30. AUDITION

Returning to school wasn't difficult for Bastian at all. On the contrary, he was looking forward to seeing his friends and new, exciting lessons.

He and Laura seem to hang on to their teacher's every word. The same couldn't be said about Rom and Paul.

Bas: This lesson was awesome!

Rom: Ugh, boring, I'd definitely prefer outside classes.

New: Hey, anyone want to play marbles?

Bas: Me! I'm Bas, and you?

New: Arno.

Bas: What are the rules exactly?

Laura: Bas, what rock have you been living under? You have to hit the marbles outside the circle!

Bas: I hit it!

Arno: Oh no! You displaced mine.

Paul: Haha, I'm winning! I already have 3!

Bas: I have to go home, do you want to come over to play?

Laura: Sure! We can play at the treehouse!

Paul: Hey, but you didn't let me finish. I would have definitely won!

When you're having a good time, time flies by. It started to get dark.

Maja: Maybe you'll stay a little longer?

Laura: No, thank you, Mrs. Drozd, we have to go now.

Jace: Come by more often!

Maja: You know, my PR agency called today and they think I should be on some reality show.

Jace: Reality show? Really?

Maja: So tomorrow I have an audition for MasterCook.

Jace: What? But you don't like cooking.

Maja: I don't know how to cook, that doesn't necessarily mean I don't like it. Besides, I didn't have much choice.

Maja: I could have chosen this or Married at First Sul Sul. Second option was rather out of the question. They also suggested Keeping Up With the Drozds, but I prefer to protect Bastian's privacy. Don't worry, I'll manage. And maybe I'll discover a hidden talent?

Meanwhile Bas suddenly felt a loose tooth. He wondered if the Tooth Fairy would come too, like Father Winter did. Let's make an experiment. It shouldn't be that hard, after all, you just have to pull a little... Done! Tooth Fairy, please replace that tooth with something cool.

Excited Bas didn't sleep long and woke up before dawn. Tooth Fairy was there, apparently! Took the tooth and left him 2 posters! He was hoping for something more, but this could work too.

In the morning, Jace was shooting a campaign, this time for sportswear. He asked Celeste and Jamar to pose for him during their daily morning jog.

Meanwhile...

Selected public figures came for the audition today to compete in a special edition of the program:

This is ... MASTERCOOK CELEBRITIES!

The biggest culinary program, unforgettable emotions and the best jury!

Raj Rosaya - a perfectionist and demanding perfection chef.

Jesminder Bheeda - an unparalleled master of mixology.

Salim Benali - an uncompromising food critic and a well-known blogger, creator of delicious content.

Contestants have one task - to prepare a dish that will prove to the jury that cooking is their passion. Only the best will take part in an unforgettable culinary adventure of their lives. The hunt for the next champion begins now.

Maja Drozd is a talented vlogger who has already gained millions of followers. She came to us from San Sequoia to prove to herself and others that you can learn to cook if you truly want to. Privately, she is a wife and mother of an 8-year-old son.

Jesminder: Salim, that's kind of your industry, social media.

Raj: So what are you going to make for us today, Maja?

Maja: Vegetable dumplings. Finely chopped seasonal vegetables, in a delicious pastry, baked, served with a soy based sauce.

Raj: Well, bring it on.

Jesminder: That might be interesting.

Salim: Do not forget, though, Maja doesn't have much experience in cooking, and dumplings are only level 1 cooking.

Raj: Maybe she'll surprise us, sometimes you don't need much, the important thing is to cook with your heart.

Jesminder: So, shall we try?

Jesminder: To be honest, this is not MasterCook level. I can't accept level 1 meal in this program. That's not enough. In addition, the sauce came out too sour. It's a no from me.

Raj: I think, the dumplings defended themselves, a proper tasty dish, I'd like to see how you cope with more difficult ones. That's saying, it's a yes from me.

Jesminder: Salim, what do you think?

Maja: I thought this moment lasted forever.

Salim: You seem very talented. As a vlogger. I sometimes watch your content. There's not much cooking in there, though. Where this idea came from, to take part in MasterCook?

Maja: Well...  My PR agent suggested it's a great opportunity. And cooking can't be that hard, right?

Salim: I think for this program you need to have at least one if not both: either excellent level of cooking skill or a great passion for cuisine. You lack both. Sorry, it's a no from me.

Maja: That's ok. I've never been the best in cooking. Or I should say, I never was really cooking, before that program, haha! That garden salad once upon a time can't be counted, haha. But it was still worth trying and a great experience. And I didn't set the studio on fire, that's something!

Jace: I'm sorry it didn't work out.

Maja: And I'm not, really. Now that I think about it, what was I thinking?? Me? Cooking? Nah...

Bas: Can we watch The Adventures of Spaceship Simulation? Pleaseeee...

Jace: I'm sure there will be other chances, hun.

Bas: Shh! It's started!

After the exciting movie, Bas couldn't sleep again, and his imagination was working at an even higher level. Suddenly, he heard something.

Bas: Oh hello there! You're so cool! I'm Bastian, and this is my room. How did you come here? Are you an alien, like in the movie? We can be friends if you want. 

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