The Smole: 60.20-That's so metal

In the previous episode of the Smole, Kearney and Maru had to solve puzzles the rest created. They only managed to solve Virginia's crossword puzzle in 15 minutes, thus earning 30 points and preventing Virginia from getting an exemption. What they didn't realise is that Mariana had been given a new task of filling in an obituary column with herself in it. Will she survive the next execution and add points to the pot, especially with the odds stacked highly against her? Or will someone else be executed instead?

Bert: "Thanks for giving us the exemption boys."

Kearney: "Where is Mariana? Has she really been executed?"

Maru: "Is she dead?"

Virginia: "She was not with us at the hotel."

Maru: "Hotel? Jealous."

Kearney: "Tell me what happened."

Francisca: "We created the puzzles and then were brought to a hotel. At the office, one of us had to switch tasks and be the one predicted to be executed next. We nominated Mariana unanimously. She could earn 20 points if she survives the next execution. I suspect that's why she did not follow us to the hotel."

Virginia: "Speaking of the mission, how could the two of you be so utterly useless that only a single puzzle was solved? Not even the word search?"

Maru: "It was hard."

Kearney: "We ran out of time."

Virginia: "The four of us performed flawlessly—therefore, the failure rests squarely on your shoulders."

Kearney: "There is only so much I can do if the rest of you are unwilling to cooperate. Giving us unsolvable puzzles?"

Bert: "They are not unsolvable. We had to get them approved first. You're just weak-minded."

Kearney: "Even so, you made them impossibly hard to solve in 15 minutes."

Kearney: "I will not have this failure marked to my name."

Maru: "What if we're here arguing when the Mole is Mariana?"

Bert: "Enough of that nonsense. If you would excuse me, I have better things to do. My time is precious."

Francisca: "I'm positive the Mole is among the them. They couldn't even get their stories straight with the word search."

Bert: "The two of us can relax today. I'm so glad great minds think alike."

Francisca: "I feel bad about this. We're just squandering our chances."

Bert: "There's no need to feel bad. It's not like we need the money."

Francisca: "We?"

Bert: "Sorry. I meant that we're both intelligent contestants who know how to think of the bigger picture. What is 30 points for an exemption if it can guarantee us another day in this house? What's most important is finding the Mole; the money is secondary."

Bert: "If you do need the money, you can come work for me."

Francisca: "What?"

Bert: "I honestly see a lot of potential in you, Francisca. You are smart, adaptable and resilient. You survived out on your own. That's someone I like to have by my side."

Francisca: "I spent my whole life being told what to do. I don't think I want your offer."

Bert: "Don't be so quick to reject me. Here's my business card. You can always come find me after the show. It's not like I'm going to leave Hidden Springs any time soon."

Virginia: "Are you not keeping vigil?"

Kearney: "Francisca wanted to rest in her room so I let her. Bert is there too so I doubt Maru will try anything. I need to split myself into three now to protect the three women."

Virginia: "How terribly sexist."

Kearney: "I would protect Bert too if he was afraid."

Virginia: "He simply does not show it outwardly."

Kearney: "How am I going to be at four places at the same time?"

Virginia: "Do you expect yourself to advance to the finale?"

Kearney: "Yes."

Virginia: "The confidence is admirable."

Kearney: "What does that mean?"

Virginia: "You don't even know how to play chess."

Kearney: "What does chess have to do with this?"

Virginia: "In the Smole and in chess alike, you think three steps ahead to win."

Kearney: "What you're saying is...I should teach all of you how to fight."

Virginia: "Not at all. Don't twist my words."

Kearney: "I'm learning to play chess. You can learn self-defence. If any aggressor gets to you, at least you can protect yourself and get enough time to escape and find help."

Virginia: "It's too late."

Mariana: "Hello everybody!"

Kearney: "Mariana, where have you been?"

Mariana: "Good to see you too, Kearney. I had to spend the night in a coffin."

Kearney: "A coffin!"

Mariana: "I know right? That's so metal. Well the coffin was made of stone, not metal, but you get me."

Kearney: "Is that safe?"

Mariana: "I don't know but I'm still alive."

Kearney: "Why did you have to spend the night in a coffin?"

Mariana: "I'd love to tell you, but you're not in a coalition with me."

Kearney: "Then be that way. I don't need a coalition to win."

Mariana: "I visited a graveyard. There were coffins and photos of the executed contestants except Luis."

Mariana: "You have been deemed the next contestant to be executed. But can you change your fate? Each of the fallen have something to tell you, but you may only open one coffin and listen to them."

Mariana: "Oh my goodness me! I have to sleep in the coffin if I want to see the clue."

Mariana: "Who do I peek at? Maybe their suspects are written inside."

Mariana: "Decisions, decisions. I wonder if anybody would know if I peeked at all of them."

Mariana: "I am very curious to know if Rita and Trenton were executed or quit. That would tell me if their shadows are the Mole or not. But Rita left first. If Virginia isn't the Mole, then I would have learned nothing."

Mariana: "I would loved to have known where Darleen's head was at too, but I'm very confident she quit so that's not going to help."

Mariana: "This makes the most sense. His shadow is still here and he left very recently. Alright, I'm going for it."

Mariana: "Huh?"

Mariana: "The obituary ended up being a blessing in disguise. I lost an exemption but I gained something far more valuable: a clue! I told Bert about it. After a shower, of course. The experience of sleeping in a coffin is so strange especially with a bunch of tennis balls in there."

Maru: "I don't know what else I can take. Maybe I'll purchase a bingo square for 50 points."

Maru: "I went back up to the attic for another bingo. I got myself a shiny new bingo square. Too bad I already filled in the blank bingo square."

Francisca: "I have been heeding your advice, Virginia."

Virginia: "That is good."

Mariana: "Can I call you Virginia too?"

Virginia: "No."

Mariana: "Why does she have special treatment?"

Virginia: "Because...well..."

Maru: "Mariana! I heard you came back."

Mariana: "Oh, Maru...err..hi."

Maru: I'll sit over here instead."

Virginia: "Perhaps that'd be for the best."

Maru: "Are all of you scared of me?"

Mariana: "I saw a show about someone with split personality before. The guy ended up being a murderer."

Maru: "Not all identities are evil or aggressive. In fact, most of the time we can live peacefully and harmoniously. Just ask Magnus and Matthew."

Francisca: "Are they your other identities?"

Maru: "They're my cousins, silly."

Francisca: "So are you Mitch or Maru?"

Maru: "Maru of course. Can't you tell?"

Mariana: "No we cannot."

Virginia: "How are we to discern when we are speaking to Mitch and when it is Maru we address?"

Maru: "That's a good question."

Mariana: "Can you control when you choose to be Maru and when you choose to be Mitch?"

Maru: "That's another good question. I think I can...though recently it's been a bit harder."

Maru: "But I promise Mitch won't hurt you. I talked to him and made sure he'll never harass you again, Francisca."

Francisca: "How can you guarantee that?"

Francisca: "Aah!"

Mariana: "Why did you walk over?"

Maru: "Shh! Don't shout. I don't want Kearney to come."

Mariana: "Maru!"

Maru: "I didn't realise Mitch scared all of you that much. I'm so sorry. Can you forgive us?"

Francisca: "I don't know...if you can't control yourself, that's dangerous. But you had a sad childhood growing up like me, and you were bullied into becoming this."

Virginia: "I had no idea you faced such trauma."

Mariana: "Me neither."

Maru: "I can control Mitch! I'll make sure of it."

Mariana: "I think he knows he did wrong this time, Francisca. I feel a bit bad for being so ignorant and trying to distance myself from him now after hearing all this."

Virginia: "I am inclined to give him another chance."

Francisca: "...Okay. We forgive you. But you have to keep your promise."

Maru: "Deal!"

Francisca: "I'll speak to Kearney about this so that he doesn't have to stress himself over this any more."

It is time for the quiz. 10 questions about the actions and identity of the Mole. The lowest scorer may be executed.

Q1: Is the Mole male or female?

A: Male

B: Female

Q2: What kind of umbrella was the Mole given?

A: Sun's Bane Parasol

B: Rain Disruptor

Q3: Does the Mole wear socks?

A: Yes

B: No

Q4: Is the Mole's shadow richer or poorer than the Mole in terms of household funds?

A: Richer

B: Poorer

C: Same wealth

D: The Mole is a shadow

Q5: In Mission 10, what did the Mole do?

A: Create puzzles

B: Solve puzzles

Q6: In Mission 10, did the Mole switch tasks?

A: Yes

B: No

Q7: Which puzzle did the Mole attempt first in Mission 10?

A: Sudoku

B: Cryptogram

C: None of the above

Q8: Which puzzle did the Mole create in Mission 10?

A: Sudoku

B: Cryptogram

C: Crossword puzzle

D: None of the above

Q9: Where did the Mole sleep overnight during Mission 10?

A: Smole house

B: Hotel

C: Coffin

Q10: Who is the Mole?

A: Francisca Vanderburg

B: Bert Alto

C: Mariana Matlapin

D: Maru Mango

E: Kearney O'Shea

F: Virginia Supine

"Good evening contestants. First of all, let us welcome Mariana back. She filled in her obituary correctly in the previous mission so she adds 10 points to the pot. However, Maru spent 50 points on a bingo square from the prize pool. The question is whether she can add another 20 points by surviving this execution and offset the expense, or will she be the one to fall next as predicted?"

"Mariana Matlapin."

Bert: "I found that Mariana was quite dependent on everyone else in the mission to help her finish her obituary for only 10 points. She dragged everyone along with her even if we weren't finished with submitting our own puzzles."

Mariana: "Oh no!"

"Unfortunately, Mariana Matlapin, you have been executed. Please pack your bags and leave."

Kearney: "Despite being one of the older contestants Mariana behaved youthfully. She helped to fight for shared use of the kitchen for all of us."

Mariana: "Oopsy, there goes Rome."

Mariana: "I'm not too upset. My main goal was to have fun and I did it. I really enjoyed playing tennis with everyone, and it was my debut mission too. It's been a blast making so many new friends and new memories together."