We’ve finally reached the halfway point of Roomies! Yippee! For the second time since the beginning of the show, both editions are intertwined this week. As usual, please read the girls’ edition before the boys’ edition. I’m also taking next week off to work on my repost of my Pokémon fanfic, “Adventures Series,” as well as adding new chapters to my Digimon fanfic, “Courting Miss Mimi.” “Roomies” will resume July 24th. That’s all for now! If you still want to vote or if you want to change your vote, please reread the rules below. Voting Rules Reminders: 1. You can vote for up to four boys/girls at once. 2. You can vote more than once, but remember that only your most recent vote will count towards the final tally. 3. Please keep votes for each of the two editions separate from each other. 4. All votes must be received by July 25th, 2001. No late votes will be accepted! Disclaimer: Not mine! They’re not mine! How many times do I have to say it? They’re not mine! * * * * * * * * * * Layla: (VO) In our last episode... Mimi: If you really love both Tai and Matt, you’ll tell them the truth. Sora: (slowly) Tell them the truth? Layla: (VO) A surprising revelation about one of the Digidestined girls was revealed... Mimi: If we really are best friends... you’ll do the right thing. Sora: (slowly) But Mimi... Mimi: (shaking Sora) No buts! I want you to promise me that you’ll do that! Sora: Okay Mimi. I promise. Mimi: I don’t believe you. I want you to turn around and say it like you mean it. Sora: (on the verge of crying) I’m sorry Mimi. I can’t. Layla: (VO) After that, the girls played some soccer... Reaching it first, Sasami kicks the ball into the air. It heads downfield and lands right on Chelsea’s head, who was looking the other way and wasn’t expecting it. Chelsea twirls around in confusion before finally fainting on the ground. Madison: Chelsea! Are you okay? Chelsea: Ouch... Sora catches wind of the plan as she makes her way to Misty. She doesn’t get there in time, though, as Misty watches the ball drop in front of her. Misty kicks the ball hard towards the goal. Kari tries to catch it with her hands, but it bounces out of them and into the goal. Misty celebrates by giving her nearest teammate a hug. That happens to be Sasami, who had passed the ball to her. Layla: (VO) And then they temporarily said goodbye to Sasami and Chelsea... Chelsea: Miss McKenzie said we’d be back by Saturday night. Take care until then! Mimi: Wait! Can I go? Meilin: Stop it with the complaining already! We already know we can’t go, so why try to reason with them? Layla: (VO) Causing the others to scramble for someone else to do the cooking... Misty, Giselle, and Meilin all start pushing Mimi towards the front door. Mimi: Hey! Misty, Giselle, and Meilin: (simultaneously) Get going! Mimi: Wait a minute! I’ve never cooked for so many people! Misty, Giselle, and Meilin: (simultaneously) It’s time you learned! As the trio drags Mimi into the mansion, Sakura and Kari are doing their best to stifle their own giggles. Layla: (VO) What could happen next? Stay tuned! Episode 10 starts right now... * * * * * * * * * * Sixteen young girls Four different anime shows Forty-two days living alone in a mansion One lucky soul walks away with up to one million dollars in cash (Begin theme song, showing each of the contestants, two at a time via split screen) Casey, getting on a bike for the first time, with Zachary helping Chelsea, smiling after beating Nikki and Rita at ‘Super Smash Brothers’ Duplica, telling Giselle about the water gun fight Giselle, talking to an out of breath Misty after she had completed the first prize challenge Jun, talking to her parents on the phone Kari, struggling to resolve the conflict between Misty and Sora Madison, giving Yolei the Digiworld costume she recreated Meilin, trying to scare Sakura just before they go for their final dive Mimi, whining that she didn’t get a chance to play the virtual laser tag game at the mall Misty, commenting to herself to make sure she doesn’t have any relatives in Hong Kong Nikki, telling about Madison’s knack for designing clothes for fun Rita, noting how easily she’s gotten alone with her roommate, Sasami Sakura, celebrating after winning the bicycle race prize challenge Sasami, complaining that she’s doing all of the work around the house Sora, comforting Misty after she got yelled at by Misty Yolei, happily hugging her Digimon, Hawkmon Some of these girls will form long lasting friendships Others will develop intense rivalries But only one will walk out with up to a million dollars in cash and prizes These girls are... roomies! (Four group shots, each featuring one of the anime shows being represented, flashes on the screen for about two seconds each) - Tenchi Muyo! - Sasami - Cardcaptors - Madison, Nikki, Sakura, Meilin, Chelsea, Rita - Pokémon: The Johto Journeys - Giselle, Duplica, Casey, Misty - Digimon - Sora, Jun, Mimi, Kari, Yolei (End theme song, with a picture of all sixteen contestants in front of the mansion) * * * * * * * * * * Roomies Story Written by Freedom Fighter * * * * * * * * * * Episode Ten - Iron Chef Day Twenty Duplica walks out of the front gate, closing the gate door behind her. As she does, Misty stands just off to the side. The two of them are going to do a little shopping downtown. Misty: It feels like it’s been so long since we’ve gone shopping. Duplica: At least you were lucky enough to get a chance to go. I mean, when you were still having your little argument with Sora, that is. The duo begins walking down the street. Misty: Yeah. That still seems like it was yesterday. But that’s definitely something I’m glad of getting out of the way. Duplica: Yep. Now, if only Giselle and you can clear things up. Misty: Like she’d do that. You know how she is. Once she gets a first impression of a person, it takes something really big for her to change it. Duplica: True. Misty: I hear that she still has that grudge against Jun that’s she had since the first day. Duplica: Really? Misty: Yep. All that her being Giselle’s servant talk hasn’t changed things between the two. Duplica: How does Jun feel about this? Misty: How should I know? I don’t talk to her much. Duplica: Me neither. You know, maybe that’s our problem. Misty: Huh? Duplica: We don’t interact enough with some of the others. Misty: (nodding her head) I agree. There are some people I’m still trying to get along with. Duplica: Like Mimi? Misty: Mimi? Well... she’s okay. Duplica: (rolling her eyes) Yeah right. Aren’t you the one that complained that she was too much of a ditz? Misty: Hey! I didn’t call her a ditz exactly! Duplica: Maybe you didn’t specifically call her that, but the way you keep describing her makes me believe that you are anyway. Misty: (sighs) If you must know, the reason I really don’t like Mimi is because she’s so similar to my sisters. Duplica: You mean the type of person who always shops, is always complaining about their appearance, and never gets the job done when she needs to? Misty: In a nutshell, yes. Duplica: No offense, but isn’t that just plain stupid? Misty: (getting angry) Are you calling me stupid? Duplica: Of course not! I’m just saying that it’s reminiscent of your quarrel with Sora. You didn’t like her because she was from Digimon. Now you’re saying you don’t like Mimi because of how much she resembles your sisters. If that’s your attitude, I’m afraid that one day you’ll be saying that you don’t like me because I grew up without any parents! Misty: Duplica, don’t say that! I don’t mean it to sound that way. Duplica: If you don’t, then you’ll change your attitude. Agreed? Misty: Okay, I agree. I’m sorry if I seem that way. I guess that’s just the way I’ve lived my life. Duplica: There’s nothing wrong with that. I’m just saying that you should be careful about what comments you make towards others. Misty: I will. The two share a hug. They then hold hands as they continue down the street. Duplica: Now that that’s settled, where do you want to go? Misty: Ooh! There’s this place I’ve heard so much about! You’ve got to see it! Duplica: What is it? Misty: It’s a Pokémon Center, right here in Tokyo! But there’s no Nurse Joy there. They don’t heal Pokémon there either. Duplica: So what purpose does it serve? Misty: It’s more like a shop that sells Pokémon goodies. (winks) Why don’t we drop by and see if anyone will recognize us? Duplica: Good idea! Of course, they’ll all know who you are. I’m just a two-shot character. Misty: Don’t worry. After a little coaxing on my part, I’m sure they’ll remember you too. The two head off towards the Pokémon Center. Meanwhile, back at the mansion, in the living room to be exact, Yolei and Madison are wrapped up in another one of their conversations... Yolei: So, have you finished it yet? Madison: Not exactly. I wasn’t sure what you wanted, so I decided to bring you a sample. Yolei: (blinking her eyes in curiosity) A sample? Madison pulls out the cat costume from the time when Sakura had to capture the Thunder Card. Yolei’s eyes instantly light up in excitement. Yolei: Wow! That is so cute! Madison: (smiling) I’m glad you like it! It’s made out of rubber so that it won’t conduct electricity. Neat, huh? Yolei: I especially love the little bell on the tail. Can I have it? Madison: (hesitating a little bit) I don’t know. Yolei: Come on! It’s not like Sakura’s going to use it again. Madison: Yeah, but... All of a sudden, Sakura walks into the room. She gasps when she spots Yolei reaching for the battle costume that Madison is holding. Sakura: I hope you don’t mind me asking, but what’s going on Madison? Madison: Well, you see, um... Yolei: Madison was about to make me a costume just like this one! It looks so cool! I was about to ask her how she found the time to construct something like this! Sakura: (sweatdrops) Yeah. Sometimes Madison even amazes me. Yolei: Why don’t you put it on Sakura? I’d really like to see what it looks like on an actual person. Madison: I’m not too sure about it... Sakura: Yeah. I’ve probably outgrown it anyway. Madison smiles and holds the dress up to Sakura, causing her to step back. Sakura: Madison, what are you doing? Madison: I’d say you’d still be able to fit into this, no problem! Sakura: (whispering to Madison) But then she might recognize me as a Cardcaptor! Madison: (whispering back) I don’t think too many people know about that. Sakura: (whispering) So how did she find out about the costume then? Madison: (whispering) Well, because I told her about it. Yolei: Excuse me for interrupting, but can you try it on me for me, Sakura? Please? Sakura turns to her best friend angrily and glares at her. Sakura: I can’t believe you’d endanger my career as a Cardcaptor just because you and Yolei are friends. Madison: It’s not like that, believe me! Sakura: (beginning to walk out) It’s me or her, Madison! You either stop this now or I’m walking! Madison: Sakura! You can’t be serious! Sakura: You don’t think I’m serious? Watch me! Sakura stomps out of the room and towards the kitchen. Madison motions to go after her, but she stops herself in half step. Madison: (shedding a tear) Sakura. Why? Yolei: Does this mean that she’s not going to try it on? Night Twenty Sasami and Chelsea are now on the flight back to Reedington. They are talking about their experience over in Pallet Town. Sasami: You mean you actually did that? Chelsea: (smiles) Yep. You should have seen the looks on their faces! Sasami: I can just imagine. Chelsea: Say, how did you do with Izzy? Any luck? Sasami: No. He wasn’t the right guy for me. He’s too much of a geek for me. Nice, but just not my type. Chelsea: I just hope my parents don’t freak out themselves. Sasami: I’m sure they’ll understand. It was just a joke. Chelsea: So, what do you think about this next challenge? Sasami: It’s going to be great! Chelsea: You’re so lucky. You’re such a better cook than I am. Sasami: I’m sure your team will have enough to make it a challenge! Besides, you never know unless you try. Chelsea: Let’s promise that this will be a great challenge. Sasami: To us. The two of them each hold up a can of soda. They tap their cans together before they gulp its contents down. * * * * * * * * * * Day Twenty-One It’s early in the morning. Sora is currently the only one awake in the house. She is in the kitchen preparing omelets for breakfast. All of a sudden, she hears the front door open. Sora: (yelling) Who’s there? No response. She hears something being dropped onto the floor. She then hears the front door close. She decides to call out again. Sora: (yelling) Hello! Is anybody out there? Once again, there’s no response. This begins to freak Sora out a little bit. She reluctantly steps away from the stove. Finding a pot in the sink, she grabs it by the handle and takes it in hand. She slowly creeps towards the doorway that leads out of the kitchen and into the dining room. Sora: (CC) At that point, I was frightened for my very life. I had no idea that the front door was unlocked and now someone has snuck into the mansion. What am I to do if he overpowers me? What if there’s more than one of them? As Sora made her way closer to the doorway, she heard footsteps approaching. Stopping her tracks, she raised the pot above her head and prepared to bop whatever came through that door. Chelsea: We’re back! At that moment, Chelsea walks right through the door and right in front of Sora. If not for Sora’s quick reflexes, she would have knocked Chelsea out on the spot. She manages to stop herself halfway, just as Chelsea tries to duck out of the way. Chelsea: Sora! Sora: Chelsea? Oh my god... Chelsea: If you didn’t want me around, you could’ve said so. Sora releases her grip on the pot, causing it to drop right to the floor with a loud bang. Sora: I’m sorry. I thought you were an intruder. Chelsea: That’s what you guys get for leaving the door unlocked last night. Sora: It wasn’t my fault! I wasn’t the last one to go to sleep. Chelsea: I’m not blaming you. I’m just saying all of this could have been avoided. Sasami runs into the room, wondering what all the noise is about. Sasami: What’s going on? Chelsea: Let’s just say I’ve been bashed well enough for one weekend. Sasami: (sniffing the air) Are you cooking breakfast already? Sora: Yep. Omelets. Sasami: Mind if I help? Sora: (smiles) Sure. Everyone should be getting up soon, so I need some help to finish in time. Chelsea: I’ll help too... as long as you don’t try to whack me with another pot. Sora: (chuckles) Don’t worry. I won’t. The three go to work to finish cooking breakfast. Sasami and Chelsea tell Sora their tales of adventure while they were in Pallet Town. Later that day, around noon, Chelsea goes out to the mailbox. She pulls out a silver envelope from it. Looking at it curiously, she runs inside to tell the others. She had a hunch what it was, though. About half an hour later, the girls are piling into two different vans. Sasami’s team piles into the first one, while Chelsea’s gets into the second. The two vans then drive off towards a nearby community center. Sasami: (CC) I’m so excited about the next challenge! [The team assignments (picked in random order): Green - Sasami, Sakura, Mimi, Yolei, Sora, Jun, Giselle, and Misty Brown - Chelsea, Rita, Meilin, Nikki, Duplica, Madison, Kari, and Casey] Chelsea: I really think we have our work cut out for us. Meilin: This is so cool! I love a challenge! Nikki: Personally, I don’t think we stand a chance with Sasami, Sakura, Mimi, and Sora all on the other team. Chelsea: Come on! We can’t just give up before the challenge has even started. We’ve got to try! Kari: Who knows? Maybe we’ll come out on top in the end. We’ve just got to believe in ourselves. Madison: I’m with Kari. We can’t beat them if we beat ourselves. We’ve got to go for it. Casey: Let’s do it then! I’m ready! Duplica: Me too! Meilin: Me three! Ha! Chelsea: It’s settled then. We’re in this to the very end. As the vans arrive at the community center, Sasami and Chelsea quickly go over the rules of the challenge for the readers out there. Sasami: (CC) This challenge is called the Iron Chef, after the famous cooking show competition, of course. Chelsea: (CC) Each team today will be responsible for preparing a four-course dinner. Sasami: (CC) That includes appetizers, a salad, the main course, and deserts. Chelsea: (CC) We’ll have exactly four hours to prepare our meals. Sasami: (CC) A panel of judges will then come in to judge our work. Chelsea: (CC) And the team that cooks the best tasting food wins the challenge! The two teams head in, where they find Miss McKenzie waiting for them right out front. She leads them downstairs and into a large room. Layla: This is where you’ll be serving the meal today. There will be some men in here later to set up the tables and chairs, so you don’t have to worry about that. The only thing you’ll have to worry about in here is setting the food out when you’re done cooking. Now, let me show you the two kitchens. She leads the girls to the other end of the room, where there are two doors on either side of her. Layla: Here are the kitchens. All of the materials to cook your meals should already be inside. The two captains decided yesterday what their teams would be cooking for the challenge today. That should be everything. Let me just remind you that you must be finished by five o’clock. That should be plenty of time. Good luck. The two teams split up and head off into their respective kitchens. The challenge begins officially at one o’clock, giving the competitors four hours to do their cooking. Let’s look in on the green team first... Sasami: Okay, Sora and Misty, you two prepare the appetizers. Sora: What are we cooking? Sasami: Potato skins and fired calamari. Misty: What? Mimi: Eeeeewwww! Sasami: Mimi, you and Jun are in charge of preparing the chef salad. Jun: This should be easy. Mimi: As long as I don’t have to be touching the fried squid, I’m fine. Misty pulls an uncooked squid leg from a plastic bag and hangs it in front of Mimi’s face. Misty: Oh Mimi... Mimi: (screams) Aaaaaahhhhhh! Get that thing out of my face! She whacks Misty’s hand, causing the piece to go flying to the floor. Sasami: This is serious you two! Stop playing around! Anyway, Giselle and Yolei will help me prepare the main course: steak sandwiches and chicken noodle soup. Sakura: That only leaves me. What am I doing? Sasami: You’re cooking desert. Here’s the recipe card. Sakura: A gelatin cake? Sasami: Yep. Sakura: Why couldn’t we just have gotten one made by the grocery store? Sasami: It’s not allowed by the rules. Besides, it shouldn’t take you long. (to everyone else) Now, let’s get started! Now, let’s go over to the brown team... Chelsea: Duplica and Casey, you get to work on preparing the New England Clam Chowder soup. Nikki and Meilin, you two prepare the Caesar salad. Madison, you’re helping me cook the roast beef. Kari and Rita, you two prepare the apple and cherry turnovers. Remember that we’ve only got four hours, so everyone’s got to pitch in if we’re going to finish in time. Okay? Madison: Let’s do it! Casey: I’m ready! Meilin: Let’s beat the other team into the ground! Kari: Yeah! Casey: What’s New England Clam Chowder? Duplica: Beats me, but I heard it tastes good. Some time passes. Both teams continue to work as a small group comes in. Miss McKenzie goes up to greet them. Layla: You’re a little early... we’re not serving dinner until five. In the kitchen, Sakura is looking out the small window into the main room. Sakura: Sasami! Isn’t that your older sister out there? Sasami turns away from her task at hand and looks out the window. Indeed, Ayeka is out there, along with Ryoko, Washu, Mihoshi, and Kiyone. She runs out of the kitchen excitedly to say hello to them. Sasami: You guys came just to watch me, didn’t you? Ayeka: Sasami! The two sisters run towards each other. They share a big hug as the others look on. Mihoshi: Isn’t that sweet? Kiyone: So, how have you been holding up Sasami? Sasami: (releasing her grip from her sister) Oh, it’s been great. I’ve been having a wonderful time. Ryoko: I can’t wait to see what you have cooked. (crying) It’s been so long since I’ve had a good meal. (glancing at Ayeka) You won’t believe how many times Ayeka nearly poisoned me with her cooking. Ayeka: What did you say? My food is not poisonous! Ryoko: Says you. I could cook better than any of the slop you prepared for us. Ayeka: Slop? How dare you insult my cooking? Ryoko: Well, I just did. What are you going to do about it? Ayeka: (begin to charge up her powers) I’ll show you... Sasami: Ayeka! Please! Layla: This is a public facility, for crying out loud! Ryoko: Tenchi! Ayeka: Tenchi? Where? Mihoshi: Where’s Tenchi? I thought he wasn’t due for a few hours. Washu: He wasn’t. But thanks for ruining the surprise! Mihoshi: Oops. Sorry. Kiyone: Can’t you do anything right? Layla: Obviously not. Mihoshi: Hey! That’s mean, you know. Sasami: (sighs) It feels just like I’m home again. * * * * * * * * * * With less than an hour to go, the two teams continue to prepare their meals. Both teams seem to be running ahead of schedule. Let’s see how Sasami’s team is doing first... Misty goes over to the fryer to check on the fried calamari. She takes the lid off as a cloud of smoke begins to billow from it. She waves the smoke away from her face as she looks in. Misty: I don’t think it’s ready yet. Sora: (looking over Misty’s shoulder) Looks like it needs a little more time. Misty: How are the potato skins? Sora: They’re already in the toaster. They’ll be done in half an hour. Sasami is cooking some steak strips over the stove. Giselle is next to her, finishing a pot of chicken soup. Sasami: Where are Mimi, Jun, and Yolei? Misty: Oh, they finished preparing the salad about an hour ago. Sora: I think they’re sitting out in the room with your family. Giselle: Slackers. There are still other things to do. Sora: Let ‘em be. Besides, we can finish all of this with time to spare. Sasami: Actually, you’d better go get them. They can cut up some lettuce and tomatoes for the sandwiches. Over in the other kitchen with Chelsea’s team... Kari: (wiping some sweat off of her forehead) Whew! Finally! Rita: All that’s left is to toast them. I’ll go preheat the toaster. Kari: Thanks. I’ll go find a tray to put these turnovers on. Duplica: Soup’s done! Casey: We think... Chelsea: Let me see. Chelsea works her way over to the soup pot. She takes a wooden spoon and dips it into the pot, getting a spoonful of the concoction. She sticks the spoon in the mouth in order to taste the soup. After gulping it down, she begins to fan her mouth as a tear escapes from her left eye. Duplica: Is something wrong? Chelsea: (weakly) No. Just a little hot. Casey: (smiles) So we’re done? Chelsea: (still fanning her mouth) Yeah. Just keep that warm until it’s time to serve it. Madison hands Chelsea a glass of water, which she promptly gulps down. Chelsea: (wiping the excess off her mouth) Thanks Madison. I needed that. Madison: No problem. Chelsea: How are we doing on the roast beef? Madison: I don’t think it’s done yet. Chelsea: It better be done soon. We’re running out of time. Outside, Mimi, Yolei, Jun, Nikki, and Meilin are in the midst of a conversation. Meilin: So what do you girls think? We’re at the halfway point. Who do you think’s doing well? Yolei: Don’t tell her I said so, but I think Madison’s doing well. Nikki: I don’t mean to burst your bubble Yolei, but I’ve known Madison much longer than you have. She’s done the same amount of work as I have... very little. I don’t think anyone’s going to be considering her. Mimi: Kari’s got it all the way. If anyone’s shown some leadership, it’s her. Yolei: No kidding. I have to agree with you. Meilin: What about you, Jun? Jun: Me? I’m not sure. Mimi: Come on! There’s gotta be someone you’re favoring to win. Nikki: Of course, if you’re trying to keep it a secret, then it’s understandable. Jun: Yeah, that’s it. I don’t want anyone to know whom I like. That way, no one knows who to persuade me towards or away from. Sora: (coming out of the kitchen) Mimi! Yolei! Jun! We need you back here! Mimi: (getting out of her seat) Coming Sora! Yolei and Jun get up to follow Mimi back into the kitchen when they are interrupted by the entrance of another group... this one larger than the first one. Jun: What are they doing here? The sixteen boys from the Pallet Town mansion enter the room, led by Professor Oak and Tracey. Meilin: Li! Yolei: Ken! Jun: Matt! Nikki: (rolling her eyes) Oh brother... The three girls run over to their respective guys. They all react accordingly... Meilin: (hugging Li) Oh Li, I’m so glad to see you again! Li: (his face beginning to turn blue) Meilin, let go! You’re choking me... Yolei: (running up to Ken) It’s been awhile, hasn’t it Ken? Ken: I guess that answers my question. Yolei: What question? Ken: (putting his arm around Yolei’s shoulder) I’ll tell you later. Jun: (running towards Matt) Hi! Matt: (running back down the hall) Get away from me! Jun: (following him) I’ll show you what happens when you dump me for another girl! Everyone in the room sweatdrops as the two disappear deep into the building. Finally, the time limit for the challenge has expired. The two teams begin to bring out their dishes for display. Of course, as the girls come out, they recognize that their friends are here. After spending a few minutes for a short reunion, all of the food is out. Chelsea and Madison are the last two to come out. They are bringing out a pan filled with a big chunk of roast beef. A small portion of it is already pre-sliced. Casey and Nikki quickly notice something else, though. Casey: Now that’s what I called a burnt piece of roast beef! Nikki: Is that what it’s supposed to look like? Madison: (sweatdrops) I think we left it in a bit too long. Chelsea: (laughs) As long as it tastes good, I don’t think they’ll mind too much about it being burnt. Sasami: Tenchi! Tenchi: (going up to Sasami) Hi Sasami! Did you prepare all of this? Sasami: My team and I whipped it up for this contest. Tenchi: It smells good. Sasami: (smiles) Thanks! Hey, where’s my sister and the others? Tenchi: (gulps) You mean they’re here? Sasami: Well, they were earlier. Where did they go? At that very moment, Ryoko, Ayeka, Washu, Mihoshi, and Kiyone all enter the room. Ryoko and Ayeka’s eyes instantly light up when they spot Tenchi. Ryoko: Tenchi! Ayeka: Lord Tenchi! The two run over to him. They each take him by the arm and tug him towards a table, where the others are gathering. Mihoshi: Wow! Tenchi’s finally here! Washu: About time. Kiyone: We worried that you weren’t going to show up. Tenchi: I think it’s more of a surprise that you guys are here. Ayeka: Well, Miss McKenzie asked us to come and help in judging this little cooking contest. I have to admit, this is right up Sasami’s alley. Her team should win without any trouble at all. Ryoko: It’ll be good to finally getting something solid in my body! Tenchi: You mean you guys haven’t eaten yet today? Kiyone: No. It’s just that no one cooks as good as Sasami does. As the group gets comfortable, Miss McKenzie goes up to a podium that’s set up in the room. She begins to speak into the microphone as everyone quiets down. Layla: Good afternoon! I’m glad that all of you could join us today in this very special challenge. These young girls have spent the past four hours preparing a fabulous feast for you. We invite you to try and each every dish, because you will be judging the meal and deciding which team will win the challenge. I hope you all enjoy the meal. Let’s eat. Everyone gets up to form one of two lines on either side of the room, with each line leading to one team’s dishes. Meanwhile, just as Miss McKenzie is about to walk away from the podium, Professor Oak comes up to her and whispers something in her ear. She nods and goes back to the microphone. Layla: Oh, I almost forgot. Would Mimi, Sora, Giselle, and Sakura join me in the back with Professor Oak? Thank you. The four girls get up out of their seats and follow the two adults out into the hall. Sakura: What’s up Miss McKenzie? Layla: I’d like to introduce Professor Oak. He’s the host of the mansion in Pallet Town where the boys are staying. Professor Oak shakes hands with each of the girls. He then begins to talk to them. Oak: Ladies, tonight the boys will be competing in their fourth physical challenge. In it, they are split into teams of four. Each group will take a girl out on a blind date. They selected you four as their dates for tonight. Sora: Us? Sakura: A blind date? You’ve got to be kidding me! Giselle: (in disbelief) I don’t believe you! Mimi: But why? Oak: This is a unique challenge. In addition to treating you girls out tonight, they will have to complete three minor tasks. They have no idea what those tasks are, but you do. The professor pulls out four small envelopes, each stuffed with several pieces of paper. Oak: Now note, although each of the tasks are similar, none of you have the exact same ones. So to distribute them fairly, I’ll let you girls just pick them at random. Giselle instantly reaches for one. Mimi and Sora quickly follow, leaving a reluctant Sakura to take the last one. Layla: There’s also further instructions for the challenge in that envelope. Oak: We ask that you don’t open them here, as not to alert anyone else as to what is happening tonight. Sora: But which boys are taking out whom? Giselle: I better not get any dorks. Oak: (laughs) Well, it wouldn’t be a blind date if we told you now, would it? You’ll find out tonight. Layla: In the meantime, enjoy your dinner. Professor Oak and Miss McKenzie walk back into the room, leaving the four girls to discuss things amongst themselves. Mimi: It’s just like being back home... every single guy in the room wants to ask me out on a date. Giselle: I hear you. It’s the same way with me. Sakura: Miss McKenzie always seems to amaze me with these challenges. Sora: I guess we have to go along with this. Giselle: Yep. Not willingly, though. Sakura: Who knows? This might be fun! Mimi: Yeah! As long as they don’t start getting intimate. Sora: Some of them look really old. I’m really afraid of that happening. Giselle: (clenching her fist) If any one of them even looks at me the wrong way, I’ll knock their teeth out! The four girls head back inside to enjoy their meal. An hour and a half later, everyone has finished their meals. They’ve all voted for which team’s meal they liked more and now Miss McKenzie is about to announce the results. Layla: I’ve tabulated all of the votes. We had twenty-three different voters, with Professor Oak and myself included. But it’s no doubt as to who won this challenge. By a margin of thirteen to eight, with two undecided votes, the winning team is the green team. Sasami’s team applauds the result. Chelsea’s team does the same, knowing that they gave it their all. Chelsea: (CC) If the burnt roast beef was the deciding factor, then Madison and I take full responsibility for losing the challenge. Madison: (CC) We gave it our all, but the other team was just better than we were. Oak: (moving Miss McKenzie out of the way) There’s enough left for seconds, if anyone’s still hungry. A couple of people go up for seconds as the rest of the room is filled with more conversation. They continue that way for another half-hour before they start moving out for the cleaning crews to fix the room up. Night Twenty-One It’s about eight thirty, as Sora, Mimi, Sakura, and Giselle are all preparing for their blind dates. They’ve all decided, with the exception of Mimi, that since they didn’t bring any clothes for going to parties, that they’d wear their regular clothes. Mimi herself is wearing a low cut pink dress with a skirt that only goes down a few inches below her thighs. She also has on matching colored high heels and lipstick. The other girls look on in awe. Sora: Isn’t that a little excessive Mimi? Sakura: Yeah. It’s a blind date, for crying out loud! Mimi: Oh, I’ll be fine. This is how I dress every time I go out. Giselle: And that’s the type of clothing that’s just asking for trouble. It just screams ‘Hey, I’m easy!’ Mimi: It does not! Sora: (sighs) Let’s just get this over with. Sakura: I wonder when they’ll be here. All of a sudden, the doorbell rings. As the four girls make their way downstairs, they see Chelsea at the door, showing Richie in. Chelsea: It seems like only yesterday that we were last talking to each other. Richie: It was yesterday. Anyway, me and my team are here to pick up our date. Chelsea: And who would that be? The two turn towards the quartet that is coming down the stairs. The girls seem to be nervous as Richie motions to point at one of them. Giselle: (CC) It better not be me. He doesn’t look good enough. Sakura: (CC) Is it me? He’s looking right at me. Mimi: (CC) Here we go. Let’s hope that whomever else he’s with is a hottie. Sora: (CC) Please don’t let Tai or Matt be behind that door. I don’t think I could take it if one of them is there. Chelsea: So, who’s it going to be? Chelsea watches as Richie points to... End Episode Ten Layla: (VO) On the next episode of Roomies, the girls’ edition... Giselle: (CC) He’s so arrogant that he makes me sick! Tori: I’ll be watching you! Ash: We’ll bring your sister back in one piece. Don’t worry about it! Layla: (VO) Sakura, Sora, Giselle, and Mimi have a date with destiny... Tai: This is kind of a relief. Now if only Mimi would just shut up. Sora: (CC) Personally, Brock scares me. I have no idea why he’s trying so hard to impress me, because it’s not working. Layla: (VO) In fact, the dates bring in a new angle to the bubbling relationship pot... Mimi: I’m disappointed in you Sora! Sora: I just couldn’t do it! Giselle: If you don’t want Ash, can I have him? Misty: Like he’d love a snake like you! Rita: Do you really love him? Chelsea: (sniffles) Yes, I do. Layla: (VO) But that brings about the most startling revelation of all... Madison: Sakura. There’s something I’ve got to tell you. Sakura: (yelling) When were you going to tell me this? Yolei: I didn’t think it was like that! Layla: (VO) All I can say is don’t dare miss our next episode... Copyright Date: 7/14/01