It was "open season on love" as Mindy, an Alberta photo-lab manager, put it during Wednesday night's Bachelor Canada première of the series that used a mansion on Bear Mountain as its home base.
Tracy, a University of Victoria grad student, could relate. She was another of the 25 women who demonstrated a bachelorette's gotta do what a bachelorette's gotta do when it comes to winning the heart of former Canadian Football League receiver Brad Smith.
Despite Tracy's best efforts, it wasn't enough to guarantee one of the 14 red roses Smith handed to survivors.
Still, the 28-year-old who describes becoming Canada's Oprah as her dream job, stood out. You had to root for Tracy when she cut in on Gabrielle, the Oakville, Ont., law student who established herself as the villain of the piece, prompting murmurs and stares of disbelief when she plucked Brad away from conversation with a crowd of beauties.
"I know that wasn't very long but I think it's my turn," said Tracy when she dared interrupt Gabrielle's tête-à -tête with Brad.
"If you come back in a few minutes we'll be done," said Gabrielle. "Give us two minutes."
"OK, I'll give you two minutes," Tracy said. "I think that's fair."
When Tracy returned, Gabrielle was incensed.
"That is rude what you're doing," she huffed. "I don't like being interrupted."
"I did steal Brad away," Tracy conceded later. "I did what I had to do."
Tracy's cheerful disposition was in stark contrast to feisty Gabrielle, who did little to redeem herself when she told Whitney, a Calgary administrative assistant, it's "kinda skanky" to kiss a guy the first time she meets him.
Whitney, who did just that, received Brad's rose for best first impression.
And that's the kind of night it was - a guilty pleasure rife with eye candy, tension and amusing come-ons.
"If you're lucky I'll take you for a ride," teased Winnipeg strip-club server Amber, pulling up in a motorcycle.
One by one, the other bachelorettes met Brad after exiting a limousine - cue the stiletto close-ups. If first impressions counted - "he's super hot" and "so sexy" were overheard - it's no wonder Brad, as attractive as the gals, smiled so much.
"I'm going to make it to first, second and third base with the bachelor, and, who knows, maybe a home run," declared Kara, a Delta grad student.
The Bachelor Canada was nothing if not picturesque, with stunning aerial shots of Greater Victoria and that photogenic luxury home built for former Bear Mountain Resort chief and NHLer Len Barrie.
