The episode started out with Drake, David, and Howard standing on the the tarmac in front of David’s private jet, having a casual conversation in the early morning Sun. “Thank you so much for coming David, the girls really appreciated it. Especially for taking everyone out to dinner,” Drake said.
David laughed, “It’s no problem at all, Drake. After all, extraordinary times require extraordinary solutions. Now! Here’s a good list of teams for the challenge this week,” David handed him a small blue envelope, “Feel free to disperse it to the girls as you see fit. And remember what I told you about Martin.”
Drake seemed to be brought slightly on edge by that last comment, “Sir, I don’t really see why we should-“
David sighed, “Drake… Martin may be rather wise for his age, but in comparison to most World Class Magicians, he’s still incredibly young. It would be daunting for any magician to be under the gauntlet as much as he’s been the past week. Give him some time. I’m certain he’ll come back.”
Howard grinned, “And when he does, remember to welcome him back with open arms, like a real Magician would!”
Drake let out a sigh, “I’ll do my best to keep that door open, David.”
“Excellent, and I’ll do much the same,” David smiled, “and I’ll see what I can do about keeping the Producers off your back. You’ve been doing an excellent job this year so far.”
The three men exchanged handshakes, before David and Howard boarded the aircraft, heading home once again to America.
~~~
Moleside Inn (Lobby)
The hotel didn’t appear to be all that busy on a Monday morning, so Drake had decided the best way to announce the teams would be an informal little meet-up.
“Good morning, girls,” Drake said, returning to his hosting mannerisms once again, “I hope you all had a pleasant sleep last night.” The group of contestants seemed to be in slightly better spirits than the day prior. However, there was still an air of melancholy that seemed to hang over things. Even the professional magic users, Penny (who was currently looking more like an adorable pillow than a girl, her limbs having been removed, and wearing an extra baggy bright blue t-shirt, leaving her to be carried by her partner), Jean, and Frankie (who was wearing street clothes now, a simple pink t-shirt with Australia on the front covered in the Rainbow Pride flag, and jeans), seemed to be a little more somber than they were last night.
“So, David’s given me the go-ahead to divide up the teams,” he held up a small brown envelope, “Now, the teams this year are going to be…” Drake looked at the list of names, his right eyebrow shooting up his face in confusion.
“Uh… Dahlia and Paxton?” Paxton gave Dahlia a confused look, while Dahlia’s expression seemed out of it.
“Rachel and Natalie?”
“-What!?”
“-What!?” The two girls shouted in unison.
“And Olive and Kacie?” As Drake finished naming off the pairs, all three of the Australian Professionals grinned, immediately picking up on what had just transpired.
“Ah… Well… I guess that’s it then?” Drake seemed genuinely confused at this pairing selection, stuffing the envelope into his pocket, “But uh… Yeah…”
Frankie took charge from Drake, “Well girls, now that you’ve got your partner, it’s time for one of my favorite ANGA traditions:
~~~
Moleside Inn (Dining Room)
“Breakfast!” Frankie smiled, as she led the girls into the dining room of the restaurant (a rather small venue, fitting in with the general, ‘regular hotel inside of a cave’ aesthetic that pervaded the Inn). A special table had been sectioned off from the rest of the restaurant, with nine chairs going around it.
The contestants sat around the circle such that each of them was sitting next to their partner and one of the professional Australian magic users. Penny had refused to change completely back, simply modifying her form slightly so that her neck had the ability to stretch out.
“Feel free to order whatever you want,” Frankie smiled, picking up a menu. She said aloud, “I’d like two English muffins, strawberry jam, a cup of Chamomile tea, and a bowl of Weet-bix, Please.”
Frankie’s menu instantly disappeared, A plate suddenly appearing in its place holding her order to the letter, a tiny glass jar of strawberry jam holding a butter knife with which to spread it being the centerpiece.
The other girls smiled at this simple display of magic, and soon enough the table was filled with clanking forks and knives as they dug into their respective meals as a group.
That’s not to say there wasn’t plenty of sharing going around. Every couple of minutes, Penny’s head would rise up like a snake under a spell, wiggling its way over to Jean, usually asking for a bite or two from her plate, sometimes sneaking a kiss on her cheek. Other times, it was just a simple, “Hey, that looks pretty good, mind if I try a bite?” from one contestant to another.
Eventually though, the pace of breakfast slowed down, Frankie politely using her napkin to politely wipe her face. “Well girls, it wouldn’t be a Frankie breakfast without a round-table question. So, since you all have your partners figured out, and I’m sure you’ve had plenty of time to hang out with one another, what’s one thing you like about your partner? To be unbiased, Penny, why don’t you start.” Frankie grinned, looking at Penny and putting her on the spot.
“Oh!” Penny blushed, “Well obviously, one thing I love about Jean is just how adorable she is~” Jean’s ears perked up in response, as she gave Penny an excitable smile. Penny’s head once again snaked over, kissing her on her forehead.
“Great, now Olive?”
“Oh I just love how Kacie’s always working so hard on her music,” Olive smiled, “Seriously, she’d be a great role model for my Hannah.”
“And I like how, just absolutely positive you always are, Olive,” Kacie smiled, not even waiting for Frankie to call on her, “I swear do you even have a mean bone in your body?”
Olive giggles, “Only on very rare occasions, dear."
“Jean?”
“Can I say everything?” Jean asked, Penny blushing in response.
“No fair, I was going to say that first,” Penny pouted, “But I didn’t want to cheat.” Jean stuck out her tongue in response, Penny’s head making another trip across the table to kiss her for her troubles.
“Okay, Dahlia?”
Dahlia sat there in concentration for a moment, stating matter of factly, with next to no emotion behind her words, “Paxton… Is very cute…” Paxton’s face turned beat red, as Dahlia continued, “…She’s very fun… to hang around with…”
Paxton’s blush only worsened, as she did her best to hide her face under the table. “Paxton,” Frankie grinned, “And what about you?”
“U-uh…” Paxton’s brain was thrown completely off guard by Dahlia’s, “I-I guess, I like how Dahlia’s not afraid to be herself?”
“A very admirable trait.” Frankie grinned, before turning in her seat. “What about you Rachel?”
“Well…” Rachel trailed, fishing for something positive to say, “I like… how… knowledgable Natalie is about magic. I don’t think I know anyone else who could tell me the whole history of something as simple as sawing someone in half.”
“And Natalie?”
“I like how Rachel is absolutely fearless,” Natalie said, “I know I couldn’t do some of the things I’ve seen her do.”
“Great!” Frankie beamed, her first Breakfast roundtable a complete success, as the odd couples now seemed to have a deeper understanding and appreciation for one another.
After breakfast was eaten, plans were made to have all of the teams meet up at the practice studio for a mini-magic bootcamp to boost morals and magic.
That afternoon’s training session went off without a hitch, all of the girls getting some much needed time to just unwind after a stress filled weekend and strengthen their magic reserves to boot.
~~~
Moleside Inn (Drake’s Bedroom)
“So, any luck in finding someone to run the midweek competition?” Drake asked Frankie.
“No dice,” Frankie sighed, sitting down in the only other available chair in Drake’s suite, “Besides Penny, Jean, and I, everyone else seems busy with either shows or are overseas right now.”
Drake nodded, before sighing, “Well… Okay… Gah… She’s going to be pretty mad with me.”
Frankie tilted her head, raising one of her eyebrows. “Who’s going to be mad with you.”
Drake sighed again, “It’s nothing… Well… Okay, it’s really complicated. But I think I know a way to solve our midweek challenge problem.”
Drake stood up, pulling out his cellphone, “Just give me five minutes, and I’ll see what I can do,” Drake walked out of his bedroom, making the first of several calls he was going to be making that night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
& Question Corner &
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To Contestants:
“Hey girls, I know it's tough, but I will support you as much as I can imagine, also with Frankie as your weeks Magician you have one of the best and sweetest girls on earth. Also same goes for Jean and Penny.
Again you are all winners in my eyes and you did exceptionally well in my book.” -Andrea (@@Jeaune)
Natalie: “I don’t even know how I’m going to pay attention in rehearsal! I mean, we’ve got three legends helping us learn magic! It’s so exciting! Eeeeee!"
Dahlia: “…Thank you…” She twirls her hair around in her hand nervously, “…Although… I still hope Martin is okay…”
Paxton: Paxton’s mood seems to have improved the slightest bit when receiving the words of encouragement. She still seems rather tired though, “Thanks Andrea… Sorry about yesterday.”
Rachel: “He he. I appreciate the sentiment, but still I hope to be more than just a winner in your eyes. I want to win the whole competition!”
Olive: “Why thank you, dear! And I’m so sorry that you’re going to have to wait a week to get that shortbread I promised you. I considered trying to find a way to mail it to you, but knowing customs, it probably would take just as long.”
Kacie: “Frankie’s been great so far! She really seems to know how to organize large groups well. I can understand now why Automagic is one of the leading magic brands in the world.”
To David:
Oh my gosh, I'm excited to see you again, we haven't met before, but I'm Andrea, joined the realm of magic after the second season of ANGA. I have to thank Jean and Penny for that..” -Andrea (@@Jeaune)
David: David smiles. “A pleasure to meet you Andrea… Boy. It’s been a while since I’ve had to answer one of these.” David smiles.
“I’m really happy to see another fresh face going after their dream. Part of the whole reason I helped create the first season of ANGA was to show others that anyone could be a magician’s assistant if they put their mind to it. I’m glad that you’ve seemed to pick up on that, and I’m sure that Penny and Jean are very proud of you.”
To Howard:
“Haha, welcome back, hope you kept me in good memory. I hope you and your daughter as well as your amazing Assistants doing well and having a good time together. Also yes, I joined the Realm of Assistants too! I'm also working solo as Magicienne.” -Andrea (@@Jeaune)
Howard: “Of course I kept you in good memory, Andrea! How could I ever forget the rambunctious young lass who chewed me out in front of all of America,” Howard gives a deep, hearty chuckle.
“Nora’s been doing just fine, and she was an absolute blast to have as part of the tour. She really made her old man proud. And now! My little girl’s got her own magician,” Howard wipes a fake tear away from his eye. “And he’s quite the catch! Reminds me a lot of myself when I was his age. Always thinking outside the box.”
“Sable’s contract finally expired. Annette and I were a little worried that she wouldn’t fit in well to the repertoire we had built up in a year, but she’s managed to fit in right as rain! We’re already busy underway planning our next tour.”
“Maybe you’d be interested in being our opening act at one of our stops? I always love giving new magicians and magiciennes a chance to shine in the spotlight! Just give me your contact info-
“Oh! Sorry! I forgot! I’m not going to be on the show for the next week.” He hits his head playfully, “Don’t worry, I’ll have my agent give you a call!”
To Frankie, Jean and Penny:
“Oh my gosh Sweethearts that improvisation was stunning and glad to see your clockworks running smoothly.
Also, I wanted to thank you for getting me into the whole passion too, I owe you a lot!” -Andrea (@@Jeaune)
Drake: Drake nervously walks on camera, wringing his hands nervously. “Uh… Hi Andrea!” He waves, “I know I’m probably not who you expected to answer… But… uh… Unfortunately our special guests aren’t available to answer questions and comments.”
“It’s not that they don’t want to!” He holds his hands up nervously and defensively, “I’m sure that all of them would absolutely love to answer questions from the audience. It’s just a sort of stipulation of the contracts.”
“Now, I obviously cannot speak for the the three ladies, but I’m sure that if they were allowed to answer questions, they would thank you a lot, and tell them that they appreciate you and are immensely proud of how you’re going after your dream.”
“Again, sorry for the inconvenience.”
To Drake:
“Now, since the whole schedule has been thrown off the train, how about until Martin joins back, non of the girls leave, it would be only fair, and this time no talk about rules or whatsoever, if need be I pay myself for it.
Tell the show Masters that I won't accept a no for an answer, so they better make it happen and yes I'm livid and know how to "rip someone midair apart", I'm a not only an Assistant, but Magicienne too.
That said, I'm still going to support any efforts to make ANGA as successful as possible.” -Andrea (@@Jeaune)
Drake: “Andrea, you know as well as anyone that the show’s schedule is packed as is. Frankly, the fact we managed to pull this extra week out is a miracle. There are still contracts the girls all agreed to, and one of those stipulations is that they have to expect a weekly elimination vote.”
“I know that you won’t accept it, but I’m afraid the answer is no.”
He finishes answering very quickly, “Also, I’m just the messenger. Please don’t actually rip me apart. Thanks for supporting the show!”
To ANGA Production Team:
“Well, guess I change a lil bit too. My invitation is now extended to David, Jean, Penny, Frankie, Howard and Family, plus their Assistants as well! So yeah, I hope you all can attend when you get to Europe. Until then enjoy your time and be magical!” -Andrea (@@Jeaune)
Drake: Drake balks at the request. “E-Everyone? Andrea. You do realize that there’s going to be a chance for everyone to meet up at the end of the sea-
Howard: “I think it’s a splendid idea!” Howard claps his hands together. “I know that Sable and Annette would love to catch up with you! And Nora’s been dying for an excuse to show off her new magician.”
Drake: “Howard! No! We can’t just-“
David: David scratches his chin, “It has been a while since I last went to Europe.”
Drake: “David! Stop encouraging-“
Howard: Howard places a strong hand on Drake’s shoulder, “Well, it seems like you’ve been outvoted Drake. Besides, it’s all going to happen off screen anyways!”
Drake: “B-b-but… The show’s budget-“
David: “Oh, that’s not going to be a problem,” David hand waved away Drake’s concern, “My private jet’s got more than enough room for us all.”
Howard: “Exactly! Plus, those fancy pants at Carlson Hotels owe me a few free rooms anyways.” Howard grinned.
Drake: Looked at both Howard and David, before closing his eyes and holding the bridge of his nose. He takes a deep breath, “You know, at this rate why not just invite the other cameos too? I’m sure they’d all love a free trip to Europe.”
Howard: Howard grins mischievously, “You know… That’s not a bad idea.”
David: Drake looks about ready to punch Howard in the face, before David steps in between the two. “Now now, you two,” he says sternly, before addressing the camera. "Andrea. We’d be delighted to show up, but I think that this is probably a good limit. After all, that’s around seventeen people now invited to this meet-up of yours. Any more, and I fear that Drake may change his mind on the whole thing, and ultimately he is the show runner.”
Drake: Drake sighs, lightening up a little, “A little get together will be good for the contestants. Everyone can come, but it is not coming out of the show’s budget.” Under his breath he whispers, “I’m in trouble enough with that as it is.”
Howard: “That’s the spirit, Drake!” He pats him on the back, immediately rekindling Drake’s rage.
To Drake: “You know, I could always take over as a host? Please? I need an excuse to get away from certain idiots! I'm willing to do anything for the spot. I beg of you!” -Rei (@@quad2)
Drake: Drake sighs, “Rei, I appreciate your enthusiasm, I really do, but ultimately it’s not up to me to get to decide who’s going to be the magician for the rest of the season. Case in point, if I was, we probably wouldn’t be having this talk right now, because my magician wouldn’t have ran away in the first week.
I’m afraid the magician selection process is almost exclusively up to David’s discretion. Well… Howard had a bit of a say in the meeting where Martin was selected, but still, ultimately David’s choice.”
To Everyone: “I'm glad none of you are going home this round, So I will be very happy to meet with you all very soon! So cheer up everyone, and do your best.” -Genie Schutter (@@James-MacCloude)
Paxton: Paxton remains rather tired sounding, “Thanks Genie…”
Olive: “Oh, Thank you, dear. I’m really happy that everyone’s getting to stay too.”
Natalie: “Oh Gosh! A famous actress is excited to get to meet me! I-I can’t wait!”
Kacie: “He he. Now that I think about it, maybe I should start creating mix tapes for all these great people I’m meeting up with… At the very least I could start giving out copies of my EP,” Kacie grins.
Dahlia: Dahlia’s seems to be humming something to herself, she stops, suddenly realizing that she’s on camera and blushing profusely, “S-sorry… Thank you…”
Rachel: “I am a little curious to know who was going to get out. I feel like Drake should have told us at least that much.”
To Paxton: “You're looking so down, I wish I could reach in through the screen and give you a big hug, but its not really allowed. I know you’re a woman who needs a lot of encouragement, and sometimes a shoulder to lean against. If you need a friend I'm here.” -James Schutter (@@James-MacCloude)
Paxton: Paxton blushes slightly, still sounding sleepy, “T-Thanks James…”
To Natalie: “Amazing show, You're doing such good work, and you are extremely knowledgeable about magical props and effects. I have quite a collection myself, many custom made.” -David Schutter (@@James-MacCloude)
Natalie: “Thanks! I know that magic history isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but when I see a trick or a cool cabinet, I just feel the urge to try to find out everything I can about it!” She shakes excitedly.
“And ooh! Custom made props! What style do you go for? Big-box? Minimalist? New-age? Classical? Guthrean? Modular?”
To Everyone: “Hallo ladies, I am new to these computer things, but I like what I've seen of your show. I hope you all do very well. Viel Gluck to you all.” -Zana Schtute Gooding. (@@James-MacCloude)
Olive: “Oh I’m right there with you, Zana. I can barely understand the darn things. Usually I’ll get Mason to help me out if I really need to do something, but I’m pretty sure I could live without them.”
Rachel: “Great to hear that you’ve enjoyed what you’ve seen so far! Hopefully we’ll be able to continue to impress.”
Dahlia: “…A new face… Another name…” Dahlia seems off in her own world, “..A pleasure to meet you…”
Paxton: Paxton seems weary, but yet more open than her first week on the show, “Hi.”
Natalie: “Hi Zana. Don’t worry too much about being new to computers, they’re not that scary when you get to know them.”
Kacie: “Thank you Zana! Nice to meet you too.”