The Global Challenge scavenger is a very unique creature. Without a bashful cell in its body, it can often be sighted at various fast food locations across the globe. Being well trained in adaptation and survival, this scavenger can blend in effortlessly. With heightened observational skills, it can quickly scan a room and determine the statistical probability of success. Having no pressing obligations and often time in abundance while waiting for a flight, this patient creature can linger as long as it takes to ensure satisfaction.
Often the experienced scavengers (dubbed the scavenge king or queen) would adopt an apprentice so as to increase the success of the pack. This way each pack member's chance of survival is ensured in case of separation. Training often includes many words of affirmation as abandoning dignity can be a difficult process for some. Once the pack has established a successful feast, the king or queen may go for a solo round. This is done more for the thrill than out of necessity.
When the pack goes out for a hunt, a table or booth is designated as the base from which individual members can be launched. All hunts are then brought to this communal surface for the feast. The spoils are shared equally over pleasant conversation, often discussing the next possible target.
The scavenger also has a natural competitor: the cleaning lady. There are multiple methods of approaching this rival:
1. Hit and run
This method is suitable for pack or solo scavenging and requires speed, agility and stealth. As the urban predators leave there table, the scavenger does a casual walk by, acquiring anything useful that might be left behind before the rival has noticed the unoccupied space. In a solo round, the scavenger might decide to just sit down and blend in, projecting an image of confidence while enjoying the meal.
2. Distraction
Often the pack may salvage a few good bites before being noticed by the rival. This often results in multiplication of cleaners, crowding the hunting ground. At this point one pack member would be sent to distract the cleaner by pretending to not know how the cleaning station works, while the others clear the tables.
3. Pleading
At times inexperienced scavengers have been forced to go out on solo rounds out of desperation. Despite patiently waiting for the jackpot of spoils and gathering the courage to move, a lack of speed may result in a showdown with the cleaner. This awkward silent staring contest is then broken by the scavenger pleading for the food. The unexpected boldness is often met with complete disbelief and surrender of the spoils out of pity. However, one stands the chance of being chased out of the establishment. This method is not recommended and should only be used as a last resort.
4. Befriend and minionise
Probably the rarest of methods and requires a specific social personality together with some mind control. The scavenger immediately befriends the rival and in an unnatural partnership, the rules of the hunt change. A table is acquired where the once rival now minion brings food that they find and presents it to the scavenge master. This method, though rare, often delivers the best results with the scavenger often leaving with a care package for later.
Skill is only effective in the right setting and location. Locations are often chosen according to availability and time of day, even though a preference would be presented as follows:
1. Burger King - always busy and with generous portion sizes the chance of left overs are favourable. Unfortunately they are not found everywhere in the world.
2. McDonalds - the artificial goodness is often the image but not the taste of the young urban yuppie, resulting in half eaten burgers and piles of fries being abandoned. Ideal hunting grounds.
3. KFC - the favourite location for young families, left overs are often taken home for the children to enjoy later. More difficult hunting grounds but staff are often more likely to give away free buckets of chicken at the opportune moments.
So next time you visit your favourite fast food establishment, keep a look out for this creature. And if the opportunity presents itself … feed it!
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