The Great British Shake Off
by Terence and Elizabeth Eden
The luxury car purrs gently as it sweeps you into BBC Television Centre.
You are a finalist in the Great British Shake Off!
You gladly sold your soul for this opportunity, and, to give the devil his due, you’re now just a couple of trivia questions away from super-stardom.
You try to stay calm - but there’s no doubt how exciting tonight’s LIVE broadcast will be.
You make your way to the studio. The lights burn blue. The studio audience is restless; they were hoping to see something featuring Ant ‘n’ Dec.
The production assistant pulls out a barber’s chair for you to sit in. It fits your buttocks nicely.
The host, Stephen Fry, takes to the podium.
“Well, welcome, welcome! I have seen the time - and we’d better make our mark. Tonight’s prize is an all expenses paid trip to the World Finals in Stratford Upon Avon.”
Stephen picks up the question cards, takes a deep breath, and begins.
“Your starter for ten,” he intones, "In Two Gentlemen of Verona, who said ‘How now, Sir Proteus!’?
This should be easy. You know this. You... Wait...? Come on brain...
Start again