Page 4 of The Dinner Party

“So?” Avery asks eagerly. “Are you interested?”

This job seems like the answer to your prayers. But at the same time, there’s something in your gut telling you this isn’t a good idea. Are you really this desperate for money?

To take the waitressing job, turn to Chapter 7 (page 13)

To decline the job because it will almost certainly get you killed, turn to Chapter 5 (page 16)

5

“I’m sorry,” you tell Avery. “It just sounds really sketchy. I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Are you sure?” she presses you. “That’s a lot of money for one night of waitressing. And I know you’re short on cash.”

She’s right. But your gut is telling you it would be a mistake to take that job. Somehow, you’ll find a way to raise rent money.

“Thanks for thinking of me,” you say, “but I’m going to have to say no.”

“Your loss.”

You hang up the phone, and for a moment, you wonder if you’ve made a mistake. You really need that money.

Continue to Chapter 6 (page 14)

6

You’re not going to take any unnecessary risks. One way or another, you’ll figure out how to scrape together the funds to pay the rent. And even though she told you she wants you out by tomorrow if you don’t pay, you’re sure Blair doesn’t really mean it. After all, what’s she going to do? Grab all your clothes from your drawers and throw them out the window? Then force you to live in a makeshift fort in the alley next to the building?

Of course not. That’s ridiculous.

You take a break from thinking about money. Instead, you decide to spend the night in your room, curled up with a novel, reading about a character who made more interesting choices than you just did.

Tomorrow, you will look into that OnlyFans site. You’ve always had an interest in HVAC units, ceiling fans, and artisanal desk fans. This could be the beginning of a great new career.

THE END

Want to try for a different ending? Turn back to Chapter 1 (page 1)!

7

“Fine,” you tell Avery, “I’ll take the job.”

“That’s wonderful!” She sounds happier than anyone rightfully should after convincing a friend to take a waitressing job. “You won’t regret this, Sloan.”

That remains to be seen.

First, you have to convince Blair to lend you her car. That will be no easy task, but it’s the only way you’re going to be able to drive out to Peyton’s Peak. Even if you could afford it, no Uber will go out that far.

You knock on the door to Blair’s bedroom. Based on the sounds coming from inside, you’re definitely interrupting them in the middle of something, but given that those sounds are always going on, you don’t have much of a choice. You hear swearing behind the door, then Blair yanks it open, looking annoyed.

“What is it, Sloan?”

“Um.” You wring your hands together. “I was wondering if I could borrow your car tonight?”

Blair looks at you like you just asked her to promise you her firstborn. She folds her arms across her chest. “Why?”

“I got a waitressing job,” you explain. “But it’s out at Peyton’s Peak. It’s a hike, but it’ll pay enough that I can give you the rent tomorrow.”

Blair considers this. She doesn’t like to lend you her car, but she wants that rent money.