Page 60 of Alice Chen's Reality Check

“Whoa, Slayer. What did the door do to you?” Daniel says. I check that the hallway is clear before I shut the door behind me.

“I just found out that that your old producer, Seth, used ipecac to poison the peppers. You know, for drama.”

“So that’s why you didn’t get sick,” Daniel says. He groans. “What the hell. Why—”

A knock at the door interrupts us. When I open it, Lex is on the other side. I can’t think why they’re here, but then I remember all the drinks I stole.

“Lex? If this is about the Gatorade, I’m sorry,” I say. “Actually, I’m not sorry. Daniel needed to rehydrate.”

Without a word, Lex reaches around me to disconnect the mic pack I’m still wearing. They do the same to Daniel. I meet Daniel’s gaze, and he shrugs.

“First of all,” Lex says, “I don’t care about the drinks you lifted from the war room. I love petty theft. Second of all, if you’re wearing a mic pack, assume that someone is listening to you.”

“But I thought they only record when we’re filming.” Even as I say this, I recall the live camera from the first night we were here, when filming had wrapped for the day and the producers had told us we were only getting our pictures taken.

“That’s a good one,” Lex laughs. “Next time, make sure to take off your mic packs before you head back to your room.”

“They can’t—” I shake my head. “Can they do that? I guess thisisa reality show.”

“We signed the waivers,” Daniel says, rubbing his eyes, and Lex points at him.

“Bingo. Look, it’s not my job to babysit any of you. But I’ll tell you right now, making accusations about the producers while your mic pack is on? Not the move.”

“You heard us,” I say.

“I tapped in for a second just now,” Lex says. “It’s my job. And you’re lucky I was the one listening in, and not someone else.”

“Right, lucky,” I echo. I don’t feel lucky. “But what about Seth poisoning the cast? That’s not normal, right?”

Lex grimaces. “No, I’ve been on a lot of shows, and I’ve never seen the producers gothishard. But I can’t do anything about it, and neither can you. I’m warning you, just don’t make any trouble. It’s just not worth it.”

“But this isn’t right,” I insist. “There’s got to be someone we can talk to.” And I’d do it. When I found out that the new social studies teacher was telling students that the earth was five thousand years old and that girls should only wear skirts that hit below their ankles, I went straight to the principal and got his ass fired—which is to say, I’ve never been afraid of a fight.

But Lex doesn’t know that. They say, “I wouldn’t risk it. We may not be friends, but—”

“We could be friends,” I put in. “You’re giving us advice. That feels friendly.”

“—that doesn’t mean I want to see you get screwed over by thisshow,” they conclude. “Just watch your back, okay?”

Lex turns on their heel and walks out. I’m left staring at the door, still clutching a bottle of Gatorade. I can’t shake the feeling that there’s something seriously wrong here.

[INTERVIEW FOOTAGE: SOLO TALKING HEAD—DANIEL CHO, ALICE CHEN]

DANIEL CHO:It might seem sudden, Alice and me getting together, but we’re really just picking up where we left off in high school. I’ve always had so much respect and admiration for her. I guess you could say I had a huge crush on her, even back then.

[Interview footage: Solo talking head—Alice]

ALICE CHEN:In high school? I hated Daniel. The best part of my week was when I got the chance to beat him at something and wipe that smug smile off his face. Oh! But everything’s different now. I’m so happy we’re together. I mean, it’s a fine line between love and hate, right? Both such passionate feelings. Hahaha. Ha.

[Interview footage: Solo talking head—Daniel]

DANIEL CHO:Who wouldn’t like Alice? She’s smart as hell and one of the most caring people I know. And we’ve always been a good match.

[Interview footage: Solo talking head—Alice]

ALICE CHEN:Why did I fall for Daniel? Okay. I mean, he’s hot—you know he’s hot. You have eyes. He looks hot. He even sounds hot. Oh god, why did I say that? Can you cut that? No?

[Interview footage: Solo talking head—Daniel]

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