Chicago Hot Dog Party
#4 of So Furry Presents: The Amazing Race
On the last leg of the Amazing Race, the remaining 16 teams traveled up the coastline to a small town of Kennebunk, Maine. Along the way, they had to collect flags or simply take the long way there. The bakers came first but got a penalty, making the jocks the winners. Meanwhile, the albinos tried to team up with the best friends, however, this backfired when the albinos accidentally eliminated the best friends from the race. 3 teams are gone and 15 remain.
***
"Welcome back to Kennebunk Beach." Toner says. "The jocks won yesterday, so they're up first today." Cody steps up, hits the clue box button and takes the card.
"Route Info: Grab and Amazing Race cab and get to Biddeford Muni, where you'll take a flight straight to Chicago." Cody reads. That's right, all 15 will board the same flight to The O'Hare International Airport just outside of Chicago. The flight itself is around 3 hours.
"Let's go!" Dave says. They run off to the cabs. More and more teams grab the clue and run off to the cabs.
"Shotgun! Called it!" Jennifer says.
"I'll drive!" Brent says. June & Mabel join him and Syd in a single cab. Richie & Vlad and Tommy & Regina also share one. By the time some of the teams drive off to the airport, Cassie & Shawn get in the last cab. They both have guilty looks on their faces. Cassie puts the car in drive and drives off.
"I still feel bad over what happened with Matthew and Sara." She says.
"I know." Shawn says. "Me too." Biddeford Muni is only a 10 minute drive from Kennebunk. The jocks, sorority sisters, and bakers once again fight for the lead. The three teams arrive at the airport at the same time. It takes about 20 minutes for the other teams to show up, but they eventually do.
"We need tickets on the next flight to Chicago." Angie says.
***
All 15 teams board Toner's private plane. "Hello, this is your captain speaking. It is now 8:15 am. We should be arriving at the O'Hare International Airport at around 11:30 am." The intercom beeps off. All 30 contestants cheer and applaud at the announcement for several seconds. When it dies down, the teams settle in for the flight.
"We should talk some strategy." Brent suggests.
"I already have one." Mabel says. "Sleep until we get there. That way we'll have enough energy to win."
"Good point." Brent and Syd say at the same time. The four of them rest their heads and slowly drift off.
"I will not be penalized again!" Claudia says through gritted teeth.
"All you have to do is stop cheating!" Hans says back.
"You realize that if it wasn't for my cheating, we wouldn't have won in Boston."
"I know. But it's getting a bit out of control."
"How so?"
"You hit Jennifer in the face with a fish and you threw salt water in Cody's eyes."
"Oh so a little bit of salt is a big deal now?"
"He has to wear glasses now, can't you tell?" Hans points across the aisle to Cody, who puts on his new glasses so he can see less blur. "He got so much salt in his eye, it damaged his sight."
"Boo hoo. A normal fur would suck it up and continue the race; which is exactly what Cody did."
"But he swerved off and could've gotten lost at sea if it weren't for Dave taking the handles."
"Oh shut up!"
"No! If you don't stop this nonsense, I'm quitting the race, and if that happens, you have to leave too."
"You wouldn't dare do that to me!" The bakers continue to bicker. The sorority sisters and movie experts take notice of this.
"This is exactly what I like to see." Angie says. "My worst enemies fighting it out."
"It's a bit crazy though." Maria says.
"True. But hopefully, they're gonna be eliminated today."
***
When the plane lands, the teams rush out and run to the next clue box just outside of the airport. Jennifer is the first one to reach it. She hits the button and Angie grabs the clue, running off in the process.
"Route Info: Grab another Amazing Race cab and drive into Chicago, going to West Randolph Street." Angie reads. The rest of the teams grab their clue and go for the cabs again. The sorority sisters once again take the lead and the albinos are still in last.
"Let's hope today isn't as hard as yesterday." Syd says. June is driving and Mabel has shotgun.
"I doubt it." Mabel says.
"June, what do you guys know about Chicago?" Brent asks.
"Well, it's home of the Willis Tower, it's the setting of the novel Divergent, it's close to Lake Michigan, and there's quite a few hotdog vendors on the streets." June says.
"I really hope we don't have to climb a skyscraper again." Syd says.
"Drive faster!!" Claudia says.
"Yeesh woman! Get off my case!!" Hans says.
"At least I'm not cheating. I'm just encouraging you to get your ass moving!!"
"Yeah. 'Encouraging'." Hans says sarcastically.
"Of course it is. If you hadn't noticed, there are like four teams ahead of us."
"And like ten teams behind us. As long as we're not in last, we're just fine, ok?" Claudia rolls her eyes and looks at the road as they drive.
Seven & Stuart don't really talk much. Stuart drives while Seven just drums her fingers on the dashboard. She randomly flips open the glove compartment.
"What're you doing, Seven?" Stuart asks.
"Nothing. Just looking around. I wish something interesting would just happen."
"I know. Me too." She reaches a paw into the compartment and feels something. Something that feels a lot like the clues they receive. Seven grabs it and pulls it out. "Whoa."
"What is it?" Stuart asks, quickly glancing over, then back at the road.
"It's a green clue." Seven says.
"Really? What does it say?"
"There's a post it note that says: 'Congratulations, you selected the cab with this clue. Good luck.'"
"What does the clue say?" Stuart says.
"Fast Forward: Answer this one question and you can skip all the tasks and head straight to the next checkpoint."
"What's the question?" Stuart asks.
"'How many floors does the Willis Tower have?' Give your answer to the man running the hotdog vendor on Randolph Street. If he says it's right, go to the checkpoint at the Willis Tower. You may ask up to 2 pedestrians for assistance."
"Sweet!! Let's do this!!" Stuart steps on the gas.
***
Once teams get to Randolph Street, they must go to the hotdog vendor run by one of Toner's close friends: Vince Martoga (orange wolf). The next clue box is with him.
The humans and early graduates arrive there first. Brent takes the clue first then June. "Roadblock: whoever didn't push a baby carriage in Boston has to participate in the Hot Dog Challenge." Brent reads. Teams draw a card on the hotdog stand. Each card has a list of condiments that Vince will prepare. That person must eat all of the hotdog before running straight to the Willis Tower where the next checkpoint lies. Last team there is out of the race.
Brent draws a card and reads it: "Ketchup." He says. "That's it? This is easy." Vince prepares Brent's hotdog and hands it to him. Mabel draws a card.
"Ranch and mustard?!" She exclaims. Brent & Syd along with June look in disgust as Vince prepares it.
"Oh yeah. Some cards are worse than others." Vince says, handing Mabel what she has to eat.
"C'mon Mabel! You can do this!" June cheers on her friend. Hans & Claudia arrive next. They take their clue.
"Eating?" Claudia says. "Doesn't sound too hard, right?" She draws a card and sees what she has to eat. "Relish and mayo?!" Vince prepares it and hands it to the feline.
"Revenge is a bitch!" Angie says, taking the clue. Jennifer draws a card and presents it to Vince. He gives her the hotdog and smiles.
"You got just plain?" Brent asks.
"Yep." Jennifer says. She quickly gobbles it down in about 25 seconds. "What? I love hotdogs. Let's go, Angie!" The sorority sisters then run off to the checkpoint.
While more teams arrive (Cody & Dave, Jack & Maria, Richie & Vlad, Tommy & Regina, Helga & Gretel, and Ashley & Jo), Seven & Stuart are working on their Fast Forward task.
"Any idea for this question?" Seven asks.
"Nope. But we're allowed to ask people." Stuart says. He stops an older wolf walking down the street. "Excuse me, sir, do you have a minute?"
"What is it?" The older wolf asks.
"I have a question that needs answering."
"What is it?"
"How many floors is the Willis Tower?"
"I believe it's 108 stories, why?"
"Long story short: we're in a race. Thanks sir!" The adrenaline junkies then run off towards the vendor.
Richie: Mayo
Cody: Cheese and ketchup
Ashley: mustard
Tommy: Relish and barbecue sauce
Helga: pizza sauce
Jack: Mayo, ketchup, and buffalo sauce
"Where do you come up with these combos?" Tommy asks. Vince just shrugs. Some teams finish their hotdogs easier than others.
"I can't eat this." Jack says.
"Why not?" Vince says. Avery & Timothy and Rob & Robbie arrive.
"Because I'm allergic to mayonnaise." Jack says.
"I'm sure it's allowed that another team can trade with you." Vince says.
"We'll take it." Avery says.
"Seriously?" Maria asks.
"Of course. I like mayo." Timothy says. Jack hands him his hotdog and Avery hands him their card.
"Just relish." Jack reads. "Thanks. I owe you two one."
"It's fine." Avery says. Timothy digs in as Jon & Devon and Cassie & Shawn arrive. As teams finish and head to the checkpoint, Seven & Stuart arrive with their green clue.
"Hotdog eating huh?" Seven asks. "Not for us." She holds up the green clue for Vince and the other teams gasp.
"Fast Forward. Ok. What's your answer?" Vince asks.
"The answer is... 108." Stuart says.
"Correct. You guys may go straight to the checkpoint." Vince says. The junkies run off, leaving the other teams in shock. "Y'all still have some hotdogs to eat before you can move on!"
***
"Angie & Jennifer, congrats. You once again came in first." Toner says.
"Sweet! We beat the bakers!" Angie says. Her and Jen go off while Toner waits for more teams.
"What the-? That's unusual. Whatever, Seven & Stuart, second place." Toner announces.
"Awesome! Fast Forward comes in handy!" Seven exclaims.
More and more teams finish their hotdogs and make a beeline for the finish line. Claudia feels a bit nauseous from her hotdog. Now's not the time to vomit, she thinks. But right before she turns the corner, she doubles over and hurls.
"Shit. What the fuck was in that mayo?!" She yells.
"C'mon, Claudia! Let's go!" Hans picks up his partner and carries her to the checkpoint.
"Bakers, you came in third place." Toner announces.
"Great." Claudia says. "Got any aspirin?" She slouches and falls to the ground again.
"Giver her 24 hours, she'll be fine." Toner says.
"Let's hurry!" Syd says, seeing the other teams catching up.
"We're trying!" Mabel says. "But that relish dog ain't sitting so well."
"She hates relish more than any other condiment." June says.
"I've got this." Brent picks up Mabel and the four of them run like hell down the street towards the Willis Tower. They see the rug and Toner in sight and hurry towards him.
"Humans in 4th, graduates in 5th." Toner says.
"Awesome!" Syd says.
"Thanks for carrying me." Mabel says. "I'm not sure how long I would've lasted if I had to run."
"That's ok. It usually happens whenever people eat weird, very disgusting hot dogs." Brent says. He blushes when he puts Mabel down. Mabel does too. They walk off.
Jack & Maria- 6th place
Avery & Timothy- 7th place
Cody & Dave- 8th place
Tommy & Regina- 9th place
Richie & Vlad- 10th place
Helga & Gretel- 11th place
Only four teams left: the sisters, brothers, albinos and the prostitutes. "Alright, sis, we have to keep going!" Jo says, not wanting to lose yet.
"I know. It's just it's never a good idea to run right after having a foot long with random condiments." Ashley says.
"Rob & Robbie, 12th place." Toner confirms.
"Nice. I thought we were doomed for a second there." Rob says.
"Just in time too. Here come the sisters." Robbie points out. Ashley & Jo step on the checkpoint rug just in time.
"Sister are in 13th." Toner says.
"Great." Jo says. The reason the sisters want to win the money is so they can move into their own apartment. 18 years of living with her parents and Ashley needs a new place to live. The problem is she doesn't have a job; but she hopes her competitive spirit will help her win the million dollars.
The prostitutes start to run out of breath and the albinos were ahead of them. "It looks like it's done for us." Jon says. Cassie & Shawn look behind them and see the other team struggling. Cassie motions behind her and Shawn gets the hint.
"Hey, Jon!" Cassie says.
"What?" He asks.
"Do us proud."
"What does that mean?" All of a sudden, Cassie & Shawn stop running and moving all of a sudden.
"Whoa!" Devon stops too. "What're you doing?"
"You guys go on. I know you'll do well." Cassie says.
"You sure about this?" Jon asks.
"Of course!" Shawn says. "We kind of deserve it after what happened to Matthew & Sara."
"Alright. I'll see you at the finale!" Devon says. The prostitutes pick up the pace and they reach the rug.
"Prostitutes are in 14th." Toner says. He then turns to the albinos slowly walking towards him. They stop in front of him. "Cassie & Shawn, for the fourth time in a row, you came in 15th place. However, today that means you're eliminated. Now go away." He waves them off. The albinos turn around and they walk away.
"I think we did a nice thing today." Cassie says.
"Yep. I hope the prostitutes will win this race." Shawn says.
"Me too. Wanna go home and watch this show over and over again?"
"Of course."