Gemma took a sharp intake of breath as she tried to concentrate on the question she was being asked. She knew she had to get it right. The consequence of getting it wrong was too much to contemplate.
As she stood there willing her mind to concentrate on the moment in hand she couldn't help reflecting on the chain of events that saw her standing on a stage with a spotlight shining down on her. Showing her every curve, her full breasts, her long tanned legs. All encased in a short tight halter neck dress but maybe only for the moment longer. As one more wrong answer and the dress would go.
The evening had started the same as any other Friday night. Gemma and her flat mates Jodie and Kat had had their traditional argument over who got the bathroom first. Followed by the follow up one about who had used all of the hot water. Rounded off by the scrum for the best mirror in the flat for putting make up on.
Once they were finished they had a bottle of wine and set off out. Each of them dressed, as sexily as there student budgets would allow. Each of them looking for a man to satisfy their needs.
They headed toward Tony's Place. Tony's is a bar that welcomed students with tight budgets. They often had promotions on that encouraged students to participate in the nights entertainment in exchange for cash or free drinks.
As they approached the entrance to the bar they saw a notice. The student newspaper was sponsoring that night's entertainment. At 10pm there was to be a competition. The first prize was £1500 cash for the winners. Details would be announced on stage at 10pm. To enter you had to have a team of three people and they must be the same gender.
The girls looked at each other and nodded. The money would be great. What could they possibly have to do to get the money? The girls weren't sure but all agreed that between them they should be able to do it.
They went in and signed up. The wait for 10pm started. Now as Gemma stood on the stage, her mouth dry, beads of sweat running down her face, every face in the whole bar watching her with there phones pointed at her ready to capture the moment for posterity she wished they had never signed up.
The wait for 10pm was quite uneventful. The girls drank cheap wine and looked around. The sign in table was the most popular table in the whole place. Gemma spotted a photographer friend of hers so she headed in his direction.
Before she could get to him to interrogate him about what he knew about tonight's proceedings he disappeared. It was then that she spotted Gavin. All of a sudden she felt nervous.
She had humiliated Gavin a few weeks ago and as he was standing in the bar in a tuxedo she guessed that he was hosting tonight. That would have to be the worst stroke of luck going. She needed this money.
Gemma took a deep breath and headed in his direction. All thoughts of friends and flat mates forgotten, she had to make sure things were right with him. She wanted to win what ever the competition was and she didn't want anyone to try to ruin it.
As she got near he saw her and turned in her direction. He smiled at her.
"Hi. You look nice tonight." Gemma mumbled
"Thanks. You scrub up quite nicely yourself." He replied
"Listen. About the other week, I'm sorry." She continued
"That's fine. A bet is a bet." He grinned.
"So, were cool?" She asked
"Sure. I've got to go. You have entered haven't you?" He asked holding his breath
"Couldn't resist." She replied
"Good." He said looking very relieved.
He turned and walked away before Gemma could say anything else.
About ten minutes later the bar went quiet as over the PA system a clock struck ten.
Gavin appeared on stage. A single spot light lit him up. The rest of the stage was in darkness. Still there wasn't a clue as to what the competition was about.
"Tonight. One lucky group of friends could walk away from this bar with £1500 cash." Gavin announced.
"We have put all of the names of the people who have signed up for tonight into our giant tombola. I will pick the lucky group out and they will be the ones to play for the prize. Everyone else. Better hope they loose because once the money is gone the game is over. Until it is won the game goes on." Gavin continued.
There was a buzz running through the bar as Gavin reached in to pull the names of the first contestants out. Gemma's stomach clenched as the piece of paper came out. She almost didn't register as Gavin called out her name followed by Jodie and Kats.