Fire's A Fickle Thing (Part 2)

Fire's A Fickle Thing is the final episode of Survivor: Mozambique - Island of Advantages.

Day 39
It is the final day of Survivor: Mozambique, and the morning sun dawns on the Vantagem beach as Markus stands in the water to greet it, hands on his hips.

Annabeth is wading out to him.

Annabeth: Final Three, baby.

Markus: Final Three. It’s pretty hard to take in, even now.

Annabeth: Well, we made it here, you and I.

Markus: Where’s Reyna?

Annabeth: Getting up soon. I think our feast is about to begin. [giggling] I can’t wait.

"vantagem"

- Waking up on Day 39 brings an indescribable feeling of euphoria. It’s the ultimate dream of any Survivor player, to make it all the way to the very end of the game and be here for the final feast. It’s like a symbolic end to the journey. We’ve starved and fought and struggled and bled dry all the way to the end. Now, it’s our chance to reap the rewards, rest and recharge for one final obstacle at our last and greatest Tribal Council. And I am unbelievably ecstatic to be a part of this momentous occasion. Today, I’m just filled with gratitude that the Survivor gods gave me the strength and the good fortune to have been a part of this crazy season and to be one of the three who remain standing at the end.

Markus and Annabeth rejoin Reyna in the woods, where she leads them down a path to where baskets of food and beer await them.

Annabeth whoops for joy and Reyna claps, looking delighted.

Reyna: Day 39 feast, y’all!

Markus pops open a bottle of beer and the three of them bring the baskets back to the fire, where they set to cooking.

All three of them are shown eating and drinking and making merry.

Annabeth: Mm! So good…

Markus: This is the best meal I’ve had the whole game, without question.

Reyna: I can’t believe it’s almost over, guys…

Annabeth: Yeah. Who would’ve predicted us three sitting here at the end? I know I wouldn’t’ve.

Reyna: It’s crazy.

"vantagem"

- Sitting with Markus and Annabeth and having our final breakfast on this beach, it does feel very final. And it really hit me as I was eating that...this is it. This is really the end. There’s nothing else after this but one last night at Tribal Council where we leave it all out here on the island and fight like we’ve never fought before, with all three of our minds set on one thing, and that is to win that million. I know I earned my spot here, fighting for fire. I’m confident I belong here, and I need to be able to prove that to this jury, and convince them that I’m the one who deserves the title of Sole Survivor more than my two competitors.

Markus: No matter what happens tonight, I think we’re all rockstars, and it has been a great honor to play with you two ladies. Cheers.

Annabeth: Cheers!

Reyna: Amen to that.

The three clink beer bottles. As the day winds down and the food is devoured, the three finalists mill around camp for their last day, preparing and resting and getting ready for the night.

"vantagem"

- I know I’ve not been the most bombastic player but I do believe I’ve played a decent game that deserves some credit at the end. Markus would not have made it half as far as he did without me. I was the one propping him up as my shield and we’ve taken care of each other. And I think I have it in me to prove that I did the better job than he did. He and Reyna may be tough to beat combined, but I know I’m a stealthy but stronger player than I may seem, and I am confident that I’ll be able to charm the jurors into seeing it my way. Knowing the million dollar victory is inches from my grasp...I need one final push over the edge to just reach out and grab it myself. It’s right there and I can see it! [laughing] And Markus and Reyna better be prepared for me tonight because the claws are coming out! No more nice girl anymore.

Markus swings in the hammock, hands crossed over his stomach, staring out at the ocean, eyes alert and deep in thought.

"vantagem"

- Tonight is what it all comes down to. One of the three of us is walking out of this game a millionaire, and tonight is going to be the ultimate public speech of my life. I want to win this game and it’s what I’ve been fighting for so hard for the last month or so. I came out onto this island to play the game and win and that’s what I plan on accomplishing. I didn’t come out here for so long to walk away a failure. There’s just one task left ahead of me and I’m going to put in my all to finish it and see it through. I know I can do it. There are people on the jury who like me and respect me. Some may dislike the way I played or think Reyna did a better job as an underdog. But I know we’ve both had impressive moments in this game and it’s not so much a matter of who played flashier, but rather, who played smarter, and I think that that’s what I did. I’ve had to go through so much to get to this point. I had to walk into that merge with almost no allies of my own, after watching my original tribe be decimated down to pathetic ranks. But through it all, I never gave up, and I turned things around for me. That’s why I believe I should be this season’s Sole Survivor. Reyna and Annabeth will be tough competition, but...I can be a tenacious terror too. They better watch out. [laughing] Tonight is going to be a helluva fight.

Lastly, Reyna is shown sitting in the sand, arranging seashells by her feet, as the water laps at her toes.

"vantagem"

- I’ve had a rollercoaster of a game thus far. I’ve felt what it’s like to be in a strong alliance, and then to be at the bottom and watch my game crumbling to pieces all around me. So tonight...it feels fitting that one way or another, my crazy, topsy turvy journey will reach its conclusion, and I’m confident that whatever is meant to be...will be. I played my heart out and gave my all throughout this game, I believe I fought hard every step of the way and that I’ve earned my spot in the Final Three. And tonight, I’m going to prove it. I’m going to bleed myself dry on this island and campaign my heart out for that million dollars, and hopefully, I’ll be the next Sole Survivor.

The Final Three gather before their shelter as the sun begins to set.

Markus: It's been a long thirty-nine days, ladies.

Reyna: That it has.

Annabeth: No matter what happens tonight, it's been a blast sharing this experience with y'all.

Markus holds up a burning stick and tosses it into the shelter. The three depart for the last time as the shelter goes up in flames.

Arriving at Tribal Council, the three finalists take their seats gravely.

Jeff: For the last time, we’ll now bring in the members of our jury. Becky, Leroy, Nicholas, Zoe, Wanda, Jacobiah, Christine, Carter, Trixie and Percy, who was eliminated at our last Tribal Council.

Percy sits down, looking a little despondent still, but smiles weakly at the other three. He is wearing a simple denim jacket and shorts and looks more fresh and relaxed than he has in the last month. He gives a small wave and Annabeth smiles winningly at him.

Jeff: Alright. Jurors, the ten of you have no doubt waited a long time to address these three on their gameplay. Becky, why don’t you start us off?

Becky: Alright, Jeff…

Juror #1
Becky gets up before the finalists, dressed in a long flowing green sequined dress.

Becky: Hello, you three.

Annabeth smiles and waves. Markus nods, smiling back.

Becky: Congratulations to all of you. Really, from the bottom of my heart, I am proud of all three of you for making it to this stage of the game. To survive this far is no easy feat and no matter what you had to do to get here, you three earned it.

Reyna mouths her thanks at her.

Becky: Reyna, I’m sorry, but we only knew each other for three days the whole game so I don’t know you as well as I know the other two.

Reyna nods.

Reyna: That’s fine. It’s alright.

Becky: Markus, Annabeth, I’ve played with you both separately long enough. Markus, you know our history.

Markus nods, grinning.

Becky: We were aligned from the very start and I see you as a very close friend. And we had to go through a lot to even get through to the merge and we both saw our allies go one after another, Tribal Council after Tribal Council. As a fellow original Qamea, I’m so proud of you for making it to the end.

Markus: Thank you, Becky. [pats hand to chest] Truly.

Becky: My question is going to be about you and Annabeth’s relationship. It’s clear to everyone on the jury that the two of you played the latter portion of this game pretty closely. And I don’t think either of you could have made it to the end without the other. Markus, what I want to know and what I want you to tell the jury is how much of your game was dependent on Annabeth and how well you would have fared without her.

Annabeth narrows her eyes.

Markus: Well, I do agree that Annabeth was a big part of my game. I couldn’t have done half the things that I did without her. And together, we were a very strong partnership. I believe we complemented each other’s gameplay really well. We were able to strategize well together, bounce ideas off of one another, we each spoke to different players in the game to get a feel for the tribe and what was going to happen Tribal after Tribal, and we looked out for one another. She covered my bases more than once, and in return, I paid back her loyalty and her friendship by taking her with me to the end. She’s more than just my ally; I really do see her as a friend after playing with her. And I’m glad to be sitting next to her because I think we worked well together and that was a strong reason behind why we’re both sitting here right now.

Becky nods.

Becky: Thank you, guys. It’s been a pleasure watching you all play. Best of luck.

Markus: Thanks, Becks.

Annabeth: Thank you, Becky.

Juror #2
Jeff: Leroy, you’re up.

Leroy claps his hands together and rubs them.

Leroy: Right. Let’s get this thing into gear.

He hops on over to stand before the Final Three.

Leroy: Alright. I’m gonna skip the congratulations. I’m not here to go easy on you. Other people can handle that. If you ask me, if you want to win this game and you’ve made it this far, then you shouldn’t have an easy go of it at the end. You need to answer some hard questions if you really want to prove that you’re worthy of being the Sole Survivor.

Reyna nods, licking her lips.

Leroy: Markus, you first. It’s no surprise that most people here saw you as a strategic threat in the game. But I want to know how much of people’s perception of you really came down to luck. Yes, having all your allies leave early in the game definitely made the journey harder for you, but do you think it also helped your game to have yourself put into an underdog position in the merge?

Markus: You’re right that having most of my Qamea allies be eliminated in such quick succession really hurt my game. And if not for that, I wouldn’t have been seen as such an underdog come merge time. But I don’t think I got here because of luck or anything. It’s the name of the game and I happened to be one of the few survivors of the doomed Qamea tribe, and I adapted to that situation as best as I could. I recognized that being one of the few Qamea to make it this far was both an advantage and a disadvantage, and I was able to stay under-the-radar while also making moves that benefitted my game while the two sides of Waya sieged war against one another. So I’d say there was definitely luck invovled, but I was also a big factor, strategically, in getting myself here to this point.

Leroy nods.

Leroy: Annabeth, your turn. Let me ask you one thing. Honestly, what do you think the perception of you and Markus’ relationship is?

Annabeth raises an eyebrow and laughs a little.

Annabeth: Um...I don’t get the question. I mean...we’re in an alliance together, for sure.

Leroy: But do you view each other as equal partners?

Annabeth: Of course. I couldn’t have made it this far without him and...he couldn’t have made it this far without me.

Leroy: Then here’s my next question to you. Why would you want to make it this far with him?

Annabeth: What do you mean? We were working together...and we promised to take each other to the end. I did my part and he did his. We brought each other to the Final Tribal Council.

Leroy: Yes, but at the end of the day, he’s going to be your competition at this Final Tribal. And he is, in most of the jury’s eyes, a much stronger competitor than you were, strategically and socially. So why would you want to bring someone harder to beat with you to the end, just because you were allies?

Annabeth: Well, I wasn’t under the impression that Markus was going to be that much harder to beat. Yes, he was a big threat in the game, but I used that to my advantage. I recognized that he was going to be my meat shield, and that with him by my side, I would be able to keep the target off of me to get this far.

Leroy: So your strategy was to ride his coattails to the end?

Annabeth: What? No. Absolutely not.

Wanda looks suspicious. Nicholas is facepalming in disappointment.

Annabeth: Markus couldn’t have gotten this far without me, that’s a fact. He had to rely on me to get this far.

Leroy: Yeah, but that’s not a defining argument. He brought you to the end too so it’s not like he relied entirely on your help. My question is why you think bringing the bigger threat with you to the end was a smart move.

Annabeth: Because as big of a threat as he was perceived in the game, at the end of the day, he couldn’t have made it here without my help. [laughs nervously] So, like...he’s not as good of a player if he had to rely on me to get this far.

Markus glances worriedly at her.

Leroy: So you think it’s fine to sit next to the stronger players, as long as you brought one of them to the end with you?

Annabeth: We’re equal partners in this alliance, Leroy.

Carter whistles, looking amused. Christine shakes her head, a wry smile playing on her lips.

Annabeth: He couldn’t have survived this far without me and I the same. That’s all there is to it.

Leroy: Fair enough. I have no more questions.

Jeff: Thank you, Leroy.

Annabeth rolls her eyes slightly as Leroy sits back down.

Juror #3
Jeff: Nicholas, you’re up.

Nicholas gets up and walks over.

Nicholas: I got one question for you, Markus. It’s no question you played a strong game as an underdog to get this far and had things gone south, there were multiple occasions where you would’ve gone home.

Markus nods.

Nicholas: However, Reyna here has played just as strong an underdog game as well, and she didn’t have the benefit of tight allies like you did with Annabeth and Percy. My question to you is, what makes your game better than Reyna’s? If your argument is that you were an underdog who had to fight his way to the end, then what sets that apart from Reyna’s game?

Markus: Well, yes, Reyna was an underdog too. But she also had tight allies, like you said about me. For the first half of the merge or so, she had people like Wanda, and Jacobiah, and even Leroy in her circle. Me? I came into this merge with only Becky to count on and that didn’t last very long. I had to adapt to working with different people to survive, I had to work with Reyna and Wanda’s alliance, I worked with Carter and Christine, I worked with Annabeth and Percy, and I even had to acqueisce to you to stay alive and vote off Leroy too. I had to work with all kinds of people. She didn’t play this game completely without allies. We both had allies at some point, and lost them. The difference between me and her is that I found stronger footing as the game went on, and clawed my way back from a position with no allies to a position where I had strong loyalty with the people I trusted, like Annabeth; strong enough that she gave me immunity to keep me in the game and even sent me to the Island of Advantages so I could earn an idol. Reyna started the merge with more allies than I did, and she lost them one by one and had to stay scrappy to survive, mostly by taking shots at bigger targets. I think those are the key differences between our games.

Nicholas nods.

Nicholas: That’s all I wanted to hear. Congratulations to all three of you for playing a great game, and best of luck.

Markus: Thanks, Nicholas.

Annabeth: Thanks…

Reyna nods.

Juror #4
Zoe gets up.

Zoe: Hi, guys…

Annabeth: Hey…

Reyna: Hey, Zo.

Zoe: So obviously, this game is not an easy game. To make it all the way here, I want to congratulate all three of you for earning it every step of the way.

Annabeth: Thank you.

Zoe: My question is for Reyna. Reyna, what was your biggest game move that you made that got you to this point?

Reyna: For me...I’d say one of my biggest moves was pulling off the blindside on Christine.

The camera cuts to Christine, staring at the trio icily.

Reyna: Christine and Carter were a close pair, everyone could see that. Even now, they’re sitting next to each other on the jury.

Carter grins.

Reyna: And they were also in a foursome with Markus and Annabeth. I knew I needed to push the target off of myself to survive that vote after Jacobiah left, and I initially was going to turn the tides onto Carter. But when that failed and he won immunity, I had to convince Markus and Annabeth to vote off Christine instead. Christine was not as big of a target as me or Carter, so it was a much harder task, but I was able to sway their votes and stayed another night. If I hadn’t done that, I’m positive I would’ve gone home that night. Because I stayed, I was able to utilize the second chance to make more moves, and I turned the tables at the next few Tribal Councils, and quite literally clawed my way here, winning immunity and firemaking and pulling out a Legacy Advantage to boot. It all wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been able to use my strategic chops to orchestrate that blindside, and coming from a player who’s at the bottom, it was a much more difficult task than, say, someone at the top, like Markus, orchestrating that.

Zoe nods.

Zoe: No further questions. Thanks.

Juror #5
Wanda takes the stage.

Wanda: Good evening, you three. Reyna…

Reyna smiles warmly.

Wanda: My girl. I’m so proud of you.

Reyna: Thank you, Wanda.

Wanda: You used me and Leroy’s Legacy Advantage perfectly. And getting the chance to watch you bounce back from nothing in this game to making it to the Final Three when all the odds seemed stacked against you...I think is a true testament to you as a player. No matter what happens tonight, never forget that.

Reyna: Thank you.

Wanda: As Markus himself was able to defend his game in contrast to yours, I want to give you the chance to do the same. Why, in your opinion, was your game better than Markus’ given that you both were shoved into similar roles as underdogs?

Annabeth looks a little irritated at the line of questioning being consistently directed at Markus and Reyna.

Reyna: Well, I think that, while Markus may have come into the merge as the obvious underdog, I ended up filling that role to a greater extent deeper in the game. It was easier for him to hide behind other targets when there was thirteen or twelve or eleven people still on the tribe. Once there were only seven or six? Not as easy. So I think that while we both had to fight to survive, I had to fight even harder, and I didn’t have people clamoring to work with me the way he had with people like Carter and Christine and Annabeth. So I think I struggled a lot to get any sort of footing in this game but I still made it to this point, and I had to do it independently once you and Jacobiah were out too. I had to do a lot in this game alone, on my own, without a solid person doing everything and sticking close by my side and even sacrificing immunity for me the way Annabeth did for Markus. So those are all points as to why I had to fight harder than he did.

Annabeth frowns, an incredulous look on her face at Reyna’s comments.

Wanda: That is all. Thank you, Reyna. Best of luck.

Juror #6
Jacobiah stands before the finalists.

Jacobiah: Hello!

Annabeth: Hi, Jakey!

Markus: Hey, Jacobiah.

Jacobiah: So, seriously, from the bottom of my heart, a heartfelt congratulations to you three. I have no vitriol whatsoever to spew tonight, nor do I have any resentment or hard feelings of any sort. I really do believe you three each did a great job and you should all be proud of that.

Reyna nods, smiling slightly.

Jacobiah: I really don’t have any questions. Reyna, you have my vote, without a doubt.

Reyna: Thanks, Jacobiah.

Jacobiah: It was an honor to play this game with you and I will take back so many great memories of our conversations and the fun we’ve had this month, that I will cherish for life.

Reyna: Me too.

Jacobiah: Good luck, all of you. Really.

Juror #7
Christine steps up, brushing the hem of her dress down.

Christine: Well, hello guys!

Annabeth: Hey, Chrissie…

Markus: Hey, Christine.

Christine: Soooo...y’all totally got me on that blindside. I did not see it coming, at all. Soo good job!

Reyna laughs a little.

Christine: Markus. I know that the blindside on me was mostly Reyna’s doing. What I want to know is why you chose to do it, from your point of view. Walk me through your thought process and help me understand it a little better.

Markus: Right. To be honest, we did not decide on blindsiding you until after Carter had won immunity. I won’t be disingenuous and claim all the credit; it was Reyna’s idea. But we knew she was vulnerable and had to do whatever she could to save herself, and despite the fact that we’d be taking a big risk by keeping her in the game and taking you out instead, Annabeth and I firmly believed it was the right move. As long as you and Carter were together, you two would always be a strong pair, just like how me and Annabeth were perceived. And once Reyna left, that was one less meat shield in the game for me, and you and Carter could’ve flipped on me and Annabeth and sided with Trixie and Percy to take one of us out right after. Knowing Trixie’s dislike of me and Percy’s penchant for voting with the majority, I was fairly certain that voting out Reyna would have seen me getting voted out next. Keeping Reyna in at least gave me options to throw her or Carter under the bus to stay in a little longer.

Christine: In that case, do you think you failed by not getting Reyna out, as she’s still here and sitting right next to you?

Markus: I think I’ll only have failed if she beats me in the end. I wanted to vote her out because I knew she’d be a tough competitor to beat but I also don’t think I stand zero chance of beating her in return. I just think the battle will be fiercer going up against her. But she earned her spot here in the Final Three and I think she deserves to fight it out and I’m more than honored to be able to fight for the million against her.

Annabeth: I’m here too, y’know? Just saying-

Markus: R-Right, yes, of course. [laughing] You know I didn’t mean it like that, Annabeth. Um, but as I was saying…

Annabeth sighs, looking crestfallen.

Markus: I don’t think I failed. It just shows that she was really as strong a competitor as I thought and I think whoever comes out of this battle the winner will truly have gone through a lot to earn it.

Christine: Alright. Thank you, all three of you. It’s been a pleasure meeting you guys this season.

Juror #8
Carter gets up, clapping his hands together, beaming.

Carter: What’s up, guys?

Markus: Hey, Carter.

Reyna: Hey.

Carter: I don’t really have a serious strategic question to ask y’all. I’ve gotten most of what I know from other jurors and just a general feel of your games from when we played together. So I’ve got something a little more lighthearted for y’all. I’d like to know, if you guys were jurors, who would you vote for to win between your two competitors? Annabeth, I’ll start with you.

Annabeth: Huh. I suppose...well, I think both Markus and Reyna played strong games. But in this case, I suppose...I’d vote for Markus. He and I have been close for a long time and...yeah. But I also wouldn’t vote for him just based off of that. I’d...wait to see if his and Reyna’s answers changed my mind before deciding completely.

Carter: Reyna?

Reyna: I’d vote for Markus. I think we both acknowledge each other as each other’s strongest competition right now, and I think we both have mutual respect for one another for that.

Carter: And Markus?

Markus shrugs apologetically at Annabeth.

Markus: Yeah, I’d vote Reyna.

Annabeth glances down at her feet.

Markus: Reyna’s had to fight a lot to get to where she is now. I respect the hustle. Her story is befitting that of a sole Survivor. But it’s not to say Annabeth hasn’t played a strong game either. She has. I just think Reyna had to adapt even more this season.

Carter: Perfect. Thanks, guys.

Markus: Thanks.

Juror #9
Trixie gets up, and already her face is affixed into a scowl.

Annabeth: Oh boy…[laughing]

Trixie: Somethin’ funny?

Annabeth: No, not at all.

On the jury, Nicholas is stifling a laugh. Zoe is raising her eyebrows amusedly at Trixie.

Trixie: Good, cause I don’t find this all very funny. Markus, I got only one question for you and I don’t want your usual bull[censored]. No twisting words, no trying to charm me. Got that?

Markus: Sure. I gotcha.

Trixie: Why do you hate me?

Carter lets out a barely audible “oop”.

Markus: [laughing] Uh...I don’t hate you, Trixie.

Trixie: You’ve never wanted to work with me in this game.

Markus: You never wanted to work with me either. I knew you were targeting me early on, on the Qamea tribe, and even though we had an opportunity to align again and bury the hatchet after the swap, we never did. I got the sense that you disliked me heavily after that first couple of Tribal Councils, and you were the type of person not to let go of grudges easily. If we could work together successfully, like during the Jacobiah vote, I was more than happy to bridge the gap between us and offer up a white flag first, so we could vote together for a result we both wanted. But for the most part, I stuck with working with the people I knew I could work with at whichever stage of the game I was in at that point. It was mostly strategy and...I’m sorry if you felt it was personal.

Trixie’s mouth twitches.

Trixie: ‘Kay.

And just like that, she turns on her heel and retreats to her seat on the jury.

Juror #10
Jeff: Our tenth and final juror, Percy - you can bring this discussion to a close.

Percy: Okay.

Percy gets to his feet and walks on over.

Percy: Hey, guys.

Markus: Hey, Perce.

Annabeth: Hey, Percy.

Percy: So, um...I don’t have a whole lot to say, really. Being the final juror and coming up short just last night...it’s still a lot to digest so quickly and so I didn’t have a lot of time to collect my thoughts for questions. But I do just want to know one thing. For me, this journey was something I’d only dreamed about, for years. I wanted to be on Survivor for so long and I am eternally grateful to not only have gotten that chance, but to have been blessed enough to play with all of you and to play for this long and this deep into the game. So thank you, all of you, for being a part of my Survivor journey.

Markus nods solemnly.

Percy: I want to know what this experience means to you guys, individually. Annabeth, I’ll start with you.

Annabeth takes a deep breath.

Annabeth: For me, this was about taking a step out of my comfort zone and seeing what I was made of. I wanted to test myself and push myself to my limits and see just what I could do when put into a game like this, a game as stressful and challenging as Survivor. To have to maneuver around social politics and game strategies and competitive challenges and the wilderness environment...it’s the ultimate adventure. I wanted to see what it was like. And...you know, I’m...I’m proud of myself, for making it all the way to the end. ...That’s what these 39 days means to me. So…

Annabeth is tearing up slightly now. Markus pats her hand and Reyna puts her arm around her shoulder and squeezes.

Annabeth: Yeah…[sniffs] that’s all for me.

Percy: Markus?

Markus: I came out here not just for the experience of playing a game that me and my family have been huge fans of, but also to win a million dollars. I want to make my family proud and take home the money I worked so hard out here for and that's why I gave my all out on the island. I wasn't content coming out here for second place, I told myself that I had to win if I was going to go through this. So this experience was about giving something to my family. I want them to be proud of what I’ve accomplished and to be excited to share this experience with all of us, together.

Percy: Reyna?

Reyna: Survivor was toted to me as the ultimate adventure. It tests you physically, it tests you socially, it tests you mentally, and I wanted to prove that I was capable of dealing with it all. I wanted to win this game because it was such a huge honor to be crowned the Sole Survivor. Earning that title and winning the million dollars would be one of the crowning achievements of my life, for sure.

Percy: Thank you, guys. I wish you three the best of luck!

The trio thanks Percy as he takes back his seat.

Jeff: Alright! Jury, you’ve all had a chance to speak with the three finalists. I’ll give the ten of you a chance to think and reflect on all you’ve heard here tonight, before you make an important decision.

The Votes
Jeff turns to address the jury of ten again.

Jeff: Well, jurors. Tonight, the ten of you are in charge of making an important decision. You will be casting a vote for one of these three finalists to win a million dollars and the title of Sole Survivor that goes along with it. It is a big decision, and it is time to vote. Becky, you’re up.

Becky smiles and gets up to vote.

Markus watches her go, eyes brooding and serious. Annabeth is shown taking a long, deep breath as the camera fades away to a montage of the various jurors heading up to vote.

"vantagem"

- You played a helluva game, and exactly the kind of game I wish I'd been able to play. Good on you, bro. You were a beast to watch this season.

The camera cuts to Markus pressing his hands together, and his fingertips to his lips, as Leroy folds up his vote.

"vantagem"

- This was not an easy decision to make, but girl, I have nothing but respect for the way that you had to play, and your drive to fight and survive vote after vote. I hope you pull this out.

Reyna is swaying slightly in her seat, the corners of her mouth twitching.

Percy is shown standing in the booth, twirling the pen in one hand, deeply conflicted.

At last, the final juror, Percy, comes back from the booth.

Jeff: I'll go tally the votes.

Jeff leaves.

Markus grimaces, glancing at the girls and holding out a hand for Annabeth to squeeze.

Markus: Can't believe it's over.

She smiles weakly.

Jeff returns.

Jeff: Alright. ...I think I'm gonna read the votes.

Annabeth blinks.

Annabeth: I'm sorry. What?

Becky's jaw drops.

Nicholas: [confused] What the f…?

Jeff opens up the urn, completely serious.

Markus looks stunned. Reyna frowns, befuddled.

Wanda: [whispering] Wait, he’s serious?

Christine: [giggling] No way…

Jeff: First vote…

Markus laughs shakily. Percy looks like he is about to have a nervous breakdown.

Jeff: ...Markus. (1-0)

Markus looks shocked, both hands over his mouth now.

Jeff: Reyna. (1-1)

Reyna is stunned, eyes open wide and skeptical.

Jeff: Markus. Two votes Markus. (2-1)

Markus nods, sobering up and looking more serious now, a grim look of concern crossing his face.

Becky is mouthing “Wow” on the sidelines.

Jeff: Reyna. Two votes Markus, two votes Reyna. (2-2)

Reyna is licking her lips, eyes shining now, her disposition solemn.

Annabeth looks upset, glancing at the pair of them and back at the votes.

Jeff: Markus. Three votes Markus…(3-2)

Markus swallows, shaking his head.

Jeff: Reyna. We’re tied again. Three votes Markus, three votes Reyna. (3-3)

Reyna is on tenterhooks, teeth chattering.

Wanda shares a look of disbelief with Jacobiah.

Jeff: Markus. That’s four votes Markus…(4-3)

Zoe: [mouthing] Wow…

Percy: [shaky] This is crazy…[laughing]

Jeff: Reyna. We are tied AGAIN. Four votes Markus...four votes Reyna…(4-4)

Christine is shaking her head, covering her mouth with her hands.

Reyna is sticking her tongue out between her teeth, speechless.

Jeff: Markus. That’s FIVE votes Markus, four votes Reyna...one vote left. (5-4)

Markus’s mouth is slightly open and he looks taken aback. Annabeth looks a little sad, eyes flicking up to watch as Jeff pulls out the last vote.

Jeff: ...Reyna. We are tied. (Final Tally: 5-5)

Markus: Holy [censored].

The jury is reacting accordingly, with several of them reaching out to grab each other’s shoulders and thighs in excitement, sharing looks and whispers.

Reyna: [laughing] Oh my gosh…

Jeff: So...we have a tie. Markus, Reyna, you have each received an equal number of votes to be crowned the winner of this season of Survivor. As such…we need to break this tie. Here’s what’s going to happen. Annabeth…

Annabeth looks up, having sunk her head into her arms.

Annabeth: Yeah?

Jeff: You now become the eleventh and final member of the jury. And you alone will cast the sole vote to break this tie and decide who, between Markus and Reyna, will win the million dollars and the title of Sole Survivor.

Zoe clasps one shaking hand to her mouth. Nicholas huffs, shaking his head.

Jeff: If you’ll come grab the urn…

Annabeth’s face is white and she swallows solemnly. She glances sadly at Markus and Reyna, and he nods sympathetically at her. Taking a deep breath, she gets to her feet and goes to grab the urn.

The jury’s whispers and eyes follow her as she passes them on unsteady feet, taking the urn back with her to the voting booth, where she uncaps the pen, and leans over the voting parchment, her hair cascading down and obscuring her face from view.

Carter: [whispering] This is so crazy…

Zoe: [whispering] I still can’t believe this is real. [laughing]

Percy cranes his neck to look for Annabeth.

Annabeth is drumming her fingers against the side of the booth, a small whimpering coming out of her mouth. Markus gulps, watching her back. Reyna looks mournful, staring off into the distance.

Eventually...Annabeth returns, still looking a little wobbly as she sits herself back down with a weary sigh.

Jeff: I’ll go get the vote.

He leaves. Annabeth turns back to look at Markus and Reyna, a reproachful expression on her face.

Markus rubs her back comfortingly.

Markus: It’s okay.

She nods, blinking away tears.

Jeff returns.

Jeff: Jury, Final Three – thank you all for another great season on Survivor. I will see you all back in Los Angeles for the reading of the votes.

He picks up the urn and walks out of the Tribal Council set, with it tucked under his arm, passing the jury and the finalists on his way out. Heroic music plays in the background as he moves, symbolizing the end of the season, and the imminent arrival of the reading of the votes.

The camera follows Probst as he walks into the foliage, and follows him until he inexplicably emerges at the studio in Los Angeles, California, on live television. The live studio audience is cheering and applauding all the way as he makes his way up to the stage, where the jury is seated, along with the three finalists; everyone dressed up nicely for the momentous occasion.

Jeff: Alright! Have a seat! Thank you everybody!

The audience takes their seats.

Jeff: Markus, Reyna, Annabeth, congratulations on making it all the way to the end. It’s the ultimate goal for everyone who comes onto Survivor, and now, for one of you, the struggle will all have been worth it. And the ending of this season, of course, is unique. Annabeth, unfortunately, you know you didn’t win.

Annabeth: Who’s to say I didn’t just write down my own name?

This elicits a few laughs from the crowd. Markus is chuckling next to her and Reyna is grinning broadly.

Jeff: Tonight...there is only one vote in this urn. Annabeth, you obviously know who you’ve just crowned the winner of this season of Survivor. And it’s time to end the suspense. I will now...read the vote.

He opens the urn.

Markus is holding onto Annabeth’s hand. Reyna smiles knowingly.

Jeff: The winner of Survivor: Mozambique…

He flips it over.

Jeff: Markus!

Markus nods even as thunderous applause takes over the room. He gets to his feet and envelopes both Annabeth and Reyna in a hug. The jury is getting up too, heading over to hug and congratulate Markus, as Jeff attempts to make himself heard over the applause.

Jeff: And there you have it - Markus Vaughan, the Sole Survivor of Survivor: Mozambique! It’s been a crazy season to behold and next season promises to be even crazier! Stay tuned...