60.26-Golden goose

 

In the previous episode, the contestants had to take part in an escape room. They could not work together to escape in 140 minutes, so the pot is at 602/1380 points. With the end drawing near, have the contestants found out who the Mole is yet?

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Breandan: "We learned that we were not even halfway done with the escape room. There was a second part where we had to reconvene and work together again. Having the explanation of how to escape was very enlightening and useful in determining who the Mole is."

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Virginia: "A press of a button, and a world awakens within the box—faces, voices, stories conjured from nothing. They call it a television; I call it sorcery."

Breandan: "Sorcery indeed. We have performances behind a box in Dragon Valley too but nothing like this."

Virginia: "They are real, yet not actually within this box."

Virginia: "You do not seem flabbergasted."

Breandan: "I touched the computer already."

Virginia: "You are taking to this very well."

Virginia: "Forgive me, but have you ever considered altering the shade of your hair, the hue of your skin? You stand there, a riot of color, as if a jester."

Breandan: "This is normal where I come from."

Virginia: "It's not normal where I come from."

Breandan: "Why are you only having an issue now? Kearney was here since the start."

Virginia: "I have long harbored my grievances against you and your brother, though I never deemed it worth the words to voice them before. Yet now, in a moment of curiosity or folly, I have resolved to speak beyond my sphere—to glimpse life through a lens not my own."

Breandan: "So I'm a circus animal to you? If you can accept TV why can't you accept me?"

Virginia: "I am trying."

Breandan: "Try harder."

Virginia: "My apologies. This is all too new to me."

Virginia: "If I may ask, how different is your world from mine? I see Sims with pointed ears, eyes tinted like stained glass, hair awash in unnatural hues. And yet, do they move among you without question, without scorn? Is there no whispered doubt, not even a raised brow?"

Breandan: "If everyone is like us then there's nothing strange about it."

Virginia: "I see. Midnight Hollow always struck me as suffocating in its gloom, but perhaps Dragon Valley is the true paradise."

Breandan: "It's hardly a paradise. We work hard to protect the peace we have, but war might be looming around the corner against the dragons. We have to be prepared for a dragon uprising."

Virginia: "You men and your wars—must every quarrel be bathed in blood? Can no dispute be settled with words, with reason, with peace? I suppose Dragon Valley is not the paradise it is made out to be."

Breandan: "You don't like it because you were born in a peaceful time. War is sometimes necessary. When you're born in a town full of danger and ravage, maybe you'll have a different perspective."

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Virginia: "I reached out to Mr. O'Shea, a man whose existence, to me, seemed so distant, so foreign, to explain the wonders of technology. How curious, isn't it? Yet I recognise my failings. It is humbling, you see, to witness how narrow one’s life can become when all you know is what you’ve been told to know. I thought I came from a place of privilege, but the Smole has made me aware of how closed off my society has been, walled off into an echoing chamber. The world has more to offer if you only open up your heart. By being open, there will be progress, and then a happy ending can be written. It seems like a lofty aspiration, yet we live in a world with televisions and computers. There is hope for a better future after all."

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Maru: "Enjoying the flowers?"

Francisca: "Hi Maru."

Maru: "Hm."

Francisca: "Are you...Mitch?"

Francisca: "Maru promised..."

Mitch: "I'm the one in control here."

Francisca: "What do you want?"

Mitch: "Relax. I'm not going to hurt you. I never intended to. You're my golden goose after all."

Mitch: "You did such a good job in making yourself the victim and making me look like the villain. I only wanted to scare you that day but you were the one who brought chaos and fear to everyone. Have you thought about Maru's feelings? You hurt him deeply. To get back at me you treated him like a disposable servant."

Francisca: "I didn't."

Mitch: "You did. When you told Kearney and everyone how I was a monster, did you think about Maru or only about yourself?"

Mitch: "You're the real villain here, Francisca Vanderburg."

Mitch: "But sigh. Everyone believes you. You just need to let a little scream and they'll all come running. So I'm going to have to regain my place here if I want to continue with the Smole. I won't let you jeopardise my chances, not when I'm this close to the end."

Mitch: "I told Maru to pretend to be me last night in the escape room. All of you treated him just fine. So you're not really scared of me; you just want everyone to be scared of me."

Francisca: "That's not true! Firstly, we were focused on the mission and we were apart for a long time. Secondly he was a bad actor."

Mitch: "You just mistook me for Maru."

Mitch: "Regardless, you're going to be seeing me more often whether you like it or not. And if I win the Smole, I promise not to touch you and lust after your family wealth. So we both have an incentive to let me live."

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Francisca: "Hello Virginia."

Virginia: "Hello Francisca...sorry, I meant Princess Vanderburg."

Francisca: "Please, call me Francisca."

Virginia: "Have you forgiven me?"

Francisca: "I should be used to Sims coming up to me because I'm royalty by now. You didn't do anything wrong. Besides, I asked you for book help too, so I guess we're even."

Virginia: "I am relieved to hear that."

Virginia: "Will you be returning to your palace after the season ends?"

Francisca: "I don't want to go back to a drafty palace and overbearing mother. I think I'll find somewhere else to stay."

Virginia: "We have forgiven each other. Why are you unable to forgive your parents?"

Francisca: "Because I know she'll never change. And my stepfather won't stop her. They both want the royal bloodline to continue."

Virginia: "It may continue with your brother."

Francisca: "I don't think he's interested in that either."

Virginia: "Do you miss your brother?"

Francisca: "Sometimes, but if he finds me, it could be great risk. It means others may find me too, like the royal guards."

Francisca: "Let's not talk about that. Did you know Maru let Mitch take over him again?"

Virginia: "Oh. I say let him be."

Francisca: "Are you sure? He could be up to something."

Virginia: "Yes, and that is victory. I find no fault with Mr. Mango."

Francisca: "If only I could be as open-minded as you."

Virginia: "I am not one for open-mindedness, but I understand his inner struggle. His affliction is misjudged; he possesses two eyes and ears as we do. If you can look upon my love for a woman with frankness, then I implore you to do the same for him."

Francisca: "Who exactly is it that you love? Do we know her?"

Virginia: "It is not mine to reveal. Perhaps, when the time comes, when we are both prepared and the world itself has found readiness, then the truth may emerge."

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Breandan: "I bet I can do more pushups and crunches than you."

Mitch: "Oh yeah? Look at these muscles and think again, boy."

Breandan: "I'll give you a handicap of 50."

Mitch: "I don't need no handicap."

Mitch: "Ow."

Breandan: "What's the matter? Tired already old man?"

Mitch: "I knew I should have forced Maru to keep up the discipline while here. It's not a vacation."

Breandan: "I'm still confused who the evil one is."

Mitch: "Princess Francisca Vanderburg is the true evil."

Breandan: "Impossible."

Mitch: "You can ask her what exactly I have done to her. She is ruining our reputation."

Mitch: "You can ask yourself too. You've seen both sides of us. Have we done anything to make you think we're evil?"

Breandan: "That you have not. But I have only been here for a few days."

Mitch: "So you don't have prejudice."

Maru: "All I want to do is win. Oh well, not like your opinion matters. You'll be gone next."

Breandan: "I will win the season. Just watch. I am the best."

Maru: "Too bad there can only be one winner and it ain't gonna be you or the ladies."

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Francisca: "What I'm lacking most is personal information about the Mole. I thought I could enlist Breandan's help to gather that information but he saw through my plan. I even offered him my clue, but he refused me. He's very tight-lipped about who Kearney suspected as well and what he saw behind the camera. I think he knows who it is and doesn't want to share."

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Francisca: "What have you found?"

Breandan: "Virginia is absolutely fascinated by technology."

Francisca: "Hm, I knew that already. Is there anything else?"

Breandan: "I'm not your servant. I'm only collecting information needed to do my duties."

Francisca: "Don't you want the clue?"

Breandan: "It was never about the clue. It was about helping you personally. But if you are trying to influence how I play or use me to help you win the game, then I'm not going to help you."

Francisca: "When Bert does it, it's fine, but when I do it it's not?"

Breandan: "I never helped Bert."

Francisca: "I know that. That's not what I meant."

Francisca: "I think we could bring both of us into the finale, Kearney."

Breandan: "You just forgot my name."

Francisca: "Sorry, I meant Breandan."

Breandan: "I don't need anyone's help. I'll win the Smole my own way."

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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 pattern is on the covers of the bed the Mole currently sleeps on?

A: Flowers

B: Treasure map

C: Nothing

Q3: Which remaining contestant does the Mole have the closest relationship to?

A: Francisca Vanderburg

B: Virginia Supine

Q4: What does the Mole's shadow like?

A: Peanut butter and jelly

B: Sea foam

C: The Mole is a shadow

Q5: Which of the following is a trait of the Mole?

A: Slob

B: Technophobe

C: Artistic

D: Ambitious

Q6: In Mission 13, did the Mole get hit by a trap?

A: Yes

B: No

Q7: In Mission 13, how far was the Mole from the middle door when everyone stood on a floor plate?

A: Closest

B: Second closest

C: Second furthest

D: Furthest

Q8: Which room did the Mole enter in Mission 13?

A: Scientist room

B: Kids room

C: Underground

D: None of the above

Q9: Did the Mole find a gemstone during Mission 13?

A: Yes

B: No

Q10: Who is the Mole?

A: Francisca Vanderburg

B: Maru Mango

C: Breandan O'Shea

D: Virginia Supine

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"Contestants, I hope you have rested well. Tonight will be an important night as it will determine whether or not we will be heading into the finale or if there will be a newcomer to meet."

"Virginia Supine."

Mitch: "Virginia had a key role here. First, she had the key to the ciphers as well as one of the ciphers for Breandan. Second, her room would be important in the second half of the escape room which we never got to."

Virginia: "I have made it!"

"Maru Mango."

Virginia: "I looked out the window, and there I saw Mr. Mango napping instead of contributing to the escape."

Mitch: "Woohoo, not going anywhere!"

"Francisca Vanderburg, Breandan O'Shea, it means one of you will be leaving us tonight."

"Breandan O'Shea."

Francisca: "Breandan insisted on not spending money on hints but as a result he spent lots of time alone in a dark underground room doing unnecessary things."

"Unfortunately, Breandan O'Shea, you have been executed. Please pack your bags and leave."

Francisca: "Breandan took on Kearney's role as protector of the house without any hesitation. He's brave and caring and will be greatly missed."

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Breandan: "Kearney is gone but I will take his place to protect you and everyone in this house who requires it."

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Breandan: "I expected it. This execution does not mean I am worse than Kearney as we have different starting lines. But it does mean that I have fulfilled my purpose and this house no longer needs an O'Shea to protect them."

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Virginia: "Mr. O'Shea, arriving late to the game, has done well with what he was given. It is no small feat, and in my eyes, he has played with a quiet respectability, making the most of his circumstances."

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Breandan: "I was right about Bert. I think it is him again."

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Breandan: "The escape room was exciting to me. It was my first time and I got to put many of my skills to use. It's too bad I had to rely on the rest in order to escape because I think I would have done much better if it was just myself. That is the Smole for you."

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Mitch: "What I understood was that he stuck his hand into every hole without fear despite the escape room clearly being dangerous."

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Breandan: "I recognise these holes. They can disarm traps or act as switches."

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"Thank you for joining, Breandan. We hope to see you soon."

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The shadow guardian has been executed! This means that the finalists are known: Virginia Supine, Maru Mango, and Francisca Vanderburg. Who among them is the Mole?