Deprivation House Read Online Free PDF

your first competition.” I could almost feel acurrent of electricity passing from person to person when she said that.
    â€œBut first, I think it’s time to explain exactly what kind of show you’re on,” Veronica continued. “It’s called Deprivation House. ”
    â€œDeprivation. Do you even know what that word means?” James asked Ripley. “It means not having everything you want whenever you want it.”
    Ripley kept her face perfectly blank.
    â€œVery good, James. I wasn’t sure if you had attended school,” Veronica said. “The purpose of Deprivation House is to test how well you can live without luxuries.” She gestured to the pool—and a team of workers appeared. Within seconds, they began to drain it. The waterfalls shut off, leaving only a trickle.
    Joe made a sound that I can only describe as a whimper. And he thought he was going to win a million.
    â€œEvery day, perhaps even multiple times a day, a luxury will be taken away,” Veronica continued. “The screening room, billiards room, and bowling alley were sealed last night.”
    â€œLike I’m going to miss something I never had,” Mikey murmured.
    â€œThere will be several competitions during the week. The winner of a competition will get tochoose the luxury that is eliminated next.” Veronica held out her hand, and a man with a scruffy ’stache began handing out sheets of thick, cream-colored paper.
    â€œPoor kids, having to lounge around an empty pool,” he said under his breath.
    â€œAnd who are you?” Ripley asked sharply. “I like to know people’s names,” she added much more softly.
    â€œThat’s Leo. He’s one of the production assistants,” Veronica answered for him. “He’s passing out the list of deprivations you’ll be able to choose from if you’re a winner.”
    â€œOh, man, junk food is on this list,” Mikey whispered. “I need my cheese puffs.”
    â€œI wish peanuts were on here,” Bobby T said. “I’m allergic to peanuts. Are there any peanuts in any of that stuff?” he asked as waiters began bringing in platters of food. “Even food made in factories where they make food that has peanuts in it?”
    â€œWe’re aware of your allergy, Bobby. I’ve given the information to every crew and staff member. You have nothing to worry about,” Veronica told him.
    â€œOkay, but in case someone messes up, I always have epinephrine on me. If I have an allergic reaction, you’ve got to pull it out and give me a shot,”he told everyone loudly. “There won’t be time to get a doctor. Are you listening, people? I’ll die if I don’t get the shot.”
    â€œGot it,” I assured him. Then I skimmed through the list of possible deprivations. Cable TV. All TV. iPods. Washing machine. Grooming products.
    â€œI cannot survive without the Internet,” Bobby T protested.
    â€œThen you’ll have to try very hard to win all the competitions,” Veronica answered. “Remember, if you win, you get to choose the next deprivation. Of course, I’ll get to choose some too. But winning is going to help you keep what’s most important to you the longest.”
    Veronica smiled. I’d started having the feeling that she enjoyed making us squirm. “Of course, if any of you becomes too uncomfortable, you can always leave the house—and the contest. In fact, there is even a good-bye bonus of fifty thousand dollars for the first person who voluntarily drops out. Forty thousand for the second. Thirty thousand for the third. Twenty thousand for the fourth. Ten thousand for the fifth. After that, anyone is still free to leave, but there will be no money given.”
    â€œSomebody should jump on that,” James mumbled, his mouth full of waffle. “Since I’m winning the mil.”
    â€œNobody’s going to take