Roy had made it through three rounds without using his Bonus Buster or halving his Credits in the Surprise Spinner. Even the usually uninterested camera crew were standing straight and watching him. He’d just knocked out Gregory, a PE teacher with an interest in Karate, and absorbed his winnings too.
The studio lights dimmed mercifully and the Host, Phil Crispin, wiped his forehead. ‘You sure know your African cities, Roy! I have to admit I didn’t know half of those answers!’
A make-up artist ran up to Roy and he spoke between the strokes of her soft brush.
‘Well, my wife, Judy, and I have been revising a lot, you see. After dinner we do half an hour of random topics from the encyclopaedia.’
‘That’s marvellous! A real team! Is she in the audience tonight?’
A few seconds later a man in a black t-shirt appeared guiding a star-struck woman in heels. ‘You’re doing so well, baby! I said you would!’ Phil Crispin put his arm around Judy.
‘We’ve never had a contestant do so well before, Judy. What will you two spend the money on?’
Roy frowned, he was reserved and didn’t want Judy to think he’d definitely win the jackpot but he made no complaint of them sharing the winnings. She’d helped him so much, after all. ‘Oh, I don’t know. A hot tub or pool.’
‘They sound grand. Judy, how about a break? Any place either of you haven’t been yet?’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that yet.’
‘What about study, become a student again!’
‘Oh maybe – my Roy loves quizzes – I doubt there is anything he needs to study!’
Phil Crispin gave a polite laugh. ‘How about a fast sports car to drive around the city?’ pointing to a bright red convertible just off stage as a Bonus Prize.
‘Oh, sure, for me maybe. Roy can’t drive.’
Phil Crispin smoothed her back. ‘Well, I’m pretty sure you’ll be able to afford some lessons!’ The lights came back on and Judy was ushered away. The theme music kicked in and the APPLAUSE sign flashed.
‘Welcome back!’ shouted the host to camera one. Roy was presented with his multitudes of cash in briefcases by half a dozen models in leather skirts. ‘Well, Roy, who would you share this with? Is there a special woman at home?’
‘Why, yes, actually my wife, Judy: she’s been supporting me in my hobby of trivia since we walked down the aisle.’
‘Oh really?’ teased Phil Crispin. ‘Perhaps we should get her down here to take your place?’
Roy laughed but then became solemn. ‘She has been a rock for me.’
Camera 3 moved in for a close up on Judy’s tearful eyes.
‘That’s lovely,’ said Phil Crispin, ‘I wish you the best of luck.’
Crispin’s podium rose four metres. ‘Now, to win the accumulated fund in these briefcases you need to answer the questions from the computer’s random topic. Or you can DEFECT with the Kitchen Unit and Surfboard.’
A drum roll began. Roy looked at Judy who nodded. ‘ACCUMULATE,’ confirmed Roy and the audience erupted into applause and cheers.
The big screen flashed categories at lightning speed: Latin Verbs; Living Nobel Prize Winners; Dog-Training Techniques; Japanese Island Culture; The Titanic – all leading to the life-changing Jackpot. Roy slammed the button and his category was selected: ‘Driving Test Criteria since 1965,’ froze on the screen.
Phil Crispin gave an enormous smile. ‘Good luck, Roy – do it for Judy.’ He winked.
Daniel Bird was born in the UK and is a short-story writer living in Hong Kong. He works in education. Find Daniel on Twitter at @dannotarealbird and www.notarealbird.com.
Photo by Tim Meyer on Unsplash.
