Maggie
The money is gone?
Dad
I’m so sorry, sunshine.
Dad
It was supposed to be a sure thing.
Dad
They told me the horse couldn’t lose.
My heart seizes in my throat.
Maggie
But that was my college fund!
Maggie
You promised me you wouldn’t touch it.
He makes a sound of regret.
Dad
I don’t want you to worry.
Dad
I promise I’ll get it back and then some.
Dad
There’s a poker game tonight at Clyde’s and—
I grip the phone tighter.
Maggie
You never win at Clyde’s, Dad!
Maggie
Last week, you said you’d never go back there.
Dad
Well, it doesn’t matter.
Dad
Because the song I’m working on is going to be big.
Dad
It’ll put me right back on the charts, you’ll see—
Unable to listen to what I know is coming next.
My dad was once a famous rock star…
But that was a long time ago.
He’s all washed up, but refuses to accept it.
And now, he’s gambled away my college fund.
How am I ever going to forgive him for this?
I’m so infuriated, I can’t sit still.
I get up from the bench I was sitting on…
And enter the campus cafeteria in a daze.
I grab a salad for lunch…
But I can’t even manage to take a bite.
My appetite has disappeared.
I throw the food in the trash and head for the door.
My mind buzzes with my new reality.
A mix of panic and sadness crashes through me…
But that’s when I see it.
Through the veil of tears.
It’s on the billboard by the exit…
A large green sign that reads…
There’s a crowd of students standing around it.
I edge in to grab a flyer…
And ask the girl next to me what’s going on.
Girl
You know that TV show?
Maggie
But I’ve never seen it before.
Girl
Oh my god, you have to watch.
Girl
It’s like, a game show about love.
Girl
3 couples compete, and whichever pair knows each other best, wins.
She leans down to whisper in my ear.
Girl
But everyone knows it’s more of a popularity contest.
Girl
Usually the hottest couple comes out on top.
Girl
Anyway, they’re casting HERE.
Girl
3 lucky couples from this campus are going to get picked!
The small spark of hope I had instantly burns out.
I haven’t had a boyfriend since high school.
And girls like me don’t make for popular TV.
I turn away and head for the exit…
Feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders.
But just before I reach the door…
What could HE possibly want?
His arrogant smirk annoys me.
Everything about him annoys me.
He’s one of the most popular guys on campus.
And let’s just say, he knows it.
I can’t help the tightness in my voice when I respond.
Maggie
Don’t call me that.
Maggie
And I seriously doubt that we do.
Maggie
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get to class.
He feigns a hurt expression.
Jake
Come on, don’t do me like that.
Jake
I thought we were friends.
Maggie
We had 1 class together freshman year.
Maggie
And all you ever did was ask me to borrow pens.
Maggie
Pens I never got back, by the way.
His big blue eyes crinkle with amusement.
Jake
I have a way to make it up to you.
I’m too mentally exhausted to put up a fight…
So I let him drag me outside.
Once we’re seated on a bench, he doesn’t waste time.
The same flyer I saw below that green sign.
Jake
I saw you looking at this just now.
Jake
Are you thinking of auditioning for the show?
I can’t even begin to figure out why he wants to know this.
Maggie
I was looking, yes.
Maggie
But no, I’m not auditioning.
For some reason, I blush.
Maggie
I’m not seeing anyone.
He claps his hands together, making me jump.
Jake
Just what I wanted to hear.
His face breaks out into a huge grin.
Jake
I have a proposition for you.
I stare at him, both offended and confused.
Maggie
What are you talking about?
His face suddenly looks more serious than I’ve ever seen it.
He looks around to see if anyone is listening…
Then whispers conspiratorially in my ear.
Jake
I think you and I should team up for the show.
Jake
You know, as a couple.
Jake
I think together, we can win this.
His words take a second to compute.
But once they do, I can’t help it.
Maggie
You are so full of it!
I push the flyer into his chest and stand up.
Maggie
I don’t have time for this.
Maggie
I have a lot going on and—
Jake
No, no, hear me out!
There’s a note of desperation in his voice…
So I stop and look down at him.
And instantly, I’m such a sucker.
Jake
I know what it takes to win.
Jake
And guys like me always win.
Maggie
Do you mean guys with inflated egos?
His lips quiver with amusement.
Jake
Guys that are charming and outgoing.
Jake
Guys that know just how to present themselves to the camera.
Maggie
Wow. You really ARE full of yourself, aren’t you?
Jake
If we play this right…
Jake
I really think we can pull it off.
I scoff, and look at him incredulously.
Maggie
What’s with the “we”?
Maggie
Why are you asking me?
Maggie
You actually think people will believe we’re a couple?
My voice turns a bit shrill.
Maggie
I’ve seen the girls you date, Jake.
Maggie
Tall, exotic-looking brunettes in designer clothes.
I gesture down at my jeans and university sweatshirt.
Then point to my head of white-blonde hair.
Maggie
I’m on the math team.
Maggie
I’ve been to like, 3 parties, and 1 was an accident.
Maggie
I’m not exactly your type.
Then looks me straight in the eyes.
Jake
But you are Colt Collins’ daughter.
Jake
I think that will give us an edge.
My dad’s name hangs heavy between us.
I should have known that’s what this was about.
If Jake only knew how far Colt Collins has fallen from grace.
Sure, there have been 1 or 2 embarrassing stories in the news…
But I doubt anyone would guess that my dad would blow my college fund.
Maggie
You’re wrong about that.
Maggie
You should ask someone else.
But the next thing he says stops me cold.
Jake
I’ll let you keep all the money.
