Game of Mass Destruction - Prologue

“Human beings are social animals. What brings us together is love and affection—anger drives us apart. Just as we employ physical hygiene to protect our health, we need emotional hygiene, the means to tackle our destructive emotions, if we are to achieve peace of mind.” - Dalai Lama

Two photographs nestled between Sia Buck's laptop. On the left was a shattered wedding photograph. The right picture was faded picture of three women on stage, each of them wearing tank tops embroidered with their band's name: Pussy*Pussy*Meow*Meow. "Those were the days," she said to herself. Head tilted back, she placed her cocktail glass by the wedding picture. The dark fluid blurs the facial details of the man in the picture.

It had been years since she had a ring on her finger. Three decades ago, at the young age of 22, she founded the controversial reality TV show in the world. Even before her show, technology had advanced in haste. Reality TV was out of control. The robot population increased. Governments feared the robots would take over and lose their jobs.

When she pitched her idea, she never expected that world leaders would be so generous. Like a baby, Sia had nurtured the show into the government-funded staple show. Since becoming an overnight sensation, it became the staple TV diet of every Netflix subscriber on the planet. Sia baptised the show as The Game of Mass Destruction.

Sia Bucks had an array of staff at her disposal; military members handpicked by a perverted sergeant, a weatherman whose coarse language prevented him getting a job with the BBC, and camera crew who never revealed their faces.

The G.O.M.D team and the contestants over the thirty years became her extended family. Twirling her heart-shaped locket, she scrolled through profiles that her team had created. Even though the contestants had already been chosen, the nominations could still go forward to next year's show.

Taking a sip of her drink, she opened her locket. Her daughter, Harumi whom she hadn't seen since she was two. Her ex-husband had remarried and Harumi was brought up to believe that his new wife was her biological mother.

Sia Bucks had the biggest salary in the world, but she would give it all up for another chance to watch her daughter and granddaughter grow up. Returning to her files, she discovered the twenty contestants that had been selected. One of the names made her shiver.

It would have only had been a matter of time before people she knew would have been contestants on the show.

Bobby Fishman & Todd PatrickChristian Strippers & Lavender KnickersCatherine & Alfie BanjoSakura Kanagawa (神奈川さくら) & Yuzuko Shikukumi (仕組みゆずこ)Mariangela & Pedro PrimeraMi Sook-Jo (미숙 조) & Mi Chang-Hoon (미창훈)Hendrik Bonifacius & Pieter LarsfromRós Ólafursdóttir & Aron JónssonHassin Farid & Nila KamalFan Wei Shang (范伟商) & Yanyu Wei Shang (艳遇伟商)

She nearly fell off her chair at Mariangela's name. She was one of her old bandmates who composed the music. Sia wished that it was Fanny Bru who was a contestant instead of Mariangela's mafia-wannabe husband. Then again, Sia didn't miss Fanny Bru's rants about how she wrote all the lyrics: it was a joint investment.

Yuzuko's name also shook her up. Harumi had a daughter quite young and was sure her name was Yuzuko. Browsing her inbox, she cackled. "Oh, Takeshi, you cheeky sod!"

Do not support Game of Mass DestructionTo whom it may concern,I am writing to you all to beg of you not to support Game of Mass Destruction. The show is lethal and is bad for society, the environment, and for businesses all over the world. Please do the right thing and sign the petition to stop the Game of Mass Destruction from airing.Please understand robots are not meant to be feared. They should be embraced. Please work with me and my team to create a beautiful world where humans and robots can live together in harmony.Thank you.Kind regards,Professor Takeshi DenkiPresident of the Robots Have Feelings Corporation

Her ex must have emailed it to every email address in the world. G.O.M.D was an unstoppable force, and the R.H.F Corp were their only rivals. Sia and Professor Denki had known each other for years. A part of Sia felt sad that their high school romance was not destined to last. Another part was coloured in excitement. The more Professor Denki sought to close her show, the greater her desire was to keep it open.

On the edge of vengeance, Sia clicked reply all. "Two can play at this game, sweetheart."

G.O.M.D NOMINATIONS CLOSE MIDNIGHT TONIGHT!Hello there to the beautiful people reading this email. I’m Sia Bucks, host of the famous hit TV show Game of Mass Destruction. I hope you’re ready for the best season ever! I’m excited for this season. It’s going to be big money and big prizes. Just remember you have until midnight to get your nominations in.The lucky twenty contests chosen will be fighting for the chance of a lifetime. The only thing getting in your way is those evil flesh-eating robots. But we got you covered—everything will be provided by us.Tune in on Halloween night 8PM (GMT) for the show of your life. Be prepared to be amazed, shocked, and thrilled by pure uncensored and real action!Ciao for now!Lots of loveSia xx

"Well, that is that, Professor Denki!" Sia picked up her glass and punched the table. The old wedding photo shattered again. Stomping over the photo with her eyes flickering at the silver bus outside her office. Professor Denki responded to Sia's email with a live broadcast. It was in Japanese but included subtitles. "You're lazy! You speak perfect English!"

AND NOW A LIVE BROADCAST FROM TOKYO BY PROFESSOR TAKESHI DENKI.PLEASE PAY ATTENTION, FATE OF THE WORLD DEPENDS ON IT!Thank you for watching this live broadcast. I am Professor Denki, president of the Robots Have Feelings Cooperation. You may have received my email regarding the upcoming series of The Game of Mass Destruction. This is not spam. Please take my message seriously.Robots are not to be feared. They are talented, intelligent, and friendly. With technology advancing at a fast rate, we have found a way for technology and nature to work together. Through this we can make our planet healthy again.Game of Mass Destruction is profiting of society’s fears of robots. It’s a government funded program. The contestants are brought to an island where they are given the task to destroy a thousand robots. They are put in pairs, always with someone that they know. Each robot destroyed gives points. Bonus points are also given to sexual acts and killing. The surviving pair with the most points is rewarded a billion dollars each.The show is a disgrace. Many contestants do not want to be there. They were nominated to take part. We’ve estimated that it costs the world at least ten billion dollars to run a year. It’s all coming out of taxpayer’s money—your money.We must stop this heinous promotion of rape and violence. If you support Game of Mass Destruction, you are funding terrorism.Once again, I urge you not to support the Game of Mass Destruction. Too many people have lost their lives… Survivors have had both their lives and careers ruined.

Thank you for watching this broadcast. I hope you will join us as we work together to bring a brighter and cleaner planet for both humans and robots.

"Silly man! Stop sending me junk!" The Game of Mass Destruction was happening, whether he liked it or not!