Prologue

Keanu Mayberry could finally admit that his current job as president of Oakcrest was hard work. A little background info might clear up the fact that Oakcrest is the name of the district that the story you are most likely about to read is set in. This district is one of 5 separate domains; Ísbæ, Oakcrest, Urbana, Riarsozona and Flussstadt. Our Keanu over here is the president of Oakcrest, which is on the far South of Maptropolis, and he has been for almost a year. As of late, the past few days have seen him mowing through mountains of paperwork in preparation for the Golden Acorn Challenge.

This Golden Acorn Challenge was nothing exciting, really, apart from its culinary action, hoards of contestants from afar travelling to take part, it's more of the sort of thing your grandparents would only find interesting. Consequently, this was to be Keanu's first time organising Golden Acorn challenge, as it was to take place in Oakcrest this year, so the pressure to get things right was ever-present. Luckily, and as always, he had his best friends Sadie and George to help see him through.

"You're on the last pile of paperwork, for now, so you should have time to make yourself presentable before you greet the guests," Sadie assured him, placing a loving hand on his shoulder.

Keanu's hand by now was losing the will to live, George was adjusting his beanie and noting down some illegible notes and Sadie was indirectly staring at Keanu through the mirror in the corner of the room. All was quiet if not for the clicking of Keanu's pen on paper or the faint babble of the contenders outside and the soft breathing of those inside the throne room. Unfortunately, this somewhat idyllic moment of peace was one to be savoured to the full, since it was the last time the three friends would share time like this in a long, long time.

Meanwhile, as Sadie's eyes moved to the window, our attention was drawn to what was outside, we had the patient crowds of chefs and lovers of food queuing at the bottom of the manor hill. These people defined the word potential, as they brandished their lucky cooking utensils and checked they brought everything they needed. The challenge wasn't to start for another five days, but for those who'd travelled further, the manor was to accommodate them until the challenge began. Chiming in on the 11th hour, the clock rang across the courtyard and the gates of the manor were thrown open, causing the crowds to gasp with anticipation.

Back in the quiet of Keanu's office, the door slowly opened. It was Darcy.

"The TV crew has arrived, Dad." She said quietly, hidden behind the door.

Her mother, Sadie, crosses over to the door, "Let's show them in, for now, your father has a few more things to finish."

And with that, the two of them left.

George tore off a page in his notebook.

"Just some prompts in case you forget what to say when you get up there," he explained.

"Thanks, George, I don't know what I'd do without you two."

George shrugged smugly, "I'll go check on things outside now, see you around,"

With the others gone and the paperwork finished, Keanu took a moment to read over George's notes. It was then that he remembered that George's handwriting was pretty much indecipherable.

He sighed.

"I suppose we better get this started,"