Quinnipiac, Ep. 2

November 5, 2013 — In Literary Death Match's victorious return to Quinnipiac University for our second-ever episode in Connecticut, it was Sam Austin who narrowly outshined co-finalist Joe Virgillito in a wild game of Literary Pictionary that finished with a closer-than-it-appears score of 13-3 to win Austin the LDM Quinnipiac crown. 

But before the finale was even a consideration, the night kicked off with Virgillito's milk- and chesty-infused tale that had the crowd in titters. Next up was Tanner Celestin who read her story The Long Way Back, which had the crowd wanting way, way more. 

The mic was then handed over to the quadtet of all-star judges: Danielle Susi, QU grad, MFA writing student at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Elissa Bassist, editor of "Funny Women" column on TheRumpus.net; and Dan Wilbur, comedian, author ofHow Not to Read, and curator of Better Book Titles. The trio reeled off an array of apt and wild commentary before making the night's first impossible decision, naming Virgillito as the night's first finalist. 

After a jalapeno popper and chicken tender-infused intermission, Round 2 kicked off with Sam Austin's verbal pyrotechnics about her father tucking her into bed. Finally it was Michael Bobenhausen who reeled off a performative piece about the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen: his niece. 

Again the judges were center stage, with Wilbur admitting his fear over Bobenhausen's obvious might, while Bassist loved Austin's choice in eyewear, and after a long deliberation, they emerged with a split decision, deciding it would be Austin who would advance as the night's second finalist.

Then host and LDM creator Adrian Todd Zuniga stepped up to announce the night's finale: Literary Pictionary, in which Austin and Virgillito were tasked with naming the book that audience members — like Dustin Pedroia — drew. With a 8-3 lead and five points on the line, it was Team Austin who first shouted "The Color Purple!" winning Austin the LDM Quinnipiac, Ep. 2 medal, and literary immortality to go with it. 

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