Chapter Text
Player Bios - About - Pyramid Pieces - Production
Clarke stands in the middle of the hotel lobby, her mom by her side. Still being a minor, her mother is required to accompany her to the show. She won’t be there during filming, they have chaperones for that, but all of the parents will receive daily updates as to their child’s well-being.
“Mom, I’m fine,” Clarke says after Abby fiddles with her name tag for the third time.
“Are you sure you have everything?”
Clarke places her hand over her mother’s. “Mom, I’m ready for this. It’s just a competition.” I’ve been competing for things my whole life.
“I know, I’m just worried. Television can be very cruel, especially to teenagers.”
Clarke smiles and pulls her mother in for a hug. “I love you.”
Abby relaxes against her. “I love you, too.”
The lobby is full, nearly twenty teenagers and their parents scattered around and crew members weaving in and out of the crowd making sure everyone has their paperwork and all of their things.
Bellamy stands close to Octavia, who’s bouncing excitedly.
“I can’t believe we’re here, Bell.”
“Chill, O. I’m excited, too.”
Octavia rolls her eyes. “You sure seem like it.”
Bellamy elbows her. “Where’d mom go?”
She shrugs. “I think she’s in the bathroom.”
“Of course.”
“Bell,” Octavia says, peering up at her brother. “This is going to be good for us.”
Bellamy smiles fondly at her. “I know. And look at it this way, even if just one of us wins, we both get to go to Rome.”
Octavia’s lips tug into a wide smile.
“Sinclair, stop trying to put that walkie into my bag.” Raven shoots a look at her guardian.
“What, I’m just--”
Raven smiles, shaking her head lightly. “We can’t bring that stuff, I could get kicked off the show.”
She watches Sinclair deflate a little. “Yeah, I know.”
Raven grabs his hand and squeezes. “I’m going to be fine.”
“You know, I think there are more weepy adults in here than children.”
Rolling her eyes, Raven leans down and zips her bag back up. “That’s because we all get to be on a reality competition show.”
He snorts softly. “True.” Sinclair glances at his watch. “It’s almost time.”
A middle aged man in a bright salmon colored linen shirt moves to the center of the lobby and claps his hands together. “Alright, ladies and gentlemen if I could have your attention.”
The noise level drops to a murmur and the man smiles.
“My name is Marcus Kane, and I am the host of Endurance. I know the last few days have been crazy, but I hope that all of your meetings with producers and wardrobe consultants all went well. As I’m sure most of you know, today is the day. We will be taking our contestants out to our site and filming will begin.”
An excited whisper sweeps through the crowd.
Marcus continues, “Chaperones, this is where we will leave you. We will be taking the kids out to the bus, where we’ll bring them to Walden Harbor. From the harbor, we’ll be taking a boat out to Mecha Valley, where these kids will be living for the next few weeks as they fight to become Endurance champions. We’ll begin filming intros on the boat, so from here on out, the game is on. Parents, say your goodbyes, kids, grab your gear, it’s time.”
Marcus gives a sharp nod to let the group know he’s finished talking, and the lobby is abuzz once more, hugs and wet kisses, sniffing moms and pretending-to-be-unaffected dads.
Across the room, Nathan Miller lets out a slow breath. “Bye, dad,” Nathan Miller says with a grunt as David Miller embraces his son strongly.
“Good luck, son.”
Nathan grabs his duffel and swings it over his shoulder. “See you soon,” he says.
“Hopefully not too soon.”
This makes Nate smile and he gives his father a quick nod.
Beside them, two younger contestants, Fox and Myles linger with their parents a little longer, almost hesitant to get on the bus.
“It’s going to be fine, Foxy,” her mother croons. “You’re a strong girl.”
Myles dad gives him a firm handshake. “Go get ‘em, sport.”
Myles ends up hugging him instead.
As the last teenager drops into their seat, Marcus steps on the bus.
“As you were told before, we’re asking you to avoid interacting with each other as much as possible, so we can capture it on camera. Our ride to the harbor is about twenty minutes.”
A few of the kids squirm in their seats, trying to contain their excitement.
“Once you’re on the boat, we’ll begin filming your intro bits. Everyone will be mic’d and you stay plugged in until the end of filming each day. You will have time off camera to relax.” Marcus pauses and glances around at the anxious teenagers. “You’ve all been briefed on the structure of today. Once we arrive at camp, you will have a short amount of time to settle in before the first challenge. Catering will be available for lunch, and then we’ll head to the set-up. Six of you will be eliminated today, and the remaining fourteen will be paired up tomorrow in the team challenge. Are there any questions to this point?”
A girl in braids raises her hand.
“Yes, Zoe?” Marcus tips his head towards her.
“For the teams, will we have our team colors provided for us? I tried to pack the best I could, but--”
Marcus nods his head as she speaks, cutting in quickly. “Yes, wardrobe will have a small collection of items available in addition to our Endurance shirts that each player will receive upon the formation of their teams.”
Monroe smiles settles back into her seat.
“If there’s nothing else, I will see you guys at the harbor!”
The host gives a quick wave and hops down the steps, presumably heading to his own mode of transportation.
Clarke sits in her seat, trying not to fidget. A boy with long, dark hair sits across from her, eyeing her quietly.
“Nervous?”
His voice breaks her trance. “What?” she snaps, whipping her head towards him. “No-- excited, really.”
He smiles and it’s a nice smile. “I’m Finn.”
Clarke offers a tip lipped smile in return, keeping it short. “Clarke.”
“Nice to meet you, Princess.”
Clarke frowns at the name and shrugs, turning her focus to the seat in front of her, but he persists.
“Where are you from?”
She lets out a small puff of air, turning back towards him in agitation. “Boston, but I don’t think we’re supposed to be talking just yet.”
Finn leans back against the seat, legs splayed out lazily. “Whatever, this is going to be fun. Might as well enjoy it while I can.”
Clarke ponders that and turns forward once more, feeling Finn’s gaze on her profile.
They arrive at the harbor and production sets them all up with their microphones for the ride out to the film site. There are several cameras and boom mics following them around as they get set up. Marcus advises them that he will see them once they arrive at camp.
“I have a few scenes to film on the beach, and I will meet you all there. Now that you are mic'd up, you are welcome to start getting to know your competitors and potential teammates. I wish you all the best of luck.”
The group waves goodbye as Marcus climbs onto a speedboat, taking off towards the coast just hidden along the horizon.
One of the producers starts barking orders and the adventure begins.