Episode 2: When immaturity strikes

After Nina's departure, the mood on Astute Inc. was generally a lot better. Keeping to the agreement that Krista and Andrew had made last episode, Andrew became Astute Inc.'s second project manager.

Meanwhile, on Team Shock and Awe, you could cut the tension with a butter knife. Regina and Kelley were talking about who was going to Project Manager amongst themselves, and even Kris throwed himself a suggestion into the mix. Kelley, stepping up, decided to take the job, and would be PM for task #2, which would be 48 hours from Saturday night to Monday night.

When the time came around for the task to begin, Kelley and Andrew prepared their teammates. Or, Andrew did, anyway. The task was sent to the contestants.

The contestants had to make a logo, a spokesperson, and a slogan for their own team. This would prove to be a task that didn't require excellent teamwork, but rather, a good leader. Then, after all three things were chosen, the contestants were told that five judges would vote for one team, and whoever got the most votes would win the task. Little did they know, Naomi and Ryan would hold two of those five spots.

Immediately, Andrew went to work, working specifically with the likes of Kevin. Almost completely inversely, Kelley had yet to come online, due to the Easter holiday. Although this angered some of Kelley's teammates, she later on had no regrets of not being online during the holiday.

Andrew and Kevin were finished before the deadline of the challenge, and Kelley was scurrying before the final time to get any ideas with the logo. Kris threw out some ideas, Scott criticized the logo Regina, single-handedly had made, and arguing continued between Team Shock and Awe.

Regina had made a very attractive logo. It was professional, had clever input, and also had "Money is the bottomline". Completely ignoring that slogan, Kelley decided she would use Regina's logo (which said on the bottom, By: Regina) and use Chris' slogan, which was "A surprize could leave you mezmerized". Although no one seemed to understand the slogan except for Chris, Kelley also handed in a "Dollz" figure, with what appeared to be a wand.

Check out how the judges graded both teams, and both of the team's final work, here: http://www.oocities.org/theapprenticehost/Task2.htm

After seeing that she lost, Kelley immediately thought about which two people she would take to the boardroom. Going against what myself, Naomi and Ryan thought, she chose Kris and Scott.

We figured Kelley would choose Regina -- but in the end, Kelley decided she would do work ethic, as opposed to personal preference, therefore leaving Regina safe.

However, Kelley's reasonings could be argued. In the boardroom, she revealed that she had made a promise to Canadian Dan that she wouldn't take him to the boardroom. Arguments ensued. Immediately upon entrance, Scott and Kris went against Kelley, pointing out that she was a horrible leader. And she was. Kelley did a horrible job.

However, Kelley was quick to point out flaws in Kris. But no one pointed anything out with Scott -- not until Naomi stepped in, anyway. Back in Task 1, Naomi argued with Scott over the teamwork in the task, therefore leaving a bad taste in Naomi's mouth when it came to Scott. With a personal dislike for Scott, she went against him, saying his arrogance was a bad thing, and that he was too negative for the team to get anywhere.

Although Scott did agree he was negative, he was quick to point out that Kelley was using her emotions in making the decision and in playing the game. He then suggested that Naomi was being partial to Kelley, simply because of gender. And Naomi admitted to it.

While Kelley and Scott were under the spotlight, Ryan pointed out to the two of them that Kris was getting by free. And then, almost as if in a horror movie when someone says "I'll be back", Kris opened his mouth, and showed us exactly WHY he wasn't made for this game. With improper grammar, improper spelling, and confusion as to what was going on, Kris welcomed himself back into the spotlight.

Then, it was time for me to make my decision. In private, Naomi informed me of which she wanted gone. "Scott should leave. He's negative, and as much as he says he's respected as a businessman.. I'm not seeing any respect for him. If there was, he wouldn't be in the boardroom, because Kelley is very well liked."

However, Ryan came to Scott's defense quickly. "That's not true, actually. I respect Scott. I think he's a funny guy, who has excellent interpersonal skills. I just think he needs to lighten up with what he says, because sometimes the things he says can be offensive, and people like you, Naomi, can get an extreme dislike for him when that happens. I think he deserves another chance, as does Kelley."

It was my decision to make, though. In my final statement to the players before my decision, I told it like it was.

"This has been a hard day for all of us. That's guaranteed. However, I will point out all of my opinions on the three of you.

Kelley. You were Project Manager for this task. When it gets down to it, your team failed. It was your fault that your team failed, because the challenge wasn't too particularly based on teamwork that much. There's no one else to blame in the situation. Had you picked someone different to bring in the boardroom, the outcome of this might have been a lot different.

Kris. It's obvious you get no respect from your teammates. I fear that in the future, you will do horribly in the tasks, simply because I think your ideas will be thrown out. Whether they're good or not -- it doesn't appear to me that you're taken seriously. And I can't blame your teammates.

Scott. You're arrogant. You know it, I know it. You've admitted it. Arrogance is a good thing to have, as Ryan did point out, but as Naomi pointed out privately, too much of it can be a very very bad thing. I think you're a little TOO confident in your abilities -- and you're only talking to us, not actually showing us, considering it's only week 2. So basically, to me, it's all talk. And that's not something that pleases me.

Of course, these are all my opinions. Scott, Naomi went against you this boardroom, that was quite obvious. Her reasons were personal -- but as I've said before, anything my fellow hosts say, I will take into account. But for now, I've decided that you're going to stay another week.

Kelley, you did bad as a project manager, and I saw that you made excuses on several occassions. And also, Scott, it's alrite for Naomi to bias her opinion based on gender -- considering there are only 4 females (correct me if I'm wrong.. I probably am) left in the game. Maybe 3, I really forgot count. So the disrespect you showed her was uncalled for. That's not something you would care about, though.

Anyway, back to Kelley, I can't excuse you for being a bad project manager.

Kris. You assumed that you were safe tonight, and in all honesty, you were, until you decided to open your mouth again. You had already sold yourself to me -- you went into over-sale, and I don'tt like telemarketers.

Kris, your teammates don't respect you, your ideas will be thrown out in the future, and my two hosts consider you to be one of the weakest players on your team, if not in the entire game.

Kris, you're fired."

And with those words, Kris was fired.

Before leaving, Kris left with some final words, regarding the players and the game.

"Kelley: I know your not Going to win, Ur really stupid
Scott: Your way to in to yourself
Josh: You kick ass! I hope you win! Becuase you deserve to!
Dans: I dont even know who u guys are.
Regina: Your a hard Working gal, I think you've got what it takes
Chris: Get over youurself

AS FOR THE HOSTS!

Naomi: You've got problems, U are a biast..And I know you don't give a shit
but you should, We are people too, Not just women, And I respect women, Just
to let you know

Ryan: Ur really cool And it is understandable why you Fired me...But I still
think I should have got that one chance!"

There are only fourteen people left -- who will be fired next?