The tape began rolling, and in frame was a blond-girl riding a large, black, sheep-like creature that took up practically the entire lower half of the frame. The girl was wearing worn blue jeans, brown cowboy boots, a red and black plaid button down, and a black cowboy’s hat. The creature that she was riding bareback was completely black, it’s big bushy fur providing the perfect cushion for the girl. It’s face was reminiscent of a ram’s, albeit with the features stretched out to cover it’s wide face. Additionally, it’s lower lip was trembling, and it seemed as though its too large yellow eyes were on the verge of tears.
The cowboy girl addressed the cameo in her thick southern accent, explaining, “Hi y’all! My name is Annette, and this big guy’s name is Rocky, and he’s going to be America’s Next Great Assistant!”
The image cut a Windows Movie Maker blue screen, where the text ‘Who are you?’ was written in plain white text.
When the screen cut back to Annette, she was now standing outside of a muddy enclosure, where a black horse was trotting around. The horse was attached to a rope, and was being led by an older woman in a pair of muddy boots around the enclosure.
Addressing the camera, Annette explained, “My name is Annette Calhoun, but most people ‘round here call me Ann. My family lives in Maplewood, Missouri, and we’re some of the best Beast Tamers in all of the US.”
The scene cut to a still image of a much younger Annette, holding a gold ribbon in front of a giant, red centipede. Her voice continued explaining, “I helped in raising Tungsten’s Best, who set the world record for fastest single lap time in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational, Insect Division,” the screen cut again, this time to an image of Annette sticking her arm out with a large brown sleeve on it. Perched precariously on her arm was an absolutely massive bird with bright yellow feathers. It was a marvel that the bird managed to stay there, as the bird was easily twice the size of Annette, “Earned special honors at the International Mythological Falconry Competition for being the youngest person to raise an S-Ranked Thunderbird, And-“ One more cut, this time to a picture of a tiny, fluffy chihuahua wearing a black leash, Annette crouched on one knee next to the dog and feeding it a dog biscuit, “raised the chihuahua representative at the Westminster Dog Show.”
The scene cut back to Annette, still standing outside of the enclosure where the black horse was still being led around by the older woman who was most likely Annette’s mother. “Of course, while I love those guys, Rocky is easily my favorite. And he knows it too, the big lug. Watch.” Annette turned away from the camera shouting to the black horse, “Rocky! C'mere!”
The horse's ear perked, and its head turned towards Annette. Once it confirmed that the person it saw was Annette, it began galloping towards her, wrenching the rope out of Annette's Mom's hand. When the horse got to her, It opened its mouth, and a long, black tongue flopped out, licking the side of Annette's head and causing her hair to stick up at an awkward angle.
Annette stroked Rocky's mane, explaining, "I found Rocky here when I was about four years old. My parents and I were walking in the forest near my Grandma's house and found him bleeding half to death in a tree stump. Of course, I begged for Momma to let me keep him, and the rest is history."
The cute moment was somewhat ruined, when Rocky caught site of the camera. It backed away slightly, it's black body bubbling outwards. It's fine house hair ballooned outwards, taking on a more woolen property, it's narrow face widening as he grew in size. After only a few moments, Rocky once again looked like the massive, sheep-like worm that he had started the video as. Annette looked sleepily at the camera, explaining, "Yeah, he turns into that whenever he gets scared... but I'm steadily working with him to get used to the cameras!"
The screen transitioned back to the blue screen, this time with the question 'Why do you want to join America's Next Great Assistant?'
This time Annette was sitting on a large, worn, brown leather couch, a fluffy black ball roughly the size of a pillow resting on her lap. "Rocky and I want to join, because he is absolutely in love with performing in front of a crowd."
The screen cut to some shaky camera footage in a much lower quality taken from some time in 2005 based on the time code. A little blond girl with pigtails in a tiny pink cowgirl's outfit was riding large, fluffy black barrel-like creature. After rolling around the stadium, she jumped off the creature, lying down as the black creature jumped in the air, transforming by going two legs and jumping onto the small girl, who rolled on the ground significantly slower than when the situation was reversed. Annette explained, "When I was about ten, Rocky and I started performing during the half-time at local rodeo, and the crowd absolutely ate it up."
The screen then cut to a scene of a slightly older looking Annette on stage with Rocky. Annette was dressed in a tiny red dress, while Rocky looked like a small monkey, sitting on a table and shuffling three cups on a table. Annette pointed at one of the cups, and Rocky revealed nothing underneath. When Annette checked the other two cups, Rocky opened his mouth and smiled, revealing that the tiny yellow ball was in his mouth. Annette explained, "Eventually, when we realized that whatever Rocky is had some innate magical ability, we transitioned the act to a more classic magic act."
The screen cut back to Annette on the couch, still snuggling with Rocky, "We've done a couple of circuits around town, but Rocky's been itchin' to expand his repertoire and take on larger shows."
The blue screen reappeared, the title now asking, 'What are your plans if you win?'
"If Rocky wins, he really wants to travel the world and see if we can find anything out about him. My folks and I have tried practically every connection we know, and not a single one has been able to figure out what he is. Ain't that right, boy?" Annette asked, eliciting a purr from her fluffy lap pillow. "So, we hope y'all will consider us for the next season! Now, say 'bye' to everyone Rocky!'
She held up the pillow, the surface bubbling as a large mouth with sharp, white fangs growing filling up the space. "Rhya," the mouth said, sealing shut.