The music crashed to a halt before a word could escape my lips, which was deeply frustrating because I actually knew the answer to that one. "Sorry, Victoria," Charlie announced, his too handsome visage brightened with a lecherous grin. "Time's up, but you have answered five questions correctly."
The live studio audience clapped, their applause quickly giving way to murmured speculation, echoed by my own anxious thoughts. To be honest, I had not really expected to be selected from that crowd that now watched me, one of a lucky few given a chance to play. Not in my wildest dreams - okay, maybe there - had I thought I would reach the final round.
"Well, Victoria," Charlie said, "you can walk away a winner now with this beautiful golden necklace" - he held it up to the audience, who
ooh
ed and
ahh
ed appreciatively, though not of course with any sincerity - "or you can risk all and play
Prize Or Penalty
..."
This time there was silence. A dropped pin would have been deafening. Of course I would play. Everyone does - everyone who gets this far. And yet... it's terrifying when that moment is upon you.
But there's no reward without risk.
"Well, Victoria? What will it be? Play? Or pass?"
I took a deep breath. "I'll play, Charlie."
The audience cheered, and I could feel my cheeks blushing at what would - and what might - happen next. In front of Charlie and a room full of strangers, and my girlfriend Ellie (would our relationship survive this?), and then there were the TV cameras that would transmit this to my friends and family and potentially the whole wide world.
Forget my cheeks. I was blushing all over as the reality of this moment hit home. This was no longer just an innocent quiz show. This was now a life-altering gamble, one that started with -
"You know the rules, Victoria," Charlie said, his demonic grin wider than ever. "You scored five in the last round, and that entitles you to five items of clothing. I don't know, but I think you're -"
The audience completed it for him: "- overdressed!" General laughter gave way to a chant of, "
Strip! Strip! Strip!
"
Reluctantly I eased myself out of shoes and tights, leaving myself with bra and knickers, vest, shirt and skirt. Even though nothing intimate was revealed - yet - removing any clothes felt nonetheless amoral. Baring my legs and feet became an act of erotic exposure.
The stage lighting changed to focus on the gold-coloured boxes behind me, numbered one to ten. "Ten boxes, Victoria," Charlie explained. "Five prizes, and five penalties. Remember, at any time, you can quit and go home with this beautiful necklace." Again he held it up enticingly.
I shook my head, tempted though I was. I had five items of clothing. The chances of me leaving empty handed were roughly one in two hundred and fifty - and some of the penalties weren't so bad. I would trust to luck.
It wasn't just women who got to play
Prize Or Penalty
. I'd seen men get "Base Balls" - huge testicles - and "Ever Erect" (ouch!) and even "Come Like A Racehorse," which was reportedly a lot less desirable than it sounds. Just half an hour before I got my chance to play, a man left with a cool two million and a "Chastity Cage" (not a physical cock cage, of course, but a neural adjustment having the same effect); his dismay at that penalty had had the whole audience sniggering.
There were many penalties too that I knew I really wouldn't like. "Fit Clit" would make it so my clit could only be excited by running, "Firehose" would turn my orgasms into epic squirting events, and "Fabulous Futa" would transform my clit into a functional cock - yikes!
"To open a box," Charlie continued, though of course everyone already knew this, "you must surrender an item of clothing." He winked lecherously at the camera. "So, are you ready, Victoria?"
I nodded nervously. "Yes, Charlie," I replied, my voice catching.
"Excellent! Then let's play
Prize Or Penalty
!"
The audience cheered again, but fell silent in anticipation as a drum rolled. "What item of clothing will you remove first, Victoria?"
The choice was easy. "My shirt," I said, unbuttoning the blue cotton shirt and handing it to Charlie. The outline of my bra was visible through my vest, and now my arms were bare too. I was far from naked, but uncomfortably aware of how little covering I had.
"An independent adjudicator is responsible for selecting the five penalties and arranging them randomly, but let's hope you find a prize. In just a few minutes, Victoria, you could be going home a multi-millionaire! Choose your first box..."
"My lucky number, Charlie. Seven."
"A popular first choice." He carried the box over to me and opened it to reveal the envelope and sealed test tube. "It's still not too late to back out and go home, Victoria."
I shook my head. Unstoppering the test tube, I offered up a quick, silent prayer, and drank the green liquid. It was salty-sweet. If I was lucky, that's all it was. "Open the envelope, Victoria. Let's see if you've won... or lost."
There was a card in the envelope. I'd hoped to see a number with lots of zeros. My heart sank. There were two words: "Itchy Nipples." The audience laughed as I held it up to the camera. Already I could feel a subtle tingling sensation, although it could have been my mind playing tricks on me at that point.
"Never mind, Victoria. Better luck next time. You do want to continue, don't you?"
"Yes, Charlie," I said, and again the drum rolled. I hesitated over the choice, because all four options felt overtly sexual, as if I were crossing a line.
The audience chanted, "
Strip! Strip! Strip!
" and I yielded to a decision, tugging my vest off over my head and passing it to Charlie. Sighs of satisfaction rippled through the watching crowd at the sight of my white lace bra.
"Number Ten," I said.
Charlie nodded. "I've got a good feeling about this one," he said cheerfully, bringing it over. This time the liquid was red and bitter. Colour and taste meant nothing, of course. "I bet this one's a prize. Open the envelope, Victoria."
I rather absent-mindedly scratched an itch, only belatedly aware that I was scratching my nipple through the delicate lace of my bra. I jerked my hand away in a panic, much to the amusement of all, and blushed furiously as laughter echoed around me.
Hurriedly I opened this second envelope, praying that this time I would see zeros. But alas! "Luscious Lips." A little in shock at my bad luck, I held the card up for the murmuring audience and the camera.