Put On My Big Boy Shoes

"Put On My Big Boy Shoes"
Who among the Final Five will be crowned the Sole Survivor?
Season	Survivor: Cayman Islands
Author	User:POLO975
Episode Number	13/13
Episode Chronology
Previous	Weight On My Shoulders
Next	Man Up Or Ship Out (next season)

Put On My Big Boy Shoes is the final episode of Survivor: Cayman Islands.

Story

Jeff: Welcome to the season finale of Survivor: Cayman Islands! We are live in Los Angeles for tonight’s two-hour season finale!

He is greeted by cheering and applause from the live studio audience.

Jeff: Tonight, one of the final five remaining castaways will win a million dollars and be crowned the winner of Survivor: Cayman Islands, followed immediately by our live reunion show, where we’ll have all 18 castaways who were on the show out on stage to ask them questions. It is a big night; reach out to us on Twitter and your tweet may be shown live on the show.

More cheering and applause ensues.

Jeff: Let’s get to the show! We started out with 18 castaways, and now we’re down to just 5 – Erin, Penny, Aisha, Terrence and Callum!

• Survivor is an arduous journey, where castaways have to battle the elements of Mother Nature, the social politics of the game, and each other, to fight over 39 days for a million dollars and the prized title of Sole Survivor! This season, there have been blindsides…

Clips are shown of Mitzi, Brett, Peter and Elmer having their torches snuffed.

• romances…

A clip is shown of Elmer and Penny sleeping really closely at night. Another clip is shown of Erin and Brett laying together in the hammock. A third clip is shown of Penny crying on Terrence’s shoulder by the lake.

• and fights.

Mitzi is shown arguing and yelling at Aidan, and then at Ingrid.

• Idols have been found…

Callum is beside himself as he extracts his hand from a mossy crevice, clutched tightly around a wet package.

• Idols have been played…

Mitzi: Jeff.

Aidan glares at Mitzi as she gets up.

• And idols have been flushed.

Peter grabs his bag and gets up to leave at Tribal Council.

Peter: I had a damn idol in my pocket too!

• The Las Caimanes tribe faced trouble in paradise.

Natalia: Doesn’t it bother you-

Peter: Not at all.

Natalia: -that those two could become a power couple?

Peter: Quit bringing it up. It's not important.

Callum: Girl, you worry too much. Relax!

Natalia: Shut up, Callum.

Callum: I know you love me, you can’t resist the Callum Charm.

Natalia: I’m serious, you guys. Power duos are always very dangerous. Keep that in mind.

• Love was in the air on Las Tortugas…

Penny and Elmer are messing around at night.

Penny: [giggling, in a whisper] Shh! They’ll hear us!

Elmer: [whisper] It’s fine. [laughs] Who cares?

Darnell casts them an irritated look in the dark

“	I am wary of Penny and Elmer’s relationship. They are very tight. And I’m thinking they need to be broken up.	”
–Darnell

• And Los Lagartos was a hell on Earth…

Mitzi: Gimme!

Oberon: Hey!

Mitzi: Gimme my [censored] clue. [censored] off!

Oberon: Congratulations you have found the clue to the blah blah blah…

Mitzi: Hey!

Oberon: …idol buried somewhere unexpected…another three days in the game…

Mitzi: Give it back!

• Deception and paranoia ran rampant throughout the game…

Mitzi: All we need is one of us to vote Elmer as well so a potential idol is wasted on Terrence.

Aisha: We don’t even know if they have idols! For all we know, this is all for nothing.

Mitzi: I’m not taking the risk. I’m sending Elmer home tonight.

“	First she goes and flirts with Terrence like no tomorrow back on Los Lagartos and now she’s constantly talking to Elmer after our little discussions. I am so…tired…of having to be suspicious of her. She cannot just chill, for like, one vote.	”
–Mitzi

• After the tribes merged, a majority of seven was formed with Brett, Erin, Callum, Peter, Mitzi, Aisha and Penny – leaving Ingrid, Oberon, Elmer and Terrence in the minority.

Brett: We have a 7-person alliance in the works. I’ve got Peter and Callum by my side, and you reel in your three girls. Seven’s a perfect number.

Erin nods.

Elsewhere on the beach, Terrence and Elmer are in a different situation.

Terrence: I’m worried.

Elmer: About what?

Terrence: Our situation. We’re in the minority right now.

“	We have Elmer on our side after the events on Las Tortugas, and I’ve got my bro Terrence back with me again. But that’s only four. We could be in the minority on this tribe…and that’s really really bad news.	”
–Oberon

• In spite of being in the minority, Elmer, Oberon and Terrence were able to flip the game twice and carry out successful blindsides…

Jeff: Mitzi…

Mitzi puts her torch down.

Jeff: Brett…

Brett grins, setting his torch down.

Jeff: Your tribe has spoken.

• …before their luck ran out.

Jeff: Oberon…

Oberon nods.

Jeff: Elmer…

Elmer sadly puts his torch in front of Probst.

Jeff: Your tribe has spoken.

• After a failed attempt at getting out Erin – the biggest female threat in the game, Peter knew he had to mobilize his forces and plan an attack.

Peter: Erin has to go. She’ll take the victory.

Terrence: I don’t disagree.

Peter: Us guys need to form a pact and take her out. They know that we have one idol to share between us, but the key is that they won’t know who we’ll play it on. If you work with us…you can flip to our side. They’ll split their votes, you join us, and we’ll blindside Erin.

“	Just like Brett, they want to make use of my vote, and then kick me to the curb once they’re done. I’m just a number in their eyes. Once they get rid of Erin, who are the Terrible Twosome going to target? Aisha? Penny? No, they’ll be coming right after me! I don’t trust Peter or Callum one bit. They have been the shiftiest and most dislikeable contestants this whole season for me, by far.	”
–Terrence

• Penny won her first individual immunity challenge…

Jeff: Penny wins individual immunity!

Penny squeals in delight. Erin looks disappointed.

• And Terrence turned the tables on Peter.

Jeff: Peter.

Peter: I had a damn idol in my pocket too!

Jeff: Your tribe has spoken.

Aisha is beside herself with laughter.

• Ultimately it comes down to this. 34 days ago, we started with 18 contestants, and now…we’re down to five.

• Erin – she started out this game in a budding romance with Brett, but after he helped blindside one of her strongest allies in Mitzi, she took control of her game and paid him back for his move.

Jeff: Brett, your tribe has spoken.

Brett’s torch is snuffed.

• Since that point on, she has maneuvered between the two alliances of men, turning them against each other, all the while keeping her most loyal allies safe. She has won two individual immunity challenges thus far and is shown to have taken up her new role as the leader of the women. Can she win anymore and make her way to the end?

“	I never expected to get this far. When Brett took out Mitzi, I knew I had to take control of my own game. I wasn’t going to let him just do what he wanted and be fine with it. This is my game. If I don’t make a move now, if I don’t find the courage to do it, I won’t stand a chance of winning.	”
–Erin

• Penny – this young and aspiring fashion designer started out with romance as well, flirting her way out of elimination twice and managing to work on the heartstrings of Elmer and Terrence.

“	I really like Elmer, he’s a real gentleman.	”
–Penny

“	Terrence is really cute, he was really sweet to me after Darnell’s outburst.	”
–Penny

• She has made controversial moves, turning against her old allies from Las Tortugas…

Jeff: Darnell, your tribe has spoken.

• …and has worked her way into a majority alliance, sitting pretty at the top. Can she flirt her way to the end again, or is this one situation she can’t use her feminine wiles to get out of?

“	I will do anything to make sure I get to the end. I’ve done a lot to get this far. I’ve betrayed and backstabbed people. But it’s in the name of the game, and I did what I did. I’m excited to bring it home for Las Tortugas.	”
–Penny

• Terrence – he is the sole surviving member of the Minority Alliance. Since the merge, he has been in the minority and has watched as his allies have been voted off before him…

Clips are shown of Ingrid, Oberon and Elmer having their torches snuffed.

• …one after the other.

“	I am the Lone Ranger right now. [laughs] I know everyone’s gunning for me but there are still people to be thrown under the bus. I’ve been fighting for the past 30-something days, I’ll continue to fight now. I’m so close to the end, and I know if I can make it, it’ll be the sweetest victory of my life.	”
–Terrence

• With the hopes of his friends and allies on the jury riding on him, can this lone hero make his way to the end and make away with the victory?

• Aisha – this small Indian girl said her greatest asset would be everyone else’s underestimation of her, and she was right. She has found one idol which she has not yet used, and she is safe in a majority alliance, having just helped trick Peter into a false sense of security, sending the latter home with a special idol in his pocket in a devastating blindside.

“	I’ve still got my idol, baby! Just waiting to be used! Sending Peter home last tribal was sweet. It shows I’m here to play. I’m playing. And it’s the final stretch.	”
–Aisha

• Callum – this cocky football coach was part of the Las Caimanes Trio, and watched as his good friends and allies in Brett and Peter were eliminated before him. Known for being sarcastic and snarky, never afraid to say what’s on his mind, he is ready to ruin everyone else’s game to get himself to the end.

“	I’m easily the most badass person left in the game. I’m not just here to win, I’m here to mess up everyone else’s games. Sarcastic Callum, in the Final Five. Ladies love bad boys! My mates Brett and Peter should’ve been here to share this with me, but I’ll be thinking of them when I receive that million-dollar check.	”
–Callum

• It all comes down to this. Who of this five will emerge the Sole Survivor?

The crowd cheers as the episode begins.

Night 34

The tribe returns to camp, fresh from blindsiding Peter. The music is mournful and eerie. Aisha heads over and quickly pulls Erin into a tight hug.

“	[gasp] I’m alive! [laughs] I scarcely believe it myself. I’m still here, fighting for the million.	”
–Erin

Callum slides his bags down, looking crestfallen and lonely.

Callum: Once again…good job girls. Pulled another fast one on me.

“	The girls and Terrence…just blindsided Peter. And now…I’m officially all on my own…alone. He was my last, real, solid ally, and he’s gone. Worst thing is, he took my idol with him. [laughs] I…er…I’m screwed.	”
–Callum

Callum: I just can’t believe you would do that, man.

Terrence: Well, I’m sorry, I didn’t trust him!

Callum: I just...can't, with you right now. I just can't even deal...with you right now-

“	I don’t agree with Terrence’s move to send Peter home. I think it was a stupid idea. And it’s not just because one of my closest allies is out of the game, it’s the fact that Erin and the girls now have the upper hand. He was pissed at us for kicking Elmer out and sparing Penny but he did basically the same thing. That sly son of a-[censored]…	”
–Callum

Callum: It was a stupid move. I'm avenging Peter.

Terrence splutters, disbelieving.

Aisha: Well, good luck with that, Callum.

Callum: Yes, thank you, Aisha.

He snorts.

Callum: Relevant, as always.

“	It’s funny to see Callum’s cockiness get knocked down a peg. That guy just was…so egotistical and full of himself. It was very satisfying seeing him have a taste of his own medicine. I call this poetic justice. [wink]	”
–Aisha

Callum trails off, and Erin turns to Terrence.

Erin: You did me a solid there. Thank you.

Terrence: [whisper] I just hope that we can honor our deal that Callum goes home first.

He holds out a fist, and she fist bumps him back.

“	I said me and Callum would not get along and lo and behold, we’re the last two guys in the game. Isn’t that ironic? Without Elmer and Oberon around anymore to help give me advice, I had to make the decision between Erin and Peter on my own, and I chose to save Erin. I hope I don’t regret it. I just know in my gut that…Peter would kick me to the curb once Erin was gone. She’s a meat shield right now, and if she has any integrity, she’ll pay me back for it and keep me around to the Final Four, and we can get Callum out first. Callum may not be likeable but could still be a stronger player to take out than Penny or Aisha. I need the girls to work with me there, and if all goes according to plan, Callum will go home next.	”
–Terrence

Callum scowls across the fire at Terrence, who doesn’t back down.

Day 35

The next morning dawns, and Penny is waking up. Terrence is already awake, sitting next to her, watching the sun rise, and she leans over and hugs him. He smiles down at her.

Penny: Morning.

Terrence: Ditto.

Penny sighs sleepily, resting her head on Terrence’s shoulder.

Penny: That was really cool, what you did last night.

Terrence grunts.

Penny: I know it wasn’t easy to trust me, and Erin, because you boys think she’s a beast.

Terrence: That’s just their perception of her.

Penny: But I appreciate it all the same, for what you did. Aisha does too. She may pretend not to like you because of Mitzi, but I know she’s glad to have Peter gone over you.

Terrence: She would want Callum gone too, right?

Penny: Yeah, she hates him.

Terrence: No surprise.

He turns back to Penny.

Terrence: What’s the game plan here?

Penny shrugs.

Penny: Erin says to get rid of Callum next.

Terrence: But Callum can’t really win, can he?

Penny sits up straighter, looking Terrence in the eyes.

Penny: I guess not, but what else would you propose? If Erin doesn’t vote for Callum, she’s only going to vote for you.

Terrence: Penny, I just feel like Erin has been…very controlling of your vote.

Penny: That’s not true. I don’t understand why that’s the way everyone sees it. Me, her, Aisha – we work as a team.

Terrence: I don’t know if that’s how the jury will see it.

Penny sighs.

Penny: Then what are you saying?

Terrence: I’m saying we should strongly consider voting Erin out at some point. Callum isn’t going to win this game, but she is.

Penny: If you wanted her gone, why did you vote the way you did last tribal?

Terrence: Because Peter would’ve screwed me over, if he was still in the game and still had an idol with him. I needed Erin to make sure I stay in the game, but that doesn’t change the fact that she’s the biggest threat to take it all at this point.

Penny bites her lip, looking really conflicted.

Terrence: You have to play to win, Penny.

Penny: I am, Terrence!

Terrence: We can do this, together. If we can get Callum’s vote…

Penny: What if he just rats you and I out?

Terrence: He’s not Peter. He’s more threatened by Erin than he would be by me.

Penny: That’s just your conjuncture. If you’re wrong, you’re signing your own death sentence.

“	I am caught in the middle as of now. Two guys who I trusted the most – Elmer and Terrence – have both made it clear to me that they considered Erin the biggest threat. Is it really that common a perception that Erin is running the show? I like Erin and she’s not just an ally, she’s a friend. But I want that million dollars too. Perhaps I do need to steel myself, check my emotions at the door, and have to stab her in the back.	”
–Penny

Callum comes along, whistling, hands in his pockets.

Callum: Hey, can I talk to you?

Terrence looks surprised.

Terrence: Uh, sure. Let’s go take a walk.

Terrence gets up, dusting himself off as he follows Callum down a path on the beach. Penny watches them go curiously. Erin, from where she is resting in the hammock, is watching with one eye open.

“	Peter was always the one running around talking to everyone to try and get movement…and before him, it was Brett. Now, I’m the last of us three guys left, and I have to do this on my own, and try and flip the game in my favor, alone. I’ve coasted for a while but I’mma need to pull up my slacks and put on my big boy shoes right now.	”
–Callum

Callum: I really think that Erin needs to go next.

Terrence: Mhm.

Callum: Erin is the biggest threat in the game right now. Come on, bro! You have to see that.

Terrence: I know she is.

Callum: So we’re both in agreement, then?

Terrence: Yes, I’m glad you are too. But what happens if she wins immunity?

Callum scratches his head.

Callum: I don’t know. We vote each other then?

Terrence looks stunned.

Terrence: Excuse me?

Callum: Well, I don’t know…I’m not voting for Penny or Aisha, I mean, who wouldn't want to sit next to those two at the end?

“	Maybe it’s the fact that we’ve been out here on this island for so long with little food and water and comfort that we’re all starting to get a little delirious. But for the two weeks or so that I’ve gotten to know Callum, his lack of tact continues to astound me.	”
–Terrence

Callum: Let’s just…cross that path when we get to it.

Terrence: Bridge.

Callum: What?

Terrence: It’s ‘bridge’. We cross that ‘bridge’ when we get to it-

Callum: Yeah, yeah, yeah, okay, whatever, you get my point. We just…give it our all in immunity, I guess…make sure Erin doesn’t win.

“	Erin, Erin, Erin…you sly girl. That little minx has gotten stronger and stronger as the game’s gone on. And she’s my number one target right now. I have no choice. I’ll lose to her, I’m sure. The jury doesn’t like me. I can only see a path to victory sitting next to Aisha or Penny, though believe you me, that possibility fills me with dread. Me and my boy Terrence just have to fight like hell to make sure Erin doesn’t win that damn immunity necklace one more time, or both our games are done.	”
–Callum

Day 36

Jeff: Come on in, guys!

The tribe arrives, heading into their penultimate immunity challenge. Penny is glowing, the necklace around her neck. The Final Five stop on their mat, and Callum sets their flag down.

Jeff: Alright, you guys ready to get to today’s immunity challenge?

Everyone nods.

Jeff: First things first, Penny, I will take it back.

She gives him a sad face as he unclips the necklace and pulls it off her.

Jeff: Immunity is back up for grabs! For today’s challenge, you will be blindfolded in the centre of a giant maze. On my go, you will race to find four medallions in the north, south, east and west corners of the maze. There will be guideposts to help you navigate. Once you find all four medallions, you must then find the immunity necklace in the center of the maze. First person to find the necklace wins the necklace, safe tonight at tribal council, guaranteed a 1 in 4 shot of winning this game. Losers, tribal council – where somebody will be voted out and become the 8th member of our jury. Big stakes. We’ll get you guys blindfolded and get started.

Soon, the five castaways are in the center of the maze.

Jeff: For a 1 in 4 shot of winning this game…Survivors, ready? Go!

Everyone sets off, arms outstretched. Callum is flailing his arms around madly, as he stumbles through the maze blind. Aisha is inching forward step by step at a snail’s pace, using her hands to hold onto the walls for guidance.

Erin is moving a little faster, having checked one of the guideposts already, heading east. Terrence is heading north, one hand on the wall. Penny is making slow progress, wincing as she bumps into a dead end, turning around and fumbling back the way she came.

Jeff: You are looking for four medallions – north, south, east and west. 36 days out here in the Cayman Islands, and this is where you end up on Day 36, stumbling around blindfolded.

The music amps up, more intense and fast paced, as everyone continues searching blindly.

Aisha curses as she smacks her hand into a wall, flinching.

Jeff: Everyone still looking for their first medallion…trying to find a sense of direction…

Erin is slowly inching her way down one path, heading towards one of the four posts, on which five medallions labeled with a large ‘E’ for ‘East’ are hanging on, swinging about in the breeze.

Jeff: This is not an easy challenge when you have no idea where you’re going.

Erin is now approaching the post, extending her arm, feeling through the air for a medallion. Her hand snags one and she begins to untie it from the post.

Jeff: Erin, finds her first medallion! She’s heading back out, looking for three more.

Erin puts the medallion on and heads back out.

Terrence is at a guidepost, using his fingers to point him back in the right way. He sets off, still looking for the North Medallion.

Jeff: Terrence, still trying to find his first! Callum, still searching. Aisha, still searching. Penny, still searching.

Terrence is on the path towards another post of medallions. Callum and Aisha bump into each other on the path, each cursing at the other.

Penny is slowly walking forward, bending her knees and waving her arms in front of her, back and forth.

Terrence is right in front of the Northern Post. Reaching out with his hands, he grabs a medallion and pulls it off.

Jeff: Terrence with his first medallion! Terrence and Erin – each with one medallion! Callum, Aisha and Penny, all looking for their first.

Penny emerges from a path, and is slowly walking towards the Southern Post, still waving her arms in front of her, squealing as she hits the post with the back of her hand.

Jeff: Penny with her first medallion! Penny is now in this. Penny, Erin and Terrence each with one medallion; Callum and Aisha both on the hunt for their first.

Penny puts her medallion on and sets off again. Erin is back at the guidepost station, now looking for North.

Jeff: It is easy to get disoriented in this maze of twists and turns and dead ends…

Callum bumps right into a guidepost station, taking a hit to the stomach. Groaning, he laughs it off, and fumbles around, trying to decipher the guidepost and have it point his way to a medallion.

Jeff: The guidepost station will help point you in the right direction…

Erin is getting closer to the Northern post. Penny has her mouth agape, blindly roaming the maze. Terrence is using his fingers to explore the guidepost, trying to find his way to his second medallion.

Aisha is wandering around, one hand in front of her, and her path opens out right next to Erin. The two girls are searching side by side. By stroke of luck, Erin and Aisha stumble upon the Northern post, and both are taking off a medallion for themselves.

Jeff: Erin with her second medallion, Aisha with her first! Callum is the only one without a medallion.

Callum snorts.

Callum: Great.

Jeff: Everyone still searching! It is Erin with two, Terrence, Penny and Aisha all with one…

Terrence is making his way to the Western Post, and finding it, is now pulling a medallion off.

Jeff: Terrence now with his second medallion! Terrence and Erin now both have two! Callum still looking for his first…

Callum is blindly staggering a few feet behind Terrence. As Terrence sets off, two medallions swinging from his neck, Callum finds the post right behind him, and is now pulling his first medallion off with a whoop.

Jeff: Callum with his first medallion! Everyone is on the board!

Erin is back at a guidepost, and sets off in the direction of the Southern Post. Terrence is frantically navigating the maze. Penny is waving her arms higher up in the air now, as if expecting a medallion to drop from the sky.

Aisha is still clutching the wall for support, walking in circles, staying as close to it as possible.

Jeff: Erin and Terrence – each with two! Callum, Aisha and Penny – all with one!

The camera zooms back out to show the maze in its vast entirety.

Aisha is still stumbling around, looking more lost than ever. Erin is making her way to the Southern post, getting closer with each step. Terrence too is on the same path, both getting closer and closer.

They both get to the post at the same time, and are rushing to pull medallions off, almost fighting each other for one.

Jeff: Erin and Terrence, both have their third medallion! Both Erin and Terrence need one more!

Aisha is rushing about, scouring the maze hopelessly. Callum pops out of a tunnel, and bumps into the Northern post, pulling a medallion off.

Jeff: Callum with his second medallion!

Penny is approaching the Eastern post, and pulls one off.

Jeff: Penny, also with her second medallion!

Terrence and Erin are side by side, both walking down a path, looking for either their fourth and final medallion or the guidepost.

Jeff: It is Erin and Terrence with three, Callum and Penny with two, Aisha with one! Erin and Terrence are one medallion away!

Both arrive back at the guidepost together. Erin turns and sets off in the West direction; Terrence heads East. Both move in opposite directions.

Penny slams into a wall, clutching her gut, moaning.

Penny: Gah!

Aisha is getting frustrated.

Aisha: I can’t find the stupid thing!

Erin is getting closer and closer to the Western post; Terrence is getting futher away.

Jeff: Callum, back at the centre guidepost, trying to find directions…looking for his third medallion.

Erin is on the path towards the Western post, drawing closer and closer to victory. Terrence is retracing his steps, and back on the path to the Eastern medallions.

Aisha and Callum bump into each other again; Callum heading into the Eastern quadrant of the maze, Aisha searching for the centre guidepost.

Erin is inches away from the Western post now. She reaches her hand out, and finds a medallion.

Jeff: Erin has her fourth and final medallion! All she has to do is find the immunity necklace and she is guaranteed a spot in the Final Four!

Terrence is getting flustered, moving a little quicker.

Aisha hits yet another wall, and lets loose a loud swear word, her temper heating up.

Penny squeals as she too hits a wall, giggling sheepishly.

Terrence is on the path towards his fourth and final medallion, Callum right behind him.

The two get to it at the same time, and grab their medallions.

Jeff: Terrence has his fourth and final medallion, Callum with his third! Terrence just needs to get to the necklace first, and it is his!

Callum is whispering to Terrence.

Callum: [whisper] Go, bro. You got this.

Terrence sets off.

Erin is back in the centre, and using the guidepost to find the necklace.

Penny stumbles her way to the Western post, and is quickly pulling off a medallion.

Jeff: Penny with her third medallion. Terrence and Erin with four medallions, Callum and Penny with three, Aisha with one.

Aisha smiles insanely.

Aisha: Lovely.

Jeff: Erin looking for the necklace, Terrence hot on her tail!

Erin is heading forward, in the direction of the necklace, her arms outstretched, as Terrence emerges back out into the centre of the maze from the Eastern path, right behind her, making his way towards the centre guidepost.

Penny: Aisha, is that you?

Penny and Aisha are in adjoining paths.

Aisha: Yeah.

They reach their hands out and clasp each other around the wrist.

Penny: There’s a medallion behind me. Just head straight.

Erin is speeding up, heading down the path towards the necklace. Terrence leaves the guidepost, now making his way to the necklace himself, a few paces behind Erin.

Jeff: Callum and Penny still looking for their fourth medallion, Aisha looking for her second!

Erin is out of the path, and only a few paces away from the necklace. Hearing it jangle in the wind, she waves her arms around, trying to hit it. Terrence is now heading down the path as well, a few seconds behind her.

The music gets more suspenseful the closer Erin inches her way to the necklace, looking immersed and lost in concentration. Terrence is hurrying down the path, as if sensing Erin close to the victory.

Jeff: Erin and Terrence, still looking for the necklace!

Erin is a few feet away…

Terrence is out of the path, and hurrying forward, arms outstretched.

Erin swings her arms about…

…and snags the necklace with her left hand.

Jeff: Erin has the necklace! Erin wins individual immunity, guaranteeing herself a spot in the Final Four!

Erin cheers, pulling her buff off her head and twirling it around. Terrence is slowly pulling his off, blinking in the harsh sunlight, nodding at and heading over to shake Erin’s hand in congratulations, only a few feet away from her.

Callum is leaning against a wall, his buff off, looking disappointed.

Jeff: Erin, come on over.

Erin bounces over to Jeff, where he puts the necklace around her neck, patting her on the back.

Jeff: Erin, safe at tonight’s tribal council, guaranteed a spot in the Final Four.

Erin beams widely.

Jeff: As for the rest of you, after 36 days, somebody will be voted out of this game tonight and become the 8th member of our jury.

Terrence nods sadly. Callum is dejected.

Jeff: Grab your stuff, head back to camp. I’ll see you tonight at tribal.

The five of them get ready to go. Terrence slings his bag over his shoulder, giving Penny a pat on the back in slow motion.

“	Erin winning today was the worst case scenario and…I don’t know where to turn anymore. A wrench in my plan, yet again. Nothing ever goes smoothly for me, and I could be going home tonight, for real.	”
–Terrence

The tribe returns to their beach. Aisha and Penny are congratulating Erin.

Aisha: Good job.

Erin: Thank you.

Penny: You killed it, girl. Again!

“	I won immunity again. Let me tell you, the feeling of euphoria never gets old. I expect to scoop up the rest of these necklaces because my only real competition is Terrence and Penny. Callum and Aisha have never won and I doubt they will ever win a challenge. So I’m feeling on top of the world right now! Things are going my way, and I just have another big decision to make tonight.	”
–Erin

Erin is sitting with Penny and Aisha in the shelter, cross-legged and relaxed.

Erin: Tonight, one of those two boys is going home.

Aisha nods.

Aisha: No question there.

Penny: Absolutely.

Erin: This is the moment of truth. Who do you want to send home first?

Aisha: I hate both of them.

Erin: [laughs] I know you do.

Aisha: I hate Callum more, though.

Penny: You know where I stand. I want to keep Terrence around.

Erin’s eyes flash.

Erin: Today, Terrence came really close to beating me.

Aisha: That’s true. He did.

Erin: If he had won, I think I’d be going home tonight.

Aisha: No, I’d never turn against you.

Penny hesitates a little.

Penny: Yeah, me neither.

Erin notices it, but doesn’t acknowledge her brief pause.

Erin: I feel like…Callum can’t win a challenge. He’s been performing horribly.

Penny: He could win a physical challenge. Terrence might not fare as well in those.

Erin: That’s true. But in the long run…Terrence is a bigger threat at the end…if he manages to win immunity and he’s up there in the finals with us. I’m just saying if somehow, Callum weasels his way to the finale, any of the three of us will have an easy time beating him.

Aisha shrugs.

Aisha: That might not be so bad either. I’d love the satisfaction of voting Callum’s ass out, but I would also love seeing him get grilled by the jury. Maybe Terrence should go. Because I can only see the jury sans Mitzi and Peter being nice to him.

Erin snaps her fingers.

Erin: That’s true. Terrence has a lot more love on the jury than Callum does.

Aisha: I just can’t stomach the idea of having to deal with that idiot any longer than I have to. He drives me nuts.

Penny: I don’t want to get rid of Terrence right now...I mean, he saved you last tribal, Erin.

Erin looks a little guilty.

Erin: That…is also true.

Aisha: This is Survivor. People break their word all the time. Just cause Terrence saved you one time, you’re going to hand him a million dollars? Callum cannot win. Terrence can, both winning the game and the next challenge too.

Penny: I say we just…let him stay this round. We can take him out at the next tribal. Let’s just get rid of Callum now and we can breathe easy. You’d like Callum gone, wouldn't you Aisha?

Aisha: Of course I would. But I don’t care which, they’ve both burned me in the past. And of the two, Terrence is the bigger threat.

Penny: But Erin, if you vote Terrence off, you’re just going to look…bad, in front of the jury. He saved you, and you just cut him loose.

Aisha: It’s a game. We’re going to have to be cutthroat. Right, Erin?

Erin: It’s a lot to take in. There are pros and cons to both options.

Penny: You plan on getting rid of both boys anyway. What’s the difference in letting Terrence survive this tribal?

Aisha: Because he could win the next challenge, and then we’re all screwed. Callum isn’t winning the next challenge, you guys!

Penny: Don’t jinx it! I just…I would really much rather we honor our deal with Terrence, vote Callum off, and then just…try our hardest to beat Terrence in the next challenge.

Aisha: I don’t want to take the risk. Terrence stands a much higher chance of winning the challenge than Callum does.

She spreads her palms upward.

Aisha: But it is your call. You’re the one with the necklace. Let’s just send one of the two boys home and I’ll be happy.

Penny pouts, clearly displeased, but turns to Erin for guidance.

“	Tonight, a guy is going home. Penny and Aisha are safe with me, so, it’s one of the two boys leaving the game – Terrence or Callum. And I’m having trouble deciding which one. Terrence is infinitely a bigger threat than Callum is. He has a lot of friends on the jury, he started out the merge in the minority, he’s helped make big moves and he’s an underdog. Jurors love underdogs. And with all the testosterone on the jury, I can see them wanting to give Terrence the win. Plus, Terrence can very well win the next immunity, in which case I will have to vote one of my girls out or go home. Callum, on the other hand, is disliked by majority of the jury except maybe Brett and Peter, he’s mostly done whatever Brett and Peter have told him to, he’s rubbed plenty of people the wrong way and will most likely not win the next challenge unless he gets really really lucky and it’s a challenge that he’s good at. On paper, it seems an easy choice. But my real indecision stems from the fact that Terrence saved me, last tribal. He is the reason I’m still here in this game. If I get rid of him right now…if I were a juror, I myself would be pissed at…well, at me. I know it’s a game but it just feels like I’d be doing Terrence really dirty, and I’m afraid the jury will lose respect for me.	”
–Erin

Callum approaches the trio of girls.

Callum: Can I talk to you?

Aisha gets up and wordlessly leaves.

Callum lies down in the sand, inspecting his fingernails and talking to Erin’s toes.

Callum: Listen, I know that though we started out on the same tribe, in an alliance, we’ve had our fair share of…issues.

Erin nods.

Callum: But I know my life is on the block tonight…

Erin: Your…life?

Callum: My head is on the line...whatever.

Penny: Your life is on the line?

Erin: Your head is on the chopping block, you mean.

Callum: Yeah, you get the idea! My point is…I know it’s coming down to either me or Terrence. I know neither of us guys are going to convince you girls to turn on each other. So my vote tonight is pretty obvious, and so is Terrence’s. And I’m hoping you’ll keep me around.

Erin folds her arms.

Callum: I mean…I know I voted for you last round but…Terrence will beat you in the next challenge. He’s a good competitor. He’s not won yet, but he’s a good competitor – better than I am, for sure. If you want to take your chances, go right ahead, and when he’s sitting at the Final Tribal Council, I’ll gladly vote for him to win. Or…you can make a big move and take him out. I’m not winning the next challenge. You’ll breathe a lot more freely with him gone because you’ll have…well, winning the next challenge will be a lot easier with me as your biggest competition rather than him.

Erin nods, taking this all in. Penny looks skeptical.

Callum: That’s my pitch. I hope you’ll consider it.

“	With Erin safe – AGAIN – [rolls eyes] I have no choice but to target my homeboy Terrence. The guy’s an awesome dude to hang around with but his time is up, as it should’ve been a while back. I admit it – we were all underestimating the guy. But he has to go now for me to stay and slay. My only pitch to Erin is…take me, because I suck at challenges, and Terrence almost beat you today. It’s the only pitch I’ve got.	”
–Callum

Erin: Thank you, Callum.

He leaves.

Penny shakes her head, biting her lip.

Penny: I still say we keep Terrence, just for this one round. He can go next. But I’m telling you…it’ll look really bad for you to double-cross Terrence like this.

Erin: This…this game is all about blindsides, Penny.

Penny: I know. But I feel like this is one that’ll blow up in your face. You won’t be stabbing Terrence in the back, you’ll be stabbing him in the front. That’s way worse.

“	Ugh! I am really conflicted right now. This is really tough for me…I know it’s going to look really bad on me to take Terrence out. That’s what Penny strongly believes. I may ruin my reputation if I do so. But…Terrence is my biggest threat right now. Not Callum. I don’t know what to do…I may be safe tonight, but my decision could screw me over in the future. It just sucks.	”
–Erin

Erin heads out alone for a breath of fresh air, and Terrence catches up with her, proposing they take a short walk in the woods.

In the forest, away from eavesdropping ears and prying eyes, he turns to her.

Terrence: Okay, so…I know I’m in trouble.

Erin: Yes?

Terrence: I’m hoping that…you and the girls will stick to our agreement. I hope that you can pay me back for what I did for you last tribal.

Erin bites her lip.

Erin: I’m not going to lie, Terrence, I think that there are a lot of people on the jury who like you and want you to win.

Terrence looks like she just announced his death sentence.

Erin: And you’re a really strong competitor…possibly my strongest competitor as of now.

Terrence: Don’t underestimate Callum. He’s wily. He could cause chaos for you in the upcoming days.

Erin: I know…I…

“	Erin is getting caught up in indecision, and it’s a negative look for her. She is dangerously close to appearing wishy-washy and that makes her look bad.	”
–Terrence

Terrence: I hope that you will…that you will stick to our deal. I saved you and…I’m just asking you save me tonight as well. I saved your life last tribal, you save mine tonight, and then we fight it out, fair and square, for the million, in the next challenge. We’ll be even. That’s all I’m asking for. A fair shot. Please.

Erin considers this.

Terrence: It’s been a long time I’ve been fighting out here with my back up against the wall, Erin. All I’m asking is one more night of life in this game.

“	My fate is…once again…in these girls’ hands. I have no choice but to vote Callum and he will vote for me. They pick and choose which guy they want to be up against in that final immunity challenge. [deep sigh] And I really hope it’s me.	”
–Terrence

Terrence: Hug it out?

Erin laughs and the two have a quick embrace.

Terrence: I know you have a lot of thinking to do. I’ll leave you be.

He leaves, and Erin looks conflicted.

“	Tribal’s coming up, and I have no clue still what I’m about to do. I know this decision is going to have a huge impact…and I am scared. I’ve spent so much time in this game feeling scared. This is just…another round in the batting cage for me.	”
–Erin

The five castaways grab their torches and head down the beach in single file, as the sky begins to go black.

Night has fallen, and the Final Five arrive at tribal council. Erin sweeps her hair back, so her necklace is prominently on display. Callum and Terrence take seats side-by-side, each guy looking worried.

Jeff: We’ll now bring in the members of our jury. Darnell, Ingrid, Mitzi, Brett, Oberon, Elmer and Peter, voted out at the last tribal council.

Peter takes his seat, dressed in a white unbuttoned shirt, light blue polo tee, Bermudas and flip flops, a straw hat on his head. He winks at Callum, who grins back. Terrence is pale and clammy.

Jeff: You guys are now down to just five, and tonight, Erin, with immunity around your neck, you have a lot of power. I’m assuming, from what I’ve seen the past few tribal councils, that it’s a guy leaving tonight?

Erin nods.

Erin: Yes.

Callum nods. No one is surprised.

Jeff: In that case, Terrence, you’ve been up against the wall for quite some time. Do you think your luck will finally run out tonight?

Terrence: Um…yeah, it’s definitely a possibility.

Oberon frowns. Mitzi raises an eyebrow.

Terrence: I hope it’s not me. There’s only so much one can say to try and sway people to your way of thinking. The only thing I’ve got going for me is that…Erin and I had a deal, that I would save her last tribal against Peter…

Peter arches an eyebrow at the mention of his name.

Terrence: …And in return, I’m hoping she’ll…repay the favor by keeping me.

Erin sighs, upset. Aisha rolls her eyes.

Jeff: And Callum, what about you?

Callum: Well, Jeff, I’ve been very vocal about the fact that – I can’t win a damn challenge to save my life in this game.

Brett shakes his head, smiling. Penny laughs.

Callum: If Erin is going to do the ‘honorable’ thing and keep Terrence, if he wins that next challenge, she’s joining me on the jury. Or, if Terrence and her both somehow make it to that Final Tribal Council, my vote will go to him, because he would’ve played a kick-ass game.

Darnell is nodding empathetically. Penny glances at him.

Callum: This skinny guy right here is a legitimate threat to win both immunity and this game. Look at how close he came to beating you today!

Terrence: That challenge was entirely based on luck. If it’s a physical challenge, I’m losing and you could potentially win, Callum.

Callum: That’s not true.

Terrence: Yes, it is! You’re always going on and on about how great you’ll be at a physical challenge.

Callum: Terrence, the only reason you’d stay in tonight is if Erin feels sorry for you and honors your make-believe pact.

Ingrid puts her hand to her mouth. Elmer is shaking his head in disbelief. Brett looks excitable.

Callum: That’s it. That’s all I’m saying. The jury knows who the bigger threat will be – me, or him. Look at them. Look at their faces. They hate me!

Darnell is chuckling to himself.

Terrence: They don’t hate you! Brett and Peter certainly don’t!

Callum: And you’re saying you don’t have four locked votes with Elmer, Oberon, Ingrid, Darnell-

Callum counts the four names off on his fingers.

Terrence: Mitzi is never voting for me, and I’m not swaying your buddies from Las Caimanes.

Callum: Mitzi isn’t voting for me either if I’m up against a girl. Ingrid hates me too!

Aisha: Are you guys just going to keep going back back and forth on who is more hated? Because I’m getting really tired of this really quickly.

Callum: Hey, I’m just trying to stay in the game here.

Terrence sighs, looking defeated. Callum crosses his arms, snarky as always. Aisha glowers at him.

Jeff: Wow.

Erin laughs.

Jeff: Tough decisions.

Erin: I know.

Jeff: I don’t see any reason to delay this any longer. You guys ready to vote?

Callum: Yep.

Terrence shrugs.

Terrence: Yeah.

Jeff: Girls?

Penny nods.

Aisha: Let’s do this.

Erin steels herself, and gives the ‘okay’.

Jeff: In that case, it is time to vote. Callum, you’re up.

Callum: Alright, time to write down a ‘T’!

He springs to his feet and saunters off to the booth. Terrence turns his eyes skyward, muttering under his breath. Erin shivers, appearing lost in internal deliberation.

“	Sorry bro. It’s you or me, tonight. It’s been real.	”
–Callum, voting for Terrence

Aisha heads up to vote, and then Penny…

“	My vote tonight is obvious. I can only hope it works out.	”
–Terrence, voting for Callum

Finally, Erin is up. She sighs, still thinking.

At last, she returns.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

He leaves.

The jurors are casting excited looks at each other. Terrence looks sick to his stomach, staring off into space. Callum casts him a sidelong glance, before turning away, clasping his hands together.

Jeff: Alright, if anyone has the hidden immunity idol and you’d like to play, tonight is the last time you may do so.

Aisha gets to her feet.

Aisha: Yeah, I really have no reason to do this. It’s just for fun.

She hands her idol to Probst.

Aisha: Let it stay on the island.

Jeff: Alright. Any votes cast for Aisha will not count. I’ll read the votes.

He reaches into the urn.

Jeff: First vote…

He flips it over.

Jeff: Terrence.

Terrence smiles despondently.

Jeff: Callum. One vote Terrence, one vote Callum.

Callum nods.

Jeff takes out the third vote, and flips it over.

Jeff: Terrence. That’s two votes Terrence, one vote Callum, two votes left.

Terrence is still smiling. Callum looks hopeful. Erin looks at her feet.

Jeff: Fourteenth person voted out and the eighth member of our jury…Terrence. That’s three, and tonight, that’s enough. You need to bring me your torch.

Penny is already in tears.

Penny: [whisper] Sorry.

Terrence: It’s fine.

She gets up and gives him a hug and a kiss on the cheek as he leaves.

Erin watches him go, looking guilty. Callum is grinning from ear to ear, looking relieved. Oberon is sadly shaking his head, and Elmer is watching Terrence with narrowed eyes.

Terrence puts his torch down, still smiling.

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

Terrence waves goodbye as he leaves. Penny is crying as she watches him go. Erin pats her reassuringly on the leg.

Callum exhales slowly, the color coming back to his face. Peter nods at him.

Jeff: Congratulations. You have made it to the Final Four. In two nights’ time, you will vote out your ninth and final jury member. Your final immunity challenge is on the horizon. Get some rest, and I’ll see you in the morning.

Tribal Council

Tribal Council #14: Alius Diversus
Voted Against	Voter
Terrence (4 votes)	Aisha, Callum, Erin, Penny
Callum (1 vote)	Terrence
Aisha (used hidden immunity idol)	None
VOTED OFF: Terrence Smith

Voting Confessionals

“	I want to be the last Los Lagartos standing. This is for all that you and Oberon and Ingrid put me and Mitzi through. You’re not wriggling out of this one again.	”
–Aisha, voting for Terrence

“	I’m sorry Terrence. I want to win a million dollars, and Survivor’s isn’t necessarily a game about honor. But you should be proud of yourself for making it this far.	”
–Erin, voting for Terrence

“	I am so sorry I couldn’t sway the girls any other way. I’ve loved playing with you every step of the way and I really hope we can continue to be friends after this. I’m going to miss you so much.	”
–Penny, voting for Terrence

Final Words

“	Of course, I’m hurt…I’m heartbroken…I love this game and I came really close to the end so…it sucks to get taken out now. [laughs] But I think I gave it my all out there. I would definitely say I was the underdog. I had my back up against the wall multiple times and to have made it as far as I did was nothing short of a miracle. I’m thankful to have made it this far in spite of all the odds, and I had an amazing journey. I wouldn't have traded this awesome experience for anything else.	”
–Terrence

Still in the Running

Las Tortugas
Cindy	Penny	Wilkes	Elmer	Mitch	Darnell
Los Lagartos
Aisha	Mitzi	Ingrid	Aidan	Oberon	Terrence
Las Caimanes
Erin	Natalia	Yvonne	Brett	Callum	Peter

Story

Day 37

Morning dawns on the castaways, and Erin is stirring soup in the cooking pot. Penny is sniffing as she gets up, shivering slightly.

Aisha is up too, her hair in a mess. Callum is nowhere to be found.

Aisha: You alright?

Penny: Yeah…

“	I had to vote Terrence out. It crushed me to do so, but…in the end, we decided it was the best option. It makes me sad to see him leave, finally, after all this time when he could’ve left but didn’t. I do feel bad for him, but…I’m only two days away from the end of this game. I want to make the most of the time I have left, and if voting him out was my best option, then I had to do it. I can’t lose sight of my final goal.	”
–Penny

Callum comes along, the last guy standing in the game. He squats by the fire, looking haggard.

Callum: So, Final Four, huh?

He sniffs, coughing.

Callum: Feels good.

“	Fate has decided that my time in this game is not yet up. [grins] Which is nice, of course. I know the girls would easily vote me out if it came down to it, so…my only chance of staying in this game is to win the next immunity challenge, and I am hoping it is something physical. No more endurance, no more balance, no more dexterity, no more puzzles – just give me a challenge where I can run and climb and jump and slide, let me work out. It’s my only shot of staying in right now; I have to win the next challenge or I’m gone.	”
–Callum

Erin: You gave a great fight last night, Callum.

Callum: Thanks. I had to.

He picks up a fistful of sand and scatters it around his toes.

Callum: I know I’ve usually hidden behind stronger players like Brett and Peter but this game means a lot to me. I don’t want to squander this opportunity. If I was going out, I wanted to leave with a bang. That’s my style.

Aisha is staring cruelly at him. He meets her eyes, and breaks out into his familiar cheeky grin.

Callum: Who would've thought we'd both still be here after last night, huh Aisha?

Aisha: Just don't talk to me, Callum. I don't even want to hear from you.

Callum shakes his head.

Callum: Suit yourself.

“	I want so badly for this Final Three to consist of us three girls. Me, Erin and Penny have been tight since the tribe swap and I want it to stay that way. I cannot WAIT to write Callum’s name down and FINALLY send my tormentor out of this game. He is the absolute WORST, and so I am hoping he does not win immunity.	”
–Aisha

Callum: I’m surprised you had an idol. No one suspected that.

Aisha: Everyone on the original Los Lagartos knew. I just wanted to keep it to myself.

Erin: I wish you would’ve told us. You could’ve used it on me the night Peter went home.

Aisha: I didn’t want to part with it.

Erin: No, I don’t blame you. I wouldn't want to part with an idol too if I found one.

Aisha: Besides, his dumb ass went home, and us three are still here.

“	Aisha pulling an idol out last night was a bit of a shocker. She didn’t tell anyone but Mitzi, and Oberon, Ingrid and Terrence must’ve known but didn’t bother spilling it. Aisha was never targeted anyway. I consider her a friend in this game, but…she has honestly played a game that is similar to Callum’s, which is a comment I know she’ll hate hearing. I can’t see her winning.	”
–Erin

Callum catches Erin’s eye and winks, indicating Aisha with a jerk of his head.

Time passes, and the scene opens up with a large panoramic view of the island, zooming into the next challenge. The Final Four arrive and step on the mat.

Jeff: Welcome to today’s challenge. Today, you will not be playing for immunity.

Aisha raises an eyebrow.

Jeff: You will be playing for reward. Want to know what you’re playing for?

Callum: Yeah! [pumps fist]

The girls nod.

Jeff: You will be playing for an advantage in your final immunity challenge. You will need whatever help you can get for your final challenge, so this reward is almost as important. On my go, you will race through a giant flower-shaped obstacle course to collect five bags of puzzle pieces. You will use those puzzle pieces to solve a puzzle. First person to get it right wins reward. Big stakes, we’ll draw for spots and get started.

The four castaways are prepped for the challenge, all standing next to their puzzle tables.

Jeff: For an advantage in the final immunity challenge...Survivors ready? Go!

The four of them set off, each running to a different section of the maze.

Jeff: There are five stations – you need to get a bag of puzzle pieces from each one.

Aisha is crawling through a narrow net tunnel, her small size helping her out. Penny is moving from a wobbly platform to the next, clinging onto a rope for support, slowly making her way to the other side of her station, where the bag lies, tantalizingly close and yet far away.

Erin is using a rope to pull herself across a small bridge, and Callum is darting across a shaky rope bridge, almost instantly falling off.

Jeff: Callum falls off, he’s gotta head back.

Callum laughs at himself as he tries it again.

Jeff: Erin, quickly across her obstacle!

Erin is now flying through the knots, untying her bag of puzzle pieces from its post.

Jeff: Aisha untying her first bag! Penny untying her first bag! Callum untying his first bag!

Erin tears her bag off and is racing back.

Jeff: Erin coming back with her first bag! Erin in the lead!

Erin is bouncing across the net, back to her table. Callum is making his way back, Penny and Aisha not far behind.

Jeff: Callum has his first bag, making his way back! Erin, heading out for her second!

Callum tosses his bag onto his table and heads back out.

Jeff: Penny back with her first bag! Aisha back with hers! Everyone heading out for their second bag!

Erin is making her way across the swing obstacle. Callum is now crawling through Aisha’s tunnel.

Aisha heads to the rope bridge and begins pulling herself across.

Jeff: You need five bags total to be able to work on the puzzle!

Sweat is gleaming on Callum’s face and causing his shirt to stick to his back as he barrels into the lead, charging back to the table with his second bag.

Jeff: Callum has his second bag, heading out for his third! Erin is back with her second bag!

Penny is slowing down, crying out as she falls off her obstacle.

Jeff: Penny’s got to head back. Aisha, still untying her second bag!

Aisha is cursing as she fumbles with her knot. Callum crosses the obstacle to join her.

Erin makes it across to her third bag, just as Penny gets to her second.

Callum finishes untying his third bag, just as Aisha rips off her second.

Jeff: Callum heading back with his third bag, Aisha heading back with her second! It is Callum in the lead, Erin right behind!

Erin is now making her way back, biting her third bag with her mouth to hold onto it.

Jeff: Erin making her way back with her third bag! Callum looking for his fourth!

Erin looks frantic, hurling her bag onto her table as she rushes to catch up with Callum.

Jeff: Penny finally back with her second! She’s lost a lot of time!

Penny is red in the face as she pants profusely, stumbling towards her next obstacle.

Jeff: Callum making his way back with his fourth bag, Erin making her way back with her fourth bag! Aisha untying her third!

Callum arrives, putting his fourth bag down and heading back out for his fifth and final bag. Erin is a few steps behind him, looking beat.

Jeff: Callum heading out for his final bag, Erin heading out for her final bag!

Aisha is making her way back, her third bag clutched tightly in her hand. Penny finishes untying her third bag and is making her way back as well.

Jeff: It is Callum and Erin with four bags, Aisha and Penny with two.

Aisha staggers back, dumping her third bag down. Penny falls off her obstacle with a squeal. Dusting herself off, she heads back.

Callum is at his final station and is working on the knots. Erin makes it across to her final station and is hurrying to untie as fast as she can, keeping one wary eye on Callum and his progress.

Callum pulls the bag off and is making his way back.

Jeff: Callum making his way back with his fifth and final bag! Erin right behind him!

Callum returns, and dumping his puzzle pieces out, still breathing heavily, his face a sheen of shining sweat, he gets to work, dripping sweat all over his puzzle.

Erin is back too, and rushes to untie her bags and get her puzzle pieces out.

Jeff: Callum and Erin back with their first bags! You can start working on your puzzles.

Both are hurrying to get their puzzle pieces out.

Jeff: This puzzle will get a lot easier once you fit in your first piece…

Aisha unties her fourth bag, and is hurrying back. Penny makes her way to her fourth station and is getting to work untying.

Jeff: Aisha and Penny, falling out of it.

Callum has all his pieces out and is trying his damnedest to jam random pieces into random slots, looking annoyed, frustrated, and red in the face. Erin is at her table next to him, inspecting the pieces analytically, comparing pieces and whatnot, her brow furrowed in concentration.

Jeff: Aisha back with her fourth bag! Penny on her way back!

Callum shoves one piece in…and it fits! He rushes to find another piece.

Jeff: Callum with his first piece on the board.

Erin looks flustered, staring over at Callum’s puzzle with bewilderment.

Callum is spinning the gears on his puzzle around, and manages to fit in another piece.

Jeff: Callum with two pieces of his puzzle done! He has six more to go!

Aisha is finally stumbling back with her final bag, and Penny is not far behind.

Jeff: Everyone is now working on their puzzles!

Erin spins a couple gears around, hot and bothered, and with shaking fingers, finally gets her first piece of the puzzle in.

Jeff: Erin with her first piece!

Callum spins more gears and shoves another piece in.

Jeff: Callum with his third piece!

Erin gets another piece in, and Callum gets another.

Jeff: Erin with her second piece! Callum with his fourth! Erin gaining on Callum!

Aisha is totally lost and confused.

Aisha: I have no idea.

Jeff: Aisha is clueless.

She spins a gear around morosely.

Penny is trying her best, trying to fit pieces in, but none seem to work. Callum puts one of his remaining four pieces in one hole, and it fits easily.

Jeff: Callum with his fifth piece! The puzzle gets easier the more pieces you fit in!

Erin is starting to panic. Aisha has basically given up. Penny is attempting to fit in all the pieces but to no avail.

Jeff: Callum with his sixth piece, he has two pieces left! Aisha still with nothing. Penny, with nothing.

Callum picks up one of his two remaining pieces and fits it in.

Jeff: Callum has his seventh piece of the puzzle! One piece left!

Aisha is now watching Callum, looking aggravated. The music is getting more and more intense, as Callum draws nearer to victory.

Callum slams his final piece of the puzzle in.

Jeff: Callum wins reward!

Callum: YES!

He slams the table, whooping.

Callum: Finally! Damn!

Erin is grinning.

Erin: Good job, C.

Jeff: Callum, you’ve won an advantage for tomorrow’s immunity challenge. I will tell you what it is tomorrow. As for the rest of you, head back to camp, and rest up for the upcoming challenge. You’re going to need as much rest as you can.

Callum: Thanks, Jeff!

Everyone bends down to grab their bags and go. The camera focuses on Erin, looking battle-weary, exhausted from the physically taxing challenge.

“	When Callum won the advantage, in my heart, I was like, ‘Nooooo!’ But it’s okay. He hasn’t won immunity yet. So I still have a shot at taking him out. I just need to give it my all tomorrow, twice as hard.	”
–Erin

The tribe returns to camp from yet another challenge, and this time there are no pleasantries or much congratulations.

Callum is wiping the sweat off his face, practically glowing, satisfied with his own performance. Penny pats him gently on the back.

Penny: Well done, Callum.

Callum: Thanks, Penny.

“	The unbelievable just happened! I finally won a challenge, and of course, it’s for reward. Son of a [censored]. Don’t get me wrong, I’m stoked, I’m thrilled, great, hooray! But it would’ve been so much sweeter if it had been an immunity necklace I was getting around my neck.	”
–Callum

Callum takes a sip of water, as Erin goes to wade out in the water, Aisha joining her.

Penny lays down in the shelter, drawing the covers around her for a short nap.

Callum sits down next to her, on the pretext of taking out his socks. He turns to regard her.

Callum: Yo, Penny. You still with me?

Penny: Hm?

Callum: Listen, I was hoping to get the chance to talk to you.

Penny: [yawn] About what?

Callum: Let’s say I win immunity tomorrow. I mean, I already have an advantage. The chances are high.

Penny: Yeah?

Callum: I’m going to be voting for Erin.

The camera cuts to Erin, washing her hair in the water, chatting with Aisha.

Penny: I figured.

Callum: You have to know that…she is the biggest threat, right?

Penny: I think she is a threat in this game, but, she’s not the most amazing player in the history of Survivor.

Callum: I was only stating that…she stands the highest chance of winning out of the four of us.

Penny is starting to look worried.

Penny: You boys have told me this already, I don’t understand what you guys want from me. You all keep talking about how dangerous Erin is.

Callum: Because she is a threat to win the game.

Penny: What about me and Aisha?

Callum: Aisha? Pfft. Although…you probably don’t care much for my opinion because let’s face it, I’m not much better.

Penny shrugs.

Callum: You? You’re fine. I think that if you took me and Aisha to the end, it’s a victory handed to you on a silver platter.

Penny: Oh, really?

Callum: Trust me. The only person standing in your way of a million bucks is Erin.

Penny: I don’t know, Callum. Elmer, Terrence and Peter have all tried and failed to get her out.

Callum: I’m just saying, I’ve known Erin since the start of the game. I know she was close with Brett, very close, and she betrayed him like it was no problem. She betrayed Terrence last night. She is cutthroat and strategic and those are traits the jury would admire. Is it your plan to go up against her in the finals, really?

Penny takes this in.

Callum: I’m not saying you can’t win. I truly believe if you’re up against me and Aisha, the game’s in the bag for you. You’ll have won just by virtue of being the least detestable and the most social. But Erin will beat you. I’m just spewing the truth.

“	To take Erin out, I’m going to need new allies. Aisha is out of the question. She wouldn't help me if her life depended on it. Which means…I only have Penny to appeal to. Do I believe Penny would win against me and Aisha? I think she can beat Aisha. But of course I have to hope that I stand a fighting chance against Penny. What matters now is I need to get Penny on my side to take Erin out, and convince her that Erin will wipe the floor with her.	”
–Callum

Callum: Erin has to go. She’s had shots taken at her before. But if she makes it to the end…I’m telling you, you’ve lost.

Penny: Don’t say that.

Callum: Let’s work together to take her out.

“	I like Erin and she is my best female ally. So it hurts to think that…I might have to vote against her to stand a chance at the end of this game. If I have to do it…I’ll do it. I don’t want to have to do it but…I’ve said it countless times before. I want to win this game for me, to prove that I could do it, to win it for Las Tortugas. And if I have to write down my best friend’s name to get there, I will. I think I actually stand a shot at winning this game…I may stand a strong chance against Callum and Aisha because they’ve both rubbed people the wrong way and neither of them have made big moves of their own or won immunities. Perhaps, for once, Callum isn’t spewing crap out of his mouth. Perhaps he actually makes sense, and Erin does need to go. I just know that…I didn’t survive 37 days out here just to hand the victory to someone else.	”
–Penny

Day 38

Jeff: Come on in guys!

The Final Four arrive at their final immunity challenge, all a bundle of excitement, nerves and smiles.

The challenge arena is small, with just four small tables in the centre of a ring, a few blocks and a ball on each table. Erin is patting her necklace lovingly. Penny is exhaling slowly, calming herself down. Callum looks eager to get to it.

Jeff: Welcome to your final…immunity…challenge.

The four look excited.

Jeff: First things first, Erin, I’m taking it back.

Erin: Not for too long, I hope.

She hands the necklace back.

Jeff: For the last time, immunity is back up for grabs. Today’s challenge is deceptively simple. For today’s challenge, you each have a wooden cylinder that has been cut into several pieces. On my go, you will pick up the first piece using two handles. Your goal is to balance a ball on the centre piece of wood. Every few minutes, we’ll add more pieces, making it harder to balance the ball. If the ball falls off, you’re out of the challenge and your shot at immunity is over. Last person left standing wins immunity, guarantees themselves a spot at the Final Tribal Council where you will get to plead your case about why you deserve a million dollars and the title of Sole Survivor. Losers go to tribal council where one of you will become the 9th and final member of our jury.

Callum whistles.

Jeff: Callum, in the last reward challenge, you won an important reward. You are allowed a second chance in this final immunity challenge. Should you drop the ball, you may replace the ball and start again. However, drop the ball a second time, and you will be out for good.

Erin looks aghast.

“	When I heard about Callum’s advantage, I was shocked. His advantage was huge! The only thing I have left going for me is that Callum is not good at balancing challenges. That’s all I have left to hold on to. If he wins…unless either Aisha or Penny is willing to turn on the other, I’m a goner.	”
–Erin

Jeff: Take your spots, we’ll get started.

Everyone is behind a table.

Jeff: Alright, pick up your handles. Put both sides of the handles against that first piece of wood and pick it up.

Everyone follows suit.

Jeff: 3…2…1…pick it up. This challenge is on.

Everyone looks steady, keeping their ball centered. Callum bites his lip, not wanting to blow this.

Jeff: This challenge could win or cost you a million dollars, and it’s so simple in theory. Just balance a ball – easy.

The wind picks up. The scene cuts to several transitional shots of the castaways keeping their balls balanced and centered on their blocks of wood, to symbolize the passing of time.

ELAPSED TIME: 4 MINUTES 30 SECONDS

Jeff: Everyone still looking solid…30 seconds left…

Erin’s ball moves a little…and settles back in. Penny’s game face is on, her breathing shallow as she grips her handles tightly.

Jeff: 5…4…3…2…1…you are safe. Put your balls down.

Everyone relaxes. Callum wipes sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand.

Jeff: Put two more pieces of wood on either side of your first wooden block. This round will be tougher. Once that’s done, pick up your handles and lift your ball back up.

Slowly, everyone lifts their ball back up. Erin and Penny’s long hair are billowing in the wind as it continues to howl around them. Aisha is gnashing her teeth, focusing on her ball as it starts to move.

Jeff: Aisha, with a little movement…

Penny’s hand trembles slightly.

Jeff: Penny, a little shaky…

She gulps.

Jeff: Erin…looking solid…

Erin’s eyes have not moved from her ball.

Callum’s hands shake a little.

Jeff: Callum starting to wobble…

Without warning, Callum’s ball rolls off its perch and he curses, setting his handles down.

Jeff: Callum drops his ball. Everyone put your balls down, and we will start this round over. Callum is now on his second chance.

Callum spits into the grass, looking pissed. Erin casts him a look, relieved the advantage is no longer in play. Aisha smirks confidently.

Jeff: This is Callum’s one opportunity for a second shot. Everyone, put your handles back on the wood. 5…4…3…2…1…lift them back up.

Everyone lifts their balls back up.

Jeff: Callum’s advantage just saved him…everyone is back on the same playing field. No more second chances…we just go until all but one of you have dropped the ball.

Callum appears to have regained his composure, and his ball is, while moving a little still, steadier than before.

Jeff: Do not have a lapse in concentration…do not stop focusing on the task at hand.

All three girls have not moved a muscle. The veins in Callum’s arms are evident, as he fights to stay in.

Jeff: Callum, exerting a lot of effort, sweating bullets as he tries to stay in the game.

He is breathing in and out slowly, trying to slow his breathing and calm himself down.

Out of the blue, there is the sound of a ball dropping and Aisha is out of the challenge.

Jeff: Oh. Aisha dropped the ball, out of nowhere. Aisha, the first person out of this challenge.

Aisha shakes her head, tossing her blocks down, looking disappointed and bitter.

Aisha: Shocker.

Jeff: We are down to three…

Another five minutes pass…Aisha is bent over her table, leaning on her elbows, scowling at Callum.

Jeff: 5…4…3…2…1…put your balls down. You are safe. We are adding two more blocks.

They add the blocks. Aisha watches them work.

Jeff: 3…2…1…lift them back up. This challenge is back on.

The three of them are staring intensely at their balls, holding their arms and blocks as steady as possible. Erin’s hair is blowing in her face and she tries to ignore it. Penny’s nose twitches, and she blinks.

Jeff: Five blocks now…it’s going to be much more difficult to keep that ball steady.

Callum swallows, looking almost constipated with worry.

Jeff: Aisha can do nothing but watch, and hope that someone takes her to the end tonight.

Erin’s ball starts to waver.

Jeff: Erin’s ball starting to move…

She grunts, trying to return it to its original position.

Jeff: Erin, struggling to recover…

She gets it back under control.

Jeff: And she does. An amazing recovery-

As if waiting for Jeff’s cue, Callum swears as his ball rolls right off, with almost no prior indication of doing so. He groans, looking devastated, dropping his handles and clamping the bridge of his nose with two fingers, stressed out.

Jeff: Just like that, Callum is out. No shot at winning immunity. He had two chances and blew both of them. We are down…to two.

Both girls are steady. Neither take their eyes off their balls.

Jeff: It is Erin…taking on Penny…keep your eyes on the prize…you want this final immunity to ensure you make it to the end. 38 days out here, no one can be certain of where you truly stand.

Erin’s breathing hitches up as her balls begins to move again. Penny’s ball is also now on the move.

Jeff: 30 seconds left…dig deep…just keep it together for 30 more seconds…one of you will walk into Tribal Council tonight completely safe…with a big decision to make on who to sit next to at that Final Tribal Council…

Penny swallows, her eyes following her ball as it moves back and forth, left and right, refusing to stay centered, the extra blocks giving her trouble.

Jeff: 15 seconds…Penny and Erin, battling it out for final immunity…hang in there, girls…even the slightest movement could prove fatal…

Penny licks her chapped lips, her eyes betraying her fear. Erin is moving a little less, and is looking more in control.

Jeff: 5…4…3…

And Penny’s ball rolls off its perch, with seconds left to spare.

Jeff: That’ll do it. Penny’s ball drops. Erin, wins final immunity, guaranteed a spot at the Final Tribal Council!

Erin lets out a huge sigh of relief, dropping her balls and blocks, the color draining from her face as she sinks her head into her shaky hands.

Penny smiles sadly, but nonetheless heads over to hug Erin. Aisha joins in and Callum stays on his own, rolling a ball around in his hand, lonely.

Callum: Good job, Erin.

Erin looks up, with tears in her eyes. Penny tries to be happy for her, but the disappointment is evident on her face.

Jeff: Erin, come on over.

She runs over to him, where he puts the necklace on her. The others clap.

Jeff: Erin, safe at tonight’s tribal council – you have gone as far as you can go, and are guaranteed a spot at the Final Tribal Council tomorrow night where you will plead your case to the jury as to why you are deserving of the title of Sole Survivor and the million dollars that go with it.

He turns to the others.

Jeff: As for the three of you – Callum, Aisha, and Penny – for one of you, the journey is over. After 38 days in the Cayman Islands, one person will become the 9th and final member of the jury. The other two will join you, Erin, at the Final Tribal Council. Big stakes and a big decision to make…you have the afternoon to think about it. I can’t wait to see you guys at tribal tonight. Congrats.

He pats Erin on the shoulder and she heads off to rejoin the others as they set off, returning to camp.

The camera focuses on the crushed look on Callum’s face.

“	Erin won final immunity. I knew she had it in her. As soon as I learned it was a balancing challenge, I knew I was…well, screwed. She’s a tough chick. But it’s not over til it’s over. I still have tricks up my sleeve. Maybe tonight won’t be a foregone conclusion, not if I have anything to say about it.	”
–Callum

Back at camp…

Erin hangs her necklace up, looking misty-eyed, overjoyed at having won it for the last time.

“	I cannot believe I’ve done it. Even with his advantage, Callum still lost, and it was down to me and Penny, and I thought, ‘I could actually pull this off’. I really thought Callum was going to win that…even knowing balancing was not his forte. I just…wow. I’m speechless. [laughs] After all the paranoia and the messy votes and the strategizing and the gameplay and the politics and the heat and the horrible conditions, I’ve finally pushed through it all and made it this far. And it’s just really emotional for me…I never dreamed I would make it to Day 39. Now, it’s only a few hours away. But I haven’t won yet. I still have one decision to make. Who do I want to sit next to at that Final Tribal Council?	”
–Erin

Callum: You girls have your talk. I’m going to go drown myself.

He strolls to the water’s edge. Aisha smirks, glaring at his back.

Aisha: I can’t wait to send him home.

Erin sits in the shelter, and is startled to find Penny crying.

Erin: Penny? What’s wrong?

Penny: [sniff] I’m sorry, I just…[sniff] I’m getting caught up in my emotions, I…I just…

She sobs.

Penny: I’m just so overwhelmed, I guess…we’ve been out here for so long-

Erin: I know…

Aisha: Penny…

Penny: I’m sorry, you guys…[sniff]

“	[sob] I think I’m going to lose this game…because [sniff] b-because Callum is right…[sob]. Everyone [sniff] respects Erin and [sob] they’ll vote for her to win and I- [sob] I don’t stand a chance going up against her. [sob] I didn’t want her to win! I was so close to [hic] to beating her! Me and Callum’s plans just went out the window.	”
–Penny

Erin hugs Penny tightly, and Aisha joins in.

Erin: There, there.

Penny: I [sob] I really wanted to win that [sob]…

“	We get back to camp, and Penny just…bursts into tears. I feel bad for her, but at the same time, I was so taken aback and it was so…odd.	”
–Erin

Penny: I just [hic] wanted to see Elmer and [sniff] Terrence’s faces if I’d walked in there tonight with [sniff] with immunity around my neck.

She wipes away her tears, her eyes red and bloodshot.

Aisha: It’s okay. We’re sending Callum’s crusty ass outta here tonight, and us three girls are going to be here tomorrow morning, enjoying that Day 39 feast.

Penny laughs through her tears, and Aisha pats her on the head.

Aisha: No debate. Callum’s going home, and I can’t wait to see his face.

An hour later, and Penny has fallen asleep. Aisha is hacking open a coconut, thirsty, and Callum is in the sand, beckoning to Erin, who comes up to him.

Callum: Listen…I know it looks bad for me right now.

Erin: Mhm.

Callum: But, will you at least hear me out and hear what I have to say?

Erin squats down.

Erin: You know my style of play, Callum. I never turn down an option. I’m ready to listen.

Callum: Okay.

He clears his throat.

Callum: I think you’re going to have an easy time beating me. I think you’re going to have an easy time beating Aisha.

He pauses for dramatic effect.

Callum: But I do not think you’re going to have an easy time beating Penny.

Erin: And why do you say that?

Callum: Well, firstly, other than Brett and Peter, everyone on the jury HATES my guts. You know it’s true.

Erin doesn’t reply.

Callum: Ingrid hates me. Mitzi dislikes me for helping blindside her. Darnell doesn’t know me. Oberon and Elmer and Terrence? Please. They’ll definitely vote for you over me. Can you think of any scenario in which any of them would vote for me over you? Any scenario at all? Elmer and Oberon and Terrence are absolutely voting for you over me. Ingrid is never going to vote for me or Aisha, she is a locked vote for you. And Mitzi will never vote a guy; she will vote for a girl.

Erin: What’s your point?

Callum: Penny is going to snatch more jury votes than I will. I’m hated by lots of them, but she has played a social game. Think about it. Elmer and Oberon and Terrence are never voting for me, but they could and very likely will vote for Penny.

Erin: Elmer’s a gamer. You think he’ll respect Penny’s game enough to vote for her.

Callum: Yes. I do. She’s been smart, staying under the radar so she’s never been targeted as heavily as you have. She’s been social. And let’s be real here. She obviously has hanky panky going on with not just Elmer, not just Terrence, but both of them. That’s two votes that are more likely to go to her than they ever will go to me. And if Elmer and Terrence are voting for Penny, Oberon is very likely to just join them, and so would Ingrid. And if I go home tonight, I can easily get Brett and Peter to vote her as well.

Erin betrays no expression.

Aisha looks up and sees them talking.

Callum: Elmer, Oberon, Terrence and possibly Ingrid – they’re not voting for me. But they can vote for Penny. If you take me to the end, that’s four locked votes for you. If you take Penny to the end, they’re not locked votes, only potential votes, and the chances of Penny using her relationships with both Elmer and Terrence to get those votes are very high.

“	I was going to use Penny to help me vote off Erin. But, with Erin safe AGAIN, I only have two options – to get Erin to target Aisha or Penny. As much as Aisha and I hate each other, I can think of no reason to get Erin to turn on Aisha, but I might stand a chance throwing Penny under the bus. It’s my only hope.	”
–Callum

Callum: Think about it. Oh, and just so you know, Penny was going to vote against you.

Erin: What?

Callum: She was ready and willing to vote you off tonight if you hadn’t won. Look me in the eyes. I’m not [censored] you.

Erin and Callum maintain eye contact.

Callum: I know she’s your friend. I know you girls are tight. But we started on the same tribe too, Erin. Me and Peter kept you safe from Natalia, you could’ve gone home fourth. Now that you’re here, all I ask is that you consider what I’m saying, realize that I have a point and that Penny is right now your biggest competitor at that Final Tribal Council, and then pay me back and keep me safe.

Erin: Aisha is never going to vote Penny over you. She loves Penny and she hates you.

Callum: Tie the vote. You won’t suffer any ramifications. If I lose the tiebreaker, which I highly doubt, you’ve not only earned my respect and my vote, I’ll lock in Brett and Peter for you. If I win the tiebreaker, the bigger threat in Penny goes home regardless. It’s a win-win.

Erin: You do realize you’re asking me to betray one of my closest allies on the second-last day of the game?

Callum: She would’ve done the same, Erin. Matter of fact, she was going to do exactly the same thing tonight, if you had dropped your ball before hers. Think about that. You came this close to going home because of her.

“	Much as I hate to admit it…this is the most sense Callum has made in the entire time I’ve known him. Penny…is a bigger threat than he is. She’s won immunities, he hasn’t. She’s played a good social game, he hasn’t. She has more friends on the jury than he has, he has more enemies. I can’t believe I’m only now realize this when the evidence is practically screaming in my face how much more of a threat Penny is than Callum. It would explain why she was crying if she really had been counting on me losing today’s challenge. And hearing that she was about to betray me, without remorse, after all we’d been through…it honestly hurts.	”
–Erin

Aisha nudges Penny awake.

Penny: [yawn] W-what?

Aisha: Callum’s scrambling.

Penny pulls her buff over her face, blinking stupidly.

Penny: Huh?

Aisha: He was talking to Erin for a while. He’s probably throwing one of us two under the bus, and I’m betting it’s me just cause he hates me.

She snorts.

Aisha: Feeling’s mutual. Can’t wait for us to write each other’s names down.

Penny turns to see Callum and Erin close to each other, and looks concerned.

“	Callum is up to no good. He has to scramble because he is going home tonight unless the game is shaken up. He can only vote for me or Aisha, and while I can see why their personal feud would cause them to target each other, I also have a sinking fear that he might be talking smack about me.	”
–Penny

Erin returns to the girls.

Aisha: What’d he say?

Erin: Hmm?

Aisha: Callum. Probably trash talking me, right?

Erin: A little, I guess.

Penny: Did he tell you he was going to vote one of us?

Erin: He has no choice. He can only vote for one of you two.

Aisha: It’s totally me. He detests me, he hates the very sight of me.

Penny is unconvinced.

Penny: What did he say…exactly?

Erin shrugs.

Erin: He was throwing…like, he was throwing both of you under the bus. He was spitballing.

“	I’m really worried because I told…I told Callum I’d be down for voting for Erin. And that might cause her to lose trust in me if she believes that. I’m one day away from the Final Tribal Council and I am not going home now because of Callum frikkin’ Paisley! [sob] I want to be there at Day 39 so bad!	”
–Penny

Penny sits up.

Penny: Don’t trust him!

Erin: Penny, I-

Penny: Let’s just not go crazy, please? Please, can we just vote him off and be done with it? I can’t take this paranoia anymore, it’s driving me up the wall.

She sobs, looking distraught. Erin raises an eyebrow, looking conflicted.

Erin: Penny, relax-

Penny: I’m sorry, I’m…I’m fine.

“	Penny is freaking out and I think she’s guessed what Callum’s been telling me. If anything, it confirms that everything he’s said is true. She may be emotionally fragile, but she was going to vote me out tonight. I feel betrayed, Penny. She was willing to do it to me first…so what’s stopping me from doing the same? Because ultimately Callum is right. She is the bigger threat. She can get more jury votes than Callum ever would. The only thing stopping me…it’s similar as it was with Terrence. I don’t want to vote her off even though my gut right now is telling me that it’s better to vote her off than Callum.	”
–Erin

Penny stalks off, wiping her tearstained cheeks.

Aisha looks confused.

Aisha: What?

Erin: Callum wants to vote Penny.

Aisha: Are you serious?

Erin nods.

Erin: She’s played a very good social game, she’s got Elmer and Terrence wrapped around her thumb. They’re two potentially locked votes for her, and they could sway Oberon and Ingrid to join them-

Aisha: You’re not seriously thinking of voting her out, are you? You want to listen to Callum?

Erin: Callum is only likely to get two jury votes – Brett and Peter. And even then, that’s a big ‘IF’. Both Brett and Peter are fans and players of this game, they may not respect Callum’s lackluster gameplay.

Aisha: What about Penny?

Erin: She’s built bonds with both Elmer and Terrence that go beyond friendship like Callum has with Brett and Peter. If those two boys sway Oberon’s and Ingrid’s votes-

Aisha: This is nuts. You can’t change the plan now. Erin!

Erin: I’m sorry, I’m just…I don’t want to make the wrong move and regret it. I want to…make sure I’m clear on what’s happening tonight.

Aisha: He’s just messing with your head. Forget what he said and let’s just vote him out. Done.

She claps her hands together and the subject is closed. But Erin is still deliberating.

“	Penny has strong connections on the jury – stronger connections than any that Callum has. Callum has pissed people off to the point that they’d never in a million years vote for him. Ingrid, Elmer, Oberon and Terrence are never voting for Callum. So I have four locked votes if I’m with Callum and Aisha. I’ll have a much easier go at it if I bring Callum to the end. Whereas Penny…she has played a good social game, one that I’d overlooked because of her constant crying. Where there’s enmity between jurors and Callum, there is friendship and likeability between them and Penny. She has played a better game than I gave her credit for, and therein lies my dilemma. I broke my word just last tribal and I feel horrible for even considering it again. I don’t know what to do.	”
–Erin

Within seconds, night has fallen, and the four lone torches light up the darkness as the Final Four make their way to the familiar Tribal Council, and take their seats. Callum sinks down to his seat far from Aisha, his lanky legs spread out in front of him, looking cocky as usual. Penny is taking her seat in a more somber mood, shaky and nervous. Erin sits in between them.

Jeff: We’ll now bring in the members of our jury. Darnell, Ingrid, Mitzi, Brett, Oberon, Elmer, Peter and Terrence, voted out at the last tribal council.

Terrence arrives and sits down, dressed in a new green hoodie and cap, shredded jeans and red sneakers. He smiles at Penny, who forces a smile back. Erin notices the gesture.

Jeff: Alright, after 38 days, tonight, it all comes down to this. Four of you left in the game, only three of you will live to see tomorrow. So, Erin, with immunity around your neck, you have a big decision to make and a lot of power on your hands. Is this going to be a straightforward decision or is there more to take into consideration?

Erin: Um…I’m thinking ahead to tomorrow…to envision who I’d most like to sit next to at the end. I’m making sure I leave all my options open.

Penny looks like she’s just been stabbed in the heart. Callum is frowning.

Jeff: Callum, you won an advantage and you still lost the immunity challenge. That has to feel sour.

Callum: Yeah, it definitely was. I feel like…I was waiting for that one challenge I could excel in. I won that challenge, I won the reward but…it was pointless.

Jeff: Do you feel like you’re going home tonight?

Callum: I think the chances are high but I’ve been selling my pitch the whole day. If it falls on deaf ears, so be it, but I’ve made my case.

Erin is biting her fingernails. Penny licks her lips. Aisha is rolling her eyes at Callum.

Jeff: Penny, if you had lasted just a couple seconds more in today’s challenge, you might have won. Does that thought haunt you?

Penny: It does, yeah.

She sniffs.

Penny: Not just the challenge, but, all day, I’ve been feeling really paranoid.

Jeff: Why is that?

Penny: Because I believe Callum is throwing my name around.

Callum pretends not to hear her.

Jeff: Well, there’s only two names he can throw out – you or Aisha.

Penny: Right.

Callum: See, we can just…get this out in the open.

Erin turns to look at him.

Callum: Penny, you’re a sweet girl, and I think you’ve played a very good social game.

Darnell raises an eyebrow.

Callum: There are plenty of people on that jury who like you and hate me. You are…a much bigger threat tomorrow than I will be.

Penny is starting to tear up.

Penny: Well I’m…[sniff] I’m flattered, I guess, that you think that way but…

She clears her throat.

Penny: I don’t appreciate you throwing my name out there like that-

Callum is flabbergasted.

Callum: Well, I had to! I had no choice but to scramble because it’s either you or me tonight!

Aisha sighs, massaging her temples.

Callum: It just boggles my mind. I’m unpopular with the jury. Penny has a high chance of securing several votes. Yet there’s still a discussion on who’s the bigger threat. She has been under the radar this whole time but she’s played smart and she’s played social. Never mind the fact that she’s cried eighteen times a day, she’s still more likeable than I am and ever will be. Erin, c’mon. At least tie this vote up, and we can go at it. Let’s spice up this finale, and have one of us leave this game with a bang.

He throws his hands up in the air. Penny is putting her head in her hands and crying again. Erin looks serious.

Callum: I like causing chaos, so let’s do it! Let’s have a fiery vote tonight, if you know what I mean.

Penny: Erin, can we please just not listen to him-

Callum: I’m calling you out. Yesterday, you told me that you were willing to write Erin’s name down tonight if she hadn’t won immunity.

Penny: That’s not true!

Callum: It is. Look at how flustered she’s getting-

Penny: Because you’re blatantly lying!

Callum: You decide if she’s telling the truth or not, Erin.

Penny: I’m not lying!

Callum: The reality of the situation is, the jury likes her and they don’t like me. Make your own choice who you want to send home tonight, Erin, and if you make the mistake that I’ve been warning you about the whole day, then, just know that you had the chance to make things right. Don’t regret it when it turns out I was right all along.

Penny has her head in her hands, blocking Callum out. Erin looks perturbed.

Jeff: Wow.

Callum grins, throwing his hands up in the air.

Callum: Hey, I have to give it my all. You bring Penny to the end tomorrow and you’re going to have a rough go at it. You bring me and Aisha and it’s a guaranteed million bucks. At the very least, tie the vote up, let’s have an exciting tiebreaker and end off the season. It’s your choice.

Aisha meets Erin’s eye and shakes her head subtly.

Jeff: Alright, well, tonight, for one of you, the game is up. For the last time, it is time to vote. Callum, you’re up.

The music kicks in, ominous and foreboding, as Callum gets to his feet and walks past the jury. Terrence watches him go, disapproving. Brett turns to Darnell, and mouths a ‘Wow’. Peter is smirking by himself.

“	I’m sorry I made you cry, but I stand by every word I said.	”
–Callum, voting for Penny

Aisha gets up to vote. Erin is staring straight ahead, not meeting anyone’s eyes, lost in her own thoughts.

“	This vote has been several weeks in the making, and it’s finally here. See ya, not gonna miss ya.	”
–Aisha, voting for Callum

Penny solemnly begins writing Callum’s name down on her parchment, sniffling.

At long last, Erin is up. She sighs and uncaps the pen. Soon, she is back.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

He leaves.

The jurors are all looking at each other excitedly. Penny takes a deep breath, still looking teary, casting a reproachful look at Erin. Callum cricks his neck, looking at Penny with a sly expression on his face.

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

He takes out the first vote. Aisha gives Erin a wary look. Penny looks like she is about to cry again. Elmer gives her a look of concern.

Jeff: First vote… Callum.

Callum blinks, watching his name get read with little emotion.

Jeff: Penny. One vote Penny, one vote Callum.

Penny nods miserably. Aisha watches the votes being read with a hard gaze.

Jeff: Callum. That’s two votes Callum, one vote Penny, one vote left.

Penny is taking deep, shaky breaths. Callum has his hands clasped before him as if in prayer, anxiously squinting his eyes and waiting with bated breath.

Jeff flips over the final vote.

Jeff: Penny. We are tied.

Penny sinks her head back into her hands, sniffling. Callum is reeling backwards, disbelieving, as if bracing himself for what’s to come. The jurors are exchanging shocked expressions. Darnell is rolling his eyes and shaking his head, breaking out into a half-smile.

Darnell: [whisper] She’s done for.

Ingrid: [whisper] Don’t discount her. She’s tougher than she looks.

Penny and Aisha shoot looks at each other, as Erin sits with her fingers intertwined, reflecting on her choice.

The scene fades to black, and when we return, Callum and Penny are both seated at two separate firemaking stations.

Jeff: Here’s how this’ll work. Both of you each have a firemaking kit, flint and steel, kinding – everything you might need to make a fire. You have to make a fire from the base of your firemaking station and the first person to build a flame high enough to burn through the rope lives to see another day in this game. The loser will become the 9th and final member of our jury.

Callum is rubbing his hands together, prepping himself for the challenge. Penny looks downcast, and very frightened, pale and staring down sadly at her tools.

Jeff: Ready? This challenge is on.

Both Callum and Penny reach down to start grabbing their tools.

Jeff: After 38 days out here in the wilderness, both of you should know by now how to make and maintain a proper fire.

Penny’s lip and hands are trembling as she works on building the base of her fire. Callum is moving much quicker and also with a lot more gusto, throwing his tools down and getting to his feet, as he works on the flint.

Sparks fly as he strikes the flint and steel together. Penny is gathering her kindling, and doing the same, albeit with less exertion.

Jeff: Callum, quickly shaving magnesium.

The music is becoming more intense as both castaways get to work.

Jeff: You would have done this countless times before, to cook food, boil water and stay warm. This should not be anything new.

Penny brushes her hair away from her eyes, looking nervous.

Jeff: After all the effort you’ve put into this game, it comes down to this one moment, fighting to start a fire faster than the other person. One of you will join Erin and Aisha at the Final Tribal Council…the other is out and will become the final member of our jury.

Callum and Penny are working hard to try and get sparks going.

Terrence is putting his hands over his mouth, looking worried. Darnell is leaning back, entertained. Peter is watching Callum and nodding with encouragement.

Jeff: Penny trying to get something going…

Penny is wincing as her hands are getting sore. Callum is working furiously, with little patience, and gets a small spark going.

Jeff: Callum, with a small spark.

He bends down and blows on it gently, trying to rekindle the flame and make it grow. It starts to glow brighter.

Jeff: Callum with a small flame…

Penny looks over, the frantic worry clear in her eyes. Terrence’s frown deepens. Peter is nodding to himself.

Callum is adding kindling to the fire, trying to keep it going. It continues to burn.

Jeff: Callum trying to make sure his fire stays alive…Penny, rushing to catch up.

Penny is not giving up, still using her flint and steel to try and get something going, with little success.

Aisha looks frustrated, watching Callum getting better and Penny getting worse.

Jeff: Callum is doing a decent job maintain his fire. Penny trying to nurture a small flame…

Penny furiously blows at a tiny spark.

Jeff: …but it goes out.

Callum’s fire is now starting to grow in intensity.

Jeff: Callum’s fire is getting bigger.

Erin bites her lip, looking on with a nervous expression. Aisha is clearly rooting Penny on. Elmer is resting his chin on his fist, watching as Penny fights to get any sort of flame going.

Jeff: And bigger…

Callum’s flames are now starting to shoot upward, licking the rope. He continues to add fuel to the fire, throwing in sticks and anything from his toolkit that will burn, feeding his flames. Penny glances at him worriedly, turning back and rashly trying to get anything going.

Aisha sighs openly.

Jeff: And bigger still. Callum’s flame is close, but will it be enough?

Penny gets a small spark.

Jeff: Penny with a small flame. Can she maintain it?

It goes out.

Jeff: Callum is very close to seeing Day 39…Penny very close to becoming the 9th member of the jury.

Penny chokes back a sob. Callum is still adding to his fire.

Jeff: Callum’s flame is getting closer and closer to the rope…this match could be over within seconds…

Penny is more and more flustered, watching her game possibly go up in smoke right next to her. Callum continues to feed his flame, as it licks the underside of his rope. It begins to burn…

Jeff: Callum’s rope is burning…

Peter is nodding eagerly, rooting Callum on. Elmer shakes his head. Darnell smirks.

Jeff: This could be as far as it goes for Penny.

And as Callum’s flames continue to surge upward, his rope burns through, and a tiny flag shoots up at his station.

Callum: Yes!

He slams the station with his fist, elated.

Jeff: And there it is. Callum survives Tribal Council and will live to see Day 39!

Callum: Woo!

He pants, putting his head in his hands, shaking from head to toe.

Callum: Oh man…

Penny drops her tools sadly on her table, looking heartbroken. She stifles a sob as Callum gets to his feet and takes her hand, giving her a small hug.

Callum: I’m sorry, Penny.

She sniffs and ignores him. They take their seats.

Peter is grinning from ear to ear. Terrence shares a look with Oberon. Elmer looks on, solemn.

Jeff: Callum, congratulations.

Callum puts a hand to his chest, with a huge smile on his face.

Callum: Thank you, Jeff.

Jeff: You will live to see another day in this game. You are part of the Final Three, alongside Erin and Aisha.

He turns to Penny.

Jeff: Penny – after 38 tiresome days out here…how does it feel?

Penny already has tears rolling down her cheeks, shaking her head. Her voice comes out as a soft, choke of a whisper.

Penny: I wanted [sniff]…to make it to the end [sniff]…so badly…

She breaks down again. The music turns melancholy, more sad and sorrowful.

Penny: I just [sniff] I came so close…I didn’t want to go home today…

She uses her buff to mop her face, sniffling incoherently.

Penny: I wanted to [hic] prove to myself that…I could do it. That I [sniff] I had it in me…

Erin sinks her head into her hands, unable to look at Penny. Callum puts his arm around her in a consoling gesture.

Jeff: Penny, unfortunately for you, after 38 long, ardurous days, you will not get to see Day 39. Your time in this game has come to an end. You are the 15th person voted out of this game and the 9th and final member of the jury. You need to bring me your torch.

Penny gets up to go, still weeping, wiping the tears from her face, her chest heaving up and down with shaky breaths. Sobs wracking her body, she slings her bag over her back and leaves.

Erin lets out a long breath, looking upset. Aisha looks down, not meeting anyone’s gaze.

Darnell turns to Brett.

Darnell: [whisper] Wow.

Elmer and Terrence share a knowing look.

Callum pulls Erin to his side, kissing her on the cheek, triumphant.

Callum: Thank you.

Erin nods, not looking up at him.

Penny sets her torch down before Probst.

Jeff: Penny, after 38 days, your tribe has spoken.

He snuffs her torch.

Jeff: Time for you to go.

She leaves, still crying, wiping her eyes with both hands.

Erin watches her go, biting her lower lip. Aisha is unhappy, seeing Penny leave. Callum is still disbelieving, patting Erin’s thigh in gratitude.

Jeff: Erin, Aisha, and Callum – after 38 days out here, it has come down to the three of you. You have gone as far as you can go in this game and have outlasted 15 other people, and tomorrow night, the power will shift to the jury – 9 people who you had a hand directly or indirectly in voting out will then in turn decide your fate in this game and who they feel is most deserving of the million dollar prize and the title of Sole Survivor. You have one last night left here in the Cayman Islands. Head back to camp and get some sleep, because you will need it. Goodnight.

Tribal Council

Tribal Council #15: Alius Diversus
Voted Against	Voter	Tiebreaker Result
Penny (2 votes)	Callum, Erin	Lost
Callum (2 votes)	Aisha, Penny	Won
VOTED OFF: Penny Looper

Voting Confessionals

“	I’m sorry Penny.	”
–Erin, voting for Penny

Final Words

“	[sobbing] I can’t believe that I [hic] I didn’t make it to Day 39! [sob] I came so close…[sniff] and to get cut loose this close to the end, just one day away…[sob] I just don’t believe it…[breaks down into more tears] I could have gone home first and yet here I am…the last person out of this game…[sniff] No matter what happened…I had the most amazing time out here [sniff] I just wish I’d made it to the end…I wanted to be there so badly…and I’m heartbroken right now.	”
–Penny

Still in the Running

Las Tortugas
Cindy	Penny	Wilkes	Elmer	Mitch	Darnell
Los Lagartos
Aisha	Mitzi	Ingrid	Aidan	Oberon	Terrence
Las Caimanes
Erin	Natalia	Yvonne	Brett	Callum	Peter

Story

Night 38

The finale continues with the Final Three returning to camp. Callum slides into the shelter, looking more tired than ever.

Callum: Wow…that was something else.

He laughs, inspecting his fingers.

Callum: I got a little burned. Chalk another injury up on the board.

“	I just beat Penny in a firemaking tiebreaker…to secure my position in the game. I cannot believe that…I’m still here. [shake his head in awe] I owe that to Erin. I guess old tribe bonds do run deep. She saved me. I wouldn't be here if not for her.	”
–Callum

Aisha is still dumbfounded.

Aisha: I…wish that hadn’t happened.

Erin is sitting in the shelter, looking into the fire, her eyes glassy and shoulders slumped.

Aisha: Penny really wanted to make it to the end…she really thought she would.

Erin: Up until a few hours ago, she was going to. I just…I made my decision, right or wrong.

Aisha shakes her head.

Aisha: You know where I stand.

“	Even on Night 38, crazy [censored] still went down. The mood was very solemn when we returned to camp. It just felt wrong to have made Penny break down like that. That’s how I felt about it. I voted Callum, because I hate him, and because I thought us three girls had a pact. Three girls, all from a different tribe – I thought we had a really strong bond. But Erin never stopped strategizing, even with a necklace of safety around her neck.	”
–Aisha

Callum: All I want to say is…thank you, Erin. You have a really strong case at the end.

He thinks it over.

Callum: Unless they think you’ve been cocky or indecisive.

Aisha: The only person cocky around here is you, Callum. You and Peter are two peas in a pod.

Erin: I know that…you’re getting Peter’s vote for sure. I don’t know about Brett…and Penny, well…

She turns to Aisha.

Erin: She’s probably voting for you. She was emotional to begin with and fresh out of the game, it’ll be harder for her to make an unbiased judgment.

“	I had to make a very tough call between Penny and Callum tonight and I chose to vote out one of my closest allies. Was it a bad decision? I won’t know. What I do know is that she was more liked than Callum was, and that’s what I based my choice on. Watching her go up against Callum was hard for me to watch. I can tell she was brokenhearted by my decision…and I know Aisha didn’t approve either. [sigh] I just hope I made the right choice.	”
–Erin

Callum: Well, good luck tomorrow, guys. They’re going to grill us, and I’m not even prepared with my speech!

Day 39

Happy ukulele music plays in the background, as the castaways awaken to a beautiful orange sunset, a fitting way to start their last day on the island.

Callum is making his way up the beach, two basketfuls of food clutched under each arm. Erin and Aisha cheer as he sets the baskets of food down, and the three of them converge on the food.

Aisha: Day 39 breakfast! Woo!

“	To make it to Day 39 in arguably what is one of the most toughest games in reality television…it’s a huge honor. I feel amazed, I feel so proud of myself and to get to be a part of this monumental feast, even if it’s with the likes of Callum, I…it is by far one of the greatest moments of my life, by far, and a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life, just knowing how tough this journey has been for me, for all of us.	”
–Aisha

Callum is putting bacon on the pan and watching it sizzle and crackle as he cooks it. Erin is pouring champagne in three flutes and handing them out, toasting each of them separately.

Callum: This is the best breakfast I’ve had in a really long time.

Erin: You said it, man.

“	Brett and Peter may have fallen before me, but they’re here in spirit, as far as I’m concerned. I’m enjoying this feast for them. I’m looking forward to tonight. Yes, I’m sure I’m going to be grilled far worse than what I’m giving my strips of bacon. But…I don’t care. I don’t care if people see me as a villain. I’m just so…elated to have made it this far. It was a bumpy ride, with its highs and lows but…I made it all 39 days. Me, of all people. It was the most awesome 39 day journey I’ve had so far, and this’ll be one for the books.	”
–Callum

Erin: Let’s, you know, put aside our grievances in the past and just…enjoy this day. It’s our last day on the island. Let’s bask in it, and to that, I propose a toast…to this Final Three, and to our last day on Survivor.

She raises her glass, and Callum and Aisha both clink theirs to hers.

Callum: Aye.

Aisha: To Survivor.

“	Being here on Day 39 is…a big accomplishment for me. When I started out in this game, it still seemed like an impossible dream. It was crazy enough to have made it on the show in the first place but then to make it as far as you can go…it is HUGE. I feel like ever since Mitzi left, I gained this new confidence in myself, and it gave me the strength I needed to do all that I did. The days back on Las Caimanes seem so long ago, and it’s been such a wild ride. I can’t wait to wrap this season up with a nice bow and end it on a high note.	”
–Erin

Hours pass, and with the sun now setting, the Final Three gather up their things and leave their old camp behind, heading down the beach, all in a grave and solemn mood, ready and prepared for that night’s Final Tribal Council.

Life at Ponderosa #8 & #9

Life at Ponderosa #8: Terrence

Terrence is resting against the side of a ping pong table, a cup of hot chocolate in one hand, dressed in a baggy blue t-shirt, silver shorts and Crocs.

Terrence: [laughs] Uh…I’m Terrence and this is my Ponderosa video.

The clip of Terrence having his torch snuffed is again played, and the scene picks up from that night’s events.

Terrence is heading down the trail to the truck that will take him to Ponderosa, looking glum.

Terrence: Ah, i-it’s- it’s sorta like…I went in there tonight, knowing that…I can’t explain it, I just knew…that it’d be me going home. As much as I pleaded my case to Erin to just keep me around one more tribal, I could sense she wasn’t taking the risk. She knew I was a threat to her game. I – honestly – I may seem fine to you now, but…I do feel like crying, a little, on the inside. Just knowing that I came that close and yet still didn’t make it…it’s rough.

He continues walking.

Terrence: I still made it so much further than I thought I would. I was in trouble a lot, before the swap, and then early on in the merge, but I ended up outlasting a lot of my allies and a lot of my enemies too. People underestimated me until it was too late.

He gets on the back of the truck.

Terrence: I think that…Erin is playing a good game, definitely. But she shouldn’t discount Callum or Penny. Both of them, I believe, were getting ready to vote her out tonight if…she hadn’t won that immunity. Callum may be boorish and abrasive and very tactless, sorta like a…Discount Peter, if you will…but like his friend Peter, he is also an aggressive player. I didn’t think that of him until I saw him have to play his own individual game today, without being governed by Brett or Peter. He pulled out all the stocks. If he were to win, it’d be a Villainous Victory. Penny, on the other hand, well…you know our complicated relationship; her and I and then there’s Elmer too.

He waves it off.

Terrence: It was just a fling. She probably prefers Elmer anyway. I think she’s done a good job socially even though she is not perceived as a very strong strategic player because of her…well, her emotional…fragility. She doesn’t have outbursts like Mitzi but she does…she is…well, just…I don’t know how to say it without sounding mean. [laughs] You get the idea. Guys like Brett and Peter probably don’t respect Penny’s style of play which means trouble for her garnering their jury votes.

The truck arrives at Ponderosa, and Terrence is greeted by a large welcome wagon of his friends, as Ingrid, Oberon, Elmer and Darnell all swarm him.

Terrence: Hey guys. Sorry I couldn’t pull it out-

Oberon: You did fine, buddy. You made it as far as you could’ve.

“	Terrence came into Ponderosa, and he got a very positive reception from us, obviously, because we all liked him. He was just a great guy and no one - except Mitzi being petty and Peter being bitter - had anything bad to say about him.	”
–Elmer

Terrence is sitting down at the dinner table with the jurors, looking starved.

Terrence: I’m so excited! And hungry! I can’t wait to eat!

Peter: I guess this sorta proves we should have taken Erin out last tribal, huh?

Oberon: Lay off, Peter.

Peter: There is no honor or integrity in this game.

Ingrid: That’s just how you see it, Peter.

Peter gets up and leaves.

Mitzi: Ignore him. He even gets on MY nerves.

Terrence wolfs down his food, as the others talk.

Elmer: Looking forward to being on the jury, pal?

Terrence: Definitely. And with all of you! This is awesome. I’m glad to have lasted as long as I did but I also wish we could have more time to hang out here.

Darnell: Well, us four – I’m sorry, five – have about…two to three days, I think? I challenge you all to a big game of poker.

Ingrid groans.

Ingrid: Of course you do, Darnell. You play those cards for a living. You’ll crush us all!

“	It feels good to be back with my friends on Ponderosa. As much as I would like to be back in the game and be in the running for the grand prize…I’m glad that I got something else out of this crazy journey and it was all the new friendships I forged. That to me, plus the experience itself, was worth it.	”
–Terrence

Life at Ponderosa #9: Penny

Penny is sitting on a deck chair, dangling her feet in the pool, dressed in a salmon-colored flowery dress, white yoga pants and pink-framed sunglasses.

Penny: This is Penny Looper from Survivor: Cayman Islands and this is my Ponderosa!

The clip of Penny getting her torch snuffed, crying all the way, is shown, and the Ponderosa segment continues from there.

Penny is still sniffling to herself, walking down the same path Terrence took two nights back, visibly shaken.

Penny: I just…I really did not see that coming. I mean, on a tribe of only four people, I knew Callum was writing either mine or Aisha’s name down. And when he confirmed it…and Erin turned on me…it was…the absolute worst feeling in the world. What I just went through…was a nightmare. That was even worse than my first six days out here dealing with Wilkes. I just…I felt awful.

She sighs.

Penny: Enough with the crying. I get it. I know I’m an emotional trainwreck. I want to get it together. I made it to the jury, I’m the last jury member. I think that’s…a perfect ending to my story. I could’ve gone home first…and yet here I am. I want to take it in stride and be happy with what I have completed.

She climbs into the truck and sits, resting her head on the wall of the truck, looking listless and depressed.

Penny: I just want to get some food in me…hug Elmer and Terrence…and forget about what I just went through. I never started a fire but my fingers do hurt.

The truck deposits Penny at Ponderosa, where Elmer is the first to greet her, wrapping her up in a big hug even as she starts sobbing at the sight of him.

Elmer: There, there, Penny.

Penny: [incoherent babble] I just…wanted to win it for you…

Elmer: It’s okay. You did your best.

“	Penny comes into Ponderosa and she is a mess. I love the girl, but, she was a wreck. It was waterworks all over the place, which I should be used to. I know she can be tough when she tries her hardest to be, but, 38 days or so out here and she gets taken out that close to the end? That big of a blow would take a toll on just about anyone.	”
–Elmer

Terrence heads over too and is patting a crying Penny on the back.

Elmer: Remember, it’s just a game. You still did amazing, so don’t feel too bad.

Elmer leads Penny into the banquet hall, where Darnell is waiting.

Penny: Oh no. You’re not [sob] mad at me, are you?

Darnell: The thing about being voted out so long ago is that time heals all wounds. I’m still aching, but, at least I’m here to be able to be a part of this jury. So we’ll let bygones be bygones.

“	I was so…scared that Darnell would still harbor a grudge against me, after I got him out. [laughs] I came after him with the same ferocity that I came after Wilkes with. But thankfully, and hopefully…it’ll just be water under the bridge.	”
–Penny

Mitzi arrives and gives Penny a warm hug.

Mitzi: Hey girl.

Penny: Hey. [sniff] I…

Mitzi: Don’t talk. Alright? Tonight, just eat, and relax.

She leads Penny straight to the dessert table, and shows her a huge array of ice cream.

Mitzi: Ice cream always makes me feel better.

The scene fades to black, and returning, it is morning time, and Penny and Terrence are talking over breakfast.

Penny: You’re not mad at me for voting you out, are you?

Terrence: Oh, no, not at all. People like Darnell and Mitzi and Peter hold grudges, I’m not that kind of guy.

Penny: That’s really sweet, Terrence. Thank you.

Terrence: Were you…really going to try and vote Erin that night, if she hadn’t won?

Penny: Yeah…

Terrence chuckles.

Terrence: Playing to win…I like that.

“	Yeah, being voted out sucks…just ask any one of the 15 of us who’ve been through it. But…I’m here with friends now. I’m only spending one or two days with them before the season’s over, but…I intend on having fun while I’m here at Ponderosa for this short period of time, readjusting now that the game’s over. My adventure out here was very poetic. People pegged me as a weakling early on and yet I’ve outlasted so many of them, and…while I had a lot of miserable moments…that’s how I’ve grown. What doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger. [laughs]	”
–Penny

Final Tribal Council

The Final Three arrive at the Tribal Council for the last time of the season.

Jeff: We’ll now bring in the members of our jury. Darnell, Ingrid, Mitzi, Brett, Oberon, Elmer, Peter, Terrence and Penny, voted out at the last tribal council.

Penny takes her seat, dressed in a long pink dress that touches her ankles, and high heels, with her red hair tied back in a ponytail, and lipstick, eyeliner and blush on.

Aisha nods at her, with a slight smile.

Jeff: Well, Erin, Aisha, Callum, you’ve gone as far as you can go in this game, and tonight, the power now shifts to the jury. 9 people who you’ve had a hand in voting out will now decide who they feel is deserving of the million dollar prize. This is your opportunity to plead your case as to why your game is more deserving of the title of Sole Survivor than the two people sitting next to you.

He turns to the jury.

Jeff: As for you guys on the jury, for the first time, you will have the chance to address Erin, Aisha and Callum, and you can ask them anything. You are looking for information to help you make a million-dollar decision. Some of you…

The camera cuts to Darnell’s thoughtful expression.

Jeff: …have waited a very long time for this moment.

Ingrid is nodding her head. Mitzi looks devilishly excited.

He turns back to the Final Three.

Jeff: We’ll begin with opening statements. Erin, why don’t you start us off?

Looking a little flustered to be called on first, Erin adjusts her hat and clears her throat, smoothing her clothing down as if it actually matters.

Erin: Well, um, I wanted to start off by talking about how…my gameplay has evolved over the course of this season.

The jurors are watching with stony faces, careful not to give anything away with their expressions.

Erin: I started out, being kinda close to Brett.

Brett himself is watching as Erin speaks.

Erin: You know, he was one of my closest allies, and at one point, we were almost…in a bit of a showmance. And that led to a lot of people calling us…a power couple. But when we swapped, I found a better place for myself…among new allies, and it was to those allies to whom I had a closer relationship with. When Brett blindsided Mitzi all that time ago…

Mitzi turns to look at Brett, right next to her.

Erin: That was when I felt I really stepped up and took control of my game. Mitzi was seen as the leader of the girls, per se. And that was why Brett felt intimidated by her and voted her out. And it didn’t sit right with me. And so I collaborated with Elmer, and Oberon, and Terrence, and the girls, and we all voted him out. I think, from that moment on – that was a defining moment in the game for me, it’s where I found…it’s where I found the confidence in the game to make moves that would shape the rest of the season. I won my fair share of immunities, which kept me safe when the boys tried to target me. I never found any idols, but I was able to talk my way out of sticky situations, like when Peter went home over me. I feel like I made my fair share of moves, and played strategically as well as physically as well as socially, in a manner that deserves recognition, and I’m hoping that, after all the times I’ve been targeted for being perceived as the new ‘leader’ of the girls’ alliance, you guys will respect me for that and for the situation I’ve been in in the game and decide that I am worthy of the title of Sole Survivor.

Jeff: Aisha.

Aisha exhales.

Aisha: Alright, hey guys.

Peter scowls at her. Mitzi cocks her head to the side.

Aisha: I came into this game as a very…under-the-radar player. I had a more unconventional strategy of sticking to the shadows and taking cover behind stronger, more aggressive players. I feel like that strategy really benefited me. I performed badly in challenges, yes, but because people underestimated me, no one ever threw my name out, whereas, people were always throwing, like, Erin’s name out.

Erin bites her lip.

Aisha: I saw that people viewed me as a small, unthreatening girl and I used it to my advantage. I was stealthy and I was sneaky. I found a hidden idol and never even had to use it, because I played my game in such a way that I was able to stay out of the crosshairs and that led me to be cool and collected at every tribal I attended. People underestimated me, but ultimately, it can’t be denied that that strategy I adopted has brought me this far, and I hope you make of that what you will.

Mitzi is nodding. Darnell shrugs, as if accepting her points.

Jeff: Callum, wrap it up.

Callum claps his hands.

Callum: Alright, saved the best for last. [laughs]

Peter smiles a little, but no one else laughs in return. A sea of grave expressions reply Callum, and his laughter quickly dies out.

Callum: Tough crowd. Anyhow, I feel like…I was a bit of a rebel in this season. I was trying to be lighthearted, appealing to the…comic relief, I guess. And, a little close to Aisha’s whole stick-to-the-shadows routine…

Aisha glances at him, as he continues gesticulating madly.

Callum: I let people view me as this funny character, and I was always still having the game on my mind, like, 24/7. I let people…target Brett and Peter, while I was always in the back, on the sidelines, just…sneaking on by. But when it actually mattered and when my name was thrown out there, I fought and I fought hard. Terrence and Penny can both attest to that.

Terrence looks down, as if afraid of being called upon. Penny meets Callum’s gaze without blinking.

Callum: I fought hard to stay in this game when I knew it was possible for Erin to come after me. When Terrence went home, it was a 50/50 and I pitched my case as best as I could. When Penny went home, the odds were worse, but not only did I change Erin’s mind and get her to turn on one of her closest allies…I also beat Penny in a firemaking tiebreaker and I EARNED my way to this Tribal Council.

Brett is nodding, and so is Peter.

Callum: I manipulated Erin and got her to flip, which is one of the hardest things in this game to do.

Erin casts him a disbelieving look, looking incredulous at his ludicrous claims.

Callum: I made fire with my own bare hands to knock Penny out. So I was fighting hard and scrappy. You know me, I like a little bit of chaos. And I think my fiery behavior at the end, there, speaks to my…personality, as a player. And I hope you see what I did these past two tribals and acknowledge that I’m more than just a handsome jokester.

He winks at them and nods back at Probst. Mitzi and Ingrid share a knowing look.

Jeff: Alright, jury, now is your time to address the Final Three. I’ll give you all a moment to think about what you’re going to say, and we’ll begin.

The jury sits in silence for a few minutes.

Jeff: Alright, it is now time to address the finalists. Darnell, you can start us off.

Juror #1

Darnell: Alright, finally! I’ve been looking forward to this!

He hops off his seat and trots over to stand before the finalists.

Darnell: First of all, congratulations to the three of you. No matter what any of us are going to say, you should bear in mind that you all deserve to be there because you got there, regardless of whatever strategy you adopted. Nothing can take this moment away from you.

They nod at him.

Darnell: Callum…I’m sorry but I don’t know you, like, at all. We’ve never met. So…I don’t really think you’re going to get my vote unless the two ladies really screw this up.

Callum shrugs.

Callum: It’s cool, man. I get it.

Darnell: Erin, I wanted to address you.

Erin: Okay.

Darnell: You said you played a game that was equal in all aspects – strategic, physical and social. But in all the time we spent together on Los Lagartos, I hardly remember us having many conversations. You barely talked to me, if at all. You were always talking with the girls, and frankly, I feel like you ignored me for a good portion of that time. What was that about? Did you really play that good of a social game? Because it sounds to me like a lot of people were coming for your head.

Erin: Um…well, I’m sorry if I made you feel…ignored, I guess. I think that…I just was glad to meet some new girls. The other women on my original tribe…we didn’t really get along. So I was happy to make new friends in Penny and Mitzi and Aisha and so it was almost like we were all having an island vacation. We were having fun, we were chatting, and so…I just got along with them very easily. It’s not to say that I don’t like you or anything, it’s just…I don’t know, maybe we didn’t have much to talk about?

Darnell looks displeased with her answer.

Darnell: I have still been observing your gameplay and trust me, I’ve been watching and observing the longest. I’ve seen it all. And I feel like, as we got closer to this night, you were getting worse and worse.

Erin licks her lips, clearly worried at the criticism.

Darnell: You were getting, I feel, really cocky. You did Terrence and Penny really dirty in those last two tribals.

Erin: Yes, and believe me, I don’t feel proud of it. It was just as heartbreaking for me as it was for them to have to send them both out because I know that…they both believed in me. But…Survivor makes you do things that…one might not necessarily be proud of. I did pull some dirty tricks, but it was because I knew that if I didn’t, I’d be jeapordizing my chances at the million. I wanted to win Survivor and it meant I had to go against some of my morals and ethics…it was an unfortunate decision that I had to make.

Darnell nods.

Darnell: Okay. That’s all. Thank you.

He sits down.

Juror #2

Jeff: Ingrid, you’re up.

Ingrid gets to her feet. She is dressed in a beige suit and green shirt.

Ingrid: Good evening, ladies.

Erin smiles.

Erin: Hey, Ingrid.

Aisha nods.

Ingrid: Alright, I wanted to get this off my chest. I really am very upset that…this isn’t an all-girl Final Three.

Callum raises an eyebrow, looking sheepish. Penny is nodding bitterly.

Ingrid: I would’ve loved to see a Final Three with one girl from each original tribe, that would’ve been so so so beautiful to witness. You know, Girl Power!

She cheers, and Erin laughs nervously.

Ingrid: But alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Erin, you and I didn’t interact much before I was sent home, and honestly, if you had asked me who I would’ve voted for at that moment, right after I was voted out, you would be very close to the bottom of the list.

Erin nods, the concern growing on her face.

Ingrid: Even now, I know that…a lot of the boys saw you as a strategic and physical threat. But you and I…honey, we never bonded.

She shrugs.

Ingrid: But, the good news is…you’re sitting next to two people who have played ten times worse.

Callum shakes his head, laughing off the direct insult. Aisha scoffs, rolling her eyes.

Ingrid: So yay for you Erin! I’m just going to come right out and say that unless you really screw up the rest of the questions, you can count on my vote. And if you ever get asked back to play on a second season, I expect you to make an all-girl Final Three happen to make up for this fiasco.

Erin smiles.

Erin: I will.

Ingrid: Okay, thanks.

Juror #3

Jeff: Mitzi, you’re up next.

Ingrid takes her seat as Mitzi gets up, skull earrings dangling from her ears as she steps up to the plate, dressed in her usual goth punk get-up.

She clasps her hands together, getting right down to business, ignoring any congratulations.

Mitzi: Aisha.

Aisha: Yes?

Mitzi: You were my girl in this game. You know that. You and I were tight, we were…this close.

She demonstrates this by putting her finger and her thumb really close together, with only a small gap in between.

Mitzi: I trusted you and I liked your fiery character. We were very tight in this game.

Aisha nods.

Mitzi: But, even as a friend, I have to say that you have not impressed me thus far.

Aisha nods again, sadly this time.

Mitzi: I just feel like…you had a lot of potential but never lived up to it. The whole stick-to-the-shadows strategy? Great for making it far, but bad for getting jury votes. The whole jury sees your strategy as cowardice.

Elmer is nodding his assent. Oberon smirks.

Mitzi: No one really feels like…you played, at all. It feels like you hid so well that at times, people completely forgot you were in the game. Your idol did absolutely nothing. You were never targeted, not because you had a clever strategy, but because no one was threatened by you. And if no one was threatened by you, no one respects your game enough to target you in the first place. I’m sorry, but that’s just the truth of it.

Aisha looks down, crestfallen.

Mitzi: Erin, we were close too, though not as close as Aisha and I were, but I still commend you on…well, taking up my spot as the ‘Queen’ of the Girls’ Alliance or whatever the others have called it.

Erin laughs, brightening up.

Mitzi: I think you fill out my throne nicely. So that’s that. Thank you.

She moves to sit back down.

Juror #5

Jeff: Oberon, you’re up next.

Oberon gets to his feet.

Oberon: Congratulations to all three of you for making it this far.

They nod and thank him in return.

Oberon: Aisha, I’ll start with you. As the only person in this game to have ever written your name down, do you think anyone else will do the same tonight?

Aisha splutters.

Aisha: I…Well, I would hope so-

Oberon: I’m not in the business of being mean, but, I don’t really know what the hell you were doing out there on the island. It feels like you let Mitzi dictate your every vote, then when she left the game, it switched to Erin. You rubbed many people on this jury the wrong way. One of your mortal enemies is sitting beside you right now. You’ve made more enemies than you have friends, and that speaks volumes about your character within this game.

Aisha sighs, irritated.

Oberon: Callum.

Callum: Finally, a question!

Oberon: You said you were trying to play up the role of the comic relief on the tribe, but I feel like – and a lot of people will back me up on this – you were more of the annoying jester of the tribe.

Callum: Oh.

Oberon: Neither you nor Aisha will be happy to hear this comment come from me but I have to say it. You both played very similar games. You both hid behind bigger targets, you both let aforementioned targets dictate your votes, and you both had horrible social games. You both made more enemies than friends and you both pissed people off by doing so. While I admit you played more aggressively at the end, I wished you’d shown that side of your game to the rest of us earlier and not at the very end, because you have not left me very impressed.

Callum nods, taking this all in.

Oberon: That’s really all I have to say. I know all I need to know. Thanks, Jeff.

Juror #6

Jeff: Elmer, you’re up.

Elmer gets up, taking a deep breath.

Elmer: Evening, guys.

He rubs his hands together.

Elmer: Erin, I am amazed that you have made it here. I thought for sure you would get taken out before this and I would have to deal with a Callum-Peter-Aisha Final Three, which would’ve been the worst.

Erin grins.

Erin: Well, I did.

Elmer: And thank you for that. While I do feel you’ve played the stronger game, I also feel like you were a little messy at times. There were moments when you were all over the place. You seemed struck by indecision the nights Terrence and Penny went home. And were you not worried that both those eliminations painted you as…well, dishonorable, almost?

Erin: It’s…like I said, this game makes you do dirty stuff to stay in. I’m not proud of it, but I did what I had to, and…I stand by it. I might not be here if I hadn’t done what I did, and I want to win. That’s…why I did what I did.

Elmer nods.

Elmer: I just wanted to say that…as a fan of this show and as a gamer, I am…thankful that you played the way you did. You didn’t play a perfect game, but…you played as good a game as you could’ve and it makes me happy to know that.

Erin: Thank you.

Elmer: Alright, peace.

Juror #8

Jeff: Terrence, you’re up.

Terrence makes his way over and looks nervous to be about to speak.

Terrence: Hey guys!

Erin: Heyyy.

Terrence: I know, Erin, that a lot has been said tonight about you sending me home four nights ago or so, and yes, it does still sting.

Erin nods.

Terrence: But I’m sweeping that under the rug because I do still firmly believe you played a stronger game than Aisha and Callum. That being said, a lot still comes down to what you say tonight. I have one question, just one, for each of you.

Erin and Aisha share a look.

Terrence: I want to know what was the most…honorable thing any of you have done in this game.

They think it over.

Terrence: Erin, what do you say?

Erin: I…I guess it was…perhaps voting Brett out?

Brett raises an eyebrow.

Erin: I know it seems like I betrayed him, but…he betrayed me first. I feel like I was helping you guys in the minority and simultaneously taking out a…a villainous player and avenging my fallen ally in Mitzi.

Terrence: Aisha. You?

Aisha: Voting for Callum and not Penny.

Penny smiles.

Aisha: Erin did approach me to vote Penny beforehand but I refused. I was loyal to us girls. I wanted that all-girl Final Three. I stuck with my alliance and wanted to vote off one of the…most despicable players in this game.

The corners of Callum’s mouth curl upward.

Terrence: Callum?

Callum: Um…though it didn’t come to fruition, I would say…trying to work with you and Penny to vote Erin off. I…I was trying to help us all, and acknowledging that Erin was a…big threat. And we might’ve pulled it off if…she hadn’t won those challenges.

Terrence nods.

Terrence: Thanks, guys.

Juror #7

Jeff: Peter, you’re up.

Peter makes his way over, hands in his pockets.

Peter: Alright, I think tonight, my vote should be obvious.

Aisha nods with a slight eye roll.

Peter: But Callum, I want you to own your game. It was never my perception that you were my ‘goat’.

Callum: Right.

Peter: As far as I’m concerned, we operated as a team.

Callum: I agree.

Peter: So I want you to talk about a few moments in this game where you really took control of your game and became the badass, villainous player I saw in action.

Callum: I think that I really came through for myself at the end. I worked on getting Terrence and Penny to flip, and…I gave it my all in the challenges. I won that advantage, and if the final immunity challenge had been physical, I would’ve won it easily.

Erin is not convinced.

Callum: I got Erin to flip on Penny. I call that my biggest move in this game. I fought my way back in by beating her in a tiebreaker. I think I desever props for that, don’t I? I earned my spot, right here.

Peter: Good. I just hope that people see that the way I do.

Mitzi is clearly reaching her limit on how much more of this she can take. Ingrid looks on, almost pitifully.

Peter: Good job on making it this far, bro.

Callum: Yeah, thanks, man.

Juror #4

Jeff: Brett, you’re up.

Brett gets to his feet, standing before the finalists.

Brett: Callum, Aisha, Erin, I wanted to congratulate you three on making it to the end. Aisha, I’m sorry but we never really connected much out there in the game. So I only want to address Erin and Callum tonight.

Aisha nods, resigned.

Brett: Callum, my man, you know I love you as my friend.

Callum: It’s all love from me too, bro.

Brett: I appreciate that you really stepped up to the plate after Peter left. You getting Erin to turn on Penny should not be overlooked, it was masterful, and you did earn your spot there.

He takes a deep breath.

Brett: However, I feel like you only really got your head in the game at the very last stage of this game. We were only a few days away from this moment, right here right now, with everyone questioning you, that you really started to show your prowess at the game. You never really shone much before that. It was only after Peter left, when you were on your own, that you started to make moves.

Callum: Right.

Brett gives him a questioning look.

Brett: You’re my friend, but I need you to back yourself up.

Callum: Well, like Erin, she never really stood out much until Mitzi left. For me, it was the same. But unlike her, I had no immunity necklaces to hide behind. I never had to fight my way into the game in a tiebreaker. And she didn’t convince two long-term allies to flip on the other. I did.

Brett’s expression does not give much away.

Brett: Okay.

Callum shrugs.

Brett: That’s all?

Callum: Yeah.

Brett: Okay. Erin, I wanted to talk to you.

Erin: [laughing] Oh, gosh.

Brett smiles.

Brett: Erin, I think you and I both know that we were really close out there. You were the Penny to my Elmer, so to speak.

Elmer chuckles. Penny smiles a little.

Brett: And, I’m not going to sugarcoat it, but I was really [censored] heartbroken when you flipped on me.

Erin is no longer smiling.

Erin: Right.

Brett: You know what I mean? Like…it felt like…you were my one true alliance out there. Callum and Peter too, yes, but you and I…we had something different. And I know this game is all about betrayal but you did it so early and so easily…how can you justify me giving you my vote after you cut me that deep?

Erin: I…didn’t want to hurt you. That was not my intention. I was viewing it from a gameplay standpoint. I’ve done a lot of people dirty in this game, Brett, everyone knows that. And unfortunately, you were one of them. I wanted to fill the role that Mitzi had and to do it, I knew I had to make a big move. So when Elmer proposed blindsiding you, I decided that it was indeed a big move and I felt that I had to take it. That was my first real big move, and I’m sorry that it had to be you that was on the receiving end of it.

Brett nods, looking almost mournful.

Erin: I really am sorry. I don’t know how else to justify it, but I did what I had to because I was playing a game and I felt that it was the right move. That’s just how it is.

Brett: You were playing a game, huh?

Erin: Yeah.

Brett: It still stings.

He turns and heads back to his seat. Erin watches him go, mentally kicking herself.

Juror #9

Jeff: Penny, finish us off.

Penny smooths down the creases in her dress, gets to her feet and walks over, standing in front of the fire.

Penny: Evening.

Aisha: Hey, baby.

Erin: Hi, Penny.

Penny: Callum, I’ll start with you.

Callum: Okay.

Penny: You…are not liked by this jury.

Callum: [laughs] I uh…I kinda knew that already.

Penny: I’m just being blunt and honest with you. I don’t see you winning this.

Callum: Gee, thanks.

Penny: For what it’s worth, you did a good job turning Erin against me, and beating me with fire.

Callum: Thank you.

Penny: Aisha.

Aisha: Yeah?

Penny: People have been giving you a lot of flak tonight, but just know that there’s no bitterness on my end towards you and I’m not giving you any harsh words tonight.

Aisha: I appreciate that.

Penny: Maybe it’s because we had similar games. People can give us trash for what they feel about how we’ve played, but we had a hell of a time.

Aisha: We did! I did too, with you.

Penny: So, don’t give a [censored] what the others say. Your strategy brought you to the end, plain and simple, and if people are unhappy about it, too bad.

Aisha: Right.

Penny: Erin.

Erin: Yes?

Penny: It goes without saying that…I am really hurt by you.

Erin’s voice is quiet.

Erin: I know.

Penny: I don’t know why…you did what you did. I mean, I know why, but at the same time, it feels so ridiculous to me…I just…I can’t comprehend why you would turn on me like that.

Erin: Penny, if you’d let me explain, I just felt that, after I gave it some thought, Callum was never going to get those jury votes but you would and I-

Penny: No, don’t bother, you explaining your messy logic to me isn’t going to help matters.

Erin looks hurt.

Penny: You hurt a lot of people with your actions. You hurt Brett, you hurt Terrence, and you hurt me. Was it worth it to sit here right now with all that blood on your hands, and still be asking for our votes?

Erin: I was playing the game of Survivor, and I…I was thinking, strategically, that those moves were the right moves to make! That’s why I voted the way I did. I don’t enjoy hurting other people and I’m not happy that I hurt you, or Brett, or Terrence, but I stand by what I did. I’m sorry about it, but I stand by everything. I did what I did for the sake of my game.

Penny: You don’t regret a thing?

Erin: Not at all. I don’t want to hurt you, Penny. But I felt you were a threat to me, that you’d be a threat to me here, right now, tonight, if I kept you over Callum.

Penny sniffs, but no tears are flowing down her face.

Penny: Fine.

She turns and stalks back to her seat.

Erin swallows. Aisha looks pleased with herself. Callum is resting his head on his hand, looking neglected.

Jeff: Alright, thank you, jury, for a lively Final Tribal Council. Callum, Aisha, Erin – you’ve done all that you can. Jury, I’ll give you a moment to take in every word you’ve just heard and then, you will get up and cast your votes for a winner. This is the biggest decision of this game, so think things through.

The Votes

Jeff: Alright, jury, it is time to make a million-dollar decision. Tonight, you are voting for either Callum, Aisha or Erin – the person who you believe is most deserving of the win. For the last time, it is time to vote. Darnell, you’re up.

Darnell gets up, winking at the finalists as he heads to the booth.

Erin watches him go, brow furrowed in concern.

One by one, the jurors head up to the booth and cast their votes.

“	You’ve got my vote 100% bro. I hope other people see the way you played the same way I do.	”
–Peter, voting for Callum

The jurors pass by the finalists one after the other. Brett arrives at the booth, with a deep sigh, as he rolls the pen around in his fingers, contemplating who to vote for. The scene fades away…

“	Aisha, I appreciate you for staying loyal to me, and for all the memories we’ve shared together out on the island. Best of luck.	”
–Penny, voting for Aisha

Penny dots the ‘i’ in ‘Aisha’ with a heart, folds the vote up, and tosses it in the urn.

One by one, the booth is filled by Terrence, Oberon, Mitzi, and on and on…

“	You played the strongest game of the three finalists. It was a no brainer for me. Spend the money wisely. [wink]	”
–Elmer, voting for Erin

Elmer slips his vote into the urn, and at last, he returns.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

He leaves, and Erin pats Aisha on the thigh, the two ladies smiling at each other. The jurors are exchanging excited glances.

Oberon is grinning at Terrence.

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.

Elmer is rubbing his hands together, leaning back with a wide smile on his face.

Elmer: [whisper] I can’t wait.

The camera follows Probst as he walks into the foliage, and follows him until he inexplicably emerges at the studio in Los Agneles, 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: Whew. Callum, Aisha, Erin – it has been a long 39 days for you, but ultimately, all that the three of you have been working on comes down to this night, when, in the most important twist of the game, a jury of your peers decides which one of the three of you deserves to win the game the most.

Erin is seated between Callum and Aisha, in a curvy white blouse and black silk pants, holding on to both her opponents’ hands with her own. Aisha smiles winningly at Probst and the crowd, laughing with Erin.

Jeff: Let’s get down to the votes. Tonight, for the first time, you want to see your name being read. I’ll read the votes.

He opens the urn and the audience cheers and whoops, getting excited.

Jeff: First vote…Callum.

Callum smiles and nods, dressed smartly in a jet black suit and pants, one hand clasped with Erin’s.

Jeff takes out another vote.

Jeff: Aisha. That’s one vote Callum, one vote Aisha.

There is the usual applause and cheers accompanied by each vote.

Jeff: Erin. One vote Callum, one vote Aisha, one vote Erin.

Erin smiles as the crowd goes wild.

Jeff: Erin. That’s two votes Erin, one vote Callum, one vote Aisha.

Aisha squeezes Erin’s hand, happy for her.

Jeff: Erin. That’s three votes Erin.

More applause ensues. The camera cuts to Brett, who is watching the votes being read with a small smile on his face.

Jeff: Erin. That’s four votes Erin, and it only takes five to take the cake.

He reaches into the urn for another vote, opens it up and reads it.

Jeff: The winner of Survivor: Cayman Islands – Erin!

The audience explodes into applause, giving Erin a standing ovation. Erin is exclaiming with joy as she gets to her feet, shaky and overwhelmed, as Aisha envelopes her in a big hug. Callum is sticking one hand in his jacket pocket and patting Erin on the back with the other. The jury is getting to their feet too and joining in the congratulations.

Aisha kisses Erin one last time on the cheek and ushers her into the crowd, where she is surrounded by a group of family and friends that are quick to converge around her, swarming her with pats on the back, hugs and kisses and exclamations of excited euphoria.

Tweets pop up live on the bottom of the screen, all excited about and congratulating Erin on her win.

Jeff: Erin just won Survivor: Cayman Islands in a 7-1-1 vote and the million dollars that goes with it! We’re going to talk all about everything that went down in the show, and we’ve got the whole cast onstage tonight to ask them questions. For instance, what about Penny, Elmer and Terrence; does the love triangle still exist? What about Mitzi and Ingrid, have they made peace? Or Aisha and Callum? Stay tuned for the Survivor reunion show, coming up next!

Challenges

Immunity Challenge: Going Blind (Worlds Apart)
Castaways will be blindfolded in the center of a giant maze. They will race to find four medallions in the North, South, East and West corners of the maze. There are guideposts to help them navigate. Once they find all four medallions, they must then find the Immunity Necklace. The first person to find the necklace wins Immunity. Reward: Individual Immunity
Winner: Erin

Reward Challenge: Lei of the Land (South Pacific, Cambodia etc)
Each castaway will race through a giant flower-shaped obstacle course to collect five bags of puzzle pieces. They will then use those pieces to solve a puzzle. First person to get it right wins reward in the form of an advantage.
Reward: A second chance in the upcoming final immunity challenge.
Winner: Callum

Final Immunity Challenge: The Ball Drop (Philippines)
Each castaway must balance a small metal ball on a wooden cylinder, while holding the center cylinder in place with two wooden handles. Every 5 minutes, new pieces of the wooden rod will be added, making it harder to balance the ball on the center cylinder. The castaway who balances their ball the longest will win Immunity.
Reward: Final Individual Immunity and a guaranteed spot at the Final Tribal Council
Winner: Erin

Reunion Show

A pre-made clip is played, of Erin’s highlights during the show, with her voiceover talking about her game over it.

“	I think I’ve been the strongest girl out here so far. I’ve killed it in the challenges…	”
–Erin

Jeff: Erin wins immunity!

Erin cheers, jumping off her pole.

Jeff: Erin wins immunity!

Erin whoops as her dominoes fall off her beam.

Jeff: Erin wins immunity!

Erin pulls her blindfold off and hurls it into the air, one hand on the immunity necklace. Terrence is grinning, shaking his head at her.

“	…I formed a very tight alliance…	”
–Erin

Erin, Penny and Aisha are celebrating yet another of her immunity wins, the three girls laughing and hugging it out in the shelter.

“	People have been out for blood, they’ve been coming for my head, trying to get rid of me.	”
–Erin

Callum: Erin is the biggest threat in the game right now.

Elmer: Erin is playing a very smart game. She’s in control, right now.

“	But I’ve always gotten out of it. I’ve survived, and I’ve dominated.	”
–Erin

Peter is getting up to leave, grabbing his torch as he goes.

Peter: I had a damn idol in my pocket too!

“	I’ve had to do tough things to get this far. It’s not been easy getting this far, but I did it, no matter what it demanded of me.	”
–Erin

Jeff: Terrence.

Terrence sadly puts his torch down.

Jeff: Penny.

A crying Penny puts her torch down.

Jeff: Brett.

Brett grins, shaking his head as he slides his torch down.

Jeff: Your tribe has spoken. [snuffs torch]

The clip ends, and the reunion show begins with a big round of applause and cheering as Probst begins to speak.

Jeff: Welcome to the Survivor: Cayman Islands reunion show, where Erin Castellan has just won a million dollars!

Erin beams widely as the crowd cheers for her.

Jeff: So, Erin, this must be overwhelming for you, emotionally. I feel that you were really on point when you said the major turning point in this game for you was when…your ally Mitzi was taken out by…your other ally in Brett. Would you agree that that was the moment that you really stepped your game up and took over?

Erin: Oh, yeah, definitely. That was the major…defining moment for me, where I was like, ‘Okay, Erin, he’s just made a big move…how are you going to counter that?’ And when Elmer and I started to concoct a plan together to take out a big threat, even if it was one of my original allies, I knew that…I had to take the shot and do what was best for my game. It gave me points on my resume and it showed that I was here to play, I wasn’t just along for the ride.

Jeff: Yes, that is an interesting take on it. Like you, there have been plenty of people on Survivor who were viewed as right-hand men and women until their biggest allies get blindsided, at which point, they then take over their own game, step up to the plate, start making moves on their own, and make a case well enough for themselves that they’ve played a game worthy of the million dollars. Do you think with both Brett and Mitzi out of the way, it freed up your game a little, so you could start playing harder?

Erin: Definitely. Absolutely. I wasn’t happy to see either of them go, but it was…well, it benefited my game, and so, who knows how things might’ve turned out if it didn’t go down the way it did?

Jeff: Let’s talk about you and Brett. You two came out as a really strong duo at the beginning of the game, then the tribe swap happened, you found new allies in Mitzi and Penny and Aisha – did that sort of cause you two to drift apart? When you met up back at the merge, one of Brett’s biggest concerns was that Mitzi now had replaced him, that’s why he took her out and that’s why you took him out.

The audience laughs and Brett looks sheepish.

Erin: Uh, yeah, me and Brett had an interesting relationship, so to speak. We were definitely close at the start and I cherish our relationship. But in the game, you know, he had to go.

A chorus of ‘ooh’s rises up.

Jeff: Brett, what about you and Erin? Are you both still talking?

Brett: Oh yeah, definitely. Like, I mean, what happened in the game stays in the game. I try to let it go. And I’m happy for her. I’m glad she won, I’m glad she played a good game. It’s nice to know the chick I met on Day 1 had it in her like this. We’re still friends, but nothing more.

Jeff: And speaking of showmances, Penny, your relationships with both Elmer and Terrence were hot topics of the season.

Penny looks slightly embarrassed and she laughs as the attention turns on her.

Jeff: So, was that just part of your game, or was it all…?

Penny: Um, it wasn’t so much of a strategy, I was very…genuine out there on the island. I really did form bonds with the two of them and I’m very thankful to have met the both of them while I was out there. They’re both great guys and, you know.

Elmer is smiling. Terrence looks sheepish, sitting next to Penny.

Jeff: That last vote, for you, Penny, when you had to take on Callum in that challenge…that was clearly very emotional and very hard for you to sit through.

Penny nods.

Penny: Yeah. It was.

Callum, sitting on Penny’s left, pats her on the thigh.

Jeff: You definitely had the biggest underdog story of the season, going from a possible first or second boot, to lasting all the way here as the last juror, and people definitely felt for you.

Penny: Yeah, I think that…in a way, I wanted to prove Wilkes wrong.

The camera cuts to Wilkes, who is sitting at the top bench, smirking down the row of heads at Penny.

Penny: She said I couldn’t do it, that I wasn’t bred for this game, but I still made it a lot farther than either her or I thought I would, and I think I proved my worth in more ways than one. I formed close relationships, with girls and guys. I even won a challenge all by myself.

She shrugs.

Penny: So it was a great learning experience for me.

Jeff: That’s very nice to hear, thank you. And I wanted to ask…it was definitely a big decision on Erin’s part to have to choose between you and Callum – who to send home, who to keep? So I wanted to see if she made the right choice. Let’s say that…Penny, Aisha and Erin are now the Final Three, and Callum, you’re the final juror. Everyone on the jury, and that includes you Callum – if Penny makes it to the end, how many votes does she get?

There is a brief moment of suspense, and then only Terrence raises his hand. No one, not even Elmer or Callum, raises his.

Jeff: Wow. How many votes does Erin get?

Everyone else but Terrence easily raises their hands. Penny puckers her lips.

Jeff: So, Erin, if you’d taken Penny, you would’ve gotten one extra vote.

Erin: I guess so. [laughs]

Jeff: But the good news for you is that you still would’ve won, regardless. Terrence, why the Penny vote?

Terrence: Ah, well, it’d be a sympathy vote I guess. Because if Callum wasn’t there, Peter would only vote for Erin, and I would want Penny to have at least one vote.

Penny: Aw, that’s so sweet.

Jeff: That’s great. Anyway, I wanted to move on to Elmer. Elmer…

Elmer: Yes? [laughs]

Jeff: You were viewed as a very big threat in the game, especially within the minority.

Elmer: It was very flattering.

Jeff: And you did fight very hard to get movement, so was it exhilarating each time you got things to turn out your way? Voting out Mitzi, and then Brett?

Elmer: Yeah, for me, it was so much fun, it felt like I was…really getting to play this game that I loved so much, and I felt like…I was, almost, like, all those players I’d watched growing up as a kid. I had a lot of fun making those two moves in particular, though things didn’t pan out for me in the end. [shrugs]

Jeff: And your relationship with Penny was very much like Brett and Erin, only closer. She never voted against you, though you had no choice but to vote against her at one point.

Elmer: Yeah, not my proudest moment. [laughs] I think deep down, I had a feeling Peter was never going to see Penny as a bigger target than me, but I still had to try.

Jeff: And Terrence had to deal with the aftermath of that vote, heading back to camp, with Penny feeling betrayed by the two boys she cared for the most!

Elmer: Yeah, yeah…[laughs] It’s all water under the bridge.

Jeff: And Penny, what’s the status? Are you and Elmer…?

Penny: Oh, no, me and Elmer never went out after the show.

Jeff: I see.

Penny: But we’re still good friends. Like, me, Elmer, Darnell, Mitch even, we’d go join Oberon and Terrence and Ingrid at her place – and speaking of which, Ingrid has a really nice house-

The audience laughs. Ingrid smiles at Penny.

Penny: We’d go and have dinner and then we’d watch the episode where Brett went home and we’d all laugh about it, um…[laughs]

Brett shakes his head, grinning down at his shoes.

Penny: Point is, we all hang out a lot at each other’s places. I think we all…we’ve all become good friends outside the game.

Jeff: That’s good to hear.

Penny: Oh, and uh…me and Elmer may never have dated after the show ended, but me and Terrence are going out.

Jeff: Oh! Really?

Penny: Yeah.

Jeff: That’s very interesting to hear.

Terrence: Yeah. I finally beat Elmer at something. [laughs]

Jeff: There’s one more thing I want to ask you, Penny, and that’s regarding you and Erin. You and Elmer are still friends, you and Terrence are dating, you’ve patched things up with Darnell, but what about Erin? Clearly, that was a very big betrayal – and I think everyone wants to know if you two are still friends?

Penny: Oh, yeah, we do hang out on girls’ night. We’re still friends, even if we’re not super tight out of the game. But like a lot of people here sitting with me, we try and…sweep it under the rugh, water under the bridge, you know.

Erin nods, still looking a little guilty.

Jeff: Alright, that’s lovely. When we get back from commercial, we’re going to be talking to Mitzi and Peter, two of the – arguably – most villainous players we’ve had on the season. Then, I want to get Wilkes’ and Natalia’s takes on how their respective enemies did in the game, Penny and Erin. And stay tuned for the Fan Favorite award, as well as the preview for our next season! We’ll be right back!

The commercial break ends.

Jeff: Alright, so, she came out of the gate as a very fiery personality. She engaged in fights, she caused chaos and dissension on her tribe, but ultimately, she ended up finding a hidden immunity idol, she carried out blindsides, and she formed one of the strongest alliances in the game.

Mitzi smiles, shaking her head.

Jeff: So, Mitzi, you went from being a…confrontational character in those first few days, to becoming…a legitimate threat to win the game once the merge happened. What do you attribute that to?

Mitzi: Well, starting out, I was just really…annoyed, I guess, by the people on my tribe. [clears throat] Water under the bridge. But anyway…[laughs] I had Aisha by my side and when we both made it to the swap together, it was at that moment that we formed the Girls’ Alliance, which, even without me, was strong up to the Final Four. We just…we just bonded very well, like, us girls meshed together smoothly. But yeah, I did form that alliance, it was all me! [laughs]

Jeff: Brett, for one, alongside Elmer…both of them saw you as the strongest female threat in the game at that point, and it was only when you were voted out that Erin replaced you. Do you take that as a compliment?

Mitzi: Yeah, I definitely do. I was very tough, I was forthright, blunt and brutally honest when I needed to. I played the game very aggressively. My strategy was to mask how aggressively I was playing strategically by being bad socially. People would think I wasn’t deserving of the win because I was too explosive, but ultimately, I did orchestrate moves and I manipulated players, and I’m glad, at the very least, that I posed a threat to people in that way.

Jeff: What about you and Ingrid? It’s funny that you both started out this game as allies, then you became enemies. Are you still…you know, you both left the game one after the other so you taking your ‘revenge’ was short-lived. Did you guys patch things up?

Mitzi: Yeah, we did.

Ingrid: I agreed not to hold a grudge against her. We were friends at one point. We’re not…terribly close, but like, we don’t hate each other. Plus, we had a lot of free time at Ponderosa.

Jeff: That’s good to hear. Now, apart from you, Mitzi, another villainous character we’ve had this season was Peter. Peter, do you agree with that assessment?

Peter: Oh, yeah, absolutely. Like, I own the villain…edit, I guess. I know that’s how I came off in the game.

Jeff: You also caused a lot of problems for the other players by finding not one but two idols – one of which was also a special idol with special powers. And yet, in spite of using both your idols to make big plays – taking out both Mitch and Elmer, two Las Tortugas folk – in the process-

Elmer nudges Peter playfully and Mitch looks thoughtful, up on the top bench.

Jeff: …but in spite of all that, you still went home with an idol in your pocket!

Peter: I know, it was so insane. After all that I did, the idols I pulled out of my ass, I still…I still left with one in my pocket. [laughs] Not my…not my finest hour, for sure. But I had a great time, still. I made friends that I know will last a lifetime, and if people see me as a Villain…I say, so be it.

Jeff: Alright, I wanted to address some of our non-jurors. Wilkes, up there, at the very top.

Wilkes: Hello, Jeff.

Jeff: You, early on, mind you, predicted that Penny would bring about the downfall of Las Tortugas. In a way, you were right. She was the last one standing. Her flipping on Yvonne put Darnell in a bad spot, which led to Elmer throwing the challenge, which led to saving Darnell but screwing Mitch over. Then, she votes out Darnell, and then, she joins a majority alliance against Elmer, and so on and so forth. Indirectly or otherwise, she did play a part in getting all three guys out.

Wilkes: That’s what I’ve been saying! I warned the guys that Penny would be trouble, but they didn’t listen, and so here I am.

Jeff: Water under the bridge, for you two?

Wilkes: No, we’ve not spoken…once, since the show ended.

Jeff: Natalia, what about you? Like Wilkes, you came after this season’s eventual winner, Erin.

Natalia: That is correct. Though I was a little less vulgar about it. [laughs]

Jeff: You came after Erin for being one half of a power couple with Brett, but in the end, it was not the power duo that prevailed, but Erin being Erin and playing the victorious game.

Natalia: Yeah, and I’m happy for her. She played a decent game. I harbor no hard feelings, although I wish I could’ve lasted longer.

Jeff: Alright, we have one last thing to do before we get to the preview for our next season of Survivor. We have the Fan Favorite award. Now, our current three frontrunners for the $100,000 prize is, in no particular order: Elmer, Terrence and Penny.

The camera cuts to the trio. Penny and Terrence are holding hands, looking excited. Oberon is nudging Elmer in the arm.

Jeff: And with the larger percentage of the votes, though it was very close, our Fan Favorite award of the season does go to Elmer. Congrats.

Oberon holds out a hand and Elmer gives him a high five, looking exhilarated. Terrence and Penny join the applause for him as he nods his thanks to the camera.

Jeff: And with that, it’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. For our next season of Survivor, we’re incorporating a classic twist into the game. 16 castaways, 2 tribes of 8, and a brand new location; take a look.

The sneak peek of Survivor: Seychelles plays.

“	For our next season, Survivor has put 16 new castaways on the Seychelles Islands to battle once again for the million dollar prize and the title of Sole Survivor – and this year, it will be the ultimate test to determine which gender has what it takes to outwit, outplay and outlast the other. It’s Survivor: Seychelles – Battle Of The Sexes!	”
–Jeff

The camera pans down, showing two boats speeding across the surface of the ocean, heading towards the island.

The camera focuses on a tall, athletic, barrel-chested man in a red tank top and lime green bandana, one hand on the railing of the boat, staring out across the water.

“	When you’re in the kitchen, the job’s very fast paced. You’ve got to be quick on your feet, making and handing out orders, over and over, it is a tough job. I’m used to working well under stressful conditions, and Survivor is just going to be another similar experience in my book. I’ve talked a big game to my friends and I am prepared to back it up. I have a lot of outdoorsy experience. I’m strong, fit and I will be an asset to my tribe. The guys will need a real man to lead them and I am up to the task.	”
–Abraham

The camera moves over to a young man with large black-framed spectacles, bending over the railing of the boat, watching his reflection in the water beneath him, looking awed.

“	I have dreamed about being on this show since I was a little boy and to finally be out here living that age-old dream of mine…it-it still feels like it’s a fantasy! I am a huge fan of this show, almost a superfan, I’ve seen every episode of every season, I’ve listened to podcasts and audiobooks, I follow countless contestants on Twitter and I am always up to date on the show and everything that happens. I love this show, I get out here, and I instantly feel like I’m a fish out of water. I’m meek and timid, on a tribe full of testosterone-charged, muscled, beefy guys that are not at all like me, not one bit. This is going to be a rough ride.	”
–Graham

The camera moves over to the second boat, which, in contrast to the first, is full of girls.

The camera focuses on a blue-haired girl with pink accessories, sitting in a green low-cut top and red yoga pants.

“	I’m a very free spirited girl. I like to take things as they come. I’ve been both a barista and a bartender at some point in my career, and I still don’t have a definite plan for the rest of my life. I just want to live life in the moment, carefree and uninhibited. I plan on doing a lot of things on my bucket list. I want to travel the world, have great and wondrous adventures, and that chapter of my life is going to start with going on Survivor. The million dollars will go great funding my trip around the world.	”
–Mary-Anne

The camera now moves to an older woman, sitting at the back of the boat, looking at her fellow contestants with a kindly twinkle in her eye.

“	Being on Survivor is a huge step out of my comfort zone. I’m both a mother and a grandmother. I stay at home and cook meals for my family; that’s my job. I’ve always watched this show with my kids and their kids, and my children have applied before. They told me I should go on, try my luck. I did, not expecting to make it. And yet, here I am. If production thought me suitable, by golly I won’t want to let them down. But I’m also so afraid. I don’t want to be pegged down as the generic older woman. [laughs] I want to be the cool mom of the tribe.	”
–Greta

“	The greatest social experiment on reality television continues this autumn with Survivor: Seychelles – Battle Of The Sexes!	”
–Jeff

The audience cheers as the clip ends. The cast joins in the applause.

Jeff: We’ll see you in the next season of Survivor this fall! Thanks for your loyalty, because of you, we’re still one of the highest rated reality shows on CBS, and we couldn’t have done it without you! Take care and goodnight!

Trivia

• As of this episode, all members of Las Tortugas have been eliminated from the game.

Author's Notes

• The episode title was said by Callum.

Still in the Running

Las Tortugas
Cindy	Penny	Wilkes	Elmer	Mitch	Darnell
Los Lagartos
Aisha	Mitzi	Ingrid	Aidan	Oberon	Terrence
Las Caimanes
Erin	Natalia	Yvonne	Brett	Callum	Peter