The contestants made their way to the foyer, sad at the loss of a good friend, however determined to see the contest through. Drake was waiting there just like last two weeks, wearing his trademark khakis and button down shirt. “Another week, another challenge. Last week, you all were tasked with basing a trick against a common household object, this week your challenge will test once again test your creativity and ingenuity. For you see, the essential trait that David is looking for this week is ‘somebody who’s always looking towards the future’. And so, we’re calling this week’s challenge

    “Of course, this trait is conveniently vague, so the producers and I are interpreting your challenge this week as designing and performing a future themed magic act. What does that mean exactly? Well, that’s for you and the audience at home to decide! The one that gets the most votes will be the one who gets kicked off.  So, get practicing!” Drake said, leaving back to his dressing room.

~~~
Cammie Practice

    “Hello Cammie, looks like you got the short straw once again, having your practice with me first once again,” David said.
    “Oh, I don’t mind,” Cammie said, adjusting her black practice leotard, “So, I’m thinking of doing something revolving around robots possibly? Would that be futuristic enough?”
    “Yes, I do believe that should be futuristic enough. Are you going to be the robot, or is there going to be a robot as part of your show.”
    “I don’t know yet! Probably one of those though.”
    “Well then, what do you feel like working on then?”
    “Do you have any pointers on creating realistic looking machine guts?”
    “I do indeed,” David said, starting the practice proper.

~~~
Ophelia & Jill

    “Ophelia, seriously stop packing your bags,” Jill said.
    “Why? Clearly I’m going to be kicked out. I’m pretty sure Ancient Magick is about as far away from the future as one could possible imagine.” Ophelia was busy putting a variety of spell books into a large black suitcase. She was wearing her dark purple dress she had worn to the party the day before.
    “Ophelia, you’ve already done the impossible by brining ancient magicks to the stage, I’m certain you be able to figure out how to incorporate the idea of the past into the future.”
    “Jill, your optimism is truly impressive, but I’m just going to have to disagree with you,”
    “Ophelia, please. Don’t give up. Remember, we’re friends. If you can’t stay for yourself,” Jill took Ophelia’s hand in her own, looking the gothic girl in the eyes, “can you do it for me?”
    “… Fine. But don’t think it’s because of you,” Ophelia said, ripping her hand away and avoiding eye contact, blushing, “I’m only doing it so I can keep showing off the superiority of the Ancient Magicks to these silly parlor tricks.”
    “Whatever you say,” Jill rolled her eyes, but keep a smile on her face.

~~~
Saffron, David, & Amanda

    Saffron walked into the dining room where David and Amanda were sitting down, patiently waiting for her. Instead of her normal Smithsonian tour guide uniform, she was wearing a golden cocktail dress. “Hey David, I’m sorry I’m late. Fernando didn’t want to stop cuddling.”
    “No problem Saffron, we were just about to begin. Please, sit down,” David said, standing up and pulling out a chair next to him and diagonally across from Amanda. “I’ll go get the food, what is everyone in the mood for?”
    “I’d like some steak, David. Ooh! And some of those parmesan truffle fries!” Amanda said.
    “I’m feeling chicken breast in lemon sauce with some asparagus and mixed vegetables,” Saffron ordered.
    “Alright then, be back in a few,” David walked out the door leaving the two girls alone at the table.
    “So, I saw your show last night,” Amanda said, acting coy.
    “Oh… you saw that,” Saffron said, her cheeks turning red in embarrassment.
    “I did, now dish, and don’t hold out on the juicy details.”
    “W-what?”
    “Saffron, I’ve been magic starved for the past eight months. Part of the reason I invited you to dinner is that you reminded me of myself when I was just starting out in the magic business. Now, let me live vicariously through you and dish!”
    “A-alright. Um… It was fine. David was really uncomfortable about the whole thing. Even in rehearsals. I was going to do what I normally do when I disappear my privates for a trick and keep the pleasure sensors actually there, but he seemed so uncomfortable the entire time that I got rid of those too so that he’d try to lighten up a bit.”
    “Yep. That’s David. Loyal and old-fashioned to the very end,” Amanda sighed.
    “Were you hoping he would cheat on you?” Saffron asked, a look of confusion on her face.
    “Of course not. Honestly, I’m just impressed that you managed to convince him to agree to that sort of trick in the first place. I’ve been trying to get him to spice up our act up like that for ages, and every time he’s like ‘We can’t do that! You’re more than just a piece of meat to me! If we did these sort of tricks, the audience would view you more like a prop and less like a woman’. Bleh.”
    “Well, if it was that big a deal, why didn’t you fight harder to do the tricks your way?”
    “I have! As much as I love David, he’s probably the most stubborn person I’ve ever met. That’s why I recommended him do this show in the first place. He wanted to retire from magic, simply because I was retiring!”
    “What?!”
    “I know! He’s still a magician in his prime. The past few years have been some of his most creative and successful years of magic yet! Last year alone he set the world record for most famous landmarks disappeared in a single trick!”
    “I remember that! My second oldest sister was upset because she was visiting the Statue of Liberty when he did that.”
    “That’s hilarious,” Amanda chuckled, “and honestly, I’m so proud of David for taking on this show. He’s branched out so much,” Amanda began tearing up slightly, “I’m certain whoever wins will help him easily surpass any popularity that we had.”
    Right then, David kicked the door open, awkwardly carrying three plates of food in his arms, “I’ve got dinner- Hey,” He rushed over, putting the food on the table and holding Amanda’s hand, “Are you okay honey?”
    “Oh, I’m just fine,” Amanda said, her tears continuing, “we were just doing some shop talk. Nothing serious.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “I’m fine,”Amanda wiped at her eyes, crying at an even less intensity.

    Dinner had been eaten with small amounts of small talk. Amanda’s mood swing had passed and she was feeling much better when David brought the subject back to Saffron, “So Saffron, do you enjoy your job at the Smithsonian?”
    “Oh I absolutely love it! I get to help inspire the next generation to pursue science and history! It’s amazing.”
    “Any particular reason why you entered the field?” Amanda asked.
    “Besides inspiring kids?”
    “Well, is that the reason?”
    “No… I had just moved out from home and I needed a job. My oldest sister recommended I try out being a tour guide because it’s what she did as her first job and she said she it was life changing.”
    “That’s nice. What does she do now?”
    “She’s a news reporter for an MBC affiliate.”
    “Oh wow! That’s impressive.”
    “Yeah, she’s the golden child of the family,” Saffron sighed. “Can we get off my family now?”
    “Sure, sure. I’m sorry Saffron, I didn’t realize it was a sore subject,” Amanda said, looking concerned.
    “It’s not,” Saffron grumped, “I just would prefer not talking about it.”
    “So, do you have plans for your trick?” David asked, changing the subject.
    “I have some ideas.”
    “They better not involve any more nudity? Because I’m pretty sure I’ve dealt with the censors enough times for this show.”
    “Not even if it’s only side boob?”
    “Saffron-“
    “Just kidding!” Saffron said, her smile returning, “I have some ideas, but I’m still going to workshop them around a bit before I commit to anything.”

    The conversation continued relatively uneventfully. Eventually, dinner was properly finished, and it was time for the three to part ways. She hugged them both, Amanda getting an extra long one, before she returned to her fluffy paradise.

    To everyone: “Several hours without bodies, forced to just talk and rely on Fernando. I'm sure it must have been a new experience for most of you. What did you think of it? Is it something you'd want to do again - both asking about the extended bodilessness and the extended interactions?” -FlexibleAnatomy

    Saffron: I would absolutely love to do it again! I really have to thank quad2 for giving us such a great idea for a party. It was a great way to celebrate the end of a tough week, and to  really sit down and learn more about each other!
    Ophelia: I must say… being completely helpless and having someone serve you hand over foot was a very wonderful experience. I still think i would be uncomfortable having Lucien wait on me, but it it was an animated creature such as Saffron’s large bear…
    Talking long form with other people was also a wonderfully surprising experience. I’ve always been a sort of… social outcast. I’ve made few friends in my life, and I never really realized exactly what I was missing out by only ever talking to Lucien. I think that I learned more about myself last night than I learned about the other contestants, and I would be willing to do it again, but only if Saffron warns us that she is going to transform us next time.
    Cammie: Well, once I got passed the initial period of hyperventilating from being cut-up, I got slightly used to it. I’m really not a big fan of magic being used on me without my consent, and long form transformations are probably the worst thing in the world to have done on you against your will.
    I”m not really sure how I felt being so small and helpless in a general sense. Again, despite the fact that my persona as Cameron was a slightly more exaggerated version of myself, I was telling the truth when I said that most of my magic experience was from being a magician, and not an assistant. I used magic for recreation on occasion, but otherwise I enjoyed doing it on other people rather than doing it on myself. Being helpless is not something i think I could ever get truly used to.
    As for whether I would be down to have another party or extended interactions? Sure! I absolutely loved that aspect of Saffron’s party. It was nice to learn more about everyone, and I feel like we all came to a better understanding of each other.
    Jill: Well, seeing as how I’ve spent the past couple of weeks resting as a bodiless head, I’m pretty sure it goes without saying that I enjoyed it and would love to do it again. The extended interaction component was just the icing on the cake for me. It was great to just spend time at the end of the week, talking to each other as equals, despite our different skill levels. If Saffron would want to host another party, I’d totally be down to attend!

    To whoever happens to have an answer: “How well would The Forged Box's knives work for doing normal knife things?” -HeraldOfOpera.

    And now, a word from our sponsors: Hello there Harold! We here at ‘The Forged Box’ would like to confirm that our specialty knives and swords can indeed be used for the normal tasks that you would want to use them for. Although we would advise only using the knives if you’re planning on cooking with them, as cooking with a sword can be a bit unruly, but we won’t judge if that’s what you want to do. We hope that if you’re ever looking for some specialty knives or swords in the future, you would choose ‘The Forged Box’!

    To the producers: “Seconding Penny's suggestion; the prior question would have been way easier to ask if it could have been addressed to Leela directly.” -HeraldOfOpera

    We’ve heard the complaints, and we are happy to say that we have worked it out with the remaining contestants. From this week forwards, contestants will accept questions an additional day after they have been kicked off, in order to allow audience members to offer their condolences and any last questions they might have. We are sorry for the inconvenience that this oversight may have previously caused to our viewers, and would like to personally apologize to Leela and Holli for not offering this service before their departure.