Forget Two Birds With One Stone, We're Killing An Entire Flock

Forget Two Birds With One Stone, We're Killing An Entire Flock is the third episode of Survivor: Comoro Islands - Champions and Contenders.

Night 6
The Mwali tribe is returning to camp.

Blake: Well...that was dramatic.

He sets his torch down by the tree with the others. Hazel is hugging Maverick.

Hazel: I’m so glad that went alright. I was worried for a moment there something would go wrong.

Maverick: I promised I’d have your back.

Hazel: Thank you…

"mwali"

- So tonight at Tribal Council...Erin went home. Which is fine...things all went according to plan, and we were able to get a major threat in this game out at the first opportunity. What I wasn’t anticipating was seeing my name come up. My name was not supposed to even be in the conversation. So I was a little offended to see that Erin voted for me on her way out, and it definitely concerns me. Now that I’ve put the rain incident from a couple days ago past me...I’m feeling invigorated again. I’m feeling the motivation to play the game once more! And I hope to never see my name come up again in future Tribal Councils.

The Family is sitting around the fire, as Keira and Markus retreat to the shelter.

Blake: Who would’ve thought such a seemingly dramatic vote would end up unanimous?

Maverick: Yeah…

Hazel: [whispering] Did you tell him to vote for her too?

The camera cuts to Markus, lying back in the shadows of the shelter.

Maverick: Yeah, I told him. I wanted him to trust me moving forward.

Blake: That’s good, that’s smart. I like that. Keep him in your back pocket for now...

Maverick: ...Yeah...right.

The camera again cuts to Markus, who is staring up at the ceiling of his shelter, clearly lost in his own thoughts.

Keira glances at him from where she sleeps.

Keira: You feeling alright?

Markus: Yeah. Just thinking about what happened…

Keira: For what it’s worth, I’m sorry you had to do that.

Markus: No, it’s fine. I had to do what I had to do. It’s nothing…

"mwali"

- Erin went home tonight, and I ended up...having to vote her out. It was tough, because really, she was my only true ally in these last six days and with her gone, I...don’t really have anyone. I’m on an island of my own. At most, I have a tenuous connection with Maverick that may or may not pan out. But that means nothing if I can’t get him to play ball with me since, as it stands, I think I’ll be the next to go if I remain on this tribe with these four people. Blake is very much against returnees. That much is clear. He goes on and on about how he thinks winners shouldn't win again, how veterans shouldn’t take away the chance to play from newbies...honestly, it’s all a load of smoke he’s blowing up everyone’s asses. It doesn’t matter if I’m a Champion or a Contender. By virtue of having played before, I’m already his target. And Hazel…? Keira? They’re content to simply follow orders. Keira, especially, is infuriating to me. Because she is on the bottom of the totem pole too! And she absolutely refuses to acknowledge it! [laughing] Talking to her is a bit like talking to a brick wall. Nothing is getting through to her. I don’t know how I’m going to be able to get Keira on my side since she’s stonewalling me, but I would love to blindside Blake to avenge Erin. Tonight wasn’t his time to go, because Maverick didn’t feel comfortable with flipping the vote just yet. But...I’d like to believe that after today, the writing’s on the wall. Maverick might be the key to flipping against the Godfather. Maybe if I can get some movement out of him...I could get some movement out of Keira. I just need to be able to make it happen. Either way...surprise, surprise. Once more, Markus Vaughn is on the bottom of his tribe yet again. [laughing]

Day 7
The next morning on the Mwali tribe…

Keira is cooking rice for Hazel and Markus.

The camera cuts to Maverick and Blake taking a walk down the beach, carrying coconuts under their arms.

Maverick: We need to talk, man.

Blake: About?

Maverick: Yesterday.

Blake: Sure. I’m all ears.

"mwali"

- Last night, I made the decision that...no matter how sketchy Blake can be, he’s still not more of a threat in this game to me than Erin is. Erin and I had virtually no relationship. She would not have been good for me to keep in over Blake, who, while I no longer trust as much as I used to, is still someone I want to work with for the time being. Plus, I was aware of her threat level. She had to go. That being said, after hearing what she and Markus had to say about the way Blake’s been playing this...I’m starting to think there’s merit in maybe offing the Godfather as soon as possible. I’m getting tired of reporting back and forth to this old man, you know? [laughing] I don’t like being treated like I’m a lackey. I’m not out here to play a lackey’s game. I want to be the big shot. Taking out the Godfather sounds like that might be the power play I’m seeking so desperately. I’m itching to make a big move in the game, I’m just not sure what it’s going to be yet. But for now...I’ll play along, stick close to the Family, and keep Markus on my side in case I do end up needing him to overthrow Blake at some point.

Maverick: Markus told me that you threw Hazel under the bus yesterday. You told Keira that she was the decoy target, and that’s why Erin voted for her.

Blake: I had to. L-Like, it wasn’t something to target her, it was just that...I couldn’t very well have told Keira that she would’ve been the decoy boot. I had to throw out another person’s name and Hazel, at least, had a reason to be targeted this early.

Maverick: The least you could’ve done was told us about it first. It really threw me for a loop when I had to hear about it from him instead of from you.

Blake: Okay. I’m sorry. Next time, I’ll run it by you. I promise.

Maverick: Alright...cool.

"mwali"

- For a guy who’s being called the Godfather, I’m aware that that’s not exactly the best label to have, especially this early on. I don’t want to attract too much attention because sticking your neck out too far...it’s an easy way to get your head lopped off. I didn’t think I’d be garnering this much focus considering I’m an older man, and typically older players like me don’t draw as much attention as the others. I’m lucky to have come out of last night’s Tribal Council with what I wanted to happen going so successfully, but I know I need to be careful, because I might be making one too many waves, and I may not be so lucky next time if Maverick or Hazel start to think I’m throwing my weight around. I don’t want them to think of themselves as lackeys reporting to me, the Godfather; I want them to think we all have equal footing in our threesome, even if that’s totally false, and I really am the one leading the pack. [laughing] Perception is reality in this game, so...I only need them to believe that I’m not the dictator that people are saying that I am, and...hopefully that will keep me safe from any potential uprisings. Right now, my only concern is Markus and Keira, because Markus is alone now, and we’ve all seen how well he’s been able to bounce back from being on the bottom of a tribe, and who knows what the hell Keira’s thinking? She’s unpredictable, and that makes her a wild card in this game. No one really knows where her true loyalties lie, or what’s going on inside her head.

Markus is sitting with Keira back at camp, on the same log, and he nudges her.

Markus: I have to ask...why didn’t you feel comfortable going against the status quo last night?

Keira: [shrugs] Erin was a goner. ...I didn’t see a viable reason for me to flip when there was no need to.

Markus: No offense, but...she had a point. Once I’m gone...you’re going to be next in line on this tribe. The pecking order goes...Blake, Maverick and Hazel on the top...and you and me are on the outs. You have to realize that...with Erin out of the picture, me and you are set to follow her right out the door.

Keira doesn’t reply, looking at everything but Markus as she thinks on her response.

Keira: I can understand...why you and Erin contemplated taking a shot at Blake. But I just don’t see the benefit for my game...to make a big splash when it’s unnecessary. I’m not in immediate danger. I’m in a good spot. I’m content to not ruffle feathers when it’s not going to benefit me.

Markus: But you won’t be in a good spot forever. I’m telling you...it’s true what she said, that you’re going to be in danger with the three of them after all the veterans on the tribe are gone. Blake may want to target returnees first, but I think it’s quite clear that among these four people...you’re the fourth member. You need to start thinking ahead…

"mwali"

- Markus sold me his pitch that I am on the bottom of this imaginary foursome on Mwali, and that I am most likely to get voted out once he’s gone too. However...my style of gameplay is that...I’m only going to make a move if it benefits my game at the moment. Right now...it serves me no benefit to take shots at Blake, regardless of how many people call him the Godfather or Emperor or whatever...because there’s no need for me to. I’m safe. He has my back; he does not want me gone as long as Markus remains a bigger target. I have no desire to throw chaos into the game for the sake of other people when I’m already in a good position as of right now. Markus says I’m not planning ahead, and maybe I’m not playing the most dynamic game...but I’m staying true to myself and making decisions based on what I believe is best for me. I admit that it seems a bit boring. I probably seem a bit boring to him. I’ve often been told I have a robotic personality on the outside. That’s part of why I chose to come on Survivor. I figured, it’s promoted as the adventure of a lifetime. What better way to liven up my life than to challenge myself out here? Players like Markus and Erin are suited to the scheming and the backstabbing and the blindsides of the game, but I came here with the idea that I was going to invest more on the social and physical aspects of Survivor, by trying my best to forge new bonds with people I wouldn’t necessarily interact with in my daily life and in such a physically taxing environment. That’s what I set out to do, and that’s what I’m going to do.

The camera cuts to Keira staring forward in silence, even as Markus casts her a pained look as his pleas fall on deaf ears.

Meanwhile, over on the Pamanzi beach…

Kelli is wading out into the water for the umpteenth time, giggling as Elmer rises up, standing waist deep and awaiting Kelli’s arrival.

Kelli: I don’t know if I’ll ever get tired of the water...it’s so nice…

Elmer: It really is.

Kelli: Look, you can see my toes wriggling about!

Elmer: Hey, check it out. There’s a starfish here…

Kelli: [gasps] Where? Let me see!

Elmer bends down and scoops up the starfish to show her, as Kelli crouches in the water next to him, eyes wide with childish wonderment.

Kelli: That’s so cool...did you know that you should whisper your secrets to starfish for good luck?

Elmer: [chuckling] Where’d you hear that?

Kelli: The universe. The universe is my reliable source. [winks]

The camera cuts to a montage of Kelli telling Elmer various weird things over the course of the first week.

Kelli: You know, mermaids are real.

Elmer: Say what?

Kelli: They are. And they’re always watching us, from across the water. I have to imagine that we’re being watched even more now that we’re on a beach.

Elmer can’t help but laugh, looking at Kelli as if he cannot decipher if she is joking or not.

Now, Kelli and Elmer are talking back at camp, with Constance nearby listening in.

Kelli: I wish we could see sea turtles laying eggs. I know that was a reward on the show once.

Elmer: Oh yeah, I remember that. That would’ve been quite a magical exp-

Kelli: I’d want to help them. Because the babies need to get to the ocean themselves, right? I believe if we help them get to the water, then the universe will grant us a favor.

Constance glances away so Kelli won’t see the incredulous look on her face.

Elmer: The universe grants us a favor, huh?

Kelli: Totally! It’s basic goodwill. It’s true. One time, I met this girl who’d helped sea turtles get to the ocean before. Not long after, she ended up meeting her true love and they got married in less than a year. They’re the most prosperous couple I know to date.

Elmer: Wow...that’s amazing…

The camera cuts to Elmer and Kelli holding each other in the water, far from camp, and sharing a deep kiss.

Further away, at camp, Bridgette is looking around for them.

Bridgette: Where’d Elmer and Kelli run off to?

Randall: Knowing them, probably off smooching in the water somewhere.

In the water, Kelli giggles as Elmer pretends to dip her into the water.

Kelli: Stahp! [laughing]

As the two settle down in the water, Kelli draws on Elmer’s shoulder with a wet finger.

Kelli: Do you think you’d take me to the Final Two?

Elmer: I told you already, it’s probably a Final Three.

Kelli: But am I in it?

Elmer: Of course!

Kelli: Oh, so you think you could beat me in the end, huh? You saying I’m a goat?

Elmer: I mean, we haven’t been to Tribal Council yet. [laughing] I have no idea what kind of player you even are until we vote! For all I know, you could be some master manipulator and blindside me at our very first Tribal.

Kelli: Who’s to say I’m not already a master manipulator? [cackling]

Kelli: We have such a cute dynamic.

Elmer: Tell me about it.

Kelli: I would take you to the end, no doubt.

Elmer: And I would bring you too.

Kelli: But we need to discuss game, though. Who would we want to stick to once we hit the merge?

Elmer: I don’t know. I don’t even know if we’re going to attend any Tribal Councils before a potential swap.

Kelli: On the off chance we go to Tribal Council next...who do you think should go first, on this tribe?

Elmer thinks about it.

Elmer: Randall.

The camera cuts to Randall lowering his cap over his eyes as he slumps forward by the shelter.

Elmer: I’ve heard from the other three that he’s not terribly fond of me, for some reason. So maybe, if I had to pick...I would pick him. I think we have good enough relationships with the other three.

Kelli: Hmm...I dunno. I honestly don’t mind Randall. He’s kinda cute too, the way he always complains about things.

Elmer: I thought I was the cute one? [laughing]

Kelli: Sounds like you got some competition there, Romeo. You jealous?

Elmer: Definitely. Now I gotta get rid of him even more.

Kelli: [laughing] Oh, stop it. But seriously though...I can think of other people who should go before him.

Elmer: Like who?

Kelli: Constance, duh.

The camera cuts to Constance drinking from her canteen, sitting with Bridgette as the latter chatters away amicably to her.

Elmer: [frowning] Constance? Why? What’s the reason behind that?

Kelli: You don’t sound too pleased with the idea.

Elmer: No, not really. It’s just...well, what’s your reasoning, first?

Kelli: [shrugs] I dunno. I don’t really talk all that much with her. And she’s the token older player, isn’t she? She’ll only slow us down in challenges. Why do you think she sat out of the last one? It was best for us to have left her out because we all know she would’ve just been a burden.

Elmer: To be fair, age isn’t the only factor in these challenges. There are puzzles, balancing acts...plenty of older players win challenges too. And she’s not even that old.

Kelli: Yeah, but she’s still old. I’m not trying to sound ageist, really. I love her to death and back, she’s such a kind soul, but...you know...it’s a fact, that she’ll only be a burden on us moving forward, as a tribe. When we really need to count on her to win us a challenge, she’s of least value.

Elmer: But she’d be loyal. I believe her when she says she has my back.

Kelli: So what? I have your back too. And like you said, you have good enough relationships with everyone else. You have Drew and Bridgette if you’re really still so worried about losing numbers against Randall. Constance is an irrelevant factor.

Elmer still looks disturbed by this, even as Kelli wraps her arms around Elmer’s neck and purrs against him.

Kelli: Think about it, why don’t you…?

Elmer is meeting up with Constance in the forest later that morning.

Elmer: I have heard word that you might be an upcoming target.

Constance: [gasps] Who did you hear that from?

Elmer: ...I’m not at liberty to say. But I want you to know that that’s not what I want to happen.

Constance: Okay. I trust you.

Elmer: And I will do my best to make sure that you don’t stay a target, if and when Tribal Council rolls around. I genuinely do want to work with you in the game. I give you my word on that.

Constance: Thank you, Elmer. You have no idea how much it means to me that you came to tell me about this. I promise you, I’m loyal to you.

Elmer: Think nothing of it.

Constance is having a conversation with Bridgette down by the rocks.

Constance: Elmer approached me earlier to warn me that I might become a target at our first vote.

Bridgette: He warned you about that? Who told him?

Constance: I have no idea.

Bridgette: One would have to assume it’s Kelli.

Constance: That’s what I guessed too.

Bridgette: She probably tells Elmer everything. I’d wager she’s told Elmer more about her thoughts on the game than she’s told anyone else, even the camera!

Constance: I do hope you and Drew and the others don’t agree with that sentiment, that I should be the next to go because of my age.

Bridgette: Nonsense! Of course not. Don’t be silly. That’s not the kind of reason I look for to get rid of someone.

Constance: Well, thank you, Bridgette. I appreciate it. It simply makes me paranoid, to know that there’s someone out there who might be after me. And I know I don’t offer much in terms of strength to keep me around…

Bridgette: Constance. You don’t have to fret about that. Really!

Constance: I’m just happy to be here as long as you all keep me around, and I hope you keep me around for a long time. I’m loyal to you all, you know that.

Bridgette: Don’t worry about a thing, Constance. I wouldn’t want to vote you off if I can help it.

Constance: Then if I don’t go...who would be the first to go on this tribe if it came down to it?

Bridgette lowers her voice conspiratorially before continuing.

Bridgette: The easiest option is...y’know, obviously Randall.

The camera cuts to Randall picking at his teeth back at camp, sitting with Drew.

Bridgette: He contributes very little, and he’s always complaining about stuff.

Constance: That’s true.

Bridgette: I think his only true friend here is probably Drew. But the thing about him is, he’s only schemed against Elmer so far. I don’t think he’s ever brought up your or my names yet.

Constance: So what are you saying?

Bridgette: Wouldn’t it be better, for you and me both, to get rid of someone who is targeting us, over someone who isn’t?

Constance: ...You mean Kelli.

Bridgette: [smirking] Yeah. Course I do.

Constance: Aren’t you worried Elmer wouldn’t be down for that?

Bridgette: I’m sure he wouldn’t be. But he doesn’t need to know about it.

Constance: Ohhh...that’s bad.

Bridgette: It’s not set in stone yet, obviously. I’m not going to be gung ho about it. It’s just an option I’m presenting. I just think it’d be better to blindside Kelli than to go with the easy vote, which is Randall.

Bridgette meets with Elmer at the well.

Bridgette: I spoke with Constance just now.

Elmer: Did she talk to you about…?

Bridgette: She was worried that Kelli was targeting her.

Elmer: So she knows…

Bridgette: That it was Kelli who threw her name out there? No, but she figured it out. I did too.

Elmer: You can relax. I talked with Kelli, and I don’t want Constance to be the first to go either. You and I both know who I’d rather it be.

Bridgette: Randall, right. I just can’t help but be a little mistrustful of Kelli.

Elmer: Why? Is it only because she suggested Constance as the first vote?

Bridgette: I thought the whole tribe wanted Randall to be the first one out.

Elmer: I did too. I talked to Kelli already, I told you. You can trust me to keep a handle on things with her.

Bridgette: But can I trust her though?

Elmer: She’s not coming after you.

Bridgette: I heard what she said the other day, you know. About my season…?

Elmer: About what…?

Bridgette: That, you know...I’m a sucky winner. [laughing]

Elmer looks a little remorseful.

Elmer: Oh. ...I’m sorry about that.

Bridgette: You don’t need to apologize.

Elmer: No, really. I mean it.

Bridgette: It's fine.

Elmer: I didn’t realize you overheard.

Bridgette: It’s fine, really. People like to talk trash, it’s nothing new. And I’m not made of glass. But it definitely gives me reservations about where she thinks I stand with her…

Elmer: Well, I promise you, that I do not want you to go at all. We’re both returning players here. We gotta have each other’s backs.

Bridgette: Of course. I know that.

Elmer: And you know I do like you as a person.

Bridgette: And I like you too.

Elmer: I’ll talk to Kelli, get her to back off the whole deal with Constance. She’s loyal to me, almost blindly so, I promise you that. She’s good for my game, which makes her good for ours. And so is Constance. I’ll get her to forget about scheming against her, and I’ll make sure she doesn’t ever think to come after you. And with that put aside…

Bridgette: We go after Randall first?

Elmer: Exactly. Deal?

Bridgette smirks.

Bridgette: Okay, Elmer.

Later that day…

Jeff: Come on in, guys!

In walk the Pamanzi and Vailheu tribes.

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

People turn to watch as the Mwali five walk in.

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

There are quite a few shocked faces among the onlookers. Bridgette turns to Elmer on her left, who looks surprised, hands on his hips.

Drew: [chuckling] Wow.

Randall: Damn, they really aren’t playin’ around.

Eli: That’s crazy…

Maverick looks pleased to see everyone reacting so surprised.

Jeff: And with that, the first Champion is out of this game. Lot of shocked reactions. Elmer, you and Erin were on the same season. What do you think of the fact that she’s out this early?

Elmer: I honestly...last night, I almost had a feeling that she was gone. It’s weird. I guess this just shows that...the people on this season aren’t messing around.

Randall: [muttering] ...That’s what I said…

Drew nudges him into silence, though he can’t help but smirk back.

Elmer: Knowing Erin personally, of course, and having shared the experience of Survivor with her, I obviously did have a connection with her, and that part of me is disappointed that she’s gone. However, I can’t deny a small sense of pride that this time, I outlasted my season’s Champion. [laughing] She’s not going to beat me this time. And she was a really astute player in this game, so I think with her gone, the competition might be a little bit easier.

Mallorie makes a face at this comment, but turns away. Candy nods, looking at Jeff.

Jeff: Alright. Ready to get to today’s reward challenge? For today's challenge, we are going to be eating local delicacies. That's right. It's a food-eating competition.

A few people groan. Lisa looks weak already, clutching her stomach.

Lisa: That sounds so gross…

Jeff: Here's how it works. Each round, each tribe will send out one representative to compete against the other two, and they must down a random food item. While these foods are eaten as delicacies out here, they may not be as appetizing to those whose palates are not quite as accustomed to them. First person to finish their food wins two points. Second person gets one point. Last place...nothing. At the end of five rounds, the tribe with the most points wins. Want to know what you're playing for?

There is a smattering of affirmation.

Jeff: The winning tribe gets to choose between two rewards. First…[unveils covered item] a Survivor coffee machine!

Hazel's eyes are glowing and her mouth is open wide in pleasant excitement as she turns to share a gleeful look with Blake.

Hazel: Just what we wanted!

Blake laughs, squeezing her shoulder.

Jeff: Complete with cream, milk, sugar and plenty of cups and utensils to go around. The second reward…[unveils covered item] Chinese takeout!

Randall pumps his fist.

Randall: I love Chinese food.

Bridgette: My stomach is grumbling…

Candy is gripping both Carter and Eli by their arms, bouncing on the balls of her feet with a large smile on her face.

Candy: Let's win this, guys.

Jeff: The tribe with the second most number of points will win the reward not chosen by the winning tribe. The tribe who came in last...gets zip. Shall we get to it? Before we begin, Pamanzi, you have to sit someone out. Constance sat out of the last challenge, so she must compete in this one.

The tribe gathers to discuss in hushed voices.

Elmer: Who thinks they can't do it?

Constance: I'm glad I'm competing since it's not too physical…

Bridgette: I don't mind doing this one.

Elmer: Randall?

Randall: I can do it.

Kelli: I'll sit out then. Blegh!

The tribe separates.

Jeff: So who's it gonna be?

Kelli strikes a pose, grinning.

Kelli: I'm sitting out, Jeff!

Jeff: Kelli, take a spot on the bench. Everyone else, let's get started.

Soon, the three tribes are seated on nearby benches, as the first three tribe representatives step up to Jeff's table.

Jeff: For our first matchup, we have Maverick from Mwali, Drew from Pamanzi and Eli from Vailheu. Here's your first food item.

He reveals it.

Jeff: A cup full of worms.

Lisa, despite sitting on the bench behind them, is already gagging and holding her throat, looking green.

Lisa: So [censored] disgusting...mmph…

Mallorie: You're not even the one eating it.

Eli breathes heavily, chuckling under his breath as he presses his palms against the stone surface, leaning on the table.

Eli: Why do you do this to us, Jeff.

Jeff: Someone's gotta do it.

Maverick looks like he is steeling himself. Drew looks down into the wriggling mess, then glances nervously back at his tribe. Bridgette smiles and playfully flashes him a thumbs-up.

Elmer: You got this, brother.

Bridgette: Just believe in yourself!

Jeff: Survivors ready? ...Go!

The three of them grab their cups and tip their heads back, downing the contents.

Maverick is chewing rapidly and aggressively, his big jaw chomping up and down with every bite.

Drew chokes a little, coughing and clamping a hand over his mouth. Eli scrunches up his face with disgust, struggling to chew and swallow.

There is cheering and encouragement from the tribes as they watch the three men.

Maverick swallows with difficulty, and shows Probst his empty mouth.

Jeff: Maverick is done! We're looking for one more.

Hazel: Woo! That's right, Maverick! Show those worms who's boss. Woo! [clapping, laughing]

Maverick takes a step back from the table, looking proud.

Drew and Eli are standing next to each other, fighting to finish off their mouthful. And eventually...the first to finish...is Eli, who swallows, burps and sticks his tongue out for inspection.

Jeff: Eli is clean! That's two points for Mwali, one point for Vailheu. Drew, you're done.

Drew spits the remnants of the worms into the sand, digging at his teeth with his finger.

Drew: That tasted so bad. [shudders]

Eli: I can still feel the wriggling. [laughs]

Jeff: Next round!

The three new competitors take their positions.

Jeff: Now we have three women. Hazel from Mwali...taking on Constance from Pamanzi...taking on Candy from Vailheu.

Hazel is psyching herself up, shaking out her arms.

Constance extends a hand for both Hazel and Candy to shake in turn.

Constance: Good luck, ladies.

Candy: Thanks!

Jeff reveals the next food item.

Jeff: Pig brains.

Hazel makes a gagging noise, holding her nose.

Constance nods wordlessly. Candy is smiling to herself, as if questioning her life choices.

Candy: How did I end up here at this stage of my life…?

Jeff: Survivors ready? Go!

All three scoop up the brains and get to work. Hazel squeals as she tears off chunks and stuffs them in her mouth. Constance practically inhales the brains, shoving them into her mouth whole and chewing fast. Candy takes a big bite, chewing and staring determinedly at the empty plate.

Maverick: Let's go, Hazel, let's do this! Fight! Fight it!

Hazel shakes her head violently, squeezing her eyes shut as she lifts another chunk up to her mouth with trembling fingers.

Maverick: Get it down there, girl. Don't stop!

Constance quietly finishes her brains and opens her mouth, looking pleased with herself.

Jeff: Look at that! Constance is done, scoring the first two points for Pamanzi and putting them on the board.

Her tribemates clap and cheer for her as Constance turns and curtsies for them.

Constance: Delicious.

Candy is swallowing, a pained look on her face, but pushes the final chunk of brain left in her hand into her mouth and fights to swallow it, choking slightly.

Jeff: Can Candy get it down before Hazel?

Hazel chokes again, and spits out a few morsels.

Lisa cringes and looks away sharply, covering the horrified expression on her face with her hands.

Candy grimaces, swallows, and presents her tongue.

Jeff: Yes, she can! Candy scores a point for Vailheu. We are now tied across the board, with two points each for all three tribes.

Hazel pukes up the rest of the brains, sighing as she wipes her mouth with the sleeve of her jacket.

Jeff: Next round!

The three new challengers step up.

Jeff: For Mwali, it is Blake, taking on Randall from Pamanzi and Mallorie from Vailheu.

Blake drums his fingers on the table, eyeing up the other two. Mallorie silently cricks her neck, unbothered. Randall is adjusting his cap, looking a bit nervous.

Jeff reveals the next item.

Jeff: A couple of grubs.

The two grubs wriggle around each castaway's plate.

Blake sighs.

Blake: Oh boy.

Randall: [snickering] This is gonna suck.

Jeff: Survivors ready? Go!

All three pick up their grubs and toss them into their mouths.

Blake is cracking his knuckles and tilting his head upwards to get the grub down easier.

Mallorie has her eyes closed and is tuning the world out as she chews.

Randall grunts, pressing the back of his hand against his mouth, breathing heavily and cringing with each bite.

Lisa: [watching] Why does it have to be alive…?

Mallorie keeps chewing and chewing amidst encouragement from her tribe sans Lisa, until she finally forces it down.

Jeff: Mallorie with two points for Vailheu. Vailheu now in the lead! A surprising new achievement for Vailheu, who have been trailing in last or close to last in every challenge so far…

Mallorie steps away from the table as Blake and Randall continue to chew, attempting to beat the other.

Blake is pressing both hands to his mouths and making weird noises with his throat, before finally he gets the disgusting morsel down his gullet.

Jeff: Blake scores! It is Vailheu in the lead with four points, Mwali with three and Pamanzi with two.

Blake: Score for the boomers, right Jeff? [laughing]

Randall rolls his eyes as he walks off.

Spitting the half-eaten grub out onto the floor with distaste, he reaches for the canteen Bridgette is holding out for him.

Randall: Horrible gag reflex, hehe.

Jeff: Next round!

The three next competitors arrive.

Jeff: We have Keira from Mwali, Elmer from Pamanzi and Lisa from Vailheu. Lisa, you are already cringing.

Lisa is indeed pulling a face and wringing her arms as she approaches the covered food item on the table.

Lisa: Just not looking forward to this, Jeff...

Elmer: I don’t think any of us are. [chuckling]

Jeff reveals the next item.

Jeff: Grilled scorpion.

Lisa flinches away from the dead insect, shuddering.

Jeff: Nice and crunchy and juicy…

Lisa: Ugh...please stop.

Jeff: Survivors ready? Go!

Keira and Elmer quickly pick up their scorpions and start biting pieces off. Lisa is slower, gingerly picking up her scorpion as if fearful it will come to life and sting her.

Jeff: Lisa taking her time…

Lisa: Yeulch.

She tries to bite off a claw but retches, spitting it out.

Lisa: That's so nasty. I'm sorry, I'm not doing this, y'all.

Jeff: Lisa just...giving up.

Lisa turns away from the table, crossing her arms petulantly. On the sidelines, Eli and Carter share disappointed looks. The judgmental expression on Mallorie's face stings of disapproval.

Jeff: It is down to Keira and Elmer, battling it out…

Keira shoves what's left of the scorpion into her mouth. Elmer is biting off bit after bit, the crunch evident with every mouthful he takes.

Out of the blue, Keira opens her mouth.

Keira: I'm done.

Jeff: Wow! And that'll do it. Keira scores for Mwali! Because Lisa is out, Elmer, you get one point for Pamanzi.

Elmer nods, mouth still full, before reaching out to take Lisa's scorpion as he returns to his seat.

Elmer: I'm still hungry, Jeff.

Mallorie smirks at this, rolling her eyes.

Jeff: Time for our final round!

The final contestants head over.

Jeff: We've got a showdown of the returning players. Markus for Mwali, taking on Bridgette for Pamanzi and Carter for Vailheu.

Bridgette giggles, giving Carter a friendly fist bump.

Jeff: Markus and Carter, both from the same original season, and are now facing off yet again out here on the Comoro Islands...

Markus: Alright, Carter. [chuckling]

He holds out a hand and Carter slaps it, grinning.

Markus: I won't go easy on you just cause we were on the same season.

Carter: Bring it on, Champion. [winking]

Bridgette: I'm sorry, should I get out of the way so you two can duke it out? [laughing]

Jeff reveals the next food item.

Jeff: A Survivor classic. The balut.

Lisa reacts appropriately in the background, throwing herself onto the bench in horror. Bridgette grimaces, hissing through her teeth as she pokes the egg and it rolls around on her plate.

Jeff: Can't have a food-eating challenge without this classic Survivor food item.

Markus is groaning, rubbing at the back of his neck with a wry smile on his face.

Carter: Ohhh, that's sick...

Jeff: Survivors ready? Go!

Carter and Markus both start shoving the balut into their mouths, juices squirting everywhere. Bridgette lifts it to her mouth and forcibly takes a bite, moaning as she does so.

Lisa: [green] I think I'm gonna be sick…

Elmer is still eating the scorpions like corn dogs, watching with interest.

Jeff: It is Mwali in the lead with five points...Vailheu right behind them with four and Pamanzi in the back with three. Bridgette needs to win this and Markus needs to lose for a three-way tie. If Markus wins, it's game over.

Carter is jamming the balut down his throat, pressing a closed fist against his lips to keep from regurgitating. Markus is visibly uncomfortable, fighting to keep it down. Bridgette retches after swallowing her first mouthful, fingers trembling.

Lisa: [censored], I can't watch…

Carter slaps his chest, chewing as he breathes heavily, in and out. Markus is still chewing, taking his time.

Bridgette shakes her head and gags a little, about to throw up.

Constance: Oh, Bridge…

Carter swallows with considerable difficulty. He opens his mouth just a split second before Markus does the same.

Jeff: Carter scored, with Markus just a second behind him!

Markus: Damn!

Carter wipes his mouth, grinning triumphantly as he slaps palms with Markus.

Carter: Finally beat you, man.

Bridgette is quick to spit out what she has left in her mouth.

Bridgette: Disgusting…

Jeff: Alright! After that last round, we have a tied score between Mwali and Vailheu. Pamanzi, sadly, today you leave here with nothing.

Randall rolls his eyes, slumping over in defeat.

Constance: That's okay, Jeff…

Jeff: Mwali and Vailheu, here's how this is gonna work. You're each gonna send one representative out to compete in a tiebreaker. Winner takes the cake for the tribe and they get to have their pick of the two rewards. Choose your competitor wisely.

The two tribes gather to discuss among themselves.

Hazel is cupping her cheeks, turning to Blake to tug on his sleeve.

Hazel: If we pick, we should take the coffee.

Blake: Agreed. I think Maverick should go, personally. What do you guys think?

Keira: He did do the best out of all of us.

Markus shrugs.

Blake: You feeling up to it, Mav?

Maverick: ...Sure. I can do it.

Eli looks around at the other members of Vailheu.

Eli: Who thinks they can do it?

Candy: I think Carter got his food down the fastest.

Lisa: I definitely won't do it.

Mallorie: It's settled then.

The two tribes split apart.

Jeff: What's it gonna be?

Maverick and Carter raise their hands.

Jeff: Maverick, Carter, step on up.

Maverick and Carter take their positions opposite each other. Carter holds out a hand and Maverick shakes it.

Carter: May the best man win.

Maverick: I plan to. [laughing] Just kidding.

Jeff reveals the final item.

Jeff: Pig intestines.

Maverick: Ooh, how lovely.

Jeff: Really?

Maverick: [grinning] Sarcasm, Jeff. Ever heard of it?

Jeff: Alright, no need to get testy. First person to show me an empty mouth wins their choice of two rewards for their tribe. Survivors ready? ...Go!

Both Maverick and Carter race to start eating, ripping off intestinal chunks with their teeth and swallowing as fast as they can.

Jeff: Carter played in a food-eating competition on his first season too, back in Mozambique. He lost to Trixie, who won immunity. Can he redeem himself and win reward for his tribe, right here?

Carter continues to chew, tuning the rest of the world out.

Neither man looks to be having too much difficulty, and are just eating and chomping with their teeth as fast as they can.

Jeff: You want to be the hero that wins reward for your tribe, you gotta earn it!

Carter slaps the table with one hand as he swallows, and presents his empty mouth to Jeff.

Jeff: Carter wins reward for Vailheu!

The Vailheu tribe cheers as Carter pumps his fist victoriously. Maverick spits out what's in his mouth, smiling as he shakes Carter's hand for the second time.

Maverick: Good job, bro.

Carter: Thanks.

Both men take their seats.

Jeff: Vailheu, congratulations on winning reward. You now have a decision to make. What do you want? Chinese food or coffee? One will feed you well for the day and the other will provide small sustenance for the future.

The tribe has a short discussion in hushed voices as the others watch them curiously.

Candy: We'll take the Chinese, Jeff.

Hazel sighs with relief, casting Blake a pleased look.

Jeff: Alright, come take your reward. Mwali, you came in second. This means you win the Survivor coffee machine. Come get it as well.

Both tribes take their rewards.

Jeff: Pamanzi, I got nothing for you. Head on back to camp.

The three tribes leave and head back to their camps.

Back at the Pamanzi camp…

The six of them are returning from their first challenge loss.

Kelli: I'm glad I didn't participate. That challenge was nasty as [censored].

Constance: It's a shame we didn't win, but at least it was only reward…

Bridgette: I agree. Immunity's more important.

Elmer: Yup. Try to look on the bright side, guys! Immunity is what truly matters. Things could be a lot worse...

Randall: Man, speak for yourself. I would've liked some Chinese food...

The camera cuts to Randall continuing to complain about the challenge loss even as the rest of his tribemates mill about camp.

Randall: And they were so smug about it too. Did you see the way they were celebrating?

Bridgette: Who?

Randall: The Vailheu tribe. That Lisa girl didn’t even take more than two bites of whatever it was she was meant to eat and she was over there making faces and cheering like she won the challenge herself. It’s infuriating.

Randall is now complaining also to Drew and Constance.

Randall: Can you believe him? “At least it wasn’t immunity”...yeah, like we’re not starving out here. He may not need to eat as badly since he’s used to this, but what about those of us who are out here for our first time?

Constance blinks.

Constance: I wouldn’t read too much into that…

Randall scowls all the same.

When Randall is out of earshot, Bridgette and Constance share a look, and the former rolls her eyes at Drew.

Bridgette: [whispering] He never stops. [giggling]

Drew: He really doesn’t…

The camera cuts to another montage of Randall complaining around camp.

Randall: My legs are, like, covered...completely in bug bites…

Elmer: Are they?

Randall: Yeah, it’s [censored] annoying…[scratching]

Elmer: Try not to irritate it too much, you’ll only make it wors-

Randall: Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m not stupid.

Now, Randall is tossing about in the shelter on his back as Bridgette and Kelli try to sleep near him.

Randall: Gah, I don’t understand how you can sleep on this [censored] mess for thirty [censored] days. My back is about to hit its limit…

Kelli pulls her buff over her face and ears, blocking him out. Bridgette gazes up at the sky, avoiding Randall’s gaze.

Eventually...

Drew: Alright, buddy. Come on. Let’s go get some water, hm? [putting arm around Randall]

Randall: Hm? If you want, I guess.

The two take their leave.

Drew walks with Randall to the well, where he pulls Randall aside to talk as Randall refills their canteens.

Drew: You need to be careful with what you say.

Randall: What are you talking about?

Drew: I mean, with Elmer. Haven’t you noticed it’s putting a target on your back?

Randall: Is it, now?

Drew: Yes!

Randall: I’m not scared. What can Elmer do about it?

Drew: You’re only making yourself a target in his eyes.

Randall: I’d be his target regardless. Look at it this way, Drew. He’s clearly got Kelli and Constance wrapped around his finger, and Bridgette will want to align with the other returnee. That already leaves you and me on the outs, and between the two of us, you’re clearly the more sociable one. It doesn’t matter what I say about him because when we go to Tribal, I’ll be the target no matter what. Right?

He spreads his hands out, as if just having finished laid out something extremely obvious, as Drew sighs.

Drew: You don’t know that for sure.

Randall: I just think my best plan is to call Elmer out and hopefully get the rest of the tribe to wake up and see him for the threat that he is. If Erin can go home this early for being a perceived threat, her Cayman Islands companion should get the same treatment. I would argue he played an even more aggressive game than she did, since he was always on the bottom and she was always on the top. That makes him a scrappy mother[censored].

Drew: I’m not disputing that. I’m not! I’m just saying that...that’s a matter for later. If we can’t even survive one Tribal Council on this tribe, what’s the point of targeting Elmer this early on? As it so happens, you and I could be in trouble moving forward.

Randall: I already know I’m most likely in trouble, so I’ve got nothing to lose. I might as well try to recruit the girls as best I can. I mean...at the end of the day, who’s going to be the bigger threat down the road? Me, or the fan favorite from his season who’s known for being a threat in all three factors of the game?

Drew puts his hands on his hips, looking concerned.

Drew: [punching Randall’s arm] Either way...just try and follow my lead, alright? Close that mouth of yours for a bit and...don’t stand out too much.

Randall: Yeah, yeah, yeah...I know.

The two leave and head back to camp.

Meanwhile, on the Vailheu beach…

Lisa is sitting on the edge of the shelter, legs tightly crossed, watching as the other four are busy laying out the fruits of their labor, arranging the boxes of Chinese takeout in a neat pile.

Lisa: I can’t believe we had to eat all that gross [censored] for this...that was horrible.

Mallorie: [muttering] Well…saying “we” is a bit of a relative term, but...go off, I guess.

Lisa: Like, who eats that kind of sick stuff as a delicacy? That’s such a barbaric thing to do. Eating worms and grubs? They’re still alive when you put them in your mouth. It’s so gross, honestly…

Candy frowns at her.

"vailheu"

- I’m...not happy to hear Lisa being so ungrateful after today’s reward challenge. It wasn’t so much the fact that she basically sat out and didn’t contribute to us winning in the slightest, but also...I get that the food is gross for people like us who aren’t accustomed to it. I get that. But she was being completely rude by disregarding the people who do eat stuff like that on a regular basis, and showing a complete lack of awareness and respect for their culture and lifestyle. I don’t approve of that. I came out here to try new things and step out of my comfort zone. Why did she come out here if...she wasn’t prepared to do the same? So that really did irk me, the way she was talking. Come to think of it, a load of the things Lisa sometimes says irks a lot of people. [giggling]

Carter: Let’s just be thankful for this reward, guys. No matter what, a victory is still a victory. We earned it!

Candy: We couldn’t have done it without you, Carter.

Eli: Yeah, man. You pulled through at the end there, against Maverick.

Carter: I don’t want all the credit, and I’m not being modest here! You three pulled your weight too. It was a combined effort.

Mallorie: I hope we can at least keep the winning streak going in the next immunity challenge.

Candy begins handing out boxes of Chinese takeout to the group.

Everyone settles in to eat, and the camera shows a montage of the tribe polishing off the food.

Mallorie: Is there any spice? I like the food spicy…

Candy: Oh, I hate spice, it makes my stomach ache. I know, I sound like a total weenie. [laughing]

Carter: It’s cool, I don’t like it much either. Here, they gave us a jar of hot sauce or something…

Later, when most of the food has been finished…

Eli is pouring the leftover food into the pot.

Eli: We’ll just keep this in here for dinner later. No sense in letting the food go to waste…

Lisa bends over to watch him, clutching the spice pot in one hand.

Lisa: What about the hot sauce? Do we have the cap?

Candy: You lost the cap?

Lisa: Well, can we just put some of the sauce into the pot?

Candy: No, don’t. Then all the food’s gonna end up spicy…

Lisa: I don’t want the sauce to go to waste and I can’t find the cap, so…

Carter: Insects will be all over that if we leave it open.

Candy: How did you lose the cap?

Eli: I’ll go see if I can find something else to cover it up.

Eli gets up without warning to look for a makeshift cap, startling Lisa when he bumps into her on his way up.

Lisa: Whoa!

Lisa loses her grip on the jar. The entire jar of hot sauce topples over into the pot, oozing sauce all over the leftovers.

Lisa: Oh [censored]! Oops.

Mallorie’s eyes flash with warning as she glances over.

Mallorie: Did you just-

Eli: Yeah. Yeah, she just dumped the whole thing in.

Candy’s face falls as she watches Lisa pitifully try to get the jar out, still spilling sauce all over the pot and out onto the sand as she holds it up from the bottom.

Mallorie: You’re holding it from the bottom, you’re letting it drip out!

Lisa: Shoot, ouch! It’s hot.

Lisa spouts off more curses as she drops the jar into the sand, wincing and licking her fingers.

Carter moves over to peer inside the pot of leftovers.

Carter: Half the hot sauce is in there now.

Candy: [shrugs] Great. Looks like I’m not eating any of that tonight.

"vailheu"

- That’s our food, Lisa! What the hell? She just went and...dropped the entire jar of hot sauce into the pot of food. You can only get this level of clumsiness from a cartoon. This is ridiculous. And all because she somehow lost the cap to the jar. Granted, I may have bumped into her and I take partial blame for that. But she couldn’t even hold onto a jar properly for ten seconds. She’s useless!

Mallorie sighs, pulling her hair back as Carter sets the empty jar aside, and Eli uses a spoon to poke at the contents of the pot.

Eli: Sorry, Candy. Sorry, Carter.

Carter: Forget about it. It’s fine.

Candy: More coconut and rice for dinner, I suppose…

Night 7
That night, on the Pamanzi beach…

Drew is looking up at the night sky, sitting down the beach with the waves washing up around his feet and tickling his toes in greeting.

Randall plops down into the sand next to him, carrying his canteen.

Randall: What’s up, man?

Drew: Nothing much.

Randall: Come to think of it, I always see you out here in the night. You spend at least twenty minutes watching the moon and the stars, ever since we’ve come out here. Why is that?

Drew: Oh, it’s nothing. I told my family and my boyfriend before I left that I’d look up at the sky every night and that they could do the same. Then we’d be staring at the same stars from across the world.

Randall: For real? ...Wow. I should’ve known only you’d do something sappy like that. [laughing]

Drew: Oh, har har. Don’t get mad at me just because you don’t have anyone to stare at the sky like this with.

Randall: [snickering] Please. My girlfriend would laugh in my face if I proposed some romantic [censored] like that. I’m kidding, I’m kidding! ...That’s sweet of you. I wouldn’t’ve expected different, man.

Day 8
The next morning…

Drew is kneeling in the sand by Elmer, who is sipping from a coconut as they watch the sunrise.

Drew: Can I have some of that?

Elmer: Of course, bud. Here…

He hands it over.

Drew: I’m surprised Kelli isn’t with you.

Elmer: I never get tired of watching the sunrise and set out on the island. I guess the novelty wore off for her after a while because she’s still pretty sleepy.

Drew: I hear ya. I don’t think I’ll get tired of it too soon either.

He hands the coconut back.

Drew: Listen. I wanted to give you a heads-up. You probably already are aware of this, but...you should know Randall isn’t terribly fond of you.

Elmer feigns shock.

Elmer: The horror! Someone doesn’t like me?

Drew: [snorts] Okay, yeah. I figured you already knew.

Elmer: No one had to tell me for me to pick up on it. It’s written all over his face and body language.

Drew: Yeah, okay. Fair enough. I...really don’t want this to come down to the two of you. I’m telling you because I don’t want you to think I’m wavering. I want to work with you in this game. I told you that early on. I didn’t want you or Bridgette to shoulder all the responsibility on this tribe by virtue of being our two returnees.

Elmer: And I appreciate that, really.

Drew: And so I want you to know I have your back. But I also think that we might just end up going all the way without losing another challenge. We’ve been performing decently well so far, we haven’t lost a tribe member, and we’ve got surprisingly strong players. I don’t want something as trivial as a silly, petty rivalry be the thing that fractures our tribe.

Elmer: Of course not. I don’t want to clash with him too. It’s just a matter of personalities, I suppose…

The camera cuts to a montage of Elmer scouring the woods, searching in tree stumps, digging around roots and climbing up coconut trees too.

Elmer crouches down by a cluster of rocks and pulls out a partially concealed package within the dirt.

Elmer: Holy crap, no way…

He dusts it off hurriedly, the excitement evident in his face as he unwraps it.

Elmer: Congratulations, you have found the clue to the hidden immunity idol. What, just a clue? Aw, man...you’re really making me work for this. [laughing]

He reads on.

Elmer: At your next immunity challenge, there will be a table maze at the end of the challenge. Tied to the bottom of the table will be a hidden immunity idol. In order to retrieve it, you will need to be daring. Are you bold enough to secure safety for yourself in the game at the risk of exposing it to the rest of your tribemates? The decision is yours. Holy [censored]...

He runs his hands through his hair as he reads.

In the morning, on the Vailheu beach…

Candy and Eli are having a conversation as they sit and draw in the sand.

Candy: And so you listen to these podcasts frequently?

Eli: Yeah. I used to study the game religiously. Never missed an episode.

Candy: You ever been on one of these podcasts before then?

Eli: No, but I have my own one! It's just a relatively small podcast though, where I like to give my personal thoughts on the current season. Hey, that gives me an idea! You should totally come on.

Candy: Me? On your…

Eli: Yeah! It'd be great! Plus, your Internet fame would boost my views for sure and send my stats skyrocketing. [chuckling]

Candy: Sure, I'll be there. You sure I'll be a good fit though?

Eli: Of course. We're literally playing on the same season. You'd be more than perfect. Your uncanny ability to tell engaging stories definitely doesn't hurt either.

Carter and Mallorie come over.

Carter: Hey, I've got an idea for something fun to do.

Candy: What's up?

Carter: Okay so, back in Mozambique, on lazy days like this when we get bored, the others and I would set up, like, a little coconut bowling arena, and play bowling. It was always a neat little activity to help us bond and pass the time.

Mallorie: My tribe did something similar. We played a version of volleyball. Bowling sounds more relaxing though.

Carter: You two game? It's not difficult to set up.

Eli: Sure. I'm bored anyway.

Carter: Lemme fetch the coconuts…

A little later, Carter has set up a makeshift bowling alley in the sand with empty water canteens as bowling pins and coconuts as bowling balls.

Eli: Welcome to today's reward challenge! Wanna know what you're playing for?

Candy: [laughing] What?

Eli: The person who knocks down the most bowling pins wins...an extra bowl of rice!

Mallorie: Provided Lisa doesn't eat it first.

Eli: Worthy playing for?

Candy: Yeah!

Eli: Survivors ready? Go!

Carter goes first, lobbing his ball with an underhand throw, knocking down a few pins as it spins and bounces across the sandy surface.

Carter: So close!

The camera cuts to a montage of the four of them taking turns playing coconut bowling, showing Candy giggling and Mallorie clapping and Carter cheering.

Carter: Good one, Candy.

Candy: Thanks! I would've had it!

Mallorie: ...if it weren't for those meddling kids.

The sound of jovial laughter wafts up the beach to where Lisa is lying on the sand, suntanning as per usual with her buff over her eyes. She lifts it up and casts a sour gaze over at the fun foursome.

"vailheu"

- Today, I saw...basically the entire tribe all getting together and having fun, without me. [tosses hair over shoulder] They're making it really obvious that they don't care about me or my vote in this game, that they’re basically all just making it a point to ignore me. And...I think it’s just stupid. They clearly think that I’m not important enough for them to include, but what happens in a tribe swap? Don’t they need me for numbers? Or are they already planning on voting me out before then? I don’t like not being included in stuff. It’s so cliquish...honestly, the four of them. None of them bother to really talk game with me anymore, not even Carter. Mallorie especially likes to act like I’m something the cat dragged in everytime she looks at me. I may not be the brightest bulb on the beach but that doesn’t mean, like...it doesn’t mean I don’t wanna be here to play this game too. It just feels like they’ve all made up their minds not to waste time on me anymore.

Candy sees Lisa gazing at them from down the beach.

Candy: Oh shoot. We totally forgot about Lisa.

Carter cups his hands around his mouth.

Carter: Hey Lisa! Wanna join us?

Lisa waves a hand airily in return.

Lisa: It’s all good! I’ll watch.

Carter: Come sit here and watch, at least!

Lisa sighs, and gets to her feet, strolling over. She plops herself down into the sand and watches from the sidelines.

Mallorie: Sure you don’t want to play, Lisa?

Lisa: I’m good. I’m whatever.

Mallorie: Alright, then.

The foursome continue to laugh as they proceed on with their game, with Lisa now watching them, the spitefulness readable on her face as she looks on, almost bored.

"vailheu"

- Carter’s little bowling game was actually really nice. It was fun to have a game with the rest of the tribe that wasn’t, you know...the actual game of Survivor! It felt like we were just a bunch of friends on summer vacation, on the beach...just chilling out and having fun. And moments like those can get pretty rare the deeper into the game you go and the more stressful it gets, so I know it’s best to take advantage of whatever respite we can get in these early days. Really, it was a nice opportunity to bond for all of us...except for Lisa. Lisa...I don’t know what’s up with her, but...she just sorta sat there and...and sulked the whole time, watching us with a sour look on her face. It was almost uncomfortable. And that’s unfortunate, because besides her, the four of us on Vailheu are...actually starting to grow really close. We’re all bonding and connecting well with one another, and she’s...just the lonely outsider. What’s worse is she’s really doing it to herself. None of us are isolating her on purpose. Yes, she can be a bit of a catty mean girl at times, and she’s not the most reliable person on the tribe, but that doesn’t mean we would purposefully want her to feel left out. I do feel bad for her, but it’s a game. If you can’t ingratiate yourself with your tribe, then...that’s on you.

As the others continue playing, Lisa eventually gets up, pats the sand from her hands, and leaves, retreating to the shelter.

Carter: Score!

Eli: Damn it. Carter, you’re too good at this.

Carter: I had practice. [chuckling]

Seeing Lisa go, Mallorie drops her voice to talk to the others.

Mallorie: She was so petty. Did y’all see her face?

Carter: Was she?

Candy: She didn’t look too happy.

Eli: [shrugs] We asked her to join, didn’t we?

Candy: I do feel kinda bad.

Mallorie: That’s not on us. Eli’s absolutely right. We invited her to play too.

"vailheu"

- I always have to deal with at least one annoying female on my seasons. My last season, it was Felicity, and this season? It’s gotta be Lisa. She’s a hot mess. A total hot mess. Why do I say that? ‘Coz she thinks she’s hot, and we think she’s a mess. [shrugs] I know she doesn’t like me very much, and the feeling’s mutual. I can tell. She’ll be lying on top of Carter, practically throwing herself at him in the shelter, and when she glances at me, her nose turns up like she’s just smelled a dead fish. [laughing] You know what I mean? I cannot deal with girls like her, I just cannot. And we’re all tired of her. Imagine how tired we are, living with her.

Mallorie: I truly don’t get what’s her deal.

Eli: I don’t either.

Mallorie: She’s impossible to understand. Whatever the case, I feel great with us four. If she wants to make it easy on all of us by being so on the outs, then...that works out for us.

Carter: I agree.

Candy: Yeah…

Eli: I’m so down. I think us four would be great moving forward.

Mallorie: Whatever the case, like...it goes without saying, she’s the next to go.

Eli: For sure.

Carter: Without a doubt…

Candy: I really like the four of us, actually. I think we could go deep as long as we stay strong through the swaps and the merge…

Mallorie: I am so totally down for solidifying this, right now.

Carter: Let’s do it. [laughing]

The four of them put their hands in the center briefly.

Mallorie: Lisa goes first?

Eli: Yeah.

Candy: Agreed.

Carter: Lisa goes.

Mallorie: Vailheu foursome to the end, guys.

The four of them quietly throw their hands in the air and dissipate, giggling as they disperse to clean up the remnants of the game or head back to the shelter. Lazing inside the shelter with her buff over her face, Lisa notices nothing.

Meanwhile, on the Mwali beach…

Hazel is standing by the fire, as Keira bends down to operate the coffee machine.

Grabbing a new cup of coffee, she hands it to Hazel, who accepts it gratefully.

Hazel: Thank you, Keira. [sips] Ooh, that’s heaven. Y’all...I needed this.

Blake: [chuckling] You’re a weird one, Hazel.

Hazel: Like you haven’t had two cups already.

Blake: I know how to moderate myself. Gotta take it easy out here…

Hazel takes another long sip, as Keira peers up at her curiously, noticing she is pushing her glasses up even higher.

Keira: Your glasses are fogging up.

Hazel: [thickly] ...Thanks.

Keira: You’re crying?

Hazel: [laughing] A little bit.

Keira: Why?

Hazel: Just...wow. The taste...I didn’t think a simple drink would be such a strong reminder of home. It got me thinking of my sister. [laughing, sniffs]

Keira: Aww…

Hazel: I’m good, I’m good. Really! You don’t need to worry about me, I’m not gonna break down again! [laughing] I just need a moment…

"mwali"

- My tribe is seriously going to think I’m just a giant [censored]- [laughing uproariously] -especially if I keep crying on and off this much. [laughing] Oh man...I am such a loser. I really don’t mean to get this stupidly emotional for no reason out here. I guess I severely underestimated the emotional toll this game would have on me. I’m not used to not having the basic amenities that...I’m used to, in regular life. Even something as simple as coffee, like...not even having that almost brought me to my knees this morning, just thinking about it back home, and my family…[sniffs] Geez, now I’m starting to get choked up...AGAIN! I’m a mess, I’m sorry. [laughing] I gotta stop. I wear my heart on my sleeve, you know! That’s the kind of girl I am...sorry, not sorry.

Blake grips Hazel’s hand comfortingly and Keira gives her a soothing back rub.

Blake: It’s fine. We all miss our families out here.

Hazel: To think, it’s only been a week, at most…[chuckling]

Keira: I know. Crazy.

Hazel: Literally! ...Can’t even fathom what a bumbling mess I’ll be two or three weeks down the road…

"mwali"

- Hazel and I are very different characters. She acts tough, but she’s such a softie on the inside. I like that about her. It’s endearing. Me? I like to act tough on the outside too, but my heart is a little harder than that on my inside. I don’t crack easily. That gives me more confidence, and more responsibility, to...be there for her, and for those who might be struggling a bit more out here. I’m no returning player like Markus or Erin, but I think I’ve adjusted quite well to the environment of Survivor, and I want to be there for those who aren’t adapting quite as smoothly, Hazel being the main one of them. Hazel and I don’t click much in terms of personalities or interests, since we don’t have a lot in common. So this is the best I can come up with to try and build a sort of relationship with her. This is me...trying to push myself into having a semblance of a social game, with a tribemate who I wouldn’t normally interact with on the outside. See? I’m learning how to play Survivor. [chuckling]

Keira: One thing I’d recommend you do is look up at the sky at night and imagine that your sister and family is staring up at the same one. The same moon, the same stars…

Hazel: Oh, I know…

Keira: It might give you peace of mind. That’s what I told my loved ones.

Hazel: Thank you, Keira…

Day 9
Jeff: Come on in, guys!

The three tribes traipse on in.

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

He takes the idols back from Kelli and Carter.

Jeff: Once again, immunity is back up for grabs. For today's challenge, four of you will be blindfolded and pushing a wheelbarrow with your fifth tribe member inside. You must navigate an obstacle course while your fifth tribe member collects two bags of balls along the way. At the end of the obstacle course, you must disassemble your wheelbarrow to retrieve two handles. Using those two handles, you will maneuver a table maze, and must get one of your balls into the hole in the centre, avoiding other holes along the way. First two tribes to land their ball in the middle wins immunity; losers go to Tribal Council tonight where someone will become the third person voted out of Survivor: Champions and Contenders.

Kelli nods seriously. Constance swallows.

Jeff: Pamanzi, you got one extra member, gotta sit someone out. You cannot sit the same person out in back-to-back challenges, so Kelli must compete.

They come together to discuss.

Constance: I can sit out again if you want.

Elmer: Honestly this one doesn't look too physical, so maybe you should stay.

Bridgette: I'll sit out if you want to compete, Constance.

Constance: I'm okay. I'll compete if you guys want.

Jeff: Who's it gonna be?

Bridgette raises her hand.

Jeff: Bridgette, take a spot on the bench. Everyone else...let's get started.

Bridgette: [waving goodbye] Good luck, team!

Soon, everyone takes their positions. The camera cuts to the table mazes at the end of the challenge, briefly showing the immunity idol stuck to the bottom of the Pamanzi table maze.

Jeff: For immunity, Survivors ready? ...Go!

The three tribes race out, each piloting their wheelbarrows and their sole passengers.

Jeff: For Mwali, it is Keira directing her blindfolded team members. For Pamanzi, it is Constance, and for Vailheu, it is Candy.

The three women are giving orders to the rest of their tribe.

Candy: Straight...left! ...Now take a right!

Constance: Go forward...steady...okay, stop! Now turn right…

Keira: Forwards, forwards...stop, stop!

The Mwali wheelbarrow smashes into one of the obstacles and Keira nearly tips out of it.

Markus: Keira, you good?

Keira: Yeah.

Blake: Which way?

Keira: Turn left.

Lisa is mostly tagging along blindly behind, as Carter, Eli and Mallorie all push Candy through.

Candy: Alright, slow down...and stop! I'm at the first one.

Jeff: Candy, reaching up to retrieve her first ball…

The Mwali wheelbarrow is riding up to their first ball, as Keira props herself up to retrieve it. The Pamanzi wheelbarrow is there too, as Constance unsteadily rises up to reach out for their ball.

Jeff: All three tribes working on untying their bag…

Candy releases her bag first and drops back down into the wheelbarrow.

Candy: Okay, go, go!

Carter and Eli move to push the wheelbarrow forward but Lisa cries out.

Lisa: Ow! Wait up, I’m stuck…

The rope tethering Lisa to the rest of her tribemates is caught on one of the obstacles.

Jeff: Lisa’s rope, now getting caught on one of the obstacles. You’re gonna have to get it off if you want to move forward!

Carter: What’s happening?

Candy: Lisa, get your rope loose.

Lisa: I can’t find it!

Candy: Just follow your rope with your hand and loosen it, it’s stuck on one of the obstacles-

Jeff: Vailheu stuck now…

Meanwhile, Keira has her ball free.

Keira: ‘Kay, go.

The Mwali wheelbarrow continues trucking onwards.

Drew: Constance, you got it?

Constance: [straining] Almost…

Randall: Come on…

Constance: Yup, got it!

Randall and Elmer start to push and Constance almost falls out.

Constance: Ooh! Okay, I’m in.

Drew: Constance, you alright?

Constance: Yup. Go, go!

Jeff: Mwali moving on, Pamanzi moving on...the only tribe still stuck is the Vailheu tribe, who are trailing back behind into dead last, yet again...a position they are all too familiar with…

Candy: Lisa, just untangle your rope…

Lisa: I can’t, it’s [censored] stuck on something…

Jeff: Lisa’s rope now getting entangled with the rest of her tribemates...HUGE disaster for the Vailheu tribe!

Carter: Give me the rope? Where is it?

Lisa: I can’t find it, I think it’s stuck on yours…

Eli: What’s going on?

Mallorie: Candy, can you untangle the ropes?

Candy: Hold on…

Candy bends down and reaches out, trying to untangle the mess that is the tribe’s web of ropes.

Jeff: Mwali is now trying to get their second bag!

Keira is standing up again, reaching up to untie the second bag for her tribe.

Blake: You got it?

Keira: Working on it.

Jeff: Pamanzi at their second bag!

Constance is working on untying too.

Jeff: Both Keira and Constance working on getting their second bag of balls, while Vailheu continues to get hopelessly entangled in their ropes…

Lisa is now getting heated as Candy tugs at her ropes.

Lisa: You gotta get me loose- no, stop pulling!

Candy: I’m trying to free your ropes!

Lisa: You’re pulling the wrong rope!

Carter: Girls, calm down. Lisa, just let Candy do her thing, she’s the only one who can see right now-

Keira: I got it.

Jeff: Keira has the last ball for Mwali!

The Mwali tribe rushes forward, pushing Keira along to the second station of the challenge.

Jeff: You’re good, Mwali! Disassemble your wheelbarrow and retrieve your handles!

Mallorie: Got it, Candy?

Candy: I’m trying…

Candy loosens the ropes, unwinding them, and thinks it looks good.

Candy: Okay, we should be free. Let’s-

Carter begins pushing the wheelbarrow and slams into a nearby obstacle, almost knocking Candy out.

Candy: Whoa! Okay, let me steady myself first…

Constance releases the final bag, which drops past her and plops into the dirt. She bends down to scoop it up.

Constance: Okay, I got it! Go!

Jeff: You’re good, Pamanzi!

The Pamanzi tribe pushes their wheelbarrow to the end and start taking off their blindfolds.

Kelli: Goooo, Pamanzi, go!

The Mwali tribe is busy disassembling their wheelbarrow, and now Blake and Maverick have gotten their two handles loose.

Jeff: Mwali has their two handles! Get to work on your table maze!

Blake snatches the two handles and runs up to the maze, fitting them in and getting started on maneuvering one of his balls to the centre, weaving between multiple holes along the way.

Jeff: Blake now working on the table maze…

The Vailheu tribe is chugging along now, all of them with pale faces, tight with worry as they try to catch up with the other two tribes.

Jeff: Vailheu still in dead last, yet again…

Candy is standing up, reaching out to untie the second and final bag for her tribe.

The Pamanzi tribe finishes taking their wheelbarrow apart.

Jeff: Drew, now gonna start working on the table maze for Pamanzi!

Drew inserts his two handles and starts piloting his table maze, licking his lips as sweat drips down his brow.

Blake drops his ball down one hole.

Blake: Dang it…

Jeff: Blake, starting over…

Blake: Maverick, you go!

Maverick runs in as Blake takes a step back.

Jeff: Like a well-oiled machine, Blake and Maverick quickly taking each other’s places. Now, Maverick is working on the table maze! Will he have better luck?

Maverick’s eyes centre on the maze as he slowly begins moving the handles, navigating his ball around tight corners and dead ends.

Candy: I got it!

Candy plops the final bag into the wheelbarrow as the Vailheu tribe careens forward, all of them talking over each other in loud voices as they try to pilot themselves to the end.

Candy: Go right! No, go forward first-

Eli: Oof!

Mallorie: Ow!

They go too fast and Eli nearly tips into the wheelbarrow, almost knocking Candy out again. Mallorie winces as her fingers caught in between the wheelbarrow and a nearby wall.

Carter: Guys, you need to slow down-

Lisa: I’m stuck again!

Mallorie: For [censored] sake, Lisa!

Lisa: No, no. Never mind, I’m good.

Jeff: The Vailheu tribe, dissolving into chaos…

Candy: We’re almost there, guys, just take it slow…

Carter and Eli continue to push Candy until at last, their wheelbarrow makes it across to the end.

Jeff: And they’re good! Start taking apart your wheelbarrow, Vailheu, let’s go!

Candy: You’re good, you guys are good!

She leaps out of the wheelbarrow and bends down to examine where to take it apart as the others quickly rip off their blindfolds.

Mallorie is tugging an entire wheel off the wheelbarrow, as Lisa stands idly behind her, looking lost.

Mallorie: Get the [censored] pieces!

Lisa springs into action, trying to help.

Drew drops the ball down a hole. Behind him, the other members of Pamanzi wince and flinch and react with tension evident in their faces.

Jeff: Drew drops the ball too. Vailheu, you may be behind but you can still catch up!

Maverick has the ball for Mwali closer and closer to the centre. Only a couple more holes are in the path.

Hazel is standing on her tiptoes and craning to see his work.

Hazel: You got it, Maverick, you got it, just hang in there…

Maverick: [muttering] Shh. Don’t distract me.

Hazel flinches.

Sweat drips down Maverick’s forehead as he slowly inches the ball closer to the centre.

Jeff: Vailheu has their two handles. Get to the table maze, Vailheu! You’re still in it!

Mallorie is piloting the maze for Vailheu, grabbing both handles.

Jeff: Vailheu off to a bad start after an incident with ropes slowed them down tremendously…

The camera cuts to Lisa, looking awkward.

Jeff: But there is still a chance for another epic comeback!

Drew drops his ball again.

Drew: [censored]. Come on…

Elmer: Drew, you got it, man. Just stay calm…

Randall: He’s got it…

Drew starts moving the ball again.

Mallorie is intently focused on her maze, not looking up from her ball as it rolls around corners and down pathways, bouncing into walls back and forth.

Maverick’s ball is inches away from the centre now.

Jeff: Maverick is inches away from winning immunity for his tribe. He just needs to get past the most difficult section of the maze, two holes near the middle…

Maverick licks his lips, eyes zeroed in on the table maze.

He gingerly raises and lowers his handles, attention completely lasered in on the ball in the centre.

Drew is picking up speed, making quick progress too, and is close to catching up to where he last was.

Mallorie is going for broke, making bolder moves, and drops her ball down a hole. Cursing, she quickly snatches up her ball and starts over.

Maverick’s mouth is partially open and he is absorbed in his task.

His ball makes it past one hole, comes close to the edge of the other and rests on the lip for a split second.

Hazel is on tenterhooks behind him, chest rising rapidly. Markus swallows, watching Maverick.

Maverick tips the maze forward…

...and the ball lands squarely in the center, settling in.

Jeff: Mwali wins immunity!

Maverick lets out a big sigh of relief, letting go of the handles as the rest of his tribe erupt in celebration and move forward to hug him.

Hazel: Yay!

Keira: Good job.

Markus: Nice one, man. That was great.

Jeff: We are looking for two more!

Drew’s ball rolls down one corridor, and is close to the centre.

Jeff: Drew now has to navigate past the same section that Maverick did…

Mallorie is rushing to catch up again, glancing over at Drew’s maze for a split second, looking frazzled.

Kelli is standing up now, no longer sitting on the sitout bench as she clutches at her cheeks, frightened.

Kelli: [muttering] Come on, Drew…

Elmer and the others are peering over Drew’s shoulder from afar as he slowly pilots his ball…

It reaches the centre and dances around the two holes, slipping past one and rolling right past the other…

Bridgette: Yes!

...only to roll back and plop right through the second hole again.

Jeff: No! Drew drops, again!

Drew cusses again and Bridgette recoils in horror.

Randall looks away in disgust, kicking at the dirt, and Elmer’s face falls in disappointment.

Kelli: [censored]. Shoot!

Jeff: The Pamanzi tribe, exploding into despair as they have to begin again once more…

Drew puts the ball back on the maze and restarts.

Jeff: Mallorie, moving more carefully now, sensing victory around the corner…

Mallorie is piloting her ball a little more slowly now that Drew has faltered. Her ball rounds the corner and is in the vicinity of the centre again.

Jeff: Drew moving even faster than before, he knows he has to go for broke too…

Drew is knocking the ball all around the table maze with startling aggression, and gets it past several holes surprisingly well.

Elmer: Stay calm, Drew. She can still drop, you don’t have to be too reckless…

Randall: We need to go for broke, man. You heard him.

Constance: Shh.

Drew’s ball is catching up, but Mallorie’s is still far, far ahead. The Mwali tribe is spectating with interest; Hazel looks captivated, a look of childish delight on her face as she leans against Blake’s shoulder to peek at the Pamanzi table maze.

Mallorie’s ball is knocking against walls and corner as it eases itself into the final corridor, where the same section that screwed over Drew’s ball awaits her.

Jeff: Mallorie, approaching the two holes and the centre of the maze...Tribal Immunity on the line, inches away…

Mallorie is exhaling slowly, tipping her maze downwards and watching her ball roll.

Candy: [nervous] C’mooon…

Carter is squeezing her shoulder, looking concerned. Eli is on his knees, hands tugging at his curly hair.

Drew is biting his lower lip hard as he maneuvers his ball down another long hallway, rounding the corner so it is now only two hallways away from the end.

Jeff: Mallorie’s close!

Mallorie’s ball draws near the two holes. She tips the maze to the left to avoid the first one…

...it skitters near the edge of the second…

...rolls around and…

...rolls back, falling back through the first hole.

Eli: Ahhhh!

Mallorie snarls, letting go of the handles and rushing to pick the ball back up as her rapt tribemates watches on in horror.

Candy is squishing her cheeks, eyes sad.

Candy: Noo…

Jeff: Mallorie drops! Mallorie now has to start over! Now it’s Drew back in the lead again! This is going back and forth!

Bridgette: Come on, Drew…

Jeff: Bridgette, watching as both her past tribemate Mallorie and current tribemate Drew duke it out for Tribal Immunity...one will secure safety for their entire tribe and the other will lose it…

Drew’s ball inches down the hallway, squeezing past one hole…

...and then the other…

...and he makes it past both, now so close to the centre of the maze, the slightest tip forward will win their tribe the challenge.

Constance looks like she is praying, her head bent and hands clasped together.

Elmer grips Randall’s and Bridgette’s shoulders with trepidation, rooting Drew on.

Jeff: This could be it for Pamanzi…!

Mallorie knocks her table around a bit madly, as her ball bounces around and swiftly drops through another hole.

Jeff: Mallorie going nuts, but it could be too late…!

Drew’s ball slowly rolls forward as he moves the handles with expert precision, and at last…

...his ball sinks into the centre with a satisfying sound.

Jeff: And it is! Pamanzi wins immunity!

Drew’s shoulders sag with exhaustion as the rest of his tribe come up behind him and envelop him in a group hug. Mallorie looks over and lets go of her handles, crossing her arms and stepping away, looking pissed. Eli looks dejected, still squatting down. Lisa’s mouth twitches with irritation as Kelli runs past them all, leaping in to join the Pamanzi lovefest.

Drew: That was so bad…I'm sorry, guys.

Constance: Oh, you stop that, you.

Randall: What're you apologizing for, ya big dope? We won!

Elmer: It’s okay. We won. That’s what matters.

Carter shakes his head, the disappointment written all over his face, staring wistfully over at their elated group.

Bridgette: I’m so proud of us.

Bridgette pulls Drew in for a hug, and Constance joins in. As the others look away, Elmer leans with his back to the table maze, and surreptitiously reaches his hand under. He quickly pulls out the idol and turns to hide it in his underwear.

Markus is watching, and frowns a little. Elmer glances around to make sure no one is looking, and catches his eye.

Markus raises an eyebrow but nods back. Elmer looks like a deer caught in headlights, but nods slightly in return.

Soon, the three tribes return to their mats.

Jeff: Mwali, congratulations. Immunity is yours.

He tosses the idol over to them, and Keira deftly catches it.

Jeff: Pamanzi, it was a close finish, and an exchange for the lead multiple times, but at the end of the day, you managed to pull it out. Congrats.

He tosses the idol over, and Randall lunges forward to catch it out of the air.

Jeff: Mwali, Pamanzi, no Tribal Council tonight. You can enjoy the night off.

Hazel: Thanks, Jeff!

Markus: We’ll be glad to not see you. [chuckling]

Bridgette: Woo!

The two tribes leave, all smiles across the board.

Jeff turns back to the Vailheu five.

Jeff: Vailheu...you gave it your best shot.

Candy pouts. Mallorie’s face is stormy.

Jeff: Unfortunately for one of you, you will be returning to Tribal Council tonight and this journey will be over as someone becomes the third person voted out of this game. You have the afternoon to figure out who it’s gonna be. I’ll see you tonight at Tribal.

They all turn to grab their belongings and leave.

The camera zooms in on Mallorie as she slings her bag around her shoulder.

"vailheu"

- Tribal Council, yet again...bleghhh…[makes a face] Attending two of the first three Tribal Councils does not give me a lot of hope for our tribe. We are not performing well when it matters the most, and I think a big reason behind that...is Lisa. She is...the deadweight of this tribe. She doesn’t contribute. Calling her the cancer of our tribe is generous. She’s our own little malignant tumor, and...tonight’s Tribal Council is going to be the long-awaited surgery we needed to bounce back from our losses.

The Vailheu tribe returns to Tribal Council.

Candy: ...This sucks…

Mallorie: Yeah, you’re telling me…

Eli tosses his things sadly into the shelter with a big sigh.

Eli: I’ll go get the water…

Carter: I’m coming with you.

The two boys leave. Lisa plops herself down by the fire, sulking as she watches them go.

Mallorie and Candy stand awkwardly near her, staring into the dying embers.

"vailheu"

- Tribal Council again tonight is the worst-case scenario for me, because I’m almost one-hundred percent certain that I’ll be the one going home. It just sucks! You know? Like, it just sucks to be on a tribe full of people who...don’t want to play with you, for some reason. And part of me is just like...y’know what, [censored] ‘em, right? If they don’t want to play with me, then they don’t want to play with me; big deal. I’m close to giving up on these people. Like, I’m just done with all of them. They all irritate the hell out of me, even Carter too now. If they want to vote me out, then there’s nothing I can do to change their minds. I might as well sow a few seeds of discord and paranoia among them before I leave, so I can rest easy knowing I’ve splintered them apart, once I’m sipping from a flute of champagne in some resort somewhere with Chase and Erin.

Lisa gets up, pats her hands clean of dirt, and leaves to follow Carter and Eli.

Mallorie watches her go, and then nudges Candy, who is still standing next to her.

Mallorie: [mouthing] Lisa?

Candy: Tonight?

Mallorie nods.

Candy: [shrugs] Without question.

Mallorie: As long as nothing crazy happens…[rolls her eyes] then it’s simple.

Candy nods in agreement.

"vailheu"

- Tonight, the plan is simple. Tribal Council is stressful enough as it is because you never know what could go down. But Lisa has made herself so obvious a target when nobody wants to work with her, that...I truly don’t see any other way that tonight’s vote is going to go. [laughing] I mean it. She hasn’t got a single real friend on the island, and I know that’s mean, but it is the undeniable truth. And I think all four of us will be more than happy to see her go, and make our new foursome a real thing, moving forward.

Over at the water well, Carter and Eli are having a similar discussion as Eli helps to ladle water into Carter’s canteen.

Eli: It has to be Lisa tonight, right?

Carter: Yep. I got no objections.

Eli: Neither do I. I like us four, and I want to move forward with you guys.

Carter: As do I, man.

Eli: My only worry would be if an idol is played.

Carter: You think Lisa would have an idol?

Eli: That’s what I was gonna ask you. You’re easily the closest one to her out of everyone.

Carter: Yeah but even so, we don’t talk game often. She just likes to hang around me, I don’t even really seek her out to talk.

Eli: The only thing that might ruin tonight would be an idol, after all.

Carter: That’s true.

Lisa comes around the corner, looking ticked off.

Lisa: What’s up, boys?

Eli: Oh, nothing much.

Lisa: You two talking about tonight?

Carter: Yeah. We’re discussing.

Lisa: Okay.

She joins them, and they stare at each other in awkward silence for a bit. Eli’s eyes flit back and forth between the pair.

Lisa: ...So...you want to share what you were talking about?

Carter: Uh…

Eli: I don’t…

Lisa: ...Am I going?

She leans against the well, raising an eyebrow at them both, as the two men share a look.

Carter: ...Honestly, it’s not looking good for you, I’m afraid.

Lisa: Mhm. Right.

Eli: Who would you want to go home, then?

Lisa: What does it matter if you’re all voting for me, right?

Eli glances at Carter, who shakes his head slightly in warning.

Lisa: Well, I guess I’ll tell you anyway. I’m going to be voting for Mallorie.

The camera cuts to Mallorie sitting in the shelter, inspecting her fingernails meticulously.

Lisa: That’s the name I was told by Chase at our first Tribal Council, and that’s the name I’m still sticking to. Because guess what, guys? Loyalty actually means something to me.

Eli cannot help but raise an eyebrow.

Lisa: Okay, like, when someone tells me a name and I trust that person? I [censored] write down that name that I’m told. Because I’m a team player. And if you two don’t see that, then I don’t know what else to tell you.

Eli: It’s not that...it’s not we don’t want to work with you, it’s just...we feel…

Carter: Both the girls think you should be the one to go, and it seems to be the general consensus that...that’s what’s the best outcome is for our tribe, to stay strong and keep our numbers up once we get past the swap, and to the merge.

Lisa: Well, why should the other two girls run this camp? Who put Mallorie in charge? See, isn’t this the same thing she was accused of on her season. People had a problem with her running [censored] like the Queen Bee and you’re still letting her do it here. What, is this a repeat of Seychelles? Come on!

Eli: [shrugs] I’m sorry, I don’t know…

Carter: It’s not that. Rocking the boat without reason is...not smart, this early on. We’re trying to make the decision that helps the tribe...the most.

Lisa: Well, only one person is winning in the end.

Carter: I know that. We know that.

Lisa: So who cares about what’s best for the tribe? Do what’s best for yourself.

Eli: This IS what’s best for us.

Lisa: No, it’s what’s best for Mallorie.

Eli is getting visibly impatient now.

Lisa: Look, y’all don’t want to rock the boat, right?

Carter shrugs.

Lisa: Then I’ll make this easy for you. Say I have an idol, and I play it tonight. Would you vote Mallorie then?

Eli: You have an idol?

Lisa: [rolls eyes] You don’t have to sound so shocked, you know.

Eli: When did you get an idol?

Lisa: Chase and I went looking for it on, like, Day Two. We found that [censored] together.

Carter frowns, thinking hard.

Lisa: And I wasn’t gonna use it tonight unless I absolutely had to, but from the sound of it, I absolutely HAVE to tonight. You two aren’t making it easy for me.

Eli: Whoa, but back it up. You seriously have an idol?

Lisa: How many times you want me to repeat it, Eli?

Eli: No, I’m just...I just can’t believe you, of all...what I mean to say is, can we see it? As proof?

Lisa: If you don’t believe me, I don’t give a [censored]. I’ll just play it for myself and negate all your votes. It’s none of my business. I don’t need your votes if I have a [censored] idol. I’m only telling you because I want you guys to vote with me so I don’t have to let a frikkin’ idol go to waste for no reason this soon, and end up with no allies in the next round. Because like I said? I’m a [censored] team player, remember? And team players like me tell the truth to the allies they trust.

"vailheu"

- Yeah, I’m totally bullshitting right now. I have no idol. But the boys don’t need to know everything, do they? For the record, I don’t expect them to buy it. Carter’s a returning player, and Eli is, like, the dweebiest Survivor superfan in the history of ever. If they fall for my ruse, then they need to turn their Survivor fanboy cards in because they’ll not have earned them. But this is my last-ditch effort to save myself and my game, so when I go back home to my family at the end of the day, I can tell them that I tried my best and that…[sighs] and that I didn’t just quit. But beyond that...I really don’t think there’s a whole lot more I can do. I just hope maybe this “revelation” of an idol will spook them a bit, maybe stress poor little Eli’s heart out, since he clearly loves to obsess over this game and every possibility that could happen at a Tribal Council...and then I’ll laugh at them all on my way off the island. I mean, when Carter and Eli are basically telling me there’s no shot of me staying and that their freaky foursome is freakishly rock solid...I’m toast without telling a little lie. I’m going to laze around camp, act extremely comfortable, and make them all think I really do have an idol. I’m going to have a bit of fun on my last day here!

Lisa: I’ve already run my speech about Mallorie into the ground. I’m not interested in talking or campaigning anymore. Do whatever you want, because I’ve already made up my mind on using that idol tonight and sending Mallorie packing. If you two actually decide you want to play the game for yourselves and not the Empress Dowager back there, then approach me, because otherwise, I’m going to be taking my midday nap.

Lisa leaves with a cocky little shrug of her shoulders.

Eli turns to look at Carter, mouth agape.

Eli: What the hell was that?

Carter: [shrugs] That was Lisa for you. I wasn’t expecting her to say that, I’ll give her that much credit. I kinda expected her to plead a little and then sleep on it. I...guess in the end, she’s still sleeping on it, but...at least she dropped a bit of a bomb before turning in.

Eli: Dude, you think she’s telling the truth?

Carter: What? I honestly don’t know. I think she might be full of it.

Eli: But what if she isn’t though?

Carter: For real?

Eli: She’s Lisa. You think she can lie that well? She honestly did not seem to care what we did tonight. Does that sound like someone who believes she’s going home?

The camera cuts to Lisa now curling up in the shelter, masking her face with her buff. Candy glances over her shoulder at her sleeping figure with curiosity, looking bemused.

Eli: She couldn’t con a blind man out of his money. Where would she come up with a bold lie like that?

Carter: You think she’s being honest, then?

Eli: I wouldn’t bet money on her being a good liar.

Carter: We’re talking about Lisa, though. Would she have an idol? Of all people on this tribe...her?

Eli: I know she sleeps all day and suntans, but she said she found it with Chase. You and I know she and him hung around together a lot on those first few days. It’s very likely she stumbled upon it on accident while she was with him, and they kept it their little secret together.

Carter shakes his head, biting his lip.

Carter: This is all kinds of crazy…

Eli: You’re telling me?

Carter runs one hand through his hair.

"vailheu"

- Lisa is the last person I expected to cause a bit of chaos during what should be an easy vote. My instincts are telling me she’s not really in possession of an idol, but there’s always that tiny bit of doubt that exists in the back of my head that’s saying...maybe it’s true. That tiny fraction of a chance that she might actually have blindly lucked her way into finding an idol with Chase...it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility. And Chase is gone, so there’s no way of knowing if it’s the truth or not. I don’t want to believe it, but I have Eli in my ear, excitedly telling me that it’s gotta be true, that it has to be true, and that if there’s even a 0.1 probability of it being real, that we need to do something to turn the tables against her.

Carter: So what do you want to do about it? If you’re taking her at face value, then this threat of an idol in her pocket is real. What can we even do to prevent it?

Eli: Obviously, if she’s playing it, she’s safe, and I don’t think she’s voting for one of us.

Carter: She’s voting for Mallorie, then.

Eli: That means the three of us get to decide who really goes home tonight, if we wanted to.

Carter: Three of us, meaning…?

Eli: You, me, and whichever one of the girls we want to go further with.

Carter: Whichever one of the girls…? You mean, you want us to choose between-

Eli: Between Mallorie and Candy. I mean, they’re the only other options.

Carter: You want to vote one of them out? Seriously?

Eli: I don’t want to, but we might have to. You catch my drift? If Lisa really does play an idol tonight, like I said, that’s the worst possible scenario. Because she would send Mallorie home singlehandedly. But the two of us could control the narrative tonight. If you really want to save Mallorie, all we need to do is tell her what’s happening, and we flip the vote against Candy instead. That’s you, me and Mallorie safe, and we negate Lisa’s idol, and keep all of us in the game. It depends on whether you want to save Mallorie, or if you’d rather keep Candy around because she’s less of a threat, and just let Lisa knock Mallorie out of the game.

Carter shakes his head again.

Carter: I don’t want either of them to go.

Eli: I don’t either, but what choice do we have? Right now, we have the advantage of knowing exactly what Lisa’s game plan is. We can either let it happen, or take advantage of it for ourselves.

"vailheu"

- I’m no fan of Lisa’s. I don’t like her, as a person in general, and as a player in this game. I think she’s a waste of a spot on the season. But she is the outsider on this tribe right now, and outsiders in the game of Survivor are a precious commodity. Because when you save a person in this game, they’re in your debt. The more people you have in your debt, the more social capital you have, and you need people to want to work with you to be able to make moves in this game. Lisa has no one else right now, and even Carter wants nothing more to do with her. As much as I dislike her, I’m starting to think that utilizing her to make a move that furthers my own game might be really good for me.

Carter looks deeply troubled, as he strokes his chin.

Carter: You do realize, that if we pull something like this off, that this is…

Eli: This is huge...yeah.

Carter: ...If you’re serious about doing this, we’d need to talk to Mallorie about it first.

Eli: You’d rather save her over Candy, then? I'm letting you pick who we keep in here.

Carter: I guess. This is really sudden.

Eli: Personally, if I had to pick, I’d also go with Mallorie over Candy. Mallorie’s more of a threat, but she’s a threat on our side, and that makes her a good shield for the both of us. People are always going to want to take shots at her first; case in point being Lisa. And we'd be taking control over what happens at tonight's Tribal, rather than simply letting Lisa have her way.

Carter: But you want to make Candy the unlucky casualty of Lisa's actions?

Eli: It's either her or Mallorie. We gotta pick one and stick with it. And as long as Mallorie's still around, that's a target for Lisa to keep going after so the heat's off of us.

"vailheu"

- Eli's now afraid of the likelihood that Lisa has the hidden immunity idol. Could she have it? ...Maybe. Odder things have taken place on Survivor than the laziest member of the tribe lucking her way into an advantage. But Eli wants to strike first with a counterattack, and he wants to blindside Candy now, in order to save Mallorie from a potential idol play because she's a bigger target and thus, a bigger shield going forward. Do I agree that Mallorie would be a better shield than Candy? Yes. Not only does Mallorie already have a reputation as a Contender, but she's also an important ally to me because we're in the same boat as veterans. The thing is though, I don't want to have to vote Candy off. I understand the appeal of a blindside and the logic behind the move but...Candy has done nothing to deserve this. And she and I have a good relationship, and I know she and Mallorie are tight too. I can't believe I'm actually contemplating voting her off, because of Lisa and her big mouth…

Eli: You want to talk with Mallorie first, right? She'd be on board?

Carter: It depends. If she really believes that Lisa has the idol, then…

Eli: I don’t want to risk it being true, and having Mallorie go home, and we come back here tonight, knowing that we didn’t do anything to stop it.

"vailheu"

- I think it’d be kinda exciting to pull off a blindside on the Candy Rose of Internet fame. I already know she’s pretty popular on the Internet with the folks back home, so imagine if I could be the one to orchestrate a blindside on her? That’d be pretty sweet. Nine days ago, I never would’ve even thought I’d meet her in real life, let alone be out here on a reality show competing against her. Plus, taking Candy out now splits up her and Mallorie, and keeps Mallorie in, and like I said, she’s a very crafty player. Having her in our alliance protects me and Carter and also gives us an advantage maneuvering through the rest of the game. Knowing we chose her over Candy will likely make her want to stay more loyal to us, and at the same time, we’d also be sparing Lisa from elimination. Add to that the fact that her and Candy are getting dangerously close, and it’s like...we need to split that duo up early because a duo is always going to be more of a threat than one person on their own. This is a preemptive strike for if we lose again even after getting rid of Lisa. I’m trying to think one, two, three and four steps ahead here! Forget two birds with one stone, we’re killing an entire flock! Man, I love this game sometimes.

Later that afternoon…

Carter is approaching Mallorie down by the water, as the latter dips her feet in, rubbing at her wet hair.

Carter: Got news for you. I think Eli’s changing the plan.

Mallorie: You serious? To who?

Carter: What happened was...Lisa came up to the two of us at the well, and told us she had an idol.

Mallorie scoffs.

Mallorie: Ain’t that perfect...

Carter: I honestly don’t know what to believe. I wouldn’t think she’d be capable of finding one but she said she found it with Chase, and that’s totally possible.

Mallorie: She didn’t show it to you?

Carter: No, but she said she didn’t care if we believed her or not, because she was using it tonight and she wanted to take you out.

Mallorie: Even better.

Carter: Eli wanted to turn the tables and he suggested we flip the vote. Instead of voting for Lisa, he thinks the three of us do Candy instead.

Mallorie: Candy?

Carter: Yeah. It’d cancel out Lisa’s idol.

Mallorie shakes her head.

Mallorie: I don’t want to do that though.

Carter: It doesn’t sit right with me either but things are pretty up in the air at this point.

Mallorie scowls, shaking her head while staring out at the horizon, before pinching the bridge of her nose with frustration.

Mallorie: Dammit...this is Lisa we’re talking about! We couldn’t have an easy voteout?

Carter: I guess it all depends on whether or not you believe she really has an idol.

Mallorie turns to look back into the shelter.

Lisa is still sleeping, and now her snores are getting slightly louder. Candy is by the fire like before, tuning Lisa out.

"vailheu"

- The entire afternoon, Lisa has been behaving even calmer than she normally does. She’s taking a nap in the shelter, laying down and not talking to anyone or doing anything, and while that’s not out-of-character for her, it is especially worrisome when we have Tribal Council tonight, and she has barely bothered to speak to anyone besides the boys. She clearly doesn’t even care which way me and Candy are voting because she’s not talked to either one of us in the slightest. Maybe...she really does have an idol. I mean...I haven’t found it yet, and I’ve actually been searching. Why else would she be so nonchalant and unperturbed enough to take a frikkin’ nap with Tribal in a few hours? Maybe that’s just her, but...I know from my last season that it’s best to always have a healthy amount of paranoia at all times. And...the last thing I want is to go home because of an idol play on my second season. That would just be a disgrace for me. That would be almost as bad as being the first one voted out.

Mallorie: Let’s say we take this threat of an idol seriously. Then what?

Carter: Do you want to vote out Candy?

Mallorie: No way. Candy’s my main girl. I’m not sending her home. Like, there’s no way. I repay my favors. I don’t like to owe people. And Candy was the first person to warn me that Chase was throwing my name out there. For that, I don’t want her to leave this game this soon.

Carter: I’m cool with her too. But if you don’t want to send her home…

Mallorie: Eli’s the one who brought up breaking up the four. Don’t you think that’s super shifty of him, to propose a blindside on Candy like this?

The camera cuts to Eli sitting by the rocks, chewing on a toothpick.

Carter: ...You want to do Eli?

Mallorie: Like he said, if we want to prevent Lisa having control of who goes home, we need to pick a new target within the foursome. If it’s not going to be Candy, and we don’t want it to be you or me, might as well be him. Besides, breakin up the four was his idea to begin with. And I think the fact that he was so willing to have us all turn on Candy shows his true colors. He’s too cunning, more than he’s given credit for.

"vailheu"

- I don’t like Lisa and I know she doesn’t like me. That makes it even more ludicrous that I’m actually genuinely considering keeping her around, and blindsiding someone else instead. But the more I think about it...there’s a reason Lisa would’ve been the next to go, and it’s because no one likes her. She’s not sociable, she’s not personable, like...no one would work with her. Doesn’t that actually make her less of a threat than someone who is personable and is good enough at the game to have a decent grasp of strategy? That someone is Eli. He’s already got the guts to try and make this happen. Who’s to say he doesn’t plot to blindside me or Carter past the merge, because he wants to be the one to take down a Contender? I believe Candy would never do that to me. Eli is another story. He would’ve been the one to go right after Lisa anyway. I see no harm in switching up the boot order and sending him home first, and nip this potential coup in the bud before it’s too late.

Mallorie: Let’s say, instead of you, me and Eli voting off Candy...we have you, me and Candy put all our votes on Eli tonight. Eli goes home, Lisa is blindsided and if she really does have an idol, she wastes it. And this way, we take out a crafty player in the game while keeping a loyal one safe, and taking power away from the outsider.

Carter: Eli wants to work with us, though.

Mallorie: Wanting to target one of us four first is not loyalty, to me. If he’s throwing this kind of plan out now, who’s to say he won’t decide to come after you or I at the merge or even at a swap? His kind of unpredictability is dangerous and I can foresee that. At this point, I’d rather send him home than risk me or Candy being the one sent out. Lisa is an eyesore at most, an annoying fly on the wall. But he has the potential to be a snake. He might be the real problem down the road.

"vailheu"

- [spreads hands helplessly] ...How...how did this happen…? One moment, we were all...so, so united in wanting Lisa gone, and the next thing I know...we’re completely fragmented and splitting apart and turning on each other. These people are all over the place! Now Eli wants to vote out Candy and Mallorie wants to vote out Eli and it’s all just turned into one big hoohah out of the blue. Madness...complete madness. How did Lisa, of all people, cause this? She’s Lisa, for crying out loud! The thought of possibly betraying Eli like this...it carries a lot of risk, because...we’re keeping in Lisa, and she’s such a wildcard. More to the point, I’d again be doing what Mallorie wants me to and it’s not great for me because she’s saving her own closest ally and taking out one of mine. I do like Candy and I do want her to stay too. But if voting out Lisa is off the table, then...it might really come down to Eli and her, and...as of right now, I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. All I know is that...I’m going to end up having to betray someone, and that’s not a good feeling. I wasn’t expecting to have so much blood on my hands this early on.

Mallorie is meeting with Candy in the woods later.

Mallorie: Girl, we need to talk.

Candy: Okay. What’s up?

Mallorie: There’s been a change of plans. Lisa might have an idol.

Candy: What? Shut up. How? Her?

Mallorie: I don’t know, it’s just what I’ve been told. But given that might be the case, and no one here has found it yet...we’re putting a new plan into place.

Candy: Which is...what?

Mallorie: Eli wanted the three of us...meaning me, him and Carter...to vote you off.

Candy: ...Me?

Mallorie: Yes.

Candy’s eyes widen with surprise, and she looks a little hurt.

Candy: W-Why me, what did I [laughs nervously] what did I do to him?

Mallorie: Nothing. He just would rather keep me and Carter around. I think it’s because he wants to keep the meat shields around, and he knows that we’ll both offer him protection deeper into the game since we’re both returning players.

Candy: Okay, yeah...I can see that.

Mallorie: But I don’t want you to go. You know that, right?

Candy: I do.

Mallorie: So we’re trying to pull together a new plan to save you. All of us, minus Lisa and Eli...blindside Eli.

Candy is thinking hard, pressing her fingertips to her lips.

Candy: ...That’s a bold play.

Mallorie: I’m aware.

Candy: You really want to save Lisa?

Mallorie: I don’t want to save her, per se. I just don’t want her to have full control tonight and potentially send me home with an idol.

Candy: Couldn’t we split the votes?

Mallorie: Eli is set on wanting you gone. And given how quick he was to turn his back on the four, now I’m set on him leaving too. He is far too crafty for his own good, and that’s not good for our games. He’s got to go. Lisa bothers me, like she bothers everyone, but she’s not a serious problem like he could be.

Candy rubs her temples, grimacing.

Candy: I know it’s the game, but I’m disappointed that it’s come down to this.

Mallorie: I know you are. I’m sorry, but…

Candy: No, don’t apologize. You’re saving my hide right now, you have nothing to apologize for! [laughing] Look, you know I trust you, and I’m glad you have my back too. We make it out of this, then...you know I’m with you, all the way. You and Carter, both.

Mallorie: I know. I trust you too.

Candy: If voting out Eli is what I have to do, then I’ll do it. Let me talk to Carter first.

Mallorie: Okay, you do your thing. Just know that that’s what’s the plan for now and hopefully nothing should change.

Candy: Okay. I’m gonna go.

The two part ways.

Candy is talking with Carter now on the beach, both standing only a few feet away from the shelter.

Candy: Mallorie told me the plan tonight has changed.

Carter: That’s a bit of an understatement. [laughing]

Candy chuckles a little, still looking pale.

Candy: The thing is, I know Eli was throwing my name out there. And I wanted to touch bases with you to make sure we’re on the same page.

Carter: I’ll be honest with you, it does make me uncomfortable. I think all this is too early. I would rather we all stick together and just take Lisa out.

Candy: Right. So would I, obviously!

Carter: I think there’s a time and a place to be making these kinds of moves. I don’t think tonight’s the night.

Candy: Regardless, we may not have a choice. And if having to cut him loose means me staying, then I’ll do it.

Carter: I know you would.

Candy: You know you and I are good, right?

Carter: Of course.

Candy: And us and Mallorie. I hate to say it, but if Eli has to go tonight, I’m not going to fight against it, and I really hope I can count on your vote too. We’ll need to drag Lisa along with us a little while longer.

Carter: I don’t want to vote you off, and that’s the truth.

Candy: I know it’s not easy to consider having to vote off Eli. But I promise you I’ve got nothing but loyalty and a desire to go far with both you and Mallorie.

Carter: I know. I believe you.

Candy: We do this, and the three of us can move forward from this stronger than before.

Carter: I hear you.

The two have a quick embrace and Carter pats Candy soothingly on the back.

Candy: Alright. Good talk. [nervous laughter]

"vailheu"

- My fate in this game tonight basically rests in the hands of my two Contender allies. I need Mallorie and Carter to vote with me and pick my side over Eli’s if I want to stay in this game. This vote went from a landslide against Lisa to a silent war between me and Eli that I’m not even sure she’s caught onto yet, but that’s what’s happening tonight. And I really, really, really hope that the relationships I built up with Carter and Mallorie over the last nine days will be enough to see me emerging from the smoke of this battle the victor. Tonight is going to be a true test of the bonds I’ve been able to forge in such a short amount of time, and I really hope it’s not one I’m about to fail.

The camera cuts to the darkening sky, and returns to Tribal Council, as the five members of Vailheu walk in with their torches. Jeff watches as they set their torches down and take their seats solemnly.

Lisa sweeps her strawberry pink hair over her shoulder, looking impatient.

Jeff: Carter, tell me what the vibe is like on this tribe, having to come back to Tribal Council two out of three times.

Carter: It’s not a good feeling, for sure, Jeff. I think we all hoped we could’ve fared a bit better compared to some of these other tribes but the fact is that we haven’t been doing as well as we’d all liked to have been, and...here we are for the second time. I don’t believe a singular person is to blame, but I do believe that we, as a tribe, need to get our [censored] together, if you know what I mean. [laughing]

Mallorie smiles dryly.

Jeff: Eli, what about tribe dynamics? How have things been on the tribe after your first Tribal Council?

Eli: I think that...after we voted off Chase, the lines on the tribe were...pretty clearly drawn out. The four of us who stuck together on that first vote...have been quite solid ever since. And I think the person on the outs...would be Lisa.

Lisa’s eyebrow twitches and she doesn’t respond.

Jeff: Lisa, it doesn’t get any more straightforward than what Eli just said. He basically just laid it all out on the table for you.

Lisa: Yeah, pretty much.

Jeff: And yet, you don’t look particularly surprised or even worried, at all.

Lisa: No, I’m not, Jeff.

Lisa’s body language makes that clear. Leaning back on her palms, she looks almost bored, one leg tightly wrapped over the other, swinging carefreely in the air. Candy exhales quietly, watching Lisa with visible confusion.

Jeff: Why is that so? Eli just told you that you were the obvious outsider on a tribe of five, and with so few people and so few options to go for tonight’s vote, that could make you a target.

Lisa: I already know I’m the target tonight, Jeff. I don’t really care that much anymore.

Mallorie’s lip quivers, and she shares a disapproving look with Carter. Eli licks his lips, clearly irritated.

Lisa: These people have made it clear to me that...they don’t wish to play this game with me. So I’m done trying to convince them. If I go home tonight, I go home. I don’t care.

Candy shakes her head, an incredulous look plastered on her face.

Mallorie: Lisa, you say that, but you haven’t really tried convincing us at all. You barely talk to me and Candy, and you spend all your time in the day sunbathing. Why would any of us want to keep you around?

Candy: Exactly. I’m sorry, Lisa, but you’re not really giving us a choice here.

Lisa: Well, what more do you want from me? I’ve made it apparent that I’m no threat in this game but for some odd reason, you’re all idiotic enough to want to get rid of me, and keep an actual power player, that is Mallorie.

Carter: It’s only the beginning phase of the game. There are more reasons to get rid of someone than just because they might be a threat later on.

Lisa: Well, what reason is there to get rid of me?

Mallorie: You voted against me!

Lisa: Yeah, because Chase told me to. And you got rid of him, so what’s the big deal anymore?

Eli: You also don’t talk to anyone else much. You don’t talk strategy. You don’t socialize.

Candy: I just don’t ever know where your head’s at, Lisa.

Eli: And you’re not good in challenges.

Mallorie: You never help out around camp!

Eli: You’re just lazy, all around.

Mallorie: People don’t like you.

Lisa: [laughing] Wow. Okay. This is news to me.

Mallorie reacts even more incredulously, eyes widening.

Mallorie: How on Earth is this news to you? What about your performance around camp and in challenges before today makes you think we would want to keep you? This isn’t even the first time we’ve tried bringing this up. You’ve just never taken any of our words to heart.

Lisa: Well, I’m sorry that all your valiant, righteous attempts to help me were in vain. Clearly, I’m just such a mess of a player that they all fell on deaf ears. This is all my fault. You were in the right, Mallorie. As always, you’re always in the right, as you want to be-

Mallorie: Why are you making this about me? This isn’t about me, or my issues with you. This is about YOU, and your issues with EVERYONE on this tribe. No one, not even Carter, would stand up for you.

Carter looks awkward, like he doesn’t want to be a part of this conversation Mallorie is drawing him into.

Lisa: Well, whatever. If this bothers you all that much about me when I’m just minding my own damn business, then vote me out tonight. I don’t care. Clearly, you’ve all already made up your minds when you’re yelling at me like this after Jeff just asked a simple question. I didn’t sign up for this mob mentality, but here we are…

Candy: Lisa, it’s not mob mentality when you’re making yourself a target of your own volition...and then playing the victim afterwards. That’s not a fair statement to make for the rest of us.

Lisa: And how is that fair to me?

Mallorie: Because it’s your actions, and your behavior that’s the reason people don’t like you! It’s not a bullying thing. We’re not ostracizing you, or isolating you; you’re doing it to yourself!

Lisa: Okay, Mallorie. You’re right, once again. You always are.

Mallorie: Oh my G- forget it.

Lisa: Why are you mad? I’m agreeing with you.

Mallorie: Just…[sighs] forget it.

Mallorie shakes her head at the floor, ignoring Lisa, who smirks coolly, body posture unchanged.

Jeff: Lisa, walk me through your point of view here. Why do you think you’re the obvious target? What have you done to make yourself the outsider?

Lisa: I don’t know, Jeff. I’m just being me. I am authentically myself, and I suppose that gets under people’s skin, that they can’t handle me for who I am. It is what it is.

Candy shakes her head slightly at this. Eli looks away.

Carter glances to his right, where Mallorie is looking at him. She gives him a small shake of the head, and he frowns.

Jeff: I gotta say, Lisa...usually, when the entire tribe is so united in burying one particular person...things don’t usually bode well for them. From where I’m sitting...your chances of making it out tonight, unscathed, don’t look too good. Have you tried getting yourself out of this position? Do you even have a plan for how you want to survive tonight’s Tribal Council?

Lisa: I’ve done all I can. I am honest and truthful about my intentions, always. I told the people I trust about what I’m voting tonight, and I’m sticking to it. Because I am authentically and genuinely myself, and I mean what I say. I’m not trying to be shady, or control things, or be a schemer...that’s not me.

Mallorie scowls in the opposite direction.

Lisa: I’ve said my piece, and if people on this tribe, y’know, had any brain cells of their own to speak of...they would see who the clear target on this tribe should be, rather than...the easy one.

She shrugs nonchalantly, looking entirely unfazed.

Carter stares at the back of her head, looking bemused.

Jeff: You’re talking about…?

Lisa: The Queen Bee, of course.

The camera cuts to Mallorie, a stony expression on her face.

Jeff: Mallorie, funnily enough...not the first time that moniker’s been assigned to you.

Mallorie: Trust me, Jeff, I’m familiar with the name. People aren’t used to someone like me being more aggressive and calling the shots, even though that’s not even what I’m doing on this tribe this time. I think certain people only see me for the archetype I represented the last time...and that only. But I’m different this time. I’m forming closer bonds with people. I’m not trying to be a leader.

Lisa scoffs a little.

Mallorie: I just think that some...some people in particular are easily intimidated when a girl like me isn’t playing passively, but playing independently. And clearly this first week has proven it’s not just men who feels that way. Although I was never always on good terms with my enemies on my first season...I honestly think I still had more respect for them than I do for a player like Lisa.

Candy cups her mouth, looking slightly scandalized. Eli bites his lower lip, struggling to conceal his grin.

Carter glances to Mallorie out of the corner of his eye, a thoughtful look on his face.

Lisa: You’d think she’d be more flattered, wouldn’t you, Jeff?

Jeff turns to her, surprised.

Jeff: Mallorie? By what?

Lisa: I’m calling her the Queen Bee as a compliment. It’s a testament to her game. I don’t know why she takes such offense to it.

Mallorie: I take offense to it because it’s the reason you’re putting down my name! You’re literally using it as a reason to try to vote me out tonight.

Lisa gives her another casual shrug, not even turning to lock eyes with the irate Contender.

Lisa: That’s what comes with being a veteran, I guess.

Mallorie sighs again, long and drawn out, massaging her temples with both hands, looking exhausted.

Jeff: Eli, with the tribe seemingly so united against one person, do you think there’s any hope for Lisa tonight?

Eli: I think there’s always hope for anyone at Tribal Council because these days, it’s all live, and things can change on a dime, as we’ve seen. However, tonight, I know who I’m voting for and I’m not wavering on it. I’m sticking to that.

Mallorie narrows her eyes, listening.

Jeff: Candy, same question. Do you think there’s any hope for Lisa tonight, or is this a done deal and we should just get to the vote?

Candy: Um...I don’t think anything’s ever a done deal until the votes are read, because this game is...so crazy, at the best of times. But I will say that...I agree with Carter, in that our tribe needs to buck up and get our [censored] together, so we don’t come back here for the third time. We need to start pulling our weight and winning these next challenges. I’m hoping that our tribe will be stronger moving forward, I really do. Whether the outcome of tonight’s Tribal Council will do that or not remains to be seen, but I’m counting on and praying that we will be a better tribe after tonight, in terms of strength and in terms of unity and cohesion.

Mallorie nods.

Mallorie: I agree.

Lisa rolls her eyes obviously.

Carter swallows, eyes big and round.

Jeff: It has been an illuminating Tribal Council, and I can’t wait to see the outcome. It is...time to vote. Eli, you’re up.

Eli takes a deep breath as he gets to his feet and walks off.

Carter’s eyes follow him as he leaves, dark and brooding.

Mallorie is pulling her hair out of her face, turning to look at Lisa, who is chewing absentmindedly on her lip, looking at the floor. Candy looks a little afraid, leaning forward in her seat and clutching her sides.

"vailheu"

- Candy Rose...I’m sorry to be casting this vote for you, but...it’s time for another classic Survivor blindside, and I hope you won't see this coming. I’ve loved getting to know you out here. When we get back home, you’re definitely still invited to my podcast.

The camera cuts to Candy, looking nervous as the fire casts shadows across her face.

One by one, the others get up to vote.

The camera cuts to Lisa slowly writing Mallorie’s name down on her parchment for the second time, sighing as she caps the pen back.

The camera cuts to Mallorie looking haughty as she rests her chin on her fist back in her seat.

Candy is shown walking to the voting booth, shooting the camera a dejected look as she picks up the pen.

The camera cuts to Eli staring at her back, eyes big and round, before fading away.

Eventually, Carter is shown standing at the booth, twirling the pen in his fingers and staring thoughtfully down at the blank parchment, as if steeling himself to write down the right name.

The camera cuts to Lisa looking depressed, the wind blowing strands of her pink hair across her eyes, and then to Candy, who is massaging her bare arms, swallowing.

At last, Carter makes his way back to his seat.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

The camera cuts to Lisa, looking impatient as she rests her chin on her fist, sitting with her legs tightly crossed with one swinging lazily back and forth.

Carter sits forward a little, sharing a thoughtful look with Mallorie, who looks back at him with a pointed look, and then looks elsewhere.

The camera zooms in on Eli running a finger through his goatee, deep in thought, then to Candy exhaling nervously as Jeff returns.

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

Candy swallows, glancing around at the others.

Lisa raises an eyebrow at her.

Mallorie cocks her head to the side, looking down over at Lisa.

Lisa rolls her eyes with a grin as she turns her back to the others, looking at Jeff.

Carter is staring at her with an unamused look on his face.

Eli shrugs, eyebrows twitching as Lisa does nothing.

Jeff: ...Alright. 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.

Jeff opens the urn.

Candy is wiping her hands on her bare thighs, reaching a hand out, which Mallorie takes and squeezes comfortingly. Carter swallows too, watching the pair of them, before glancing back in time for the first vote to be read out loud.

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

Candy’s mouth twitches, showing the whites of her teeth as she takes a shuddering breath.

Carter gives her a sideways look.

Jeff: Mallorie. That’s one vote Candy, one vote Mallorie. (1-1)

Mallorie lets out a mirthless chuckle, a look of disdain in her eyes.

Lisa smirks at this. Eli is licking his lips slowly.

Jeff: ...Eli. We are tied. One vote Candy, one vote Mallorie, one vote Eli. (1-1-1)

Lisa frowns slightly, bewildered. Eli is frowning too, his brow creasing with confusion.

Mallorie sits up a little straighter, coolly pursing her lips and appearing confident.

Jeff: ...Eli. That’s two votes Eli, one vote Candy, one vote Mallorie...one vote left. (2-1-1)

Eli’s mouth parts and he sputters helplessly, eyes widening in surprise.

Eli: [whispering] What…?

Lisa has a look of confusion and alarm mixed on her face, as she glances to her left and right for answers. Carter turns his eyes to the skies, avoiding both her and Eli’s gazes. Mallorie is watching Eli to her right, before turning a cocksure smile back onto Jeff.

Candy lets out a slow breath as she watches Jeff pull out the last vote. Eli, looking fearful, returns his attention to Jeff.

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

Eli’s face breaks into a dumbfounded look, before he lets out a dry laugh.

Eli: ...Good play, guys.

Scratching at the back of his neck, he sheepishly gets to his feet. Lisa looks scandalized, mouth agape as she turns to watch Eli get his torch.

Candy breathes a quiet sigh of relief, shutting her eyes and sinking her head into her hands as Mallorie reaches out and rubs her back consolingly. Carter glances over at the pair of them, then catches Lisa’s eye as she casts him a still astonished look.

Eli puts his torch down, smirking at Jeff in obvious disappointment.

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

Eli turns back around to look longingly at the others, hands on his hips.

Eli: Damn, guys. ...Y’all got me good…

Candy flashes him a sad look.

Candy: [apologetic wave] Sorry, Eli…

Carter: Sorry, man.

Eli gives them a swift salute before turning on his heel and walking off, shaking his head to himself.

Eli: [over his shoulder] You’re still coming on my podcast, Candy!

Candy: I wouldn't miss it for the world. I promise! [laughing]

Mallorie smiles to herself, shaking her head as she watches Eli go. Lisa scoffs, clearly still trying to piece together what went down in her head.

Jeff: Wow. Clearly, another blindside, if I’ve ever seen one. Considering all the talk about dead weight on this tribe, the decision you made tonight was clearly a controversial one. And only time will tell as to whether this vote was the smart move, or a regrettable one made too soon. Grab your bags and head on back to camp. Goodnight.

Final Words
Eli: As a Survivor superfan...I’m more than a little disappointed to have been voted out so soon. I feel like I never really got much of a chance to play the game. I never made it to a tribe swap, much less the merge. This was my dream, so...I’m very disappointed in myself that I couldn’t even make it that far. I know there were most likely a ton of circumstances that contributed to me sitting here right now, but I also believe that there’s always something to be done to save oneself on Survivor, so...I take on responsibility for not recognizing that I was in trouble tonight and being complacent. I was too trusting. I trusted Mallorie and Carter too much, thought I had better bonds with them than Candy did, and was too eager to make a move that I didn’t realize the move was already being made, just not with me. My mistake was probably that I should’ve been less obvious about my superfan status. I know people are easily threatened by something like that. As disappointed as I am, I hold no grudges. I’m really rooting for Candy most though, and out of spite, I hope she makes it far, just so they’ll regret keeping her around and not me. [laughing]

Next Time on Survivor...

 * Lisa and Mallorie gear up for war…

The camera cuts to Lisa sitting grumpily in the dark, scowling at Mallorie by the fire. Mallorie rolls her eyes slightly when Lisa looks away.

"vailheu"

- I can tell Lisa's bitter about being on the outs so long, but that's nothing I haven't faced before. I WILL win this war between Lisa and I.


 * Until an unexpected swap shakes up the game…

Jeff: Everybody, drop...your...buffs.

The three tribes react explosively.

Elmer: [grinning] Seriously?

Markus: Wow.

Drew: Damn, that was fast.

Blake: [laughing] I told y’all.

Hazel: No way, I don’t want it! [giggling]

Carter smiles sheepishly, shaking his head as he tugs off his yellow buff.

Jeff: We are switching tribes.

"vailheu"

- Get me the [censored] off this tribe! [laughing]