Free A First Date with Death by Diana Orgain

ceremony tonight. You can choose to be eliminated. Will that work?” she asked.
    Bruce and Mitch exchanged glances.
    “I don’t see why not,” Bruce said.
    “Wait, wait,” I said. “Is any of this up to me?” I felt the warmth of Scott’s hand on the small of my back.
    “It’s okay. Let them go,” he said.
    “But I don’t want to stay.
I
want to go.”
    Edward turned to me. “Oh, Georgia,” he said. “We’ve all had a big shock, but really you came on the show for a reason. Don’t you want to see that through?”
    Paul was upon me. I could feel the weight of his frenzied energy pushing at me. “Georgia, you need to stay on.”
    I don’t know if I imagined him saying it through gritted teeth or if he actually did, but either way it seemed like it was another
order
. I glanced around the room and saw Becca, her face a mixture of pleading and support. I knew she’d be my friend no matter what I decided to do, but finishing the show would probably launch her career and bailing out on it meant she would have to start over.
    Cheryl’s eyes seemed to bore holes through me. “We can get everyone into hair and makeup right away,” she said. “Film the scene and then take the night off.”
    The men around me nodded.
    Cheryl smiled. “Besides, we have a special guest arriving tomorrow and I know you’ll want to see him.”
    “A special guest? Who is it?” I asked.
    “Someone who will help you through all the decisions you have to make.” Cheryl dangled the offer in front of the others, baiting me to ask again.
    Normally on these shows a best friend was brought in to consult with the bachelorette on her choices, but my best friend was already here. Cheryl glanced at Becca. She knew I’d stay on the show for Becca’s sake, no matter what.
    “Who?” I asked again, pressing.
    “A
very
special guest.” Cheryl smiled triumphantly, as if declaring she had the ace in the hole.

Ten
    INT. LIBRARY DAY
    Mitch is looking directly at the camera. He is seated in the library on a gold wingback chair. His ankle is crossed over a knee and he picks an imaginary piece of lint off his pants. He has a chiseled face, with a strong chin and nose, and is alarmingly handsome.
    CHERYL (O.S.)
    Hello, Mitch, can you tell the audience a little bit about yourself?
    MITCH
    (
nods slowly, his expression calculating
) I’m from Los Angeles. I am a real estate investor and I’ve done pretty well in the market . . .
    CHERYL (O.S.)
    Good for you.
    MITCH
    Until recently . . .
    CHERYL (O.S.)
    Sorry to hear that.
    MITCH
    Well, everyone has ups and downs. And it’s certainly not fatal. All I need is a quick infusion of cash and I’ll be right on track.
    CHERYL (O.S.)
    Are you hoping to find that here?
    MITCH
    Cash?
    CHERYL (O.S.)
    Yes. Are you on the show for love or money?
    MITCH
    (
laughing
) Well, love would be great, if she was rich, too. Can’t beat that combo.
    CHERYL (O.S.)
    Let me be clear. Are you searching for love?
    MITCH
    Well, ultimately yes. But I’m too young to settle down right now, plus I’m sort of in a bind. (
He makes a pained expression.
) Need the cash right now. So I’ll pass on love if it gets me the prize money. (
He nods repeatedly to himself.
) I’m on the show for the money.
    •   •   •   •   •   •   •   •   •
    W e were taken to hair and makeup. Florencia was curiously absent again and I longed to talk about that with Becca, but she’d been dispatched to the control center, a studio where she’d watch the live feed from the various cameras during our elimination ceremony.
    Kyle did my makeup quickly and even though I wanted to talk to him about Pietro, I felt oddly self-conscious, not sure who to trust or confide in. Someone dropped off a rack of dresses and Kyle picked through them.
    “What do you think? Green sleeveless chiffon or do you prefer a slinky gold gown?” He held out the dresses for me to look over.
    I shrugged. “Whatever.”
    He made a