stepped back and let him talk to Adrienne. Quite frankly, I really didn’t hear what he was saying to her. My mind was in too much overdrive. I only knew when he stopped, and the cameras went off. Mr. Silver came back up to me and shook my hand once more.
“You see, Corter? I told you. The viewers like chivalry, they like the common man. I knew they would vote you back.”
“Thank you, sir.” I accepted his comments in a daze.
“But don’t rest on your laurels. There’s plenty of game left, and the other players are a step ahead of you now in bonding and forming alliances. Well, I don’t need to tell you that, you’ve watched before. You know how it goes.” A tall, severe-looking woman was gesturing at Mr. Silver, pointing at her watch. “Ah, I see our coordinator is on the warpath. Time’s a wasting, and you’ve got to get back for your reappearance. That’s live, you know.”
He shook my hand one last time before moving off with a staffer, heads together in discussion. Günter came up and introduced me to yet another intern.
“This is Toji. He will take you back to the return tunnel. Do me a favor and don’t dawdle. Gloria is already on my ass for going over time here, and our location director needs you live in less than 15 minutes for the cast reveal.” His hand was in the small of my back, actually pushing me slightly as Toji took my arm.
We hurried off the grid, past people doing what they do to get a show produced, and to a door over which someone had placed a hand-written sign proclaiming it “The Resurrection Express.” Toji opened the door and pointed to a small, one-seat car sitting on a rail. He motioned to it, and I dutifully sat down inside and buckled up the safety belt.
“Mr. Laurence, this car will take you to the clearing in front of the bridge. Nothing will be there to harm you, so don’t concern yourself with that. You’ll see two lights, a red one and a green one, alongside the wall when the car stops. As soon as the green one turns on, push open the door, and start across the bridge. We’ll also have the intercom open, so if you have any questions, ask. But once the door opens, you are on you own again. Any questions?”
I shook my head. This wasn’t that difficult.
“OK. Well, good luck.” He pushed a button on the wall, and the little car smoothly took off, moving at a fairly good clip. After five minutes or so, the car slowed and came to a stop. I got out, and yes, right there, were two lights, the red one lit. A bright white door was beside the lights, a huge sign saying “Push Here!” affixed next to an equally huge door release. I stood there just staring at the door. My bladder was pressing me with a sense of urgency, and I was contemplating just letting go on the track when the red light went off and the green one came on. I pushed at the door release, and the door immediately opened. As I walked through, it swung to a close behind me. I glanced back, and the door disappeared from view, looking exactly like the surrounding rock. I wanted to take a closer look, but I knew I had to make my timeline. So, trying to look nonchalant, I walked across the clearing and stepped onto the bridge. I couldn’t help glancing back one more time, remembering the T-Rex who got me last time I was here. I hope the hidden cams didn’t catch my shudder.
Stepping onto the bridge, I slowly made my way across, trying not to look down to the rushing torrent below. It seemed like a long crossing, but it probably only took a few moments. Finally on the other side, Haven felt good underfoot. It felt safe. I walked up the obvious path, between two rock spires, and down a few steps. Stepping around one last curve in the path, I walked into a large flat opening. Lounging around the opening were fourteen other people, my fellow castmates. A chorus of “ohs” and “ahs” and one “it’s the guy” greeted my appearance as the people stood up and came over to shake my hand. I was happy