The Apprentice, Episode 11: Eye of the Tiger

Versacorp isn’t done poaching yet. Katrina tells one of the models that she can go ahead and take people out of Protégé’s line and send them over to Versacorp. Troy notices and tells the model, who he calls “sweetheart,” to step away. She’s pretty as a peach, but she needs to step away. Heh.

Versacorp looks really desperate. They had exactly one idea – the car rental giveaway. To promote it, they had – that’s right – one idea, to hire models. When they saw the great ideas Protégé had, all they knew to do was try to steal them. But the actual members of Versacorp didn’t even have the nerve to do it themselves; they just sent the models. It’s a pitiful display on Versacorp’s part.

Next, Amy notices that Troy is getting a good response by using a microphone. So she get her very own microphone and walks into the casino, inviting people over the loudspeaker to come see the 2003 Chrysler Crossfire. Carolyn and Mark watch, unimpressed. Carolyn points out that Amy is actually luring people away from the casino floor. Mark adds, “And she’s screaming into the casino.”

We’re treated to a montage of Amy and Troy dueling with their microphones. Katrina thinks the microphone is a bad idea, and that they need something with shock value.

Did somebody say shock value? That’s Protégé’s cue to bring out the tiger. Katrina looks stunned, and Nick looks very worried. Nick is on the microphone, promoting the car and says, “Please direct your attention to the 2003… well, I can’t really beat the tiger.” Hee!

Kwame says that the tiger was great, and that it really demoralized the other team. Bill isn’t so sure if it’ll work, though. If people come to look at the tiger, they’re not on the floor gambling. Versacorp, of course, thinks that it’s terrible strategy. Nick says that they want people signed up and playing, not looking at animals. Right, because looking at a car instead is a much better option.

Trump arrives via helicopter and first visits Protégé. Kwame introduces Trump to the cheering crowd. Trump then goes to Versacorp to say hello to Amy. Amy says that they’re focused on getting people registered, not on stunts. She asks, “Do you want people watching lions for two hours or do you want them gambling?” Trump says he’d prefer that they gamble… although I bet he’s not opposed to having the magic show that’s playing in his hotel promoted.

Versacorp and Protégé end the night by choosing their winners, and then head to the blackjack area to hear the results of the challenge. Carolyn reports that Versacorp registered 1,337 players who gambled $105,362. Mark says that Protégé only signed up 776 players, but because they concentrated on high rollers, they got $123,159. Protégé wins, and, as Trump says, “Amy, you finally lost.” The winning team’s reward is a night in the penthouse suite of the hotel, plus $3,000 gambling money. Now that is a reward! Much better than ten minutes alone with Trump or the opportunity to see his apartment.

If you do the math, there is no question that Protégé’s strategy of targeting high rollers won them the game. Versacorp’s players spent an average of $79 each, but Protégé’s spent $159. In other words, the average Protégé player spent twice the that money the average Versacorp player did. Good job, Bill.

Protégé is thrilled to pieces. They head up to the penthouse, which is lavish and fabulous. Bill immediately hits the bar and says, “You want a man drink, McClain, or do you want a girl drink?” Troy responds, “Man me up!” Hee! The men are giddy, having worked hard all day with nothing but chocolate to eat. The three of them play blackjack and look like they’re having an absolute blast. Bill says that the team is putting on a happy face and that the past conflicts are water under the bridge.

Back in the suite, Amy is a nervous wreck. She can’t sleep, so she’s at the computer typing up her strategy for the boardroom. She realizes that as project manager, much of the responsibility for the loss is on her. Nick thinks that since she’s never had to go to the boardroom before, she’s at a bit of a disadvantage. She has no idea what to expect. Katrina is worried. She thinks that because of Nick and Amy’s relationship, neither of them would take the other to the boardroom. She adds that Trump thinks Amy is an all-star because the teams have given him that impression by always choosing her.

In the boardroom, Trump asks Amy how she feels about losing. She hates it and admits Protégé’s strategy of attracting big spenders was a smart one. Nick adds that Bill pre-negotiated exclusive access to the VIP customers. Amy says, “I think Bill is my biggest competition.” Nick looks absolutely crushed, and then he actually lowers his lip into a pout. It’s hilarious; I watched it three times.

Trump points out that their strategy actually got people out of the casino, but Amy says that she was just getting people from the upper levels to come downstairs. Carolyn says that a $300 rental car wasn’t enough of a draw. If they had been giving away a car, that would have been impressive, Trump says. Katrina agrees. Mark says that Protégé created a fun atmosphere, whereas Versacorp’s was more like a meat market. Katrina says that she wanted to create a fun, circus-like atmosphere, but that no one listened to her.