A chill runs down Angie’s spine. She switches from the Source’s texts to Kyle’s.
Angie
The Source just contacted me.
Angie
They told me what they want us to do.
Angie
And I don’t feel comfortable with it.
Angie
On MULTIPLE levels.
Angie
Um, because it’s skeezy.
Angie
And then, when I asked them why they wanted us to do it, they just said, “Recruitment.”
Angie
What the hell does that even mean?
Kyle
Exactly what it sounds like.
Kyle
They’ve been trying to recruit Senator Lynthrop for a while now.
Kyle
He’s a guaranteed swing vote on multiple issues.
Kyle
But his political views don’t always line up with the Source’s agenda.
Angie
So they’ll blackmail him with orchestrated pictures just to get him on their side?
Kyle
Look, this guy’s been known to hit on underage girls before.
Kyle
That’s why the Source came up with this plan.
Kyle
If he goes for you, he belongs in jail.
Kyle
He’ll be getting off easy by being recruited by the Source.
Angie
I still don’t like the thought of blackmail.
Angie
You know I believe in justice—
Angie
And this plan goes against every justice-loving part of me.
Angie
Isn’t it hypocritical of me to be part of something like this if I plan to uphold the law someday?
Kyle
Trust me, this guy has it coming for multiple reasons—
Kyle
So justice will be served if he’s taken down.
Kyle
You’ll be doing girls everywhere a favor.
Kyle
Once the Source recruits him, they’ll constantly monitor him for any slip-ups.
Kyle
Blackmailing this guy into joining the Source is the best way to guarantee he won’t harass girls like you ever again.
Angie
Well, when you say it like that…
Kyle
See? You know I’m right—
Kyle
And that I’d never ask you to do anything that went against your ethics.
Kyle
Your ethical backbone is one of the reasons I fell in love with you in the first place.
Kyle
And one of the reasons I want you to be my wife someday.
Kyle
The mother of my future children…
Angie
Right, but only when you deem it a good time for you to have children.
Kyle
That’s not fair, Ang. I thought we decided we weren’t ready yet.
Kyle
Having a child right now, when we’re not able to support it financially…
Kyle
It would be an irresponsible thing to do.
Angie
I shouldn’t have brought this up. I can’t think about it right now.
Kyle
Sorry. It’s just all I CAN think about.
Angie
I would be stopping this guy from creeping on more underage girls?
Kyle
Yes. And remember, doing this one thing doesn’t make you a member of the Source.
Kyle
You can still back out any time before you’re officially initiated.
Kyle
So you’ll stop this guy from being a pedophile—
Kyle
And you’ll also keep your dream of becoming a Supreme Court Justice alive while you take the time to consider your options.
Kyle
Would I ever ask you to do anything that would hurt you?
Later that evening, Angie texts Kyle when they’re at the ball.
Angie
Getting into position with the senator. He just went to get another drink.
Angie
When he’s back, I’ll move him into the alcove.
Kyle
Already in position.
Kyle
Is he coming onto you?
Angie
To be fair, I started it.
Kyle
To be fair, you’re 17. He’s a married, middle-aged man with four kids.
Kyle
You’re not still feeling guilty, are you?
Kyle
Trust me. This is for the best.
Angie side-eyes the senator who’s still standing across the room at the open bar.
With guilt churning her stomach, she switches to her text chain with Will.
Will
How are you feeling?
Angie
Is that going to be your first question every time we talk now?
Will
Do you not want me to ask?
Angie
No. I like that you ask.
Will
Good, because I’m worried about you.
Angie
Physically, I feel okay.
Angie
No big symptoms yet, but I guess I can expect morning sickness to kick in any day now.
Angie
Emotionally, I’m a wreck.
Angie
I don’t even know who I am anymore.
Will
You’re the girl who used to make me play “Constitutional Court” with her stuffed animals.
Will
The girl who always stood up for me at the fancy private school I somehow managed to test into.
Angie
That’s sweet of you to say.
Will
I’m serious. When everyone else looked down at my scholarship and the holes in my sneakers—
Will
You put your arm around me and told everyone I was your best friend.
Angie
Of course I did. You *are* my best friend.
Will
And you’re the girl who always looked out for me.
Will
Hell, you look out for everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from.
Will
That’s why you’re going to make a great Supreme Court Justice someday—
Will
Because you see past the bullshit.
Angie
You looked out for me just as much as I looked out for you.
Will
And we’re going to keep doing that, right?
Will
No matter what you decide, I’ve got you, Ang.
Angie
I have to go. Charity ball.
Kyle
Lynthrop’s making a beeline for you.
Kyle
I’ll make a distraction.
Kyle
The second your security detail looks the other way…
Kyle
Pull the senator into the alcove.
