14 applicants all claiming to be members of ‘Mensa’ endure a gruelling 10-week process in order to score a job with top businessman Baron Glucose. Every week the applicants are split into 2 teams and set an impossible task by the producers. One member from the team that fails the challenge to a greater degree is ejected from the competition, as the Baron flicks his wrist at them in disgust and utters his iconic catchphrase: “You’re dismissed”.
Week 8 of the process resumes back at the house with two candidates shouting at each other over whether they should continue with their affair, whilst another is at the £2,000 breakfast bar pouring himself a bowl of an unbranded cereal which look like mini doughnuts. Suddenly, there’s a knock at the door, the arguing and cereal munching halts as Baron Glucose enters the premises and walks into the kitchen. He notions for those present to go and fetch the other applicants, who hastily rush down and organise themselves into their teams.
The Baron commences standings by apologising for his usual aide’s disappearance due to him taking an unprecedented trip to Durham. As a replacement however, he has brought in the completely competent, straight talking socialist icon, Diana Monk. In this week’s challenge, the remaining candidates must use all their intelligence and gall to hunt down and purchase a series of items for the lowest price.
The teams go their separate ways and discuss between them how to approach this task. Every week each team must elect a “Bossman” who will take charge of the team and conduct proceedings with varying levels of success. Team “Peggy”, aptly named after a previously ejected applicant’s deceased grandmother, has elected Eleanor. Eleanor is a 28-year-old whose resume includes being a great aunt, working at ‘Tesco’ and possessing an award for having written over 1000 reviews on ‘Amazon’.
At a sad little café in Peckham the candidates stay silent. Trepidation fills their hearts as they mentally recite their grovelling speeches. Maxime puts his lips to the polystyrene cup he is holding and slurps upon the milky brew, glancing at both Eleanor and Steve; he knows he has to fight, the power couple of the house won’t go down easily and he is aware that they will team up against him as he failed to purchase the shoes.st. After many heated phone calls and discussions, both opposing teams finish the task having collected only 3 items between them. It’s time to head to the boardroom to see who failed more miserably, Baron Glucose will not be happy.
The tension rises higher than a drug addict in Amsterdam as the Baron walks in. His aides are quick to point out both team’s dismal performance, Ms Monk is particularly ruthless towards Eleanor, as she describes her performance as “very blonde”. Next are the numbers, who has won the task and will be rewarded with a trip to a cocktail bar in Soho? Its team “Mongoose”, yes, it turns out team “Peggy” did not manage to purchase a single item on the list. Baron Glucose looks to be in utter dismay as he sends them away to discuss among themselves whose fault this is.
At a sad little cafe in Peckham the candidates stay silent. Trepidation fills their hearts as they mentally recite their grovelling speeches. Maxime puts his lips to the polystyrene cup he is holding and slurps upon the milky brew, glancing at both Eleanor and Steve; he knows he has to fight, the power couple of the house won’t go down easily and he is aware that they will team up against him as he failed to purchase the shoes.
The candidates are pulled back into the boardroom. Instantaneously, they are at each other’s throats, throwing insults like they are Gordan Ramsey after being shown another undercooked fish. The power couple lay the failure heavily upon their teammate’s shoulders who retorts by questioning his “Bossman’s” leadership skills.
It has become clear that Baron Glucose’s mind is made up. He looks at Maxime and berates him for his failure to purchase the critical item. Tears roll down his face as he believes his time is up and that the power couple are victorious; but no, it is Eleanor the “Bossman” he now turns to, he confirms this is the end of the road. Flippantly, he raises his arm, flicks his wrist and recites those dreaded words “You’re dismissed”. All of a sudden, she is ejected from the process and catapulted through the ceiling leaving a hole above where she had once been sitting. She has now been ejected, just like so many candidates have been before… this is the brutal reality of 'The Protégé'. The Baron tells the remaining applicants to return to the house and count their blessings.
Next week 3 more of the remaining 5 applicants will be ejected from the process as we begin the interrogation week. 5 of Baron Glucose’s most trusted chums will take turns questioning the candidates in a ruthless manner which is not for the faint of heart, only 2 will make it to the final!
The hunt to find Baron Glucose’s next mailman continues…
Ciao.
Comentarios