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Hello all,

I decided to participate in Garima´s writing challenge. She started the story and it is up to us - "writers" - to complete it..

Here is her beginning of the story :

Carrie Allen took a deep breath and sat down on the couch in the drawing room next to Brad, twin brother. She knew their father going to give them a bad news. She glanced at Brad who shook his head. He appeared just as shocked as she was that their father had called them into the room. Their father sat in the chair across from them with a serious look in his face.She didn't want to hear what he would say next but knew she didn't have a choice. She was aware of the ticking the grandfather clock in the corner of the room as she waited for him to speak.

"Brad, Carrie, that isn't easy to say", Their father paused. "I am bankrupt"...................................

so let me add now my part of the story to finish it ;-)

All of a sudden somebody opened the door.

"Helloooo my darlings, I am soooo sorry for being late." said Mrs. Allen and added: "You wouldn't believe how tiring the shoping can be! By the way have you noticed my new awesome hairstyle?"

None of them was strong enough to interrupt her. Since Mrs. Allen was very talkative, without noticing anything suspecious she carried on: "Actually, I am furious!! The last boutique I wanted to buy new fashiobable blue dress there - you know how much i love blue color - so when I was paying, the shop assistant told me they couldn't accept my golden card!!!! She said, there was no money!! So I scolded her and left."

They all were staring at her with envious feeling - she still didn't know it.

Mr. Allen said : "Dear, sit down, I have just started my speech."

The atmosphere in the room was very tense. Mrs. Allen sat down and felt little bit confused. She was wondering why they all are giving her such strange faces.

"Well, let me again repeat my last sentence." Mr. Allen paused, took deep breath and announced : " My family, I am bankrupt."

Mrs. Allen didn't believe her ears. "Whaaaatatttt? This isn't good joke, my dear husband!!!"

Carrie interrupted shocked Mrs. Allen: "Mom, daddy isn't kidding, our life seems to be in ruins. Then she turned and with serious face continued: "As if I didn't tell you, dad, as if I didn't beg - pleaseee, stop going to Las Vegas every weekend but we all knew you became addicted to poker. We all overlooked it. My friends will leave me if I am just a poor girl, I can't imagine it at alll!!!!" said Carrie with accusative tone of voice..

Such day is the nightmare of all the celebrities. To lose money means as for their social life - to die. Those who are rich usually want more but that's life - easy come, easy go.. The Allen's family was popular because of their dad who was well-known director. The kids were spoiled and their mom got easily used to the luxurious life. Now they all will realize what it means to lose everything, they will find out how cruel life can be...

Mr. Allen is nervous like he has never been before but ready to come up with the only one solution. Solution how to save the family. His voice is not so strong as usual, his self confidence is gone, therefore he decided to continue with his speech:

"My beloved family ... do believe me such situation isn't anything enjoyable. I am very stressed, depressed, yesterday I was even thinking about the suicide but then ...then I realized I have you !!! I admit, I am fully responsible for the situation we have to face now!!"

Mrs. Allen's face was totally white like the wall behind her, she interrupted her husband, actually it was her bad habbit: "Dear, this is tragedy!!!! What are we going to do? You know I used to be a model when I was younger but now at the age of fifty.... I can't do that anymore!!! We are lost!!!" she couldn't control herself and started crying..

"My darling, stop crying I have one solution. I will tell u now but please, don't interrupt me." answered Mr.Allen.

"Well.... one of my friends, the director of famous reality show came to me with an interesting offer. He asked me if our family would take part in his show. We wouldn't compete there, just cameras would record us for one month. The way we live, the way we treat each other etc. Since we are very popular family, people will be interested in watching us - no doubt. If we agree we will earn enough money to cover all the debts and if it is among the most watched programmes, we can even earn some extra money."

Brad started laughing: "Dad, that's cool!!! Wooow, all people will be watching us!! I am so excited!! Count on me, I am IN."

Carrie was sceptical and not so fond of this idea as her brother: "Dad, I can't imagine this. My all privacy will be gone."

Mr. Allen expected such reaction and was ready to answer: "My Carrie, you are absolutely right. To get money back we have to sacrify something. In fact if we go for it we can literally say we sell our privacy for one month but as u all can see there isn't any other option. Do u agree with me?"

Mrs. Allen used her psychological abilities and tried to persuade Carrie in her own way: "My little princess, I think one month isn't such a long time. It might be interesting for you since you always dreamt of being actress. Take it like this. Now u have opportunity to try it."

Mr. Allen felt like he must get to know their responses immediately otherwise he would get mad soon. After few everlasting minutes of deep thinking and listening to the ticking clocks, he asked: "Are you in, my dear family?"

Carrie answered: "Dad, we are family, we should support each other so you can count on me too."

Mrs. Allen just added: "All for one, one for all!! The Allen's family will rock!!!"

Such reactions touched Mr. Allen's heart. He caught himself after many months giving a smile and he felt after long time happy. His family didn't disappoint him and he gave them promise that he would never touch any cards till his last breath....