When John was inside the Mansion, the doors creaked shut themselves and before him was a long hallway, designed like a chess set, all black and white squares. Then, suddenly a very loud voice boomed from every direction.

“Greetings and welcome to Manic Mansion. Many have entered before you and left with nothing. There are a great many challenges that lie ahead of you. As your host, I would like to wish you all the best. Hah hah hah hah hah!” After this, a loud gong sounded and suddenly, exotic dancing ladies appeared from thin air with belly hoops. They performed all kinds of dances to entertain John.

“Hmm, I think I’m going to enjoy this, alot!” He said to himself. On either side of the hall-way, there were doors. It all appeared like a very large game board and the test was to see how good a player he was. As John reached out to greet one of the ladies, they suddenly all vanished and he found himself alone again.

“Oh my God, I nearly lost the challenge.  I just realised that the slightest smirk on my face will end it all and I’ll lose my challenge. I must be very careful.”

“Yes, I quite agree.” Called out a voice. It appeared to be coming from behind. He swung around. There was no one there. John shrugged and proceeded forwards deeper into the mansion. Distant giggling could be heard. He felt as if he was being watched. John had one week to spend at the Manic Mansion after which, he would be escorted out by security. All the facilities were available here. There were toilets, a canteen, a bar room, t.v. rooms and even a library as he was going to be spending a few nights alone here.

“Well, this all seems just too easy. There is absolutely nothing hilarious here.”

“That’s what the previous contestants said as well, before they broke into a fit of laughter.” It was the same voice again and it was coming from behind. John decided to try out one of the doors to check. He opened the nearest one to his right. Inside, everything was flamingo pink and there was soft music playing. There was a very large soft cushy bed in the corner and a box of pink marshmallows on it. John could not resist the temptation. Besides, his legs were tired from all the walking and so he sat down on the bed and took off his shoes and wrapped himself under the bedsheets. The box of marshmallows nearly fell to the ground. He caught them in his hands and opened the box. Each marshmallow had a message etched on it. He held one on the palm of his left hand and read out aloud.

“What did the letter say to the stamp? Eat me to find out.” John was about to pop it in his mouth when suddenly he stopped, realising it was a trap. He thought hard then guessed the answer.

“Umm…the letter said to the stamp, stick with me and we’ll go places.”

Suddenly, a voice boomed out.

“Correct! You win a gold nugget.” The marshmallow on John’s palm changed into a gold nugget. He was just about to smile but remembered not to and placed it inside his backpack and decided to rest a while.

As his eyes closed and he drifted into sleep, the door opened slowly…

End of Chapter 2.