Popularity Contest, Episode 10: Vega's Most Popular New Resident Is...

At the last town meeting, the citizens of Vega selected their final two candidates. Alex retained the number one position with Rory trailing right behind him. Although Jose dropped out of the picture, he left behind a large fan base. As both Rory and Alex know, the candidate who wins over Jose fans can easily topple the other and take home the grand prize. The question is, who were Jose's voters?

As the town meeting concludes at the County Barn, Host Jonathan has one last bit of business to take care of. Young cowpoke Riley is called to the floor to pick host family names out of a hat one last time. The first name called is Jackson, and Rory is jumping for joy. She'll be going to "Jackson-ville!" The next name pulled is Kirkland and Alex gets to leave with his numero uno host family. It was the luck of the draw that the final contestants get to spend the next three days with their favorite fans. The final voting ceremony will take place in three days.

Alex and Rory take the floor to make a final announcement. Alex tells the audience that on Saturday night he and Rory are having a little get together. They are throwing themselves a going away party. Everyone's invited!

Alex doesn't think the town could have gotten two finer competitors for the final vote. He knows Rory will be working the town for the next three days. For him to win, he'll have to exceed that. He thinks there's a good chance that Jose's votes will go to Rory. Alex settles in with the Kirklands, who have invited in a few Alex supporters. While he receives star treatment and signs a few autographs for the local children, Rory is back at the Jacksons making barbequed ribs and jambalaya for the following day's lunch service at the Hickory Inn.

Rory plans on letting her fingers do the walking. She's going to telephone the townsfolk asking for their support. She is also going to continue trying to secure the cowboy and working man votes. Klay's mom and step-dad were two of Jose's biggest supporters. She figures a way for her to grab Jose's votes is to set her sights on them! She calls Klay’s mom, Bonnie Arrendondo, and asks if she can borrow her oven to cook some ribs. Greg Arrendondo holds the key to the Hispanic vote, with that in mind and ribs in hand, she and Klay hightail it to their home.

Rory had been up all night finishing with the ribs. The following morning the phone rings and the call is for Rory. Host Jonathan is on the line. He congratulates her for making it into the final two. It's time for her to think about what she's going to do with the prize money. Sheesh, she's already thought about that. What about the money she has to give to a resident in town? Well, she has thought about that too! Jonathan asks her to pick three residents that she would consider giving the money to, as there will be a special dinner party tonight. Rory thinks that sounds like fun. She'll pick three and Host Jonathan will take care of the invitations.

Rory takes their conversation in stride but when Jonathan asks the same of Alex, the idea of picking three residents puts Alex in a tailspin. It can't be anyone besides these three people? Wow, this is putting him on the spot! Determined to pick the right people, Alex hauls out the phone book to survey the townsfolk. "If you were awarded the fifty grand, what would you do with it?" He is a dialing, questioning fool! Quincy tells him that she would give a grand to every organization in the community. She thinks it would have negative impact if he gave the winnings to just one person.

Rory has the ribs and jambalaya finished and down to the Hickory Inn by ten in the morning. Young Charles Proaps talks about how Rory's ribs are deeelicious (slurp) while Hickory Inn owner Theresa Proaps chats with the camera about the finalists. She thinks if the town voted tonight, Alex would win largely due to the rumors of Rory's cursing. Theresa will continue to root for the underdog. Unfortunately, that dog is Rory.

It's two days before the County Meeting and the finalists have been summoned to report to the Town Square. They pedal their butts to their destination, meeting up with Host Jonathan and Sheriff Medlin. Obviously, they have yet to experience all the town of Vega has to offer. The other contestants have all been escorted from town, maybe its time Rory and Alex take a little ride with the Sheriff.

The Sheriff drives them all over the county. Seeing nothing but cows, Alex wonders if they'll have to kill their own dinner. They come across the Dewee Ranch, which is huge and has thousands of acres of land. Rory would love to own a ranch like this one. As they pull to a stop they see targets lined up for shooting. After a month of non-stop competing, Alex and Rory will get to blow off a little steam. Sheriff Medlin is treating them to a little down home shoot-out.

A single action Colt 45 will be the first weapon of choice. John Wayne would be envious! The Sheriff gives the finalists their final instructions, then yells, "Fire!" Alex seems to be right on target, but Rory hears pinging when she shoots. The Sheriff thinks she hit a cow in the next county over. Alex wins the first round. Two Smith and Wessons are handed to them and once again there is a shooting frenzy, with Alex again hitting the mark. Alex feels like "Dirty Harry!" He just wanted to sit back and say, "Make my day, baby!" Finally, Rory shows her mettle when a 9mm Glock is placed in her hand. She is nailing 'em dead to center and loving every minute of it. It's a win for Rory and a high five for the both of them.

While the target practice was taking place, Host Jonathan was handing out dinner invitations to the possible recipients of the fifty grand. The invitations read, "You are cordially invited to a dinner party tonight. Please be at the Court House at 4 p.m." Alex had chosen Perry Kirkland, Patty Fairchild, and Calvin Groneman as his guests while Rory had selected Myrna Jackson, Gran Dot, and Klay Waters to accompany her.

Unaware of why they have been invited to this special dinner, Rory, Alex, and their guests gather together at the dining room table in a lovely log cabin. Alex proposed a toast, letting the guests know how much he ("they" Rory reminds him) have appreciated the friendships they've formed and experiences they have had. Glasses are raised. Upon the final "hear, hear," Host Jonathan enters the room, greeting the guests. He explains that the reason they were invited to this food fest is because they are the people Rory and Alex have chosen as possible recipients of the $50,000 grand prize. Leaving that bit of information as food for thought, he tells them to enjoy their dinner and instructs the finalists to use their time wisely. (Do I hear a deafening silence in the room?) Rory is uncomfortable, so Alex takes the lead. "Shall we eat!"