A Cause for Concern

Rainsford and that Whitney fellow are almost more trouble than they are worth. First the brilliant hunter had to break the rules. Of all people, how could he not respect my vision? And now that he has been dismissed, his friend is out to cause more trouble. What am I to do if people will not respect what I am trying to achieve? A memorial is one thing, but is personally calling me out on such a tribute really necessary? I told the fellow his friend was dismissed; is that not enough? The hunt is at risk of being destroyed! These foolish and frustrating Americans! Will all my hard work go to waste? Still, I suppose, it could be worse, and being distraught will not rectify the situation.

The offending memorial. What nerve!

The solution, however, is simple. I am a General, am I not? Measures will have to be taken. It is a travesty that Rainsford had such callous disregard for the rules. And now that his friend is stirring up unnecessary trouble, I shall have to increase security around my quarters. I can’t have others following in Rainsford’s footsteps. I shall have to carefully vet future applicants. What if another were to come looking for the foolish traitor? No! My mind is quite made up–measures will indeed be taken.

–General Zaroff

 

A Realization for the Future

A gentleman named Fred Whitney called today, inquiring as to the whereabouts of Sanger Rainsford. Unfortunately I had to deliver the bad news of of Rainsford’s disqualification and resulting dismissal. What happened with Rainsford is regrettable, but it is merely a bump in the road and this journey must go on.

@SRainsford1504 Spoke to Zaroff. Says you were dismissed? Are you hiding in shame somewhere? Haha

— Fred Whitney (@FredWhitney1504) April 30, 2015

I am ready for the next round of applicants. Surely someone out there has what it takes to claim the grand prize! However, I will be more cautious in the future. I must protect the secrets to the success of The Hunted: Predator or Prey; in the wrong hands, that information could prove disastrous.

–General Zaroff

 

A Disheartening Discovery

Unbelievable! I’ve put a more than gracious amount of time, energy, and thought into creating an exciting, memorable hunting experience, and what do I get in return? A contestant who has decided not to play by the rules!

I’ve been watching him for some time now, this Rainsford character. Oh, yes–he is brilliant and so very, very clever. I watched him set up a Malay man-catcher, the likes of which I haven’t seen since my own days hunting in Malacca. And his Burmese tiger pit? Exquisite! It brought down one of my best hounds–the very same hound that sent the last contestant from round one running into the arms of defeat.

@FredWhitney1504 Someone's coming. I'll tell you when I'm home! #whistleblower

— Sanger Rainsford (@SRainsford1504) April 27, 2015

Oh, but he was a formidable foe, indeed! I thought him right up there on my own level, a man of equal caliber, wit, and intellect. Until I found him snooping in the Archives, that is, tapping away on his mobile phone. Two rules broken in one fell swoop, but the worst of it? He threatened to expose the secrets of my show! Unfortunately, because of his missteps I had no other choice but to exact swift retribution. If one cannot play by the rules of the game, then one simply cannot win.

–General Zaroff

 

A Promising Expedition

The knowledge test has been a great success! Round two applicants have been arriving all afternoon and I can already tell they are a clever lot. The contestants’ quarters are abuzz with experienced, knowledgeable, tech-savvy hunters, one of whom has even published a book full of his hunting adventures in foreign lands! Exciting things are certainly headed this way.

Contestants’ Quarters – Ready for Service!

Production starts tomorrow morning at 5:00AM, and contestants are currently taking advantage of the amenities I have provided: fine wine, gourmet cuisine, comfortable rooms, and wireless Internet access, just to name a few. Tonight they indulge, but tomorrow they have only their wits and a few hunting supplies to rely on. This is the hunt I have been waiting for my entire life. I’ve traveled the globe, hunted big game in the Rockies, the Ganges, even East Africa–but all that pales in comparison to the expedition about to happen right outside my doors!

–General Zaroff

 

A Disappointing First Course

Ugh, terrible. Disgusting. These people call themselves hunters, but they lack the proper reasoning and intellect to succeed at such a game. A mere three days and two nights of survival is all that is expected of them, but most of these “hunters” have been unable to make it past the first night. The only man to come close to success succumbed to his fear of wild dogs in the last day. How very disappointing.

Is there anyone worthy to fight within the beauty of these grounds?

Necessity dictates I find a method to sift through the applicants to find only the very best of them–to separate the wheat from the chaff and ensure that only the most superior minds are able to enter the arena. The failings of the stupid are not exciting; who can care about a man who doesn’t know the difference between a Smith & Wesson top-of-the-line handgun and a Hi-point pistol that only the poverty stricken would consider a luxury? But a battle of wits–Yes, that is where the excitement is! Perhaps a simple Test of Knowledge will prove to be most useful. But for now, round one footage will remain safely concealed within the Archives.

–General Zaroff

 

A New Sensation

There is no greater bore than perfection, but alas! This is my fare in life, and I live only for the thrill of the hunt. The art of fisticuffs may elude me, but with a gun in my hand I am a force to be reckoned with! I began the game at the tender age of five by shooting sparrows and turkeys, quickly working my way up to bears, crocodiles, rhinoceroses, even jaguars. I’ve hunted every kind of dangerous game with one hundred percent success.

Why fight with fisticuffs when you can use a gun?

 

Until a month ago I felt the thrill of the chase slowly seeping out of my body. I needed a new challenge–thirsted even–for excitement unlike any I had ever encountered. All of my thoughts led me to the same place, and I realized what was required of me. I had to invent a new type of game, to design a hunt that would quench my ever-growing thirst. I could not simply lie down and give up the hunt; nor could I accept this as the end of the line. While the execution of Nicholas II on 07-17-18 signified the end of the reign of Russian czars, I vowed I would not let my own death be so swift.

Czar Nicholas II and his family. Let us never forget the day 07-17-18.

And from the rich chasms of my mind came the idea for The Hunted: Predator or Prey, a survival game show that would test the limits of both the hunter and the hunted. I purchased this vast private hunting reserve–100 square miles of land on the American plains, to be exact–and filled it with all manner of exotic game–including the most dangerous known to man. Extravagant, yes, and the cost to have such things was hefty indeed, but nothing my bank accounts could not handle. Soon, production will begin. Already hunters from all corners of the lands are clamoring for a chance to compete for the ultimate prize of one million dollars. I, too, can already feel the excitement coursing through my veins like wildfire.

–General Zaroff