The host of Floor marches toward me in polished shoes. He seizes my hand where it hangs limply at my side, and pumps it up and down. “Welcome to Floor, Adam.” Bannerman turns to the crowd and spreads his arms theatrically. “The show where your best friend is—”
“Balance!” the audience lustily responds.
The studio lighting diverges into spotlights. They spin across the crowd and dance across the arena in front of the stage, giving me my first glimpse of the obstacle course. It looks so much bigger in real life than on our television screen at home.
A trickle of sweat runs down my back. Bannerman’s talking to me, but I can’t hear what he’s saying over the pounding of my heart in my ears. I try to focus on his mouth, but he’s already turning toward a huge screen descending onto the stage.
“And this is what brought Adam to Floor today, ladies and gentlemen.” Bannerman’s voice becomes weighted with emotion. “Just look at that darling girl. Who wouldn’t chance everything for a precious daughter like that?”
