Episode 24: Castaway Egos and the Shark & Croc Attack
Marooned and Unguarded
The billionaires had been stranded for two days on the uninhabited motu. It wasn’t luxurious or forgiving, but it was survivable—for people with basic skills. Unfortunately, this group of egos had lived lives cushioned by wealth, assistants, and cutting-edge technology. Still, they weren’t entirely incapable.
The Start of Survival
Jeff decided they needed protein.
“Protein is essential,” he declared, fashioning a crude net from palm fronds with Mark’s help.
“I’ve read about this in survival books.”
Bill focused on gathering mangos and bananas, while Elon scoured the motu, claiming he could “terraform” it. Larry simply sulked by the spring, sipping water and offering sarcastic commentary.
By the third day, the lack of fire became critical.
“We’re going to get eaten alive,” Mark muttered, swatting mosquitoes.
Elon suggested rubbing sticks together to spark fire.
“Let me guess, Elon—you’re going to invent a ‘fire startup’ next?” Jeff quipped, earning nervous laughter.
Disaster Strikes
Determined to fish, Jeff and Mark carried the net to the lagoon. Neither had real experience.
“Are you sure this is safe?” Mark asked nervously.
“Relax. What’s the worst that could happen?” Jeff waved him off.
Minutes later, Jeff yanked the net.
“I think I see something!”
A shadow surged beneath him. A shark lunged—then, out of the mangroves nearby, a massive crocodile slithered into view, drawn by the commotion.
“What the f…!” Larry shouted, frozen in horror.
The two predators, shark and croc, seemed to instinctively size each other up, circling each other in a deadly standoff. Chaos erupted. Jeff, still holding the net, screamed as the croc lunged—and its jaws clamped down on his arm instead of the shark.
Mark panicked, dropping the net, stumbling back. Elon and Bill screamed as they scrambled to pull Jeff to safety.
Survival Instincts Kick In
Bill barked orders:
“We need to stop the bleeding, now!”
They improvised a tourniquet with palm fronds. Larry helped drag Jeff onto the sand while Elon ripped his shirt to pad the wound.
Jeff, pale and shaking, tried dark humor:
“Guess I… really picked the wrong predators today.”
The group stared in disbelief. Shark and crocodile retreated after a tense face-off, leaving the billionaires shaken and the lagoon eerily quiet.
A Fragile Unity
The attack forced cooperation. Survival eclipsed ego:
- Elon reinforced the shelter.
- Larry handled water collection.
- Bill improved food gathering.
- Mark discovered that dried seaweed, sunlight, and a shard of shell could ignite a small fire.
When it finally caught, the group cheered, briefly united by relief.
The Shark & Croc Legacy
Jeff’s arm was a stark reminder: nature didn’t negotiate. Infection loomed, and survival was anything but guaranteed. The islanders’ absence added uncertainty—were they observing from afar, testing these ex-billionaires’ resilience?
As they sat by the fire, adrenaline still high, the flickering light softened their expressions—but not their egos.
“We need a better plan,” Elon said, voice tinged with arrogance.
Larry rolled his eyes but stayed silent.
The moon rose over the motu, glinting off the waves. Somewhere in the shadows, the shark and crocodile circled each other again, a deadly reminder that the wilderness had no patience for pride.
Who would face it next?
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