Like the group’s other challenges, the first line was provided, the word limit was a maximum of 250 words. This entry didn’t win but I still like it!

She stared at it. She knew she’d have to open it eventually but if she did, everything might change. But for better or worse? She thought about the acts she’d auditioned. The Flower Sisters – pretty, but their lyrics horribly saccharine. Paul – a beautiful voice, but his only background music a twangy acoustic guitar. Balance – a so-called boy band now so long in the tooth they would more accurately be called the wrinklies. Jordan – golden curls, blue eyes, and no stage presence whatsoever.

They were all efficient musicians, but would any of them stir up a crowd? She needed an act that would have women fighting over tickets for the gigs, screaming in the aisles, and throwing their panties onto the stage. She needed bad boys with attitude, discordant acts that would make the critics cringe but satisfy her audience’s need for something new, something punk. She wanted lyric that would be banned by all the radio stations, pushing up the sales of tracks and tie-in merchandise. She envisioned the T-shirt slogans and the internet memes.

Oh yes, it was time for change. Grinning, Pandora opened the box.