Play The Game:

Part One – Spin the Dial

By Gallows Girl Amy

Disclaimer: This story contains adult themes including sex, fantasy violence and hanging.  It is not suitable for the faint of heart, easily offended or those who cannot differentiate between fantasy and reality.  Fair Warning has been given, so to the undaunted I say, “Welcome to the dark side.”


Gerry Mundy sits alone with his thoughts.  Beyond the bright glow of the illuminated mirror the decaying glamour of the old theatre shows in the pealing paintwork and ever present odour of damp and stale cigarettes.  He pours a measure of  single malt and extinguishes his cigarette in the overflowing ashtray.  He gazes at the face in the mirror, his usually pale features hidden under a thick layer of bronze, his thinning hair neatly combed and lacquered. There is a discreet tap at the door and young voice announces “three minutes, Mr Mundy.”

“On with the motley,” mutters Mundy swallows the contents of his glass.  Winking at his reflection he rises.

*****

The stage of the Nocturne Theatre is bathed in garish light and covered with cameras from ever angle.  Emblazoned across the top of the proscenium in lights is the legend “The Elimination Game”.  A red velvet curtain hides the set up and props from the audience who are tense with anticipation.  In front of the curtain are four podiums each lit by a single flood.

Gerry Mundy runs out onto the stage to rapturous applause, his hand raised in welcome.  “Thank you, thank you,” he gestures for the audience to subside, “I'd like to welcome you all, not just our wonderful studio audience, but also the many people watching at home all over the world wide web.”  More applause.

“Before we meet our contestants and their sponsors, let me introduce my lovely assistant, Sadie de Sade!”  

A long legged girl in a black and red Gothic Lolita mini-dress with matching falls sashays on stage, smiling broadly at the audience.  She is wearing thigh-length patent platform boots decorated with chrome plates and studs.  Her make-up is deathly white her lips and eyelids painted blood red, with heavy black eye-liner and mascara.  She is adorned with a plethora of silver deaths-head jewellery.

When the applause subsides, Mundy resumes, “We have a special treat for you tonight, with a couple of unusual pairings, one of which is an Elimination Game first.  So without further ado, let's have a big hand for our Elimination Game contestants:  Mike and Mandy...”

A couple in their thirties walk up waving at the audience and make their way to the furthest podium.  Mike is broadly built with dark hair greying at the temples  and a salt and pepper beard, wearing a polo shirt and jeans.  Mandy is a curvy brunette with shoulder length hair wearing a lavender evening dress, white stockings and black pumps.  She has slightly overdone her blusher which taken with her red lipstick and blue eye-shadow looks a little dated.  She smiles broadly at the crowd and is clearly enjoying herself.

“next we have a couple of lovely ladies, please welcome Liza and Louise...”

Two girls come on stage holding hands.  Liza is the taller of the two, slender and leggy with long curly red hair spilling down her back.  She is wearing a black mini-dress with a broad red belt, black tights and red shoes.  Louise is a voluptuous woman with flawless olive skin and black hair in a French plait down to her waist.  She is wearing a navy business suit with a light blue blouse, coffee stockings and black stilettos.  As they take their positions behind the next podium, they kiss briefly and give the crowd a cheerful wave.

“Paul and Lucille...”   Lucille is a startling vision in pink and gold with fluffy peroxide blonde hair and fake tan.  Her lips, dress and shoes are all candy pink and she is dripping with gold and diamanté.  As she teeters awkwardly on her stage she is dragging Paul behind her, he is middle aged and balding with a thick waist and ill-fitting suit.

“Last but not least, as I said earlier, this is an Elimination Game first.  So a big hand please for Jeannie and her lovely daughter Heather!”  There is a shocked gasp from the crowd, followed by earth-shaking applause and shouts as the last two contestants emerge.

Jeannie is an attractive forty year old woman with her blonde hair cut in a severe bob.  She is wearing a bottle green velvet cocktail dress with matching heels and green stockings.  Her buxom, eighteen year old daughter cuts a more sullen figure.  She has double-dyed black hair cut in a short, boyish style and wears a t-shirt over denim shorts, opaque black tights and sneakers.

Mundy approaches Mike and Mandy first, “Welcome to the show, guys. Now this is quite unusual but, Mandy, I understand you are a huge fan of the show?”

“Uh-huh, I love it, Gerry, I never miss an episode,” the fan-girl enthused.

“Well you might miss the next one,” her husband interjected, squeezing her to him playfully.

“So you, unlike the other contestants, you actually know what's waiting for you?” asked Mundy.

“Yes, I'm so jealous of them, I can't wait to see their faces, this is so exciting!”

“So, Mike, was it your idea to sponsor your lovely wife?”

“Hell no, she's been bugging me about this for years.”  Mandy gives her man a loving smile.

“Well, good luck tonight. I'm sure you'll put on a good show.”

Moving over to Liza and Louise, Mundy smiles at the girls, “Well the rules say, female contestants only, it isn't often I have to ask this, but who sponsored whom?”

It is the taller woman who answers, “It was me Gerry, I just know Lou will win tonight.”  

The beautiful Latino blushes, “I-I'll do my best, I mean a million dollars, wow!”

“I'm sure you'll do fine, one way of the other.” Mundy assures her, turning and delivering a over the top stage wink to the crowd, who laugh dutifully.

As he moves on Mundy doesn't have time to open his mouth before Lucille gives him a hug and kisses his cheek.  “I'm so pleased to be here, Paulie says if I win, he's going to take me to Paris, isn't that swell?”

Mundy disentangles himself, “Sure,” he raises a quizzical eyebrow at the fat man, who shrugs.  “One solution of the other, huh, Paul?”  The other man just coughs and looks uncomfortable.

“Finally we have Jeannie and Heather.  Jeannie, what on earth made you enter your daughter for this game.”

“Gerry, I've been watching your game for years and you know what, I think this is my last chance to make something of Heather.”

The teenager rolls her eyes in exasperation, “Mom!”

“I mean, she spends all her day moping and whining.  'Oh, I wish I was dead' or 'You don't care if I live or die'” the mother's mocking impersonation draws a vicious look from her daughter.  “Well today I do care and this should prove it.”  There is something cruel in her eyes as she speaks.

Mundy steps back and turns to face the audience.  “Well, this is the moment of truth.  Now remember, the sponsors all know exactly what the game entails, but, with the exception of my favourite fan, Mandy,” she gives an excited squeal and claps with delight, “the contestants are about to find out, for the very first time.”

“Okay, Lucille, Heather, Louise and of course, Mandy, you have each been nominated to play.  There are three rounds.  Each round, one contestant will be eliminated and the others will move on to the next round.  The last girl standing will walk away with a million dollars in cold, hard cash!”  All of the contestants grins, even the usually sullen Heather.  If the sponsors can take their places.  Sadie ushers Mike, Liza, Paul and Jeannie behind the curtain.

They turn as the heavy red drape slowly raises to reveal the main stage and with the exception of Mandy, their smiles fade.  Even Mandy betrays a certain trepidation but it is leavened with excitement and arousal.  The stage is divided into three raised sections.  The central section is dominated by a large gallows with three nooses dangling from it.  To the right is a gallows with a chair sat in front of it, a bit lever in front of it.  To the right is stage with four wooden cut out figures numbered one to four.  Off to the side is a round table topped with green baize and an oversized pack of cards.  On the left hand side of the stage, in panel style seating are the sponsors.  

Louise looks at Liza, tears welling in her eyes, her lips trembling, “How could you?” she mouths.

Heather flashes a look of pure shock at her mother's betrayal, which turns quickly into defiance.

Lucille, looks puzzled, she smiles weakly at Paul and then Gerry, desperately hoping this is all a joke.  Mundy is smiling, but there is only cruel pleasure in his eyes.

Mandy blows Mike a kiss, but then bites her lip as she feels a small trickle down her leg.  She hopes nobody noticed.  Mike smiles back at her, full of pride.

“Yes Ladies, I said eliminated and I meant it.  Now before we go into the game itself we need to introduce the chair of judgement.”  At his signal two burly men carry in a wooden chair with a high back and straps on the arms.  There is also a leather loop hanging from the head-rest and a small windlass on the back.  
A third man carries a large glass cylinder which he places under the chair.

“Any infraction of the rules will result in disqualification and a trip to the chair, where the lovely Sadie will, erm, remonstrate with you.”  His smile is not pleasant and Sadie seems positively aroused by the prospect.

“Before we go ahead, I have to ask if any of you wish to withdraw. If so we will ask for a volunteer replacement from the audience.  Believe me, we have are never short.”

Jeannie shoots her daughter contemptuous look as if daring her to pull out.

Paul, closes his eyes as if in silent prayer.

Liza, smiles encouragingly at Louise mouthing, “I know you can win this”

Mike just looks confidently at Mandy and winks.

Louise nervously looked around and is about to speak, when she feels a hand take hers.  Its Mandy, who whispers, “If you pull out, he'll put you in the chair.  If you play you have a chance.”  Louise swallows, and casts Mandy a grateful look.  Seeing this, Grundy surreptitiously makes a tut-tut gesture at Mandy, smiling indulgently.

Heather is damned if she'll give her mother the pleasure of her bottling out, besides what's so bad about death?  He mother would, no doubt spend the money getting out of it and therefore off Heather's back.

Lucille is like a rabbit in headlights, she desperately wants the nightmare to end, but can't seem to speak.  She also looks at the other girls and is surprised to realise she doesn't want to abandon them.

“One last thing ladies, we don't want to spoil your lovely clothes, which I'm sure your sponsors will want as keepsakes, should you lose.” a lecherous smile, “So if you will all strip to your underwear.”

“No fucking way” Heather ejaculates angrily.

Mundy silently signals the bouncers who grab her firmly by the arms and lift her effortlessly off her feet.  Pulling a vicious looking hunting knife from her boot-tops, Sadie advances towards the recalcitrant teenager.  As the girl struggles in vain, her clothes are cut away until she is left in her, knickers and now laddered, tights.  

Mundy smirks, “Any one else need a hand?” but the other girls are already undressing with nervous haste.

Round One

“Okay, ladies.  The first round is a spin on an old favourite, if you'll excuse the pun.”  Bundy draws a large powerful looking revolver from his jacket. “Russian Roulette.  This is a Smith and Wesson model 29 handgun as popularised by Clint Eastwood.  It is loaded with a single .44 calibre hollow point round. In a moment I will ask each of you to pick a card, they are numbered one to four and take your positions.”  he indicates the four cut out figures by the card table.  “Shots will be taken in ascending order.  As your number is called, you will take the pistol step up to the ockee,” he indicates a line on the stage two feet from the cut-outs, “and nominate a target.  You may then spin the chambers and take a single shot.  The round ends when the live round is discharged.”

“If you attempt to take more than one shot on a turn, you will be disqualified. You will also be disqualified if you miss with the live round of inflict a non-lethal wound.  Either infraction will send you to the chair,” he smile cruelly “and Sadie's tender ministrations.  The winner will get one minutes grace in the endurance round.”

The girls exchange nervous glances.  A single tear rolls down Louise's olive cheek. Lucille puts a consoling arm around the lesbian and wipes it away gently.  Louise, surprised by this small act of kindness smiles in gratitude.  Looking on Heather is shocked to see Liza laughing and pointing out her lover's distress to Heather's mother.

“Ladies, pick your cards and take your positions.”  The cards are drawn and the girls line up Heather, the stroppy teenager, Lucille in pink lingerie, Mandy the fan-girl and last Louise, the Hispanic beauty.

“Heather, you shoot first.”  Nervously the teenager takes up the proffered pistol.  It is heavy in her hands, so heavy.  A part of her wants to shove it in the face of the smug bastard in front of her.  He must have seen that in her eyes because he flashes her a mocking smile before nodding at the garotting chair.  

The audience are yelling names of suggested targets.  She notes, with black humour, her own name was being shouted too.  She stepped up to the line and looks at the faces in front of her.  Louise is holding back the tears in her dark, pleading eyes.  Lucille gives her a friendly smile and shrugs her assent. Mandy is clearly excited, her breathing rapid and her eyes bright.  

She takes position in front of the fan-girl, spins the cylinder before raising the gun.  Damn its heavy.  The crowd holds their breath in anticipation.  Aiming at the woman's ample breast, she closes her eyes and squeezes the trigger.  She is rewarded with a dull click and to her surprise sighs with relief.  The crowd make their disappointment clear.

Bundy, chivvies them, “Come on ladies and gentlemen, we don't want it over too soon do we?”  

Heather returns to her place and hands the gun to Lucille.  The blonde flashes a sympathetic smile.  Taking her position she struggles to decide whose life she will try to take.  She feels sick to her stomach.  Mandy is an enthusiastic player of the game, but Lucille is uneasy about picking the fan-girl for a second chance.  She is becoming very fond of Louise and besides Heather is defiant and brave.  It would have to be her.  But she is so young, maybe it would be better for Louise to shorten her suffering, oh god! What was she going to do...

“Tick Tock, Honey” mocks Mundy.

“I'm sorry, Honey, I really am,” this to Louise.  She points the gun at the lesbian's face and pulls the trigger. Click!  Both girls almost collapse in relief.  

Mandy steps forward and snatches the gun, “My turn, gimme.”  The crowd howls with laughter and Mundy applauds.

He legs trembling, Lucille returns to her spot, leaning against the wooden form for support.  She glances from Louise's blanched face to Heather's defiant features.  She swallows and looks to Mandy, who is currently playing “eenie meenie” with the other contestants.  

She ends on Heather, who suddenly goes white as a sheet.  As the older woman steps towards the unfortunate teen, all her defiance melts away.  Her face crumples and tears flow unchecked as she mumbles incoherently, “No, please, no, don't kill me.”  the crowd laugh at her distress, intoxicated by such a naked exhibition of fear.

“Open Wide, Honey, It'll be quicker” Heather feels the cold steel pressing against her lips.  Involuntarily they part.  As the barrel of the pistol slips into her mouth, she is shocked to be reminded of last weekend.  She had given Spider a blow job, in the bathroom of The Last Round.  Christ, she thought, this is real, I'm going to die.  She casts a desperate glance to her mother and is appalled to see she was looking on in disgust.  She also notices that Liza's arm is around her neck and the tall lesbian is nibbling her mother's ear.

She hears the slow click as Mandy cocks the hammer.  Suddenly the fear is two much.  Her bladder spasms and a hot wet flood of piss gushs through her knickers and down her legs soaking her tights through.  She watches in slow motion as the hammer releases and takes an eternity to fall on an empty chamber.  Her legs give way and she slumps into the steaming puddle on the stage below, sobbing in relief.

Putting the gun down, the fan-girl helps Lucille get the distraught teenager to her feet. “I'm sorry,” she whispers and holds the girl tight.

“S'Okay, thanks” mumbles Heather.

“Next!” barks Mundy keen to move things on.

Louise licks her lips as she lifts the heavy gun from the table.  She wondered idly whether she should, deliberately miss and get it all over with in that ghastly chair.  But no, she couldn't let Liza down, she was counting on her. She had to play to win.  She had noticed Liza's eye wandering of late, well this would prove how much Louise loved her, then everything would be perfect again.

Mandy, seemed to be the strongest of the girls and really enjoying it, so she would be the best choice.  I'll pick her, she thought.  As she spins the cylinder and takes aim, Mundy comments, “Twice in one round, Mandy, was it something you said?”  Resting the barrel against the woman's forehead she pulls the trigger. Once again the hammer finds an empty chamber.

“Mandy, honey, you are luckiest girl I've met in a long time.  You get through this, you want to play the horses,” Mundy quips.

The fan-girl grins nervously, she has to admit, that whilst she was terrified, she was also enjoying herself.  Life and death in the balance and running on adrenaline, she had never felt so wired.


As Heather takes her place once again, Mundy puts his arm around her, “I'm gonna have to force a choice here, Heather.  As Lucille has not been nominated this round, she will be your target.”

“Th-that's alright by me, Babe,” the blonde stammered, “we all gotta take a turn.  Just, not the face, okay?”

Swallowing and discomforted by the cooling liquid soaking her legs, Heather silently raises the gun and aims at Lucille's chest.  Another empty chamber. Heather hands the gun on to Lucille.

As Lucille takes her position, Louise allows her attention to drift towards the sponsor's panel.  A cold feeling grows in the pit of her stomach.  Liza is locked in a long steamy kiss with Jeannie.  One hand is out of sight below the desk, but the arm is moving rhythmically and the older woman's face is flushed red.  How can Liza care so little, make out with somebody else, when she is facing death.  And Jeannie, her own daughter could die and she can't even be bothered to watch?  She promises to her self, she will make them both pay.

She feels a sudden blow and a burning sensation in her midriff, followed by a deafening bang.  The audience is baying with excitement.  She looks in horror at the smoking pistol hanging limp in the other girl's hand.  Her legs crumple beneath her as she slides down the wooden board.  

Liza feels Jeannie's warm body pressed against hers, her lips against her own, her eager tongue probing between them.  He fingers slip into the older woman's knickers, sliding into her moist pussy, whilst her thumb rubs against her clit.  There is a loud noise from the stage, but it barely registers.  An elbow nudges the small of her back and the corpulent Paul hisses something incoherent.

There is something sticky in Louise's hair as her backside hits the wooden stage. Looking down her hand are slick with blood and her belly feels like it is on fire.  Fighting for breath she feels a cold sensation spreading through out her limbs and her vision begins to darken.  Lucille's face looms through the red mist and she feels soft lips on her forehead.  Somewhere a very long way away somebody whispers, “I'm sorry.”

“Ladies, please, I can interrupt your little party,” Mundy is frowning at the Liza passionately kissing while Heather's mother whilst her lover is dying.

“What is it,” snaps Jeannie, irritably.  Glancing at the stage she sees her daughter doubled over with her head in a bucket held by a stage-hand, retching uncontrollably.  Liza's airheaded girlfriend is slumped against a wooden cut-out a broad streak of blood smeared down the board.  The other two girls are holding each other and talking softly to each other, “I guess you lose, Liza”

The other woman glances at the stage and then flashes Jeannie a flirtatious look, “Not necessarily.”

Disgusted, Mundy returns to the front of the stage. “Well ladies and gentlemen, we have our first elimination.  A big farewell to the lovely Louise and congratulations to Lucille who has earned herself a full minute's grace in round two.”


Next: The Hanging Game