by Cole Reid
Georgia’s quiet nature was inherent. She was the second of two children and had always felt split down the center. Though she was born in Virginia both her parents were British. That meant for holidays they would fly back to the England so she would get to know her grandparents and cousins. She had tried to mimic their accents when speaking to them. It made her feel more like family and less like an outsider. But she didn’t view the position of outsider with disdain. In Britain, she felt very American. In America, she felt somehow more British. She wasn’t one thing or the other. She was perforated down the middle, two things in one. She started getting attention in middle school as an early bloomer. She had a growth spurt between seventh and eighth grade, not the vertical kind but the horizontal kind. She started to wear plus-sized shirts to hide her growing bustline. She never wanted for much attention but she began to stand out in comparison to other girls her age. Georgia didn’t need attention but needed a way to manage the attention she was getting. She found a way, she asked for favors—help. She got boys to carry her books to class or wait with her for her parents to come pick her up. She didn’t like to do it but the enthusiasm was there. She just gave it an outlet. Boys simply liked being near her. She couldn’t imagine the feeling it gave them to walk beside her but she knew the feeling was there. To her, it felt like leverage. She would later come to see it as control.
“My mother lived through the London bombings during the Second World War,” said Georgia, “She always said to pay attention to history and not to forget it because history is everywhere in everything.”
“So what’s your quote?” asked Bryan.
“History is everywhere in everything,” said Georgia. Yvette’s head went up along with her hand.
“Good quote, Gigi,” said Yvette.
“I like it,” said Diane.
“Me too,” said Tanis.
“I guess none of us wanna vote against Gigi,” said Bryan.
“Wait,” said Alan, “You’re supposed to be working on getting her drunk.”
“Next game,” said Bryan. Georgia’s status as the group’s sweetheart was reaffirmed, by seven out of seven hands going up. None of them would vote against her on their last night together. Georgia got a pass. The Clubs, The Diamonds and The Spades had all taken turns. The last suit was Hearts, Alan and Yvette.
“Ok,” said Alan, “If we’re going guys first then I’m up.”
“No,” said Yvette, “Ladies first. I’ll give you some more time to think of an intelligent quote. You’ll surely need it.”
“Ouch,” said Alan, “Are you sure we’re both Hearts.”
“Training’s over Big Boy,” said Diane, “Alliances get broken.”
“Ok,” said Alan, “I understand. Our alliances are busted, just like your face, Diane.” Diane got up from her prone position on the bed. Alan started to laugh.
“Oh no,” said Hagan, “Don’t mess with this chick she’s got training.”
“Here,” said Alan, “I’ll let you get in a free lick.” Alan closed his eyes and stuck his face out as a fresh target. Diane slapped him as hard as she could with her right hand. The boys got a kick out of it.
“You hit like a girl,” said Alan.
“Only cuz you take it like one,” said Diane.
“At this rate,” said Hagan, “Ain’t no one getting drunk.”
“Yeah,” said Alan, “C’mon Yvette. Whatya got for us?”
“How about this,” said Yvette, “It’s not what you know. It’s not who you know. It’s what you know about who you know.”
“Oh damn,” said Hagan, “This chick has dirt on all of us.”
“Yeah,” said Alan, “Are you talking about blackmailing the people you know or what?”
“A quote’s a quote,” said Yvette, “Evaluate it how you want.”
“Ok,” said Bryan, “Evaluate you guys.” Georgia’s hand went up in support of her little sister. Diane liked to stick with Georgia out of principle. After over forty weeks of training, together she realized Georgia did more thinking than talking. She figured anyone who did as much thinking must be good at it. Tanis viewed Georgia in much the same way as Diane, but she was a free spirit. Tanis went her own way always. Still, the girls liked to stick together. All their hands went up. Alan raised his hand in favor of Yvette, his suit mate. It assured Yvette would stay dry. Bryan liked the quote as well. Patrick’s hand was already up. Hagan’s hand was up as well.
“Full House,” said Alan, “Pun intended.”
“Sorry crew,” said Yvette. Yvette took her shot even though she didn’t have to.
“Forty weeks and four days of pushing my body to the limit and people playing mind games,” said Yvette, “I’m just ready to get this party started.” Yvette received a standing ovation from Tanis. Alan stood up and went to hug Yvette.
“That’s why we’re the same suit,” said Alan, “This chick takes no prisoners.”
“None,” said Georgia.
“You’re one live girl,” said Tanis. The game started to fall apart as everyone who hadn’t taken a shot took it. Georgia held her shot so did Alan, waiting for his turn.
“Wait,” said Alan, “I haven’t hit you guys with my quote yet.”
“Ok,” said Bryan, “Hit us.”
“Better be good, Forsythe,” said Yvette.
“I’m good on a bad day,” said Alan.
“Wait does that count as his quote,” said Yvette.
“I think it does count,” said Diane.
“Wait a minute,” said Alan.
“Too late Forsythe,” said Tanis, “Your money’s not gonna buy any votes. Shut up and drink.”
“No one has voted yet,” said Alan.
“I think the game is over,” said Bryan, “Go on and take the shot.”
“The game is over but the party is getting started,” said Diane.
“You breaking the seal already?” said Tanis.
“No,” said Diane, “I’m not going to pee I’m going to get more liquor.”
“Let’s crack the J&B,” said Alan.
“Someone’s in the mood,” said Yvette.
“That’s the effect you have on me,” said Alan.
“I know,” said Yvette.
“Bring out cups and Coke,” said Alan, “For mixing.”
“Someone brought coke?” said Patrick, “You’re right Diane. The party starts now.”
“And Patrick is an idiot,” said Alan.
“I’m the bad boy of the group,” said Patrick, “And ladies love a bad boy.” Patrick who was still seated climbed over the boys’ bed and jumped to the girls’ bed with Diane on it.
“Why does the village idiot have to live near me?” said Diane.
“Because you’re so sweet and so cute,” said Patrick, “And I love you so much.” Patrick kneeled down on the bed and gave Diane a hug that resembled a chokehold.
“Am I supposed to be enjoying this?” said Diane.
“That depends,” said Patrick, “Are you?”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” said Diane.
“Well, I was just using you to get near Gigi,” said Patrick. Patrick got up and went back to his chair.
“Always a bridesmaid never a bride,” said Diane, getting up and heading toward the bathroom.
“And what’s your strategy?” said Alan, “Love ‘em and leave ‘em.”
“My strategy is love ‘em, love ‘em, love ‘em,” said Patrick, “Then love ‘em some more, then leave ‘em.” Diane started laughing as she came back into the main room with her Tequila and margarita mix.
“He’s a charmer,” said Diane, “I’ll take him.”
“Are you that drunk already?” said Tanis.
“Not yet,” said Diane, “But that’s the plan.” Diane held up her bottles as a forewarning.
“Here to help you in that plan is Justerini and his sidekick, Brooks,” said Alan.
“No, I don’t want Scotch,” said Diane, “I’ve got here cheap tequila and lime margari
ta mix.”
“Do we have limes?” said Bryan.
“No,” said Hagan.
“Then you wanna just drink tequila and the mix together?,” said Alan.
“Well,” said Diane, “Patrick’s such a charmer I was wondering if he’d be so kind as to go grab some salt packets from the restaurant.”
“Salt packets,” said Patrick.
“Come on,” said Yvette, “A lady’s asking.”
“Ok,” said Patrick, “If the Queen of Diamonds makes it worth my while.”
“Promise,” said Diane.
“You guys all saw that,” said Patrick. Patrick got up from his chair and walked over the boys’ bed and landed on the floor. He walked toward the door.
“Use your training,” said Tanis.
“Well,” said Patrick, “I wouldn’t use yours because you were last on forms.”
“But I was first in the physical trials,” said Tanis.
“Yeah,” said Patrick, “First out of the girls.” Patrick opened the door then shut it behind him.
“Smart man,” said Alan.
“Asshole,” said Diane.
“Yeah,” said Alan, “But he left right on time.” Hagan brought Alan his bottle of scotch. Diane held out her right pinky finger and wiggled it quick.
“Wrapped,” said Diane, “I got that boy wrapped.”
“Can we get that ice bucket on the dresser?” said Alan.
“Yeah,” said Hagan, “Good idea.”
“Do we play another drinking game?” said Bryan.
“Cuz the last one worked out so well or what?” said Tanis.
“How about this?” said Georgia, “How about we talk about what we liked most and least about the last forty-two weeks.”
“Good idea, Gigi” said Yvette from Georgia’s lap.
“Well then,” said Bryan, “Who goes first?”
“Why do we always have to have some sort of structure?” said Alan.
“Because it’s easier without the Bama boy,” said Hagan.
“Agreed,” said Diane.
“I have an idea,” said Alan, “And I know everyone will agree. Let’s have Gigi start.” Yvette started the applause. Diane and Tanis followed.
“Let’s go Gigi,” said Tanis, “Lay it on us.”
“Week seven” said Georgia, “The beginning of psych-eval. The beginning for me at least.”
“Who was your first?” asked Hagan.
“Tanis,” said Georgia.
“What did you think of me?” asked Tanis.
“I had you down as Type A,” said Georgia, “I scored you high on physical courage and willingness to protect others. I thought perhaps personal trauma at a young age.”
“Why?” asked Tanis, “I don’t remember you asking anything in that direction.”
“I took everything together,” said Georgia. Tanis suddenly seemed unusually timid. Georgia noticed more intimately because Tanis was leaning on her, shoulder-to-shoulder. Tanis quickly withdrew her contact with Georgia and didn’t say anything. Everyone swallowed the ensuing silence.
“What about me?” asked Bryan, “What was your take when you interviewed me?”
“Devilishly handsome,” said Alan.
“Shut up,” said Bryan.
“I thought you were the youngest in your family,” said Georgia, “Displaying a subconscious need to be seen as mature or insightful. Judging from your posture when you entered the room and the way you sat I said you were the youngest in your family because you stand so perfectly tall and sit straight. I thought you must’ve tried to stand as tall as your siblings when you were younger and it became a trained habit. Proving yourself was at the forefront of your psyche, not necessarily better but equal.” The right side of Bryan’s mouth raised ever so.
“What about me?” asked Hagan.
“I remember you being different than the other boys,” said Georgia.
“Different how?” said Hagan.
“I didn’t think you were Type A or Type B, just balanced,” said Georgia, “All the boys were type A in my evaluations.”
“I thought everyone was Type A,” said Yvette, “All of you guys, except you Gigi.”
“Yeah,” said Alan, “It’s likely all of us are goal-oriented Type A personalities. Otherwise, why would they have chosen us?”
“Well,” said Diane, “We all have different assignments so who knows?”
“How do you know our assignments are different?” said Alan, “Maybe they got us all going after the same thing eight different ways.”
“Because that makes so much sense,” said Diane, “Pay all of us to do the same job.”
“Maybe they expect some of us to die in the process,” said Bryan.
“None of us would know,” said Alan, “We can’t talk about our assignments with each other. Despite how drunk we get.”
“Probably for the better,” said Yvette.
“We should probably stop talking about assignments,” said Georgia, “Something might slip.”
“Agreed,” said Bryan.
“Hey, Gigi, what about my Myers-Briggs?” said Hagan, “Where did you have me?”
“I had you as leaning toward introversion with sensing as your perception modus. Then for decision-making I can’t remember, thinking or feeling. But you were the opposite inflection for judging/perceiving. I think I had you as thinking for decision-making then perceiving for how you examine the space around you. What was your favorite part about training?”
“Me?” said Hagan. Georgia nodded.
“I liked the negotiation practice,” said Hagan.
“Why?” asked Alan.
“I just liked the psychological cooking,” said Hagan.
“Psychological cooking?” said Alan, “What’s that? Julie Child made it with Carl Jung and had a kid. Tha fuck you talkin’ about Gerard?”
“I just like throwing different things in the soup,” said Hagan, “It was cool. Trying different strategies. It’s like playing Chess with no real rules. I can make my Rook move like a Bishop or my Knight move like a Rook. I wish we could have done more negotiation. I was getting good at it.”
“You had no choice but to get better,” said Alan, “In the beginning it was like being caught with your pants down. You conceded stuff and made mistakes that you didn’t realize but I did.”
“That’s why I liked it,” said Hagan, “It was a chance to get better at something.”
“That’s a good point,” said Diane, “I do feel like it was quick. I mean at first when they tell you you’re gonna be here for over forty weeks, that feels like a life sentence. But it was non-stopped—six days on, one day off. And we’re going against each other and reteaming. I feel like I know each of you better than my cousins I grew up with.”
“Really?” said Yvette.
“Well,” said Diane, “I mean me and Hagan were stuck in a steel box with a bunch of trash and we had thirty minutes to figure a way out with the air being sucked out. You start to see red and you’re trying to figure something out.”
“What did you do?” asked Bryan.
“We failed,” said Hagan, “They had to start pumping the air back in with three minutes left because they were worried about us going brain dead.”
“What did you try?” asked Bryan.
“We tried to drill a hole through the side, then bore the hole so we’d have more breathing air and give us more time,” said Diane.
“Yeah,” said Hagan, “We used a hammer and flathead screwdriver as a center punch. Then we just started trying to pound a hole into the side. But we could only dent the metal and you start to get tired as the oxygen goes.”
“So what were you doing?” asked Alan.
“I took inventory of the junk we had,” said Diane, “Then I tried to figure out a way to open the lock.”
“Did you try to pick it?” asked Tanis.
“Nah,” said Diane, “It was an electric lock. So we couldn’t short it or it would stay locked. There was an
aluminum can which I tore open and tried to wedge between the seal to try to diverge the current or something.”