March 29, 2013, 1:50 p.m.
The Mole: Execution 5
E - Words: 3,509 - Last Updated: Mar 29, 2013 Story: Complete - Chapters: 17/17 - Created: Dec 11, 2012 - Updated: Mar 29, 2013 380 0 0 0 0
That night, some of them were still reelinf from the fact that they had lost money because the quick thinkers had in fact gotten more correct than the ones that didn't think as quickly. And none of them felt any closer to knowing who the mole was. The truth, the mole could have sabotaged from either side. If the mole was on the slower team, they could have purposefully dragged out guessing and influenced wrong answers so their team would answer as few puzzles as possible. Likewise, if the mole were on the quick thinker team, they could have gotten the answers in a snap, most particularly either they knew them all ahead of time, or they were being fed the answers as they worked. That challenge was really up in the air.
On this particular night, they were given roommates. So two to a hotel room and Blaine and Kurt were thrilled to be sharing a room. Though it had originally been decided that each room would be co-ed. Not that either man minded but still.
Unknown to everyone else, they weren't bothering to make use of the two separate beds. They were just taking advantage of the absence of the cameras. Kurt was wrapped in Blaine's arms and the two of them were heavily kissing.
"Blaine," Kurt said breathlessly as he broke their kiss. Blaine stared up into his glasz eyes and his gaze passed over Kurt's kiss swollen lips.
"What is it honey?" he asked softly, reaching out a hand to gently stroke Kurt's cheek.
"Did...did you mean what you wrote?" Blaine furrowed his brow for a moment, trying to figure out what he was getting at. "I mean you know, that you were falling for me?" Blaine's hand continued to stroke Kurt's cheek softly and he never let his gaze waiver from the other man's eyes.
"Absolutely," he whispered softly, leaning up to press a tender kiss to the man's lips. Kurt let out a slight gasp as their lips loved together. They just fit do perfectly like they were made for each other.
"I can't wait until this game is over," Kurt said when they had broken apart again. "I just want to be with you and it's killing me not to be able to show affection because of the rules."
"I know baby, I know. Tomorrow someone else goes home and then we'll be five. Assuming both of us make it through the execution," Blaine replied. A part of Blaine kind of wanted them both to just throw the game so they could go home back to back or volunteer to pull out just so they could be together but he wasn't going to be that selfish. "And then it'll be over and after all this I'll even move to Chicago."
Kurt stared at him wide eyed. "You'd do that for me?" he asked. Blaine kissed him again.
"Of course," he replied. "I know we haven't known each other very long, but I just know that you're the one. I can feel it." Kurt felt his heart swell and it took all of his resolve not to cry.
"You're the one for me too Blaine," he whispered before connecting their lips again. Blaine just held him tighter as they continued to kiss late into the night.
The next day found the players all standing at the snowy top of a mountain meant for skiing. And they were all wearing a pair of skiis with pulls in their hands. They stood in front of the chair lift with Will facing them.
"Hello players," Will greeted them all.
"Hi!" the lot of them all replied. Will smiled around at them all, the six of them in skiing gear though it was clear a few of them were not happy about it. But some of the others had spent the morning skiing to their heart's content, knowing that today would bring another challenge.
"I trust you all had a good night?" Will added. They nodded. "Last night we allowed you guys to have roommates for the first time." They exchanged glances.
Where is he going with this? thought the mole, who despite what people thought, was not told everything. There was information that purposefully withheld because producers wanted genuine reactions out of the mole.
"What you didn't know was that we had cameras in your rooms, filming to see what you would do when entrusted to room with a fellow player." Kurt paled slightly. Shit, this couldn't be good. "Four of you just slept. But two of you, couldn't keep your hands off each other apparently," he went on, throwing a pointed look at Kurt and Blaine who were both starting to get tires of the fact that they seemed to be costing the group money, every other day. "Five thousand dollars will be taken from the pot as a penalty for rule violations and there will be no more rooming with each other in the future."
A collective groan went up around the group. So far in the last two days, they had only managed to lose money.
"Nice going Porcelain and hobbit," Santana spat.
"Lay off Satan!" Kurt replied. He narrowed his eyes at her. Really, her attitude was starting to get to him. He just hoped she would be executed soon.
"Kurt, Blaine," Will said, do you have anything to say for yourselves?" This time he was not withholding the information about who had been the ones that violated the rules. Kurt and Blaine glanced at each other.
A fierce look crossed Kurt's face and be boldly slipped his hand into Blaine's. "Just one thing," he said. His eyes glanced at Blaine adoringly. "You can't help who you fall in love with." His voice was soft and gentle but the small smile that lit up Blaine's face was enough for the time being. Kurt turned back to Will. "This may be a bad time because of game rules but let's face it, you can't really put a hold on love. If it's going to come, it will, regardless of what you're doing and when it does, it slams into like a freight train." He looked around at them. "So go ahead and take five thousand dollars. It's not going to stop me from being in love."
It was quiet for a moment. It dawned on everyone that Kurt did indeed have a point. It wasn't fair to try and stop the course of nature just because of a few game rules. Will silently nodded to Kurt and clapped his gloved hands together.
"Okay guys, as you might have guessed, today we're going skiing. Or rather you're going skiing. If you'll all follow me." He beckoned the group of them and the awkwardly walked behind him in their skiis. He lead the six of them to the top of the mountain. "You may notice that behind me, is the ski jump run," he said. They all looked past him to see that he was indeed standing in front of the ski jump run.
"What's your point Will?" Quinn asked, readjusting the ski poles in her hands.
Will indicated the regular downhill incline beside the ski jump ramp. A few skiers were off down the mountain. "How much you know, will determine whether you to off the jump or down the regular incline." They all stared at him. "I am going to ask each of you a question and like usual, you will have the option of foregoing it. But if you chose to do that, you have to go off the jump. Going off the jump from foregoing a question will earn you five thousand dollars. If you choose to answer the question and you get it right, you'll earn a thousand dollars for the pot and can ski down the regular side of the mountain. You get it wrong, you earn nothing and you must go off the ski jump. Refusing to go off the ski jump after a wrong answer will cost you five thousand dollars."
"Isn't that kind of dangerous though?" Mercedes asked, looking at the jump.
"This is why producers wanted to make sure you guys were all experienced skiers," Will replied. They looked at each other.
"Sure we've been skiing before but I'm not sure about making that jump," Finn said. Will smiled at him.
"Well than, best to get your question right." He winked.
I'm not sure about that ski jump thing either. Congratulations producers! If you were looking for me to exhibit genuine fear, you hit the nail on the head, thought the mole, having not been informed of this particular challenge.
"Okay," Will clapped. "Blaine, you're first." Kurt gave Blaine's hand a squeeze as the younger man hobbled forward on his skiis. "Okay Blaine, are you going to forego your question?" he asked.
Blaine bit his lip. He really wanted to get back the five thousand dollars he'd lost for the rule violation. On the other hand, he wasn't that great a skier. But then he had done every other thrill seeking task they'd had in the game so far. He'd skydived, bridge swung, and bungee jumped. Why should this be the one where he stopped?
"Am I allowed to hear the question first?" he asked. Will shook his head.
"No. If you chose to hear the question you have to answer it. If you're going to forego it, you do so without knowing the question."
Blaine thought for a moment, before giving his head a short nod. "I'll jump," he said.
"Are you sure?" Will asked. Blaine nodded. "Very well." He lead him over to the start of the ramp. "Try and stay centered on the way down. There are medics waiting at the bottom should it be needed," he said. Blaine nodded again. "When you're ready."
The others looked on and Kurt could feel his heart pounding out of his chest. He didn't like the idea of Blaine jumping but he understood why he was doing it.
Blaine drew a deep breath and pushed himself over the edge. He went speeding down the center of the ramp, his ski poles held out behind him. The next thing he knew, he was flying through the air. Blaine put all his focus on keeping his skis straight and pointed. One wrong move and he could flinch his landing. A flurry of snow shot up around him as he planted into the mountain and continued his way down.
Back up at the top of the mountain, the other players cheered. Will was beaming. "That's five thousand dollars added to the pot. Quinn, you're up."
The blonde girl moved forward on her skis, gripping the poles so tightly, her knuckles were white.
"Do you want a question or are you going to forego and just jump?" he asked.
"I want a question," Quinn replied.
Will pulled out a card and smiled at her. "Who is the US commander and chief?" he read off to her. Quinn visibly relaxed.
"The president of the Unite States," she replied immediately.
"That is correct," Will said. He waved a hand toward the regular ski route. "That's one thousand dollars for the pot and you do not have to jump." Quinn let out a breath and pushed off to ski down the mountain. "Finn, you're next," Will went on.
The tall man awkwardly clambered forward but he seemed to already have made up his mind. "I'm foregoing the question," he said.
"Are you sure?" Will asked.
"Yeah," Finn replied. "I've actually gone off a ski jump before so it's no big deal." Kurt, Santana, and Mercedes looked surprised. Will nodded and Finn moved into place. The other three watched as he pushed off and expertly navigated his way down the ramp, launching himself into the air with surprising grace for someone normally so clumsy. "Another five thousand dollars will be added to the pot, bringing the current total to one hundred and fifty-one thousand dollars. Santana, it's your turn."
The Latina made her way forward. "Take your best shot," she said, nodding to Will.
Will raised the card. "A line drawn a cross a circle is called the diameter. What is the name for half that line?"
Santana frowned. This was obviously a math question and she had never paid much attention in math. She shrugged. "Like I know? I normally slept in math class," she said. "I have no idea." She shook her head.
"The answer is the radius. Santana, you missed the question and that means you will have to jump."
The dark-haired girl rolled her eyes and took her position at the top of the ramp. Although she was tough, it was not impossible to tell that she was scared. Taking a deep breath, she pushed herself forward and shot down the center of the ramp. Her eyes were shut tight and she felt the blast of wind slap her in the face as she flew off the jump and into the air.
"No money has been added to the pot. You're up Kurt." The pale man bit his lip. He had to get this question right. There was just no way he was going off that jump. He didn't care if it cost him five thousand dollars. He honestly didn't think he could do it.
"Give me a question please," he choked, fear clenching his words. He shut his eyes and attempted to regain his composure.
"How did the Statue of Liberty come to be a landmark of New York?" Will read off the card. Kurt's expression change to one of glee so fast that you might have thought the winds changed. He knew the answer to this. Thank God he knew so much about French culture.
"It was given to us by France, who acquired it by the World's Fair, which was also responsible for gifting the Eiffel Tower." he replied with confidence. Will was impressed with the indepth answer.
"That is correct," he said. Kurt was more relieved than he ever thought possible. "One thousand dollars to the pot and you get to take the safe route down." Kurt happily obliged, pushing himself over the top of the mountain and gracefully skiing down to the bottom. "You're all that's left Mercedes."
"I'd like a question too," she told Will as she approached him on her skiis. He nodded.
"Who was the sixteenth president of the United States?" Mercedes looked like Christmas had come early. Honestly, could she have gotten an easier question?
"Abraham Lincoln," she stated shortly. Will smiled at her.
"That is correct. One thousand dollars to the pot which brings today's total to a hundred and fifty-three thousand dollars and you don't have to jump."
The relief she felt was visible as she pushed herself on down the normal ski route. Will just took the ski lift and returned to the bottom of the mountain where he met with the players.
"Congratulations players, you banked a total of thirteen thousand dollars for this challenge. That brings the total up to one hundred and fifty-three thousand dollars. Well done." They all clapped. "You may enjoy the rest of your day and I will see you all at tonight's execution." They all departed to go have a little fun with Kurt pulling Blaine down into the snow and the two of them laughing uncontrollably.
"A toast to you all and to whomever is executed tonight," Will said as usual, raising his glass of wine. They all followed suit and sipped their wine. Will placed a small jar on the table. "Now you'll notice that in front of each of you is a slip of paper and a pen. I would like you to write down the name of the player you think is most deserving of the money and place your slip in this jar," he said. The players all looked at each other before doing so. They each wrote a name down and folded it up before putting it in the jar. "Okay, tonight you face your fifth quiz. Good luck."
One by one the players were called in to take the quiz, ten questions about the mole.
Question one: Which team was the mole on in the logic puzzle game?
Question two: Did the mole read aloud a page from their new journal?
Question three: How many puzzles did the mole's team solve in the logic puzzle game?
Question four: Who were the mole's teammates in the logic puzzle game?
Question five: Who was the mole's roommate?
Question six: Did the mole answer their question correctly in the ski jump game?
Question seven: Did the mole jump in the ski jump game?
Question eight: In what order do the mole go in the ski jump game?
Question nine: At tonight's execution dinner, was the mole seated to Will's left or right?
Question ten: Who is the mole?
Results tallied and locked in, the players filed into chairs at the base of a mountain. Their bags were packed and neatly lined up. Will sat at a table with a laptop in front of him. The TV with the mole thumbprint logo was behind him.
"Good evening. Welcome to your fifth execution. The person who scored the lowest on the quiz will be executed. In the event of a tie, the person who answered the questions the slowest will be executed. In a moment, I will begin entering your names into the computer. If the screen turns green, you remain in the game. However, of the screen turns red, you are the mole's fifth victim. You will have to take your bag and leave the game immediately." Will then got up from the table, causing the players to look on in confusion. "Before we begin tonight, there is the matter of the vote at the execution dinner."
"I thought there was some reason for that," Santana said. Will nodded and he lifted a suitcase onto the table. Flipping it open, he revealed that it was full of cash.
"I asked each of you to write down who you thought was the most deserving of the money." He nodded to the suitcase. "I have fifty thousand dollars here." His eyes turned on Quinn. "Quinn, the majority voted for you as being most deserving." She looked both surprised and touched. "Kurt, why Quinn?"
Kurt looked over at the blonde. "She singlehandedly added at least fifty thousand dollars to the pot. I think she deserves the reward."
Will nodded. "Mercedes, why Quinn?"
"She's got a wedding to plan. I figured she could use that money to give herself the wedding of her dreams." She smiled at Quinn who smiled back.
"Thank you Mercedes," she said. "Thank you all."
"Quinn I'm prepared to make you a deal," Will said. "If you get up and leave the game now, I will give you this fifty thousand dollars to keep for you own. Leave the game now and you are guaranteed the money," he said.
Quinn was stunned. She really could use that fifty thousand dollars and leaving the game voluntarily would guarantee it to her. On the other hand, staying to play could result in her winning a larger sum of money but there was no guarantee that she would get it.
"If I leave, I get to keep that money?" she asked, pointing to the suitcase.
"If you leave right now, this fifty thousand dollars is yours and leaves with you," Will confirmed.
Quinn was quiet for several moments. Everyone was on tender hooks, wondering what she would decide. She hit her lip in thought. Anthony would be happy if she brought home fifty thousand dollars. She wouldn't have the shame of knowing she'd been executed from the game. She really could use that money and she'd had enough adventure to last her a lifetime.
Resigning herself to her decision, Quinn stood up and approached Will. "I'll take the money," she said.
"Just to confirm," Will said, "You are agreeing to leave the game now in exchange for fifty thousand. Is that right?"
"Yes," she replied.
Will snapped the suitcase shut and handed it to her. "Congratulations Quinn, you are fifty thousand dollars richer. Please grab your bag and follow me."
Some of the remaining five players stared at her in surprise. By this time though, likely no one had suspected Quinn as the mole. She'd added way too much money to the pot to be the mole.
Will lead Quinn out to an awaiting car just around the corner. "It's been nice having you here Quinn. Volunteering to leave the game is a big decision." She nodded.
"I decided I'd had enough adventure to last me a lifetime and Mercedes was right. I really could use the money toward the wedding," she said with a smile. "I'm ready to get home and back to my life."
"Best of luck to you Quinn. Have a happy wedding," Will said as he opened the door for her. "Good-bye Quinn," he added as she climbed in. Will shut the door and she waved as the car drove off. He returned to the remaining players. "Don't look so relieved," he said to them. "We still have the execution to handle."
"What?!" they all cried. He couldn't be serious! Quinn voluntarily left the game and yet they were still going through with the execution?!
"I'm kidding," he said, laughing at them all. "I'll you all tomorrow morning." The players all hurried back to the hotel, most of them feeling shaken.
I've already pegged my next target. Let's just hope Will doesn't make any more money offers, thought the mole.