First Day, First Impressions - the Morning Session

It's the first day here at the Cartwright Manor.
And it appears that we've caught Chance quite unawares, as he's busy renovating many of the rooms.

He explains that the plumbing in some of the bathrooms was so old that everything needed to be ripped out and renewed. And instantly grumbles about the lack of motivation from the contractors themselves.

"Pay them plenty of money, should be able to get all these jobs done in time."

But that sour expression soon vanishes as he flashes his million simolean smile at us all.
I asked him how it feels to have 7 beautiful ladies and a complete camera crew, invade his privacy.

"It feels weird," came the reply, "I'm not used to all this attention. But I signed up for this challenge, so I'd better get used to it. After all, it's only a 7 week project anyway..... isn't it?"

Those icy blue eyes look hopefully at me, and I can't help a small shiver running down my back.
Swallowing hard, I smile warmly, and assure him that this show will only have a 7 week deadline and no longer. After all, there IS a budget, and going on location and staying at the host's luxury house for free, is a master stroke indeed (saves us a lot of money).

However, the vacation lots are a different matter, as we've got to pay for those ourselves.

But free food, sadly, no accommodation (just our very own trailer parked just up the road) And unlimited access to everything in Chance's mansion, what more could you ask?

Ah! Here are our delightful young ladies. Right on cue.
And it appears there's a definite leader amongst them as Alexa instantly takes the lead when entering the mansion.



But what's this? She's immediately started to follow Chance straight up the stairs!!



And judging by this picture, he's very aware of this too.
Hmm, perhaps this is her way of getting to know him better.

Poor Chance. He's hardly had time to perform his 'necessary functions' when Alexa storms through the door.


"Do you mind? Ooooh, nice tushy there!"



Alexa appears to be ignoring him, concentrating on the shower cubicle before her.
That won't stop her from hearing him on the 'royal throne' though.
I just hope it's not a 'smelly' one.

When asked why she did it, followed Chance into the bathroom, her reply was innocent enough.
"Oh really? I did that? Oh wow, I didn't realise. I was just ... err... inspecting the shower in there."

O... k... a... y.

It appears that the newly installed roll top bath in another bathroom, has brought the delighted attention to three of our ladies.



So it appears that personal hygiene is very important to Serafina, Melissa and Averyelle.

In the meantime, downstairs, there's a difference of opinion, concerning some of the table lamps in the 'yellow' room.



Both Bridget and Melinda make their disapproval well know, whereas Bailey is easier to please and declares that she loves them. Also revealing that yellow just happens to be her favourite colour too.

"It's such a warm, bright and happy colour," she says softly.

Deciding that there wasn't much to 'see', when it came down to Chance, Alexa collared Sera in one of the bathrooms and they struck up a conversation together.
At least it's taken her mind of her 'first impression' of him anyway.




They seemed to be getting along well, chatting and giggling, until suddenly Sera began yawning, right in front of Alexa.



"Oh man, you are sooo full of yourself," she groaned, "one day here and already you're marking your territory. Give the rest of us a chance with this guy, okay?"

Oh wow, rivalry already.

This isn't the only snippet of female rivalry either.
Whilst all this was going on, downstairs, in the spacious kitchen, everybody else has begun to converge.
After all, the kitchen is officially, the heart of the house.




Being the gentleman that he is, Chance decides to serve the buffet, and whilst he's doing so, he's listening very carefully to everyone in the kitchen, observing them.



Melanie voiced her obvious disapproval over something, judging by the expressions on her face (way to go Melanie, don't try to hide your feelings there, Chance IS watching)

And the object of her disapproval?

This poor, defenceless table lamp.




The hidden microphone picked up Melanie's partly whispered comments.



"Ewww, it looks awful. Where the heck did he get that from.... a junk yard?"

Ahem, you know Chance will be watching playbacks of these events, and he'll be judging everyone's comments and behaviour too.



Well, Chance isn't the only one to notice Melanie's poorly hidden feelings. Melinda's taking a good, long hard look too. She's not saying much, but I can imagine what's going through her head.

Melinda and Bridget are getting on well too, with Melinda passing comment on Bridget's pretty top.



"Wow, I just love that top you're wearing."

"Oh really? Why this old thing? Why thank you very much I made it myself."

And Bridget returns the compliment too.



"That's a nice combo you're wearing too."

"Oh thank you, that's nice of you to notice. It's one of my favourites."

But then....

Uh oh.

What's this?



Bridget, gossipping?

And who is her victim?

"Have you heard about that Melanie?"
"No?"
"She's wearing hair extensions."
"No, really? How do you know?"
"Nobody's hair is THAT perfect. Nor that long either."



Oh my.
Oooh, catty. Meow.

Not only that, it appears that Averyelle is having a case of the green eyed monster too.
Not happy with feeling left out, she muscles in on the conversation.
Unfortunately, she picks on the wrong person with Bailey.
Instantly, Averyelle regrets her decision and makes it quite clear her feelings towards Bailey.



"La laaa, la, laaaa! You're like a broken record Bailey. Is that ALL you can talk about? babies? Oh man, you need a life."

"I'm sorry, Averyelle, it's all I ever want in life."

"You're severely stressing me out here! I only came to check him out and have a bit of fun."

"I'm pretty good at 'hug therapy' you know. If you want, I can show you."

"Whoa! Back off NO touching!! Okay?"




"I just thought I'd help."

"Well, I don't go for all that stuff okay?"

In the meantime, Alexa thought it wise to beat a hasty retreat and grab herself a plate of turkey. As she's the only on sitting at the table eating, this gives her some pause for thought.



I wonder what she's thinking, sitting there?

"What's wrong with a little ambition? I want to get my hands on Chance, and set myself up for the rest of my life. What's wrong with that? I'm sure Chance will only be too happy to support me, even if this lot doesn't."


Chance looks pretty content here, no signs of strained smiles and forced politeness at all.
Oh, just give it a day or so and see what happens then. One house, seven competitive women, all fighting for the rights over one man. At some point it IS going to turn ugly.

Let's see how Chance will cope with that one.

Sensing that there's going to be a few fireworks so early in this challenge, Chance decides to call together a game of Mah Jongg. Hopefully this will be a good relationship builder for them all.

As each one sits down, Chance takes a good long look at them.

Firstly he takes a good look at Melinda as she takes a chair.




"Quiet, conscientious, and the prettiest blue eyes I've seen. Doesn't say much, but is always eager to please everyone."

Then Melanie.




"Hmm, pretty. Wouldn't normally have gone for someone wearing glasses, but she's got potential. A little opinionated, but I'm sure I can overlook that one."

And lastly Sera.




"Wow, she's quite a striking woman, with the biggest eyes I've ever encountered and the fullest lips. She looks the passionate type. Hmm. There's such a wide selection of ladies here. It's going to be really tough choosing one of them. Thank goodness I have 7 weeks in which to make my decisions. Gives me time to get to know each and every one of them. Should be very interesting indeed."



And we leave you with a shot of the four of them, all playing Mah Jongg.

Wonder if Chance has already picked out a favourite yet?
We'll just have to wait and see. After all, it's only day one.
There are 7 weeks for him to enjoy the company of 7 attentive females, all wanting to win his heart.