Chapter 35: The “Soul Survivor” Deserters: Transcript of Interviews with Cassie Clark

Cassie Clark:  There’s been a new, remarkable development out at the Farallone islands on “Soul Survivor.”  Three contestants have deserted the island and the program.  I’m at the small plane arrival terminal at San Francisco International Airport, watching a helicopter land not far from the terminal.  Three people are getting out and walking in to the terminal.  A production assistant is stopping them and asking them to come in to this room with me, one at a time, to be interviewed about what’s happened.  It looks like they’re agreeing to be interviewed.  Here comes the first one now.  (pause) The first of the deserters is Marc Ryan.  Marc, you worked so hard to get to “Soul Survivor,” and to stay in the game.  I understand you’ve always been known as a really hard worker.

Marc:  That’s true, Cassie.  I have always worked hard at whatever my goal has been at the time.

Cassie:  So what happened that made you decide to desert “Soul Survivor?”

Marc:  My goals changed.  Being on the island was a great experience for me.  I was challenged in ways that enabled me to prove some things to myself, about what I was willing to do and to go through.  But as every day went by on that island, I kept asking myself the same question.  One day I got a different answer.

Cassie:  What was that question you were asking yourself?  Was it whether it was worth it?

Marc:  Close, but that’s not it.  My question was what I was really doing it all for.  In the beginning, I was doing it for myself, to prove I could do anything to win what I wanted.  The day before yesterday, the answer I came up with was I was doing it for my family.  To prove myself worthy of being a part of the family I gave up for my work.  I realized the best thing I could do to prove myself worthy of them was to go to them, beg their forgiveness and ask if they’ll have me back.

Cassie:  Marc, you’re divorced, is that right?

Marc:  Yes, I am.

Cassie:  Does your ex-wife have any idea you’ve decided this?  Are they expecting you?

Marc:  I don’t think they have any idea.  I hope that, by the time this program is aired, I’ll already be with them.  In fact, I’ve got a plane to catch.

Cassie:  Well, Marc, best of luck to you.  I hope it all works out.

Marc:  Thanks Cassie.

*                      *                      *

Cassie:  Baby, thanks for joining us.

Baby:  No problem, Cassie.

Cassie:  I’m usually not at a loss for words but I feel like I don’t know where to begin.  I’m not sure what question to ask you first?
Baby:  Try one.

Cassie:  Okay, having been raped on live television in front of millions of viewers, how does it feel to be interviewed now?

Baby:  It was live?  You’re telling me it was broadcast live??

Cassie:  I am.  Oh my.  You didn’t know.  I’m sorry that’s a shock to you.  I’m going to give Baby a minute to compose herself.  Let’s turn the camera and audio off.

*                      *                      *

Cassie:  We’re back with Baby, who just learned that the crime committed against her was being broadcast live as it was being committed.  Baby, I am so sorry you found out that way.  Baby has some things she’d like to say.

Baby:  Thanks Cassie.  Being raped was a terrible thing.  I’ve always thought of myself as strong in spirit.  It’s part of what made me a good performer.  I wasn’t afraid to be sexy in front of people, or to share my talents by singing and dancing.  I enjoyed being on stage.  I got a real thrill out of getting a crowd going.  This wasn’t like that.  I’ve never wanted to be a victim.

Cassie:  You didn’t know it was being broadcast live at the time?

Baby:  No.  None of us did.  Now that I think about it, though, I’m kind of glad.  At least there will never be any doubt about what happened to me.  There’s proof.  You told me millions of people saw it happen.

Cassie:  That’s right, Baby.  You have a really brave attitude.

Baby:  I’m not brave.  It’s humiliating but I guess it’s better it’s out in the open.  I am hopeful that what happened to me will bring more attention to how vulnerable women are, even now, and how important it is that we support legislation, judges and laws that provide women their rights and protect women’s bodies.

Cassie:  Wow.  I’m really impressed with what you’re saying and the stand you’re taking.

Baby:  Cassie, what happened to me was awful.  I’ll never forget it and I don’t think I can ever live it down.  But if I can make something, anything good come out of it, I can keep on going.

Cassie:  Maybe more women, hearing you speak like you just did after what happened to you will speak out or take action when they’re threatened or if a crime has been committed against them.

Baby:  I hope so.

Cassie:  One more question.  What made you desert the program?

Baby:  After what happened to me the outcome of “Soul Survivor,” isn’t important anymore.  Winning a million dollars by being the last one left on that god-forsaken island didn’t seem like such a prize after all.  I’ve got more important things to do with my life.  I wanted to change the way people think about me.  That’s been done.

Cassie:  It sure has.  Sounds like you’re beginning a campaign.

Baby:  A campaign against rape and for women.

Cassie:  Let me know how I can help!  Best wishes to you.

_{*                              *                              *}

Cassie:  Our last guest for this special episode of “Soul Survivor,” the Deserters, is Daryl Stocks.  Daryl, I’ve interviewed you before during the baseball season.

Daryl:  I remember.

Cassie:  I’m really surprised to be interviewing you today.

Daryl:  Me too.  I thought I’d be doing interviews after having won the competition.

Cassie:  You did really well in the landing and had shown yourself to be a strong team player in your interactions with others on the island.  But you didn’t seem to get along with Jack.  Why was that?

Daryl:  I don’t want to speak ill of Jack.  I’m sure he had some good qualities.  Maybe they just didn’t come out on the island.

Cassie:  What did you see in him?
Daryl:  I thought he acted like a spoiled rich kid most of the time.  After what he did to Baby I felt like justice couldn’t be too quick or too harsh in dealing with him.  He took advantage of that woman in a way no man ever should.  Being on that island, I thought we were entitled to give him the justice he deserved.  As it turned out, we didn’t have to.

Cassie:  And yet, Baby showed him mercy.

Daryl:  There are angels here on earth.  She’s one of them, in my view.

Cassie:  Then lightning struck!  What did you think when that happened?

Daryl:  I thought there is a God and there is justice in the world.  Not that I ever doubted, but that event made it really clear.

Cassie:  Do you think you’re responsible for Jack’s death?

Daryl:  I’m not sure what happened to Jack, but whatever took place, I know God willed it to happen.

Cassie:  It will be interesting to see what the authorities think.  Have they contacted you?

Daryl:  No, they haven’t.

Cassie:  What happened that made you decide to desert the island and the contest?

Daryl:  I thought I could judge another man, then I saw the hand of God and I thought it was a miracle it wasn’t striking me down the way it struck Jack down.  I needed to get off that island at the first opportunity to set some things straight in my life.  I’m grateful to Marc for giving me that opportunity.  He’s the man with the helicopter and I’m grateful to him for it.

Cassie:  Tell us about how it happened.

Daryl:  We all heard a strange sound this morning, didn’t know what it was at first.  It turned out it was a helicopter landing on the island.  This pilot dude shows up at that door and asks for Marc.  Can you believe that?  Asks if Mr. Ryan is there.  Says his ride to SFO has arrived.  Marc asked if anybody else wanted to go.  Baby said she was going.  I thought, “Good for her!  Best thing for her to get the hell of that island!”  Then I thought, what about me?  What was I hanging around for?  What was more time on that island or that prize money going to buy me I don’t already have?  Nothing, I thought.  Nothing.  I already know I’m a survivor.  I’ve already got enough money.  I thought I’d do better to come back and face up to my own problems right here.  Try to get some things straight between myself and God.”

Cassie:  Are you talking about the steroid scandal?

Daryl:  I am.  I’d like to put it behind me.  Not just for me, but for Cal and everybody else who is caught up in it.

Cassie:  Do you think you’ll ever really be able to put it behind you?

Daryl:  I don’t know, Cassie.  I’m praying on it.  I trust in God it will work out for the best.

Cassie:  I hope so, Daryl.  It sounds like a courageous path you’re taking.

Daryl:  It’s time to do what’s right.

Cassie:  I’d like to thank Baby, Marc and Daryl for being my guests today.  Each of them has shared their thoughts with us immediately upon leaving the island.  These interviews will not be broadcast until after the outcome of “Soul Survivor,” is known.  By the time these interviews airs we’ll be able to provide some additional perspective on what has happened to Baby, Marc and Daryl since we talked with them today.  Thanks for tuning in.