The webcam of a laptop is blurry at first, but focuses in on a sweet-faced, lightly olive-skinned girl. She gave a polite smile before fixing her bangs out of habit.
“Hello, my name is Eleanor Ricks and this is my Total Drama City audition tape. I think I’d have a lot to offer to the Total Drama scene. I’m quite the artist if I do say so myself.” She smiles proudly, almost to herself, before backing away from the camera. This brings into view one of her walls, which is a huge color wheel. Some strokes look fast, rushed, and angry, while others form calm spirals and blend into the colors around them.
“I painted this mural. Without my dad’s permission.” She giggles, as if this is some huge rebellion. She walks back up to the camera. “Ya see, I live in a teeny-tiny town - there are like five roads - so we’re all kinda forced to be nice because if you have an enemy, chances are they know exactly where you live and can get there and back in less than five minutes.” She shook her head a little. “And I’m… I’m a little sick of it.” She frowned a little. “No.. I’m REALLY sick of it. I’m ready to stop hiding behind fake smiles and fake friendships. I’m ready to express myself in ways other than art.” Her expression has changed into one of happy determination, her voice growing in volume. “I’m ready to GET THE HELL OUT OF THIS SMALL TOWN! I’M READY TO-” A door swings open, only the white door visible against the rainbow-painted wall.
“Eleanor? What are you doi-” a older male voice began.
“NOTHI-” Eleanor shouts before shutting the laptop. The video cuts out.
Eleanor grins giddily at the camera. “I can’t believe I’m here! The city is so huge! And I’m in a skyscraper!” She giggled, covering her mouth. “Excuse my enthusiasm. Tiny town problems. But before I came here, I looked around the city and..” Eleanor quickly flipped through a worn notebooks, stopping and letting out a small “Ah ha” before showing the camera the page. She’d draw the city in charcoal, letting most of the picture be dark so that the lights from windows looked brighter in comparison. “..I drew this. This place is kinda freaking gorgeous.” She gently closed the notebook and smiled genuinely at the camera. “I think I’m gonna like it here.”
(See the entire cast of the contestants by clicking here)
