“Roomies 2: Country Living” Fanfic Written by Freedom Fighter Well, another week, another episode. What's in store for the group this time? Read on and find out! Episode Rating: PG Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me. Although sometimes I wish they did. ***** Tenchi: (VO) On the last episode of Roomies... Rika: Nobody makes fun of the Digimon Queen and bests me in a battle! Tenchi: (VO) It was time to duel. Card game style... Jeri: Staryu, slap! Staryu jumps over and slaps Doduo across the face. Kiyone: Ponyta! Smash Kick! Ponyta kicks Cubone right against the skull, but the attack does no damage at all. Joe: (calmly) Bulbasaur, leech seed! Roger: Play that one! (points to a card) That one! Keitaro: Okay already! (puts the card down) Spike Seadra, in attack mode! Tenchi: (VO) With one surprising result... Duo: Isn't that the same card Melfina beat with a Floramon earlier? Melfina: I'll play the Yellow Offensive Force FX card now, which changes Skullmeramon's color type to yellow. Rika: (excitedly) I can't believe it! You could've ended the match right there, but now you've given me the win! Mammothmon then begins to glow again. But this time, the light signifies de-digivolution, as Mammothmon returns to his champion form, Garurumon. Melfina: Power Freeze. It... Rika: (slowly, in a trance like state) Automatically causes the opponent's Digimon to revert to his previous level if he had Digivolved during this duel. Tenchi: (VO) But even after that game, another one resumed... Faye: Can you believe he, of all people, asked me to help him? Jessie: Who? Roger? Faye: Of course him! He thinks that I can be swayed easily by money. Jessie: So that's why you want Roger out? Faye: What about Chi-Chi? Jessie: We just need her long enough to send Roger reeling. And then we'll focus on eliminating Chi-Chi. Tenchi: (VO) Of course, I step in and throw them another big surprise... Duo: Feeling insignificant? The person you least expect... to be the best... is the one that... always saves your behind. Things are not... always what they seem... especially in the storied hometown... of the world's greatest superhero. Keitaro: (gasps) We're going to Superman's hometown? No way! Joey: (shouts) I knew it! Kiyone: I've always wanted to go to Smallville! To meet a real superhero for once! Joey: And being away from home means one thing... Duo, Bit, Joey, and Keitaro: (simultaneously shouting) Road trip! Tenchi: (VO) So, who will take care of them in Smallville? It can't be me. Meet her tonight on Roomies! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mimi: (VO) 12 anime characters, from different genres, places, and time periods, have been gathered to live together for 42 days in a mansion. But only one will win the grand prize... (Begin theme song, showing each of the contestants one at a time) - Bit, races on jetskis against fellow Zoid pilot Leena - Chi-Chi, preparing dinner for her two sons Gohan and Goten - Duo, piloting the Gundam Deathscythe into battle - Faye, dealing cards to Spike at a casino - Jeri, chasing Leomon all over Shinjuku park - Jessie, reciting the motto with James and Meowth - Joey, beating Mai for his first ever victory - Keitaro, making a sketch of a very sad Shinobu - Kiyone, shopping for groceries with her partner Mihoshi - Melfina, asking Gilliam some questions - Mondo, jumping into the chute leading to the hangar - Roger, getting a rude awakening from Dorothy (Show scenes of Melfina moving her things to a new room; Jessie talks to James and Meowth; Keitaro being chased around the mansion by someone; and Mondo looking out the window at the airport terminal) Mimi: (VO) Some of them will become the best of friends. Others will develop grudges against those they hate. But only one will walk out with a million dollars or more in cash and prizes. (The mansion appears in the foreground, with the Masaki shrine barely visible in the background.) Mimi: (VO) These men and women are... roomies! (End theme song, with a picture of all 12 contestants standing in front of the mansion.) ********** Roomies 2: Country Living Story Written by Freedom Fighter ********** Episode 7 - Behind the Times Day Twelve [Travel Trax: Okayama to Osaka to Los Angeles to Kansas City to Smallville] On the highways of Japan, two minivans are making their way to Osaka, in order to catch a plane to Smallville. Most of the residents are glad to be getting out of Okayama and to somewhere new for a change. Most of the excitement happened to be in the red minivan, where Kiyone, Keitaro, and Mondo were talking up a storm. Keitaro: Faster than a speeding bullet! Whoosh! Kiyone: More powerful than a locomotive! Chuga chuga, chuga chuga! Mondo: Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! Um... boing boing? Keitaro and Kiyone look at each other in confusion, then shrug their shoulders in a 'whatever works' motion. Jeri tries to stifle a small giggle, but is unsuccessful. Keitaro, Kiyone, and Mondo: He is the one and only... Superman! Roger: Enough already! You super fanatics have been reciting those lines since we left the mansion! Faye: Just let them. I'd be excited too if I were meeting a famous person like him. Roger: Then why aren't you? Faye: Because this Superman guy doesn't sound real. He's like some merchandising ploy that some company thought of to make money off of. Faye then pulls a cigarette and a lighter out of her pocket. But as she puts the cigarette in her mouth and gets ready to light it, Kiyone sees it and snatches it away. Faye: Hey! Kiyone: This isn't your minivan, you know. Faye: But it's not yours either! Kiyone: (points to Mondo and Jeri) What about them? Faye: (crosses her arms and legs, then groans) Fine. I'll smoke later. Kiyone: (sticks her hand out) No, you won't. Give me the box. Faye: Why? They're my cigarettes! Kiyone: But I don't want you lighting them up when you're not supposed to! Faye: What? You don't trust me? Kiyone: I'll give them back to you later! Besides, it's not like I'm going take one for myself. Roger: Liar. Kiyone: (to Roger) What? Roger: I bet you've been watching Faye long enough that you want to take up smoking yourself. Kiyone: That's preposterous! Roger: (raising an eyebrow) Is it? Keitaro: Roger does have a point. Kiyone: Like you'd know. I bet you've never drunk alcohol before! Keitaro: For your information, I'm twenty, and I've had a few drinks, thank you very much. Roger: See? There's still plenty of things that we don't know about each other. So how we would know that you haven't gotten a craving for cigarettes? Kiyone: Because I haven't! And shouldn't you be watching the road? Roger: I can drive and participate in a conversation at the same time. Faye: (raises her right hand) Kiyone, I swear! I won't smoke again for the rest of the day. Okay? Kiyone: (sighs) Okay. (points at Faye) But you'd better uphold that promise! Faye: I will! Trust me! Roger: (snickers) That'll be hard to do. Faye: What was that? Roger: Nothing. *** Over in the gray minivan, things weren't as lively. Chi-Chi was driving, while Duo was looking out the window, enjoying the scenery. Melfina was taking a nap, resting her head against Duo's right shoulder. In the back seat, Bit and Joey are discussing a few things. And in the front passenger's seat, Jessie was twirling a loose strand of her hair around one of her fingers. *** After just over an hour of traveling, the two minivans arrive at Osaka Kansai Airport. They find parking spaces in the long-term parking area before getting their bags and heading for the terminal. Inside the terminal, the group waits to side as Kiyone and Keitaro go up to the ticket desk to get all of their plane tickets. Jeri: I've never been out of Japan before. This should be exciting! Mondo: I know! I can't wait to get to Smallville and meet Superman! Joey: Tell me about it! We're about to have the best vacation of our lives! Duo: Don't forget that we're still playing the game here! We'll probably still have a challenge or two. Joey: (groans in despair) Don't remind me. *** A couple minutes later, Kiyone and Keitaro return with the tickets. They pass them out to the gang. Kiyone: The tickets match where the paper said we were going. Keitaro: Right. We leave here at 5:30 p.m. We make a stop in Los Angeles at 10:30 a.m., then switch planes for a flight that leaves two hours later, which takes us to Kansas City. Kiyone: We'll be there by 6 p.m., where we meet our hostess. We'll stay in Kansas City for the night, then drive to Smallville in the morning. Keitaro: Sounds simple enough. Smallville, here we come! *** An hour later, the twelve of them join the crowd as they check their bags and board the plane. Soon enough, the plane taxis down the runway and takes off, heading for its destination. [Japan Airlines 60 - departs Osaka for Los Angeles, 5:30 p.m. local time] On board the plane, Jessie eyes Jeri, trying to figure out what to do with her when they get to Smallville. Jessie: (CC) That little brat was spying on me last night! There's something about that innocent look of hers that I'm not buying! I bet that she's playing this game as much as I am! As Jessie looks on, she doesn't notice that someone else, namely Roger, is watching her. Roger: (CC) Jessie's acting very suspicious. She seems to be keeping an eye on Mondo and Jeri for some reason, though I don't know why. It may be Mondo, though. He is very athletic for his age. Maybe I should be watching him more closely as well. [Travel Trax: Osaka to Los Angeles to Kansas City to Smallville] *** Day Thirteen (Twelve) [Japan Airlines 60 - lands in Los Angeles, 10:25 a.m. local time] The group gets off their plane in Los Angeles. Most of the gang seems a bit sleepy as they waddle through the terminal. Kiyone and Keitaro get the tickets for their transfer flight while everyone else sits down. Chi-Chi: (yawns) I'm so sleepy. Bit: Why are we? It's daytime, isn't it? Kiyone and Keitaro return with the tickets in hand. Kiyone decides to answer Bit's question. Kiyone: The ticket lady said that Los Angeles is 17 hours behind Japan. Keitaro: (yawns) So, we're basically living yesterday today, only halfway across the world. Jessie: But we didn't do anything yesterday. Roger: We're not doing anything today other than travel, so we practically are living yesterday. Mondo is over at the window, looking out at part of Los Angeles. Mondo: Los Angeles! I've heard a lot about this place! This is where stars are made! Joey: (yawns as he joins Mondo) The only stars I want to see are the ones in my sleep. *** [Economy Vanguard Airlines 412 - departs Los Angeles for Kansas City, 12:40 p.m. local time] [Travel Trax: Los Angeles to Kansas City to Smallville] *** Night Thirteen (Twelve) [Economy Vanguard Airlines 412 - lands in Kansas City, 6 p.m. local time] Getting off of the plane, the twelve of them find their way to the center of the airport, where they wait for their hostess to meet them. By this time, the group had managed to get enough sleep so that it felt like morning, as if they were still in Japan. Unfortunately, they were met by the clear blue sky as the sun was already setting and the moon was beginning to appear. Joey: We're going to be here for a week? I'll never get used to waking up and seeing the sunset. Chi-Chi: We're all going to have to adjust. There's no getting around it. Looking out a nearby window, Jeri and Melfina notice that there's some freshly fallen snow piled up close to the loading docks. Melfina: It must have snowed here recently. Jeri: It looks like it. I just wish we were out there so that we could make a snowman or something. It would pass the time. Melfina: (CC) It's nice to have someone like Jeri in the group. After all, she's so carefree. She's just like any other child her age. She wants to go out and play in the snow. Roger, Duo, Chi-Chi, and Kiyone decide to go buy breakfast for everyone while the rest of the group stays put. *** An hour and a half later, the entire group has finished eating, but their hostess had yet to show up. Jessie: So where's this girl that we're supposed to meet here? Bit: (snickers) Maybe he heard that Keitaro was coming. Keitaro: Hey! Roger: I thought these reality show hosts were supposed to be prompt and there for us. Faye: So much for that assumption. All of a sudden, Mondo spots someone familiar walking towards them. It happens to be Freedom Fighter himself, the producer and series writer. He signals for Roger and Chi-Chi to come with him. Mondo: What's going on? Why is he here? Chi-Chi: Sounds important. I guess we'd better see what's up. Roger: Anything to keep from standing here and doing nothing. Faye: (smirks) But I thought you liked doing nothing. Roger ignores Faye's comment as he walks with Chi-Chi over to Freedom Fighter. Upon reaching him, the producer starts talking to them. The others can only watch and wonder what's being said. Chi-Chi: (CC) We've got quite a dilemma. The hostess, who lives in New York, is stuck there because the snowstorm that dumped a few inches here in Kansas City yesterday has moved there. It's basically keeping her from getting here. Roger: (CC) The girl that's meeting us here is stranded and won't get here 'til morning. So what... we have to sleep here in the airport and wait for her? Fortunately, Chi-Chi and Roger get good news, as they return to the others and pass the message on to them. Bit: So she won't be here until morning? Chi-Chi: Yes. Apparently, it's snowing there and it's keeping her flight from taking off. Mondo: For once it's snowing and I don't want it to! I want her to get here so we can get to Smallville! Kiyone: She'll get here and we'll get to Smallville. Stop worrying, Mondo! Chi-Chi: We were going to spend the night here in Kansas City regardless, so Freedom Fighter's leading us to the hotel. *** The hotel is only minutes away, so the group gets there very quickly. They wait in the lobby while Freedom Fighter fetches their room keys. Joey: We're spending the night here while we wait for our hostess to get a flight here. Bit: It doesn't sound so bad. Joey: We have to spend the night... in the so-called 'Tornado Capital of America.' Bit: (frowns) That's bad. Jeri: Luckily, it's winter and it snowed yesterday. Mondo: Thank God it's snowing for once! Joey: (sweatdrops) Mondo, you're taking the whole snow thing a bit too seriously, man. As the group finally gets their room keys, they all carry their bags upstairs and pretty much lock themselves in for the night. *** Day Fourteen (Thirteen) Keitaro is sound asleep in his bed when he is suddenly hit in the face with a pillow. He wakes up, rubbing his nose in pain as he reaches for the nightstand to put on his glasses. Sliding them on, he then sees who hit him. His roommate, Roger, dressed in his black robe and already enjoying a cup of coffee. Roger: About time you woke up. Keitaro: A simple wake up shake would have sufficed. (sighs) I can't believe I slept another six hours after the four I got on the plane from Los Angeles just before that. Roger: You should've gone out, like Faye, Kiyone, and I did. Keitaro: That's right, you did go out last night. When did you get back? Roger: About two hours ago. Oh, and by the way, she's in. Keitaro: What? Who's in? Roger: (smiles) Faye. *** In another room, Faye is seen under the covers of her bed, with a pillow on top of her face as she tries to block out the morning sun. Finally giving up, she lifts the pillow off of her face and tosses it aside. As she glances around the room, she hears Kiyone in the shower. Faye is not feeling all that well after being out all night drinking with Roger and Kiyone. Faye: How did I get back in my room? (yawns) For some reason, I remember making a deal of some sorts, but I don't know what. Faye gets out of bed and stretches. While this is happening, a split screen appears, showing Roger smiling happily. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * As the six rooms containing the residents become alive with sound, one of them is a bit disgruntled over what happened last night. Chi-Chi: (CC) Roger, Kiyone, and Faye decided to go out and party last night. Just what kind of morals are they setting for Joey, Melfina, and the others? Especially Roger! He knows he has to drive today! Jessie is sitting down, staring out the window, as Chi-Chi storms out to give Roger and the others a piece of her mind. Jessie: There she goes. There she goes again. Racing through my brain? Only because I need to find some way to get rid of her. Roger as well. I've got to take him out of the running too. (growls) And then there's the matter of the little twerpette. *** We don't get to hear the end of Jessie's rant, because Chi-Chi is at Roger's door, and they are already yelling at each other. Chi-Chi: I can't believe you went out drinking last night! Roger: What was I supposed to do, lay on my bed? I had already gotten more than enough sleep on the plane! Chi-Chi: You're setting a bad example for the kids! Roger: What kids? Chi-Chi: Bit, Joey, Jeri, Melfina, you know all of their names! Roger: They know how to differentiate between right and wrong! Chi-Chi: You should be ashamed of yourself! Kiyone and Faye as well! I know they went with you! Roger: You're treating me as if I'm the father of this group! Chi-Chi: You practically are! You're the oldest guy here! Roger: And you're almost twice my age! You're not the boss of me! Chi-Chi: Oh yeah? We'll see about that! Chi-Chi stomps back to her room as Roger slams his door closed. Kiyone: (CC) Chi-Chi's not happy about us going out last night. (snaps her fingers) I knew she was going to react that way. *** Forty minutes later, all of the residents are heading out of the hotel. As they exit, they see a yellow school bus waiting for them. The back door is already open, as all of their bags will be piled in the back. Joey: It looks like we're going to Smallville by bus. Keitaro: Never would have thought of that. Mondo: Who cares? We're going to Smallville, and that's all that matters! Melfina: Except... why isn't our hostess here yet? Duo: (scratching his head) Good question. *** After piling all of their luggage onto the bus, the twelve residents climb aboard. The driver then pulls away from the hotel and towards the highway, heading for the state line. On the bus, Roger, Kiyone, and Faye are having a discussion. Faye: Chi-Chi's overreacting. Roger: We didn't even drink that much. Kiyone: Speak for yourself! I had to literally drag the both of you back to your rooms! Faye: That reminds me. I remember making a deal of some sort last night. Which one of you made it with me? Kiyone: It wasn't me. I was dancing the whole night. Faye: Then it must have been you, Roger. Just what did we agree to? Roger: Oh, it's easy to figure out, if you think about it. Faye thinks for a second before a horrible thought comes to mind. She couldn't believe it, but she had to make sure. Faye: You asked me to join your alliance last night, didn't you? Kiyone: What? Roger: Yes, I did. And you agreed. Faye: I was drunk! How unfair of you to take advantage of me like that! Roger: (smirks) I thought that you liked being taken advantage of. Faye: Since when have I ever thought that? Roger: You've been like that since the day I met you. Faye: You're pushing it, Roger! You really are! Kiyone: You agreed to an alliance with Roger, Faye? Faye: I told you that I was drunk! And why are you worried about his alliance? Keitaro told me that you aren't into alliances. Keitaro, who was sitting next to Roger, jumps up to defend himself. Keitaro: I don't remember ever telling you that Kiyone's not into alliances! Kiyone: Keitaro! Faye: (smiles) You just did. Roger: Who's playing the game now? Faye: I've been playing the game since the start! Read my lips, Roger Smith! I'm taking you down, no matter what it takes! Roger: If that's a challenge, then so be it. May the best man win. Faye: You mean may the best woman win. Keitaro: What the heck is going on? Kiyone: Keep your mouth shut, Keitaro! You've already made this situation worse! Keitaro: What did I do now? *** Nearly an hour and a half of traveling later, the bus carrying the residents arrives in the town of Smallville. Within the town limits, the bus comes to a stop in front of a small three story apartment loft. The group gets off of the bus, unloads their belongings, and heads inside. Inside the loft, the group finds that it is almost like their mansion back in Okayama, minus a few things such as the indoor hot springs, the weight room, or the rooftop garden. Otherwise, the house was vastly similar, except for the fact that all of the bedrooms were now on the same floor... the third. Kiyone: It's like we're still in Okayama. Keitaro: The resemblance is striking! Jessie: Too similar, if you ask me. Why are we even here in the first place? Melfina: Lighten up, Jessie! Think of it as a small vacation. Mondo: Or you could do what I'm doing. Visualizing myself shaking hands with the one and only Man of Steel himself! Jessie: (rolls her eyes) Oh brother. Jeri wanders into the kitchen, where she spots five cell phones, one blue, while the rest are yellow, and a note on the counter. Jeri: (shouts) Come to the kitchen, everyone! I found something! The rest of the group files in, gasping upon seeing the phones lying unclaimed on the counter. Jessie: What? There's only five? Jeri: (reads the note) Welcome to Smallville. The blue cell phone will help you keep in contact with the hostess during your stay here. As for the yellow ones, she will explain everything in detail upon her arrival. Roger: Everything has to depend on her, doesn't it? Kiyone: Stop complaining! She'll get here soon enough. *** Hours later, as everyone is now scrambled about the house doing various tasks, the blue cell phone rings. Since it's currently still in the hands of Jeri, who is up in the bedroom she is sharing with Mondo, she is the one that notifies everyone. Mondo: (CC) Jeri was holding the cell phone when it rang. She looked at the screen, which had a cryptic message. Jeri, now in front of the whole group in the kitchen, tells them the message. Jeri: Outside in two. Faye: That was the message? Jeri: Yes. Melfina: Weird. Bit: I guess we should do what it says. Go outside. Keitaro: Are you sure? *** The group goes out of the building and waits in front of the entrance. Just as Roger, the last one out, comes out, a white limosuine pulls up and stops in front of them. The twelve of them start talking amongst themselves, wondering who this is. All of a sudden, the back door is open by the chauffeur. Out of it comes a 15 year old young woman with brown hair. She is wearing a short sleeve pink dress which extends all the way to her feet, revealing only a pair of brown boots, strangely enough. Host 2: (just loud enough to be heard) Why did I have to wear these boots in the first place? Bit: Who's the chick in the Final Fantasy outfit? Joey: Her? No way... she's too short. Chi-Chi: You've been playing too many video games. It can't be her. Host 2: (smiles) Greetings! Welcome to Smallville! Finally, Jeri puts two and two together and remembers who this girl is. Jeri: You're Mimi Tachikawa, the Digidestined of Sincerity! Mimi: Yes, I am. How did you know? Jeri: I thought that your voice sounded familiar when I heard it on the tape. Joey: She's a Digidestined? Bit: What the heck is a Digidestined? Joey: Don't tell me that you've never watch the Digimon TV show before. Bit: I'm from a different universe, remember? Joey: That's right. Guess I forgot about that. Mimi: The weather picked a swell time to get ugly, but at least I'm here! Roger: Great. This girl's our hostess? You've got to be kidding! Mimi: (looks at Roger, replies sarcastically) I can see you and I are going to get along great. And all black? This isn't a funeral, you know. Roger: I can wear what ever I want. I'm a billionaire. Mimi: (unimpressed) So? Chi-Chi: (getting between the two) Okay, back off. (glares at Roger) She's our hostess! Don't talk back to her. Roger grumbles, but decides not to shout back at Chi-Chi, at least for now. Mimi: Anyway, let's head inside! I'll explain everything the twelve of you will be doing here. The group heads back inside, with Roger bringing up the rear once again. Roger: (CC) How many more kids have to be involved in this game? Why am I even listening to them anyway? Joey: (CC) I don't understand Roger. Maybe he's still irritable over the shouting match he had with Chi-Chi earlier. But there's no reason for him to take it out on Mimi. Especially since she's so cute. *** Minutes later, the whole group is gathered in the first floor living room, where Mimi is explaining the purpose of their visit. Mimi: You will be here in Smallville until Thursday, when you will fly back home to Japan. While here, the game will continue as usual. That means that there will be challenges. In fact, you will have one tomorrow. But I'll tell you more about that when the time comes. As the group listens with open ears, Joey and Bit are paying special attention to Mimi herself. Or rather, her features. Bit: (whispering) You think she's got a boyfriend? Joey: (whispering) With a figure like that? I'd be surprised if she didn't have one. Mimi: (to Bit and Joey) Excuse me? I'm talking here! Bit and Joey: Sorry, Mimi. Bit: Yeah. Joey here tends to yap a lot when other people are speaking. Joey: Hey! Mimi: I don't like people who interrupt me when I'm talking! So zip it or leave the room! Bit and Joey: We will! Mimi: Anyway, as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted... Joey: (whispering to Bit) Why did you do that? Bit: (whispers back, smiling) Had to make the first move somehow. Mimi: (shouts and points to the two of them) Out! Both of you! Without objection, Bit and Joey get up and leave the room. A few snickers can be heard from the others as they exit. Mimi: Now, as I was saying, the challenges won't be the only things keeping you busy. Beginning tomorrow morning, and every morning until you leave here, you will be working at a local farm. Keitaro: (CC) Basically, we're given a chance to earn some money for our own pockets. We have to work for it, though. Jessie: (CC) Figures. We work rather than relax. Some vacation this is turning out to be. Mimi: Your main job will be feeding the animals on the farm, but you may be given other tasks depending on what the owners want done. Jessie: (CC) If I knew that we were going to work, I would have stayed in Okayama. Mimi: That's all for now. I'll contact you in the morning when it's time to work. The group slowly disperses, except for Jeri, who sticks around to ask Mimi a few questions. Jeri: Mimi, can I talk to you for a minute? Mimi: I wish I could, but I'm not allowed to interact with the twelve of you with personal problems. You'll have to figure it out for yourself. Jeri: Please? From one Digimon owner to another? Mimi: I can't give anyone special attention. Just talk it over with your roommate. Mimi then heads out, leaving Jeri hanging. Jeri: But the problem is... my problem is my roommate. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Day Fifteen (Fourteen) It's still dark outside, but the phone inside the house is ringing off the hook. Finally making her way to the phone on the second floor, Kiyone answers it. Mimi: (VO) Wakey wakey! Have everyone up and ready to go by four o'clock! *** Everyone is up and moving around in the loft, trying to get ready. Inside Joey and Bit's room, we see that the digital clock on their nightstand reads thirteen minutes after three o'clock. Still, thanks to some teamwork from everyone in the loft, and keeping everyone from taking showers, the group is ready to go by four. All twelve of them file into the bus, which then promptly departs, heading to the farming area just outside of town. *** Ten minutes later, they arrive at the farm they'll be working on. Most of them are shivering cold because the temperature's currently below the freezing point. An old man and woman are waiting for them. Old Man: Welcome to the Ten Acre Farm. I'm Monty and this is my wife, Clarissa. Clarissa: Good morning. Monty: Being from Japan, it shouldn't be much of a problem for the twelve of you to get up and help us with the chores. Clarissa: Before we begin, though, we need to get all of you into the proper attire. *** Another ten minutes later, all twelve of the roomies are dressed in farm overalls. Clarissa then tells the women to follow her, while Monty takes the men. Let's go with Clarissa and the ladies first, as she leads them to one of the barns. Clarissa: Have any of you ever milked cows before? Leading them into the barn, the women see ten cows waiting for them. Clarissa: Four of you will be working here, milking the cows. Faye: How exactly do you milk a cow? Clarissa: (smiles) I'm glad you asked that, young lady. Allow me to show you. Walking into one of the stalls, Clarissa grabs a stool and a bucket from the side. The women watch as Clarissa takes a seat, places the bucket under the cow, and then reaching under to pull on the cow's teats. Faye: You have got to be kidding me. Melfina: That's how you milk a cow? Clarissa: (continuing to milk the cows) Simple, right? Who wants to do this? Chi-Chi and Kiyone raise their hands instantly. Jeri then raises hers hesitantly. Clarissa: Only three of you? (looks at Jessie) You'll be number four. Jessie: What? Clarissa: (getting up) It's really easy. (pushes Jessie towards the cow) Try it! Jessie sits down on the stool and immediately starts yanking on the cow's teats. The cow mooes in pain, as Clarissa stops Jessie immediately. She grabs Jessie's hands and starts moving them up and down slowly. Clarissa: Isn't this easy? Up and down slowly, like this. Jessie: (sweatdrops) This is so embarrassing. *** Meanwhile, Monty has lead the guys out to pasture. He stops just outside a barn and holds up two fingers. Monty: I need two people who are fast, as well as good counters. Duo and Roger raise their hands. Monty ushers them to follow him into the barn. Opening the doors, they spot two pens full of goats. Monty then leads Duo and Roger behind the barn, where there are three full pens of sheep. Monty: Your job is to let the goats and the sheep out so they can eat in the pasture. Afterwards, you have to get all of them back into the pens. Duo: You're kidding, right? Monty: Does it look like I'm kidding, sonny? Now, hop to it! Monty then leads Joey, Keitaro, Bit, and Mondo away. Roger and Duo then glance oddly at each other. Roger: I'll take the goats, you take the sheep. Duo: (shrugs his shoulders) Whatever. *** Soon enough, everyone is off and working. Joey and Bit are feeding chickens and checking their coops for eggs, Melfina is feeding oats to the horses, Faye is feeding the pigs, and Mondo and Keitaro are on clean-up duty, making sure all of the places where the animals are staying are spotless before they return. The group has also split up the yellow cell phones, which are used for the group to keep in touch while working. Bit, Roger, Chi-Chi, and Melfina are holding onto them. Let's check up on Faye, who is sitting down, bored as she watches the pigs eat in front of her. Faye: I can't believe I'm doing this. The pigs continue to eat the slop out of their trough greedily, even pushing each other aside to get to it. Faye: Hey! There's enough to go around! As the pushing and shoving continues, one of the pigs accidentally throws some of the slop onto Faye's clothes. Faye: Yuck! That's disgusting! You stupid pigs! She gets up and starts walking towards the farm house. She drags along until she accidentally falls into a puddle of mud. Faye: (wiping the mud from her face) I have to do this for the next five days? *** Meanwhile, in the cow barn, Jessie is making her way to another cow's stall as she watches Chi-Chi, Kiyone, and Jeri all hard at work. Jessie: (tossing aside a haystack) Is this what we're doing all day? Chi-Chi: (looking at her) You should be thankful we're getting this chance to earn some pocket money. Kiyone: It's better than just sitting in the loft 'til the cows come home. Jeri: (laughs) Good one, Kiyone! Jessie: (mocks laughter) Ha ha. I forgot to laugh for that one. *** As the sun finally comes up around eight fifteen, the group finally finishes their work. They are now inside the farm house, being treated to a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast, prepared by Monty and Clarissa. Monty: You guys did an excellent job today. Clarissa: For doing such hard work, all of you will get $40 each. Monty: Hopefully, you'll all work this hard all week, so you'll all have an even $200 by the time you leave on Thursday. The group applauds as the couple starts handing out the day's pay to each of them. At that exact moment, Mimi enters the farm house, also wearing farm overalls with a cute straw hat to boot, gladly welcomed by all. Mimi: (cheerfully) Good morning! Monty: Morning! Clarissa: Come have breakfast with us! Mimi: Thanks, but I already ate before coming down here. (to the group) Anyway, as I told all of you yesterday, you have a challenge today. And it's a physical one. (to Monty and Clarissa) Shall we take them to the site? *** Riding in a large hay cart being pulled by a tractor driven by Monty, Mimi sits with the group as they arrive to a small plot of land on the vacant far east lot of the farm. On the site, the group spots two pine trees, decorated completely, standing there, as well as two cardboard boxes.. Roger: Another cheap thrill, I see. Pulling the tractor to a stop roughly 50 meters away from the two trees, Mimi and the housemates jump out. Mimi: As you all should know, in a physical challenge, you guys are broken up into two teams. The team that wins the challenge, of course, adds $100,000 to each member's personal jackpot, which one of you wins when this is all over. Kiyone: Why are the trees decorated for Christmas? Mimi: I was about to explain that. Anyway, it seems that two of Monty and Clarissa's neighbors are very lazy. You see, they've left their trees decorated from the holidays... Mondo: Christmas was over a month ago! Clarissa: Like the young lady said, some of our neighbors are very lazy. Faye: And let me guess... it'll be our job to undecorate the trees, right? Mimi: (happily) Yeah! I'm glad that we have such a smart bunch! Roger: (under his breath) It would help if she was smart too. Mimi: There are ten decorations on the tree. One at a time, one member of each time will run over, pick one decoration off of it, come back, and dump it in the box. Everyone will make two runs. Melfina: (quickly counting the decorations) But there's only ten. Some people will only make one run. Mimi: Well, someone has to bring the tree back, and then the stand. That makes twelve. Joey: And the first team to bring back all ten items, the tree, and the stand, wins? Mimi: (smiles) You've got it. Joey pumps his fist with glee, while Bit glances at him evilly. Joey: One to one. Bit: We've still got 'til Thursday. I'll win her first, you know. Mimi then points to the cardboard boxes, which have mesh colored ponchoes in them. One is white, while the other is black. Mimi: As for captains, this time around they'll be Jessie and Melfina. Jessie: Me? A captain? Mimi: Did I stutter? Yes, you! Melfina: This is great! Mimi: Jessie, you're captain of the white team. Melfina, you're the captain of the black team. [Team Assignments: - White: Jessie, Roger, Duo, Faye, Mondo, Bit - Black: Melfina, Chi-Chi, Joey, Kiyone, Keitaro, Jeri] [Physical Challenge 2: Dismantling the X-mas Tree] Melfina: (CC) I gladly picked Chi-Chi because I know she'll be able to carry back the tree without any problem. The two teams line-up, with a pair of small cones marking the starting line. For the black team, Jeri is first, followed by Melfina, Keitaro, Kiyone, Chi-Chi, and Joey. For the white team, Faye leads off, followed by Roger, Jessie, Duo, Bit, and Mondo last. Mimi: (raises both hands) This is for $100,000 for each person on the winning team! First runners ready? Set? Go! Faye and Jeri take off instantly, sprinting for the trees as fast as they can. Faye easily outruns Jeri and reaches her tree first. Faye takes one of the ornamental balls and runs back. Jeri does the same and follows Faye back. Faye tags off to Roger, while Jeri tags off to her team captain Melfina, a few seconds behind. [Challenge Fast Forward] The race continues, with the white team leading most of the way in the early going. In fact, the white team, powered by Roger, Jessie, and Duo, add time to their lead to Melfina, Keitaro, and Kiyone, who are a bit slow. Chi-Chi comes through and makes up a whole lot of time, catching up and nearly passing Bit. Tagging off to the last person of the first run, Joey and Mondo run about the same speed, with Joey slightly ahead as both of them pick off the last ornamental ball. Left on the tree for the second run are two sets of lights, a long piece of garland, and the star at the top of the tree, almost six feet above the ground. Once again, Faye powers ahead of Jeri in their leg. Faye starts tugging off one set of the lights, while Jeri goes for the garland. Faye finishes first and runs back, dumping the lights in the box and tagging off to Roger as Jeri is still on the way to her box. Roger gets the other set of lights and pulls them off just as Melfina arrives. Melfina decides to go for the star, so she pulls the tree down to get to it. She cuts a small amount of time off of Roger's lead as he tags off to Jessie. Jessie runs to the tree and pulls off the garland as fast as she can. Keitaro runs to his tree as fast as possible and pulls off one of the sets of lights. Jessie struggles a bit, but finally manages to get the garland off. Keitaro is practically behind her, though, as he wraps the lights around his arm and runs as fast as he can back to the starting line. Duo takes off after being tagged, but Kiyone gets her tag from Keitaro just a few strides later. Both run as fast as they can to their trees. Duo jumps up and tries to pull off the star. He quickly knocks it off and catches it, then runs back. Kiyone takes a bit longer because she has to get the other set of lights. [End Challenge Fast Forward] Duo tags off to Bit just as he sees Kiyone finally running back from her tree. Both teams at this point are cheering loudly, as all that is left for both teams is the tree and its stand. Bit reaches his tree and lifts it out of the stand just as Kiyone tags off to Chi-Chi. Bit then discovers a bit of problem, as he's finding it nearly impossible for him to run while holding the tree, which he believes is a bit heavy. Bit: (CC) I thought that I was going to be able to do this, but this tree feels as heavy as a rock! As Bit stumbles left and right trying to get back, he's barely halfway home as Chi-Chi reaches her tree and easily lifts it out of the stand. She then runs back while hanging onto the tree with no problem at all. Melfina's team starts cheering wildly as Chi-Chi easily passes and beats Bit back. Chi-Chi tosses the tree into the hay cart, then tags Joey to get the tree stand. Joey's already halfway down when Bit finally gets back, stumbling to the starting line. Bit: (reaching out to tag Mondo) Here! Mimi: You have to get the tree into the cart first! Bit stumbles over to the cart and finally deposits the tree into the cart. He then trots back, tagging Mondo. Bit is breathing heavily, exhausted. But when he looks up, he is greeted by the scowling face of Jessie. Jessie: What were you doing? Bit: That tree was heavy! Meanwhile, Joey was already running back with the tree stand, passing the halfway mark as Mondo heads to get his stand. This time, Mondo is the one that gets dusted, as Joey crosses the finish line, deposits the stand in the box, and then celebrates with his teammates. Kiyone: Good work, Joey! Melfina: We did it! Jeri: Yeah! We won! Joey: Piece of cake! Mondo picks up the stand, but still runs back as hard as he can to the finish line. He deposits the stand in the box, then joins his sadden teammates. Actually, make that arguing teammates. Jessie: You weren't trying hard enough! Bit: I'd like to see you carry that tree! Roger: You should've let me get the tree! Faye: Like you would have done any better, Roger. Duo: What is with you guys? Stop with the arguing already! But they weren't stopping, as the argument continued. Roger: (CC) Some captain Jessie is, picking Bit to get the tree. Bit: (CC) Do I look like someone who can lift heavy objects? Faye: (CC) I bet Bit was just faking. He should've been able to carry that tree. Jessie: (CC) I'm the captain! They should be listening to me! *** Minutes later, the group is back in front of the farmhouse. They immediately bid goodbye to Monty and Clarissa for the day as they file onto the bus. Upon getting on the bus, they see a large green chest on the seat behind the driver. As Mimi boards the bus, she glances at it once, then turns to the group. Mimi: Excellent work today from both teams! But it looks like the black team won the challenge thanks to teamwork and clever planning on part of the captain. (giving Melfina a thumbs up) Good job! Melfina: Thanks! Joey: (to Bit, sitting next to him) You know, you weren't too impressive today, struggling with that tree and all. Bit: Oh, shut up. Mimi: Anyway, I bet all of you noticed this chest here when you boarded the bus. (smiles, then takes a key out of her pocket) Want to know what's inside? The group watches closely as the driver starts the bus and gets on the road heading back into town. As this is happening, Mimi unlocks and opens the chest. She pulls out two small pouches. One is blue and the other is yellow. Mimi: To keep your mind on work the next few days, while simultaneously giving all of you a chance to get to know someone else in the mansion better, you'll be getting new room assignments. A few murmurs come from the group, especially from a worried Jeri, a frightened Melfina, and a confused Duo. Mimi: I'll pick three guys and three girls at a random. The guys will reach into the blue pouch, the girls into the yellow. Each of you will reach in. The name you pull out of the pouch will be the person who will be your roommate until you leave Smallville on Thursday. Mimi then turns towards Melfina, the closest person to her, and hands her the yellow pouch. Mimi: Why don't we start with the winning captain? Melfina closes her eyes and slowly reaches into the pouch. Melfina: (CC) Whomever's name is on the piece of paper I pull out, I have to share a room with her for the next three nights. As Melfina fishes her hand around for a slip of paper, Jeri, sitting right behind her, is very nervous. Jeri: (CC) I don't know if I can live with an older roommate. I'm worried that she'll treat me like a kid for sure. The whole group watches and waits as Melfina pulls out a name and prepares to read it aloud. As she does, Jeri closes her eyes and begins to pray. End Episode Seven Mimi: (VO) This Friday, on a special double-length episode of Roomies... Bit: (CC) Right now, Roger's the last person I want to share a room with. On the bus, Roger glares at Bit just after pulling his name from the blue pouch. Mimi: (VO) The group tries to get used to the temporary arrangements... Jessie: (CC) Our alliance is already on the ropes. Faye: This is my side of the room! That is your side! Jessie: I called that side hours ago! Mimi: (VO) So when Jessie can't trust Faye, she turns her eyes on a new partner... Jessie: You're tired of this, right? Jeri: (wiping the sweat from her forehead) A little bit. Chi-Chi: You two get back to work this instant! Jessie: Work is for losers! Jeri: Yeah! Mimi: (VO) But the gender issue comes up again as the men's union becomes stronger... Bit: With the four of us, we should be able to outshine the women easily! Mimi: (VO) Gender knows no bounds, though, as the group faces two challenges on back-to-back days... Mondo: How the heck are we supposed to make a hang glider out of this junk? Kiyone runs to the edge of the hill while gripping her glider, jumping off as she reaches the dropoff. Bit: Our team is not getting along together that well. Jessie tries to pull the four-pound haystack on the ground, strugging to do so as her teammates look on. Chi-Chi: (CC) She looks as if she's about to quit. Yelling fills the background as one of the girls walks away from the field. Mimi: (VO) It's an action-packed episode, this Friday! See you then! Additional Author's Notes: The idea for the roomies to travel to Smallville was entirely intended. Whether or not they'll meet the Man of Steel himself, well, you'll just have to wait and see. By the way, I am a huge fan of the "Smallville" TV series, which is why the theme song was used last episode. Personally, I think Kristin Kreuk, the girl who plays Lana Lang, is hot. But that's just me. Yes, the events in this episode take place in the first few days of February. The snow was falling in New York on the day Mimi was scheduled to leave. That wasn't planned originally, but I had to work around it. As for Mimi, her choice was pretty much logical. I wanted to pick a well-known anime character who lives in the United States. And of course, there's no one more well-known then the beautiful Mimi herself. Not my favorite Digidestined, but she still is cute! The Christmas tree challenge? Now honestly, I don't know who the heck would leave their tree decorated that long after the holiday. Not that I'm saying that farm people do this often. I don't think anyone actually does. It's supposed to be thrown out after the first week of January. But it was a good excuse for a weather-related relay that could be done on the farm. I didn't mention this in the preview, or rather, Mimi didn't mention it, but the second guest cameo will be in the next episode! She knows who she is, and I should be getting her packet back from her within the next 24 hours or so. And before I forget, for the duration of the stay in Smallville (since time there is about 15 hours behind Japan), the actual day number will be marked normally, with the actual day it is in Smallville in parentheses. Remember, double length episode on a special day, this Friday! Until then, folks! Copyright Date: 6/24/02