Miss. Illinois walked onstage with a quiet purpose. Staring intently above the spotlights, she began,


    The room seemed to pause. Miss. Illinois stood illuminated in her glaring white spotlight, the inner corners of her eyes glistening and her hands tight on her microphone. The judges sat frozen with pens in hand, and the oldest and middle provider looked at each other, bewildered, while the youngest stared up at Miss. Illinois with the same tears in her eyes.


    Finally, Miss. Hawaii padded onstage, wrapped her arm around Miss. Illinois, and led her off-stage. The last thing the producers saw was Miss. Wisconsin enveloping her in a hug.


    Miss. Illinois was disqualified for profanity, and the contest continued.


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