The Identity Crisis

Chapter 2

I lay back on the bed (a water bed, sweet!), and let my gaze roam the room; my new bedroom. It was a huge room, first of all. I'd never had my own room -- well, maybe once, but it was for, like, a couple of weeks so it doesn't count -- let alone one this size. You could probably park three cars in here, easily. The water bed sat against the far wall; not much else occupied the vast space, though, making it seem all that much larger. A simple vanity was placed on one side of the room and a tall desk desk with top shelves stood across from where I sat, next to the door. On the wall opposite the vanity, a door led to a large, walk-in closet.

I jumped off the water bed, causing it to slosh back and forth, and ran over to the closet for the millionth time to look inside. I was mesmerized with the hordes of brand-new, designer clothes and shoes that lined the closet. Everything was so neat and fresh, it felt like walking into the shopping mall. I'd never been able to buy things from the mall before, however, and now I had a whole wardrobe of brand-new apparel. I was still trying to wrap my mind around it. So far, I was loving this new person I was to become.

I smiled and shook my head, closing the closet door yet again.

Even though the closet might have been stocked, the actual bedroom was bare of anything personal. I hadn't been allowed to bring anything with me, that was part of the rules. Everything, and I mean everything, had to be left behind: no clothes (though now I understood why), no pictures, no books, no personal belongings of any kind. Not that I really had any to begin with, so I wasn't complaining. Apparently, they would supply me with everything I would need.

See, I'd been selected to participate in a game show. From what I understood so far, it was a new show for which some famous billionaire was sponsoring. Of course the creepy guy at school could have just told me that from the start. He had only been trying to recruit me for the game. If he would've mentioned that though, I might have actually listened. But whatever, I just hoped that I wouldn't be meeting him again.

I'd received a package with apologies for the alarm he'd caused me and a letter inviting me to participate in the game. The basic gist was a confirmation that I would agree to play and understand the terms and rules and...blah, blah, I skipped over all the small print. There was also a warning that only one spot was left in the mansion.

Yes, I upgraded to a mansion. Unbelievable. Literally. I couldn't believe I'd actually been chosen for this thing.

The pamphlet didn't go into too much detail, though, it basically just showed fancy pictures of the mansion, the luxurious countryside around it, and possible scenarios for what kind of life we could have if we won.

It sounded like a good deal to me. Well, obviously, otherwise I wouldn't have come.

I was pretty excited. I mean, I would finally have a chance to change my life. I'd always wanted to become someone else, secretly. Now the chance to make something of my life, to make an imprint and leave my mark on the world, was dropped into my lap. Um...duh! Of course I was going to take it! It'd be stupid not to. It's time for a change.

A voice echoed in the bedroom, interrupting my thoughts.

"All contestants meet in the announcement hall. All contestants please meet in the announcement hall." There was a click and then the voice was gone.

I looked around, searching for a loudspeaker that would explain the voice, but couldn't find one; not on any of the walls or even in the ceiling. Hm...well, there had to be one around here somewhere. I wouldn't worry about it.

I left the room reluctantly, grinning like a maniac. I couldn't wait for the game to begin. I was so going to kick ass.

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