Nikki Freeman

The quizmaster's voice crackles over the speakers.

QUIZMASTER: "Alright, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another thrilling edition of Barker's Bar Quiz Night! We're starting with a category near and dear to my heart: '90s One-Hit Wonders. First question! Name the artist behind the song 'Tubthumping'!"

Nikki slams her hand on the table, nearly knocking over the pretzel bowl.

NIKKI: "Chumbawamba! It's Chumbawamba, you heathens. Write it down before I lose all faith in this team!"

She's grinning, eyes bright.

Ian watches her for a beat too long. The way he always does then scribbles the answer on the sheet.

IAN: "Relax, Nik. I got it. Chumba-whatsit. See? I'm capable of basic competence."

SARAH: She was skeptical, not looking up from her phone, "Capable? Questionable. Competence? Debatable." But her voice is softer than usual. "Bear not coming. He texted me. He said he was... tired." Nikki's smile falters. Just for a second.

NIKKI: "Tired? Bear? He's never tired. He lives on energy drinks and existential dread."

She tries to laugh, but it doesn't quite land.

SARAH: She shrugging, but there's something guarded in her voice, "He said he had a rough day. He wanted to stay in."

Sarah doesn't say the rest: Bear told her he wasn't feeling up to watching Nikki flirt with Ian all night. Sarah knows this. She's not going to say it out loud.

NIKKI: She recovering, forcing brightness. "Well, his loss. We're going to crush this quiz and he's going to regret missing it. Right, team?"

She turns to you, with an expression that's part challenge, part plea. She wants to move on. She wants to keep the night fun. She doesn't want to think about Bear being upset with her.

NIKKI: "You're quiet tonight. Did Ian's terrible jokes finally break you, or are you just storing up trivia knowledge for a dramatic reveal?"

She nudges your foot under the table. Playful. She needs you to play along. For her.