Construction at the Theater

[Warren Von Smirk]

Still two months away from taping, the sounds of construction came from backstage at the Game Show Theater. Saws of all kinds cutting metal and wood to construct the set; Von Smirk looking over the work being done, photographs of Studio 41 - focusing on the awesome board itself.

One of the workers then signaled to the host, who would then leave for a moment to see that a shipment had arrived. Eighteen brand new slide projectors! "About time these arrived. Let's make sure they fit behind the board itself!" Signing for the delivery and taking one of the projectors himself, he'd go behind the board and take the 500,000 Yen and a Spin slide to throw on the projector.

"Throw ze switch!" He called out from his perch on the top row of the board, once the projector was plugged in. Looking at the plexiglass screen that the slide was projected onto, it was perfect for a moment. Then a bang and all went black as the slide was blown out.

"You'd think that they'd fix these things over the past twenty years! Get a wire to Curruthers and tell him we need another set of slides!"

Grumbling, he went to check on the whammies, as well was Tammy and Fang the dog, kept nice and secure in their cages; awaiting to be unleashed on contestants' winnings. "Big bucks? We got your big buck, right Fang?"

[b2412]

Major Espinoza walked up to the theater, and made a comment under his breath. "After all these years, I'm finally at the big time. It's about time. Mom would be proud." As he approached Mr. Von Smirk, he noticed the blown projector. "Mr. Von Smirk, you'd like me to take a look at that. I might be able to get that projector fixed." The major went underway to his fixing of the projector. The Major studied hardware engineering as part of his computer science degree. Pulling out a projector bulb of coat pocket, he placed it in the projector, and he asked for the switch to be reset, then throw, and a success! The projector was fixed.

"You know, they don't make em like them like they made em in the 80's. I was prepared for this eventuality, it happened once while I was at a live taping of the show when Tomarken hosted it. You must be Mr. Von Smirk. I'm Major Bryan Espinoza. I'm the assistant to your new closing announcer. I have to say it is a great honor for Mr. Coleman to able to be an announcer for this show. I grew up watching the greats like Tomarken, Barker, Trebek, etc. and I have to say, it's an honor to just be on the set of this show. I've yet to see you actually host, but i've heard nothing but great reviews, saying that you are on the level of Wheldon Smiley, Wes Westin, and Wally Allgood but with ethical standards. If you would mind, I have a whammy I have to meet. There's a disco dancing whammy that has to be my favorite one growing up, and I must meet him. I shall return momentarily.

[jonathancoleman]

As Mr. Coleman walked up, he seemed very excited. This was his favorite gameshow as a child, and he was honored to be announcing, even if it was just the credits. This was also his first announcing gig out of Hosting School, so he was a bit nervous. Donning a nice suit with a custom designed whammy tie, he walked up to his assistant, calling him out and asking him where Mr. Warren Von Grin was. "Major, so good to run into you here. I see you arrived before me. Have you spoken to Mr. Von Grin yet, if so please introduce me at haste. I can't wait to thank him again."

[b2412]

"Well, John, I don't know how you pulled this one off, but Mr. Von Grin is over here. I'll introduce you at haste. Follow me sir."

[Warren Von Smirk]

"Smirk! SMIRK! Not grin. Bah. Major, I must thank you for making quick work of that slide. Thanks for the compliments and it's good to know that you know your history. Trebek was best before Jeopardy though. Double Dare was where he truly shined."

Seeing another one coming up, he'd nod over to him. "Yes yes, I have more announcers than I know what to do with! Now, about those whammies. They have to be kept locked up or else they will try to steal everything in Orlandia! You see, after they took those vacations they won in the 80s, their warehouses are empty again; and well, with exchange rates the way they are, they want to fill their accounts with the over ten million yen on the big board."

[b2412]

"I completely apologize, I just finished working with a fellow named Von Grin, so I am for some reason or another accustomed to Von Grin, so I do apologize once again. I'm also afraid that Mr. Coleman has picked up the habit from me. But I assure you he will try to say Von Smirk." "I do contend that Trebek in Double Dare was the best part of my childhood. And I wouldn't worry about the whammies. I woudn't blame them for wanting to get more vacations."

"Now down to business, This, sir, is Mr. Jonathan Coleman. He'll be filling in as a credits announcer per your request. It is our pleasure, mostly his though, to be a part of this endeavor."

[jonathancoleman]

"Mr. Von Smirk, my apologies. It is a pleasure to meet you." As he shakes the host's hand he goes on to say "It seems set construction is coming along very well. Please keep me informed as to the progress."

[Warren Von Smirk]

"I do fear that if the whammies did get loose, they may try to steal the stones that keep the city afloat; so it's best to only release them for the show itself. Regardless, gentlemen; I do look forward to working with you during the show."

[Don Quinseis]

With all of the noise of the construction was going on, there was one guy sitting quietly on the other side of the studio. Don Quinseis always loved to be behind the scenes. He was born and raised in Television City, so of course he knew all of the big time shows and hosts. Surprisingly though, he never wanted to be one of them. He wanted to be the guy. The guy that riled up the audience, the guy that everyone wanted to call their name, they guy who really let everyone know it was showtime. He looked around, especially at Warren Von Smirk. Don really didn't see him, just a figure in a dark suit. When he heard his voice, he thought to himself, "Man, glad I'm here. This place could use some positive energy, and better clothes." He always idolized Rod Roddy, and whenever he was out shopping for clothes he made a beeline to the loudest, most flamboyant things he could find. "You know, if this were The Price Is Right, I could use about two-thirds of my wardrobe. For now, this will have to do." He looked down at his almost simple shirt and thought about approaching Von Smirk and the guys who fixed the projector, but then he thought better, just in case...

[b2412]

The Major walked away after what appeared to be handshakes, and got onto an light airship and flew off. Seemed to be in a hurry in doing so as he did it.

[Warren Von Smirk]

And then Warren got a text message on his cell phone. His agent secured him a spot on the Wheldon Smiley show tonight?! "Hey, you. I remember you. Don Quinseis, right? Well, come on down because I need an announcer and you're it."

[Don Quinseis]

Don came over to meet Warren face to face. "I'm your man, Warren." He was tempted to call him Mr. Von Smirk, but it just sounded like a German facial gesture in his head. He couldn't quite describe the emotion on Von Smirk's face, but he knew it wasn't good. After looking him up and down, Don got an uneasy feeling he couldn't shake. "I look forward to this, but you seem...something, what gives?"

[Warren Von Smirk]

"Excellent. Oh, and Coleman - I may have a job for you yet. Yes, even Wally Allgood couldn't plan this better!"