snapped back into a roll, startling Eustis and causing him to release his hold of it. Lucas snatched it out of the air and pocketed it, and then held out his hand to Eustis. "Congratulations Mr. Baggs!"

Eustis took his outstretched hand, and was pulled to his feet. He tried to let go of Lucas's hand, but found himself unable too. "What?! What's goin' on here? Let go of me hand!"

Lucas smiled, leaning closer to Eustis's ear, he whisper, "Why would I let go? You belong to ME now."

Eustis began to pull harder and harder, and he began to notice that he was feeling weaker and weaker. He looked at his arm that was being held, and saw that it was becoming thinner, the skin was turning grey, and he was losing all forms of feeling. He noticed that it wasn't just his arm now, but the rest of him. He was literally wilting away.

Lucas never let go, his smile never faded, and his eyes never left those of Eustis. Within minutes, there was nothing but bones, and a few seconds later, only a pile of dust remained.

Lucas turned to the crowd as someone walked onto the stage with a broom and brushed the dusty remains off the stage. The curtain fell, the lights went out, and the stage lights came on, all focused on Lucas, who was standing at the front of the stage. "Well, thank you all for coming. I hope you enjoyed the show, and be sure to tune in next time. Good evening everyone." Without another word, he turned and walked behind the curtain. The stage lights went out, and the silence was so piercing, you could hear a butterfly cough.