The excerpt beneath is reprinted with permission and from Scavenger Hunt, by Michael Raz.
The scene is Central Park in New York Metropolis. It’s the early summer season (late June) of 2023. It’s
midday on a Saturday. Ten folks congregate on the Nice Garden for a scavenger hunt. They need to
discover ten objects on a listing created by the occasion organizer. They’ve twenty-four hours to seek out
the whole lot. The winner will get $10,000,000. Nobody is aware of the id of the mastermind.
Everybody responded to a web based advert containing sketchy particulars of the competition. All of them take a look at
one another in amusement as they uncover a Put up-It be aware on a lounge chair with an indication on the seat
studying Stranger Meetup. Maggie, 18, a fairly white higher class lady from the higher east facet;
John, 18, a good-looking poor street-wise black boy from Harlem; Cheryl, 50, a plain-looking
married housewife from Queens; Steven, 55, a divorced Latino man from the Bronx; Min, 28, a
Chinese language trade pupil from Shanghai; Vladimir, 47, a single Russian immigrant taxi driver;
David, 75, a retired faculty professor from South Africa; Jim, 63, a severe Texas banker; Cindy,
21, a mannequin and aspiring actress; and Earnest, 35, a homosexual black librarian comprise the contestants.
“What the hell is occurring right here?” exclaimed Jim.
He walks distrustingly away from the others as the fact of the scenario begins to sink in.
“I’ve no clue,
” stated Cindy
She preens her tank prime and blue denim shorts attracting the eye of John.
“What the hell are you taking a look at?”
“Not a lot,” stated John, sizing up Cindy.
Maggie shyly stifles laughter because the scene unfolds earlier than her. John smiles and walks over to her.
“I’m John. Good to satisfy you,” stated John, extending his hand.
“Good to satisfy you, too. I’m Maggie,” stated Maggie, smiling.
“I’m Jim. I’m from Houston. That is my first time in New York. That is loopy city,” stated Jim,
chiming in abruptly.
“It’s not so dangerous when you get used to it,” stated Vladimir (with a noticeable, however not thick Russian
accent).
“Yeah. It’s not so dangerous. I just like the contemporary air right here within the park,” stated Min (with thick Chinese language
accent).
“Yeah. It’s good to be exterior. I’m often cooped up indoors all day,” stated Earnest.“What do you do?” requested Min.
“I’m a librarian,” stated Earnest.
Min nods in acknowledgement.
“I’m Steven. It’s nice to be right here. I like assembly new folks,” stated Steven, enthusiastically
addressing himself to the remainder of the group.
“Me too. Since I retired from educating, I’ve had an excellent have to socialize,” stated David, with a
South African accent.
“It’s fairly a bunch we’ve right here,” stated Steven.
“Very various,” stated Earnest.
“Does anyone know who the organizer is? The place he’s?” requested John.
“How are you aware it’s a he?” requested Cindy.
“I don’t,” stated John.
“Oh OK,” stated Cindy (confused).
“I’m feeling a little bit misplaced myself, however completely happy,” stated David.
“Yeah. I like taking part in video games. That’s what that is, proper? A recreation. Some form of contest,” stated
Vladimir.
“Certain is. That’s why I’m right here. To win the prize cash,” stated Jim.
“I’m simply completely happy to hang around with new folks. Cash is cool, although, don’t get me improper,” stated
Steven.
“Certain is,” stated John.
“I come from a wealthy household, however have none of my very own. I’d like some,” stated Maggie.
Cheryl has been quiet up so far observing the whole lot. She breaks her silence now.
“Sorry to be so suspicious everybody. I’m a sheltered housewife from the suburbs. I’m a little bit
leery about all this,” stated Cheryl.
“What does ‘leery’ imply?” requested Min.
“Cautious,” stated Earnest addressing Min.He turns to face Cheryl.
“Completely comprehensible. This can be a little unusual.”
“We’re strangers,” stated Cindy.
“I suppose that’s the purpose. Seems to be like some form of social experiment on the a part of some wealthy
man.” stated John.
“How are you aware it’s not AI,” stated David.
“I don’t,” stated John.
“What’s AI?” requested Cindy (confused).
“Synthetic intelligence,” stated John.
“Loopy,” stated Cindy.
“I feel that the organizer is actual. He might simply be some good man who needs to do good whereas
remaining nameless,” stated Maggie.
“I hope so,” stated Cheryl.
“Anyway, folks, we’re all right here. Let’s take advantage of it,” stated Steven.
The remainder of the group introduce themselves. Earnest seems to be intently on the lounge chair and
discovers one other Put up-It be aware. He pulls it off and reveals it to the others.
“Look what we’ve right here. An inventory. With ten objects on it to be discovered,” stated Earnest.
“A scavenger hunt,” stated John.
“Cool. I like video games,” stated Steven.
“How do we all know that this prize cash exists? That this stuff have been positioned strategically
for us to seek out them? That this occasion organizer even exists?” requested Jim.
Everybody within the group turns into quiet for a couple of moments. Then John decides to talk up.
“We don’t,” stated John.
