Hollywood Crimes

One

8:50, 25th January

Hollywood, Los Angeles

Omni Los Angeles Hotel

The newspaper lay untouched on the floor, the pages still smooth. I took it with me to the windowsill from which I admired the Hollywood sign. I sat in the chair in the gleaming sunlight and looked at the front page. My name and my picture were printed in black and white.

NEW CONTESTAND ARRIVES FOR MINDBLOWN!

Yesterday, the next contestant destined to play everyone's favourite game, MindBlown, arrived in Los Angeles. Mara Miller, 20, is currently staying in Omni Los Angeles hotel. The first episode will be aired live on the 25th of January with Miller's opponent Evander Black and the much loved presenter of the show, Glenn Halliday.

I smiled at how many people would be watching me do what I was best at - solving puzzles. I remember getting the invite. A letter came for me with my address when I was staying in London, England. I was chasing fame, trying to become an actress. However, I accepted to appear on the show. My ambition was to be famous, ever since I was little. And now I had arrived in Hollywood. The feeling of just seeing my name in a newspaper was enough to make me want to stay. Tomorrow was the big day-my first ever appearance on TV. I had already received a tonne of fan mail. There was a pile of envelopes towering in the corner. It wasn't all greetings and Good Luck cards, though. There was a fairly odd letter, not written by hand, but with letters from various magazines and advertisements. It read;

To Mara,

I will enjoy watching you play. I hope with all my heart you will last longer than the others.

Love, your biggest fan. xxx

Last longer than the others? I was pulled away from my thoughts when my doorbell rang. I dropped the newspaper on my chair and went to open the door. I was immediately greeted by an enthusiastic man in a black suit and a blue tie. "Hello!" he smiled, welcoming himself into my room. I shut the door, my eyes never leaving his. "Hello." I replied, motioning for him to sit down as well. I glanced back at the newspaper, seeing his cheery face printed in the corner. I squinted to read the caption. Evander Black. "Oh, you're my opponent, aren't you?" I enquired, studying him. "Yes, yes I am! Pleased to meet you, Miss Miller. I can't wait to see you go on the show! I just finished playing my round." He chirped, his eyes swiping past my room. He had played his round already, and I had to play my round tomorrow. I had completely forgotten to watch him play, but I didn't ask him what score he got. I guess I had to wait. "Well, good luck!" he said after he saw me lost in thought. He strolled out through the door and skipped down the stairs. I closed the door and sat down to finish reading the newspaper. After five minutes, the doorbell rang yet again. I threw down the newspaper and trudged to the door begrudgingly. As soon as I saw who it was, I straightened up.

"Good morning, Mr Halliday!" I grinned, welcoming him into my house. He was wearing a suit too, similar to those he wore on MindBlown.

"Good morning, Miss Miller. And please call me Glenn." he said as he strolled past me and sat down on the sofa. Just like Evander, his grey eyes rapidly surveyed my room. "Read the paper yet?" he asked, trying to create a less awkward atmosphere.

"Yes," I replied, not realising he was walking to the newspaper I dumped on the chair. He smiled when he saw a picture of me at the airport. I was posing for the cameras, trying to make an everlasting first impression. He dropped it back into the chair and remained standing. "Be at the studio by seven tomorrow morning. Don't worry about make up-our make up artists will take care of that for you. And another thing;" Glenn twirled around to face me as leaned against the door. "Good luck." And with that, he left. I spun around and flopped onto my sofa. Never in my life had I been more excited for anything. Tomorrow was the day I made a name for myself. Tomorrow was the day people realised who I was. Tomorrow was the day my life changed forever.