Mr. Hansom's Little Competition: Episode 1
Sarah had always been a sucker for free stuff. Grabbing free candy at the bank as a kid, sure – that had been almost normal. As years ticked by, she'd gone further: filling out surveys for free Amazon gift cards. Scrolling FB Marketplace for unwanted "treasures." Signing up for giveaway after sweepstakes after drawing, her heart pounding all the while over the gloriously thrilling idea that maybe, just maybe, she'd get lucky.
It had been a modest ad online, nothing much. Something about a wealthy gentleman holding a little competition for fun. Every person would be a winner, really! Though there was a grand prize listed – a prize of such eye-popping proportions that she'd not hesitated a moment longer. Of course she clicked through and gave her contact info.
And as gleeful as Sarah was when the email came, she hardly thought twice about locking up her little apartment and leaving it all behind. She had more important things to do.
Oh, it had been amazing – that first sight of the giant manor! The maids had welcomed her in and regaled her with drinks, all the while assuring her that she was destined to be a wonderful contestant. All she really needed to do was go to her assigned room and follow every tiniest instruction she was given. Down to the letter, they warned, or you just might be disqualified before you even start!
Sure, the instructions had made her eyebrows furrow a bit at first. As had the room, decorated as it was like some giant baby's room. But she'd already come this far, hadn't she? Backing out now was not only difficult – it was for losers. And Sarah was most certainly not a loser.
Though having her evening meal of spaghetti and applesauce – while perched in a giant high chair – was kinda freaky. Not to mention the bib around her neck, and the fact that she'd been given literally not a single utensil to eat with.
Ehh, it was fine. If you thought about it, even the giant baby diaper they gave her was a freebie. As were the locking plastic pants and locking sleeper, into which the maids wordlessly helped her that first night.
"Surely you- I mean, you don't really expect me to- you know… use it-" she faltered, as the maids herded her into the massive crib. "I- I know it's a contest and all. But like, I- I'm not a baby-"
The click of the bars as they locked into place spoke far louder than anything the nurses could have said. And so, she'd laughed incredulously to herself. Bounced in place on the crackling mattress. Thumped awkwardly at the bars with her mittened hands. And slowly, reluctantly, forced herself to accept the truth. She was well and truly locked into this contest. So the best thing she could do was… well, to accept it.
Which is why, when the nurses slipped in some six hours later to check on her, they found a truly charming scene. Sarah, splayed out on her tummy like a toddler. Padded rear bulking out her pajamas. And hands flung up sleepily, clenching gently in their mittens, as if already trying to grasp the prize she so desperately wanted…
Oh, yes. Sarah was in far, far deeper than she even knew.
Image Credit: ABDreams.com
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