The audience settled in. Laura could feel the tension in the air. Three finalists, twenty million viewers, a single prize of five million. It had taken her two years to get to this point, all that remained was one final push.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” the show host said, making his way to the central podium in the room. “It has been one heck of a journey full of twists and turns, shocking disappointments and miraculous comebacks. Or, as we like to say at [i]Short and Sweet[/i], just another night.”

Laughter filled the hall. Laura did her best to join in.

“We are left with three finalists,” the show host announced. “Look at them! Magnificent creatures with minds of steel that won’t hesitate to tear each other limb from limb for the title!”

[i]You’re not wrong there,[/i] Laura thought. There were no friends here, just opponents.

“Before we begin, let’s go over the rules.” The host smiled. Above his head the “Oooh” sign lit up, bringing an immediate response from the audience. “I know, I know,” the host laughed. “You’ll hardly be here if you didn’t know it, but it’s my job act like a jackass so that our contestants would shine.” The “Laugh” sign lit up. “So, the goal is simple. Each of our contestants is given a randomly selected work of literature in a category of their choosing. Our contestants must convey the essence of the story using as few words as possible. The one who manages to achieve the best clarity with the least words wins! Of course for that they have to know what the book is about.” The “Laugh” sign lit up again. “So, let us begin!”

Laura could no longer see the audience. The people, the cameras, the halls itself had vanished blurred out by her mind. The only ones remaining were the host and the other finalists.

“William.” The host approached the first contestant. “As reigning champion you go first. What category would you like?”

“High fantasy,” the contestant said.

“What a surprise.” The host mock sighed. “Let us see what the random selection has for you.” Lights started flashing. A 3D chest appeared on the giant screen behind the contestants, then opened revealing the photo of a book. “Lord of the Rings!” The host announced. “Let’s hear it. And remember! Short and sweet!”

[i]Damn! Why did he have to get Tolkien!?[/i]

“A youngster adventures through peril to learn how to save the world,” the contestant said.

“Twelve words,” the host noted. “You lost a bit of clarity there, but who knows, maybe it will be worth the gamble. That is, if Alyssa doesn’t have anything to say about it.” The host moved to the second contestant. “Alyssa, you heard the reigning champion. Think you could do better? Time to find out. What’s your category.”

“Space opera.” The woman didn’t hesitate.

“Space opera.” Lights started flashing again. The images on the screen were replaced by the chest. “And we have... The Foundation!”

[i]I wanted that![/i] If only she had earned a few more points that would have been her story.

“Scientists create a colony to guide humanity through the space dark age,” Alyssa said.

“Oh, nerdy!” The host laughed. “I like it! Twelve words as well. Looks like this will be a nailbiter. Or maybe Laura will leave both of them in the dust.” The man turned to her. “Laura, pick your category.”

Should she risk with science fiction? The easy story had been selected which meant the rest would be more obscure. Laura had been reading science fiction since she was seven, but was that enough? A lot of new authors had emerged the last five years.

“Epic fantasy,” she said.

“An unusual choice.” Laura couldn’t see the host anymore. Everything around had had become white. “Aaand... A Song of Ice and Fire.”

Her heart skipped a beat. This was it. The miracle she had been waiting for. Maybe, just maybe, it would be enough to win her the crown. She could only hope.

“Many fight for the throne,” her voice trembled as she spoke, “and they all die.”