The Arena (UM Application Submission) (433 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.71 on 17 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Impassive-Digressive (View user info) at 2006-09-20 22:08:24 EDT
Darius squinted as he stepped into the bright light of the arena. Around him, a thunderous roar rose from the crowd; an avalanche of noise crashing around him. Amidst the cacophony he could make out words and phrases, some willing him on to victory, but the majority baying for his blood. A small band of protesters decried the violent scene that was expected to unfold, their chanting ignored as usual.
Behind him, the portcullis rattled as it descended, any hope of escape dashed with a final crunch as its pointed edge bit down hard on the arena sand. He had known that this moment would come, and resisted the burning urge to glance back at the sealed entrance behind him.
A rivulet of sweat slid down the side of his face as he walked deliberately to the centre of the arena, trying to ignore the rust-hued stains in the sand. There he stood, gazing up at the assembled masses in the stands above as they cried for entertainment. He could feel his heart, like a caged beast thrashing against his chest, pumping adrenaline to every corner of his body. Instinctively, he tightened his grip on the long, jagged knife he had been given - his only weapon and only defence.
Beneath the grandstand in front of him loomed three yawning tunnels, each blocked by a portcullis identical to the one that now prevented his escape. He knew the middle tunnel led outside, to safety, to freedom. He also knew how rarely that gate opened for those who enter the arena.
A hush fell over the crowd as a lone figure in flowing garnet robes stood to address them.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the figure boomed "The time is almost at hand! Soon we will witness this man's fate!" With a sweeping gesture of his arm, the tall, stocky man once again directed the audience's attention to Darius - prompting another screaming wave to pour forth. For a split second, Darius caught the man's gaze, a glinting eye and rakish grin. With a swift flick of his wrist, the crowd fell silent once again.
"The man who stands before you is nought but a criminal. By the leave of our fine government, this convicted thief has been selected at random from our prisons." The man gave the crowd a moment for their cries of derision, before once again silencing them with a deft wave. "On this day, he may yet have his freedom, for before him lie three doors. Should the centre one be opened to him, he leaves this place a free man." His voice lowered. "The other two doors are a different story."
As if on cue, a menacing growl echoed forth from the leftmost door, six snarling canines - almost too big to call mere wolves - padded up to the portcullis. Dark grey fur hung long over deep-set yellow eyes. Beneath the eyes, snarling lips exposed long rows of jagged teeth, with thick strands of saliva dripping to the sand below. Muscular and lean, the largest of the six barked loudly through the iron bars.
Despite his best efforts to block the noise out, it sent a wave of fear washing over Darius. He could feel his legs shaking as the crowd cheered with delight.
The jubilation was joined by a loud yell, which emanated from the tunnel on the right. An armoured man strode forward, a horned metal helmet under his arm and terrifying grin on his face. He stood taller than any person Darius had ever laid eyes on, limbs like tree trunks wrapped in banded iron. As he reached the portcullis, he placed the helmet over his wild red hair and removed a large grey warhammer from his back.
The weapon was immense, a long, thick handle which ended with a block of solid iron, stained with the blood of many fallen foes. The giant warrior assumed a battle-ready stance, the hammer resting easily in his powerful grip.
As Darius stood trembling, rooted to the spot, the robed man in the stands once again signalled for silence. "Ladies and gentlemen" he called "The next move is yours!"
He turned and smiled down the barrel of Camera One.
"To unleash the wolves, call 1300 555 501 or SMS 'WOLVES' to 0405 555 500."
"If you've taken a liking to the Viking, call 1300 555 502 or SMS 'VIKING' to 0405 555 500."
"Or, to set this man free, call 1300 555 593 or SMS 'FREEDOM' to 0405 555 500."
"Voting lines close in just ten minutes. We'll be back after the break with more of The Arena!"
User Reviews
Submitted by Impassive-Digressive (user info) at 2006-09-21 20:23:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I very nearly read the Bachman Books. When I was younger we had a copy on one of the bookshelves at home... We probably still do... Next time I'm up that way, I'll have to have a hunt around for it.
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2006-09-21 17:42:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I can't believe I forgot to mention who wrote it.
"Running Man" is part of a four-story novel, "The Bachman Books", written by Richard Bachman - the pen name of an author you may recognize (one Stephen King). I believe that the Books are discontinued/no longer in print, but in a library or online or whatever, you should be able to find him.
Also in that book are the stories Rage, The Long Walk, and Roadwork.
They're all pretty much fucking awesome; with Rage and especially The Long Walk being a few of my favorite stories/books I've ever read.
Chiggity-check it.
And the movie has Ah-nold in it, and that dude that used to host family feud..
Drop me a review on one of my posts if you ever read it/see it and let me know what you think.
Submitted by Impassive-Digressive (user info) at 2006-09-21 03:03:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
No, I haven't... but I am going to keep my eyes peeled for it.
I like fiction that takes current everyday stuff, like reality television for example, and twists it to fit into some kind of future setting. I really enjoyed the original Rollerball movie (not to be confused with the depressingly bad remake) and that is definitely the kind of direction I was trying to take with my story.
Still, I'm hardly surprised that someone beat me to the idea... It'd make for addictive viewing.
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2006-09-21 02:49:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Interesting..I thought you'd have read or seen it. It is MUCH more like the movie than the book but the same basic premise exists: future society utilizes criminal population to entertain the public.
The movie is a bit cheesy but good, the book is very good but totally different.
Submitted by Impassive-Digressive (user info) at 2006-09-21 02:20:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I just IMDB'd the Running Man movie. I'm a fan of B-grade sci-fi, and it looks GREAT!
(I can see the strong similarities between the plots too.)
Submitted by Davros (user info) at 2006-09-21 02:08:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Impassive-Digressive (user info) at 2006-09-21 01:50:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Ahem.. CAN'T say that I have.
Oh yes, I was born to be a writer.
Submitted by Impassive-Digressive (user info) at 2006-09-21 01:48:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2006-09-21 01:35:52 (#)
Ranking: 1
Reminds me wayyyy too much of Running Man (when they made it into a bastardized movie version of the book). But you get a +1 cause it took effort, and I don't know if you ever read it or saw it.
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Can say that I have. The only thing the phrase 'running man' conjures up in me is the somewhat questionable dance move of the same name.
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2006-09-21 01:35:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Reminds me wayyyy too much of Running Man (when they made it into a bastardized movie version of the book). But you get a +1 cause it took effort, and I don't know if you ever read it or saw it.
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-20 22:36:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Chuckle.
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2006-09-20 22:35:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Lead singer of Hootie & the Blowfish.
Submitted by Impassive-Digressive (user info) at 2006-09-20 22:34:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2006-09-20 22:29:16 (#)
Ranking: 2
I hope this was about Darius Rucker.
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It can be if you want it to. Personally, I have never even heard of the guy.
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2006-09-20 22:29:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I hope this was about Darius Rucker.
Submitted by NerfHerder (user info) at 2006-09-20 22:27:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
WORRRRRD LIMIT NOOOOO
HOW COULD YOUUUU
Submitted by Impassive-Digressive (user info) at 2006-09-20 22:26:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Part of me wants to write a scenario after the vote. It will probably have to wait until after I write my UM entry though.
Submitted by TheUniter (user info) at 2006-09-20 22:23:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Very nice. You should expand on it.
Submitted by Bubba2341 (user info) at 2006-09-20 22:14:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Reality TV. It's what's for dinner.