When I saw the advertisement for a game show with a grand prize of $500,000, I'd applied immediately. After everything that had happened over the last year, I'd been desperately searching for anything that might help me get my head above water.
I'd graduated with a marketing degree, been told there were endless opportunities in advertising, digital media, branding.
But instead, found myself at unpaid internships, on temporary gigs that barely covered rent, and ultimately working a dead-end job. When the industry was hit with a widespread wave of layoffs, I was left with nothing.
The bills had started to pile up almost immediately. My student loans were now crushing me. And my landlord had just served me with an eviction notice. By the first of next month, I'd have nowhere to live.
So when I saw the ad, I didn't really hesitate.
Five hundred thousand dollars.
Enough to wipe out my debt and secure a place to live. It felt like a long shot, but I had to try. I had no idea what the show entailed, but honestly, what were the chances I'd get chosen anyways?
But somehow, against all odds, here I was, backstage at a game show I knew nothing about. And the host of the show was welcoming me on stage, "Ladies and gentlemen," he boomed, "Welcome back to Mounting to Ten! Let's give a warm welcome to our next contestant: Sadie!" He stood on the stage, gesturing to me with an easy confidence, broad shoulders and a lean, strong frame. His sharp jaw was shadowed with scruff, and his dark eyes held a steady, magnetic gaze, drawing me in.
He'd said "Ladies" but that must have been for show because as I'd scanned the audience back stage, I'd only see men. They erupted into a chorus of hoots and hollers now. I forced a smile but my stomach churned as I stepped out from behind the curtain.
Countless eyes scanned me from head to toe. Maybe I was imagining it, but their reactions seemed to carry a tone far different from the wholesome game show excitement I had been anticipating.
Instead, I sensed a sort of predatory curiosity, and, was that... lust?
Maybe I should have read that waiver I'd signed more thoroughly...
The Host, seeming to sense my discomfort and leaning in close, whispered, "Don't worry, darling. You're going to do great. Just relax, and I'll take care of everything," he winked. The faint scent of cedar and leather lingered in his wake, warm and intoxicating.
Turning back to the audience, he boomed into his microphone, "NOW, right this way, Little Miss Sadie," he gestured with a flourish, "Let's get you situated for the first round."
I followed him hesitantly, my legs feeling a bit like jello.
Sitting on the stage behind him was a raised, circular platform. In the center of the platform was a hole just big enough for a person to stand in.
The Host helped me up, "Go ahead and step right down into the center, Sadie," he said, leading me closer, "this is where the fun begins."
I hesitated, looking down at the hole and feeling a pit form in my stomach.
Once I'd stepped into the circle, the platform rose to my hips, blocking any view of my feet. I could only turn in place, unable to move otherwise.
"Now that Sadie is situated and before we can start the first round, we need a little audience participation." The look in The Host's eyes was making me nervous.
"Let's get four volunteers, shall we? Who's feeling brave enough to join our lovely contestant up here on stage?"
He scanned the audience, eyes settling on a man in his mid-thirties with a tight, faded T-shirt. He was standing, with a muscular arm in the air.
"Yes! You there, with the short sleeves," the Host called, pointing at him. The crowd cheered as the man stood, a sly grin spreading across his face. His dark gaze lingered on my breasts as he approached.
"Next!" boomed the host.
Another man stood. A bit older, with a beer belly and a bald head. He wore a plaid shirt, sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal tattooed forearms beneath.
The third volunteer was much younger, probably in his early twenties. He was tall and wide chested, with a crooked grin.
Finally, a fourth man, much older than the others with white hair and a rumpled suit was selected after raising his hand slowly. He made his way shakily to the stage.
"Now," The Host said with a suspicious gleam in his eye, "I'd like you gentlemen to spread out on the circular platform surrounding Sadie."
The men took their positions around the platform, their eyes locked on me, crotches just below eye level.
The Host clapped his hands together, drawing the crowd's attention back to him. "All right, Sadie, here's how the first round works," he announced. "It's simple: I'll ask you a few trivia questions, and you just have to answer them correctly. Each right answer gets you closer to that life changing prize money. But get one wrong, and..." he trailed off, letting the suspense build.
"Well, let's not worry about that just yet."
The audience roared and my pulse pounded in my ears.
"First question!" The Host called out, "Sadie, what is the average length of an erect penis in the United States? You've got five seconds."
The question hit me like a slap. My cheeks flushed as the audience burst into laughter at the shock on my face.
As embarrassed as I was by what he'd said, I was also pretty sure I knew the answer. Determined, I forced it from my lips. "Uh, five... five inches?"
The Host smiled approvingly. the grin was slow and deliberate, starting with a subtle curve of his lips before spreading into something that hinted at mischief and control. "Thats correct! 5.1 inches, to be exact. Someone's been doing their homework," he teased, his glance sending a shockwave through me.
The men around me chuckled and I stared straight ahead, refusing to meet their gaze.
"On to question number two!" The Host continued, "In ancient Rome, a certain part of the male anatomy was often kissed as a gesture of respect and allegiance. Can you tell us which part, Sadie?"
Heat rose to my face once again as the audience erupted into whoops and catcalls, their laughter teetering on the edge of crude.
He couldn't mean--no. I wasn't about to say it.
I swallowed.
"The... the hand?" I ventured, praying I was right.
"Wrong! It was the penis, Sadie! Specifically, during certain rituals." He wagged a finger at me, disappointed, his jaw tightening. "Looks like you've got some studying to do, my dear. No need to worry, your penalty for answering incorrectly should help with that! Gentlemen, please unbutton your pants."
The men complied, and my eyes widened as they exposed themselves.
"Now Sadie, you need to kiss each of our volunteer's...ahem...manhood."
The crowd laughed and I felt a wave of revulsion wash over me. I didn't want to kiss these strangers' genitals.
"Remember, it's all part of the game, and it's worth a LOT of money," encouraged The Host, "Money that could solve all of your problems."
His words struck a chord. I DID need the money. I thought about living on the street, a very real possibility if I left now.
"Come on, Sadie," The Host said, "you're smarter than to let something like old fashioned decorum get in the way of your future, right?"
I felt a surge of shame and embarrassment. The countless eyes on me, the voices chanting my name, the heat of the studio lights, and the sexually charged atmosphere were all scrambling my thoughts. I looked at the audience still cheering my name, demanding I, "Kiss the cocks! Kiss the cocks!" Tears pricking at the corners of my eyes, I looked up at the man directly in front of me.
He had an incredibly girthy penis, much thicker than the few I'd ever seen in real life. My body responded instinctively to the commands being hurled at me. As I leaned in to kiss it, a small droplet of precum leaked out. I closed my eyes and gently pressed my lips to the head, feeling a strange mix of revulsion and excitement. As my lips made contact, the audience exploded into applause and The Host exclaimed, "Great job, Sadie! You're one step closer to winning our cash prize. And let me tell you, our audience is loving it. They're on the edge of their seats, cheering you on. You're a true competitor, Sadie. And look at that, our first volunteer is clearly enjoying himself. I think our next audience member is going to love it even more. Just remember, every kiss keeps you in the game and brings you closer to financial freedom. You're doing this for yourself, for your future. You've started this journey, and I know you can finish it!" His eyes locked onto mine, intense but not overbearing, as if I were the only person in the world.
Mind numb, I turned to my right, towards the younger man with the lopsided grin. I bent down, my lips lightly brushing his head. As I straightened, my eyes caught a scar, low on his abdomen.
Continued encouragement from the crowd and host pulled my attention towards the third man, whose penis was truly MASSIVE. It was both thick and long, and as I kissed it a shiver of intimidation went through me.
The old man had an almost delicate package. It was thin and quite short. A faint trace of liniment or medicinal ointment wafted up as I leaned in close enough to kiss him gently on the tip.
"Fantastic job, Sadie! You pushed through your consequence like a champ and showed our audience what you're made of. You should be proud, you've officially conquered Round 1!" He extended a supportive arm, helping me out of the platform's centre.
His hand lingered briefly on my back as I stepped down, the warmth of his touch seeping through the thin fabric of my dress and leaving behind a faint, electrifying tingle.
"You're doing great, Sadie," he said, leaning in just enough to close the space between us, his presence magnetic. his voice a low murmur, speaking only to me. "I can tell, you have what it takes to walk away with that cash prize." As he spoke, he guided me toward a massage-like table set up nearby. Draped in soft, plush blankets, it looked inviting. "Okay, Sadie, let's get you settled," he said, gesturing for me to lie down. His tone was almost paternal as he spoke into the microphone "This next round will be a little more... relaxing for you. You earned it after handling the penalty so well in Round 1." His eyes met mine with a spark of mischief, and then, with the slightest tilt of his head, he delivered a slow, deliberate wink.
