The Addison House - Finale

Welcome to the finale of the Addison House, a show where strangers try to survive themselves and each other in a haunted house, all for the chance to win $50,000. Nearly two months ago, eight contestants stayed in this house; now there are only two.

Tasks were done, prizes were fought for, yet hearts were broken and tears were shed. Amie, Saki, Stefan, Lara, Alyssa, and Dewayne all fell short of a coveted spot in the Addison House finale. Science-loving Rocco and sculptor Lucas have pushed through with their hard-working hands, smooth tongues, and sheer determination. Now only one question remains: which man is strong enough to win?

Rocco was one of the harder workers during tasks, winning Immunity once and coming in the Top 3 in scores several times. He was also very careful and only broke an appliance once - after he had earned a Free Pass, thus Rocco has been the only contestant to never visit the cellar in the game. Rocco also worked hard to earn another Free Pass, and when money-earning was cut off, he was $9 away from earning yet another one. On top of his hard work, Rocco began making friends and raising relationships early, allowing him to survive week by week fairly safely. "It's all logic," he says. "If you have the brains, you can win any competition, even this one. I'm confident that I'll take home the money." Rocco has certainly performed to match his assertion. He's been one of the toughest contestants to compete against thus far - how much of a fight will he put up in the final round?

Lucas was practically the dark horse of the competition. Although he managed to stay out of debt for the most part, he never even came close to earning enough money for a Free Pass. All considering, he was pretty careful with his appliances as well - he did have one incident where he clogged the toilet twice within 72 hours, but avoided the cellar otherwise. Lucas performed tasks adequately enough, though rarely making the Top 3 scores and never winning Immunity. He also picked and chose which relationships to work on rather than increasing them all equally like Rocco did - although Lucas got along famously with Alyssa and Rocco, he made little effort to patch up strongly disliked relationships with Stefan and Dewayne. During the last couple weeks of the competition, however, Lucas made an incredible run for the money, winning Tiebreaker's Vote on Week 6 and initiating a best friend relationship with Rocco to ensure Rocco would not vote to eliminate him. "I came here for the money and I knew I'd have to work hard for it," Lucas says. "I wasn't entirely sure of myself when I first got here, but each week I survived, I realized that I could do this. I mean, why not me? I know I can win this, and I'm going to give it everything I have." Will Lucas's momentum sustain him in this final week?

This week's task requires our final two contestants to play (and win) games against each other. It is best of five - thus, a contestant must win three of the games to be the champion and take home $50,000. The games, in this order, are: Shuffleboard, Chess, Sim Gnubb, and Darts. If, by the end of those games, the contestants are two and two, the final "game" will be a fistfight. Whoever wins the fight, wins the money.

And here we have our contestants in a staredown. Put on your tough faces, guys!
Rocco: It's been good getting to know you, Lucas...but it ends here. Brains triumph over brawn any day, and frankly, I don't know that you have either.
Lucas: Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard, Rocco. I will not back down. You're getting the fight of a lifetime out of me.
Rocco: True, I may not take home the $50,000 without a fight from you...but I'm taking it home anyway. I know I've got what it takes to win.
Lucas: As do I. Your brains can't beat my determination.

The contestants eat a power breakfast of organic waffles.

Rocco puts the leftovers away (or at least attempts to, having to wait on Asher Addison's ghost to quit possessing the fridge) and gets ready to combat his foe in Shuffleboard.
--
And here we are at the Shuffleboard table, ladies and gentlemen, with our two contestants getting ready. This is a game all about concentration and great control over one's arm strength. The goal: to slide one's pucks as close to the other end of the table as possible without throwing it off, knocking the opponent's puck off the end if possible. The game starts with Lucas!

Hmm, Lucas is off to a decent start, not as best as he could have done. Let's see Rocco.

Ah, he's doing much better. He already has a puck safely on the one-point space. This might be an exciting game, folks!
--

It's getting towards the end of the first game and Rocco is currently winning. He seems pretty excited - and for good reason!

Rocco: Aw, Lucas, what was that? That was a trash shot!
Lucas: You have three freaking pucks down there and I couldn't hit ONE off?!
It's looking like the first game might be awarded to Rocco...but wait...Lucas has made a couple good moves. Now he has TWO pucks in the three-point space! Oh my goodness! Unbelievably Lucas is catching up...and now the game is over...and it's a...TIE?!? Lucas roared up at the end (as he's known to do) and tied the Shuffleboard game 11-11.
Rocco: What do we do in the event of a tie?
You play again until someone wins!
Rocco: But I have to use the bathroom.
Lucas: All this concentration on Shuffleboard has made me sweat. I need a shower.
YOU WILL PLAY ANOTHER ROUND.
Rocco, Lucas: Fine.
--

This game appears to be going much the opposite. Lucas has pulled into the lead. The game is nearing an end. Will Rocco have a roaring comeback like Lucas did in the previous game? Will we have ANOTHER tie game?!

No! We will not! Lucas has won the Shuffleboard game, 11-6! The first victory goes to our little emo kid who's one step closer to moving out of his parents' basement.
Rocco: That was a fluke! I was nervous!
Lucas: I thought you didn't allow emotions to influence you, Rocco. All logic, remember? Told you I had it in me.
Let's give the contestants some food and some rest so they can have a clear mind for tomorrow's game. The outcomes could be dramatically different. Will Lucas' momentum send him soaring to another victory? Or will Rocco tap into his brain and figure out a fool-proof way to win?
--
It's bright and early (well, not so bright, but very early) and the contestants are up for their next game: Chess. Although they had a task (and other money-making opportunities after the task) that involved gaining the logic skill, they were limited to telescope use and tinkering with the chemistry table. None of the contestants have sat down to a game of chess, which requires just as much practice to win as logic skill. However, if an edge were to be given in this match, it would be Rocco, who has one whole point of logic higher than Lucas.

Both men are thinking very deeply about their moves. This could be a long game. Rocco is talking quite frequently during the game while Lucas has been largely silent. Is Rocco nervous and has to talk to himself to calm down? Or is it a strategic move to throw off Lucas' concentration?

Rocco: Alright, I think I've got this. Any way he moves, I'm going to get him stuck.
Hmm. This is not a good position for Lucas. Rocco seems to have the board figured out. Lucas has been thinking for a long time.
Lucas: .....Ah!

My goodness, Lucas. Your eyes are almost as big as Crack Dog's.
Lucas: You didn't notice this over here. Checkmate, by the way.
Checkmate? Has Lucas really beaten Rocco again - especially at a game leaning in Rocco's favor? Indeed, Lucas' cunning move has won him his second game. This is a pretty bad sign for Rocco. He needs to win the next three in order to win Addison's House. Is it possible? Very, very possible. However, Lucas has the significant advantage at this point. Will the dark horse complete his ride to victory, or does our little brainiac have a strategy up his sleeve to stop him?
--
Good morning everyone. The sun hasn't quite risen yet, but the contestants are up ready to face the third game in the series: Sim Gnubb. It's an outdoor game involving throwing a baton at little figurines to knock them down. Once all five figurines on the opponent's side has been knocked down, one has to aim at the King Gnubb in the middle. Knocking down the King wins the game. Once again, concentration is key. Apparently our contestants are getting their jitters out early - their first couple practice throws have gone straight up and landed back on their heads. Rocco is set to go first. He gets three shots, and so could potentially knock down three Gnubbs. Here he goes...

Oh, no. He didn't knock down ANY Gnubbs. Now it is Lucas' turn. How will his concentration fare?

Rocco, this isn't good for you, buddy. Two of Lucas's three throws knocked down Gnubbs. Will Rocco return the damage? Here's the baton, Rocco!

An excellent recovery! Rocco has knocked down three Gnubbs on three throws! We've got a tight game on our hands! It is now Lucas' turn.....and he has knocked down one more. He and Rocco are now tied, each with two more Gnubbs to knock down.

We're getting close to a winner! Rocco has knocked down all of Lucas' Gnubbs! He now has to aim for the large King Gnubb in the middle. Knocking him down will give Rocco another day to fight for the $50,000. Rocco has one more throw left before he ends his turn. Is this the start of Rocco's big comeback? Will he take this game and then soar through the next two?

Here he goes, he's ready to throw! Annnd.......he misses! Rocco misses the King Gnubb, giving another chance to Lucas. And here comes Lucas, getting ready to throw...

It appears as if Rocco is giving Lucas a look of utter disgust and horror - which is quite understandable! Lucas, in three throws, has knocked over his last two Gnubbs, and upon his next turn, he can try for the King Gnubb. But before it can get to him, it's Rocco's turn. He has three tries to knock over the King. Here's his first try....nope, it's a miss. Try Number Two.....oh, almost! It shook the King! Will the third try do it?......NO! It won't! It's now Lucas' turn! Can he pull it off? Will Lucas win his third game straight and automatically take home the victory? This could be it, folks!

Here's his first try...the baton has left his hand...will he do it? Will he knock over the King?

The King is down!! Ladies and gentlemen, We! Have! A! Winner! Lucas has swept the last three games, surging through on momentum that has been building each week. Unbelievable! The dark horse became unstoppable in the final week!

Lucas: Oh my gosh, I actually did it. I won! I just won Addison's House!
You certainly did, Lucas. And what a grand finish!
--

Well, ladies and gentlemen, after seven weeks of watching eight delightful Sims take their residence in the Addison House, we have finally encountered our winner. Lucas did all the right things and started his power surge at just the right time and will walk away from the Addison House $50,000 richer than when he came.
Before we talk to our winner, let's get a final interview from our runner-up, Rocco.

It's been tremendous fun watching you to this point, Rocco. You've been a fierce competitor - one of the fiercest on the show, I must say - and you had fight in you even until the end.
Rocco: I guess so. I really thought I had the money, though. I couldn't imagine being beaten by some kid who just barely entered young adulthood.
He certainly had plenty of determination. But it was very inspiring to watch your hard work and how you used your brain to complete each task. What have you taken away from your time at the Addison House?
Rocco: Well, everybody seems to like talking about eco-friendly stuff.
I...noticed that too.
Rocco: But really, although I really wanted to take home the money, I don't regret any of it. I learned a lot about myself and about other people while staying here on the show, how I and other people react to being crammed in one building that's supposedly haunted.
(Off camera) Asher: "Supposedly"?
Rocco: Well, okay, it's haunted. But I can't fault myself for not working hard enough to get this far, to be able to be runner-up. I gave it all I could. I even made some friends, which I didn't anticipate would happen. I'm kind of glad for Lucas. He actually turned out to be pretty nice. I hope we can remain friends.
We're happy, Rocco. There was no doubt in our minds that you were giving your best. Good luck on your future endeavors, Rocco.
--
Lucas! How are you feeling?
Lucas: How do you think I'm feeling? I'm about to get handed a $50,000 check! I'm just...absolutely blown away right now. I can't believe this is actually happening.
Earlier you expressed that you weren't entirely confident with yourself when you first entered the show. We noticed you laid pretty low during the first half of the season. Can you describe exactly what gave you the confidence to start pushing for the finish like you did?
Lucas: I really thought I'd be one of the first ones voted off, honestly. I mean, not everybody gets my look and especially when I had run-ins with Amie, Stefan, and Dewayne early on, it wasn't looking good. Dewayne actually lasted a really long time, which kind of scared me. But I just realized that I had as much right to believe that I could win this competition as anyone else had. I felt a little intimidated by Rocco and Dewayne and...well, even Alyssa because they all did so well on the tasks. But I just started trying really hard and now, well, here I am.
So remind everybody what you're going to do with the money?
Lucas: I am going to find a nice apartment and move out of my parents' basement. They love me, but they want me out already! And, I mean, who knows...maybe I can plan a really nice date for Alyssa. I miss her quite a bit.
You're quite the charmer, Lucas. Any last remarks, Lucas?
Lucas: Not really. Just thanks to everyone who was rooting for me at home! *blows kiss*

And that's all, folks. Goodnight and thank you for watching the finale of the Addison House.

The Addison House - Episode Six

Welcome to a new episode of the Addison House, where eight strangers compete for $50,000 in a haunted house. We are down to our final two weeks. Let's take a look at the three contestants who are left.

Amie's dream of owning a business corporation went bust in the first week. Saki, hoping to gain fame and enough money to buy a drum set didn't work hard enough to pay off debts and went home on Week 2. Stefan, hoping to use the money to buy an outdoor resort with a bar onsite, lost his confidence and nearly his sanity in Week 3, leading to his elimination. Simerican Indian Lara wished to use the money to start her own large garden, but couldn't garner enough support to survive Week 4. Finally, hard-working Alyssa reached high for her desire for fame, but was sent home by the Immunity winner in Week 5. Three men remain in the competition - Rocco, hoping to spend the money on tons of technology for his apartment; Lucas, hoping to move out of his parents' basement; Dewayne...we're still not sure what he hopes for yet. Which of these men will reach the Final Two and face each other for $50,000?

This week is Career Week. Their career will be based on a skill they all had subconsciously been raising during their entire stay - cooking. The three contestants will work at the local bistro for a week, and the one with the most work performance at the end wins. The prize: Tiebreaker's Vote. That is, in the event of a three-way tie during voting, the Tiebreaker's Vote trumps all other votes. (This can ONLY be used in a three-way tie - if one contestant gets two votes, they are eliminated even if they have the Tiebreaker's Vote.) This could potentially be very useful - our three contestants have similar relationship levels with each other. Now then, let's send our contestants off to the work force.

This is their area of employment. Nicest freaking bistro we've ever seen, if you ask us.

Crammed into a tiny car on the way to work. And of course, being tailgated by a moron.
Dewayne: Hit the brakes! Hit the brakes!
Sorry, Dewayne, that won't work. In your universe, cars just go through each other.
Dewayne: .....Crap.

Now don't they just look adorable in their work gear?
Dewayne: I can't wait to start working! I'm starving!
Uh...you can't eat until dinner break, Dewayne. You're not an Ingredient Taster YET.
--
First day of work turned out pretty well. Dewayne and Lucas have gone straight to bed, being exhausted, while Rocco is relaxing in the hot tub. Christine Addison is still hanging around, cleaning up the place. We're STILL not comfortable with her being here.

Uh...hang on. I think I just saw that urn move. Is our ghostie friend still making mischief?

AAAGH! Asher Addison?!? You're actually a real ghost?!
Asher: Of course I am. Don't tell me you didn't pay any attention to those signs I left. I put so much effort into them.
...We didn't know what to think about those. But I guess we do now. How are you feeling?
Asher: I still feel cooked. Is Christine still on this property? She has a lot of nerve.

Asher: You. You're that science geek that said ghosts couldn't exist. Always had pillow fights in my cellar.
Rocco: Whoa!
Asher: Oh, there's Christine over there. Hey, Christine. Didn't expect you'd see me again, huh?

Christine: ...Asher? H-hi, honey.
Asher: 'Honey'? What's next, 'I love you'? Whatever. I'd ask you to kindly make me some dinner, but you'd probably try to set me on fire again. I'll go get it myself.

...And we have Christine passed out on the ground. Will someone run out there and check her pulse?...She's still breathing? Good. This is going to be...an interesting week.
--
And an interesting week it certainly has been. Christine Addison fled the house shortly after waking up and hasn't returned. Let's take a look at our camera footage this week.

It appears Lucas has finally started to skinny-dip.

You just sat there and ate those waffles surrounded by flies, burnt food, and smelly dishes.
Lucas: You get used to it.
Really?
Lucas: Yeah. Haven't you ever eaten at a Del Taco?

We gave the contestants a few more rewards this week. One was a sprinkler.
Dewayne: Water feels so funny on my butt!
...You know, there's a reason no one wants to play in the sprinkler with you, Dewayne.

The boys watching TV.

TV: "I'm flying, Jack! I'm flying!"
Lucas: If I win the money, maybe I can take Alyssa on a cruise and we can do that.
Rocco: Oh no! I hope he holds onto her - she could fall over the railing!
Dewayne: What the heck? She's not really flying...

Rocco: Man, I'm so hungry. Oh look! This dish still has crumbs on it! It smells like raw sewage, but that's okay. It's best not to waste food! *lick lick lick*

Peanut butter and jelly after work. (I just think they're so adorable in their work uniforms.)

Rocco: Dewayne! I wanted to sleep in this bed!
There are five other beds available, Rocco.
Rocco: But I wanted that one!

 Hey! Look who we found coming out of the bistro!
Saki: Huh. I thought I recognized some of the workers.

Hmm. It appears Saki is being courted by an older gentleman with the last name of Shallow. Saki. Surely you can do better.

What's this? We hope Christine Addison's not purposely stalking our contestants. Don't make us send your undead husband after you, Christine.
--
Speaking of whom, Asher has actually been quite fun to watch. The contestants have been a little apprehensive about him, but they're warming up.

 You like this little pond, Asher?
Asher: This little quiet area was what made me decide to buy this house.
...Wait, what are you still doing outside? It's 2:00 in the afternoon. I thought ghosts went back into their urns during daylight hours, only coming out at night.
Asher: I've been stuck inside that thing for fifty years. I'm not going back in for a while.
Makes sense.
(True enough, that ghost never once went back into his urn once he came out. He was always out doing something.)

 We're quite fascinated. For a ghost, he does a lot of normal human things - like take showers, sleep, eat, and read books.

He also has a lot of fun jumping into objects and possessing them, whether they're toilets, beds, sinks, chairs, flower tubs, hair dryers, or refrigerators.

Dewayne: Hey! Quit possessing the shower and leave! I have to pee!
Aww, Dewayne, you're spoiling his fun. What else can a ghost find enjoyment in?

Lucas was the first to attempt conversation with Asher. Things went pretty well, as long as Lucas wasn't talking about himself.

Asher making some funny faces with Dewayne. Lucas is on the phone with Alyssa, apparently complaining about dirty dishes. Good to see he's still in contact with her.
--
Alas, the week has come to a close, and all contestants must now quit their jobs. Once again, none of the contestants broke any appliances, so Dewayne's and Rocco's Free Passes are still in use (and Lucas has managed to avoid the cellar). Meanwhile, the contestant who has earned Tiebreaker's Vote is...Lucas! Although Lucas was in a horrible mood the first couple days of work, later in the week he stopped the Sous-Chef from dropping a perfect dish on the floor and was instantly promoted. With a Level 5 in cooking skill and reaching a Level 3 in the culinary career, Lucas ran away with it.

It's time to get to the part we've all been waiting for, where we see who will make it into the Final Two. Gentlemen, take a seat on the couch, please.

Asher: What's everyone doing?
We're getting ready to eliminate a contestant....would you like to vote? I mean, it's your house and...
Asher: ...No. I know who I'd vote to eliminate, but no. Carry on.
Mkay.

There is no more bottom two and no more Immunity. Any one of you could be going home tonight. In the event of a three-way tie, Lucas holds the Tiebreaker's Vote.
Rocco:  I saw the Sous-Chef starting to tip that meal! I should've caught it. I should've worked harder!
Dewayne: *Klingon*
Lucas: I finally won something...not Immunity, but finally something...
I have taken your votes. I can reveal to you now....that there is NOT a three-way tie. One contestant has received the votes of the other two. The one I call to step forward is the contestant who will be leaving us tonight. Please step forward...

...Dewayne.
Dewayne: ...Really?
Yes, really, Dewayne. I'm sorry.

Our strange contestant Dewayne made an incredible run for it. Completely clashing with some contestants and getting along marvelously with others, no one could predict this guy's next move - or how far he'd go. With his surge of two Immunities in the last couple weeks, he was looking very strong, and at the beginning of the week, he held a much better relationship with Rocco than Lucas did. However, this week saw a mighty push from Lucas - he spent considerable time with Dewayne and even [I]more[/I] time with Rocco, surpassing Dewayne and becoming best friends with Rocco. If there was ever a time to make a move for the money, it was now - and Lucas made it, while Dewayne relaxed. Let's hear what Dewayne has to say:

Dewayne: Well, I certainly tried for the money. I could've used it to buy a whole library. I love books. Outside of a dog, books are a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too hard to read.
Um....okay. Is that all, Dewayne?
Dewayne: Yes. I'll just tell all my family and friends that I won.
Well, you're a winner in our hearts, Dewayne. We'll miss you.

Tune in next week for the epic finale. Self-proclaimed geek Rocco fights for the money against cat-loving emo boy Lucas. Who will take home $50,000? See you next time.