Beau:              So Chastity, I’d really appreciate it if you could talk to Gus about, you know, the whole Kit Kat thing…I didn’t really realize you were meant to snap it in half first and taking a bite without doing so just seemed like the right thing to do at the time. I get how peculiar it must have looked and I only hope Gus can see past it all. I don’t want him thinking I’m stupid because of it. 

 

Con:                Where’s your girl Chastity gotten to? Normally she always by your side?

 

Gus:                She’s just on the couch chatting with Beau over there. (motions towards the pair.) So, what’ve you been up to anyway? 

Con:                Me? Nothing, nothing. 

                        But Beau and Chastity (feigns surprise) ... Looks like they’re up to a bit more than talking to me… Don’t you think he’s sitting a little bit close there? 

Gus:                Well, now that you mention it.

 

Con:                But hey, don’t work yourself up over it. It’s probably nothing. Like you said, they’re just ‘friends having a chat’.

 

Chastity:         Don’t work yourself up over it Beau. I’m sure Gus has much bigger things to worry about then a silly chocolate. Here give your nose a blow and I’ll leave you to it.

 

Gus:                I gave her those tissues and she goes and gives them to him! I’ve got my eye on those two. Unbelievable! 

(Gus’s fingers whiten as they clamp the table and eyes narrow as the scene cuts off.) 

Characters: Othello – Gus, Desdemona – Chastity, Cassio – Beau, 

 

Gus:                I’m still feeling betrayed after what I just saw between my wife and Beau. I just can’t believe I’ve never noticed it before. All those times they’ve been left alone together…

 

 

I’m here to win, and this affair going on behind my back wasn’t part of the plan. She won’t get away with this. I’ll make her regret this decision… You just watch.

 

Con:                I of course have been working this whole time to make it look as though Chastity and Beau are more than friends and it hasn’t been hard. Just a bit of seed planting really – a ‘ooh what are those pair up?’ to and ‘did you see what Beau just did?’. Gus is just digging himself into an even bigger hole. A pit of rage and tunnel vision that’ll ultimately see me victorious. Today was just the beginning; tomorrow’s going to be even better!

Voice Over:                            Welcome house mates.Today’s challenge is going to be (pause) slightly different.We want to see how well you can work with your other house mates. May I ask that you get into pairs and stand behind the benches that can be found to your left. 

SM:                                        (mutters under breath) ugh, this is unfair, I’ve got such a disadvantage. This woman is just gonna bring me down. 

Gus:                                        I honestly can’t believe this. Now she’s not even trying to hide her affair. How dare she. She’s going to regret this. (shakes head)

Gus:                                       (to Con) C’mon Con, (starting to march towards the last bench) we’re gonna smash this! (sounding determined)

Con:                                       (laughs) this is turning out so much better than I expected! I mean, my plan was working pretty well, Gus was actually starting to seriously hate Chastity, but when Chastity chose to work with Beau? (throws head back with laughter) That was absolutely brilliant! I couldn’t have organized it better myself. (sighs) I’m just excited to see how this competition plays out. (pauses as if in deep thought) I think with one more push I might just be able to get Gus to go over the edge! This is so exciting! (claps hands)

Voice over:                             Now that everyone is paired up, I will explain the rules for this competition. I will be asking you all a set of questions regarding two well-known plays. If you think that you know the answer to the question I ask, please raise your hand to answer. If you find that you disagree with someone’s answer, feel free to raise your hand to share your own. Once all answers are shared, I as the judge, will award points to who I think had the best answer. All right, if everyone’s ready, let’s begin.

Voice Over:                            The first question comes from William Shakespeare’s “Othello.” I trust you are all familiar with it?

Narcissa:                                Oh yes! I’ve been teaching my high schoolers that every year since 2009!

                                                The question is: who is considered the villain in this play and why?

Narcissa:                                The villain is obviously the character Iago. He is deceitful, cruel, manipulative and his ultimate goal was to destroy an innocent character’s life. (smug expression on her face)

Con:                                       Iago? As the villain? She’s got to be kidding. 

Con:                                        Innocent? (scoffs) How could you call the character of Othello innocent? (exclaims in pure disgust) He treated Iago with no respect, refusing to acknowledge and reward him for all that he did. If anyone, Othello was the villain. All Iago did was seek revenge on someone who did him wrong. How does that make him a villain? 

Narcissa:                               He was an evil man who wanted to inflict pain upon others. (seemingly frustrated) The character of Othello may not have been innocent, but what about the lovely Desdemona? She was merely a pawn in Iago’s twisted game. She never did anything to anyone and did not deserve her fate. 

Con:                                       (mutters) If you ask me, a little sacrifice never hurt anyone. (louder, clears throat) As it was in the interest of justice I don’t think Iago was in the wrong. 

Narcissa:                               (takes a breath and is about to say something…as she is cut off she looks annoyed and scoffs)

Voice Over:                            I’m afraid I’m going to have to cut you both short. Although this little debate here could last for what seems like another 3 hours, I have come to a decision about the winner, and I must award Narcissa one point for her answer. Sorry, Con.

Voice Over:                            Alright, (clears throat) next question. In ‘A Streetcar Named Desire,’ many different motifs and symbols were used to add meaning. What was the symbol of light used for?

Chastity:                                 (rises hand) I remember reading this book in school not that long ago and I remember the character Blanche was like a really (pause in thought) unstable woman. She not only lied to every character that she came across about her past, she also lied to herself. I think that light was used to kind of show her lying. 

Gus:                                        Um... I’m sorry (very sarcastically) but what exactly does light have to do with lying? That doesn’t make any sense. (seemingly annoyed at Chastity)

Chastity:                                (unaware of the sarcasm) Well Gussy, if I’m remembering this right, Blanche was super afraid of being seen in the light because people would have noticed how old she looked and she really cared about her beauty and youth and everything. She only let her kind of boyfriend Mitch see her at night for instance. (laughs and looks at Gus) Gussy, can you imagine if I only let you see me in the dark and on the day of our wedding you saw me in the light for the first time and saw that I was like 50 (laughs again) that would be funny.

Con:                                        (laughs) his (breathing heavily because of his laughter) face (laughs louder)

Chastity:                                (still laughing) Oh sorry, I’m getting a bit off topic. Where was I? (thinking) oh yes, so Blanche didn’t ever want to be seen in the light so whenever she was lying about her past, she was doing it in darkness. But by the end of the play, (getting excited as she knows the answer) that guy Mitch like kind of rudely shone the light in her face and accused her of all this terrible stuff about her past and basically after that light, all the truth came out. (takes a deep breath) so yeah, light equals truth, darkness equals lies! (giggles)

Voice Over:                            Okay, that was pretty much perfect. (Chastity looks proud) Does anyone else want to try answering that?(camera pans to Stanley and Blanches table and Blanche is just looking down at her hands in silence and Stanley shakes his head) Alright, I’m going to award Chastity 2 points for that fantastic answer. (Chastity looks really happy) Now, moving on to the next question…

Voice Over:                            Alright, everyone has done a really good job. Right now, Gus you’re in first place with 13 points (Gus looks smug) and Chastity you’re right behind with 12. (Chastity smiles and Gus looks really annoyed) The final question that will determine the winner of this competition is this: In both “Othello” and “A Streetcar Named Desire” the way the male characters treat the female characters is… interesting to say the least. In the scenes when Othello and Stanley slap their wives in each separate play, who is in the wrong? Them or their wives?

SM:                                         (shoots hand up) What sort of question is that? I mean… (looks around in amusement) the answers kind of obvious, isn’t it? (looks around again waiting for a response) I’ve never even read these bloody books but if these men are hitting their wives they’ve got a reason to. 

SM:                                         And to be totally honest, even if they didn’t it would still be fine by me. Men need an outlet sometimes, and if that means hitting their wives or girlfriends to let off some steam, I say go for it. (shrugs shoulders)

Gus:                                        I’ve got to say, I agree with Stan the Man over there. (points at STM and STM winks at him) In my opinion (looks over at Chastity) the women (says the word “women” with disgust) are in the wrong. In fact, I think that the men in these books have the right idea. It seems that women have almost forgotten their place in society, disrespecting, even cheating on (camera pans to Chastity as Gus looks over at her, she remains unfazed and smiles and waves at Gus) their husbands. Maybe, if we stuck with this way of thinking, we’d all be better off.

Narcissa:                               Excuse me? I don’t think women should ever be hit. Of course, a common person like you (looks at SM and he looks infuriated) would think that but a more…refined person like myself understands that women are (camera shows Chastity) like dainty flowers worth protecting. The men in those plays were obviously in the wrong. 

SM:                                         What do you know about flowers? (directing this question at Narcissa she shifts uncomfortably and looks down)

Iago:                                       (sensing tension he uncomfortably clears his throat) um, yeah…I’ve got to agree with Gus there, women really can’t be trusted (camera switches to Narcissa as she looks uncomfortable and then switches to Chastity looking happy) and everything is better when men are in control. Those men in the plays were not in the wrong and those women deserved what they got.

Narcissa:                               This is ridiculous. No one deserves to get hit. Chastity? You think those men were in the wrong right?

Chastity:                                 (mhh..considering) No. (camera switches to shot of Narcissa looking confused) I think that if those women were hit, they deserved it. Even though it’s sad to think about people getting hurt, men know best. 

Beau:                                      I agree. 

Narcissa:                                Are they kidding me? Women should never be hit. There’s no excuse for it.

Voice Over:                            Alright, it seems like everybody got to speak up and share their opinion. I suppose in this case, my own favourite answer gets the points. Everyone had a solid answer but I think my favourite would have to be Chastity’s. I liked how you had a specific answer but saw both sides. (zoom in on Chastity’s face looking really happy) That brings up your total to 13, ending our competition with a tie between Gus and Chastity! 

Voice Over:                            Your prize for this win is something that has never been done in the history of this show. You have the opportunity to kick one person off. (dramatic music, shocked facial expressions) You can decide how you make this decision. (dramatic pause) You have one hour. 

Chastity:                                 How exciting is this? We won together! Okay so, what’s the plan? How are we going to decide who has to leave? (face drops) Oh I don’t think I want to have to decide, it’s too mean. (considering) Maybe if we…(is interrupted by Gus)

Gus:                                        What do you mean by “we?” (pause for dramatic effect) I think that we both know I’m perfectly capable of making a decision without your help, your judgement seems a bit clouded anyway. 

Chastity:                                 Gussy… what do you mean? 

Gus:                                       Like I even have to say it. (sees that she looks confused) ugh (sighs in frustration) fine, I guess I have to spell this out to you. We should probably be kicking someone out who is a cheater right? (Chastity nods) So I don’t think you should be able to make that decision considering you’re a cheater yourself.

Chastity:                                 What are you talking about? (laughs) I’ve literally never cheated in any competition we’ve done.

Gus:                                        You might not have cheated in the competitions, but you did cheat on me. 

Chasity:                                  (looks serious now) Gussy…what are you talking about? Don’t be like this.

Gus:                                        Like you can tell me how I should and shouldn’t act. (getting aggressive now with his tone of voice) You know what? (pause dramatically) Why don’t you just run off to Beau? I’m sure he’ll find some way to cheer you up. (says with disgust)

Chastity:                                 Gussy (reaches out to touch his arm) if you’re implying what I think you’re implying (shakes head and pauses) then I’ve got to tell you, you couldn’t be more wrong. We’re just frien…(cut off by Gus)

Gus:                                        Save your lies for someone who cares (said with no emotion). 

Gus:                                        You need to go. Someone needs to decide who gets kicked off, and it’s pretty clear I don’t need your help.

Chastity:                                 (stifles a sob) Okay Gussy…I get it.

Gus:                                        Now that she’s gone and I’ve got some peace and quiet, I’d like to submit the name of the person I’ve chosen to leave. (looks up at the ceiling as if expecting the voice over person to talk) Nothing, really? You’ve got no comment? (sighs in frustration) Whatever… here is it. (pulls out paper and pen and write a name on it. Leaves the paper on the chair he was sitting on and leaves the room.)

 

Text: Previously on...
 
 

  (Western music)

 Gus: (Wins)                                         Yes!

 Chastity: (Daintily claps)                  Good job Hubby!

 Gus: (winks)                                       Thanks beautiful

 Stan the Man: (Angry)                      Again! Two out of Three! Two out of Three!
 
 Everyone but Stan the Man:            Gus, Gus, Gus!

 

Narcissa: (Touches Stan…’s arm)     Better luck next time! (Sarcastically)
 
 

Stan… : (Aggressively feints)            Shut up woman!
 
 

Voice Over:                                        Congratulations Gus! You have won the challenge! You may now choose one other contestant to share your prize with. Choose wisely…

                         (Gus looks around thoughtfully and scratches his chin)

(Con looks hopeful)
(Camera pans from Con to AJ)

Gus: (Claps AJ on shoulder)              AJ! Share this prize with me, us men deserve it!
 
 

                        (Close up shot of Con. Expression of hatred.)            

 

Con:    (Picks up chips,                       Here Gus, AJ, you deserve them.

                         (Gus nods distractedly while talking to AJ)

Chastity:                                             Are you okay Iago? I know losing can be hard on you          men… 
 
 

Con: (Saccharine smile)                     Oh, I’ll win next time, don’t worry… 

                        (Con looks at camera)

                                                            End of Scene

 

Con:                            This is not okay! I deserved to be picked by Gus! After all I’ve                                           done for him!

            (Nostrils flare, runs hand through hair)

                                    I deserved that prize… What has Beau ever done for Gus anyway? I’ve                              bent over backwards to try to get higher in life! I’ve pushed myself to                                 the limit to win challenges! And what does Gus do to thank me?                                                Nothing! I’m coming for you Gus, you will rue the day that you                                               committed this act of treachery. You will never see good, honest Con                            coming for you…       

Othello – Gus: short for Agusto, means deserving of respect.

Desdemona – Chastity: basically just because of the meaning of chastity

Iago – Con: A play on the word con, like a con artist

Emilia – 

Stanley – Stan the Man: Just because that sounds like something he would insist people call him

Blanche – Narcissa: Since she is obsessed with her appearance, both physically and in society.

 | Character | Costume | Occupation/role in society
| Othello | White top + dog tags | Military 
| Desdemona | Flowery dress | Gus’s housewife
| Iago | Flannel shirt and jeans | Gardener
| Emilia | Red T-Shirt with a grey cardigan | Clean’s Gus’s house + and does book club with Chastity
| Stanely | Neon orange shirt | Roadworks
| Blanche | Anything fancy + delicate | English teacher

 

(Opening Titles)

Text: *show title*

Gus:                             Stands stoically in army uniform

Chastity:                      Smiles sweetly and smells a flower

Con:                             Texting in suspicious manner, hides phone and smiles innocently when                               he sees the camera filming

Laqueta:                      Walks onto set but Con rolls his eyes and pushes her out of the shot

Stan the Man:             Sizes up Narcissa through split screen, crosses arms and when she                                      looks away he stands up straighter and pops his gum

Narcissa:                     Sizes up Stan the man but looks away and steps back into shadows                                     when he crosses arms. 

Beau:                           Just smiles