Okinawa preshow: Kamiya Last-Minute Preparations
By Mario Lanza
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KAMIYA
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* Christopher Collins was already breaking the rules.
The tall actor was standing in the lobby of San Jose International Airport, talking on the phone. Because he wanted
everybody to know exactly where he was going and what he was doing. Screw CBS, he didn't care if they found out.
When Christopher went to go play Survivor, everybody was going to know about it. And the first person he called
was his friend Kathleen.
"Yeah," he said, holding one hand over his ear to better hear. "Okinawa. It's south of Japan."
He paused, listening to her response.
"I have no idea," he said. "South of it somewhere. I don't really care. It's in the ocean somewhere."
He laughed now, as Kathleen was making fun of him.
"Of course!" he said, laughing. "You know I'll be the smarmiest bitch out there. Aren't I always?
They won't know what hit them."
Kathleen now had the giggles, but Christopher had something important he had to tell her. He needed to make sure
she remembered.
"Don't forget," he added, "To register my domain name. And get my website ready." She made
a joke, but he was serious. This wasn't a joking matter. "I mean it, Kath. Get it quick because I'm gonna
be all over this show. Just watch. Get that thing registered."
The conversation then moved on to more mundane topics, like his clothing choice. Christopher tended to obsess over
the clothes he would be wearing for the next 39 days. It was a personal pet peeve of his. But as the conversation
started to wind down, Christopher said his goodbyes.
He hung up the phone.
And pulled out his list.
And looked at the names.
Because he still had fifteen more people to call.
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* Mike Ruff sat in the airline terminal by himself, staring out at the planes.
The stocky man appeared to be lost in thought, as he didn't say a word to anybody. He simply sat by himself, blue
backpack by his side, running over the next 39 days in his head. Because Mike was a thinker. A sensitive introvert,
he tended to do this a lot. Just sit here and plan things out in his head.
The 40-year old cameraman was a big guy, but certainly not abnormal. He just happened to have a job where he hefted
a heavy camera around all day, and it showed. His arms were enormous. His chest was enormous. He was, plain and
simple, going to be the strongest one in Okinawa. He knew it, and he feared it. Because Mike was no stranger to
the way the game was played. He knew Survivor like he knew his own name. He knew that the strong ones never won.
But if Mike had anything to do with it, all that would change. Now.
Because Mike was a world class game player... and he never, ever lost. Whether it was chess, checkers, scrabble,
Magic, video games, you name it... Mike never lost. The concept was foreign to him. Losing was not an option. It
is why his partner Joe would rarely play with him anymore. Because Mike didn't lose. It is why few people would
challenge him to a game of Magic anymore. Because Mike always won.
So Mike planned it all out in his head as he sat there. He planned the entire game in his mind, as people walked
by and stared. But they weren't staring at him. Oh no. Mike was big, but he was also non-descript. He looked like
any multitude of other airline passengers. No, the people were staring at the strange plastic dwarf Mike happened
to be holding in his hands.
Because you very rarely saw a garden gnome out of a garden. And you never saw a garden gnome in an airport terminal.
Except for today, anyway. Because this was Mike's luxury item. This was his garden gnome, and he would be taking
it to Okinawa.
And if Mike played his cards right, this gnome would be the key to his victory. If this gnome thing worked out,
Mike would be the first 40-year old stocky male bearded Survivor winner since... what was that guy's name again?
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* Michelle Kin-Fraley was getting one final pep talk.
"You're going to go there," said her husband Scott, "And you're going to kick some butt. And you
know it!"
Michelle sat on the ground, near the baggage claim terminal. Her husband was sitting next to her, as they talked
strategy. For the final time, he tried to build her up, and get her into game mode. Because he, as well as anyone,
knew that Michelle was a little insecure sometimes. She could be a fierce competitor when she got going, but sometimes
she doubted herself. Sometimes, it took a little prodding to get the caged tiger to come out.
But when that tiger did come out... no one better get in her way. Because Michelle played hard and she played to
win. Once she got past this stage, anyway.
"What if I don't fit in?" she asked. She still looked a bit nervous. "I don't want to be the first
one out."
"No one is gonna vote you out!" said Scott. "You're a lioness, Mich. Once you get there, you're
gonna get into that game and no one is gonna mess with you. Do you know how scared they're gonna be of you?"
Michelle laughed, almost embarrassed. She knew how she got when she competed. She had played basketball all her
life, she was all too aware of how intense she could get when she was mad.
"Do they really kick you out if you hit somebody?" she asked. "I think I read that in the rules
somewhere."
Scott laughed. Now she was getting into the spirit.
"Yeah, but you know what, that would be good TV. You could be the first person ever kicked out for slugging
somebody."
Michelle laughed again, face turning a bit red. She wasn't proud of her temper. But she knew that anything could
be possible. It wasn't like she hadn't slugged an opponent before...
"Do me one favor though," said Scott.
"Sure."
"Well, I want you to win. But if you do lose your cool and hit somebody, make sure you take them down in one
punch, okay? Don't let them linger and get a chance to hit you back. Go for the quick strike."
Michelle laughed. And that was why she loved her husband Scott.
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* Danielle Wheelis sat in her seat, already terrified out of her mind.
The 19-year old college student had a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach about Okinawa. And she tried to
shake it... she had been trying to shake it all morning. But as her plane drew closer and closer to the island,
she again brought up her greatest fear. The one thing that she didn't want to happen, yet was so sure that it would.
What if they don't like me?
It was the thought that had echoed through her head for most of the past month. Once she found out she would be
going to Okinawa, she had regretted her decision almost immediately. Because she wasn't sure she was cut out for
this game. Sure, she had watched Survivor on TV, and knew all the strategies. And in her past experience, Danielle
could get along with anybody. That was one of her strengths, her adaptability and friendliness. In short, Danielle
liked the world and the world liked her.
But now she was going to be put on public display, and that terrified her. Suddenly that first Tribal Council looked
more and more frightening. It was already starting to psyche her out, that first vote. She didn't want to be first.
She just didn't want to be first.
"Dani, I don't know why you're so worried. They're going to love you! Everyone does!"
Those had been the words of advice from her roommate this morning. Her roommate and best friend, Shawna. And that
had been all Danielle needed to hear before she stepped on the plane. But now the old doubts were starting to resurface.
Now she was starting to worry again.
And as the plane hurtled its way across the Pacific, Danielle wondered if she would fit in. She wondered if anyone
on her tribe would be able to relate to a 19 year old computer engineer who looked Asian but in reality had a southern
accent. If they would get along with a girl who loved fantasy games, role-playing games, and anime. In short, if
she would have any friends here at all.
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* Ryan Rebez sat calmly in his seat, located at the back of his plane.
Ryan was not the slightest bit nervous about this trip. Just by looking at him, you would have no idea that he
was heading off to one of the greatest events of his life. You would have no idea that he was thrilled beyond belief.
You would have no idea that he considered this game to be in the palm of his hand, and that the others wouldn't
stand a chance.
No, if you looked at Ryan you would see a perfectly pleasant young man, reading a book. A book by Sun Tzu. And
it was called "The Art of War." You would have no idea that he was filing away ideas. You would have
no idea that he was doing research.
And you would have no idea that this man possessed one of the most quietly evil minds the game had ever seen.
Ryan continued to read, silently, just doing what he did best-- taking notes. Beneath him sat his duffle bag, with
numerous other texts inside. Because Ryan was a reader. There were Shakespearean plays here, Ovid's Metamorphoses,
a few books in Latin, and even a few popular novels, to cleanse the palate. Because that was all Ryan planned to
do to prepare for Survivor.
He simply read, because that would be enough. All he wanted to do was calm his mind right now, and relax. Because
once the game started, he would be more than ready.
He had no doubt about that.
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* Joni Newman was surrounded by family, and they were already getting in the way.
The tall teenage girl was getting quite a send-off from her family, as they huddled around her to give her their
last hugs at the terminal gate. And this was not a small family, either. She was being sent off in style. Joni's
siblings all crowded around her, five in all, to wish her goodbye.
And then her mom gave her a big hug. And pressed something into her hand.
Joni looked down, and saw it was a paper bag.
"I packed you a sandwich for the trip," said her mother. "I didn't want you to be hungry on the
plane."
"Mom!" protested Joni, in horror. "I don't need a lunch!"
But Joni was too polite to say no, so she thanked her mother and put the bag in her backpack. And then it was her
father's turn to speak.
"You remember all I taught you, right?"
"Of course," she nodded. Her father had given her a virtual crash course in scouting over the past two
weeks. The man was practically an Eagle Scout himself, and he had made it his goal to teach his daughter everything
she needed to know before she went out to live on an island. If nothing else, it had helped them bond... and now
she felt she would be able to survive out there.
"I love you guys," said Joni, as she was mobbed for another round of hugs. Mortified at the spectacle
this was causing, she politely pried herself away and walked towards gate 42.
"Bye mom," she smiled. "Bye dad! Bye guys!"
And with that, Joni was now on her own. She walked down the jetway and onto her plane, her dark backpack over her
left shoulder. And now she was down to it. By tomorrow morning she would be in Okinawa. And she hoped this was
going to work. She really did. Because few 16-year old Mormon girls got the chance to play Survivor. And she wanted
to make the best of it.
She hoped her dancing skills would pay off on balance challenges.
She hoped her acting skills would pay off when it came to making alliances.
And she hoped her intelligence would help her to fit in with the older players.
Because if there was one thing she hated, it was to be underestimated. And if she was underestimated simply for
her age, she was going to be furious. It burned her up already thinking about and she sat in her seat, hoping for
the best... and hoping she wasn't making a mistake.
Because she loved this game with all her heart... and really, really hoped it was going to turn out well for her.
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* Isabella Smith sat in her airline seat, trying to just blend in with the scenery.
This trip was all so familiar, it had already started to spook her. A few things had happened today that were just
like her previous trip, to Tonga. And for a woman who believed in fate, and karma, she was definitely aware of
the similarities.
Her alarm clock hadn't gone off this morning, and she had overslept. Just like with Tonga.
Her roommate had set off the smoke alarm with a piece of burnt toast this morning. Just like with Tonga.
New York traffic had been surprisingly light this morning, and she had made it to the airport in record time. Just
like with Tonga.
So already, Isabella was loving this experience all over again. It was too perfect. Because this was her second
chance. And she was determined to make good on it. She had been replaying her mistakes in Tonga for months now,
going over and over in her head how she would have done it over. How she would have won that jury vote.
But here she was again, and all that was in the past now. This was a new game, and the 26-year old psychology student
sat happily in her seat, already focusing into game mode. Her hair dyed newly-blonde and cut shorter than usual,
she looked nothing like her previous self. She was even more tan now and, if she talked, it would now be in a fake
southern accent. She had pulled out all the stops... just in case. Although no one really knew her, she wanted
no one to have any clue she was who she was. She wanted to win this thing for good... and do it right. And that
meant no one could know who she really was.
And as she drifted off into peaceful sleep, she was suddenly disturbed. Because her seat passenger had seen her
duffle bag. And he had seen the small Survivor logo sewn into it... the one that the producers had sent all the
Okinawan players.
"Hey, you a Survivor fan?" he asked.
Isabella looked over at him and gave a polite smile. She really wasn't interested in chatting. Not with this guy,
anyway. And she hoped he would get the hint.
But he didn't.
"Yeah, I heard they're filming a new one now," he continued. "Did you hear anything about it? Do
you work for the show or something?"
Isabella sighed.
"No," she said, happy at least to test out her new accent. "It was just a gift someone gave me.
I've never even seen the show. I heard it's real good though."
"Yeah," he agreed, not-so-subtly checking her out now. "I've seen them all, but I was pissed when
that last one never aired. The Tonga one. But I heard it sucked and none of the players were any good, so I suppose
it was for the best. I hope this one's good at least."
Isabella's temper suddenly flared and it took every ounce of her willpower to keep from going off on the guy. But
she knew he was just trying to make small talk. He had no idea who she really was, so she just smiled demurely.
As a polite southern belle would do.
"I'm sorry but I'm real tired from my trip. I kind of have to go to sleep now, if you'd please excuse me."
She smiled as she turned away from him. She laid her head down on a pillow against the window and closed her eyes.
And she dreamed of second chances... of million dollar checks... and of the ghosts of Tonga that continued to haunt
her every single day.
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* Murtz Jaffer was laughing his ass off. He thought this was hilarious.
He was standing in the airport gift shop, in Chicago's O'Hare Airport. And it was his job today to pick out pictures.
"What about her? Does she look like she's sick?"
He held up a picture frame, which held a picture of an old woman. Murtz liked it, but he wanted a second opinion
from his friend Daniel. So Daniel peered at the picture... then shook his head.
"She's old, but I don't think she's sick. Sorry, dude."
"Crap," said Murtz.
Murtz Jaffer was the webmaster of Survivor-Central. And with this job came a lot of prestige. Along with a lot
of pressure. And a lot of expectations.
Because going into this game, Murtz knew that he would be expected to knock this thing out of the park. Everyone
would expect him to do well, and do it in style. And that was exactly what Murtz had in mind, as well. Because
he was going in with a strategy that would never be forgotten. He was going in with a plan that nobody... and he
meant nobody... would ever try on the show but him.
Murtz called it the "dying mother" strategy. It was going to be brilliant... and also make him the greatest
villain the show had ever seen. And picking out the picture was just step one.
"This chick looks like she could be dying," said Murtz.
He held up another frame, and Daniel shook his head.
"She's old but she looks strong."
Murtz was frustrated. Despite all his best efforts, he hadn't yet found a picture of his poor "dying mother"
back at home. Because that was the basis of his whole plan! He needed a picture. He needed something tangible,
something with which to fool the other players. To make them feel bad for him.
He just needed a damn picture, that was all. And the chick had to be old and she had to look sick. Otherwise his
plan would be ruined.
And then he saw it.
"Mom!" he said.
He pulled up a small frame from one of the upper shelves. Inside was a picture of a sweet older woman. And she
was perfect. She looked small, she looked frail, and she looked a little sad. And best of all, she had darker skin,
just like Murtz. She was absolutely perfect!
Daniel quickly nodded his assent, and Murtz was now laughing so hard, he was in tears.
"That's so perfect, bro," he said. "That's my mom!"
"She looks so sad," said Daniel. "Why is she dying?"
"Screw it," said Murtz, "I don't know. We'll just give her something later, whenever they ask. I'll
just make it up then."
"Sounds good."
And with that, Murtz went up to the register to buy the picture. Step one... finding sick mother. That part was
done. Now he just had to move on to step two... convince rest of tribe that she is real.
Murtz smiled.
That shouldn't be so difficult at all.
He knew they were going to fall for this one hard.
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These are the eight members of the Kamiya tribe. Their adventure will start in the next 24 hours, when the first
episode of Survivor: Okinawa is posted, and they all meet for the first time.
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