Challenge of the Sphinx!
By misterebony
 
 
The lights came up on a massive stage done up like an ancient Greek temple. The audiance cheered as out came a middle aged man, the light focused on him.
 
"Here in this sacred stage, four contestants will tests their wit against a legendary beast. One winner will have a chance to walk away with $50,000! But if they fail to answer the questions against the beast...*
 
A massive being suddenly appeared on the center stage atop the temple, a winged lion like creature with the face and upper body of a woman. She was massive as well, and spoke with a lick of her lips.
 
"Then they will become my dinner! Welcome to the CHALLENGE OF THE SPHINX!!!!"
 
The lights came up and the audiance cheered, as well as four contestants, all clothed in Greek toga robes and sandals, each one by a seat. The sphinx smiled and waved to everyone, looking to the man.
 
"Well Gary, looks like we have four tasty morsels pit to take my treasure today! They look scrumptious!"
 
The man, the co host of the show Gary, nodded. "That they are dear! Let's say hello to our contestants! First up, from Chicago, we have Lucy Barnes!"
 
The woman, about 20 with a cute look, giggled. She was blushing some at the sphinx, and waved to everyone. "Hello, I'm Lucy, and I work at a pizza shop in Chicago. I love to cook, and even enjoy football with the family."
 
The sphinx smiled. "A pizza chef huh? Sounds scrumptious. I like mine with pepperoni and extra heroes." Everyone laughed. "And you have a family?"
 
Lucy nodded. "Yup. My husband Roger, and a son, Billy."
 
The sphinx licked her lips. "Billy.... like a goat? I love me a good gyro....."
 
Everyone chuckled as Gary introduced the next contestant.
 
"Next up, from San Diego, Thomas Brown!"
 
The man, about 25, with a cute goatee and strong features, posed a bit causing laughter before introducing himself. "I'm glad to be here Gary, sphinx. I am an office worker for a technology company, and I love trivia shows."
 
The sphinx smiled and giggled. "Ah, a fellow lover of quiz shows I imagine?"
 
Thomas nodded.
 
"Wonderful! But don't get cocky or you mind wind up in my tummy!"
 
Gary giggled going to the next one.
 
"Next up, from Plymouth, Massachusetts, Cindy Barnes!"
 
The blonde woman of 20 nodded. "Hi! I'm a college student in Boston, and I love gaming!"
 
The sphinx licked her lips. "Mmmmmm.... I love me some Boston treats. No offense but I hope you lose, haven't had a good Boston cream pie in a long time."
 
Cindy blushed. "Well don't count on it, I need that prize for college bills!"
 
Gary chuckled. "And finally, from Reno, Nevada, Victoria Valentine!"
 
The shapely woman of 24 waved. "Hi everyone! I'm glad to be here. I work at a casino, and I am thinking of going to school to get a degree in buisness."
 
The sphinx nodded. "What do you do in the casino?"
 
Victoria was happy to answer. "I run a table game, black jack. Get a lot of players. Good spread of winners and losers too. And lots of fun."
 
The sphinx smiled. "Well I'm ready for some fun and some food, so let's begin!"
 
The lights focused on the contestants and the sphinx, Gary moving by a big board. The sphinx looked to everyone.
 
"Alright, here's how it works. Each round I'll ask each of you a question, which will fall into a category you pick from the board Gary is by. If you get it right, you're safe. But beware. Miss once, and you leave your chair. A second miss.... and you're out. And that means..."
 
The qudiance chimed in with the sphinx as she said...
 
***FEAST OR FREEDOM!***
 
"I'll ask you one of my riddles. If you're right, you are able to leave with a parting gift. But if you're wrong.... I make you into a meal. And today, I'm feeling very HUNGRY!!!!"
 
Everyone swallowed nervously as the sphinx set up to begin.
 
"We drew lots backstage to see who goes first.... and Victoria that is you. What category do we start with?"
 
Victoria saw as Gary set up the board with a few choices. She nodded as she chose. "I'll go with Televison."
 
The sphinx nodded as the board illuminated her question:
 
*What 1980s show featured a creature with a knack for trouble and a taste for cats?*
 
Victoria thought hard. She really had a couple ideas, but only one stuck out.
 
"Um.... ALF?"
 
"Correct!"
 
The audiance cheered and Victoria breathed a sigh of relief.
 
"Cindy it's your turn."
 
Cindy pondered and chose. "I'll take Geography."
 
*What country in Europe once had an empire that, according to their leaders, "the sun never sets" on it?*
 
Cindy gulped. She had no idea! She thought hard, and... "ummmmmm.... France?"
 
The Sphinx shook her head. "Sorry, that is incorrect. The answer is England or Great Britian. Cindy, please stand up."
 
Cindy gulped and did so. It was Thomas' turn.
 
"I'll take.... Mathematics please."
 
*what term is given to a shape that has four equal sides, with opposite sides being parallel?*
 
Thomas smiled before the sphinx finished. He knew this one. "That would be a rhombus."
 
The sphinx smiled. "Clever boy! Well done! Your turn Lucy. And I will hope you miss... I love pizza!"
 
Lucy smirked. "No luck this time! I choose food!"
 
The sphinx smiled. "Oh how fitting! Here is your question:"
 
*what fruit was branded as poison because of its placement in the nightshade family?*
 
Lucy gulped.... but then she remembered what she worked with and sighed. "Tomato?"
 
The sphinx snapped her forepaw, seemingly in annoyance. "Darn! You're right! I was hoping for a pizza sub today. Your up Victoria!"
 
Victoria nodded. "Famous actors please."
 
*What leading actor in Star Trek: The Next Generation, would go on to host the show Reading Rainbow?*
 
Uh oh. Victoria was stumped. Finally.... "guess I better stand up, I have no idea."
 
The Sphinx nodded. "Afriad so tasty morsel, it was LaVar Burton. You and Cindy now are tied. And Cindy.... your turn."
 
Cindy swallowed nervously. "Ummmm..... Video Games?"
 
The sphinx licked her chops and spoke.
 
*What famous puzzle game was created in Russia by Alexi Pajinov?*
 
Cindy knew she was cooked. She had no idea at all. So she guessed. "Ummmmm..... Candy Crush?"
 
The Sphinx smiled. "The answer was Tetris. Cindy.... you are the FIRST COURSE."
 
Cindy stepped forward as the light focused on her. She came to center stage as Gary explained.
 
"Cindy, sadly you will not be going for the $50,000. However, you have a chance to at least get a parting prize. But you have to take on the riddle of the sphinx. Today the prize for 4th place is a new love seat, valued $700. You ready?"
 
Cindy nodded nervously. The sphinx smiled.
 
"Alright.... here is your riddle."
 
*A pair of souls,*
*carrying the burden of a man,*
*be they young or old,*
*till they no longer can.*
*yet despite their fate,*
*under all their weight*
*the comfort they give,*
*no other souls can.*
 
***WHAT AM I?***
 
Cindy began to sweat. She wasn't sure what to do, her feet felt warm and itchy in the sandals...... wait.... two souls.... holding up weight.... the weight of a man.... and comforting that weight....
 
"Is it.... shoes?"
 
The sphinx smiled some and nodded. "Unfortunetly, you're correct! Guess I don't get an appetizer."
 
Cindy breathed a sigh of relief! Gary shook her hand.
 
"Well thanks for playing Cindy. Good luck in school!"
 
Cindy nodded and was escorted away. The sphinx pouted some.
 
"Ah well. Still three chances for a meal. And next round the stakes are much higher!"
 
*************
 
As the commercials ended, the sphinx was sharpening her claws, Gary rubbing her back. She waved to the camera once she was done.
 
"Welcome back to the show. One meal got away, but three are still in it for the big prize. Now.... be careful. In this round, you only get one shot. If you get a question wrong, you're facing my next riddle."
 
Gary smiled. "But this time... things get tricky. When you hear the question, you have a single time you can pass it to another player to answer the question. For every question you get right, our weekly prize pool for round two will go up by $100. Last time, it went up to $800, and if you have to face this rounds riddle you get a chance at it. But again, miss the riddle and you're on the menu!"
 
He looked to VIctoria. "Victoria, you finished last in the previous round, so you're up first. This time... you cannot chose the topic. Here we go!"
 
Victoria swallowed nervously as the sphinx spoke:
 
*What famous movie series was set in a galaxy far, far away?*
 
Victoria sighed happily. Too easy. "Star wars!"
 
The sphinx nodded. "Correct! Your turn pizza girl!"
 
*What animal grouping includes creatures such as lobsters, crabs, and crawfish?*
 
Lucy thought for a second but had no answer... at first. Then it hit her. She once had a lobster pizza, and she found out then she was allergic too...
 
"Shellfish?"
 
The sphinx nodded. "Correct! Crustaceans also would be accepted. Thomas, you are up!"
 
*What classic Disney movie includes the song "Sing Sweet Nightingale?*
 
Thomas gulped. That was outside his comfort zone. "I'll have to use my pass this time. I'll pass to Lucy."
 
Lucy chuckled some. She had just watched this with her family! "Cinderella?"
 
The sphinx chuckled. "Well that backfired Thomas! She got it right!"
 
Thomas sweated some as Victoria got her question.
 
*In what winter Olympic sport do you throw stones and sweep with brooms?*
 
Victoria went wide eyed. She didn't know. So.... "pass to Thomas."
 
Thomas gulped. "Ummmmmm..... Hockey?"
 
The sphinx chuckled. "Sorry Thomas. But it's time for the SECOND COURSE. The answer was Curling!"
 
Thomas stepped to the center and Gary approached him. "Well Gary, you're on the menu now. The prize pool this time increased by $300 from your questions. So far no one this week has claimed it, so we are up to $1100. It's yours if you get the riddle right. Ready?"
 
Thomas nodded. "I.... I think so."
 
The sphinx chuckled. "Then here we go."
 
*Black as pitch,*
*Bitter and dark*
*A smell of longing*
*for those needing a spark.*
*Warm and strong,*
*Yet can be sweet as well*
*the young detest me so,*
*with the taste of old I dwell.*
 
***WHAT AM I?***
 
Thomas struggled to find an answer. He racked his brain. He couldn't figure it out!
 
"Need an answer scrumptious."
 
"Ummmmmmmmmmm........ cough medicine?"
 
The sphinx smiled and licked her chops.
 
"Sorry... .the answer was coffee. And you know what THAT means!!! It's time to EAT!!!"
 
Thomas eeped as the sphinx came forward, the audiance chanting "Eat! Eat! Eat!". He was stripped of his toga and sandals and splattered with mayo and tossed on a bun. On top of him was put lettuce, salt, pepper, and bacon. He wiggled the whole time, until a top bun, the perfect size, was put on top.
 
"Yum yum. A BLT. Bacon, lettuce... and Thomas!"
 
Everyone laughed.
 
"Any last words Thomas?"
 
Thomas wiggled his head out and said one sentence.
 
"We who are about to die salute you!"
 
The sphinx pushed him back in and took a big, loud, yummy bite. She chewed happily and licked her chops.
 
"Deeeeeeelicious! He really is a tasty one. But I got two more snacks on the menu, and when we come back, it's time for the final challenge!"
 
She took another big bite as the show went to commercial, everyone laughing.... except Victoria and Lucy.
 
********************
 
As the commercials ended, the sphinx was picking her sharp teeth with a bone from Thomas, his toga then used to wipe her lips. She gave a big lick of her lips as she looked at the final two contestants, now face to face in the center.
 
"Mmmmm.... that was a tasty sandwich. But you know.... I'm still hungry, and we are in the final round. This round works differently than previous ones. Gary?"
 
Gary approached Victoria and Lucy. "Alright you two. In this round you are given an open ended question, with multiple correct answers. An example is: 'Name one of the crew members of Star Trek Original Series'. You will go back and forth giving answers, until the sphinx finds one you got wrong. You only get one chance. The winner goes to play for $50,000! As for the loser, she will try to get our runner up prize of a new flat-screen TV, valued at $3299."
 
The sphinx chimed in. "Orrrrrrr..... you miss my riddle and I get another snack! Yum yum yum!"
 
Gary chuckled as did the audiance. The two contestants stood ready.
 
"Alright." The sphinx said. "Here is your question. You will go back and forth giving me..."
 
*Names of the various Smurfs.*
 
Gary nodded. "Alright Lucy. You start us off. We will go back and forth until you get one wrong."
 
Lucy smiled. She watched this show a lit with her kids! And she knew most of them. "Let's start with Papa Smurf!"
 
Victoria: "ummm.... Smurfette?"
 
Lucy: "Brainy!"
 
Victoria: "I think there was a Greedy Smurf?"
 
Lucy: "Wild Smurf."
 
Victoria: "uhhhh...... um.... Clumsy?"
 
Lucy: "Oh nice one..... hmmmmmm.... I think there was a Brawny Smurf..."
 
Victoria: "Oh boy.... uhhhhh.... ummmmm.... was there a Singer Smurf?"
 
And at that the sphinx raised a paw. "Got to stop you there Victoria. No Singer Smurf. But what an effort. That means Lucy, you're facing the Final Riddle. But Victoria.... time for the THIRD COURSE."
 
Victoria got up nervously. The sphinx smiled and licked her lips.
 
"To be honest that was a good effort. You see the show?"
 
Victoria shook her head. "Not once. But I just took a few guesses."
 
The sphinx smiled and nodded. "Well let's hope you're lucky here.... or not, I'm famished! Here is your riddle:"
 
*Despite my name*
*Of little value am I*
*Except to bring joy*
*When I catch a young ones eye.*
*While I move about,*
*Joy does abound,*
*But I bring much sadness,*
*When I am upside down.*
 
 
***What am I?***
 
Victoria swallowed nervously for a second. But then something hit her. She remembered the fish tanks at the casino, and the kids watching them. That's when the answer hit her.
 
"Ummmmm... a goldfish?"
 
The sphinx growled but nodded. "You're on the ball! That is correct!"
 
Victoria smiled happily and breathed a sigh of relief. She bowed to both hosts and was escorted offstage.
 
"Well drat. Another potential meal stealing some of my prizes. But the big one is up next. And we will see if she gets $50,000.... or if I get a Pizza! Let's find out!"
 
*************
 
As the commercial ended, Lucy stood before the Sphinx. The audiance cheered as the sphinx spoke.
 
"Welcome back! Our winner going for the big riddle is Lucy!"
 
Everyone cheered. Gary approached and shook her hand.
 
"Congratulations Lucy. You made it to the final riddle. But.... you have an alternative. You survived all three rounds, and one of your opponents was a snack. That's $500 for each won round, and another $500 for the snack. In other words.... you could walk away right now with $2000. It's no grand prize.... but no risk."
 
The sphinx smiled. "OR... you risk it, and try your luck with my final riddle. But I warn you, it is TOUGH. if you get it right, you win gold coins from my stash, valued at $50,000!"
 
She sets the gold before her, Lucy wide eyed.
 
"BUT." The sphinx continued. "If you guess wrong.... I will be cooking you into a big pizza and eating you for dinner! So the choice is yours. Take the $2000 and go.... or risk being dinner?"
 
Lucy heard the chants of the audiance both ways. Lucy smiled some.
 
"Well, either way I have had a lot if fun. But I have to take the risk. I'll challenge the sphinx!"
 
The audiance cheered and the sphinx clapped her paws.
 
"Excellent! I was hoping you would go for it! Now... here it is. Your final riddle."
 
*A hunters friend.*
*A rulers bane.*
*a madmans tool*
*a parents blame.*
*six shouts I give.*
*then silent i fall*
*till I feed on metal*
*to repeat my call.*
 
"Lucy..... for $50,000...."
 
***WHAT AM I?***
 
Lucy went blank. She expected many riddles.... bit not this one. She gulped some and had to think. But she could come up with nothing!
 
Finally....
 
"Ummmmm.... death?"
 
The sphinx waited a moment. Then....
 
"Sorry Lucy.... the answer is a Gun! And that means.... pizza time!"
 
Lucy eeped as the sphinx left forward and took hold of her, a big brick oven revealed behind the beast. The sphinx set the girl on a pizza pan already covered in dough and sauce, and bound her with more dough. As the audiance chanted "Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!", the sphinx topped Lucy with cheese, tomatoes along her chest, pepperoni all around her, and even pineapple rings on her breasts.
 
"Any last words Lucy?"
 
Lucy gulped as she was heading for the oven. "Well, sorry I won't be home guys!"
 
Into the oven she went, the audiance cheering as the sphinx bowed. "So, no big winner today, except of course for me. But a huge congratulations to Cindy and Victoria, who leave with some nice prizes.... and to Thomas and of course Lucy, who leave as my gut fat!"
 
Everyone laughed as Gary spoke up.
 
"Incidentially, I never took you for a pineapple pizza person."
 
The sphinx chuckled. "I'm a monster not a person, that's why! Anyways, thanks for tuning in everyone! And be sure to tune in next time when four more potential snacks test their wits.... or become my meal! See you next time on...
 
***CHALLENGE OF THE SPHINX!***
 
As the credits rolled, the sphinx took the Lucy pizza out of the oven, nice and golden brown. She used her claw to cut a nice big slice across her breast, and took a big bite, moaning in delight as she ate. Licking her lips she ate at the pizza slice by slice, poor Lucy's look of shock frozen on until her head finally went into the sphinx's maw, and was chewed up with a crunch.
 
"Oh, so good..." She said, as the screen faded to black.