The Prize Was You

(Barstools & Game Cards)

Wiping the glass absent-mindedly, Callie stared at the people sitting in the bar, drinking and chatting with their loved ones.

The music played softly, and the atmosphere was quiet and peaceful that night, which was very unlikely.

She wondered if those people had problems, and if they did, were their problems going away slowly? Because hers wasn't. Every dollar she sent home was like a drop in the ocean, useless.

It's been three months since she ran away from home to escape that horrendous man her father had forced her to marry. 

Callie refused to become someone's second-chance bride to save her family. The man wasn't even that wealthy to start with; even if she married him, it would take years for him to come up with the amount needed to cover her mother's medical bills.

So, instead of living with an ugly, controlling man for years and bearing all the unspeakable things he would do to her body and mental health, she'd rather worked her ass off; she believed in the dignity of labor.

It was hard on her, and the income wasn't encouraging, but she planned to search for more jobs. 

She was ready to do anything to help her mother, anything but marry old Richard.

"Hey," A hand suddenly waved in front of her face.

Callie blinked, concentrating her vision on the person in front of her. 

A smile appeared on her lips as she saw a young woman with short, curly black hair and a short black dress; she was too familiar with the brown eyes that stared mischievously at her.

It was her best friend.

"Melinda," she called with a smile.

"Lost in your thoughts again, farm girl? That glass looks shinier than my future," Melinda smirked, pointing at the glass Callie still held in her hand, wiping it.

"Damn, poor glass," Callie sighed, placing the glass down.

"Callie, you know nothing's going to go away by overthinking it." Melinda sat down on the long bar stool in front of the counter.

"I know. But it could go away with a drink," Callie chuckled and raised a bottle in front of Melinda.

Melinda sighed, trying her best to hold in her smile but failed at last, "Ah, fine, you know me. Pour me that problem solver, I'm breaking up with JJ," she fumed.

Callie laughed softly as she poured the drink into the glass she had just wiped.

"That's the 16th time this month, Melinda. Pity the poor lad," Callie pushed the drink to her friend.

"Pity? When he thinks the other models are cute, too," Melinda huffed and gulped her drink.

"Did you ask him if they were cute?" Callie asked as she poured another drink.

"Yes?" Melinda rolled her eyes.

Callie held in her laughter, "Did you expect him to lie?"

"Of course! Is he dumb?" Melinda gulped the second drink.

Callie sighed, shaking her head, "He's a doctor. He probably has medication for your mental disorientation," she picked another glass to wipe.

"Whatever. Anyway, that's not why I'm here. I'm here for two things," she raised two fingers to Callie.

Callie raised a surprised brow, "Two? I thought it was always one thing; what's new?" she questioned as she passed a drink to a customer.

Melinda nodded, "Yes, two."

Callie returned to her and shrugged, "What's the plus?" She buttoned the slippery button that always opened up each time she took her hands off it.

"Firstly, the job, and the plus is..." She rummaged through her small purse for something until she found what she was looking for.

"Aha! This!" Melinda slammed down a rectangular red card o. She counter.

Callie frowned, she watched curiously as Melinda took her hand away from the red card, and she finally got a better look at the card.

It was a red card with only two words written at the center in gold: "You're invited." And a golden line at the bottom right.

She looked up at Melinda to find her smirking at her.

"Like it?" Melinda asked.

"Like it? I don't know what the fuck that is," Callie replied.

Melinda facepalmed, "What?! Where do you live? Under a rock?" She was in disbelief.

Callie shrugged, "Maybe. Given I'm from the countryside, I don't have a TV and my phone is only for communication, so yeah, maybe I do live under a rock," she said.

"Well, that's why you have me," Melinda slid another card beside the red one.

This card was white with a few things written on it.

"This is the direction to your destiny. It happens once a year, and the slots are always limited. Luckily, a friend of a friend of a friend got it for JJ, but he already has me...unfortunately, so he doesn't need it, we don't need it. But you, my friend, need it," Melinda explained.

Callie blinked twice, "I don't understand a thing you said. You made zero sense."

"Melinda sighed, "No offence, my friend. You're drowning in hospital debt, and your mother's life is hanging on a thin, weak, shaky thread. You need money, and money is what I've brought you," she leaned closer to Callie.

"The biggest celebrity TV game show host, Harvey, is hosting his annual game show (that is, the couple with the most sizzling chemistry and votes from the audience) gets to go home with a cash prize of five thousand dollars or above," Melinda smirked as she saw the switch in Callie's eyes."

"Five thousand dollars? That's two months' worth of medical fees," Callie murmured in shock."

"Melinda chuckled, "Yes, my dear friend, and who knows? Your new catch might be liberal; he might even help you clear the bills. Only rich dudes go there," she winke. at Callie."

"Callie's face suddenly fell, "It always has to be a man... I don't want a relationship," she sighed.

"Melinda scoffed, "Then don't have one. Just be with him until he has solved all your problems, then you dump him," she advised.

"Callie shook her head, "I can't -"

"You will. The white card is your direction to the event, the red card is your pass to get in; you'll have to fill in your name in the golden line below. Oh, and don't bother about your outfit, I've already had everything personally sent to your room, so now you have no excuses." Melinda picked up the card and slid it into Callie's hand, smiling victoriously.

"Callie sighed. She knew she had nothing else to say. Melinda doesn't take no for an answer."

"Fine, but if I return without a man, dinto't get disappointed," she slid the cards in her pocket.

"Trust me, men love red hair, and your hips are -"

"Okay, okay, enough. You're mouth is too loose, that's why your father threatened to disown you." Callie moved away to attend to an older man.

Melinda scoffed, "He's free; he has the right to say whatever he wants, and I have the right to either agree or disagree. He's the one disowning me, not me disowning him," she muttered.

Callie returned with an empty bottle, "So? You mentioned the first option again; I told you I won't apply for a job," she reminded.

Melinda grinned, "You have the right to decide what you want, and so do I. I decided I was going to apply for the job on your behalf, and I did; see? You got an interview on Monday, a day after the game show," she showed Callie the interview email on her phone.

Callie stared in confusion and shock, her green eyes blinking from the phone to her best friend's face. 

"You... how did you get my email password? How did you find my documents?" she asked in disbelief as she stared at the invitation to an interview.

"Duh, I'm your best friend, I've got the keys to your house and a password to your phone. But, hey, jokes aside, I want to help Nalia; she's also like a mother to me. I can't currently help her with money, so I'm trying to help with everything I can. Please, just go for the interview, trust yourself," Melinda smiled.

Callie scoffed, "A country girl with no experience? Unless riding horses, milking cows, and planting crops are on the list, then I doubt they'd take me," she muttered.

"Come on, Callie, give yourself some credit. You studied Business Administration -"

"Yes, you're right, in the community college near Bandera," Callie chuckled dryly.

"Listen to me, you dumb child." Melinda suddenly grabbed Callie's shirt and pulled her closer.

Callie gasped in shock, " Melinda -"

"Quiet. Firstly, you will attend the game show, and, secondly, you will attend the interview. My efforts can never be wasted," she pushed Callie away with a huge frown.

"Easy, girl; you almost tore my shirt." Callie frowned as she dressed herself.

"I'm going on a trip with JJ, but trust me, I've got eyes on you; we'll be back two days after your interview, and I better be meeting you with a man and a Job." She placed her bills on the counter and sashayed off.

Callie sighed; she could feel it; this was where her journey in New York kicked off, and she sensed it was going to be a very bumpy ride.

A country girl out in the city...what should she expect?

How does this revised version look to you? Would you like any further adjustments or have any other questions?