EPISODE TWO: FRICTION

HONDO TRIBE: Susan Hawk, Richard Hatch, Michael Skupin, Tina Wesson, Helen Glover, Lex van den Berghe, Jeff Varner

SARSTOON TRIBE: Joel Klug, Kelly Wiglesworth, Colby Donaldson, Lindsey Richter, Ethan Zohn, Tanya Vance, Tammy Leitner, Rob Cesternino

DAY FOUR:

HONDO:

Michael Skupin was up at it yet once again. He was the first one up, as usual, as he took his buff, tied it around his forehead, making a bandana. Looking back at his tribe, Mike smiled and promised them something.

Michael Skupin would bring something home for the tribe today.

“In this tribe of schemers, I want to make sure that my butt is safe.” Michael relates his story. “They will see me as indispensable and it would be a long time before they vote me out so I will do my best to bring something for the tribe.”

Helen Glover soon woke up a few hours later. She noticed Mike missing once again and she knew where he went off. Hunting. In fact, everyone knows where Mike goes when he mysteriously disappears. It became a habit for the tribe to not mind Mike when he’s gone or be concerned since everyone knew that he’s out somewhere, looking for his big kill.

Helen was tired and drained. As she started fire going, she started to boil water and began preparing the tribe’s breakfast for today. One of the early risers, Helen was inevitably had been given the title of the tribe’s cook.

Stirring the cooking pot, Helen told the cameras on her views about Mike’s hunting. “Of course, I mind. The guy just disappears at the middle of the day, the start of the day and before we all sleep, it just makes everyone nervous. Yeah, sure, he’s trying to get some food for us but we have corn mush which I cook nicely everyday so why even bother to hunt?”

Indeed, Helen was just paranoid of people going off somewhere. She learned her experience in Thailand when she was the one who went off leaving Brian and Clay to approach and extort a vulnerable Jan. Paranoia was sinking in Helen. She needed to calm herself down but she can’t. Something’s definitely missing from the picture.

“Obviously the main reason why I’m like this was because of last night’s vote.” Helen tells. “The tribe voted out Kim who I think deserves a second chance. She may be old and weak but we’re all old, weak people, why target her anyways?”

Helen would be the first one to admit that she was totally pissed off at how the votes went last night. True, that people saw Kim as a weak link and they think that Richard deserved a second chance and it won’t be fair if he goes first so what’s bothering her? The only reason is that no one told her about the plan. She could have gotten along with it but people saw her as close with Kim and that made Helen a liability.

But Helen was determined to change her fate. If she were left out because she would be the next one, she would bring someone down with her if she has to. Helen Glover is ready to play dirty now.

After breakfast, Tina Wesson went out of camp to contemplate. Her daily ritual now, Tina always meditates, searching for answers to help her win the game again. Tina was very competitive at most and she is ready to vote out even a close friend if needed to win some loyalties. After all, Tina did it before with Maralyn, why won’t she do it now?

“But last night was totally hard for me.” Tina admits. “Me and Kim had hit it great the moment the hike started. We were the first ones talking, we had great stories to share and I was fascinated with her life. She’s like Mad Dog and that’s why I hold great respect towards Kim.”

Tina continued on meditating, as she doesn’t notice a shadow approaching her. As she finally had zoned herself, a happy greeting of hello startled her.

Tina immediately opened her eyes and looked at the greeter. Seeing Jeff Varner standing there, his every so wide smile, Tina smiled back and stated, “Just for the record, don’t do that again.”

“Sorry T.” Jeff replied sitting down beside her. “I saw you alone and I thought you could use the company.”

Tina nodded. “I sure do. Actually, I just needed to think for a while.”

“What’s wrong?” Jeff asked trying to sound very sincere. Inside him, Jeff was one hundred percent alert in sensing weakness and now he’s sensing it within Tina. “Maybe I could help.”

Tina sighed. “Its really nothing. Possibly, I just feel super lonely right now.” she breathed in deeply and continued. “I mean, losing Kim was bad enough but I really can’t fit in that well in this tribe.”

“Don’t say that.” Jeff countered. “You fit in just great. And that whole Kim thing, you made a decision that is best for the tribe. After all, you know that there are no hard feelings from Kim right?”

Tina nodded, going into a ball position as she rocked herself. Tina was feeling uneasy right now. She isn’t in the mood to create alliances or promises right now.

She’s her own island.

^^^^

On the other side of camp, Susan Hawk was doing her own talk with Richard Hatch. Making sure that Richard’s safe last night was just plan number one with Susan. She already had two goals in this game now.

Number one: make sure to outwit Richard. Number two: to vote out Kelly Wiglesworth.

Indeed, Susan and Kelly had their issues but right now, Susan’s left with her number one goal. She has to deal with Kelly later on in the game. Now that she had gotten through the first vote, Susan started to get cocky. She knew that she can’t trust Richard to a degree but what choice does she have?

“It’s a win, lose situation.” Susan states. “If I join Rich, I might have a chance to lay low and be out of action for a while. If I don’t join Rich, I would have to call almost all of the shots.” Rolling her eyes, she added, “And I don’t want to do that right now.”

“So come on now Rich.” Susan persisted as the two survivors talked over by the fire. Richard was boiling some water since Helen was off to who knows where and once Helen’s gone; Richard’s the next appointed cook of the tribe.

Richard smiled. “I am telling you Sue, I have no idea on how to play the game this time. You’ve seen the competitors and the other tribe. I would just lay low for sometime.”

Susan placed her hands on her hips and pouted. “That is not you Rich. You’re the master strategist. Come on. Tell me your plan.”

Indeed, Susan was after Richard’s gameplan since day one right now. She needed to know. That is because if your part of Richard’s plan, you might as well see yourself sitting at the final three Tribal Councils.

^^^^

Helen has her own agenda now. After last night, she knows that her game is on the line now. After all, no one told her of the plan and that makes her an easy target to get rid of. As she plays with her daughter’s doll, she was watching the rest of the tribe.

Minding no one, Helen was secretly approached by Lex van den Berghe. The two hardest workers here, they really got along just fine. But of course, Helen cannot trust her but she can’t help it. She knows that Lex is true and that he isn’t a Brian and with her condition now in camp, she has nothing to lose.

“Helen’s definitely power hungry right now.” Lex confides in his confessional. “She feels that she’s the next one to go since no one told her of the plan but for me, her name never came up during the strategy discussions and that’s why I decided...”

“That me and Lex had to have an alliance.” Helen continues Lex’s statement on a different confessional. “He is a definite hard worker and I’m a sucker for those people since I have total respect for them. All of us work our asses off but Lex works for the betterment of the tribe unlike Mike who works for his position in the tribe.”

SARSTOON:

Silence.

That’s what the mood at camp Sarstoon is right now. Kelly, the now appointed cook of the tribe together with Joel and Tammy, had already given the tribe’s breakfast for the day.

The problem is, no one was in the mood to talk. Even Rob’s light humor doesn’t seem to have an effect with the tribe’s mood right now. Even after winning the last immunity challenge, the tribe still has its major issues after last night.

“Lindsey got ballistic with what she suppose to have overheard.” Tammy Leitner states the story. “She was totally angry and confronted Rob about his plans that he ‘suppose’ had told her two days ago. What she said and her statements are just plain ******** and that just pisses everyone off most especially me.”

^^^^

“I’m just saying that I’m sorry for whatever I said last night.” Lindsey pleaded her case to Tammy. It was never in Lindsey Richter’s nature to beg for forgiveness but she has no other choice left.

Tammy crossed her arms over her chest as she replied, “Look, I’m not the one who calls the shots around her since I don’t want that role just yet.” She looked back at camp and pointed at Rob. “If you want to make sure that you’re in this alliance, talk with the big guy over there.”

“That’s going to go nowhere.” Lindsey stated. “Rob basically hates my guts right now. He’s just waiting for the time to get me out of the game.”

Tammy placed her hand over Lindsey’s shoulder. “Sorry Linds. But it’s not in my hands right now.”

Lindsey was indeed frustrated. She had never felt this threatened since Africa and that happened by day nine! Biting her lower lip, Lindsey shook her head trying to think. She needed an alliance right now. She knows that Rob and Tammy are the power two right now and Tanya’s the third wheel.

Damnit. Lindsey muttered under her breath. It is going to be a long day for her now.

^^^^

“Of all the people right now I feel close would be Kelly.” Colby Donaldson states. “Kelly’s has this spirit of a competitive athlete who just won’t give up. She has loads of stories to tell and that just really let’s me and her bond and talk.”

Indeed, Colby and Kelly Wiglesworth had been talking a lot for the past few days. But this time, there was a different aura in the air of conversation between the two. Colby knew that he had no loyalties being given to anyone. He’s basically giving his loyalty to Tina but she’s over at the other tribe right now. No. Colby had to give it to someone or risk to be voted out.

“So, Kelly,” Colby shifted his weight around as the two walked to look for food. “Who do you really trust right now?”

Kelly said nothing as she smiled. She lowered her head, as she didn’t make any eye contact with the cowboy. She really had no one to trust. That’s her policy right now. After her devastating experience last time she was in Pulau Tiga, she really didn’t trust that well that much now.

Sensing that Kelly doesn’t want to answer, Colby persisted more. “Come on now Kelly. I promise I won’t tell.”

Kelly still didn’t reply.

Colby sighed shaking his head. “Fine. Let me ask you another question then. Have you ever rock climbed before?”

Kelly’s eyes brightened as she heard that word. She definitely has a habit of doing extreme sports and rock climbing is one of them. Kelly smiled and said, “Yeah. You?”

Colby nodded. They talked about different extreme sports for a moment as they collected wood instead for fire since they cannot find food anywhere. The tribe would just have to rely on corn mush these days.

“Yeah, I feel comfortable around Colby.” Kelly admits. “That is when he’s in the cowboy mode.” She quickly added. “If he gets all serious, I don’t know. I don’t think I can trust anyone right now and talking about alliances is not my cup of tea right now. Maybe later, but not now.”

^^^^

Back at camp, Lindsey and Tanya were doing their own version of bonding. The two women were talking about their lives back home. Lindsey was deeply fascinated on Tanya’s line of work and Tanya’s impressed with Lindsey’s way of living.

Kelly soon joined the duo as she walked back after talking with Colby. The three women then picked up a thread and needle from Kelly’s kit and they started to sew leaves together while Kelly works on the banner. The banner, which had only the name “Sarstoon” in it together with the Survivor logo, had been rather drab for the survivors. They decided to sew in their names as to remember all of them. Kelly was appointed to do the name sewing in the banner and she is happy to do it.

As the three women worked, they talked a lot. Kelly was talking about her job and how it felt to work in E! She had definitely a blast as a river raft guide and was inviting the two women to join her when they go back after this experience.

Lindsey for her part had talked about her experience in Africa. She talked about her frustrations on the young versus old thing back in Samburu and how she was disappointed at how she was voted out early in the game. Other than that, she talked about her life in Oregon.

Tanya had a different story. Yes, she did talked about her profession and how she loved it and yes, she did talked about how sick she was in Thailand but she stated another story. She told the two women on how the game really changed not only her but her entire family. In tears, Tanya told the two about her father and sister and how they got together. In that exact moment, Tanya showed true emotion as she cried as she really missed her family back home.

The three women felt refreshed with the revelations and stories as they shared a group hug with each other.

HONDO:

“My role in the tribe is definitely a cook.” Helen admits. “But I don’t complain. I love to cook. May it be for my husband or my daughter or my men back home or even this tribe, I am obligated and honored that they trust me to cook food for them. This job ain’t easy as it looks you know.”

Helen was indeed the cook as she was cooking, again. Fishing out, who knows where, Michael had brought back a couple of fish and rays to eat. Helen was cooking them along with some spices that Richard and Susan found on their hike.

“Hey. Need some company?” someone asked Helen. It was Tina. The southerner mom had just came back from her walk around the beach and she saw Helen all alone, cooking.

Helen smiled but not looking at Tina at all. She wasn’t in the mood to talk to her right now after Tina lied to her and Kim face to face. But she can’t stay mad forever for Tina. After all, the two of them are mothers and they have this certain connection.

Tina sat beside her as she started to talk. “Look, Helen, I know that you’re probably angry at me for not telling you that I’m going to vote for Kim last night.” She paused trying to find an emotion or response from Helen but found none. “I just want you to know that everything happened so fast that I hadn’t got the chance to tell you.”

“Its not that I’m mad at your or anything. I just don’t feel its right that Kim left.” Helen told her. She flipped over the fish making sure that one side is burnt crisp.

“But who is?” Tina asked. “I for one don’t think its fair that Richard gets voted out first because he won. That just sent a signal to me that I could be target ‘cause I won myself.”

“That’s not the point Tina.”

“Then what is?” Tina asked trying to stay calm and collected. She was getting impatient with Helen’s wavering answers at her. “Who do you think deserved to go than Kim or Richard?”

Helen said nothing as she sighed and finally responded, “Forget it. I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

^^^^

“Where’s that damn machete?” Lex asked as he frantically searched for the tribe’s only machete. Losing the machete is something that isn’t done since that will definitely hurt the tribe. After all, without a machete, there won’t be wood chopped or fish cleaned at all.

As Lex continued on searching, Susan finally answered, amused with Lex’s determination to find for it. “Mike took it a while ago.”

“What?” Lex asked looking very frustrated. “Why the hell would he need that machete?”

Richard smiled and answered this time, “For hunting. What else.”

Lex looked very agitated now. “So what, we’re just going to sit here and wait for him to get back? Damn it, I had enough of him!”

Susan and Richard exchanged a glance and Susan spoke up. “Us as well. I think that he’s just trying too hard to fit in if you ask me.”

Richard nodded his head, agreeing.

Susan stood up from the shelter as she told Richard, “Hey Rich. We’re tree mail duty today. Let’s go check for mail.”

As Susan and Richard left, Jeff Varner immediately went straight to Tina and whispered, “Sue and Rich have a plan. Get rid of one of them now.”

CHALLENGE:

The two tribes marched on for their next challenge here in the island. Hondo, being lead by the big man himself, Richard Hatch, was beaming with pride. They just had to win this one. Sarstoon arrived a few moments later, with Joel leading the pack. Moments before the challenge, Joel had psyched them all up. Sarstoon needed a morale booster and a lose is not what they have in mind right now.

They were here to win.

“Welcome guys to your first reward challenge in the island.” Jeff greeted the two tribes as they stood in their respective mats. Jeff paused for a while as he quickly observed the two tribes and he began to explain the challenge. “Each tribe has five logs. The goal is to transport the five logs from the start position through a series of obstacles to a tower, where they must build a staircase. The first tribe to successfully build the staircase and have one member race to the top of the tower wins.” He turned his attention to Sarstoon. “Sarstoon, since you have one extra member, one of you would sit out.”

The tribe talked about this and they chose Tanya to sit out. Competitive in spirit but meek in heart, Tanya was disappointed but relieved. This will definitely require physical labor and she isn’t sure if she was up to it. She sat down, smiling for her tribe.

The two tribes took their positions as Jeff shouted, “Survivors ready?” he raised his hand as he looked at the two tribes. “Go!”

The two tribes sprinted off as they both opted to take the heaviest log first. Sarstoon had an early lead as they physical dominance overpowered the weaker Hondo. Hondo continued on with their pace as they are always a second behind Sarstoon.

As the challenge continued on, Sarstoon never gave up their lead. With the last log left, Hondo really needed to catch up. But, with the most unfortunate accident, Helen tripped as the tribe stopped to wait for her. Their efforts were in vain though as Sarstoon continued on, never looking back.

“Sarstoon wins reward!” Jeff declared as the members of Sarstoon cheered with joy and excitement. Jeff then gave the tribe their reward. Blankets, pillows and lanterns. As the dejected Hondo went back to camp, Sarstoon continued on with their excitement.

DAY FIVE:

HONDO:

“Well, Mike’s off again somewhere.” Helen notes as she wakes up the morning of day five. Always, the second to rise, Helen’s comfortable with her position in the tribe. She always seem to be calm and collected but now’s not the day.

“Last night was horrible.” Helen states the story. “Rain just poured down like the entire sea was up in the clouds. It just rained so hard that the sleeping conditions was so uncomfortable and today’s not making it any better at all.”

Starting up the fire, Helen scoops up a plentiful cup of corn mush for the tribe. Five days out here and Helen needs all the energy that she could possible get and the only way to achieve that is to eat.

“And we have nothing more here than corn mush. That’s it.” Helen complains. “As much as I want to cook and eat, seeing corn mush over and over again is just way too much. I need something new today. Something fresh.”

Tina Wesson soon followed Helen as she crawled out of the shelter. Weary and tired, Tina stared at the fire, not saying anything at all. Helen tried to create some small conversation but it’s going nowhere. Tina’s not in the mood to talk right now.

“Its not that I hate Helen or anything.” Tina comments. “I just don’t want to talk. I had the most uncomfortable night last night that could possibly have happened and I’m so tired, I’m not that same cheerful person you saw four days ago.”

Susan Hawk was tired of losing.

“For five days straight, we’re losers out here.” Susan relates. “It just sickens me. We’re more mature, more intelligent, more relaxed and we get along great. Why won’t we win? I’m so sick and tired of losing over and over again.”

Competitive in spirit, Susan was trying to lay low for sometime but her impatience took over her. If the tribe continued on losing until the merger, she would make sure that she at least make it to the merger.

Susan Hawk isn’t a posse to drag along with.

Sue had a long way to go yet. After establishing an alliance with her old friend and foe, Richard Hatch, Sue had yet to think about her strategy with concerns with Tina.

“Tina’s getting crankier every day.” She states. “She doesn’t talk much, she always has a frown on her face and she doesn’t do much work. I don’t want to have that kind of personality in my team.” But Susan was definitely broken apart in half. “Tina’s a strategic mastermind. She’s like the female version of Richard and I need her mind to make sure that Rich’s on line.”

^^^^

“They’re all just a bunch of sickos.” Jeff Varner told the tribe as they all sat down eating lunch. There were a few smiles coming out as Jeff continued on his verbal attack. “Take Kelly for example. I mean, she’s so suck up with her loss before, she’s so damn obvious that she’s lonely and an outcast.”

“That’s true!” Susan agreed out loud, smiling.

“And that Joel guy.” Jeff added. “Puhlease! He thinks he’s mister know it all but one look at him, you know he’s nervous. ‘Ooh look at me, I’m a buffed up guy. Girls love me’. The hell with that!”

The tribe started to laugh out loud as Jeff continued on. He just loved making comments about other people, making fun about them. It’s a way of lightening up the mood of the tribe. After all, the tribe isn’t that happy right now because of the losses.

SARSTOON:

“Rain...rain...go away...come again...” Lindsey sang as she paused to remember the words. “Like never!” she said out loud. Indeed, the tribe had a near pleasant sleep last night thanks to their pillows and blankets they won but the rain poured down hard last night and the shelter isn’t that much of a water proof.

“Morning Linds. Same sentiments I’m having.” Tanya greeted Lindsey as the two women shared a morning hug to each other. The tribe had gotten used in giving out hugs to almost everyone at camp. Just to show that they appreciate each other.

“Of course its just all for show.” Lindsey admits. “I mean, come on! Nobody wants to be friends with anyone out here. Well, maybe with Tanya but other than her, no one!”

^^^^

“Place those over there.” Joel stated as Colby gets back gathering up wood. After last night’s rain, Joel had started again to reinforce the shelter. Right after breakfast, he started on ordering people around to gather up some wood and some leaves. Rob however was so dismayed with Joel’s bossiness.

“Joel’s attitude is up to here with me.” Rob stated throwing his hands in the air. “Its way over the top. I’m just have about enough of him right now.”

With those words, Rob did what he wanted to do. Nothing. He laid back down at the shelter, and drifted back to sleep. Tammy and Tanya were working but they rested for sometime and it would be a few hours before they started working again.

“Things are not quite what it seems here in camp.” Colby summarizes up everything. “First, we have a definite friction between Rob and Joel. That’s an obvious case. Second, we have Tammy and Tanya who is sharing the same sentiments that Rob has which is rebel against Joel. Joel of course isn’t up to that so he doesn’t mind but let me tell you.” He paused smiling. “Joel’s as nervous as the people in Hondo are with us.”

Indeed, Joel is trying his very best to not mind Rob’s behavior in camp. He wasn’t the person who is into confrontations. No. If Rob wanted to be like that, he can’t do anything about it. If Rob Cesternino won’t work, Joel Klug will make sure that everyone can see through Rob’s façade and vote him out.

^^^^

Lindsey and Tanya went for a walk along the beach after lunch. The two were getting along quite well and are often seen together, laughing and telling stories.

“I feel totally secure around Tanya.” Lindsey states her friendship with the Tennessean. “You can’t just help but gravitate around her because she’s sweet, gentle, nice and everything great and positive is in her and that makes her more approachable in a sense that you can’t see anything negative about her.”

But in Lindsey’s mind today, she isn’t set up for talking about life and fun stuff they did back home. Lindsey’s here to talk about strategy. She knows about Tanya’s alliance with Rob and Tammy. She knows that she’s in the end of the line even if Tanya kept on insisting that she’s perfectly safe.

“I’m telling you Lindsey, your name hasn’t come up since the last time we talked about the vote.” Tanya reassured her.

Lindsey sighed. “Oh, come on T. Surely, you’ve talked about me or something like that.”

Tanya stopped to think about that. There were times when Tammy was insisting of voting out Lindsey but Rob wouldn’t agree to that. She shrugged and replied, “Lindsey, Rob’s trying to protect you. If there’s someone you should watch out for is Tammy.”

“Tammy? What does she have to do with it?”

“Well, apparently, she’s trying to get you out of the game since day two.” Tanya answered whole-heartedly and continuing, “But Rob says that you’re a valuable member of the team and we can’t afford to lose you.”

Tanya found a piece of orange lying on the sand as she picked it up and stored it inside her pocket. She smiled at Lindsey and added, “Look, if you’re still paranoid, I’ll try to buy you some time but I don’t know what I can do.”

“Thanks T.” Lindsey stated smiling as the two women hugged. “You’re the greatest friend ever.”

HONDO:

As night started to fall, the tribe gets together around the fire, eating dinner. They were at an all time low this time around but most of all; they were missing what they left back home.

Their families.

Tina was the first one to speak up with regards to this as she talked about her husband and her kids back home. As she continued on talking, she started to cry as well. Even if this was still day five, everyone was missing their families so much right now.

Lex then spoke up about his children. On how proud he is on how great his kids are growing up to be. “Let me tell you all something.” Lex states, as his eyes started to swell up. “Time flies by so damn fast, you’re not going to see how fast your kids grow up. And that’s what’s happening. My kids are growing up so fast but I’m extremely happy on how they’re growing up to be.”

“We all are.” Tina stated with Helen nodding behind her.

As the tribe continued on talking, Helen started to sing them a song. A song about going away from home, and finally one day, you’d be able to come back but no one’s there. You try to search for them, but they aren’t anywhere to be found. Until of course, you finally found them, deep inside your heart.

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