This kind of contest is a very common literary device.

这种较量是非常文学化的桥段。

耶鲁公开课 - 旧约导论课程节选

There's an old Saturday Night Live routine where one of the actors is in the doctor's office, and the doctor gives him the very sad news that he's got two minutes left to live.

有个周六夜现场的老桥段是,一个演员在医务室里，医生告诉他了一个非常悲伤的消息,说他还有两分钟活的时间。

耶鲁公开课 - 死亡课程节选