“ULTIMATE REALITY” Joe Morris dreamed of producing the ultimate reality contest—one that pushes people to their absolute limits. His creation—a game called “Isolation” — involves placing contestants in an empty room where they sit, alone, and do nothing. When a major TV network decides to give his idea a chance, the most controversial television show in America hits the airwaves, and captures the attention of a worldwide audience. The idea is simple. Ten people are locked away, each alone in a room, and the one who can last the longest comes away with a ten million dollar prize. The contestants, including a yoga instructor, an animal rights activist, and even an ordinary housewife from Pittsburgh, are locked into their cells with nothing more than the clothing on their backs. With no television, books or music to keep them distracted, they embark on a long, tedious struggle for mental survival. During their quiet, mind-numbing journey, their mental and physical health deteriorates, and soon the camera on the wall becomes the only “friend” that they can talk to. A huge success, the show enjoys high ratings, but eventually becomes the target of human interest groups worldwide. Three years later and with two contestants remaining, the network fights to keep the show alive. Despite his newfound success, Joe finds himself alone and soon discovers that the only person with whom he feels a true connection is completely out of reach. Or is she? In a society of endless distractions including cell phones, instant messaging and video games, “Ultimate Reality” asks the ultimate question—how long could you be alone? |