Beginning in the late 2020s, a strange rumor began to pop up on forum sites. Mysterious posts would appear and then disappear an hour later. They would advertise something called, 'Transformation and Titillation' claiming it was the best game show on the internet followed by a hyperlink and a warning that only those eighteen and older could view the content.
Strangely, anyone younger than eighteen was unable to access the linked site and everyone else merely saw a 'Please Stand By' screen with strange characters that seemed to countdown to something. While many dismissed this strange website as some kind of prank, some fell into the habit of routinely checking the odd site. For months the site remained the same, until one unassuming Saturday night the screen cut to live video.
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"Welcome one and all to the best game show on the internet, Transformation and Titillation!" a charismatic voice proclaimed over a wide shot of a generic 70s game show set as a cliche theme song played.
A figure wearing a featureless silver mask and a form-fitting tuxedo with shoulder-length brown hair appeared on screen. The mask and their thin build made it impossible to discern their gender, and their voice, though full of wit and energy, was also rather androgynous. The sheer confidence radiating from the figure gave them an unmistakable sexual edge, though.
"I'm your host Ali Almight and, as this is the inaugural episode of Transformation and Titillation! Let me take a minute to tell you all what's in store. Each episode we'll have a new contestant come on and compete in various challenges for cash money and other fabulous prizes. For each challenge they complete they get closer to their heart's desire, however, if they fail or perform poorly they will receive a penalty transformation.
There are three kinds of transformations - physical, mental, and hybrid - as well as three methods of selecting a transformation - personal choice, audience vote, and by the discretion of your's truly. There are a few other special rules and affordances, but we'll address those as they come up."
Though Ali's face was covered, they executed such a natural and enticing charisma that anyone viewing the show quickly became enticed.
"And now allow me to introduce the first ever contestant on Transformation and Titillation, Ethan McCormick," Ali declared as the camera changed to a fairly average looking man in his early twenties. He was on the thin side and his white athletic shirt hugged his torso comfortably. His black athletic shorts fell just below his knee and matched his black and red tennis shoes. Between his pale complexion, greasy black hair, and slightly crooked nose; he wasn't quite as attractive as he'd like to be.
"Um, hi," Ethan began somewhat uncomfortably. "I'm Ethan. I, ah, just finished my Comp. Sci. degree and am looking for a decent job right now. I like video games, comics, and, uh, Game of Thrones."
"Come on Ethan, no need to be nervous. You're the first ever contestant and expectations are as low as your savings account balance. Why don't you tell the folks at home why you're playing today?" Ali asked with a sing-song cadence.
Wincing at the hurtful joke Ethan answered, "I'm here today because I saw online that I could win enough money to pay off my student loans."
"And why are you hard-up for money to pay your loans back?" Ali inquired.
"I, uh, do I really have to say?" Ethan asked.
"If you want the game to start, yes you do," Ali returned.
With a frustrated sigh, Ethan said, "Ugh, fine. I got blackmailed by a woman I matched with on Tinder. I was drunk and sent her some dick pics and said what I wanted to do to her. She and other women I had done this to somehow got in touch and started working together. They found me on LinkedIn and threatened to send the messages and photos to all of my connections if I didn't send them all of my savings."
"Oof, though luck," Ali replied in a tone that didn't quite convey genuine compassion. "Let's see if you can turn it around in today's terrific challenges and win some prize money!" The camera cut back to Ali as they gestured toward a table of neatly stacked hundred dollar bills.
Ali continued, "You agreed to compete for eighty thousand dollars today, is that correct?"
"Yes, that should take care of my loans and other debt," Ethan agreed.
"Fantastic!" Ali professed. "For that prize you'll need to complete four challenges. If you fail any challenge the game will immediately end you'll be sent home. You will also receive penalty transformations based on how heavily you underperform in any of the challenges. Will you please show the audience your Transformation Tag?"
"O-okay," Ethan said as he raised the back of his left hand to the camera. On it were a series of strange characters arranged in a spiral pattern.
"Wonderful! Are you ready to start, then?"
"Uh, yeah. Let's, let's do this," Ethan answered, trying to muster up confidence.
"Great!" Ali returned, "This first challenge shouldn't be too hard, but I promise they'll get tougher."
Ali gestured off screen and the camera panned to reveal a basketball hoop, a rack of balls, and a patch of finished hardwood in the shape of a rectangle ending in a half-circle.
"You'll need to sink ten free-throws in a minute. If you make less than five baskets you lose and if you get less than ten you'll receive a penalty equal to the difference. Make sense?"
"Yeah, I played Basketball in high school, so I think this should be pretty easy," Ethan answered with a bit of genuine optimism.
With a laugh, Ali said, "I dig that pep! Step over to the court and the countdown will start with your first shot."
Ethan walked over to the mini-court and, after stretching briefly, began shooting. He was a bit more out of practice than he realized, and missed the first several shots. However, his shooting technique returned to him and he began making a few baskets at a time before a few consecutive misses. With twenty seconds left, he had five baskets and began making faster and sloppier attempts in an attempt to as many penalties as possible. His final shot went in the hoop just as the buzzer went off to give Ethan a total of eight successful baskets.
"Oh, that was a good effort Ethan, but you couldn't quite make it to ten. Looks like you have two penalty transformations in store. I'll go easy on you, though, and make these transformations entirely at your discretion."
"For the first penalty you can choose between Ta-Ta For Now, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, or Pay to Play," Ali said.