The TODD

“Stop trying to make the TODD happen Viv, it’s never going to happen.” Celeste teases Viv.

“What’s the TODD?” Cassie asks Viv.

‘The TODD’s a bullshit reason not to be sandwiched by four gorgeous women right now, is what it is.’ you think to yourself.

“It’s—” Celeste tried to explain, but Viv stopped her from continuing, “Silence, Wench!”.

“It will all become clear. All in due time.” Viv adds cryptically.

“I’m guessing this is something you guys didn’t do the other night, if you’re asking about it?” Stella asks Cassie, who shakes her head to signify that Stella’s assumption is correct.

“Okay, five bucks says this is going to be something stupid.” Stella bets Cassie. Celeste shakes her head at Cassie upon hearing Stella propose the bet.

“Wait, are you signaling not to take the bet because it IS stupid, or it’s NOT stupid?” Cassie outright asks Celeste.

“Former.”, “Latter.” Celeste and Viv answer respectively, at the same time.

“I’m not taking that bet.” Cassie answers, after hearing Celeste and Viv’s answers.

“Worry not, my dear Stella.” Viv tells your daughter while caressing her cheek. “Soon! You will acquire more than just dollars of five.” Viv says with the same dramatic flair as before. “Soon! You will acquire knowledge! Maybe even a pound of flesh!” Viv adds emphatically. You look back at Celeste who is just hiding her face in her hand shaking her head like a disappointed mother at their child. She’s been through this enough times you’re guessing.

“Soon!” Viv repeats in epic fashion. “Hey garcon! That’s your cue to come inside with the bottle! Oh crap, I forgot I told him I'd use the clicker.” Viv says before using the clicker again. The waiter promptly enters the room carrying a tray on each hand, bottles of vodka, the cocktails, and the shot glasses; and is about to place them on the table when Viv grabs a bottle of vodka away from him. “We have the final piece!” Viv announces, raising the bottle. The server immediately leaves the room once he leaves the trays on the table.

“Now that all the elements of the TODD are among us, we may begin the 75th annual—” “Not even close.” Celeste interjects during Viv’s pause. “TODD!” Viv shouts raising both her hands, and Cassie tries to be supportive and claps for Viv’s pageantry.

“Don’t encourage her, Cassie.” Celeste says.

“Ladies and gentleman, the name of the game is Truth! Otherwise! Drink! Slash! Dare!” Viv enthusiastically announces like a game show host.

“So Truth or Dare.” Stella says unimpressed.

“The TODD!” Viv shouts again.

“It’s Truth or Dare.” Brooke agrees with Stella, but Viv is undeterred.

“The rules are simple!” Viv remains focused on the theatricality of this.

“It’s actually in the name of the game.” Tanya jokes, making the other girls laugh.

“We spin a bottle!” Viv adds.

“You don’t say?” Stella asks sarcastically as a joke, but Viv remains focused.

“The person it points to shall be asked a question by the one who spun the bottle, and the one it points to shall be the next spinner of the bottle. After five spins, we all have to take a drink. Team Chill, can just chill and sip their mocktails. I won’t **** them.” Viv explains.

“Now, onto the more important rules. The questions MUST be something naughty about somebody else in the group. If they refuse to answer, they must take a drink!” Viv announces.

“Oh, so Truth or dare with extra rules?” Cassie asks.

“However, refusing to answer a question has compounding consequences. Every time you refuse results in having to take an extra shot. You refuse to answer once, one shot. Twice? Two shots. Thrice? You get the idea.” Viv adds.

“Okay, so naughty questions about each other that we can’t refuse to answer unless we want **** poisoning. Got it. What about ‘Team Chill’ though?” Stella asks.

“Great question! If one does not wish to drink as a consequence of not answering, they must do a ‘Dare’. ‘Dares’, like ‘Truths’, must be something naughty, that involves somebody else in the group, or the person making the dare.” Viv answers.

“Now everyone knows exactly why Viv wants to play this game.” Celeste remarks.

“The dare can involve a maximum of two other people, not including the one being dared. If any of them don’t want to do the dare, that means they’re quitting. After one person quits, Drinks plus one. You’re sitting at having to drink two shots? After somebody quits, now you have to drink three. Passing out from drinks is also considered a forfeit. Adding shots after somebody forfeits makes ‘Dares’ much more frequent. Since ‘Team Chill’ doesn’t want to drink, they have no other choice but to do ‘Dares’ if they refuse to answer a question.” Viv adds to her explanation.

Being honest with yourself, you kinda want to play this game now too, knowing there’s six hot women with you and every dare has to be naughty. Sounds fun.

“How naughty are we talking about?” you ask Viv, who gives you a knowing smile.

“As naughty as you want, amigo.” Viv answers you with a wink.

“Don’t take that as a positive Jay. She once dared—” Celeste warns you, but Viv stops her again by cutting her off.

“Don’t make me Celeste. Shut up right now.” Viv warns Celeste, and Celeste immediately goes silent.

‘What the fuck was that about?’

“What stops people from just quitting the game then?” Brooke asks.

“Nothing.” Celeste quickly answers.

“Another good question! My lovely assistant is correct. Nothing stops you from quitting. The goal is to actually make people quit. Since the last woman standing gets the prize.” Viv says enticingly, while also already counting you out.

“Five bucks says the prize is underwhelming.” Stella bets with Cassie again.

Surprisingly, unlike the previous times, Cassie doesn’t refuse this time, and says, “Bet.”

“What’s the prize?” Tanya asks.

“Free meals at my restaurant for life.” Viv answers. Stella immediately gestures to Cassie to pay up.

“Oh, and fifty grand courtesy of one Becca Hoffman.” Viv adds.

“No fucking way!” Stella reacts excitedly, and everyone seems to be in shock at that bit of information as everyone’s jaw is to the floor. Now it’s Cassie who's asking Stella to pay up. Your cousin is noticeably concerned at the mention of Becca providing that amount of money for Viv.

“When’d you swing that deal, Viv?” Celeste asks.

“After lunch. After you guys left.” Viv says innocently.

“No fucking way Becca agreed to that just to entice us to play this stupid game.” Celeste reacts in disbelief.

“Oh, I made her an offer she can’t refuse.” Viv answers with a wink, and Celeste immediately understands what that deal entails. Everybody else kind of understands too, based on what transpired at Dorsia earlier.

“Becca must be really into you, if she’s willing to put up fifty grand just for a game.” Stella comments before slapping Cassie’s hand that’s asking for payment.

“Oh, she’s not. She just likes to play with toys she can’t have on the reg.” Viv says cryptically, and you notice her glancing at Celeste once more. “Plus, it’s not like I’m not winning, anyway.” Viv says assuredly.

“For fifty grand? I think you’ll have competition there V.” Tanya says with a confident smirk.

“Can you fucking imagine what we could buy with fifty grand?” Stella asks Cassie excitedly while shaking her in excitement.

“Okay, but don’t forget there’s a lifetime of free meals at my restaurant on the line too. Don’t be shy to act excited about that.” Viv jokingly reminds the group.

“I'm so~ going to buy a new car!” Stella adds, totally ignoring Viv’s comment in her excitement at the prospect of winning fifty grand.

“And park it where, baby?” you ask her, trying to be rational for her. Although, you are amused at how excited your daughter is right now.

“I don’t think you guys know what—” Celeste started saying but Viv didn't let her finish once more.

“Last warning, C. You know I’m crazy enough to do it.” Viv silences her with a serious look on her face, and Celeste goes quiet once again. Once Viv is sure Celeste is going to stay quiet, Viv goes back to game show host mode.

“Now that everyone is salivating at the idea of getting free meals at my restaurant for life,” Viv begins to announce in her game show host voice once more.

“Shall we play a game?”