The Only Life Buoy Left

The Only Life Buoy Left is the seventh episode of Survivor: Seychelles - Battle Of The Sexes.

Previously On Survivor...

 * The castaways finally merged!

Brandy: Congratulations, you have merged!

Everyone begins cheering and whooping.


 * Abraham gathered together his influences from both Seuntjie and Meisie to form a majority alliance…

Abraham is sitting with Brandy, Dillan, Kim, Sasha and Mary-Anne.

Abraham: We knock out Mallorie first, then Bridgette, and then Graham. Us six, right here, this is the Final Six. As long as everyone sticks to this, we’re in the clear.

"redneg"

- For this first vote, I’m pulling together all my influences. I have Kim and Dillan from the first Seuntjie alliance, and Mary-Anne and Sasha from the second. We’re going after Mallorie tonight because she’s the leader of the opposing alliance, and she has Bridgette and Graham with her. So Mallorie has to go - we need to cut the head off the snake.


 * Leaving Bridgette, Mallorie and Graham firmly on the outs.

"redneg"

- The way I see it right now, it’s Bridgette, Mallorie and Graham on one side, Abraham and Brandy on the other.

"redneg"
 * But Mallorie was determined not to give up.

- Abraham is targeting me, because he’s threatened by me. And it’s not good news to know my name’s been tossed out there.

"redneg"
 * Mary-Anne and Dillan found themselves in the swing position.

- Right now, the four of us could be in the middle. Dillan claims to be able to convince Kim and I believe Sasha trusts me more than she does Abraham and Brandy. Us four are deciding which faction to side with. It’s my original girls Bridgette, Mallorie and Greta on one side with Graham, and Abraham and Brandy on the other. I want to side with my girls but that would mean a ginormous alliance of eight on what will soon be a tribe of just nine people. It’s the heart vs. the brain. I want to do one thing but the gamer in me tells me to go the other way.

Jeff: Abraham, your tribe has spoken. [snuffs torch] Sasha looks down as Kim shrugs apologetically at Brandy. Brandy scowls.
 * And that night, Mallorie and Abraham went head-to-head, with Mallorie and her allies emerging victorious.
 * ...convincing even Abraham’s allies in Sasha and Kim to turn their backs on him and Brandy.
 * ...leaving Brandy alone on the bottom.
 * 9 are left. Who will be voted out tonight?

Night 21
The episode begins as the Redneg tribe comes back to camp after Tribal Council.

People begin setting their torches down by a big tree trunk, and others begin standing around the fire, sitting in the shelter, dumping their belongings etc.

"redneg"

- [whistle] We just pulled off a big move. Coming back to camp, you can almost feel the tension in the air.

Bridgette looks up and across the fire at Brandy, a hint of worry in her gaze.

Brandy is rolling his burly shoulders, snapping twigs and hurling them savagely into the roaring fire, as it casts ominous shadows over his face.

Brandy: Good job, guys and girls. That was a big move.

Sasha gives him an unreadable look. Mary-Anne bites her lip, looking at him nervously.

Brandy: Abe and I never saw it coming.

"redneg"

- We blindsided Abraham, and it was delicious! [laughing] That was a huge power play, because Abraham was a huge threat in this game, and we got him out early before he could pose too much of a problem. He got what was coming to him. I say, it’s reaping what he’s sown. He was arrogant in the game, and that’s why he had his downfall coming from a mile away.

Brandy heaves out a great sigh, slumping his shoulders.

Brandy: I guess that’s what happens when you throw your weight. You get betrayed.

"redneg"

- Tonight could not have gone any better. I was able to...make a move of my own. My choice tonight, to side with nuSeuntjie - meaning the girls and Graham - over my old allies on OG Seuntjie...it cements a new alliance moving forward. I’ve proven to the girls, to Bridgette and to Mallorie, that I can be trusted. And me and Mary-Anne, we were able to sway Kim and Sasha, two previously solid votes against Mallorie, into turning against their allies in Abraham and Brandy. That wasn’t easy to pull off.

Bridgette comes up to Dillan and pulls him a short distance aside.

Bridgette: Brandy’s pissed.

Dillan: I know he is.

Bridgette: Don’t make him feel like he’s on the bottom, or he’ll go crazy and scramble.

Dillan: I’ll keep him on a leash. He should still feel some sort of connection to me-

Right at that moment, Brandy is eyeing Graham and Mallorie with distaste. Both are talking to each other in low voices. Graham is smiling.

Bridgette: I need to talk to Mallorie.

She leaves. Dillan glances over at Brandy.

"redneg"

- Abraham was a friend and ally. We were meant to go to the end together, and now, because of those girls…he’s gone. And Mallorie had a lot of nerve acting cocky as she was, that she’d masterminded it all.

Mallorie is shown laughing with Bridgette and clinging onto the latter’s arm as she settles into the shelter, her eyes shining in the semi-darkness.

"redneg"

- It just boggles my mind. How does a guy like Graham go further than someone like Abe?

Brandy steps up to Graham, thrusting out his chest.

Brandy: You must be feeling pretty smug, huh?

Graham: What are you on about now?

Brandy: You got rid of my best friend.

Graham: Do you want to talk about it?

Brandy: No, I don’t want to TALK about it. He deserves to be here, a hundred times more than you do, or ever will.

Graham shrugs off the criticism, his eyes darting from side to side, watching the others’ reaction. Sasha is looking on coolly, her expression hard like stone. Mary-Anne looks uneasy.

Dillan: Give him a break already, Brandy. You’ve done enough, you’re just acting like a bully.

Brandy: So you two are bosom buddies now, are you?

Dillan ignores him.

Brandy snorts with laughter.

Dillan: Yeah, it’s hilarious. You want to make friends in this game, not enemies.

Brandy: What’s the use? You guys will just get rid of me next anyway.

"redneg"

- With Abraham gone, I feel like my back’s up against the wall. The tribe split the votes between the two of us, it’s obvious I’m next to go because I was his best friend out here. But, you know, they can take me down but I’ll see if I can’t drag a couple of them down with me. Two-faced sons-of-[censored]...

Day 22
Jeff: Come on in, guys!

The Redneg tribe troops in, Brandy bringing up the rear with the tribe flag, Kim taking the lead with a bright and optimistic smile on his face.

Jeff: You ready to get to today’s reward challenge?

There is a smattering of "Yeah" and 'Yes" and "Yep".

Jeff: For today’s challenge, we’ll be playing a classic game of basketball, out in the water. You’ll be split into two teams of four, and the first team to score two points wins reward. Wanna know what you’re playing for? The winners of reward will head out to a floating pizza restaurant, out on the water, anchored 50 yards away from camp.

Brandy runs a hand through his beard, mouthing "Wow."

Jeff: There’ll be pizza, chicken wings, onion rings, champagne, cold beer and soft drinks. And the losers? They can only watch from afar.

Bridgette: That’s harsh.

Graham grins, shaking his head.

Jeff: Alright, so, we will do a schoolyard pick for the teams.

He holds out a bag and lets everyone dip their hand in and take out a rock, clenching it in their fists.

Jeff: If you have a white rock, you are a team captain. If you have a black rock, you will have to wait to be picked for a team. And if you have a purple rock, you will be forcibly sat out of this challenge and cannot participate; you will only be able to bet on the team you think will win, and if the team you’re betting on wins, then you will join them on reward. If your team loses, you join them back at camp, empty-handed. On the count of three...one, two, three...reveal.

Everyone opens their fists to reveal their rocks.

Jeff: Bridgette is a team captain, Graham is a team captain! And Mary-Anne has drawn the purple rock, which means, unless you bet on the winning team, no shot at this reward for you. Take a spot on the bench. Bridgette, Graham, come on over.

Mary-Anne sadly tosses her purple rock into the sand as she heads on over to sit on the bench.

Jeff: Who wants to pick teams first?

Bridgette: Graham can go.

Jeff: Here’s how this will work. Graham, you’ll pick one member first. Then, Bridgette, you pick two. Graham, you’ll pick your last two members, and Bridgette will get the last person left. Graham, you start.

Without hesitation, Graham makes his selection.

Graham: I’ll go with Dillan.

The basketballer smirks, walking over to join Graham.

Brandy: Surprise, surprise.

Jeff: Bridgette?

Bridgette: Mallorie.

Jeff: You get to pick one more.

Bridgette thinks on it.

Bridgette: Brandy.

Graham nods as Brandy lumbers over to Bridgette’s side.

Jeff: Graham, make your last two choices.

Graham: I’ll take Sasha and…

He looks at a hopeful Greta.

Graham: I’ll take Greta.

He motions apologetically to Kim, who, losing his bright smile, trudges over to join Bridgette.

Jeff: Mary-Anne, make your choice. Which team are you betting on?

Mary-Anne casts Bridgette a small guilty smile.

Mary-Anne: I’ll bet on Graham’s team.

Soon, everyone is out in the water. Mary-Anne sits on a bench, dangling her feet and watching with interest.

Jeff: Survivors ready? Go!

The two teams race out. Sasha immediately lunges for and tackles Mallorie around the waist.

Kim and Brandy are closing in on the ball as Dillan almost effortlessly snatches it out of the air. Graham stands underneath the basket as Dillan lobs it over to him.

Brandy begins charging in Graham’s direction as the latter tries, and fails, to shoot the ball through the hoop. It falls back into the water where Brandy scoops it up and begins running over to his team’s hoop.

Greta is trying to block Bridgette, who pushes past the older lady with surprisingly uncharacteristic aggression.

Brandy shoots, and just narrowly nicks the edge of the hoop. The ball lands back in his hands where he shoots again; this time the ball sails over the hoop. Dillan catches it and tosses it over to Graham, who misses it.

Sasha is still fighting Mallorie, and the two women are caught in an epic scuffle, splashing and sloshing water all over themselves.

Jeff: We’re playing to best of three! Dillan running with the ball now!

Dillan shoots, and scores the first point.

The next match begins, and this time Brandy is charging full speed at Dillan, like a rhinoceros.

Sasha: Graham, MOVE!

Graham lunges at Brandy, wrapping his small frame around the latter’s brutish form.

Graham: I’m tryin-

Dillan is charging ahead, lobbing a ball in the air, as Sasha glowers at his back, tackling Mallorie into the water.

Kim jumps up and down frantically, trying to block Dillan’s ball. Bridgette is attempting to tackle Dillan, looping her arms around his waist and pulling with all her might.

Sasha: Get the hell up and GO! I’m not losing this reward!

Graham fights to untangle himself from Brandy’s vice-like grip as the latter tosses him aside and charges at Dillan.

Sasha: Stop him!

Sasha shoves Mallorie into the water and runs after Brandy.

Dillan shoots and Brandy knocks the ball out of the air. Kim catches it, and sprints towards his hoop.

Sasha chases after him, as Mallorie and Bridgette struggle to follow.

Kim shoots and just barely nicks the edge of the hoop. It falls back into the water and Greta moves to intercept it.

Sasha gets to the ball first, and Bridgette tackles her from behind. The ball flies through the air, as Dillan, Brandy, Kim and a reluctant Graham converge on it.

Brandy gets to it first, takes aim, and shoots, scoring his team’s first point.

Jeff: We are tied! Final round!

Jeff tosses the ball in the air again and the two teams race out for it.

Dillan and Brandy clash as they fight over it, and Dillan pushes the ball out of Brandy’s arms, lobbing it over to Graham, only for Bridgette to leap up and snatch it from him instead.

Sasha pushes Mallorie out of her way, glaring as she charges for Bridgette, running to her goal.

Greta, looking cold and frail, stands before the goal, as Sasha grabs Bridgette by the shoulder and roughly tugs her backward, sending a surprised Bridgette flying backwards on her butt in the water. The ball sails into the air, and Dillan breaks free of Brandy’s grasp to grab it.

Running over to his hoop, he jumps up and shoots. His professional basketballing skill is unmatched as he easily sinks the shot.

Jeff: Graham, Dillan, Sasha, Greta and Mary-Anne win reward!

Dillan cheers, grinning with triumph as he scoops Greta up in a big bear hug.

Mary-Anne is clapping and whooping from her spot on the bench.

Sasha punches the water victoriously, getting to her feet as Mallorie glowers at her back from behind.

Jeff: As for you guys - Bridgette, Mallorie, Brandy, Kim, I got nothing for you. Head on back to camp.

The four of them bend over to grab their things and head back, all with their heads down and shoulders slumped, looking quietly dejected. As they leave, the camera zooms in on Brandy.

"redneg"

- Missing out on reward sucks. I just can’t believe a team with Graham and Greta both on it won that intense a challenge. Having Dillan on their side really helped them, because, I mean, he’s a basketballer for a living. He was guaranteed the biggest threat in that challenge and Bridgette let Graham scoop up the tribe’s star player. What sucks most about losing is that I miss out on the chance to get to strategize and bond with people over reward. With me being alone on the bottom right now, that would’ve been crucial.

The victors arrive at the floating restaurant. Dillan whoops and Mary-Anne cheers a little before Sasha shushes them, jerking her thumb back at the beach where four tiny little dots in the distance can be seen, watching them wistfully.

"redneg"

- Having Dillan on our team was a huge help. I daresay my man Dill won the whole challenge for us, single-handedly. Me and Greta were absolutely useless, and I feel bad, but he and Sasha really pulled through for us. It’s good to have the basketballer in a basketball challenge.

The group of five take their seats and Graham raises his flute of champagne in a toast.

Graham: We should, you know, all thank Dillan for crushing that.

Greta: Hear, hear.

Dillan: Nah, it was a group effort.

Mary-Anne: Not likely. I didn’t do anything. [laughs]

"redneg"

- Drawing the wrong rock was, honestly, a blessing in disguise. Because we all knew Dillan was a professional basketballer, and so we all knew, pretty much, he was going to kill the competition. That's why I bet on him. I picked the right person to bet it all on.

Sasha: Dillan was the MVP, I’ll give him that.

The group clinks their glasses together as a waiter brings out their pizzas. Everyone reacts with looks of astonishment and famished expressions.

"redneg"

- To be able to share this reward with Graham and the others, it was great. They could’ve brought out a turkey and ham sandwich and I still would’ve fought the whole lot of them for it because at this point, I’m famished, and every meal looks like it’s a five-star course. Knowing that I was able to contribute, and to help me and my team get this reward, that’s just the icing on top.

Everyone begins eating, all smiles, and Graham swallows a mouthful of pizza, looking around the table.

"redneg"

- The thing that’s so great about winning rewards with a team is that it opens up avenues to strategize. I mean, there’s no better opportunity to get on someone’s good side than when bonding over a hot meal, especially after we’ve been starving out here for so long on rice, coconuts and seafood. A satisfied belly makes everyone happier on the inside, and more susceptible to suggestion.

Graham: Last night was intense.

Mary-Anne nods, blinking at him.

Graham: But we all agree that Brandy has to be the next one to go, right?

Dillan: Yeah. [stifles a burp] The guy’s already got a fan as the first jury member. It’ll be easy to send him home. No one has to go crazy.

Greta: I can get behind that.

"redneg"

- I want to get everyone behind the idea of taking Brandy out next. My game plan right now is to take out my biggest enemy left in the game so I can have that on my resume, and with that done, we can start whittling our way down to the finale. My alliance with Dillan is tight, and my alliance with the girls is still solid. No one is looking to me and saying, I’m a threat, which makes it perfect for me to make moves from, you know, within the shadows. I want to get it in their heads that Brandy is the biggest threat left, because he is - but more importantly, he’s a big brutish threat to MY game. I get him out of here on my terms, that’s a little something I can tuck underneath my belt.

Out of the blue, the waiter returns, this time with a tray containing what appears to be five brown envelopes.

He hands them out to everyone. Seeing them, Greta clasps a shaky, wrinkled hand to her mouth, looking like she is about to burst into tears.

Mary-Anne: Oh my...is that...is that what I think it is?

Sasha’s eyes are starting to water and she blinks away her tears furiously.

"redneg"

- I haven’t heard from my sons in ages. And I’m used to being with them. Half my life has been dedicated to taking care of them. And as a mom...the one thing you can’t forget when you’re out here, having this adventure, is your family - your children. I act tough out here and I like to know that people see me as the strong, independent woman that I am, but I have one soft spot that no one except Brandy and Mary-Anne know about and it’s my two boys.

Dillan: [laughs] It’s letters from home.

Mary-Anne: That’s insane!

Everyone passes the letters out. Sasha takes hers and grasps the letter firmly. Greta can barely get her envelope open, and Mary-Anne kindly gives her a hand.

"redneg"

- It’s no secret that I’ve had one of the hardest journeys out here [laughs] emotionally. And…[sniff] I think I needed this the most…[sobs] It’s just...food is good for physical nourishment but...having letters from home...helped me so much more. I could handle starving out there, I really could. I’ve gone longer without food. But it’s not hearing from the people I love...that’s been tougher to deal with.

Greta hugs Sasha and Mary-Anne while everyone cries.

Greta: [whisper] This is the best reward ever...

Meanwhile, back at camp…

The four losers are having a pity party.

Brandy stands by the fire, biting on a toothpick that wiggles around in between his teeth. Hands on his hips, he glares out at sea where the winning team is enjoying their reward aboard the floating pizzeria.

Brady: [shaking head] Lucky sons-of-[censored].

Kim groans longingly, lying on his side and clutching his stomach, as laughter and cries of joy can be heard wafting over from the pizzeria to the beach.

Bridgette stands next to Brandy, looking out at sea as well.

Bridgette: Stone-cold, for them to anchor the restaurant right there in front of us.

Brandy: Yeah, well…[sigh]. It is what it is.

"redneg"

- Even though I didn’t win reward, I’m determined to make use of the hand I’m dealt. There are only four of us back at camp. The less people, the less chance I’ll be called out for looking for an idol. And I know I’ll need one.

Brandy: I’mma take a walk, get us some coconuts.

He leaves. Mallorie raises an eyebrow at his back.

Bridgette turns to her.

Bridgette: You don’t buy it?

Mallorie: ‘Course not.

"redneg"

- Brandy, with extreme subtlety, tells us he’s going for a ‘walk’. I think everyone in this game should know what that’s code for. It makes perfect sense, I mean - especially after what happened last night - what he’s really up to.

Mallorie beckons to Bridgette and the two head off into the jungle after Brandy. Kim, who was lying on his side in the shelter, blinks an eye open sleepily, and watches the duo head into the trees.

The camera cuts to Brandy, digging around furiously in the underbrush, searching with gusto.

Brandy: It’s gotta be here somewhere. As long as I don’t give up, I’m bound to find it...unless someone gets to it first.

On the flip side, Bridgette and Mallorie are searching together.

"redneg"

- Me and Mallorie agreed that even if we don’t get rid of Brandy next, having such an unpredictable and explosive player in possession of an idol is no good thing for either of us. So, it’s better if we find it first. And besides, having an idol in our arsenal is great for moving forward.

Bridgette: We’ll find it.

Mallorie: I know we will.

Mallorie is peering into a hollow tree stump, drawing her hair back away from her eyes. Slowly, a smile spreads on her face.

Mallorie: Holy [censored].

Bridgette: What? Did you find it?

Mallorie dips her hand into the stump and takes out a small package, wrapped in brown parchment with twine.

Bridgette comes over, grinning from ear to ear and lets loose a squeal when she sees what Mallorie has clasped in her hand.

Bridgette: Shut the front door.

Mallorie: I got it!

Bridgette: Sweet Joseph. Well, go on! Open it!

With shaky fingers, Mallorie begins untying the package, peering over her shoulder every now and then to check if Brandy or Kim show up.

Out pops the idol, dropping into Bridgette’s waiting, outstretched hands.

Bridgette: It’s beautiful!

Mallorie is busy reading the message written on the parchment.

Mallorie: Congratulations...you have found the hidden immunity idol…!

The two girls leap for joy, looking excited.

Bridgette: I can’t believe it! This is so awesome!

Mallorie: I know!

Bridgette: [laughs] Wait- Wait, shh, we can’t be too loud or-

Kim: Hey, girls.

Bridgette yelps and Mallorie nearly leaps out of her skin as Kim steps out from behind a large tree, a couple coconuts in his arms.

Kim: [frowning] What’s that?

Mallorie lamely tries to hide the idol behind her back but it’s too late.

Kim: Holy [censored]. You found it?

Mallorie: Keep your voice down! We don’t want Brandy knowing about this!

Bridgette: Yeah...yeah, Kim, we just found it.

"redneg"

- I was out getting cocnuts and...I found more than I’d bargained for. I knew it was odd the two girls and Brandy both up and disappeared. I had a hunch they’d be looking for idols but I didn’t think to go check up on them and then, well, call it luck but I busted the girls while they were in the middle of finding one! Now they have to include me in their plans.

Mallorie: [sighs, looking annoyed] Okay, what deal do you want to make, Kim? Do you want us to keep you safe to a certain point? What do you want to not snitch on us?

Bridgette: Mal...

Kim: Oh, none. I promise you, I won’t tell a soul. Especially Brandy.

Mallorie appears unconvinced.

"redneg"

- I’m all ecstatic about finding this idol with my girl Bridge...and then Kim comes up out of nowhere and busts us. [shoots camera an irritated look] It’s like someone gave me a present only to snatch it from my hands a moment later. If Kim snitches about this, there goes my advantage. We need the idol to stay hidden and for no one - and I mean NO ONE - but my girl and I to know of this.

Bridgette: Kim, please don’t tell-

Kim: I won’t! [smirks a little]

Mallorie: This stays between us.

Kim: Got it.

"redneg"

- Information is powerful in this game. I’m hoping that by catching the girls with the idol, it will, I don’t know, help advance my position in the game with the pair of them. Because now, they need me to keep this secret for them. We’re playing this game together now, whether they planned on it or not. But for now...I think this’ll help me move forward with the girls, and that’s good, because we’re still just getting to know each other. This will hopefully give us a connection.

Bridgette moves to help Kim with his coconuts as the threesome head back to camp.

Bridgette: Promise not to tell?

Kim: [laughs] Promise!

Bridgette: Pinky promise?

Kim: That’s sacred.

Bridgette: I know! [slaps his shoulder playfully, a coconut tucked under her right arm] Just...don’t tell!

Kim: No worries, Bridge.

Bridgette: Good. [laughs] That’s good, because we can all three move forward in the game with this shared knowledge.

Kim: I’d hope so.

Mallorie is glaring daggers at the back of Kim’s head as he and Bridgette walk in front of her.

"redneg"

- I don’t trust Kim one bit with this information. I barely know the guy. I only want Bridgette and I to know of this idol, and even if I really had to share it with somebody, I’d’ve shared it with Greta, because she’s blindly loyal, or with Mary-Anne or Dillan or, heck, even Graham. Not Kim, not a guy who was once part of Abraham’s crew. I don’t trust him one bit, and knowing he knows about the idol makes me feel very very uncomfortable.

Day 23
Mary-Anne is sitting in the shelter, drawing her knees up to her chest and shivering a little in her hoodie, watching the dying embers of last night’s fire.

Beside her, Bridgette and Mallorie are whispering in low voices. They’re watching Brandy as he stomps on a large branch, snapping it in two.

Bridgette: Has he been scrambling with you?

Mallorie: No.

Bridgette: He’s been scrambling a lot with me.

Mallorie: Doing what?

Bridgette: Dropping your name a lot. I talk strategy with him, but he knows he’s on the outs and he’s looking for a way back in.

Mallorie: [laughs] My, how the tables have turned.

Bridgette turns and nudges Mary-Anne.

Bridgette: You alright?

Mary-Anne: Yeah, I’m fine.

Mallorie: Right now, we’re sitting pretty at the top. Since we controlled that first move, we’re in charge now. He has to know that.

Bridgette: Yeah...he does. I don’t think he likes you very much.

Mallorie: Psh. Like I care. He’s a brute like Abraham was and now he’s a dog without its master. Us girls, we’re untouchable right now.

Bridgette giggles.

Mallorie: We’ve got the numbers. It’s locked down.

Mary-Anne is listening in, looking a little jealous.

"redneg"

- Ever since we blindsided Abraham, I’ve noticed that Brandy has gotten very insecure about his standing on the tribe. He knows he’s at the girls’ mercy - mainly Bridgette and Mallorie. And so he’s been doing all sorts to stay in - he’s been scrambling, working hard around camp, throwing Mallorie under the bus and, I’m sure, hunting for the idol too. And on the flip side, Mallorie is - I’ve seen - getting more and more complacent with where she is at this stage of the game. She knows she’s got a lot of power, with Bridgette on one side and Greta on the other, and Graham right behind them. And it kinda feels like she’s taken my two biggest allies Bridgette and Greta and turned them into her henchmen. Bridgette and I were two peas in a pod back on Meisie but now she’s always off with Mallorie and the pair are always talking and strategizing together. I just feel like being apart from the girls has had an impact, thanks to my time alone on Meisie while they were on Seuntjie. I see the two of them very close. It bothers me. And I have to fix that. I need to bring Bridgette and Greta back to me in case I need them to make a move against Mallorie. I feel safer with them by my side than with them by hers, because we all see Mallorie for the strong player she is. She thinks that now she’s gotten rid of Abraham, she’s the new Kingpin, or Queenpin, so to speak. It could be time for revolt.

Mary-Anne is accompanying Greta to the well, to get water.

She perches herself on the edge of the well to talk as Greta grabs the ladle and begins slowly filling up a green water canister.

Mary-Anne: I wanted to talk to you, Greta.

Greta: Yes, darling?

Mary-Anne: Penny for your thoughts on Mallorie?

Greta: I think she’s a very smart girl. What about her?

Mary-Anne looks off into the distance.

Mary-Anne: Possibly a little too smart.

Greta looks up at her.

Greta: What do you mean?

Mary-Anne: Listen, Greta. I trust you, 100%. Do you trust me?

Greta: What are you thinking?

Mary-Anne: I just...I don’t know if it’s the right time. But I think eventually, Mallorie has to go.

Greta looks conflicted.

Mary-Anne: She’s a very strong player. And I think everyone sees it, and a jury would really respect her for it. She’s a threat to me, to us. I don’t think we should move forward together with her for long.

Greta: We’ve been aligned with her from the start. I don’t know about this…

Mary-Anne: We have to play to win, Greta. Mallorie is a threat in that sense.

Greta: She’s smart, but it doesn’t mean we have to get rid of her now.

Mary-Anne: I just...fear she’ll be a strategic force.

Greta: She is. But that doesn’t always mean she’ll win at the end, you know.

Mary-Anne: I-

Greta: It’s not easy to betray someone.

Mary-Anne: I know you’re close to her after the period on Seuntjie, but-

Greta: We girls have got a very solid alliance going. I don’t see why we should jeopardize that now when we have no reason to.

Mary-Anne looks off into the distance, chewing on the inside of her cheek, lost in her own thoughts.

"redneg"

- Greta is just...so frustrating to try and strategize with. She’s just...she has no mind for strategy at all. And it hurts me to say that about her but this is a game and I want to win. But she...she’s not here for the same reasons. I felt like I could rely on her but now I have doubts.

Greta: Let’s just not talk about this unless it’s absolutely crucial, alright? I still say we stick with the plan, and one of the people not in our alliance goes home next.

Mary-Anne looks away, biting her lip.

Greta: Are you alright?

Mary-Anne looks up at her and Greta is surprised to see the beginnings of tears welling up in the former’s eyes.

Mary-Anne: Yeah, yeah...I get it.

Greta: Mary, what’s wrong?

Mary-Anne: Nothing, I just…[laughs]...I hate this game. [laughs] This game is hard.

Greta: I know, sweetheart. I know.

Mary-Anne: I mean, I know what you’re saying, Mallorie’s my friend! Well, she’s an ally. I don’t want to betray her but at the same time, I do!

Greta: It’s tough...but you know why we can’t.

Mary-Anne shakes her head as Greta pats her on the back, soothingly.

"redneg"

- Mary-Anne had a bit of a...she broke down a little today. And it’s...it’s evident that this game takes a toll on everyone, because it’s real people with real, raw emotions...You know, she comforted me all the way at the start of the game, when I was having a breakdown. It’s only right that I do the same for her now. And it was a nice little role reversal, sort of. I felt good, being able to help her, help pull her back from the abyss. It’s a sign that Mary-Anne and I, we still have a good relationship even after our separation on two different beaches. And I’m happy about that. I just hope, for both of us, that she...that she won’t try to make me turn on Mallorie, or on Bridgette, because I just...I don’t like being put on the spot like that. I don’t play that way. That’s not the kind of woman I am.

Night 23
It is in the middle of the night. A few people are fast asleep. Greta is unconscious, and Sasha has her buff pulled over her eyes like a blindfold, snoring slightly.

Dillan is lying on his back in the shelter, alongside Graham and Bridgette, each on either side of him.

Dillan: You know, you two should come over and visit one day.

Bridgette: Oh yeah?

Graham: I wouldn’t mind.

Dillan: Yeah, when this is all over. I know a place we can go bowling, and they serve food too.

Bridgette: Oh man, I love bowling. I haven’t gone bowling in ages though.

Graham: No offense, but I’d rather be playing videogames in my lounge.

Dillan: Hey, we could do that too.

Bridgette: I like games.

Graham: [laughs] No offense, Bridge, but is there anything you don’t like?

Bridgette: [blushes] I don’t like nerds who talk more than they should.

Graham: Sorry.

Mary-Anne turns in her sleep, and her eyes glow white in the night vision camera.

Bridgette and Dillan are talking again about something or other, and the lines in Mary-Anne’s forehead deepens.

Brandy too is wide awake, staring up at the ceiling of the shelter, listening as Dillan says something that makes Graham chuckle.

Bridgette: Alright, enough. We should sleep. We’ll wake the others.

Brandy: A little too late for that.

Bridgette: Oh, sorry, Brandy.

Graham snorts and turns over, his back to Brandy.

Bridgette, sleeping between Dillan and Mallorie, nudges him as she turns over, pulling her buff over her head like a blindfold.

"redneg"

- It’s the middle of the night, and people are trying to sleep. But we have Bridgette, Dillan and Graham, talking up a storm about a bunch of nonsense. More than anything, it just says that they’re a tight group. I used to stay up late, talking with Abe by the fire. Now, I have no one. Mallorie and her crew, they’re like one big happy family. It makes me sick. Me, Sasha and Kim, I guess - we’re the outsiders. We’re the homeless people, looking into homes through the windows where there’s a happy family having a Thanksgiving dinner. We’re the ones on the outs, and I say we have to do something about it before it’s too late.

Day 24
Jeff: Come on in guys!

Redneg walks on in, and its members assemble on their mat before Probst.

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

He takes the necklace back from Sasha.

Jeff: Immunity - back up for grabs. For today’s challenge, you will race to stack a tower of blocks that spell “IMMUNITY” on a wobbly platform, that you must keep balanced by holding onto a rope at the same time. If you let go of the rope, or move too fast, the blocks will fall and you’ll have to start over. First person to spell out “IMMUNITY” will, appropriately, win immunity.

He pauses for dramatic effect.

Jeff: In addition to immunity, the winner of this challenge will earn the Medallion to hand off to somebody in the next challenge.

Dillan nods. Brandy whistles, looking determined to win.

Jeff: We’ll get started.

Everyone is standing on their respective mats.

Jeff: Survivors ready? Go!

Everyone grabs their first block and races out to place them, then begin walking back to their mats to grab more blocks a lot more slowly, one hand on each of their ropes as they go.

Jeff: This challenge is tricky. You have to find that sweet spot, because you want to move fast and keep that rope, and your blocks, balanced at all times.

The camera fades away, cutting between scenes of the castaways moving back and forth, working their way between their mat and their blocks, at varying speeds.

Almost immediately, Brandy drops his four blocks by moving too fast, and curses as he races to restack them.

Greta’s hand shakes, and her blocks fall. Disappointed, she moves to reset them.

Jeff: This challenge will require discipline, and a steady hand. How fast do you go? Do you dare risk dropping everything for the sake of moving a little faster? Will slow and steady necessarily win the race?

Bridgette’s face is scrunched up in concentration, as she moves at a snail’s pace.

Mallorie grabs one block and is about to move forward when all her blocks topple over. She scowls.

Sasha turns to look, and this lapse in concentration costs her as she turns back just in time to watch her blocks all go tumbling down.

Jeff: So far it is Dillan in the lead, Kim right behind…

Dillan has “IMMUN” spelled out, and is heading back for “I”. Kim is just placing the second “I”. Graham is moving almost as slowly as Bridgette, still stuck on the second “M”.

Mary-Anne is making steady progress, and is about to catch up to Kim as she places her “N”.

Jeff: Everyone making good time so far...it is still Dillan in the lead…

Sasha drops again, and she angrily curses at her blocks.

Mallorie allows herself a small smirk as she continues.

Jeff: Sasha, falling out of it. Greta, lagging behind.

Greta looks upset.

Jeff: Bridgette and Graham, need to pick up the pace. It is Dillan, Kim and Mary-Anne all neck-and-neck, and Brandy trying to catch up.

Brandy reaches back for a block a little too fast, and “IMMUN” all fall over.

He rolls his eyes, as if looking up at the sky to glare at it, before moving to restack his toppled tower.

Dillan is surging out to a big lead, and has not dropped his stack once.

Kim glances over at him more than once to spy on his competitor’s progress.

Mary-Anne is making slow work of it but is not taking her eyes off her stack for one moment, even as she reaches her hand out to grab another block off her table.

Jeff: Dillan is one letter away, Kim and Mary-Anne both have two letters to go!

Kim bites his lower lip, anxious, as he tries to catch up, his hands shaking with the stress.

Mary-Anne is moving slowly, a couple steps behind him. Dillan is making his way back now, having placed his final letter.

Jeff: If Dillan steps on his mat without sending his blocks to the ground, immunity is his. Can anyone catch him?

Kim takes one step forward…

...and his rope wobbles…

...and so does his platform.

His stack goes crashing to the floor and he groans, his shoulders slumping.

Jeff: Kim drops everything! It is now only Mary-Anne left who can stop Dillan!

Mary-Anne is using both hands on her rope, clinging onto her final block by using her teeth.

Mallorie is slowly catching up to Mary-Anne, moving fast but also miraculously keeping her blocks safe.

No one else is remotely close.

Bridgette is a letter behind Mallorie, while Greta and Graham have dropped multiple times and are moving way too slowly.

Sasha refuses to give up, still trying, and is making slow work of catching up.

Brandy’s strategy of trying to move fast is continuing to backfire as he drops his stack again and again.

Sasha can only keep her blocks up by moving slowly, but in spite of the effort, she is moving too slowly to catch up to the rest.

Graham has given up, and is now standing by his mat, one block held loosely in his hand, as he watches Dillan moonwalk next to him.

The basketballer is slowly inching the rope through his fingers, his eyes plastered on his tower before him, as he takes another agonizingly slow step backward, trying to find his mat with his feet.

Jeff: Dillan is inches away from winning individual immunity!

Mary-Anne places her final letter and is now inching her way back to her mat.

Jeff: Mary-Anne with all eight letters! But is it too late?

Mallorie glances over at Mary-Anne, and then Dillan.

Mallorie: [sighs] Yeah, it's over.

She lets her blocks fall as Dillan steps onto his mat.

Jeff: That’ll do it! Dillan wins immunity!

Triumphant, Dillan lets go of his rope and his blocks fall to the floor. He pumps the air with a fist, and high-fives Graham next to him.

Graham: Nice job, man.

Dillan: Thanks.

Sasha scowls, shaking her head.

Sasha: You should’ve won that.

Mary-Anne shrugs at her.

Brandy spits on the floor.

Jeff: Dillan, come on up.

The group claps as Dillan heads on over to stand beside Probst.

Jeff: [putting necklace on Dillan] Dillan - safe at tribal council tonight, AND you get the Medallion for the next challenge to do with as you please. As for the rest of you, one of you is about to become the eighth person voted out and the second member of our jury. You have the afternoon to figure out who it’s gonna be. Grab your stuff and head on back to camp. Goodnight. Everyone moves to grab their things and begins heading back to camp in single file, and the camera zooms in on Brandy as he brings up the rear.

"redneg"

- They’ll either take the easy option and vote me out tonight, or...I could try and make something crazy happen. I pride myself on being unpredictable and I hope that tonight, my scrambling will pay off, and we can get a big move to happen, that’ll keep me away from getting my torch snuffed.

The tribe returns to camp. Everyone disperses, and Mallorie sits down with Bridgette on a log a distance away.

Mallorie: Okay, so, we gotta decide what we’re going to do tonight.

Bridgette: Well, the easy option would be Brandy, right?

Mallorie: Right. Unless you think we should do something else?

Bridgette thinks on it.

Bridgette: Let’s say we get rid of Brandy now. What’s the plan then?

Mallorie shrugs.

Mallorie: Kim or Sasha next, then.

Bridgette: And after that? It’ll be us six, and we’ll have an allegiance to every individual left in the game.

Mallorie: You think I’ll be a target then?

Bridgette: If you become a target, I’ll become a target right there along with you. So it’s in my best interest to make sure that does not happen. I want to keep you and I safe as long as we can make it.

"redneg"

- Though Brandy is the easy option to take out tonight because he was with Abraham, we also have to consider what happens next. People like Kim and Sasha, we have no real allegiance to. My goal is to get myself to the end, and if my closest ally is Mallorie, and people view her as a threat, they’re going to take potshots at me too. Mallorie’s a good meat shield but it’s not good for my game when my meat shield turns into a vote magnet. Keeping Brandy around leaves him open as the easy vote for as long as we can, and it’s always good to keep in someone who’s a bigger target than you. I think it’s possible we could use Brandy a little longer, but if that’s the case we need to decide who to take out in his place.

Mary-Anne and Greta are hurrying over, and along them are Graham and Dillan, looking over their shoulders as they walk.

Mary-Anne sits in the sand, crossing her legs.

Mary-Anne: So what’s the plan?

Back at camp, Sasha spits into the fire, planting her hands on her hips as she squints into the distance at the small group.

Brandy: What’re they up to?

Sasha: Talking.

Brandy: That Mallorie...she’s a controlling one.

Sasha turns to Brandy.

Sasha: You thinking of making a move?

Brandy: I’m thinking I’m an easy vote to use. You want to make a move, I’m your guy.

Kim is listening in on the conversation, ears perked up as he leans back in the shelter.

Back with Mallorie’s group, she is continuing the discussion.

Mallorie: I think we just go ahead and vote Brandy out, if there’s no need to go crazy. He already has a solid vote in Abraham. Let’s just be rid of him and any complications he can bring us by being around any longer than he has to.

Mary-Anne: Okay...what if he has an idol?

Bridgette and Mallorie share a look that is not missed by Mary-Anne.

Bridgette: How’s about we split the votes?

Dillan: With who?

Bridgette: Ah...Kim, I guess.

The camera cuts to Kim, who is now beginning to doze off.

Bridgette: It’s either him or Sasha.

Dillan fidgets.

Dillan: I’d rather vote Sasha.

Graham: Me too.

Mallorie’s eyebrow twitches.

Mallorie: It’s just a precaution, in case he has an idol. But I doubt that he does. He’s scrambling way too much to have one.

Dillan: We can just split the votes with him and Sasha. I mean, Sasha’s a social threat too. She can talk over you, a mile a minute. And she’s very...well...outspoken?

Greta: So wait...how do we vote?

Bridgette: There’s six of us here...three of them back there…

Graham: We tell Kim to vote Sasha?

Mallorie: Can Sasha be trusted to vote the way we tell her to?

Mary-Anne: I can talk to her. She trusts me.

Dillan: Then tell her to vote Brandy. I can tell Kim to vote Sasha. We shouldn’t tell Kim and Sasha to vote the same way in case they’re both still in cahoots with Brandy. We should confuse them on who the real target is in case they do work with each other. But if you’re still iffy on Kim, as far as Kim’s concerned, Sasha’s the one going home.

Mary-Anne: And we split it, 6 to 3 on Brandy?

Graham: I want to have the satisfaction of writing Brandy’s name down.

Dillan: I can write down Sasha, since it was my idea.

Mary-Anne: I won’t write down Sasha. I’ll vote Brandy.

Bridgette: I guess Mal and I will vote Brandy too. Greta, you down?

Greta: So who do I vote?

Mallorie: Us four girls and Sasha, vote Brandy. The boys can vote Sasha. Brandy’ll vote whoever the hell he wants to, I’m sure.

Bridgette: Good. So if Sasha doesn’t vote Brandy, she’ll be the one going home instead.

"redneg"

- The plan right now is to split the votes between Brandy and Sasha. Personally, I don’t think I can trust either of the two anymore in this game. Brandy was always a loose cannon and Sasha is the same, but in female form. I think splitting the votes between this two is the best option right now.

Bridgette: Alright! Let’s go. Good talk, everyone.

The small voting bloc disperses. Sasha is watching them, still.

Dillan is waking Kim, and pulling the latter aside to talk by the shoreline.

Dillan: The vote tonight is Sasha.

Kim: Sasha?

Dillan: Yeah, they’re splitting the votes between Brandy and Sasha, but tonight, it’s her. Brandy’ll expect it to be him, so if he has an idol, we’ll flush it.

Kim: Okay.

"redneg"

- I know for a fact Brandy has no idol, because I know exactly who does: Mallorie. But I’m not going to tell Dillan that. The more information he feeds me without me having to pry for it, the better. I’ll just be here, listening and observing, when no one’s watching me.

Graham is coming down to join them.

Graham: Hey.

Kim: You okay not having Brandy go right away, Graham? I thought you two were mortal enemies.

Graham: We are. But, I’m still writing his name down tonight when we split the votes.

Kim: But Sasha’s going?

Graham: Yeah, Dill and I both agree that’s the best plan for now.

Dillan: Those two won’t see it coming. We’re trying to flush an idol, if it exists.

Kim laughs, looking down at his feet as he does so.

Mary-Anne too is approaching Sasha.

Mary-Anne: They, um…

Sasha: Finished getting orders from Captain Mallorie?

Mary-Anne: [guilty look] You voted with her last tribal too.

Sasha: I knew Abraham was a goner when Dillan and Graham got Kim with them. I’m loyal to a fault but not when it’s a sinking ship.

"redneg"

- That look of guilt on Mary-Anne’s face...I could tell something was up. My “spidey”-senses were all tingly and I’ve been watching Mallorie talk to her crew down by that section of the beach for at least half an hour, so there was definitely some hardcore strategizing going on. I just wanna know if my name’s been thrown out there because of how close I’ve been to Brandy and Abraham. I knew I should’ve cut off all ties with them the moment I made the decision to cut Abraham loose.

Mary-Anne: They say to me that...the vote is Brandy.

Sasha: That’s what they say?

Mary-Anne: Yes.

Sasha: You’re sure?

Mary-Anne: Yes.

Sasha: No bull[censored]?

Mary-Anne: Yes! I mean, well, no - you get my point.

Sasha: Alright.

"redneg"

- I think there’s something a lot fishier going on tonight. Do I want Brandy to go? I like Brandy. I want to save him. But neither of us has an idol, or the influence, to change this. That doesn’t mean I won’t make my own voice heard, and try to pull this vote in my direction still, the way I’d like it to go.

Bridgette is left alone with Mallorie by the log. Mallorie leads her a small distance away, to hide behind a cluster of boulders. As waves crash down on the beach, the seawater rises up and just barely tickles Bridgette’s toes, and she wriggles them around in the water, humming.

Bridgette: Is something the matter? I can tell you look worried.

Mallorie: I don’t know…

Bridgette: Are you not comfortable with the plan?

Mallorie: Both Brandy and Sasha are threats to me because I know for a fact that they’re both against me, especially Brandy.

Bridgette: We’ll get rid of him, tonight.

Mallorie: What if he has the idol?

Bridgette: WE have the idol. Remember?

Mallorie: What if he has one from Seuntjie? Or Meisie?

Bridgette: I don’t think he does...Felicity had the one from Meisie...I think. Or did she find it on Seuntjie?

Mallorie: Exactly. There’s a lot of uncertainty there.

Bridgette: Well, then, what do you want to do?

Mallorie: Honestly, do you want to vote Brandy out tonight?

Bridgette: [sighs] I’m no big fan of him after how he’s treated Graham. But if it makes sense for my game to use him a little longer, I say, we do what we must.

Mallorie: What if we blindside someone else? Like Sasha, or Kim?

Bridgette thinks on it.

Bridgette: The boys won’t vote Kim, and Mary-Anne doesn’t want Sasha to go.

Mallorie: That’s exactly what makes both of them equally dangerous. Everyone is fine with Brandy leaving, but Kim and Sasha both have people who will vouch for them.

Bridgette: Well...I guess we’re on the same page on that. But don’t you have me to vouch for you too? Doesn’t Dillan have Graham and vice versa? It really can be said for everyone. In a game like this, everyone has loyalties to different people. And you know Brandy’s been gunning for you hardcore ever since Abraham left.

Mallorie: I know. But I don’t see him winning, not with his terrible attitude. I’d rather we get rid of the more likeable players first, those who stand a better chance than Brandy at winning over a jury, those I don't want to risk making it far.

Bridgette: So, Sasha or Kim?

Mallorie: You and I both know Sasha’s a floater.

Bridgette: She’s a floater who wants you gone. And if she’s a floater, what is Kim?

Mallorie: A floater who knows about the idol you and me have.

Bridgette: You want to take out Kim?

Mallorie: [sighs] The boys won’t want that. Dillan and Graham are close to Kim.

Bridgette: All the more reason we could take him out. A guy like him that’s likeable and not a threat, he could make it far.

Mallorie: Would we have the numbers to do so?

Bridgette: If we get Mary-Anne and Greta to do it, yeah.

Mallorie: That’s perfect. Us four were aligned in the first place. We just tell the two girls who to vote for.

Bridgette: We need to discuss this with them too. What if they have other ideas? I think Greta isn’t a fan of Brandy, much.

Mallorie: I just feel very strongly that we should use Brandy to get rid of either Kim or Sasha right now. I don’t want to leave the stragglers in for too long. And Kim does know we have an idol. I say that makes him more threatening than Sasha.

Bridgette: Sasha still tries to play the game. Kim hasn’t done much of anything! Isn’t this a bit of a wasted vote?

Mallorie: He knows about our idol! That scares me!

Bridgette: Sasha scares me! It’s no secret she dislikes you. She dislikes you almost as much as she disliked Felicity. And, you know, I think she knows you’re the main reason Lydia went home. She still holds a grudge. Do you really think Kim is a bigger problem, for just knowing that you have an idol in your pocket, anymore so than Sasha who is - as Dillan said - very well-versed, and openly going to gun for you as soon as we get down to lesser numbers? No one wants to work with Brandy, but Sasha’s an open book, not to mention her potential relationship with Mary-Anne.

Mallorie: Kim is just as close with Dillan and Graham. You’ve been snoodling with Dillan this whole time. You want your boy toy diverting his loyalty elsewhere?

Bridgette: I just- [sighs] I don’t want us to make a hasty move, especially not one driven out of fear and needless paranoia that Kim is going to rat out our idol, which he may not even be thinking of doing!

Mallorie: Why wouldn’t he? We’re not close to the guy, we’ve only just met him. He owes us nothing. If I were him, I’d rat out the idol.

Bridgette: Yeah, but he’s not you, and you’re not him.

Mallorie: He could go very under-the-radar. Sasha, she’s over-the-top all the way. I’m afraid of both, but only one of them knows our little secret.

"redneg"

- Me and Mallorie are really conflicted over whether we want to blindside Kim or Sasha. And this is all while still having the pretext of Brandy being the one to go home. It’s all very tough to decide, but...I want to make the decision that best benefits my game...not Mallorie’s. And if I have to step up and do something about it, myself, I will. Because we need to make up our minds on tonight, and time is running out.

The camera cuts away, and one transition scene later, it is later on during the day. Bridgette is now sitting down with Brandy.

Bridgette: Hey, Brandy.

Brandy: Bridgette, hello.

Bridgette: I was hoping to get a moment to talk to you about tonight’s vote.

He looks out at sea, tapping his feet.

Brandy: You here to tell me I need to scramble to save myself, or just trying to curry favor before sending me to Ponderosa?

Bridgette: Hey, I'm interested in working with you here. We could pull something off together.

Brandy: I’m all ears. I still think Mallorie should go home but I know that’s probably not gonna happen. You people are too scared to make a move against her yet.

Bridgette ignores this last comment.

Bridgette: I think it’s time we make a move. A bunch of people are expecting the vote to be you tonight, and others think it’ll be Sasha.

Brandy: I’m an open vote tonight. Please, by all means, use me.

"redneg"

- I like Bridgette. She’s got a good head on her shoulders, she’s kind and respectful, she’s great. But does that mean I can trust her? I don’t know yet. But at this point, she might be the only life buoy left in the whole ocean and I’m hanging on for dear life.

The sun is beginning to set, and back at camp, Graham is packing his bags, nudging Dillan with a snarky grin on his face.

Graham: I’m so excited. Tonight’s the night Brandy’s finally going to go, and I can say that I outlasted him.

Dillan: Heh. Don’t jinx it!

Graham: For the first time, I’m actually excited to go to tribal.

Bridgette is a ways away, slinging her own bag over her shoulder as she makes eye contact with Mallorie and nods.

Everyone gets into a line and leaves the camp, holding their torches, ready for one of them to head on out and never return.

Soon, night has fallen. As the sky fades to black and the music kicks in, the tribe enters the tribal council area.

The camera focuses on Brandy as he slams his torch down, and then cuts to Sasha, sitting calmly in her seat, hands in her lap, taking a deep breath, looking almost resigned.

Jeff: We’ll now bring in the first member of our jury.

Brandy cranes his neck to see. Graham smiles, a little nervous.

Jeff: Abraham, voted out at the last tribal council.

Abraham comes in, beaming at the group, dressed in a red buttoned shirt and khaki shorts. He takes his seat, and winks at Brandy.

Mallorie smirks.

Jeff: Alright. So, last tribal council, clearly, a big move was made. Mary-Anne, what was the fallout from that?

Mary-Anne: Well, obviously, Brandy was not happy. He was the only one left out of the loop.

Brandy nods empathetically.

Jeff: Brandy, do you feel like you’re on the bottom?

Brandy: Absolutely. I mean, Abe was my biggest ally. Everyone knew that.

Abraham smirks.

Brandy: Now I have to...you know...fend for myself. It’s hard to play from the bottom but one perk is that, you know, you’re a free vote. I want people to come up to me and say, I want to use you to make a big move.

Jeff: And have people come up to you and said that?

Brandy: Of course. It just depends on whether or not things work out that way, or if it’s all just a big pack of lies.

Mallorie fidgets, tossing her hair back and out of her eyes.

Jeff: Bridgette, what do you expect to see from tonight’s vote?

Bridgette: I think that right now, other than Brandy, there is no clear “majority” and everyone is just trying to survive, while also work on building their resume. It’s important to be able to say that you’ve done something when you get to the end, and a winning resume is hard to come by. I think tonight will add to a few people’s resumes.

Sasha narrows her eyes. Mary-Anne is listening to this quietly.

Jeff: At this stage of the game, some people will start to get comfortable, and it opens up new avenues for making big moves. Mallorie, do you think that could happen tonight?

Mallorie: I think a lot of people will start thinking that they should start trying to make big, bold moves. Do I think it could happen tonight? Possibly. People talk, and plans get made, and you never really know what's going to play out. I like to plan things out in advance, but sometimes, crazy things happen in the moment.

Jeff: Brandy, if you think you're on the bottom, you have to have gone out and started making your pitch to stay, right?

Brandy: Absolutely. Like I said, I'm telling people, "use me". I can't yet think of getting to the end and winning when it's still an issue of how I can get past these three days. Those of us who are, you know, more comfortable than others - they can start thinking of the endgame. Me, I'm struggling to stay afloat.

Graham rolls his eyes.

Jeff: How about a show of hands...who thinks tonight's vote might end up a blindside?

A few people look at each other, wary. Brandy raises his hand up high, unafraid. Sasha shrugs, raising her hand.

Jeff: And other than Dillan, who's scared they might be in trouble tonight?

Brandy's and Sasha's hands stay up. Sasha looks unamused. This time, Mallorie, Bridgette, Mary-Anne and Graham all raise their hands too.

Jeff: Wow. Graham, why would you be in trouble?

Graham: I'm just, you know, always paranoid.

Brandy looks like he agrees, and he shares a look with Sasha.

Jeff: What about you Mary-Anne?

Mary-Anne: Like Graham said, paranoia. You never know if people are plotting about you behind your back. Once paranoia gets its claws into you, it sinks deep inside and it's hard to be rid of it. Do I know for sure if something'll go wrong? No. But I'm always on edge at tribal and I think that's both a good thing and a bad thing.

Jeff: And what about those who didn't raise their hands? Kim, Greta, no afraid?

Greta shrugs.

Greta: I trust I know where I stand with everyone, Jeff...

Kim: [laughs] What reason would people have to get rid of me? I'm just...you know, I'm just here.

He laughs again.

Jeff: The thing is, if so many people are scared tonight, ultimately, who is just suffering from paranoia and who is actually right about their instincts? And if there is a solid plan in the works and people trust each other, why is there room for paranoia to - as Mary-Anne puts it - sink its claws into the group?

Mallorie: I think it's just the nature of this game. Anything and everything can happen, and it's hard to predict. Every vote could be your last, and leaving you guessing is emotionally taxing. Like, I can say I trust someone, and I do, but that doesn't mean somehow, someway, the vote wouldn't turn out to be you and not the person you thought it'd be. Trust is a rare commodity in a game where everyone's just looking out for themselves first, and allies second.

Jeff: So is everyone bracing themselves for a blindside tonight?

Brandy laughs.

Brandy: I hope so.

Sasha raises an eyebrow.

Jeff: Well, it's time to see if tonight's vote will be a big move, or another straightforward vote. It is time to vote. Dillan, you’re up.

Dillan gets up to go vote as the music kicks in.

The camera fades in and out, following the different castaways as they walk to the voting urn.

Graham slips his vote into the urn, tapping his temple and giving the camera a mock salute before going.

The camera cuts to Brandy, staring solemnly ahead of him.

Greta is now coming up, taking a breath before putting her shaky hand around the pen, and then putting pen to paper.

Bridgette now arrives at the booth, and uncaps the pen.

The camera cuts to Kim, swaying in his seat, looking calm and collected as usual.

Mallorie walks past the jury benches to get to the booth, and Abraham’s eyes are coolly following her every step of the way.

The camera cuts to Sasha, staring ahead of her casually, looking almost serene, an odd disposition for her.

At long last, Mallorie returns.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

He leaves.

The camera cuts to Brandy slumping forwards, sinking his head into his hands, as Graham glances at him out of the corner of his eye. Sasha looks over at Mary-Anne, who avoids the former’s eyes. Mallorie chews on the inside of her cheek, thoughtful.

Jeff returns.

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

Mallorie turns to look at Brandy. Dillan raises an eyebrow. Watching from the jury, Abraham has his hands clasped together and is resting his chin on the tips of his fingers, looking both nervous and hopeful.

Kim cranes his head to check on Brandy.

Brandy snorts, but does not budge.

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.

Brandy breathes in and out, laughing a little as if steeling himself for the vote. Kim sits in his seat, looking unconcerned.

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

Brandy nods, looking glum. Graham licks his lips with anticipation.

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

Sasha flashes a jaded smile, eyes twinkling. Abraham sits up a little straighter, watching.

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

Kim looks bewildered, chuckling a little.

Jeff: Sasha. That’s two votes Sasha, one vote Kim, one vote Brandy. (2-1-1)

Sasha’s mouth twitches, as she turns to look at the others. Mary-Anne bites her lip.

Jeff: Kim. We’re tied. Two votes Sasha, two votes Kim. (2-2-1)

Brandy watches the votes being read with a stern expression. Kim rubs his arms a little, looking depressed. Mallorie cocks her head to the side.

Jeff: Kim. That’s three votes Kim. (3-2-1)

Kim frowns, narrowing his eyes. Graham looks confused. Bridgette is breathing heavily, clutching Greta’s hand. Mary-Anne arches an eyebrow.

Jeff: Kim. That’s four votes Kim, two votes Sasha, one vote Brandy, two votes left... (4-2-1)

Kim shakes his head slightly, looking scared now, and still confused. Dillan’s brow furrows a little. Brandy exhales and turns to look at Bridgette, who casts him a sidelong glance.

Abraham smiles, eyes wide.

Jeff takes out another vote and unfolds it…

Jeff: Eighth person voted out, and the second member of our jury...Kim. That’s five, that’s enough, you need to bring me your torch.

Kim is taken aback, but smiles as he gets up, brushing past Mallorie to get his torch. Graham’s jaw drops, turning around questioningly. Dillan shakes his head, similarly puzzled.

Brandy rubs his hands together, smiling over at Abraham. Bridgette sweeps her hair back, looking over at Mallorie, who nods at her.

Kim puts his torch down.

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

Kim watches sadly as his flame is reduced to smoke, and leaves, still chuckling to himself, looking surprised.

Graham: [whisper] Wow.

Brandy shakes his head, a half-smile playing on his lips. Mallorie regards Jeff, unsmiling.

Jeff: It is clear from tonight’s vote that no one is safe. As this tribe gets smaller and smaller, you will gradually run out of places to hide. Grab your stuff and head back to camp. Goodnight.

Challenges
Reward Challenge: Basket Brawl [Tocantins, HvV, Cambodia etc] The tribe will be split into two teams of four, with one castaway betting on one team to win. They would be playing basketball in the water, with the first team to score two points winning reward. Reward: Meal on floating pizzeria + [secret reward] loved ones’ letters. Winner(s): Graham, Dillan, Greta, Sasha + [bet on winning team] Mary-Anne.

Immunity Challenge: Got A Hunch [Kaôh Rōng] Contestants will race to stack a series of blocks into a tower on a wobbly platform to spell out the word “IMMUNITY”. They had to pull on a rope to keep the table balanced while retrieving their blocks. Reward: Individual Immunity and the Medallion Winner: Dillan

Voting Confessionals
"redneg"

- I hope you go home tonight.

"redneg"

- Total blindside, I hope.

"redneg"

- Buddy, I did not want to make this vote, but my hands are tied. It’s me or you.

"redneg"

- I just can’t trust you. You know too much.

"redneg"

- Sorry Kim. It’s been fun. You put up a great effort.

Final Words
"redneg"

- You know, I thought about outing Mallorie’s idol right before I left, but I just thought to myself, that I couldn’t do that to her. At that point, I was out of the game. Ratting out her idol would’ve done nothing for me other than made me feel satisfied for getting a bit of revenge. It would’ve just been petty, and it could’ve done her game serious damage. I’m not in the game anymore so I don’t benefit seeing Mallorie suffer unless I’m just feeling resentful. I’m a better person than that. So, I say, good luck to them! This game was fun for me while it lasted, and I’m happy to have been here.

Next Time on Survivor...
Mary-Anne: She is the biggest threat. She is controlling everything.
 * People are itching to make a big move.

Sasha: He’s a fighter in challenges. I think he should be the one to go instead of her.

Brandy: We can take out her closest ally tonight.


 * Brandy continues to play from the bottom…

Brandy: Let’s make a move. It’s stupid to leave her in control.


 * And suspicion is at an all-time high…

Dillan: I don’t know who to trust.

Sasha: Do you think they’re lying?

Mallorie: Do you want to use my idol?

Graham: It’s going to be crazy tonight, I can feel it.

Author’s Notes

 * The episode title ‘The Only Life Buoy Left’ was coined by Brandy, talking about Bridgette.