Page 66 of Alice Chen's Reality Check

Someone emerges from the room, and for a moment, my heart leaps,hoping against hope that it’s Daniel, whole and unharmed. Instead, it’s Lex, looking rumpled and exhausted.

For once, they don’t have a boom mic attached to their hand. They’re clearly about to slink away to do whatever sound techs do in their free time, but I leap up to intercept them.

“Any news? What’s going on in there?” I ask.

I can see Lex check to make sure I’m not wearing my mic pack, but we’ve already taken them off for the day.

“What a shitshow.” Lex scrubs at their face. “This is the most dangerous set I’ve been on, hands down.”

“You mean most reality shows don’t include explosions and burn wards?” I hazard.

Lex laughs bitterly. “Like I told you before, I wasn’t kidding when I said that you need to watch your back.”

The way Lex is glancing around nervously gives me pause. “You don’t think this was an accident,” I say slowly. “What really happened?”

“I don’t know,” Lex says. “All I can tell you is that Mom and Dad are fighting, and we’re about to be collateral damage.”

“Dawn Taylor and Peter Dixon aren’t getting along?”

“Oh, they play nice when the crew’s around, but I know for a fact that they don’t agree on anything. It doesn’t help that the stakes are higher than ever. The network execs are loving the show, but they haven’t signed off on a bigger budget. Dawn Taylor and Peter Dixon are desperate to prove to them that this show is worth the investment.” Lex makes a face. “Which means we’re killing ourselves trying to manufacture a hit with nowhere near enough money or crew or resources.”

“Sounds like a case of bad planning.”

“I’ll say.” Lex shakes their head. “Most sets would get shut down after the number of ‘accidents’ we’ve had. We’re breaking all kinds of union rules here. No one’s happy. But Dawn Taylor wants us to go bigger. More drama. More extravagance. More everything.”

“God, I’m sorry they’re putting you through all this,” I say. Thecrew and staff don’t deserve this. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

Lex snorts. “Thanks. You’re the first person to ask that. You really don’t belong here, do you?”

“What?”

“It’s not an insult. I’m just saying, it’s obvious that you’re not here to boost your follower count or land a sponsorship deal. You’re not even on social media.”

“I am, too,” I protest. “I’m just not public.” I make it very hard to find my account online. I don’t want my students following me. It’s weird enough when I run into them in the grocery store sometimes.

“Every other contestant here is ready to cut throats and hide the bodies if it means getting their moment of fame. But you? You can walk away at any time.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” I say. “I can’t walk away. I need the money. I have to stay in.”

“Well, ask yourself this. Is all this worth it?” Lex gestures at the door behind them where Daniel is being treated. “That could be you in there next time. Are you really willing to risk everything just for a chance to win a million dollars?”

“I’ve got bills to pay. What about you? Why are you still here, if you think it’s so dangerous?” I counter.

“Same as you. I’ve got bills to pay.” Lex scratches at their arm, a grim look on their face. “But I can take care of myself. I’ve worked these kinds of jobs before. I’m used to no one caring about the crew. As long as I keep my head down, I’ll get through it. But you’re new to this, and you’ve been pushed into the spotlight. This show is going to eat you alive if you don’t watch out.”

“I’m tougher than I look,” I say.

“I hope you’re right.”

I hope I’m right too. But after nearly getting hit by a rogue firework, I’m not so sure that I am. I don’t want to let Lex know that, though. They have enough to deal with.

Then I realize that Lex must have been with the medics for a reason,and that reason is staring me in the face. A bandage covers part of the sleeve of tattoos on their arm. “But wait, areyouokay?” I ask.

“What?” Lex glances down at their arm. “Oh. Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? Do you need me to get anything for you?” I ask. “I know where all the good snacks are. Not because I was sneaking around the villa without permission or anything.”

Lex pantomimes zipping their mouth closed. “Kid, I don’t want to know.”

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