MADISON
This is it everyone. Whatever happens, I’m proud of us.
SAM
I’m not.
CHASE
Serious question: if we all lose, do you think we made a difference?
SAM
Yeah. Not a good one though.
LORENZO
Everything we did was well-intentioned. That should count for something, right?
REAGAN
Let’s just all take a deep breath. I bet the elections will actually be close now that we got that good endorsement from those SugarCity factory workers that went viral.
ADAM
Alright everyone, looks like the results are coming in.
LINCOLN
Yeah let’s be quiet, I want to watch this.
Everyone stares with their eyes glued to the TV for hours.
CUT to three hours later.
MADISON
Well it’s been fun guys. Guess I have the honors of being the first to know I lost re-election.
ADAM
Sorry Madison. If it makes you feel any better, looks like I’m minutes away from losing too.
REAGAN
What are you guys talking about? Did nobody notice that me and Sam lost, like, an hour ago?
SAM
Yeah, I knew I was gonna lose but I was hoping it’d be a bit closer.
CHASE
Annnnnnnd would you look at that. Your friend Chase is a one-term representative.
LINCOLN looks away from the TV and over to everyone else.
LINCOLN
Not gonna lie guys, this sucks. If I end up being the only one who wins, it’s not gonna be the same going back to the Capitol.
SAM
Lincoln, look at the TV again. They just called your race. You lost by less than a percentage point.
LINCOLN
Well I covered the spread, at least.
CHASE
Yeah, I did too.
MADISON
Me too. See, it’s not ALL bad.
LORENZO
Just one question left: do people still want to get a cotton candy beer with King Lorenzo.
CUT to two hours later.
MADISON
I don’t even know what to say.
LORENZO
I know what to say: Lorenzo’s Opponent: 49.99%, Lorenzo: 49.98%, Write-In: 0.03%. I’m going to a runoff election!
LINCOLN
There were no write-ins in our elections. But congratulations Lorenzo, maybe you do have a chance.
SAM
I’d like to point out that had it not been for runoff elections, Lorenzo would’ve also lost.
LORENZO
I don’t even know if I want to serve another term if I can’t do it with you guys.
ADAM
Really? You should do it. We have our law practice, it would be nice for you to have your own thing.
REAGAN
Lorenzo, are you dropping out of the race?
LORENZO
What? Of course not! It’s fun to run for office!
CHASE
It’s been a long day. Adam, do you mind if we all just crash on your couch tonight?
ADAM
Sure.
Everyone falls asleep. When they wake up in the morning, ADAM turns on the TV. A report has come out with allegations of widespread voter fraud in all their elections.
MADISON
Are you kidding me?! The elections were rigged against us?!
SAM
Let’s not jump to any conclusions. This could’ve been the results with the elections rigged FOR us.
MADISON
I’d like to think otherwise.
LORENZO
Maybe they really were saying they were gonna rig my election at that debate. They didn’t do a very good job at doing it if we’re doing a runoff.
LINCOLN
You guys don’t think SugarCity committed voter fraud…right?
LORENZO
No way! I know Fred. He wouldn’t do that.
LINCOLN
Well let’s hope if there was voter fraud, it was the other side committing it. We’re down, but not out.
LORENZO
I have heard the opposing team’s bullpen’s coach say those words so many times. Every time they end up losing.
MADISON
Should we just concede and get this over with?
ADAM
No. Let’s wait this out a bit and see how things play out. Maybe there’s still a chance.