“Yeah, they’re right here in my purse.” She pulled them out to show the other two girls that she had indeed remembered to bring the tickets. “Our numbers are 19-24-48-15-9.”
“19-24-48-15-9,” Stacey recited, trying to remember the numbers. “I think I got it.”
A local English speaking television station was sponsoring the contest. Anyone who wanted to enter had to buy a ticket, choose numbers, and report to the station the night of the drawing to see if they had won. If the winner wasn’t in the studio audience, they would lose their prize: a summer on the new pop tour with the Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, Britney Spears, Jordan Knight, and Christina Aguilera. Not wanting to miss their chance at winning even the consolation prize, the three girls had skipped the school dance so they could bask in the glory of winning at least.
They were let in by the doorman and were instructed to go to a room at the rear of the studio. When Stacey opened the door, she saw that it led to a TV studio packed with people, most of whom were teenagers. “Man, you would think that half of Paris is in here,” she said, sitting down in a seat close to the front of the studio.
“There are a lot of people who have entered this contest,” Katherine said. “We probably don’t stand a chance.”
“Just think positively,” Summer instructed. “I know we’re going to win something. I can feel it.”
The audience was instructed to quiet down when the people doing the drawing came out onto the small stage. “And now, for the moment you have been waiting for all night, Paris!” the host said. “We are doing the drawing to see who will go on the summer tour of a lifetime with pop sensations Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, and more!”
“The only disadvantage to winning is that we have to spend the summer with the bitch,” Summer remarked. “At least we get to hang with Christina.”
“And now, we’re pulling the first number.” The machine popped up a yellow ball. The host held it up. “The first number is 19.”
“That’s us!” Stacey squealed excitedly.
Another ball popped up. “The next number is... 24!”
Katherine shrieked when she looked at the ticket. “Ohmigod!”
“Next number is 48!”
Summer began to get tears in her eyes. “Two more, two more,” she whispered.
“After that we have 15!”
Summer screamed. “One more and we win!”
“And the final number is... may we have complete silence in the studio... 9.”
All three girls screamed. Summer had tears of joy streaming down her face, Stacey couldn’t stop screaming, and Katherine was shaking. A spotlight beamed down on them.
“And we have the winners!” the host announced. “Will you girls come down?”
Still half-hysterical with excitement, the girls walked down to the stage. The audience was cheering loudly for them. “What are your names?” the host asked.
Summer said, “I’m Summer...”
“I’m Stacey.”
“And I’m Katherine.”
“Well, girls, how do you feel now that you’ve won the trip?”
“Like... wow!” Summer stammered.
“I can’t believe it!” Katherine remarked.
“Ohmigod!” Stacey screamed.
“Well, better start packing, ‘cause you’re gonna be leaving on June 2 to fly to Washington DC, USA, where the Summer Daze tour will be launched. Be prepared for the summer of your lives, girls!”