Interactive Story - The Humiliation Games - Part 7 (Patreon)

Esteban returned to the stage, revelling in the applause, though most of it was aimed at the scenario they had just seen play out thanks to Tharukan’s subtle manipulations. “Wonderful round, Team Faularry. Live streamed to hundreds of acquaintances. Terror bless the internet and all it’s wonderfully twisted possibilities!”

There was another brief cheer from the crowd.

“And safe to say our dark Master is thoroughly entertained. He’s positively giddy with delight,” Esteban continued, gesturing to The Terror.

As all eyes turned once again to the man at the centre of the room, he remained as motionless and expressionless as he had since his arrival.

As the crowd awkwardly and silently turned back to the stage, Esteban grinned and said, “Ah, if you knew him the way I do, you’d know how much fun he’s having, isn’t that right, Jeremiah?” He gestured to the back of the room where the young receptionist was watching, with little else to do now the show was underway.

Jeremiah just silently rolled his eyes in response.

“Ugh, sometimes the family resemblance is uncanny!” Esteban muttered. “Anyway, the show must go on. These humans aren’t going to humiliate themselves… well, some of them are, but they’re boring and predictable and nobody likes boring and predictable… hopefully! Team Trauxity is up next so let’s show ‘em volunteer number four!”

As Esteban gestured to the large screen-wall, there were sudden flashes of light as a video played of the next victim. The burst of light were camera flashes, capturing photographs of a young man as he walked the red carpet at a celebrity event. There was a sudden wave of muttering amongst the humans as he, and his bio card, appeared on screen.

Volunteer Profile Reference HG242-04 - Oscar Maynard

“Yes, that’s right gentlemen. We got ourselves a celebrity,” Esteban said proudly. “For those of you who’ve been living under a rock for the past ten years…” he turned to sweep his gaze across the demonic advisors, “Or in the depths of hell, allow me to introduce Oscar Maynard!”

“We DO get the BBC in hell you know!” Zorren replied curtly.

“Yeah, who d’ya think funds it!” Dazallan chipped in.

“The elderly and idiotic, mostly, but that’s not the subject today,” Esteban replied with a smirk. “So, this is Oscar Maynard, an actor currently residing in London, aged twenty-nine years old… and that’s a genuine twenty-nine and not ‘I’ve been twenty-nine for ten years because I’m scared to be an actor over thirty’.”

The advisors of each team were already huddled together, eagerly chatting away about possibilities as Esteban continued the introduction.

“Oscar is known for his breakout role as swarthy badboy Frank Higgins in long-running primetime soap Eastend Avenue but has also had starring roles in a number of other award-winning shows, as well as minor roles in a number of Hollywood hits,” Esteban went on. “Though Oscar is mostly known for his offscreen antics, resulting in the often trending hashtag sensation #TheOscarFor with previous notable moments such as ‘#TheOscarFor most coke snorted in one night’ and ‘#TheOscarFor acting like he didn’t just leave a hotel with a hooker’ amongst many, many others.”

The chattering was intensifying now, seemingly pushing the evening to progress regardless of Esteban’s talking.

“Well, it seems my work here is done,” Esteban finally conceded, always able to read the room. “Team Trauxity, your five minute consultation time starts now!” As the timer appeared, the noise grew louder as everyone began discussing what could be in store for the famous figure.

“Hardly seems fair,” Gokothon grumbled. “A celebrity is a CLEAR advantage. Everyone knows humiliation depends on the size of the audience and he’s got a much bigger audience than the rest of the Plebiciles we’ve had so far!”

“Are you sure you’re not Gokothon, the Karen Dread?” Tharukan asked with an eye roll, which shouldn’t have been obvious as his glowing eyes had no visible pupil or iris, yet he still managed it.

Tharukan of the Sinisterium

“Don’t make me smite you!” Gokothon growled.

“Now you know the rules,” Master Ezekiel said as he stepped in. “No smiting under The Terror’s roof unless it’s HIM doing the smiting!”

Gokothon just let out a low growl at the human but remained silent otherwise.

“And I wouldn’t worry,” Zorren piped up. “They’re nothing if not fair here. If THEY get a high profile target, then there’ll almost certainly be one of a similar nature for us later on. The Terror may be an all-consuming timeless evil who will ultimately bring about the death and destruction of all of existence, but he always runs a fair game!”

The other two Team Faularry demons nodded their understanding, both of them attending for the first time and reliant on the veteran advisor to fill them in.

As the timer reached ten, the audience started counting down aloud with it but they had barely reached eight when Esteban called out, “No no no, we don’t do that here! What ever next, cheering when a plane lands? Have some self-respect!” The crowd fell into shamed silence for a few moments before Esteban went on, “But with that, time IS up, so Master Sebastian, it’s over to you for what you and your team have in store for Oscar!”

“First up for our team,” Master Sebastian went on, clearly eager to show off their ideas and avoid small talk, “We’ve got Buth’Taloz. Show ‘em what you’ve got!”

“Thank you Sebastian,” Buth’Taloz said as he stood to address the room. “Oscar reputation is his world. His fame is what drives his every action, but also puts him in the position of power he so loves to abuse. My plan is a simple one. Oscar is due to attend a red carpet movie premiere. I propose we curse Oscar with an unstoppable compulsion to tell the truth and have him reveal to the media waiting to interview him all of his filthiest secrets! By the time he reaches the end of that red carpet, every sordid detail of his life will be out there for the world to enjoy!”

“An honest celebrity. We really ARE pushing boundaries,” Master Sebastian joked. “Next, we’ll hear from Dave. Will you choose his idea for a second time. Let’s hear it, Dave!”

Dave gave his usual charming but sinister grin as he stood. “Esteban may have joked about it, but the fact remains Oscar is about to turn thirty, which means getting old is currently playing on his mind. Someone that vain and that into his own self-image will jump at the chance to make a deal with the devil to retain his youth… but the devil’s got nothing on me. I propose to make a deal with Oscar to allow him to get exactly what he wants!”

“Wit unexpected consequences, I’m sure,” Master Sebastian said confidently, getting a single eyebrow raise in return from the enigmatic demon. “And last up for Team Trauxity, may I present Dazallan!”

Dazallan gave a polite nod to their team leader as he stood to offer up his suggestion. “Oscar will shortly be filming a fairly intimate scene. A hyper-charged libido and the discovery of some bizarre new fetishes could make the entire thing truly embarrassing for him, even more-so when there will be cameras rolling to capture every moment. I propose to turn Oscar’s intimate scene into one the world will never forget!” He gave another nod to Sebastian before sitting back down.

“And there we have it. Team Trauxity’s options for Oscar Maynard,” Esteban called out. “Will you choose embarrassing red carpet confessions, a youthful curse or a sexy scene? Cast your votes now!”