Nura looked as assured as she had been all night when the time came for her to give an answer. She knew she was ahead of the competition by a mile, and so did everybody else in the venue.
She then picked the least likely letter in not just the word on the board, but any word in Wheel of Fortune history. The audience furrowed their brows in disbelief as Nura confidently uttered “Z.” Steve could not believe what he’d just heard. His friendly countenance abruptly turned contemplative.
Comfortably In the Lead
From the outset, the competition between the three was far from close. The spectators could foresee Nura easily taking out her competitors, as she was able to glide along consistently while they were struggling. In the game’s penultimate round, she had taken a commanding lead, sweeping the board with $13,970 securely stowed in the bank.
Steve and Troy could only fight on, their chances dim. Troy had $4,300, while Steve had won nothing at all, perhaps already resigned to the fact that he would be leaving with fond memories of the event and nothing more.
Nura, You're On
By the time the last round spun into action, all eyes had turned to Nura. Time was on her side right from the beginning, and all she had to do was to stay consistent and ward off distractions. Steve and Troy could only watch in admiration, and yet a part of them still wanted to compete. After Troy correctly called a “T” in the two-letter clue word, Nura was up next.
What Nura did at this stage of the competition left the audience puzzled. It wasn’t what they had anticipated at all. When the camera panned across them, you could see them looking around, puzzled and apparently seeking answers from those seated close by. All they got were the same confused looks.
"Zay What Now?"
The game’s host, Pat Sajak, heard Nura’s answer the first time, but could not believe it. Just like everyone else at the time, he didn’t know how to react to her answer and instead instinctively blurted out, “say that again for me. Did you say ‘Z?’”
Steve had been expecting Nura to correct her answer and select a more logical letter. The expectant audience was also waiting for her to come up with a new answer, the one they believe she had intended to give the first time. But Nura confidently repeated her answer, showing no signs of having erred. “As in Zulu,” she backed up her response. Now firmly locking in her certainty in the letter “Z.”
Too Much Pressure?
Having heard her confirm an obviously illogical answer, Sajak replied in shock, “You did say ‘Z.’ Okay.” Still baffled by Nura’s decision, and unable to mask his reaction, he faced the board. Its failure to light up surprised exactly no one at all.
Pat Sajak dismissed this part of Nura’s participation and considered it a mere momentary lapse of reason. A lot of things could go on in a competitor’s mind under pressure. Steve’s turn was up and he correctly guessed the letter “R.” Troy answered “S” and gained mild applause. And then it was Nura’s turn to spin again.