I strongly recommending the first part of this story first, as there is no recap. Thanks to all who enjoyed the first part. Hopefully you enjoy the conclusion.
*****
"Ladies and gentlemen, our guest tonight is none other than Gage Porter," said the smarmy television host standing and clapping as Gage walked across the studio waving and sat in the chair.
Gage was well aware of studio magic in these shows, especially since this definitely was not his first one in these last three months, but it was really awkward waving camera and crew pretending an audience was there.
"Thanks, Mike, great to be here," Gage lied.
"Now, by now everyone know the story - the internet sensation that just blew up," said Mike, the host, "Just in case anyone's being living in a cave: Gage, you agreed to take part in this game where you would be naked for three days with a woman also naked. If you both lasted, you each won enough money to cover your next semester tuition..."
"That's correct."
"Except... it turned out to also be a set up by mutual friends to try and get you and an old girlfriend back together?"
"Well, not exactly, Tracy Winfield and I had a date, not were dating."
"Wow," said Mike turning to the camera laughing, "Must have been some date..."
"Yes it was..." Gage said, "Yes, it actually was ingenious on my best friends, Dave and Crystal's part. Really, they are who should be getting the attention. They, without myself or Tracy knowing, arranged some fundraising - keggers and such - to get started, and partnered with two other students: one who's dad owned the building they used and a film studies major. They set it up like a real contest, and heavily promoted it having anyone who wanted to watch the video confessionals prepay. They also started betting pools on various stuff - because the profits were going to us, it fell under the charity loophole. The film student, because he made it a school project, he could use all their film and editing equipment for free. They were willing to contribute their own money, but ended up not having to..."
"Fascinating, and of course because of the tragic love story," said Mike, "It blew up. I heard you went in and filmed commentary for the DVD... I take it you've watched the whole show?"
Gage had answered that stupid question a bunch of times. Of course he's watched it - especially Tracy's last testimonial numerous times. He was quite angry how the editing made her to seem like some cold bitch toying with him. Even the stuff he did after she left was edited. Joe, who did the editing, just said every reality show needs someone to cheer and someone to hate.
"Yes, I have, Mike."
"Now, this must be hard..." Mike said with fake sympathy, "It looks like things are going good. You two make love... and she just leaves, disappears on you. Had to be a blow to the ego." He made a dropping gesture with his hand and laughed. Again, Gage had heard that joke enough times that it was all right.
"Hey, we were both drunk... just glad neither of us puke," Gage said as both faked laughed.
"I kid of course, with you being trendy across all platforms, and I heard talk of a book deal to tell your story," Mike said, "And who could forget your date with McKayce..."
McKayce was an extremely attractive model turned singer that was on the rise. When Gage and Tracy's story attracted national attention, she went public on how bad she felt for Gage, thought he was really attractive and then asked him out.
Gage quickly found out it wasn't so much a date as a promotion campaign for McKayce. Yes, she was smiling holding his hand as the horde of paparazzi followed them every step of their date. However, whenever there were no cameras, she completely ignored him and was on her phone.
"Yes, that was nice, but don't think I'll be wanting a second one," Gage said. Okay, he knew that was milking it, but he hadn't lost his head. Yes, he was a big deal at the moment, but knew full well in a year no one would even remember his name. Like that suspenders guy that went viral.
"Well, you're not short on offers from the ladies at the moment," Mike said, "I heard you even turned down going on the Bachelor?"
"Well, Mike. I am almost done my degree and would rather focus on my career than another stint at reality television."
"Or is it because you're not still over her..." Mike said in a weird tone and looking at his fake audience.
Again, Gage was used to this questioning. The first time, it was hard to answer and he might have watered up on national television. Waking up Sunday morning to no scene of Tracy, finding out she left in the middle of the night, and made no effort to tell him why did suck.
"Relationships fail all the time, Mike. I'm no different and I will move on," Gage said calmly.
"Now, you've only watched the final edit of her last speech," Mike said with a glint in his eye, "You've never seen the full, unedited version. Until now..."
Gage blinked, what was going on. The teleprompter changed to Tracy standing in the bathroom, her nudity edited, doing the video she made when she went to the bathroom after they had sex. That's what hurt so much. She returned from the bathroom and knew full well she was leaving and gave him a last 'pity cuddle,' and left without a word.
"Now, of course we needed to censor some bits for the audience, but this is the first time anyone other than the shows producers and Tracy has ever seen this -including Gage..."
The video started with Tracy not looking, blank of emotion. Not angry, not mad, not happy. "Okay, I hope someone sees this right away. First, Gage won his bonus. Here's his 'BEEP' running down my leg." The camera panned down to a distorted view of her groin area. "Second, I am done. He wins. As soon as he's asleep, I'll text you so someone can come pick me up - please bring me some clothes..."
That was what Gage watched over and over. The camera kept rolling and Tracy's eyes were watering. She took a deep breath and said, "If you ever, ever cared for me as a friend, you will keep this part off the web and not show Gage. Don't make him look bad - I know how picking and choosing which bits to use works and all that. He's twice the man he thinks he is - make sure others see that. I don't give a shit what anyone thinks of me. And please, don't do the whole texting to alert him crap. Please, please, just let me enjoy this time with him before I go... thanks..."
Mike had his smirk again as he turned to Gage. Gage was in shock, but glad that he wasn't having tears in his eyes on television again.
"Why did they release this?" Gage said.
"I know... it must come as a shock that she obviously really did care for you," Mike said, "We received this footage as well as permission to show it from Tracy Winfield herself - right from the phone she used during the completion. Her only condition was that you had to see it, and hear what she has to say..."
Gage felt real anxious and looked around. What was she thinking, doing this on a national syndicated talk show?
Mike laughed. "No, she isn't here. But she did approach us a week ago. I'm to give you this. Sorry, folks, but it will be up to Gage whether he shares her message."
Gage took an envelop from Mike, opened it up and read the handwritten note. He had no doubt it came from Tracy. After he read it aloud, "Gage. I am sorry but it was really for the best. I hope one day to have the opportunity to tell you why, but understand if that isn't possible. Tracy Stinkpuss Winfield."
"Wow..." Mike said shaking his head with fake sympathy, "After this break. We'll get Gage's thought on this big revelation."
Gage stood up and said, "Fuck you, Mike," and walked off camera, handing his wireless microphone to a production assistant.
Two months later, a man was caught cheating on his wife on the flash camera at a rock concert, and Gage was yesterday's news. It was hard keeping up with his school work doing the promotion stuff; he was glad that seemed over for the time being. He'd get the occasional offer to do something like an interview or appearance, but politely declined. Gage was glad his fifteen minutes of fame was coming to an end.
There definitely were perks he'd miss; not the attention, but the paid travel and companies sending him free stuff, which he shared with his family and friends. It was also nice not having to worry about his finances right up to when he proudly graduated in front of his parents, friends, and no paparazzi or news coverage.
It was a good thing the hidden Tracy video came near the end of his fifteen minutes. Gage only had to address it a few times and public, and explain why he didn't know where Tracy was or why she wasn't contacting him or their friends.
The private reaction to the big revelation was mixed. Most of his family felt he never should have anything to do with a person like that - of course they bought Tracy the villain angle. David and Crystal still were hopeful something would happen. He had to listen to hours of them apologizing and explaining why they felt their plan was necessary and would work. Gage and Tracy were both lost and kindred souls that needed each other, blah, blah. Considering all his tuition, living expenses were paid and he had enough left over for a down payment on a new car, Gage couldn't be that angry at them.
Crystal, even after admitting she did know about the unreleased footage insisted that she has not had any contact with Tracy. She was ready to call the police, until Tracy's mother said Tracy wasn't missing, but insisted respecting her privacy. Tracy's money from the show, which Gage insisted she receive, was still in a bank account waiting for her. Splitting the money was also kept out of the public side of the story.
It was a month after graduation, and Gage was two weeks away from starting his new job for a crop insurance company in the account receivable department, when he noticed someone slid a red piece of paper under his apartment door. He'd only been there for two months, but was already used to pamphlets and coupons.
He was going to give it a quick read on the way to throwing it out. Instead, he dropped it on the counter and picked up the phone and dialed.
"Hey, man..." said Dave's sleepy but cheerful voice.
"Dave, is this you? You playing more games?" Gage said angrily.
"What games?"
"Someone just slid an invitation under my door to take part in a new nude challenge tomorrow for three days at the same place as before. No phones, no videos. I just show up with essentials and no clothes"
"Gage, it wasn't me - or Crystal. Shit, someone's messing with you. Don't go..." David said, and then he heard a woman's voice and hushed whispering. "Okay, look I'm going to check on something and get back to you."
Gage paced the apartment thinking who could be doing this. It reminded him of the supposed prank when a guy's told everyone one's going to jerk off in the dark, then the lights come back on and everyone laughs at him. He wasn't going to be suckered like that.
About thirty minutes later, Crystal called.
"Hello," Gage said.
