Rhonda/Marlon/Angela/Dennis/Melanie - August 28

Another five people will be judged to see who is worthy of $25,000 on another episode of "Without Prejudice?". But this promises to be anything but easy as the factors that divide us - and the jury - are put to the test. Another important thing to remember is that it is not about who needs the money the most. In fact, the one question that is taboo is "What are you going to use the money for?"

Round 1: FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Tonight's players...

Rhonda Davis; 37; Long Island, NY
Marlon Miranda; 26; Pasadena, CA
Angela Hallis; 38; Wyoming, MI
Dennis Baker; 61; Oklahoma City, OK
Melanie Ramos; 31; The Bronx, NY

The panel judging them: Johnny White, Scott Burnette, Kathleen Hayes, Afrodyte Johnson, and Sharon Morris.

Johnny is put off by Rhonda. He is of the mindset that New Yorkers believe there are two types of people in the country: New Yorkers and everyone else. So is Melanie, but she's a bit more attractive. Kathleen thinks both Scott and Johnny are crazy. Afrodite and Scott want to get rid of Marlon.

The first vote...

Johnny: RHONDA DAVIS FROM LONG ISLAND
Afrodyte: MARLON
Sharon: MARLON
Scott: RHONDA
Kathleen: RHONDA

So based on first impressions, Rhonda is the first person to be eliminated, 3-2. "Maybe they heard the southern accent and thought I'd spend the money on curtains for my trailer." The panel will miss a middle class southerner who happened to be a gay serviceperson. She wanted to pay down debt and join the Peace Corps.

Round 2: BACKGROUND & EDUCATION

Marlon was born in Beverly Hills. Mom is Guatemalan. Dad was Mexican. Dad cheated on mom. Mom walked out. Growing up in Sherman Oaks was "hell" with shootings and beatings. He never joined a gang.

Angela grew up in Grand Rapids. Dad was a roofer. Mom was a carny. She traveled with her mother. She went to a community college. She dropped out after a year.

Dennis was born in Detroit. Mom worked two jobs as a nurse. Dad worked for Greyhound. He's close to his sister. When he was 4, the parents got a divorce. He felt deserted and empty, but a neighbor took him in under his wing. He felt like he couldn't go to college, but he did feel like the Army.

Melanie was born on Long Island to a single mom. Growing up in the Bronx was very poor. Wicker patio furniture was a living room set. She was caught in between gunfire more than once. She went to college, but dropped out.

Sharon doesn't think Dennis needs the money as much as the others. Scott is a Dennis fan. Sharon is impressed by Marlon, as was Afrodyte. Johnny thinks that Marlon, by throwin family in the mix, is not being genuine. Johnny thinks that Dennis has made a difference. Kathleen wants to vote out Angela. Johnny agrees, citing that she's a carny. The panel thinks that Johnny doesn't know which way he wants to lean.

Round 3: WORK & PERSONAL LIVES

Angela worked at her husband's factory. They've been together for 14 yeas. She always wanted to be a mom. She works at Kohl's as a cashier manager, making $13,000 to $15,000 a year.

Dennis was in the Army for three years, where he met his first wife, married for 28 years. He has two daughters from that relationship. His second wife was met at a bowling alley. He went to the Y and got a part-time job, making $40,000.

Melanie makes $60,000 as a legal secretary. She was in an abusive relationship. It made her a stronger person. She is currently married with child.

Marlon's wife is fine with Marlon sleeping with other women... Sometimes she watches. Sometimes she joins in. He's a photo technician worth $10,000.

Sharon on Marlon: "His ass doesn't get the money." Kathleen says that there's a lack of character to him. Everyone agrees that he's just flippant about his commitment to his marriage. Johnny and Sharon have it out about Marlon's sex life.

Time to vote.

Johnny: MARLON
Afrodyte: MARLON
Sharon: MARLON
Scott: MARLON
Kathleen: MARLON

We have a first... a five-way sweep, and Marlon doesn't get the money either. "I think they're narrow-minded idiots." He would've given the money to his mother.

Round 4: BELIEFS. All three are quizzed on three subjects.

Scott thinks that Angela is reading a dummy-card. Sharon liked Angela's views on gun. Johnny is disappointed in all three, especially Dennis on gun control. Afrodyte and Johnny get into it re: the guns. Scott says that we have the right to bear arms because of people who abuse said right. Melanie, on the other hand, hasn't gotten to a maturity level to have a solid opinion.

Round 5: BEHAVIOR. This round is aided and abetted by secret footage filmed in the green room with a fake contestant of small stature AND another of normal stature.

Angela thinks the short joke is funny. She can't make fun of people without laughing.

Dennis' words speak volumes: "Don't judge. He's a man. That's all. He's a midget. I'm a black man. Okay."

Melanie just calls the taller gentleman wrong. But not without saying "He's half an adult."

Everyone likes Dennis. Scott thinks that most people would react like Melanie would. Kathleen takes offense. Afrodyte says he's too young to make such a statement. Sharon thought that Angela and Dennis were both fun. Johnny asks Scott if he wants to take his judgment back. Johnny likes Angela. Melanie's immaturity shone through.

Time for another vote.

Johnny: MELANIE
Afrodyte: MELANIE
Sharon: MELANIE
Scott: MELANIE
Kathleen: MELANIE

Another five and out. This time, it's Melanie's exit. She was kinda expectant because of her laughing. "Everyone has their own opinion?" She would've used the money to get her family a home.

Final Round: THE INTERVIEW. Again, any question is fair game save for the question of what the money is going toward.

Angela is first. If she could send one message to her family, it would be to do what you want out of life. She's currently working on thrifting and finding a niche in that area. She says that the way she grew up would surprise people. It made her who she is today. Johnny was surprised. Angela works 35 hours a week. She does it for getting out of the house. She needs to be around friends. The money is secondary.

Next is Dennis. He wants to just be an example to the young people he comes in contact with, seeing someone who's walked the walk and talked the talk. Going back to being military and the right to bear arms. He believes a gun gives a false sense of security. He did fight in Vietnam. He says his job there was a combination of being told what to do and fighting for a greater purpose. He agrees that authorities are the only ones who should have a gun. He stands on his word about that. He wants to change the influence of our younger generation. His passions are music and Jesus.

Now the final decision. Remember, the panel is now voting for a winner. The verdict...

Johnny: ANGELA
Afrodyte: DENNIS
Sharon: DENNIS
Scott: ANGELA
Kathleen: DENNIS

By a 3-2 vote, Dennis wins $25,000... But first, let's bring Angela back. Angela would've started a business.

Dennis is told that he's $25,000 richer, but he's probably richer than even that. "Thank you, Lord. I can see my grandchildren's face now." He is going to use the money... well... tithe first, money second. Then comes his sister, who has been taking care of him a while. After that, he doesn't know.

So in the end, it was Dennis Baker, a 61-year-old retiree from Oklahoma City, who got the cash. That was "Without Prejudice." Next time, five more people compete for $25,000 just for being themselves.