I Don't Negotiate With Terrorists

I Don’t Negotiate With Terrorists is the sixth episode of Survivor: Comoro Islands - Champions and Contenders.

Night 15
Clouds pass overhead, obscuring the moon, setting an ominous atmosphere for when an irate Hazel returns to the Mwali beach with Carter, Kelli and Keira, all of whom just finished helping blindside her and her closest ally Blake.

Hazel jams her torch into the ground by the nearest tree, planting a hand on her hip, clearly upset.

Carter: Hazel, if you want to talk…?

Hazel: I don’t even know what to say, now.

Kelli is seen visibly snickering at Hazel’s petulant behavior in the background.

Hazel: I can’t, I’m sorry. I’m still in shock, I’m trying to process it.

Carter: [backing off] Okay. I know it’s a lot to deal with at once. No pressure.

Hazel groans, rubbing at her temples in frustration.

"mwali"

- I come back to camp, for the first time...blindsided, in this game...and without Blake anymore. And my first reaction is...I feel so...vulnerable. I feel like...I basically just had every single person in the game, people I knew and didn’t know, people I thought I could trust and people who I was only just meeting for the first time...all of them lied to me, tricked me, deceived me. And they all came together to blindside me and send my closest ally home. I did everything in this game with Blake. He was like a dad to me out here. But just like that, he’s gone, and I’m...on my own. [pauses, staring off into distance, nodding] ...I still can’t believe it. It was all so sudden, I barely had the chance to say goodbye. I really...I’m at a loss. I don’t...I don’t know what I’m gonna do now.

Keira: Hazel, I wanted to say…

Hazel ignores her.

Keira: I know you’re upset. But…

Hazel: Upset? Upset!?

Hazel rounds on her.

Hazel: I just don’t understand why you would do that, Keira. I thought we had something between us, I thought I could trust you!

Keira: Do you want to talk? So I can explain why I did it?

Hazel: I don’t want to hear your excuses.

Keira: Okay. We can talk tomorrow when you’re feeling calmer.

Hazel: I am calm! I am perfectly calm right now. I’m only livid because I think you made a mistake, and it’s going to cost both of us our games. Blake was with us! He was with us, and you got rid of him to save-

Her voice falters when she glances at Carter, who is standing over the fire, poking the hot logs with a thick branch.

Keira: Hazel, I think we do need to chat, actually. Can we go over there and talk?

Hazel: I have no interest in talking to you.

Keira holds her hands up in a placating gesture.

Keira: I really think that we should have a talk.

Hazel: Keira, I don’t want to talk.

Keira: ...Very well. We can talk again tomorrow, when you’re calm-

Hazel: I AM calm. I just don’t want to talk. And you can stop acting like I’m the one acting crazy here. I have every right to be mad at you!

Keira: I understand. I’m not disputing that, I know you’re angry at me, and I-

Hazel: No, don't pretend like it's all fine. You should feel ashamed of yourself! You should feel bad.

Keira: For making a game move?

Hazel: That was more than a game move. If you felt uncomfortable about Blake being in power, you should’ve said something rather than go behind my back and join forces with the enemy.

In the shadows of the shelter, Carter casts Kelli an incredulous look as the latter giggles silently.

Hazel: You talked about us being sisters and I thought we were finally becoming close and you stabbed me in the back!

Keira: Hazel, I-

Hazel: I don't wanna hear it, Keira! You're DISLOYAL. Okay? You gave us your word. Blake trusted you! Hell, I...There was a time and a place and that wasn't it. You just let yourself get bought into other people’s crap.

Keira: I don’t believe I was the one being fooled here.

Hazel: Clearly.

Keira: I’ll leave you alone for now, Hazel. We can talk tomorrow.

Hazel: If you say “when I’m calm” one more time, I’m gonna lose it.

Keira stops in her tracks.

Hazel: And forget tomorrow. Why don’t you just leave me alone for the rest of the game?

Keira looks on impatiently as Hazel continues on her tirade.

"mwali"

- [shrugs] I suppose Hazel hates me now. She was behaving...extraordinarily immature. Lots of people don’t usually handle being on the receiving end of blindsides well, but I don’t enjoy being shrilly yelled at for doing what’s best for me rather than what’s best for someone else. Interalize your anger, don’t verbalize it. That’s my motto in life. I love Hazel, as a friend and a sister, and it is with that respect for her that I can say I think she’s got a lot of growing to do as a person. She has to know she’s not always going to get what she wants in life and in the game. I do want to talk to her again when she’s simmered down, but she was taking things very personal and...I don’t know how long that’ll take.

A cross Hazel heads down the beach to sleep by herself.

Carter and Kelli glance at Keira as she scoots back into the shelter with them.

Kelli: That was a fun little meltdown.

Keira: Hm.

Carter: It happens. People either throw tantrums or immediately get to work salvaging their games. It’s usually one or the other on this show. For her, it’s definitely not the latter.

Keira: Hm. [sighs]

Carter: For what it’s worth, I’m really grateful to you, Keira. I owe you one.

Keira: You’re welcome.

Carter: ...Now, we just await the merge...

"mwali"

- Like it or not, I’ve turned my back on old Mwali...and am putting my lot in with the likes of Carter and Kelli and whoever else they have on their side come the merge. I no longer know where I stand with Hazel and I’m afraid to ask, but I probably can’t count on her anymore. Of all my original tribe members, Maverick is now the only one I might still be able to work with, and he and I were never even all that close, but at the very least, we can shoulder the burden of having incurred Hazel’s vengeful wrath together. I hope that if I don’t become the Sole Survivor, I won’t look back on my decision to leave Mwali behind tonight and think to myself...that this was the moment I lost the game.

The camera cuts to Keira checking on Hazel from the comforts of the shelter as Carter and Kelli prepare for bed next to her, and then to Hazel grumpily curled up in the sand in her jacket, glowing eyes glaring at the waves as they crash down onto shore.

Day 16
Jeff: Come on in, guys!

The Vailheu tribe enters first, all five members intact and looking triumphant, as Bridgette carefully plants their tribe flag in the sand behind them.

The camera focuses on Randall nodding shrewdly as he looks off into the distance.

"vailheu"

- Ever since we traded in Constance and Kelli, two of our arguably weakest members from original Pamanzi, for an actually strong competitor in Mallorie...we’ve been practically unstoppable in all our challenges so far. While I would’ve liked to have traded Elmer away to meet other people in the game as well, I can be the bigger man and acknowledge that he’s been a big reason why the four of us on the tribe sans Mallorie have yet to attend Tribal Council. He may be a pretty boy but he’s good in challenges too. So despite my personal feud with him, I am really happy with my tribe right now. We’ve been winning immunity since the start, and with the new Pamanzi foursome suffering so badly in challenges, I don’t see any signs of us stopping our streak until we hit the merge.

Elmer cranes his neck curiously to catch a glimpse of the other two tribes traipsing in.

Jeff: Vailheu, getting your first look at the new Pamanzi and Mwali tribes.

Pamanzi comes in first.

Jeff: Pamanzi, with all four members still in the game.

Bridgette mouths “Wow” at Mallorie, who nods in Candy’s direction.

Candy nods back, looking smug. Lisa looks gruff, noting their interaction. Constance looks nervous, waving at Elmer, who waves back.

Jeff: Mwali, coming in…

The four remaining Mwali troop in.

Jeff: Blake, voted out at the last Tribal Council.

Carter plants the flag in the sand as they take their places. Drew and Elmer share a look in response to Blake’s elimination.

Jeff: Alright. So...Carter. You’ve spent...about sixteen days out here in the Comoro Islands. How does this experience hold up to your previous one?

Carter: Well...it’s definitely been harder, I have to say. [chuckling] Just by being a veteran, that’s an instant target on your back, so navigating Tribal Councils has been more of a challenge. Add on to that the fact that I’ve had to attend three out of five already, when some players have yet to attend one…

Randall clears his throat and looks down. Drew scratches the back of his neck awkwardly.

Elmer and Bridgette share a sneaky, snide look.

Carter: Yeah, it’s been way different from my first time out in Mozambique. But I’m still having fun! It’s Survivor, after all.

Jeff: Typically, after spending this much time out here...the merge has to be on everyone’s minds.

Hazel, who had her shoulders slumped earlier, suddenly perks up, eyes widening.

Jeff: And everyone’s gotta be thinking, when is it gonna happen? Surely, any day now…

Lisa’s mouth is open. Maverick looks afraid to get his hopes up.

Jeff: Well, I have good news and bad news for you. Which do you want to hear first?

A few people murmur amongst themselves.

Candy: The...bad news? [laughing nervously] So we can get some good news later?

Jeff: Bad news is...you’re not merging.

There are audible moans of disappointment.

Bridgette: Don’t do that to us, Jeff!

Carter: [muttering] Heh. Knew it. We’d never merge this early…

Jeff: But the good news is...for those of you who might’ve been hoping for things to shake up...you’re not merging, but the game is about to change again. Everybody, drop your buffs.

Across the three tribes, various castaways react with shock and exclamations.

Kelli: Whoaaa...what?

Jeff: We are switching tribes...once again.

Maverick: No way...twice?

Carter snickers, tossing his buff into the sand.

Drew: That’s crazy…

Everyone begins taking their buffs off and tossing them aside.

Elmer: Two tribe swaps...who would’ve guessed?

Mallorie lifts one shoulder at him.

Mallorie: Game changer.

Candy bites her tongue, looking fearful.

Constance folds her buff up into her face, worry written in her eyes.

Jeff unveils a platter of covered buffs.

Jeff: There are thirteen buffs here. Six of them are red…

The camera zooms in on Hazel’s slack-jawed expression of trepidation, hands clenched and up to her cheeks.

Jeff: ...six of them are yellow…

Randall chews on his lower lip, squinting in the sunlight.

Jeff: ...and one buff...is blue.

Hazel curses.

Keira: ...Damn.

Jeff: Whoever draws the lone blue buff will be exiled to the Mwali beach, and must live there...alone.

Randall: [hands over head] No [censored] way…

Drew: Wow.

Jeff: That person will remain there for the next three days, and will not be attending the upcoming immunity challenge. This means they cannot be voted out. However, they will sit in at Tribal Council and join the tribe who loses a tribe member at the next Tribal Council.

Lisa looks horrified. Candy has her hand to her mouth, and she shares a look with Constance, who looks similarly afraid.

Jeff grabs the tray of buffs and makes his way over to the Pamanzi tribe.

Jeff: Everyone grab one and don’t reveal until I say so.

One by one, he goes down the line as everyone grabs a buff.

Maverick: I want to draw last again, Jeff.

Jeff: Maverick, once again leaving his fate up to...well, to fate.

Once everyone else has drawn their buff, Jeff returns to Maverick, who takes the final covered buff and kisses it, pointing up at the sky.

Maverick: Survivor gods, don’t fail me now.

Constance clutches her new buff to her chest, exhaling shakily.

Jeff: Let’s end the suspense. Everyone, reveal your new buffs.

At once, everyone rips open their buffs and begins checking out their new colors.

Over on the Mwali mat...

Carter: Red. [holding up red buff]

Keira: Same.

Hazel: [holding up red buff] ...Joy.

Keira looks a little down at Hazel’s obvious disappointment to still be with her.

Kelli: Oh, wow. Bye guys. [laughing] Looks like I’m yellow.

Over on the Vailheu mat…

Mallorie: Yellow again. [holding up yellow buff]

Bridgette: [gasps] We’re switching! [holding up red buff]

Drew holds up his own red buff and peers over to check out Randall’s and Elmer’s.

Both guys are still holding up yellow buffs. Randall scowls at Elmer’s yellow buff even as the latter is oblivious, craning his head above the others to look at the other tribes.

Randall: [looking around] Not again. Gimme a break...

Drew: [grimacing] Sorry, buddy.

Randall: [rolls eyes] What the [censored]...

Over on the Pamanzi mat…

Candy: Oh thank goodness…[holding up red buff]

Constance and Maverick are both unwrapping yellow buffs. And last but not least…

Lisa: [gasps] No…

Lisa pulls out the lone blue buff, looking scandalized as she stares up at Jeff.

Jeff: Tough break, Lisa.

Lisa: No...flippin’...way. You are [censored] me. Really?

Jeff: [shrugs] That’s the luck of the draw for you, Lisa. Take a spot on the blue mat, alone.

Lisa: Oh my [censored]...

A dazed Lisa stumbles over to the Mwali mat as the other tribes begin to disperse too, everyone hugging and bidding their former tribemates goodbye.

Constance hugs Candy goodbye, and kisses her on the cheek.

Constance: Stay strong, sweetheart.

Candy: You too.

Maverick wraps an arm protectively around her shoulders in farewell.

Maverick: See you at the merge.

Drew takes Randall’s hand and pulls him in for a quick hug.

Drew: See you around, brother. Good luck.

Randall makes crazy eyes at him, shaking his head.

Randall: I’m never lucky...

Lisa: What the [censored]? Why me…?

Lisa is still in shock as she fumbles with her blue buff, standing on her own in the middle as the two new tribes begin to form.

Carter: [shaking Drew’s hand] Drew, nice to meet you.

Drew: Carter. I know you. [laughing]

Bridgette: Hi, hello! [hugging Carter] So nice to finally meet you!

Candy: Good to have you back. [hugging Carter]

Carter: [laughing] You too!

Hazel stands off to the side awkwardly, Keira behind her shaking hands with Drew now.

Greetings and welcome reunions are also taking place on the Vailheu mat, as Elmer hugs Kelli and pats her on the back.

Elmer: Hey.

Kelli: [giggling] Hey.

Mallorie eyes the two up, making eye contact with Randall, who is skulking to the side, hands in his pockets.

Maverick snickers, pulling his red buff on, standing with Constance next to Randall.

Jeff: Alright, let’s size up our two new tribes. On the new Pamanzi tribe, we have two former Mwali in Hazel and Keira, two former Pamanzi in Bridgette and Drew, and two former Vailheu in Candy and Carter. Judging solely on original tribal lines, we have a very even split.

Bridgette: [nodding] Yeah.

Jeff: Meanwhile, our new Vailheu tribe has four former Pamanzi in Elmer, Constance, Kelli and Randall…

Randall looks guarded, squeezing his wrist with one hand absentmindedly. Elmer has one hand on his hip and is beaming, nodding at Kelli, who looks excited. Constance looks pleased.

Jeff: ...with one former Mwali, Maverick, and one former Vailheu, Mallorie.

Mallorie tucks a lock of her hair behind her ear.

Jeff: Lisa…

Lisa laughs a little and pouts, looking sad.

Lisa: Yeah…?

Jeff: That just leaves...you. In the middle...on your own.

Lisa: It sure does.

Jeff: On the bright side...no Tribal Council. Because you are exempt, you basically cannot be voted out next. You’re guaranteed safety for the next three days or more.

Lisa: Yeah. Yeah, that’s true.

Jeff: But, of course...no such thing as a free lunch in Survivor. The downside of this is…

Lisa: [shrugs] ...I...have to live on my own?

Jeff: Basic survival, food, warmth at night, everything...you’re gonna have to do it all on your own.

Lisa nods gravely. The camera cuts to Candy watching her, almost with sympathy on her face.

Jeff: What’s the emotion like, Lisa? You’re abnormally subdued.

Lisa opens her mouth, then closes it, then opens and closes it again.

Lisa: I guess I’m just...scared. I...don’t know how I’m gonna fare on my own. It’s a scary thought.

Jeff: Unfortunately for you, you are about to find out because it is time for you to head on out. Here’s a map to your new home. [tosses Lisa scroll] Follow it to the Mwali beach, where you will be exiled for the next three days until the next Tribal Council, which you will spectate but not participate in. Once the sixth person has been voted out of the game, you will rejoin that tribe and return to their camp. But for now...you will be on your own. Grab your things and head out.

Lisa bends down to pick up her bags, waving an airy hand goodbye to everyone else without a word.

Candy waves her a weak farewell, and Constance just barely raises her hand in response. No one else moves, as all eyes follow Lisa while she walks off.

Once she is out of earshot, Jeff turns back to the two new tribes.

Jeff: Pamanzi and Vailheu...the game has changed yet again. Head on back to your respective camps and get to know your two new tribes.

Both tribes turn and head out.

The camera zooms in on Bridgette walking alongside Hazel and Candy.

The new Pamanzi tribe returns to the Pamanzi beach.

Candy: Home sweet home for you two, right?

Bridgette: [throws hands in air] Home sweet home! [laughing]

Drew: This place sure is a sight for sore eyes…

Drew and Bridgette put their bags into their familiar Pamanzi shelter as Candy giggles, opening her arms wide to give Carter a hug.

Candy: Nice to see you again, for realsies this time!

Carter: Sure makes for a better reunion than last night, heh.

Hazel looks morose at the mention of last night’s Tribal Council as she sulks on the edge of the shelter.

Candy: So...welcome to your new home, guys!

Keira: [inspecting shelter] It’s nice.

Drew: Bridgette and I won’t need a tour. [chuckling]

Candy: Oh, yeah, I didn’t think so. [laughing]

Hazel continues to look depressed and sour as Candy and Drew laugh and start to chat with the others.

The camera cuts from Carter smiling and laughing, then to Keira sitting in the shelter and nodding and talking amicably to Candy when she asks her something, then back to Hazel’s gloomy expression.

The camera cuts away, as Drew and Bridgette talk in the woods.

Drew: Hey, so, this may be good or may be bad, but we’ll work through it.

Bridgette: Of course. You know I got your back, boy. [laughing]

She puts a playful arm around his waist and pulls him into a one-armed hug and Drew puts an arm around her shoulders in a friendly gesture.

Drew and Bridgette stop by their old water well and Drew leans his elbows on the edge as Bridgette starts filling her bottle.

Drew: Only two Pamanzi on the old Pamanzi tribe.

Bridgette: You’re telling me. You worried about the others?

Drew: I’m mostly worried Randall and Elmer are going to chew each other’s heads off.

Bridgette: Hah! Elmer’s too pacifist to fight back. He’d just make some innocent statement and Randy would find some way, somehow, to take offense to it.

Drew: Never mind them for now. We should worry about us, first and foremost.

Bridgette: Of course. What’s your read on the other four?

Drew: Well, do you think we could work with Candy or Carter?

The camera cuts to Candy and Carter sitting together and laughing in the shelter.

Bridgette: I mean, it’s very easy to tell they’re close. I wouldn’t be surprised. But there’s an obvious bond there. Carter is another veteran, and you know my stance on that.

Drew: Yeah, I think most veterans want to stick together. I’m not against that for now if it gains us more allies.

Bridgette: And if we work with Carter, we work with Candy. We’d only need four to have a majority.

Drew: What about Keira and Hazel?

Bridgette: I don’t know. I literally never even knew their names before this, or I did hear their names but never remembered them.

Drew: That’s the thing. All four of them were at Blake’s Tribal Council last night. They all know what went down. We don’t. We know nothing.

Bridgette looks troubled.

Bridgette: Yeah…

Drew: The best thing for us now is to just get in good with both sides, but if the time comes to pick one…

Bridgette: Candy and Carter.

Drew: Based off first impressions, yeah. [nods] Candy and Carter.

Later that day, Carter is walking down to the water with Drew to talk.

Carter: So what’s up, man? How was life for you on your tribes?

Drew: Oh, positively peachy. As you know, we never really had to stress about votes or anything.

Carter: Hey, no need to rub it in. I get it. We sucked and y’all rocked. [laughing]

Drew: [laughing] Not my intention, I swear. Can’t lie about the facts though!

Carter: Aw, shut up.

Drew: Really, I think your tribes would have more interesting stories. You went to Tribal...what, four times?

Carter: Three, actually. I’ve seen some wacky characters already.

Drew: How are the girls, Keira and Hazel? Are you working with them? All three of you were on Mwali together.

Carter pulls a face.

Carter: Ehh...not that closely. Hazel tried to get rid of me just last night.

Drew: Wow. You’re kidding. Talk about baggage…

Drew: It’s still early right now, but I want you to know, me and Bridgette are good with you and Candy. We want to work with you guys.

Carter: That’s music to my ears, especially after Mwali. I appreciate it, and we both definitely are interested as well.

Drew: Yeah?

Carter: Yeah. Mwali presented all sorts of challenges. Blake and Hazel ran a tight ship. Kelli and I were very outcasted. Now, me and Candy are happy to be with you and Bridgette. Besides, me and Bridgette have the returnee connection.

Drew: That’s right. [chuckling] The only pair of returnees left in the game that haven’t met are you and Elmer, correct?

Carter: That’s right.

In the forest, a squealing Candy and Carter share another excited little hug.

Candy: This is so perfect, I’m so glad we’re back together…

Carter: Me too. Being on a tribe with you again is a breath of fresh air after Mwali.

Candy: I’m so glad last night worked out so well too.

Carter: It was exhilarating, for sure. You really saved my ass there. Thank you.

Candy: Of course, Carter. Like we said, Vailheu to the end, right?

Carter: Right. Now we just need to get to the merge, and get back together with Mallorie.

Candy: And we can run the show.

Carter: Here’s hoping. [crosses fingers]

Carter: Have Drew and Bridgette approached you?

Candy: Yeah. I got to talk to both a little bit.

Carter: Drew mentioned that he and Bridge want to work with us, so that puts Hazel and Keira on the bottom.

Candy: Right. They were your Mwali tribemates, so it’s your thoughts on them.

Carter: Keira saved me. Hazel did not.

Candy: Easy decision, then. If we lose…

Carter: Hazel goes, right behind the Godfather.

Carter moves to sit with Candy in camp, where they are out of earshot of the others. In the background, Keira can be seen moving about, talking to Drew as he fans the fire.

Carter: What do you think of everyone so far?

Candy: Hmm...it’s interesting to officially meet the girls on your tribe from last night.

Carter: Hazel and Keira? Yeah.

Candy: They’re both exactly who I expected them to be from what I saw last night.

Carter: What assessments would that be?

Candy thinks on it.

Candy: Keira’s quiet and stoic, but with a good head on her shoulders. Hazel’s earnest and full of heart, but bratty and childish.

Carter: Nailed it. Those were my sentiments exactly after the time I spent with them.

Candy: Still, no matter how immature and inexperienced Hazel seems, at least she’s no Lisa.

Carter: Thank heavens for that.

The two share a laugh.

Carter: She totally shot me a death glare last night when Blake said something along the lines of, like, me telling them all she had to be on the bottom of your tribe, because that’s the kind of player she was.

Candy: Well, you were spot on. She totally would’ve been next to go if she didn’t pull out an idol. Heck, we were even considering offering her up as a sacrifice to go home last night until you and Blake started secretly waging war on each other. I’m amazed the two of you both got to work on amassing your respective armies all under the cover of covert whispers right then and there at Tribal last night, all while Lisa sat there thinking she was going home.

Carter: Regardless, I was so happy after that first swap, that I wasn’t with Lisa. You have my sympathies that you were stuck with her again.

Candy: On the bright side, now she’s stuck with no one but herself.

Carter: Sounds like dreadful company. [chuckling]

Meanwhile, on Vailheu…

Mallorie is arranging everyone’s bags in the shelter as the others gather around the fire.

Constance is enveloping Elmer in a warm embrace.

Constance: Good to see you again.

Elmer: You too.

Kelli then leaps into Elmer’s arms, almost tackling him off his feet, and Elmer grunts, laughing.

Kelli: What about me?

Elmer: [laughing] You too, Kelli!

Maverick smirks, watching them hug it out as he scratches behind his ear awkwardly. Randall raises an eyebrow as he stares at them from across the fire.

"vailheu"

- [squeals] The dynamic duo is back together! Not being around Elmer for the last week or so felt WEIRD. We spent so many mornings together on Pamanzi that him being removed from my daily routine was an odd experience. But no matter. Now, I don’t have to see Blake and Hazel hogging the coffee first thing in the morning anymore, but I get to spend time with Elmer again. First we blindside Blake, and now this? It’s perfect. All is right in the world, once again. [giggling]

Mallorie: Well...welcome to the Vailheu camp.

Constance: It’s a nice beach! Thank you for welcoming us. It’s nice to meet you.

Mallorie: You too. [shakes Constance’s hand]

Maverick: I’m Maverick.

Mallorie: Hey, nice to meet you.

Elmer: Quite an interesting swap, huh?

Randall: Hmph. You tell me…

Elmer: It’s like the Pamanzi tribe’s slowly taking over…

He nudges Mallorie playfully, laughing at his own joke as Randall groans.

"vailheu"

- Survivor gods...man, y’all are [censored] up. [laughing] What kind...of sick joke...is this? Putting me on the same tribe as Elmer once was bad enough, let alone twice. But now? A third time? I can’t stand his guts, and yet we’ve somehow managed to be on the same tribe every...single...time this season. Not a day goes by that I don’t see his pretty boy face or hear his smarmy voice! Now I have to continue to put up with that, still? What kinda luck do I have? I mean, yeah, being on the same tribe as Elmer has basically kept me away from Tribal Council every single time this season, but still...I swear, this is all just one big social experiment to see how much more of the Golden Boy antics I can put up with before I finally snap or roll my eyes right out of their sockets. Even I’m getting tired of complaining about him, but when he’s constantly in my face first thing in the morning, there’s not much else to complain about. He is the one constant of my Survivor experience right now, and that’s an unfortunate fact.

Constance: Maverick and I are just happy to be away from Pamanzi…

Maverick: Hah! That’s for damn sure. [laughing] That tribe was garbage. I’m ready to finally get back to winning challenges. And this is looking like a solid tribe to do it.

Kelli: Yeah, I think we’re way stronger than the other tribe. Our guys are stronger, our girls are...stronger...

The camera cuts to Constance’s face when Kelli hesitates in the middle of her last sentence.

Maverick: Gonna be honest, another reason I’m so happy to swap is that it takes us away from Lisa. Thank [censored]! I don’t have to live with that girl anymore.

Elmer: Was she a pain to live with?

Randall: Gee...can’t imagine what it must be like to live with someone whose guts you can’t stand…

Maverick: Duuude, she was a NIGHTMARE! She never stopped complaining.

Elmer: [suppressing laugh] Really? That’s...huh.

Maverick: She was always complaining about how [censored] hungry she was. At one point, I came so perilously close to just yelling at her to shut the [censored] up, you know what I mean? I came so close to bloody losing my [censored].

Constance: Well, I’m glad you didn’t. [chuckling] I am relieved to not be with her anymore as well. Even though we kept her around last night. It’s still a windfall to rid ourselves of our dead weight.

"vailheu"

- New tribe, same buff...and a mix of new and old people. I’m reunited with Constance and Kelli, which has me elated. I had good relationships and was working with both of them, so having them both on this tribe leaves me in a very good spot. This is the first time I’m meeting Maverick, and he seems like a chill dude, if a little meatheaded. And then I have Randall and Mallorie still here, which is decidedly less cool. Randall and I...there’s no point to repeating myself when it comes down to the dynamic between us two. I’ve long suspected he’s never been fond of me and he’s been more and more vocal about it the more time we spend around each other, so I suppose it’s a cruel joke by the fates to keep pairing us up on the same tribe over and over. And Mallorie...we were supposedly working together on the second Vailheu tribe, but I don’t know. There’s just something fishy about that girl that I can’t quite put my finger on, but I’ve always had my suspicions that she’s never trusted me completely, despite Bridgette’s best efforts to get us to work together. And honestly? I’ve never fully trusted her either. I needed her on my last tribe for the numbers because it was us three returnees, with Drew and Randall, and even one person flipping could cause the outcome of a Tribal Council to change completely. But now that I’m back in with two of my original closest allies, in Constance and Kelli? I don’t need Mallorie as much anymore. She’s still a meat shield for me, because of the four returnees left in the game, I would argue she has the biggest reputation as a threat in the game. But I don’t necessarily fancy working with her because I don’t think I can trust her. I have a feeling she’s considered cutting my throat more than once back on Vailheu, and it was only a situation with numbers, and not wanting to betray Bridgette’s trust, that kept her from pulling the trigger on me. We’ve just never been able to fully trust one another.

The camera cuts to Elmer and Kelli spending time alone in the water, and Elmer gives her a brief little hug around the waist.

Elmer: I’m glad to have you back.

Kelli: You too, my prince.

Elmer: [gags] Very funny.

Kelli: How badly did you miss me?

Elmer: I could ask you the same thing. Given that I continued my winning streak just fine without you...meh. I think I fared just fine.

Kelli: Shut up!

Elmer: [chuckling] How was things on your end?

Kelli: Started out bad, but things ended well. Carter and I were on the bottom the minute we landed on the Mwali tribe, because this guy, Blake, was running the entire operation, literally, like the Godfather of a Russian mafia.

Elmer: That bad, huh?

Kelli: But he’s gone now, so whatever. Out of sight, out of mind. I don’t plan on thinking about him much anymore. Now, I’m just happy it’s us two again.

Elmer: As am I. I think we’re in a really good spot. We have Constance with us…

Kelli pokes her nose.

Elmer: And potentially, if we need to, we can pull in either Randall or Mallorie to have the numbers. Maverick’s a mystery to me so far…

Kelli: He’s a mystery to me too. The only person here who knows him is Constance.

Elmer: Maybe we can work with him then. I plan on talking to him and getting to know him as well.

Kelli: So who would we want to get rid of in the case of Tribal Council?

Elmer: I’d hope it doesn’t come down to that buuut...it would have to be Randall or Mallorie, for me. For two very different reasons…

Kelli: You and Randall still have beef?

Elmer: Yeah. Being on the same tribe three times in a row definitely didn’t help, either.

Kelli: Geez, you two. Should I leave you two to get a room already?

"vailheu"

- Randall and Elmer still hate each other. [makes face] No surprise there. They’ve not had a day away from each other’s company either, so that probably didn’t help. I’d prefer if they both got along because as it stands right now, looking at this tribe, I don’t want either of them to be the next to go even though I already know both of them will want to gun for the other. Looking at the new Vailheu tribe right now, I would want either of the two non-Pamanzi players, Mallorie or Maverick to be our first vote. But keeping the Pamanzi foursome together is not going to be an easy feat...and I’m hoping that I can be the glue that keeps these two idiotic boys from ripping each other apart, because them targeting each other is not gonna be good for my game at this point.

Meanwhile, back on Mwali…

Lisa arrives onsite, and drops her bag onto the sand as she stares at the empty campfire and the messy shelter.

Lisa: [blows raspberry] ...This place is a dump.

She trots through camp, kicking absentmindedly at the dirt and firewood left over.

Lisa: Home sweet home? What a joke. [sighs]

She crumples into a seat by the coffeemaker, inspecting it.

Lisa: ...I don’t even like coffee, but if it’s here, I might as well make use of it. How do you like them apples, Godfather Blake? I’m drinking your coffee and sleeping in your old shelter! [cackles]

The camera cuts to Lisa stumbling around the abandoned camp, inspecting her new living conditions, looking extremely out-of-place.

"mwali"

- The very moment Jeff announced one person would draw the lone buff and be sentenced to exile on the Mwali camp, I instantly knew that lucky person...or unlucky, depending on how you look at it...was going to be me. It was inevitable. I’m always the centre of attention, even when I don’t want to be! I can’t do anything right in this game. I can't even draw a buff right! Y’know, I just can’t help drawing the spotlight wherever I go. It’s my blessing and my curse. [chuckling]

The camera cuts to Lisa flinching as she loosely grips a machete and pathetically tries to chop down onto a coconut, only to send the coconut bouncing off into the bushes.

Lisa: [sighs] Okay, how do I do this?

She gingerly tip toes over to look for it.

The camera focuses on her as she rummages through the bushes. She glances up directly at the camera and snorts.

Lisa: Don’t judge me, okay, I always left [censored] like this to the veterans.

She picks up the fallen coconut and pulls herself out of the thicket, looking befuddled.

Lisa: You literally put the person with the least survivalist experience alone on an island by herself...yeah, that won’t backfire at all. What the hell were you thinking, Survivor gods…?

"mwali"

- Part of me is thankful to be on Mwali now because, obviously, it means I’m safe. I can’t be voted out. And given that I’ve been very unpopular and loads of people clearly dislike me...I suppose I should also be thankful to not be on a tribe with people anymore, like Mallorie or Candy or Maverick or Constance...all people who obviously hate my guts. There’s no doubt in my mind I’d be gone if I stuck with them. So yeah, I am happy to be alone. [pauses] ...But it is hard being alone too.

Emotional piano music cues in the background as the camera cuts to a wide shot of Lisa silhouetted against the setting sun and the sea, sparkling in the distance, as Lisa plops down on a stump by the shelter, tossing firewood into the fire as she prepares to try and get it started.

"mwali"

- Like...who am I supposed to talk to out here? I’m a social butterfly, I thrive off of talking to other people, that’s a lot of what I do. I’m a talkative gal. It was one of my strengths that I thought would serve me well coming into this game; obviously not, since people say I complain too much or that I whine about being hungry, but then they also complain that I don’t talk strategy with them like with Mallorie or Candy. It’s like, I don’t know how to please these people. It’s funny to me that...for the longest time, I’ve wanted to be away from all these people that I hate. Mallorie...Maverick...Constance...Candy...I just wanted to get away from their condescending, judgmental faces that I’m so over. And yet, now that I’m well and truly on my own...I hate it. I’d rather be back on a tribe with people I can’t stand than be left to fend for myself, with nothing but my own devices. I am not an independent person. Clearly, I’m not. [laughs and swallows] ...I’m very dependent on other people. Now, being cast out on my own, I have to fend for myself, and it...terrifies me. It terrifies me that I’ll be sleeping in this lousy shelter at night, alone. It terrifies me that I have to make fire and make my own meals, alone, when I can barely handle a pot of chicken soup or a jar of chilli sauce without fumbling and making a mockery of myself. It’s funny that I’ve only had one vote cast against me in four Tribal Councils, and it was from the person who went home first. And yet I’ve felt like I’ve been on the bottom of every single tribe I’ve been on for the last...sixteen days or so. Being the outcast is not a role I’m used to. ...I admit that much.

Lisa sighs as, with the fire unsuccessfully started, she crawls into the shelter and buries herself in her jacket.

Lisa: ...This sucks.

Day 17
The sun rises on a new day on the Mwali beach.

Early in the morning, Lisa is on her way to the water well on the Mwali beach, her empty canteen slung over her shoulder.

"mwali"

- I’m usually a heavy sleeper. I don’t wake up terribly early to go about my morning, doing chores or whatever the others typically do. I only do stuff when I’m specifically told to, like gathering coconuts or firewood or what-have-you. But last night, I could barely sleep a wink. I tossed and turned for ages. I think it was the lack of people around me that really unsettled me. It was the most uncomfortable night I’ve been out here, mostly because of the silence. I didn’t realize how having Candy’s body heat or Maverick snoring was, in a way, sort of comforting? On this beach, I’m alone, and it was...frightening. It was weird. I didn’t like it. And so I ended up waking surprisingly early today, not usually how early I’d get up.

Lisa gets to the well and frowns when she sees a parchment stuck to the top of the cover.

Lisa: Hello...what’s this?

She stops on the edge of the well and runs a hand over the parchment, reading in the dim early morning daylight.

Lisa: [reading aloud] “You may be alone on this beach, but the game doesn’t end here. Find the coconut with the tribe sigil on it, and an idol you will no longer fear.” What…?

She looks around her, taken aback, scouring the floor and the forest around her for clues.

Lisa: The heck does this mean?

"mwali"

- At the well, there was this cryptic message, saying that if I could find a coconut with...the Mwali tribe sigil on it...then I would no longer need to fear a hidden immunity idol. At first, I didn’t know what the hell that meant but as long as this means there’s some sort of advantage up for grabs here, then heck…[gestures] that advantage is mine, whatever it is. I got nothing but time on my hands out here so I’m gonna get straight to lookin’. I already have one hidden immunity idol in my pocket, so adding a second advantage to my arsenal would put me in a really sweet spot come the merge.

The camera cuts to a montage of Lisa scouring the Mwali beach, running up and down the shore, turning the shelter inside out, scampering around the forest.

Lisa gingerly puts her hands on a tree trunk and lifts her foot, preparing to climb up, then she looks at how high it is and shakes her head.

Lisa: Nope.

The camera cuts to another montage of Lisa running around the beach, now lifting up the coffee pot and tossing logs and firewood over her shoulder, rummaging through all of the tribe’s supplies in her mad hunt.

At last, Lisa begins searching down by the rocks near the shoreline, as the camera zooms in on a coconut nestled in between two boulders. It bears a blue sigil on it and Lisa yelps, making a beeline for it.

Lisa: Holy cow…

She picks up the coconut and runs back to camp, grabbing the machete and preparing to chop it open.

Lisa: I just hope I don’t cut the advantage in half, whatever it is…

She slams the machete blade down, and it almost bounces off the coconut, but it does the trick to split it open, revealing it was held together by blue thread, as a bundle of parchment slips out and almost drops into the fire. Lisa hurriedly picks it up and dusts it off, untangling the parchments and reading aloud as she unfolds it.

Lisa: Congratulations, you have found the Idol Nullifier. Whoa…

She holds up the new Idol Nullifier in her hand.

"mwali"

- My new advantage is called the Idol Nullifier. As the name goes, I can use it to nullify the use of a hidden immunity idol on any player in the game. This is a huge advantage. Now, not only do I have one hidden immunity idol myself, I also have the only Nullifier in the game that could negate the use of another player’s idol. [laughs] I’m almost starting to think I have too much power in the game! First an idol, then an idol nullifier...what’s next, an Idol Nullifier Nullifier? Heck, if there is one, I’ll find it too. I told you, even when I’m not trying, luck finds a way to throw me for a loop, whether it’s good or bad. So maybe being Exiled to Mwali [shrugs] wasn’t so bad after all. If people still want to underestimate me in the game, that’s their mistake because little do they know...what kind of weapons I now have in my little arsenal. You don’t underestimate the pretty girl! I may not have a lot of luck seducing boys the way I thought, but I can definitely play this game better than you think. [smiles]

The camera fades away as Lisa pumps her fist, kissing her new Idol Nullifier with pride.

Lisa: Take that, Mallorie. I CAN find advantages; that’s two for two, now…! [giggling]

Meanwhile, on Pamanzi...

Hazel is sitting alone on the rocks, knees pulled up to her chest, watching the sunrise.

Sighing heavily with a tiny sniffle, she stares blankly out into the distance, her irises turning orange in the light of the sun peeking out over the horizon.

Back in the shelter, Bridgette is waking up, and pulling her buff down and over her face. Blinking groggily, she looks around at the heap of sleeping bodies near her, and spots Hazel seated on the rocks out at sea. She frowns.

Bridgette drags herself out of the shelter, pulling a blanket around her like a shawl, as Carter blinks sleepily, sitting up.

Carter: Going somewhere?

Bridgette: Hmm? Yeah. I’m gonna go sit with Hazel.

Carter: [yawns] Oh, okay.

Bridgette leaves.

Back by the rocks, Hazel continues sitting and spacing out as Bridgette arrives and kneels down next to her to watch the sunrise as well.

Bridgette: Mornin’.

Hazel: Hmm.

Bridgette: Are you alright? You look kind of troubled.

Hazel: [shrugs] I don’t know, I guess.

Bridgette: Hey, talk to me. You okay?

She reaches out to pat Hazel’s hand as Hazel pulls back slightly.

Hazel: I’ve just been feeling really down as of late. I’m sorry, you don’t want to hear about it…

Bridgette: No, talk to me. I won’t force you into it if you don’t want to but it’ll feel better to get it off your chest. I know.

Hazel buries her face in her arms, shaking slightly, red from embarrassment as Bridgette patiently strokes her back.

Bridgette: It’s alright to let it out. I’m right here.

Hazel: Gah, I’m sorry. This is so awkward…

Bridgette: Is this about what happened last Tribal?

Hazel nods mutely through her sniffles.

Bridgette: I don’t know all the details, but the gist of it was that your ally was blindsided, right?

Hazel: [swallowing] Yeah, pretty much.

A tear trickles down her cheek and she brushes it away, almost irritated with herself.

Hazel: I just put so much stock in believing the people around me could be trusted. Now, I feel lost. I feel like I have no one left in the game now.

Bridgette continues to stroke her back, a sympathetic but thoughtful expression on her face.

Hazel: Bridgette, I really feel so alone out here now. Like I don’t know who to trust anymore. It feels like no one wants to play this game with me anymore.

Bridgette: Why do you think that?

Hazel: Because I blew up at Keira before. I’m pretty sure she hates me now. And Carter will never trust me again…

Bridgette watches Hazel as the latter wipes her nose with the hem of her sleeve.

Hazel: I feel so lost. I don’t know what I’m going to do now. Blake was always the one in control, so now I just feel out-of-place. It just sucks to feel betrayed…

Hazel: Bridge…[sniffs] tell me the truth. Am I going home next?

Bridgette: I honestly don’t know, Haze. I really don’t. I haven’t even been to Tribal yet.

Hazel: I know you haven’t…

Bridgette: I don’t want you gone. I’ll tell you that much. And I don’t want you to stress too much over it, no matter how much you feel like you’re on the bottom.

Hazel: But I’m in danger, right? Carter wants me gone, right? I’m sure he does.

Bridgette bites her lip, hesitating.

Bridgette: He might.

Hazel exhales unsteadily.

Hazel: I knew it. He definitely distrusts me now after Blake and I tried to blindside him.

Bridgette: Have you tried talking it out with him?

Hazel: No…

Bridgette: Maybe you should…

Hazel: What difference would it make? [sobs] I don’t want to go home…

Bridgette: Who would you want it to be instead?

Hazel: I don’t know. I don’t really care...I just don’t want it to be me because I know they’d both be gunning for me. Keira and Carter, I guess...

Bridgette chooses her next words carefully.

Bridgette: Nothing’s set in stone yet. But I definitely think we could work something out.

Hazel: You do?

Bridgette: Yes. But let’s win this next challenge and keep Tribal at bay, okay?

Hazel: [sniffs] Okay. Thank you.

Bridgette: Hug it out?

The two hug.

Meanwhile, on the Vailheu beach…

Mallorie is sitting in the sand, enjoying the view, as Maverick plops down next to her.

Maverick: Hey, you.

Mallorie: Morning. I’m glad we can talk.

Maverick: Same. I wanted to get a moment alone with you too.

He dusts the sand off his hands.

Maverick: Before we were officially swapped, Candy whispered to me to trust you. And I trust her, so I do want to work with you.

Mallorie: Candy’s my girl, yeah. I heard a little from Constance that it was you who turned the tides against Markus and away from her, even though Lisa gave you the opportunity to take control of the numbers by voting Candy off. So...thank you for keeping my girl safe.

Maverick: It wasn’t nothing. I like Candy. She’s cool in my book. And I think once the merge hits, you and I and her and whoever else you two have in your corner...we could run things at the merge, you know what I’m saying?

Mallorie: I do. I think that’d be perfect.

"vailheu"

- This new tribe consists of four original Pamanzi members, which more or less leaves me and Maverick as the two intruders. Maverick doesn't like Lisa, like me. Maverick is aligned with Candy, like me. Maverick likes to make big moves, like me, if his betrayal of Blake is any indication. We have a lot of common ground. Plus, he’s a pretty decent soundboard for discussing strategies. If we work well together, I think this could be the start of a beautiful partnership.

Mallorie: And you’ll never have to worry about being too big of a threat, because you’ll always be able to point to me and say, “well, what about her?”

Maverick: [laughing] Yeah. You don’t get a bigger meat shield than a veteran like Mallorie Cole…

Mallorie: Given that we’re up against four people from the same tribe, I think we have to stick together.

Maverick: I’ll tell you all I know from Constance and from the other night at that joint Tribal, and you tell me what you know of Randall and Elmer. Deal?

Mallorie: Deal.

Randall now trots down in front of them, looking like his familiar shade of ticked off.

Mallorie: You alright, buddy?

Randall: No. Stupid Elmer’s whining about me sleeping in so long and not doing my chores. What is this, does he think he’s my mom or something? I’m not eleven.

Maverick snorts under his breath, suppressing a laugh.

Maverick: [chuckling] Then don’t act like one…

Randall: What’s that?

Mallorie: [snickering] Oh, nothing. Go cool off, okay?

Randall: Yeah, yeah. I just need to get away from Elmer’s nagging for a bit…

He sulks away.

Maverick: Randall always complain this much?

The camera cuts to Randall now complaining to Constance about the pot of rice.

Mallorie: Oh, yes. All the time. Like you would not believe.

Maverick: Sounds like a nightmare. I know the feel. If he and Lisa got together, they'd talk each other's ears off.

Mallorie: [laughing] They'd annoy each other to death, trying to outwhine the other.

"vailheu"

- Given that I just recently helped Mallorie’s allies in Candy and Carter blindside my original allies in Blake and Hazel, it’s pretty safe to say I’ve had to turn my back on my Mwali roots and am more or less throwing my lot in with Mallorie’s gang. So, that being said, I’m perfectly fine with working with Mallorie on this tribe. I think we’re both very strategic players, and that makes us similar. I can see why she and Candy became friends. They have the same kind of chemistry that I had with Candy. As of now, I believe I can work with her, and I have a connection to Constance from before. I think I’ve moved into a great spot on this tribe. I’ve got a tiny link to Constance from our last tribe, and a budding new one to Mallorie now because of our mutual friend in Candy. The only ones I’m not sure of are Elmer, Randall and Kelli at the moment, which will prove interesting because from what Mallorie’s told me, there’s a rivalry going on between Elmer and Randall that she thinks will be best to exploit.

At that same moment, Elmer is having a meeting with Randall at the well.

Elmer: Hey. Glad you came.

Randall: What’s up? Why’d you ask to meet?

Elmer: Listen...I know you and I haven’t always seen...eye-to-eye.

Randall keeps his face impassive, but his eyebrow shows the slightest of twitches.

Elmer: And I wanted to apologize.

Randall: ...Go on.

Elmer: I don’t want us to keep feuding. I could sense you were angry with me earlier that I asked you to do your chores-

Randall: Look, I’m not a baby, okay? I wasn’t mad at you because you asked me to help out around camp. I was just tired of your nagging. I don’t need a caretaker out on the island.

Elmer: Okay. I ju-

Randall: Like, I’ll do what I need to...when I need to, you know? I’ll do my part when I’m awake and I’m ready, I don’t need an alarm clock telling me when to do this and when to do that. Just let me go about my business and trust that I’ll get things done when I’m supposed to.

Elmer stands in silence, nodding only occasionally as Randall continues his spiel and launches into a new tirade now about Elmer’s antics.

"vailheu"

- When you’re playing a social game like Survivor, making and keeping enemies around is a very dangerous thing. And that’s why so many people walk on eggshells around their fellow tribemates or try to be careful about what they say or how they treat other people. That’s why I’m trying to patch things up with Randall because while I still wouldn’t mind seeing him gone at long last, there’s always a slim chance things change and I might end up needing to fall back on Pamanzi loyalty and will need his vote. So I can’t have him outright hate me and know that I want to get rid of him. I need him to think I at least sorta want to reconcile our relationship. But Randall just does not seem to understand that aspect of the social game, because he is making every effort [chuckles] to show just how bratty, immature and irresponsible he is as a person, and he does not seem to care about how I feel about him in return. He will gladly make himself an unpopular person around camp or in my eyes by whining, complaining and just being an annoyance in general. The only reason he’s even still here is, quite frankly...because of me. I’m not saying I’m the only thing keeping us away from Tribal but I’ve been busting my ass to help our tribe win the last few challenges and I think I’m part of the reason why he’s been lucky enough to have been immune for the past five Tribal Councils.

Randall: ...and I’m just tired of it. Like, can you imagine being out here, and knowing it’s hard enough as it is with so little food, harsh living conditions, everyone operating on little sleep and everyone’s always paranoid-

Elmer: I know that. Of course I know that, I’ve played this game before.

Randall: [rolls his eyes] Wow, gee, really? You have? I never would’ve guessed. It’s not like you remind everyone of that fact twenty times a day.

Elmer: Why do I irritate you so much?

Randall: Nothing. It’s nothing. Never mind. Look, forget about it, and the incident this morning. You know by now...I’m a grouchy person. I’m a grumpy guy in general, especially when I’m hungry and I’m tired! Let’s just look past this, alright? I don’t want to talk about it anymore.

Elmer: [sighs] Okay. I just wanted to make sure we were still...well, that we were okay, more or less…

Randall: We’re fine.

Elmer: We may bicker a lot, but I don’t hold any of that against you-

Randall: I wouldn’t expect you to. Why would something as petty as a couple arguments deter me from wanting to make the smart choice for my game?

Elmer: Right. And there’s no denying the fact that we’ve been on the same tribe three times in a row now. Now, with four Pamanzi members together, and two on the outside…

Randall: We’d be foolish to give up the numbers and let Mallorie and Maverick slip through the cracks.

Elmer: Exactly.

Randall: Relax. I know what to do. I’m not a dumbass. I mean, Maverick hasn’t tried anything yet but Mallorie’s already been making moves.

Elmer: She’s been...what?

Randall: Mallorie. [shrugs] She’s already contemplated your name, out there. I’m just sayin’...

Elmer: That’s news to me.

Randall scratches the back of his neck and shrugs again, peering into the thick foliage.

Randall: She’s a helluva gamer, what can I tell you that you don’t already know?

"vailheu"

- Of all people to give me a heads-up about someone coming after me...it’s my own rival Randall who warns me first. That Mallorie...who I thought I was good with because we had a mutual connection in Bridgette...has considered coming for me. I thought I had a good rapport with Mallorie. It’s true that I’ve never fully trusted her, though, and it was only to preserve our numbers as veterans while we were on a tribe with two newbies in the minority, and to honor Bridgette’s desire to have both of us as allies, that I was willing to be in an alliance with her. She’s a big threat like I’m a big threat and we were arguably the two biggest threats on our respective seasons. I wanted to work with her in the sense that I needed her for protection, and I still may. But knowing what I know now, that she may want to get me out before I can do the same to her...maybe I do need to adjust my gameplan. Maybe...I should stick with the de facto plan to spare Randall, keep the four Pamanzi on this tribe united, and take out a threat like Mallorie before the merge, where she could reunite with her Vailheu allies and wreak havoc and control the game with an iron fist like she was known for in Seychelles. Because right now, my only concern would be that Bridgette wouldn’t be up for it. ...But Bridgette’s not on this tribe anymore. Nothing’s stopping me from targeting Mallorie now, if I wanted to. Perhaps I need to strike first before I get struck back.

Elmer: Alright. And again...I’m sorry I’ve been getting on your case. ...I mean that. I don’t want to make your experience out here negative, or unpleasant or...I don’t know. I just...want us to get along. Really…

Something in Randall’s eyes soften and he shrugs, avoiding Elmer’s gaze.

Randall: Whatever.

Elmer: So can we shake on it? That no matter what, we can at least try to get our Pamanzi crew to the merge, where we’ll be stronger together than split apart?

Randall: Sure. Fine. Deal.

They shake hands briefly and let go fast.

As Elmer grabs his canteen and turns to go, Randall’s eyes zero in on his back, full of suspicion.

"vailheu"

- Elmer is such a goody-two-shoes, it’s sickening. [laughing] I give him credit for trying to patch things up with me, but it’s far too late for that. I’ve known for a long time that we could never work with each other in this game. We feud too much for that. And being on the same tribe three times in a row has only exacerbated our enmity. I want him gone, period. And I think I can still corral Mallorie and Maverick to my side to take a shot at Elmer if we go back to Tribal.

The camera cuts to a sped-up shot of the clouds passing by overhead, before cutting back down to a conversation between Mallorie and Elmer in the forest.

Elmer: I was talking with Randall earlier…

Mallorie: Yeah, what about?

Elmer: He told me that you were thinking of targeting me.

Mallorie’s eyes flash with alarm as she glances at him.

Elmer: Back on the previous tribe?

Mallorie: That’s nonsense. You believe a guy like him? After everything the two of you have been through?

Elmer: Well, no. That’s why I wanted to check with you.

Mallorie: That dude is full of it. If anything, he’s the one that’s wanted you gone for ages now. Like, one only has to observe him to see that. He finds a fault in every little thing that you do.

Elmer laughs sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.

Elmer: Yeah...I suppose you’re right.

Mallorie: [snaps fingers] You know what? I think I know what Randall was referring to now. You gotta give the conversation a little context but basically he was bitching to me about you, which is no surprise…

Elmer: Mhm.

Mallorie: And the topic came up and I said something along the lines of, like “yeah, I’m not that close with Elmer though Bridgette seems to think I am. I wouldn’t be against wanting him out if that’s what you really want.” But I’m playing a game here. Randall was in the minority with Drew at the time, I had to make him think he was safe so he didn’t pull out an idol or feel like his back was against the wall. You know how it is, right?

Elmer: Of course. So you were just lying to him to make him feel better?

Mallorie: And to make him think that you and I weren’t that close just because of Bridgette, so he doesn’t suspect that we’re actually in an alliance. But we are, of course.

Elmer: Of course.

Mallorie: Of course.

Elmer: Veterans gotta stick together, right?

Mallorie: [laughing] Otherwise we all screw ourselves.

Even as they laugh and seemingly make up in amicable conversation, Mallorie cannot hide the slight tinge of displeasure from seeping into her otherwise lofty expression.

"vailheu"

- I find out that Randall’s been leaking the stuff I’ve been saying to him about Elmer, and in that moment, it felt like that same volatile Mallorie from Seychelles was reawakening inside me. [laughing] I tried not to show it too much, but I was pissed. Randall, what the hell are you up to, bro? I wanted to work with you on the side, so I knew I could count on your vote if I ever decided that Elmer needed to go. And now I find out he’s basically playing both sides, even with someone who he’s made it clear he greatly dislikes? He thinks he’s playing it slick but I see through it. Randall can’t keep his mouth shut. He even spills information about the people he’s trying to work with. First it was about Drew to me, now it’s about me to Elmer. He doesn’t know how to play this damn game. It’s a social game, and secrets and information are currency. You let that get out, and it turns into rumors, and rumors spread like wildfire, and that stuff is dangerous, bro. Randall is cancelled in my eyes, but at the same time...I still think Elmer needs to go first. I can handle a loose cannon and an unreliable player like Randall, but someone like Elmer, who actually is likeable and has charmed allies to his side in multiple people like Kelli and Constance and even my friend, Bridgette? [shrugs] Veteran or not, Elmer is not someone I want to go far with. He has to leave, sooner or later.

Elmer: I still want to work with you, Mallorie. You, me...Bridgette and Carter...we need to have each other’s backs. We can’t cannibalize one another because then, the newbies take over.

Mallorie: You’re absolutely right.

Elmer: A newbie needs to go next. If a veteran goes, we could be down to three people at the merge and that’d be just a quarter of the numbers.

Mallorie: Right. I know the math.

Elmer: So we’re good?

Mallorie: Of course we’re good. Bro.

Elmer: Okay.

He extends a hand, and like Randall before her, Mallorie takes it and shakes firmly.

The camera zooms in on Mallorie’s hardset face.

"vailheu"

- Underneath that gentlemanly exterior, I can see that his time on Cayman Islands has gone to his head. He’s cocky, he’s arrogant. Randall was right. I don’t want to work with him! I’ve gone head-to-head with alpha males before, like with Abe on Seychelles. Elmer is not as villainous but at the end of the day, he’s really no different. He thinks he’s got a great grasp on this game. But I’ll be the one to take him down.

The camera zooms in on Elmer’s smiling face.

"vailheu"

- I wanted to align with the returnees, because I think it’s the best option for all of us to not let the newbies get the upper hand by fighting amongst ourselves. But I get the feeling Mallorie doesn’t feel the same way about me. My bull[censored] detector was going off the charts when I was talking to her. I think Randall was, ironically, telling the truth. I think she may have genuinely considered voting me off with him and Drew had we lost a challenge on our last tribe. So I can’t trust her, no matter how much Bridgette may want us three as a veteran trio to be a thing. I’ve tried my best to align myself with Mallorie but she’s too good at this game. She’s cold and she’s ruthless. She’d cut anybody given the chance and I know that includes me. For all our sakes’, she can’t make it to that merge, and she can’t get back together with Candy and Carter. Not a chance.

Day 18
Jeff: Come on in, guys!

The two tribes enter on floating platforms in the middle of the ocean.

Jeff: Ready to get to today’s immunity challenge? First things first, Randall, I will take it back.

Randall tosses Jeff the immunity idol. Mallorie catches Candy’s eye and winks at her. Carter nods in return.

Jeff: Immunity is back up for grabs! For today’s challenge, one of you will swim out to retrieve a key. The rest of the tribe will then dive in and climb up onto a teeter-totter, where you must balance as a group as one member retrieves two bags of balls dangling out on either end. You will then use the key to unlock a table at the end of your platform, where you will roll the balls up the table and attempt to land them in three holes. The first tribe to land all three balls...wins immunity and reward, in the form of sustenance…

Jeff unveils a covered item next to him.

Jeff: Two tubs of ice cream to go around for the whole tribe!

Everyone cheers and claps for the frozen confectioneries.

Jeff: Worth playing for? We’ll get started.

The camera focuses on the determined look on Hazel’s face as she studies the choppy water.

Soon, both tribes are in position.

Jeff: Alright, for immunity and reward, Survivors ready? Go!

Keira dives into the water for her tribe, and Elmer dives into the water for his.

Jeff: It is Keira from Pamanzi and Elmer from Vailheu, taking on the diving portion of this challenge.

Both Keira and Elmer begin swimming out to the buoy with the key in the middle of the ocean, as their respective tribes shout encouragement to them.

Jeff: Both Keira and Elmer keeping pace with one another…

They dive down underwater at the same time.

Jeff: We are neck-and-neck right now, it is a close race!

The camera cuts underwater to where both Keira and Elmer are busy untying their keys.

Elmer is first, and begins paddling upwards. A split second later, Keira also frees her key.

Elmer’s head breaks apart the surface of the water as he swims out to the teeter-totter, the rest of his tribe cheering for him. Keira surfaces right after him and continues swimming, hot on his heels.

Jeff: Elmer and Keira heading out for the next phase of the challenge!

Elmer begins climbing up to the teeter-totter as Keira emerges behind him, barely paying him any mind as she focuses intently on the mission at hand.

Jeff: Elmer and Keira both reach the teeter-totter at the same time! Pamanzi, Vailheu, get in the water and swim out!

Both tribes jump in and everyone begins swimming out to join Elmer and Keira.

One by one, everyone on both tribes start to climb up to their teeter-totter platforms.

Jeff: Last person up will be the one to collect the bags. For Vailheu, it is Kelli and for Pamanzi, it is Bridgette.

Kelli is now maneuvering her way to one end of the teeter-totter, clutching onto Randall and then to Maverick for support as she scooches past them.

Bridgette is gingerly tiptoeing around the others on her tribe, Keira holding onto her tightly as she moves past her and takes Carter’s hand. The latter stretches out and dangles her out over the water as she unties her bag with one hand.

Jeff: Bridgette working on getting her first bag, Kelli doing the same!

Bridgette is biting on the tip of her tongue, face screwed up and hands shaking and clammy as she dangles out precariously over the water, Carter silently holding onto her free hand with one of his own.

Kelli disentangles her bag first and it drops into the water.

Jeff: Kelli frees the first bag for Vailheu!

Elmer: Good job, Kelli!

Maverick: Alright, now come on back.

Kelli begins inching her way to the other side of the teeter-totter, as Bridgette also unties her bag.

Jeff: Bridgette with the first bag for Pamanzi!

Kelli is now dangling out on the other end, stretching her hands out nervously, her fingers shaking as she unravels the knotted ropes.

Bridgette is slowly moving around her other tribemates too, as they whisper words of encouragement to her.

Keira: Keep going…

Candy: You got this, girl, you’re almost there...you’re doing great…

Kelli sticks her tongue out as she finally frees her second bag.

Jeff: You’re good, Vailheu! Jump in!

The Vailheu tribe leaps into the water with a couple whoops, and they begin swimming out to the final stage of their challenge. Maverick swims back to grab the first bag from where Kelli dropped it into the water.

Drew: Keep going, Bridge, you got this…

Bridgette is still working on her second bag.

Hazel: Come on, Bridgette…

At last, she gets it free.

Jeff: You’re good, Pamanzi! Go!

The Pamanzi six dives into the water.

Jeff: It is Vailheu with a small lead over Pamanzi…

The Vailheu tribe climbs up onto their final platform, where the table and three holes await.

Elmer rushes to unlock the table with the key he’d retrieved earlier, as Maverick and Kelli open up their bags of balls.

On the other side, Pamanzi has also made it to their table, as Keira gets on her knees to insert her key into the table’s padlock.

Elmer releases the lock, and Maverick steps up to the plate with a ball in hand, and starts rolling them. His first ball rolls up the incline of the table, but rolls past the hole he was aiming for.

Jeff: Maverick, trying to land the first of three holes for the Vailheu tribe…

Keira has her table unlocked as well, and now Carter is getting into position with the balls.

Maverick continues to roll, and his first ball continues to miss. He curses.

Constance: Stay calm, Maverick…

Mallorie: Keep going.

Mallorie glances over at the other tribe’s efforts. Carter rolls up his first ball, and it sinks neatly into the first hole.

Bridgette: Yes!

Jeff: Carter with the first ball for Pamanzi! Pamanzi taking over the lead!

Maverick rolls again, ignoring the other tribe.

His ball rolls up and rolls down, past the hole yet again.

Maverick: Tch…

Elmer: Mav, swap.

Maverick swaps out as Elmer subs in.

Jeff: Elmer now taking over for Maverick…

Elmer rolls up his first ball, and it is also unsuccessful. Scowling, Elmer braces himself to try again.

Meanwhile, Carter is still trying on his end, with little more success than Elmer. He ducks out and hands the ball over to Drew.

Jeff: Drew, now gonna give it a shot for Pamanzi...

Elmer lands his first ball, and the rest of his tribe claps and cheers. Kelli pumps her fists.

Jeff: Elmer with the first ball for Vailheu! We are tied, 1-1…

Drew continues rolling, as Elmer rolls alongside him. Drew scores the second ball, and his tribemates whoop.

Jeff: Drew with the second ball for Pamanzi. Pamanzi with one ball left!

Elmer bites his tongue, rolling his ball again, and it continues to just miss the second hole.

Elmer: Swap out!

Elmer hands the ball back to Maverick, who rushes to continue.

Drew’s ball narrowly misses the hole again.

Drew: Someone, sub in!

Keira hurriedly takes the ball from him.

Jeff: Keira now trying to get the last hole for Pamanzi, as Maverick rushes to catch back up for Vailheu…

Maverick’s second ball rolls down and lands squarely into the second hole.

Kelli: Yes!

Jeff: Maverick scores the second ball! We are tied up AGAIN! Pamanzi and Vailheu, with two points each. We’re looking for one more!

Keira breathes in and out, shaking her arms.

Jeff: Keira, for the win…

Keira rolls up her ball as Maverick gets back his final one.

The camera tracks the ball as it rolls down…

...and right past the final hole.

Keira: [censored]...

Bridgette: Ahh!

Hazel clutches her cheeks in terror as Keira rushes to recover.

Jeff: Keira misses! Maverick sees the opening…

Maverick rolls up his ball…

It goes up…

...and comes down…

...and bounces around the edge of the final hole…

…

...and rolls around the edge, continuing its trajectory downwards.

Maverick: [censored]! Damn it!

Constance: No!

Jeff: Maverick misses as well! Keira, for the win again!

Keira is back in her spot and rolls her ball once more. This time, it rolls up…

...and neatly sinks into the third and final hole on the table.

Jeff: And she does! Pamanzi wins immunity!

The Pamanzi tribe explodes into applause and enthusiastic celebration, jumping for joy and running to envelope Keira in a massive group hug.

Above the Pamanzi tribe members’ excited squeals and jubilant yells, the Vailheu tribe looks mostly disappointed and depressed. Kelli hugs Elmer as he shrugs, and Randall scowls into the ocean, looking like he wants to spit into the salty waves.

Constance pats Maverick comfortingly on the shoulder.

Constance: You did your best.

Maverick: I know. My best just wasn’t enough…

Drew: Pamanzi, on three! Guys...one, two...three!

The six of them chant “Pamanzi” and break off into laughter, all beaming widely.

Everyone returns to their original mats.

Jeff: Pamanzi, congratulations. It has been a long time since the tribe in red came out on top, but once again, the Pamanzi tribe is back in business. Good job. And you get ice cream! Waiting for you back at camp.

He hands a grinning Carter the idol.

Drew quietly holds out a fist for Bridgette to bump.

Drew: [whisper] Still no Tribal. [chuckling]

She giggles in response, equally delighted.

Hazel is exhaling quietly, eyes squeezed shut, looking relieved, one hand pressing against her chest.

Jeff: Head on back to camp and enjoy the night off.

The Pamanzi tribe waves and bids Jeff and the Vailheu tribe farewell as they turn to jump back into the water and swim back out. Carter even somersaults in, snickering.

Jeff turns to address Vailheu.

Jeff: Vailheu, unfortunately for you...no dice.

Kelli pouts, looking down at the floor then back up at Jeff with puppy-dog eyes.

Elmer smiles grimly, nodding. Randall sways from foot to foot, clutching his sides.

Jeff: One of you will be the sixth person voted out of this game. You have the afternoon to figure out who it’s gonna be. Pack your bags and head on out. I’ll see you tonight at Tribal.

The tribe turns around to leave.

The camera focuses on Randall as he walks between Mallorie and Elmer.

"vailheu"

- After more than two weeks out here on Survivor, I’m finally going to be attending my first Tribal Council. I’m not gonna lie, I’m pretty scared and I’m not sure what to expect. I don’t know for sure where I stand with my original tribemates, outside of Elmer. But I do know that I came here to play. And I’m freaking excited to do something I’ve wanted to do for the longest time...and that is to try and pull off this blindside on Elmer. I’ve waited so long for this opportunity to try and get Elmer out, I’d be remiss to pass up on the opportunity to finally shoot my shot tonight. I know I have Mallorie, I know I have Maverick, all that remains is figuring out how to convince either Kelli or Constance that now is the time to take him out. To finally be rid of the Golden Boy, right before the merge too...I’m [censored] excited.

The Vailheu tribe returns to their camp.

Kelli: Man, this blows…

Constance hangs up her bag, looking around at the others with her hands on her hips.

Elmer shrugs.

Elmer: It had to happen eventually…

Constance: You’ve not lost once yet, have you, Elmer?

Elmer: [chuckling] No.

Kelli: Lucky son-of-a-bitch! [laughing]

Randall: [raises hand mockingly] I haven’t lost either.

Elmer: Yeah, this guy and I [smacks Randall’s chest playfully] haven’t been to Tribal once this season.

Mallorie makes a face and turns away so the boys can’t see.

Constance: I guess this means neither have Drew or Bridgette…

Elmer: I’m kinda excited to whet my appetite for Tribal at last, I suppose. Randall here is gonna get his first taste for what Tribal Council’s really like…

Randall: I’d rather we be safe and spending another boring night in camp than potentially going home, but it is what it is…

The Pamanzi foursome are gathering in the forest to discuss.

Elmer: What are you three thinking for tonight? Maverick, or...Mallorie?

Kelli: I really don’t care either way. Maverick seems like he might be a physical threat at the merge...maybe?

Constance: But Mallorie is also very intelligent. You can’t underestimate her.

Elmer: Yeah, no way.

Constance: She’s very cunning.

Kelli: I say we do Mallorie then. It’s easy enough.

Constance: She’s for sure to have allies on the other side too.

Elmer: Mallorie it is.

Randall: [shrugs] Let’s do it.

Elmer: Alright.

"vailheu"

- The plan for tonight is simple: the four of us Pamanzi put all our votes on Mallorie. Boom. She’s a goner. Even if she somehow pulls out an idol...I still have mine. So I know I’ll be safe no matter what. The only problem, though...is if all four of us Pamanzi members can actually stick together for this vote. Because there’s a lot of bad blood among us four. [giggling] Constance and I don’t talk all that much and other than the fact that we started on the same tribe, we don’t have a lot in common, if anything. Then, obviously, there’s Elmer and Randall. ...No explanations needed there.

Randall is pulling Kelli aside so the two can take a walk.

Randall: What do you think of this Mallorie plan?

Kelli: I think it could work, if we all stick to the plan, as it were. Why, what were you thinking?

Randall: I’m thinking, now is the perfect time to enact our original plan, back on Pamanzi. Now, without Drew being indecisive and Bridgette wanting to protect her fellow veteran, the time is even more ripe to get rid of Elmer. We have Mallorie and Maverick, two people on the outs and Mallorie in particular is eager and willing to slit Elmer’s throat. Constance will want to save Elmer but with you, we have the numbers.

"vailheu"

- For my plan to blindside Elmer to succeed, I need four votes. Me and Mallorie and Maverick...that’s already three. I only need one more and it comes down to Constance or Kelli. They’re both close to Elmer in their own way but...I think Kelli has that killer instinct when it comes to making a sneaky play. I don’t think Constance has it in her to be that conniving or deceitful to blindside her “son” in the game. But I could see Kelli wanting to make a big move, even if it means cutting her island lover loose. I’ve always maintained that I wanted to work with her in this game despite her flirtatious relationship with Elmer, so I hope it pays off now.

Randall: Without you, this plan cannot succeed. You are the crucial swing vote now. Because if you don’t vote for Elmer, the vote just ends in a tie, and then we revote or go to rocks. So Elmer needs to go.

Kelli listens quietly.

Randall: You have the most powerful seat in the house right now. Like, all the power in tonight’s vote...it, like, it all goes to you. It’s your decision, and we need you on this. Because like I said, otherwise...it ties. And we don’t want to go to rocks.

Kelli: Of course not.

Randall: I know you like him. But you can still be friends outside of this game. He’s a two-time player. He’s had his shot. It won’t hurt as much for him to be voted out his second time than if it was his first. I don’t want you to feel guilt or that he’ll hate you for something like this and let that deter you from playing this game as hard as you rightfully should. You’re a strong enough woman without him and I think that, without the label of “Elmer’s showmance”, you could do really well in this game. You could do much, much better without him holding you back. Because with that big of a target on him? He’s always going to be lugging that around with him, and he’ll be pulling you down in the sand at the same time.

Kelli squeezes the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger, squinting.

Kelli: ...It’s not an easy decision.

Randall: But you know it’s right. I’m ready to flip. I hope you are.

Kelli: I’ll think about it and...get back to you.

Randall: Don’t take too long.

Kelli: I won’t.

Later that day…

Kelli: Guess who wants you gone?

Kelli and Elmer are walking along a trail in the grass. Elmer snorts, making a funny face as Kelli laughs.

Elmer: Randall’s trying to run around and do something, isn’t he?

Kelli: No duh.

Elmer: [shakes head] Why can’t this little dude just calm down and take a chill pill…?

Kelli: Did you really mean what you said about wanting Mallorie gone or was that all smoke and mirrors to try and get Randall out instead?

Elmer: No, I actually wanted Mallorie gone. I was genuinely willing to put aside our rivalry so we could align and take out a bigger threat instead. I did want Randall gone at the start, but ever since I’ve started getting the feeling that Mallorie wants me gone, I’ve shifted my target onto her. Randall’s been bouncing back and forth between us the last couple of days and even with him in the mix, I know Mallorie and I have both sized each other up as our biggest competitors.

Kelli: Well, too bad. Now what do you want to do?

Elmer: [bites lip] ...I’m still thinking we do Mallorie.

Kelli: You sure? Won’t the vote tie?

Elmer: We have Constance, for sure. But if we could get Maverick to vote with us…

Kelli: We’d have the numbers to get Mallorie out even with Randall flipping.

"vailheu"

- I’ve wanted to send Randall home for ages...so it’s so implausible to even think that I’m considering letting him stay in the game now, in order to get rid of a bigger target in Mallorie. We have four original Pamanzi members on this tribe, with one original Mwali and one original Vailheu. It's the perfect opportunity to not only take out a member from another tribe, but to keep Pamanzi numbers untouched heading into the merge. I could choose to blindside Randall over the two outcasts, if I believed I could get Mallorie to agree to it, since I know I have Kelli and Constance regardless. Yet...I hate to say it, but...Randall’s an annoying crybaby. I’m getting REALLY sick and tired of him, for sure. Truth is, though...he’s mostly harmless in this game. Everyone thinks he’s a joke because of how much he whines and complains. A grown man, whining like a little girl? It’s like he’s stuck in that rebellious teenage boy phase. He has no agency in this game. It’s Mallorie who I should really be more concerned about because Mallorie...Mallorie’s dangerous. She could start a revolution in this game if she so desired, Randall couldn’t. And so maybe, now is the perfect time to get her out, while her and Randall both believe it’s still going to come down to me or him and while she’s defenseless with all her Vailheu allies on the other tribe.

Clouds pass by in the sky above, as Elmer stands in the shade of a tree with Maverick, who is drinking from an open coconut.

Maverick: So what are you thinking for tonight?

Elmer: I wanted to get your input on something.

Maverick: Talk to me.

Elmer: ...How would you feel about...doing Mallorie tonight?

Maverick stares, then takes a long sip from his coconut.

Elmer: I admit...I initially wanted to do Randall. Mallorie said she wanted to work with me and I thought that would be the plan for all five of us to blindside him.

Maverick: [nods] That’s what she told me, yeah.

Elmer: But I’m thinking now, that...I can’t really fully trust Mallorie. I think she should go before Randall, before she can make the merge and lead it the way she led Seychelles.

Maverick nods again.

Elmer: What do you think, man?

Maverick swallows, then speaks up.

Maverick: Honestly? I’m...not down for it.

Elmer: You’re not?

Maverick: No. I think getting rid of Mallorie now is a mistake.

Elmer chews on that thought as Maverick pushes on.

Maverick: Randall...he’s a dead fish. He’s not a shield for you, but Mallorie could be. Mallorie will always be a bigger vote sponge than you or Randall.

Elmer: As much as I want Mallorie gone before she can hook back up with her Vailheu mates at the merge...you have a point. I am...far more tired of having to deal with Randall and I really have no reason to keep him around if he’s always going to be against me.

"vailheu"

- The last returnee I voted out was Markus and while it hasn’t backfired yet, I did regret doing it so soon because I should’ve done Lisa instead. I was too caught up in wanting to take out a big threat over one that...wasn’t. In the end, it left my tribe weakened and unable to win a challenge and it meant we all had to put up with Lisa for longer than we already had. So now, I don’t want to jump the gun and blindside a returnee unless I know for sure it’s the right move at the right time. I think I’m the person Mallorie trusts the most on this tribe now. I don’t see the sense in blindsiding her when she can be a good meat shield at the merge, and can provide me with lots more allies and the numbers moving forward. That means it’s my job now to convince Elmer that it’s in his best interest to spare Mallorie, and go after someone else.

Elmer: If you’re not comfortable going for Mallorie, then I won’t.

Maverick: I am not.

Elmer: Okay. Then we’ll switch back to Randall. Deal?

Maverick: Deal.

They shake on it.

"vailheu"

- [looks down at hand] I’ve been shaking hands with so many people over the last few days, it’s starting to hurt. [chuckling] Okay, but anyway...Maverick doesn’t want to do Mallorie. It sucks, but without him...we don’t have the numbers to make anything happen. I think the safe bet for now is...to go back to doing Randall. I know from Kelli that...he’s definitely going to vote for me and he thinks he has the numbers for it. But with Kelli and Constance, I know I can fight back. If I can get Mallorie and Maverick to vote for Randall as well, I’ll make it out of tonight okay...and then I can deal with Mallorie later. It’s not ideal, but I just want to survive my first Tribal Council. It would suck so much to go home on my first one when I’m supposed to be a skilled veteran with this big reputation. I gotta have more in me than this.

Later that day…

Maverick: You should know that they did consider you as an option.

Mallorie: Did they?

Mallorie and Maverick are wading out in the shallow water to chat.

Maverick: Yeah. Elmer knows Randall wanted him out but he still tried to pin the votes on you. I shut it down quick though.

Mallorie: I suspected he would. Thanks.

Maverick: You down to follow through on his plan to vote out Randall?

Mallorie: [censored] no.

Maverick tilts his head back and laughs uproariously.

Mallorie: He tried to get me out. Are you kidding me?

Maverick: I didn’t think so, yeah. So are we doing Elmer with Randall then?

Mallorie: Even if we did, we wouldn’t have the numbers for it. With Randall, we only make three. If Elmer has Kelli and Constance with him, it’d tie the votes up. We’re lucky enough as it is that Randall is dumb enough and emotionally volatile enough to want Elmer out and give up his side of the numbers to us.

Maverick: So we’d need either Kelli or Constance to change their vote, for us to have the upper hand. I can try to talk to Constance, although I don’t know how much luck I’ll have. Me and her may be slightly closer than before but she definitely has the better relationship with Elmer. She treats him like he’s her son out here. I don’t want to ruin my relationship with her or bust us by revealing to her that we’re trying to take him out.

Mallorie: Maybe I’ll try reaching out to Kelli. I know that’s who Randall wanted to approach for a fourth vote at the start.

Maverick: I’m not sure how far you’ll get with her. She seems pretty tight with Elmer, from what I’ve noticed. Constance told me before but I see it clearly now. Haven’t you noticed they’re always out in the water on their own?

Mallorie: I know. You work on Constance and I work on Kelli? We don’t have a whole lot of time before Tribal but it’s all we have, unless you want to risk going to rocks with Randall.

Maverick: Yeah, you’re right. We gotta try.

At the moment, Kelli and Elmer are getting out of the water.

Elmer: You got a starfish in your hair.

Kelli: What? Get outta here, no I don’t!

Elmer: You totally do. Here, let me pluck it out and show you-

Kelli laughs and shoves him back.

Kelli: You are such a joker.

Elmer: [chuckling] Okay, guilty as charged. It’s actually an eel that’s tangled up in those red locks. Here, see?

Kelli: Oh, shut your face. [giggling]

Elmer leaves in another direction, as Mallorie approaches Kelli from the side.

Mallorie: Kels.

Kelli: Hey, Mal...did you need something?

Mallorie: Yeah. I wanted to talk. You mind taking a walk with me?

Kelli: Oh, sure! Come on. We can go right now, I’m not doing anything.

They walk off.

Mallorie: I heard the plan for tonight was Randall.

Kelli: Yeah, it is. He totally thinks he has the numbers to take out Elmer, though. Don’t tell him the truth.

Mallorie: I know that. But I also heard another story, that apparently...Elmer wanted to take me out?

Kelli freezes up.

Kelli: Where’d you hear that?

Mallorie: [shrugs] Word gets around. Is it true?

Kelli pauses, thinking over her next words carefully.

Kelli: ...It was briefly toyed with, but...I persuaded Elmer to give it up.

Mallorie stares at her.

Mallorie: ...“You” persuaded him to let it go? You did that?

Kelli: Yeah. I did. I think it would be a bad idea to pull off something like that, especially now. You know I was working with Carter on my last tribe…

Mallorie: Right…

Kelli: So of course, I want to work with you too. And I want you and Elmer to get along since I’m working alongside both of you.

Mallorie is absorbing all this in silence.

Kelli: So I told Elmer to back off because it was a bad idea. You’re not...thinking of going along with Randall on this, are you?

Mallorie: What if I was? I mean...Randall’s not brought up my name. It was Elmer who did. What reason would I have to take him out when Elmer’s come after me?

Kelli flinches, pouting.

Kelli: But Mallorie, I told you already. Elmer’s not going after you! Not anymore.

Mallorie: That’s the thing. Not “anymore”. Not now. How do I know for sure he won’t do it again?

Kelli: And Randall wouldn’t either, in the future? You sure about that? Randall’s an opportunist. He aligns with people only to get his way, and all he wants is to get Elmer out. He doesn’t want to work with you for any other reason.

Mallorie: As it stands, the numbers are fairly even on both sides anyway so unless a new plan surfaces that isn’t Randall…

Kelli: You’d want to risk rocks?

Mallorie is silent.

Kelli looks into her face for a moment, then speaks again.

Kelli: Look, I don’t want to go to rocks anymore than you do. And I can tell there’s no reasoning with Randall when he’s like this. He’s wanted Elmer gone for ages now and nothing’s going to stop him putting down Elmer’s name tonight.

Mallorie: That much is clear, yes.

Kelli: And I can’t convince you not to vote Randall tonight?

Mallorie: I’m not a coward. I’m not afraid of rocks. I just know I’m not going to submit to what Elmer wants just because he has the numbers in you and Constance, and vote out Randall, when Randall has informed me about Elmer being sneaky and wanting to target me.

Kelli: Okay, okay, okay...listen. I’ll make you a deal, alright? If I can find a way for us all to get our way tonight, will you promise you won’t vote for Elmer?

Mallorie: What kind of deal is it?

Kelli: You don’t want Randall gone, correct?

Mallorie: Correct.

Kelli: And I don’t want Elmer gone. But you don’t want to vote with what Elmer wants, which is Randall.

Mallorie nods.

Kelli: I take it you and Maverick are voting together too, right?

Mallorie: ...For now, we are.

Kelli: So we’re at an impasse now. What would you say if I offered you another option that ensures we all get what we want?

Mallorie: What option are you talking about?

Kelli: Leave Elmer and Randall to waste their votes on each other. And the rest of us can go after the one person who’s coming out of this squeaky clean…

She opens up her palms to prove a point.

Kelli: Constance.

Mallorie frowns.

Mallorie: You want to do...Constance?

Kelli: Look, you don’t want Randall gone and I don’t want Elmer gone. But you do want to vote against Elmer’s way. And Constance is his ally. That’s good enough, right? You take out one of Elmer’s close allies, and he’ll still be there for you to target the next round.

Mallorie: Why do “you” want Constance gone? I thought you two were working together.

Kelli: We are, on paper. Because of our numbers. But really, I’m not all that close to her. We barely talk about anything, to be perfectly honest.

"vailheu"

- Elmer has not attended Tribal Council yet, and so he has no idea what kind of player I truly am. I may look as sweet as Penny to him on the outside, but underneath my perky, innocent, gorgeous exterior, I can be cutthroat and venomous on the inside. Mallorie knows that her name’s come up, and she knows she could be in danger. But she’s stubbornly against sticking with our plan and voting out Randall. The last thing I want to do is potentially tie this vote up and go to rocks, so it’s on me to make a deal with Mallorie to make sure that I don’t go home because of a dumb rock tonight. If the vote isn’t going to be Randall and it isn’t going to be Elmer...then I’m going to be the one to throw out a third name, so why not the person who I wanted to target in the first place on original Pamanzi? ...Constance! I’ve never considered her an ally of mine, even though Elmer does. I don’t like how close she is to him. I worry sometimes that Elmer may trust Constance more than me. So it does benefit me to take her out while he has no idea it’s going to happen. If I can get Mallorie and Maverick to help me with this blindside on Constance, I would save us all from going to rocks, while sniping someone out of this game who I worry is too close to “my” closest ally...and I get to protect Elmer, while Mallorie also gets her wish of protecting Randall.

Mallorie chews on her lower lip.

Mallorie: That’s a...really huge change of plans to bring up now, Kelli.

Kelli: [giggling] You don’t really have a choice anyway, right? If you’re not down for it, then we’re stuck at rocks. This is the only way out that doesn’t lead to rocks because Elmer and Randall won’t be voting on the same page tonight. I don’t want to draw a rock and go home and I’m sure you don’t either.

Mallorie stares stonily back at her.

Mallorie: No, I don’t.

Kelli: Because I’m not going to flip on Elmer no matter how much you and Randall try to appeal to me. And I can tell you’re set on not doing what Elmer wants and voting for Randall. Taking Constance out helps you take Elmer down a notch while also helping me take out someone who I don’t want getting too close to my main ally.

Mallorie: I get it. I just...it’s a bit much.

Kelli: Well, you’re the veteran. You’re here to play this game hard, right?

Mallorie: Sure.

Kelli: This could be a badass play for the two of us. We may be on opposite sides but our interests align this once and we can cause some serious damage.

Mallorie: [sighs] ...I’ll talk it over with Maverick.

Kelli: I hope you say yes because I would hate rocks so much. Give me a sign if it’s what you want to do, okay?

Mallorie: Okay.

They quickly hug it out and separate.

"vailheu"

- ...[waits a couple beats]...What...the hell just happened? Out of nowhere...Kelli comes up with her “solution” to our tie-vote problem...by suggesting the two of us and Maverick blindside Constance instead. She’s...not wrong in that...it aligns with both our interests in the long run. I get to keep Randall, she gets to keep Elmer and the two of them will continue to go after each other next time. I want to keep Randall because he’s an angry lapdog at best. He’s always snapping at Elmer’s heels, all the time. He’s the perfect person to set loose on Elmer when I feel like his time has come. So I won’t acquiesce and join Elmer’s side to vote him out. But like Kelli said, I don’t want to go to rocks! So...this is her alternative solution? Blindside...Constance? And also...I only wanted Elmer out because I heard he threw my name out. Yet there’s no denying he is a meat shield for me. If I blindsided one of his allies instead of Elmer himself, I keep a huge meat shield and target in the game at the merge, as well as one of his enemies who will always be coming after him. That keeps the heat off me when the merge comes around, which I need. It’s a crafty idea, for sure, and now that Kelli’s offered me this new option, I’m definitely considering it. ...But then I get an even better idea.

Mallorie and Maverick meet up again.

Maverick: Catch me up. You look excited. What’s happened?

Mallorie: You’re not gonna believe this. Kelli came to me with a new plan to blindside Constance.

Maverick looks scandalized.

Maverick: You’re kidding?

Mallorie: Dead serious. She thinks Constance is too close to Elmer for her liking. She won’t vote for Elmer like Randall wants and she knows we won’t budge on voting against Randall. So this is her solution. The three of us vote for Constance instead and blindside someone who we all don’t want in the game to be Elmer’s extra vote.

Maverick: That’s insane to even think about. How did she come up with something like that? I never would’ve expected it. This is, like, on a whole other level of chess right now. [laughing] How the heck…?

Mallorie: That’s exactly my thoughts. And if we make Kelli think that we’re going along with her, she would vote for Constance tonight. Which means…

Maverick: [snaps fingers] That leaves us open to take control of the numbers and send Elmer home.

Mallorie: Right. We don’t have to vote for Constance just because we said we would. There’s also the possibility she’s bluffing though.

Maverick: Bluffing how?

Mallorie: We two vote for Constance and then it turns out the three of them are rock solid, and they send me or Randall packing with their three votes.

Maverick: Damn. You’re right.

Mallorie: Let’s say she isn’t bluffing though. We could join forces with her in a temporary truce and help her take Constance out. It leaves us with the numbers without going to rocks and keeps Randall and Elmer continuing to go after each other at the next vote.

Maverick: ...But…?

Mallorie: But I have another idea. Honestly? The fact that Kelli could try to come up with something like this, behind Elmer’s back too...it is [censored] manipulative.

Maverick: No [censored].

Mallorie: That is so [censored] manipulative that she could decide that. What the [censored]? She’s already going behind her supposed closest ally’s back to try and pull something of this magnitude off. You know what I think?

Maverick: What?

Mallorie: I say we get her out instead.

The camera cuts to Kelli laughing in the shelter at something Elmer said, oblivious.

"vailheu"

- All this talk has made me realize...I can exploit this feud between Elmer and Randall as long as I want, and get rid of a target that neither of them were expecting and whose allegiance both of them were fighting over. One of my signature tricks from my last season was that I left Graham and Brandy in the game long enough that the two would constantly be feuding and it kept the target off me for a little bit. I think I could do the same thing here with Elmer and Randall. Knocking Kelli out of the picture weakens Elmer without removing his status as a bigger threat than me completely out of the game, and it keeps him and Randall butting heads so neither of them look to me as a potential target as long as I keep them looking at each other. Given my reputation as a so-called “big strategic threat”...[shrugs] I’ll need to keep the target on other people as long as possible to make it far.

Maverick: How? How would we have the numbers for it?

Mallorie: We make Kelli think that we’re down to do Constance, but when she puts Constance’s name down, we gather up the votes and send her out instead.

Maverick: How would we get the numbers? You think Randall…?

Mallorie: Randall actually thinks he has Kelli on his side. The guy is [censored] oblivious to the fact that Kelli wants nothing to do with him.

Maverick: Then you’re saying…?

Mallorie: Kelli herself admitted that she and Constance aren’t even really friends. They’re only aligned for the numbers. What if we tell Constance what Kelli’s trying to pull on her?

Maverick scratches at his facial hair.

Maverick: ...Would it work?

Mallorie: Does Constance trust you enough for this?

Maverick: I mean...I guess. We were somewhat aligned as a couple of misfits on our last tribe.

Mallorie: If we both talk to Constance and make sure she believes us, we might just be able to get her on board for this. I don’t think there’s any love lost between her and Kelli.

Maverick: You bring up a good point. Constance did tell me before the Blake vote that she would’ve been okay voting for Kelli anyway.

"vailheu"

- Kelli, Kelli, Kelli...Kelli is everything that Lisa wishes she was, but isn’t. For one thing, she’s more successful at flirting her way through the game than Lisa is, and she only had to bedazzle one man, and that man is Elmer. And for another, Kelli’s actually got a good enough grasp on the game that she’s trying to make moves. She’s trying to manipulate us into helping her carry out her dirty work. And that alone makes her infinitely more dangerous than a Lisa. ...This might be the perfect opportunity to snipe Elmer’s queen off her throne. A flirty, manipulative girl with an actual decent grasp of strategy, working alongside an already big social, physical and strategic jack-of-all-trades? They’re perfect for one another. The two of them together would be the worst kind of pair because they’d be equally as dangerous as the other. She's bold enough to go behind his back to try and take out another one of his allies who she doesn't want to share his allegiance with. If she's willing to do that to her snuggle buddy, what would she do to someone like me, who she's only just met? In more ways than one, she's more dangerous to keep around than someone like Constance, who she thinks is just a sheep who would otherwise be blindly following him around. Kelli's an actual player in this game, and is actually thinking ahead and for herself. Elmer isn't stringing her along, she's the one that's making use of him. That makes her infinitely more tantalizing to take out now than someone like Constance. Kelli was making it crystal clear that with her attempt to get us to help her blindside Constance...it's her way or the highway. She basically said we had to do what she wanted, or leave it up to rocks. That’s manipulation. And I don't negotiate with terrorists, honey.

Maverick: ...If we’re doing this, we need Constance’s vote.

Mallorie: We do. We need to talk to her.

Ominous music plays as Maverick and Mallorie sit down with Constance deep inside the forest where they cannot be overheard.

Maverick: Constance, we need to talk to you.

Constance: O...kay? [laughing] Um...I don’t understand what’s happening. The two of you look intense. Is something wrong?

Mallorie: How much do you trust Kelli?

Constance: Kelli? I...I trust her as much as anyone, I guess. ...Why?

Maverick: Would you believe it if we told you she’s been throwing your name around?

Constance looks back and forth between the two of them.

Constance: Kelli...throwing my name around? W-Why…? Why now?

Maverick: But you’d believe it, right? I mean, you said before on Mwali, that the two of you were never really close.

Constance: No, you’re right, and...I always suspected she wanted me gone because she didn’t like how close I was with Elmer, but-

Mallorie: Exactly.

Maverick nods emphatically.

Mallorie: Exactly why she’s thrown your name out there.

Constance: I...I don’t understand, I...thought we had a solid plan? That the vote was Randall?

Maverick: [makes hand gesture] Out the window.

Mallorie: It’s not happening.

Constance: No?

Mallorie: No. We don’t want to go to rocks.

Maverick nods again.

Mallorie: And we didn’t want Randall gone. Because I know Elmer also threw my name out there into the abyss.

Constance pales.

Constance: Who told you that?

Mallorie: Doesn’t matter. Point is, I’m not voting Randall out tonight. There’s no reason for me to. And I know you don’t want me to vote Elmer out either.

Constance: I would rather not. Elmer told me that you didn’t either, though...wasn’t it because you veterans wanted to stick together for protection?

Mallorie: Right. So if it’s not Randall and it’s not Elmer, despite the fact that they’re both putting each other’s names down…

Maverick: Someone else still has to go home.

Mallorie: Kelli made a deal with me that if we put the votes on you instead, we could avoid rocks altogether and we’d all get what we wanted in keeping the people we wanted to keep in while taking out someone who wasn’t helping any of our games. Kelli thinks you’re too close to Elmer and she doesn’t want anyone closer to her main ally than she is.

Constance sits and stares blankly at the floor, trying to take it all in.

Mallorie: At the same time, she knows we want to weaken Elmer while keeping in Randall. So this was her alternative solution. Vote out Constance, take out one of Elmer’s allies, and keep both him and Randall in the game. It benefits her and it would benefit us too.

Maverick: Except we don’t want that.

Mallorie: I don’t want you gone now, Constance.

Constance: But...why? I’m thankful a-and I’m grateful, Mallorie, but...we only just met. We don’t know each other all that well.

Maverick: Well, I don’t want you to go, Constance. We’re the Misfits alliance, remember? Us and Candy. We survived Lisa together!

Constance smiles slightly.

Mallorie: And Candy’s my ally too. We can come together at the merge if you’re willing, and have the majority. I’d rather keep you in the game than Kelli. The way she’s trying to pull all this together to have her way, even behind your and Elmer’s backs...it’s frightening. She’s trying to do too much, trying to play too hard...it’s gonna blow up in her face.

Constance: So...you want Kelli gone?

Mallorie: It’s basically the same plan as hers, except instead of blindsiding you…

Maverick: We’re blindsiding her.

Mallorie: Because we’d rather keep you around than her.

Constance: I...this is...a lot to think about. And Elmer and Randall don’t know?

Maverick: Not a clue.

Mallorie: It’s best to keep things that way.

Maverick: If they find out, it’ll be pandemonium. Because they both want to keep Kelli in the game.

Mallorie: See why she needs to go?

Constance looks stressed out.

Constance: You’re asking...a lot of me. You’re asking me to go behind Elmer’s back and...vote out one of his strongest allies.

Mallorie: That’s precisely why you need to. Elmer would never vote Kelli out.

Maverick: And Randall’s too blind to realize Kelli’s not on his side and she never will be.

Mallorie: She’s got them both hoodwinked and she tried to get us to do her dirty work too. Tonight, that changes. She’s going home.

Maverick: We only need your vote.

Mallorie: Trust us, Constance. Do this with us and next round, we pull Candy back in at the merge.

Maverick: Misfits for life, Constance. Come on…

Constance: I...wow. Okay. You do realize all this sounds crazy, right?

Mallorie: That was my reaction when Kelli came up to me with the idea. This was all hers to start with.

Constance: ...Yet I can’t deny there’s some truth to what you’re proposing.

Maverick: It’s getting dark. Tribal’s gonna be soon.

Mallorie: There’s been a lot of scrambling but I’m telling you, Constance...this helps all of us. Kelli is writing your name down tonight and when you see it come up, you’ll know we weren’t lying to you.

Constance: But you’re asking me to betray Elmer’s trust. He really thinks it’s Randall going tonight.

Mallorie: Kelli tried to break it first. She went behind his back to try and rally the votes against you. You need to strike while the iron’s hot. This could be our chance.

Constance inhales a jittery breath, pressing her palms against her eyelids.

Constance: ...This is insane.

Maverick: [laughing] I [censored] love this, though…

Mallorie: Think it through, Constance. This is your move.

"vailheu"

- ...[massages cheeks] I...I’m at a loss on what to do. I...thought we were solid on the plan to do Randall, and then...out of nowhere, everything’s different. Now my name’s come up, Kelli’s name has come up and it’s all over the place. ...All I want is to keep my allies safe. That’s Elmer and...I guess that includes Maverick too. And if Mallorie and Candy are allies, then by extension, that should make Mallorie an ally too. And Kelli...the two of us have never had a relationship. She’s always with Elmer and never enough with me. I know close to nothing about her and we only always talk game and nothing personal. I know she’s sneaky so I can believe it when Mallorie tells me she came up with this bonkers idea to get me out instead of Elmer or Randall! I also have a strong suspicion she was the one who first threw my name out to begin with, back on Pamanzi. She was also the one who burned my old ally in Bridgette, and made her break down on the rocks. ...I’ve never forgotten that. Tribal Council is only minutes away and Mallorie and Maverick sprung this at the last second on me that I’m...completely caught off guard, still. I have no time to confirm if any of their allegations are true or not. I can only trust...my gut instinct. I came here to play the game of Survivor. I don’t want to go home. I want to play this game and have fun. And...there are a lot of decisions that come in Survivor. Tonight...I’ve inexplicably found myself in charge of a very, very important decision. Do I stick with the plan, vote for Randall, and hope for the best? Or...do I trust in what Mallorie and Maverick have told me, and do I...take a shot at Kelli, like I wanted to back when we were on Pamanzi? ...Being alone and having to make this decision on my own is a scary thought, but…[takes breath] I know I can’t back down. Mallorie said I’ll know the truth when I see my name come up tonight, if it comes up. ...I need to trust my gut. I need to. I just...don’t know for sure what it’s telling me yet.

As Constance deliberates, on the other side of the island, Kelli and Elmer are gathering their things in the shelter while the sky darkens.

Kelli looks around.

Kelli: Where’d everybody else go?

Elmer shrugs.

Elmer: I haven’t seen Constance in a while. I think Randall took a walk.

Kelli is checking her bag thoroughly.

Elmer: What’re you hiding in there, an idol?

The tips of Kelli’s ears go slightly pink but Elmer laughs it off.

Elmer: I’m kidding.

Kelli: I wish I had an idol. I get the sense that tonight’s Tribal Council could be rough.

Elmer: You told me Mallorie and Maverick are down to do Randall though, right?

Kelli: Yeah. They are. I was worried if there’d be a tie vote, we’d need an idol to save you.

Elmer: ...Well you don’t need to worry.

Kelli: And...why do you say that? ...No. No way.

Elmer breaks out into an embarrassed grin.

Elmer: Damn, you caught me. [censored] it. I wasn’t gonna reveal it but yes...I have one.

Kelli: [jaw drops] No way. No way! Shut the fridge. Shut the front damn door! No freakin' way!

Kelli smacks his arm and the two are laughing but hurriedly stifle their excitement when Randall troops back into camp. He casts them a funny look.

Randall: What’s so funny?

Kelli: Huh? Oh, nothing.

Randall snorts, moving to get his own belongings for that night’s Tribal. Elmer and Kelli cast each other knowing looks again and suppress their giggles.

Elmer: You sure I don’t need to play my idol?

Kelli: You don’t. I promise you, you won’t go home tonight. Mallorie and Maverick are gonna do Randall, the vote won’t tie.

Elmer: Okay...I take your word for it. Obviously I’d like to save it for until I really need it...

"vailheu"

- When Elmer told me he had a hidden immunity idol, I was ECSTATIC. Not only does he have an idol, but I have one too! This is crazy! I know where two idols lie. Do you know how much power that kind of information holds in this game? I told Elmer he didn't need to play his idol because I know, for a fact, that Mallorie doesn't want him or Randall gone tonight. No sense in having Elmer waste his tonight when we can go into the merge with both of us having idols, and me being the only player in control of both. I'm going to be in the most powerful position come merge time because of this, and no one here is any the wiser. Sneaky sneaky!

Constance, Mallorie and Maverick return to camp too now.

Maverick: Is Tribal soon?

Randall: Yeah. You should get ready too.

Night is on its way. Everyone is getting their bags, and Mallorie briefly walks past Kelli and gives her a nod.

Kelli: [mouthing] We good?

Mallorie: [mouthing] It’s on.

Kelli smiles and nods back.

Kelli: [mouthing] You won’t regret it.

Mallorie smirks and winks back, before walking off.

Constance is pale as she sits in the shelter, absentmindedly packing her bag.

Elmer: You okay, Constance?

Constance: Huh? O-Oh...yeah. I’m feeling okay. Just...a bit cold.

Elmer: I can lend you my jacket if you want.

Constance: No, that’s...fine.

Elmer: You sure about that? Really, it’s no big deal. I could-

Kelli: I wouldn’t mind that jacket, Elmer.

Elmer: You need it?

Kelli: Yeah. It’s a chilly night. Feels like a storm’s coming. You know? Something in the air...like it’s about to open up and start pouring any moment.

Elmer: Here. [hands her jacket] Take it.

Kelli: Plus, it smells of you. [giggling]

Elmer: Oh, ha ha. You’re such a dork.

Constance looks troubled even as Elmer and Kelli continue to laugh and flirt.

Constance: [muttering] What do I do...?

The foreboding music picks up as the six Vailheu tribe members gather their torches, sans Elmer and Randall, and walk down the beach in a line, headed towards Tribal Council.

The sky turns black and fills with stars as the Vailheu tribe arrives at their destination.

Jeff: Elmer, Randall, behind each of you is a torch. Go ahead and grab one, dip it in and get fire. In this game, fire represents your life. When your fire's gone, so...are...you.

Randall hefts his torch as he plops it down. Elmer takes his seat, wiping his palms on his pants.

Jeff: We’ll now bring in Lisa, returning from the Mwali beach.

The six of them turn to watch as Lisa enters. She sees them all and smirks before taking her seat on the sidelines where the jurors would normally be.

Mallorie looks tense at Lisa’s entrance but turns back to Jeff casually.

Jeff: Alright. Once again, a brand new tribe. Maverick, you’ve been through two tribe swaps and three different iterations at this point. What does that do to the web of interconnected relationships on each individual tribe?

Maverick: I would say...with each tribe swap, the game gets more complicated. It becomes harder to keep track of who has a relationship with who, who isn’t as close to who and so on. Like, for example, I know the four Pamanzi are connected.

Randall smirks in disagreement.

Maverick: I also know that...me and Constance have a small connection from our stint on the last tribe. And Mallorie knows Elmer and Randall from their time on Vailheu. And then there’s Kelli who neither of us know very well yet!

Kelli smiles.

Maverick: It’s a lot of different relationships to keep a handle on. It can get complex.

Jeff: Speaking of different relationships, Elmer and Randall. The two of you have been on the same tribe since the beginning and that hasn’t changed through both tribe swaps. Not only that, this is the first time attending Tribal Council for both of you, correct?

Elmer: Yes, sir.

Randall rolls his eyes at Elmer’s “sir”, but nods at Jeff.

Jeff: Wait, Randall. Why’d you just roll your eyes?

Randall looks surprised to be put in the spotlight.

Randall: Damn, you caught that, Jeff?

Jeff: Of course. I’m looking right at you.

A few people chuckle. Lisa looks on haughtily from her front row seat.

Randall: Ah…

Elmer: He rolled his eyes at me, I bet.

Mallorie’s lips twitch into a line as she listens to them talk.

Elmer: Seems that no matter what I do, no matter how small or trivial, Randall finds a way to be irritated by it.

Randall: Tch. You’re making me sound unreasonable.

Elmer: [shrugs] Sorry. You’re right.

Randall: I thought we put this behind us.

Jeff: Put what behind you?

Randall: Gah, you’re calling me out again, Jeff!

Jeff: Of course. You’re the only one talking.

Randall laughs nervously, looking embarrassed.

Randall: Me and Elmer...sorta don’t always get along.

Elmer makes an incredulous face.

Mallorie: That’s an understatement, Jeff.

Jeff: Yeah?

Mallorie: Yeah. I’ve lived with them long enough to know.

Kelli: Constance and I know too.

Constance looks pale still but nods weakly.

Maverick: I’ve heard they practically hate each other.

Elmer: Now, that’s not true…

Randall looks like he wants to add on but catches the look on Jeff’s face and stops himself.

Jeff: Now, Elmer, walk me through this feud between you and Randall that...seemingly EVERYONE else on the tribe are in the know about.

People laugh. Lisa looks mildly interested now, regarding Elmer and Randall with curious eyes.

Elmer: Ahh...it’s just...we’ve been on the same tribe three times now, Jeff. People clash from time to time…

Kelli: Time to time…[laughs]

Mallorie: More like all the time…

Maverick chortles.

Elmer: Y-Yeaaah, okay. Me and Randall bicker. A LOT. But it’s to be expected, I suppose. We’re two very different people, forced to live together for so long. That’s the social experiment part of Survivor, right?

Jeff nods.

Elmer: So...yeah. That’s all there is to it.

Jeff: So...everyone on this tribe knows that the two of you don’t get along.

Randall: [shrugs] Pretty much.

Jeff: I’ll address the elephant in the room then. Will that have an impact on tonight’s vote?

Elmer opens his mouth but nothing comes out.

Elmer: ...Uh…

Randall awaits his response.

Elmer: ...It may, and it may not.

Jeff: That’s not a real answer.

Elmer: I can’t give away my gameplan now, Jeff. That’s for confessionals!

Randall rolls his eyes for the umpteenth time. Mallorie smiles grimly.

Jeff: Putting aside whatever weird...spat Elmer and Randall have going on...it is a statistical fact that there are four original Pamanzi sitting at tonight’s Tribal Council. Mallorie and Maverick are the only two outsiders. Mallorie, are there any concerns on your end that the four of them could’ve just simply gotten together in a group and said, “hey...no matter what personal feuds we may have, let’s not be stupid and give up the numbers. Let’s take out one of the other two and keep the majority among us four”?

Mallorie: I mean, there are definitely concerns, yeah. But I mean, it’s Survivor. People make smart moves, people make stupid moves...it’s not always about the numbers. Sometimes, it’s just about...making the best move at the time that you believe will set you up best in the future. Whether that means sticking with the numbers even if it’s with people you don’t necessarily trust or gel with...or if it means taking out someone you know is gunning for you when the opportunity presents itself.

Constance gulps, listening closely to her. Maverick is observing Constance’s behavior, intriuged.

Mallorie: Survivor’s all about making decisions in the moment. I’ve made mine and I’m sticking to it tonight, for better or for worse. I can only hope that these four here make a decision for themselves and for their own game, rather than for the sake of preserving numbers for their original tribe, when this game could be turning from a tribal game to an individual game...real soon.

Kelli nods, her eyes sparkling. Elmer turns to look at Randall, and Randall meets his gaze coolly before looking back at Jeff.

When neither of them notice, Constance glances at Maverick, who gives her the smallest of nods.

Jeff: Alright. Well, there’s no bigger decision to make in Survivor...than deciding whose name you’re going to write down on that piece of parchment. It is time to vote. Randall, you’re up.

Randall smirks arrogantly as he gets up to vote and ominous music kicks in, while the camera pans over to Elmer turning to look at Mallorie.

The camera cuts to Mallorie glancing around and smirking, flicking her hair over her shoulder, and then to Constance looking off in the distance, preoccupied with her own thoughts. Kelli sneaks a look to her left and right, then smiles straight ahead with confidence, as the camera fades away.

Randall is at the voting booth and he lifts his vote for the camera.

"vailheu"

- Thanks for keeping me away from Tribal for this long, buddy. You were a big help. And now that we’re heading into the merge…I’d say you’ve outlived your usefulness. [laughing]

The camera cuts to Elmer brooding in his seat, hunched over, drumming his fingers against his chin.

Maverick is shown walking down the path to the booth, picking up the pen and twirling it, chewing on the inside of his cheek.

The camera fades to Mallorie pressing her palm to her cheek, then fades away again.

The camera cuts to Elmer at the voting booth, finishing up writing down Randall’s name.

Randall is shown shaking his leg, fidgeting with the brim of his cap and staring into space, a coy smile on his face.

Kelli is seen at the booth, scrawling down Constance’s name.

The camera cuts to Constance pressing her intertwined fists against her lips, looking down, before fading away.

Now Mallorie is walking past Lisa, who shoots her a sour look from the sidelines. Mallorie heads up to the booth. She gets to the urn and brushes her hair over her shoulder.

At last, Constance begins the walk to the booth.

The camera cuts again to Elmer rubbing his hands together, biting his tongue and glancing at Kelli, and then to Kelli’s impassive face as she turns to look at Constance at the voting booth, before fading away to Constance’s return.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

Jeff leaves.

Elmer slowly casts Mallorie a curious look, biting his lip. Mallorie is staring straight ahead, the wind bouncing strands of her blue hair around her face.

The camera cuts to Randall looking nonchalant, deep in his own thoughts, hands in his jacket pockets, then to Kelli who is smirking coolly as the camera fades away to Jeff returning with the votes.

Jeff: If anybody has the hidden immunity idol and you want to play it, now would be the time to do so.

Lisa is toying with one of her fingernails, casting one lazy look at the players. Kelli swallows, barely glancing down at her bag.

Elmer licks his lips, glancing at people out of the corner of his eye.

Randall watches him curiously, a coy smile on his face.

Mallorie raises an eyebrow too.

Kelli’s head lolls from side to side...but she doesn’t reach down.

Elmer nods slightly, sitting up straighter.

Jeff: ...Okay. Once the votes are read, the decision is final. Person voted out will be asked to leave the Tribal Council area immediately. I’ll read the votes.

He opens the urn.

Kelli turns back to look at Elmer and he nods confidently, flashing her a little smile.

Mallorie swallows with satisfaction, looking at them both.

Randall looks excited, putting his hands together and pressing his fingertips up to his lips as he watches Jeff pull out the first vote with bated breath.

Jeff: First vote...Elmer. (1-0)

Elmer nods, raising his eyebrows. A cocky little smirk is growing on Randall’s face.

Jeff: Randall. One vote Elmer, one vote Randall. (1-1)

The smirk slowly disappears off Randall’s face, and a look of uncertainty crosses his eyes. Elmer grins, looking excited.

…

…

...

Jeff: Constance. That’s one vote Elmer, one vote Randall, one vote Constance. (1-1-1)

Constance takes a deep breath, scared, clasping her hands in front of her face. Kelli is nodding slowly and smugly to herself, arms crossed.

Mallorie folds her own arms, watching the votes, looking intense.

…

…

…

Jeff: Kelli. That’s one vote Kelli. (1-1-1-1)

Kelli frowns, puzzled. Now the smile is dissipating off Elmer’s face, as his brows furrow.

Maverick chances a sneaky peek over at them. Constance looks frightened.

Jeff turns over another vote.

Jeff: ...Kelli.

Kelli gasps.

Jeff: That’s two votes Kelli, one vote Constance, one vote Randall, one vote Elmer, one vote left…(2-1-1-1)

Kelli: [whispering] Oh [censored]...

Kelli’s jaw drops, and she looks stunned. Elmer is alarmed, the shock evident in his eyes. Randall is staring at the pair of them, at a loss for words himself, his mouth agape.

On the sidelines, even Lisa looks surprised, whistling a little in awe.

Mallorie is smiling widely, pleased with herself. Maverick is chuckling under his breath. Constance is sighing as she straightens up in her seat.

Kelli: Holy [censored]...

A worried Kelli glances back at the votes, putting her hands up to her mouth.

Jeff: Sixth person voted out of Survivor: Champions and Contenders...Kelli. You need to bring me your torch. (Final Tally: 3-1-1-1)

Kelli curses, staring devastated at Elmer. Elmer groans, clapping a hand to his forehead.

Kelli: [shaken] ...Wow…

Getting to her feet, Kelli shakily grabs her things and moves behind to get her torch.

Elmer: What the [censored], guys?

Elmer laughs a little nervously, whirling around to look at everyone on the tribe questioningly, even turning to look for Randall’s reaction. Randall looks similarly discombobulated, his mouth still open.

Mallorie has a sly look on her face, looking satisfied. Maverick is running a finger over his mouth, smirking slightly.

Constance glances guiltily at Elmer, who casts her a bewildered look in return, demanding answers. The camera cuts to a wide shot of the tribe. Sitting side by side, Elmer and Randall both look taken aback, similar looks of comical confusion still on their faces as Kelli gingerly sets her torch down, tugging at her hair with mild distress.

Jeff: Kelli, the tribe has spoken. [snuffs torch] Time for you to go.

Kelli brushes her hair out of her eyes and turns back with one final, sad wave.

Kelli: [soft voice to Elmer] Bye.

Elmer shakes his head at her, crushed. He turns to look at Randall, who rolls his eyes and turns away.

Maverick is chuckling to himself, turning to look at Mallorie, who winks at him.

Constance exhales, squeezing her eyes shut and sinking her head down low.

Lisa: [whispering] Dayum. Holy [censored].

Jeff: ...Well. The merge is on the horizon, and as we stand on the precipice of transitioning from a tribal game to an individual game, I get the feeling that the game is only going to get bloodier. If all our Tribal Councils end like tonight...it’s going to be a wild and chaotic ride.

Mallorie beams widely. Elmer looks shell-shocked still, staring at her, like a lost puppy.

Jeff: [turns to Lisa] Lisa, here’s your new buff.

He tosses it over to Lisa, who misses it and fumbles as it plops onto the floor. Maverick smirks at her as she bends down to pick it back up.

Jeff: You are now a member of Vailheu and will join the tribe as they return to camp. As for the rest of you, I got nothing for you. Grab your bags and head back to camp. Goodnight.

Final Words
Kelli: [shrugs] ...Welp. Going home...with an idol in my pocket. [thumbs up] Official Survivor moron, right here. Fun…[sighs] I suppose that makes me a certified Survivor idiot. But it’s a testament to their games that they can lie so brazenly to my face and I was...the fool who didn’t pick up on any of it. Turns out...it’s a lot harder to tell who’s lying and who’s telling the truth in the game of Survivor than I thought. I have no idea what happened, why they decided I should be the one to go...maybe they saw I was playing too hard or maybe Mallorie just didn’t like how close I was with Elmer. All that’s fair. I thought I’d last longer than I did, I thought I’d attend more Tribal Councils than...just two! Getting voted out right before the merge, too! That’s the worst part.

Next Time on Survivor...

 * With the tribes officially abolished...

Bridgette: Congratulations, you are merged!

The new tribe of twelve are gathered around Bridgette as she reads from a piece of parchment at the centre of a feast table laid out for them, and everyone cheers.

Maverick pops open a bottle of champagne.

Maverick: TO the merge!


 * The battle for dominance begins…

The camera cuts to Elmer leaning back in the sand beside Constance.

Elmer: Mallorie’s coming for me. I need you to have my back.

The camera cuts to Mallorie talking with Candy and Carter.

Mallorie: We need to draw the lines in the sand and make sure that we come out on top.


 * And the enemy of your enemy...is your friend.

Lisa is shown sitting with Elmer in the grass.

Lisa: We can work together. I’d want nothing more than to help you get rid of her.

The camera cuts to Randall and Drew talking with Candy and Mallorie by the water.

Randall: That’s what I’ve been saying this whole time. Let’s just [censored] get rid of him!

Drew looks uncertain even as Randall is gripping Candy’s hand excitedly, both of them laughing.

"grandecomore"

- The time for indecisiveness and floating in the middle is over. It’s time to pick a side, because we’re about to go to war, and it’s gonna be bloody!