The Mock Game, Part 4
I can't remember what number I picked but what I do remember was that I picked out the paper suitcases with the high amounts first. I got the P1 million in the first round of choosing. On my second round, I got the P2 million. The screeners were disappointed. "Naku! Wala ng manonood nyan! Nakuha mo na yung mataas na amount!" (Oh no! No one's gonna watch the episode anymore! You got all the high amounts!)
So Jim said that perhaps, I needed the help of my "kapamilya"--the friends and relatives I brought with me to the mock game. "Papapasukin na ba natin sila?" (Shall we call on them?)
"Sure! Ingat, ha? May kasama akong indie film producer at producer ng mga commercial!" I cautioned Jim, thinking that he'll tone down his vulgar humor once people like Erwin and Mimi were there--who knows they might give Jim some work in the future, right? (Sure! Just be careful! I have with me an indie film producer and a producer for tv commercials!)
They entered the studio and were guided to the bleachers on my left side. Dad came first then Tita Chona, Waldy, Mimi, Erwin and Tito Bine. They were made to pick a suitcase. During the whole process, Tita Chona picked the high amounts. Mimi was the lucky one, she kept on picking the low amounts.
The screeners were having a fun time watching us. We were all game. There was a point where Tito Bine even did 12 push ups. Waldy sang twice. Jim bantered with Erwin, asking what title of a movie is he thinking of if Jim will star in it. Erwin answered Pilosopong Tasyo.
Jim even joked with Mimi. "Anong komersyal ang bagay sa 'kin?" (What commercial suits me?)
One female screener raised a bondpaper where "CONDOM" was written. Mimi answered gamely, "Condom! Iba't-ibang kulay ng condom. Kung ano kulay ng buhok mo, yun ang kulay ng condom!" (Condom! Different colors! It should match the color of your hair!)
Jim's hair was dyed blonde! Everyone was laughing!
Jim asked my dad what case would he be defending him from if ever a case was filed against him. My dad replied, "rape!" We were literally bringing the house down. What with the screeners having a good time with our interaction with them. My dad even told Jim that one celebrated deathrow case he handled was even televised, over at GMA 7, on I-Witness! Hahahahahaha!
The mock game was turning into a riotous exercise! We were having a great time! The cycle of choosing the suitcases started once more until three cases were left unopened. 500k, 400k, and 750 pesos.
Jim asked Mimi to pick a suitcase. Mimi picked one. And as he slowly flipped the paper suitcase, he shuffled all the cardboard suitcases and then the executive producer came forward and told us...
"Hindi talaga namin tinatapos ang mock game." (We really don't finish the mock game.)
Our silence registered an unspoken "WHATTTTT?????"
"Gusto naming maramdaman n'yo ang game. Para mapag-usapan n'yo hanggang sa pag-uwi ninyo. Ang mahalaga, nasampolan nyo ang game at na-enjoy ninyo ang proseso. Kung mapipili kayo, tatawagan namin kayo para sa taping na." (We want you all to feel the game. So you can talk about it on your way home. What's important, you get to sample how the game works and you enjoyed the process. If you get to be chosen, we will call you for taping.)
We were amused by the reasoning behind it. Nevertheless, we gave ourselves a round of applause. Then we were herded out of the studio. When we passed through the anteroom, the next player and her entourage was there. We wished them luck.
The female event marshall accompanied us on our way out. "Sir, ma'am, pinanood ko kayo! Ang saya-saya nyo panoorin!" She was speaking to me and Mimi. (Sir, ma'am, I watched you! It's fun to watch you all!)
"Talaga? Nakapag-relax ka naman?" Mimi asked her. (Really? Were you able to take a break?)
"Opo. Kayo na yata ang pinakamatagal sa lahat ng naglaro sa mock game, e!" The female event marshall revealed. (Yes. I think your group took the longest time to play the mock game!)
Was that a good thing? I was thinking. It sure was fun! All the while I thought the mock game was short. Apparently, it was not. It's really true that time is short when you're having fun!
"Nakakaaliw talaga! Nakakatuwa kayo panoorin!" The female event marshall added. (It's really enjoyable to watch! It's fun watching you all!)
Hmmmmmm... I hope that my journey doesn't end here. The long wait for the callback to play has just begun.
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