TruthApp
Thank you for participating in a test trial of the Truth Teller App!
TruthApp
It’s time to find out what people REALLY think of you…
Courtney
I’m not too nervous, I have a pretty good handle on who I am.
TruthApp
Let’s find out. There are only a couple things I need from you…
TruthApp
What three people do you think know you the best?
Courtney
That’s easy…my mom. Kyle, my boyfriend. And Jess, my best friend.
TruthApp
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Courtney
Extroverted. Adventurous. And then probably, caring.
TruthApp
Thank you for your participation! I will reach out in exactly one week with a full report.
Courtney
That’s it? I have to wait?!
TruthApp
Good morning, Courtney!
TruthApp
I have your report…are you ready to see what your three contacts think about you?
TruthApp
First, you said you were “extroverted.” Here is what I found…
TruthApp
Transcribed conversation between mother and another (name removed) individual:
Mother
I’m worried about her, NAME REMOVED. Do you think Courtney’s ready for college?
NAME REMOVED
Of course she is. She’s a straight A student.
Mother
I don’t mean academically…
Mother
I worry about her moving so far away.
Mother
What if she doesn’t make any friends?
NAME REMOVED
Oh come on, she’ll make friends…
Mother
She spends so much time by herself…
Mother
It might take her a while to open up to people.
Mother
And for people to open up to her.
NAME REMOVED
What about Kyle? Her boyfriend. She’ll have him.
Mother
I don’t trust that boy.
Mother
I know she’s head over heels, but…
Mother
I get a bad vibe from him.
NAME REMOVED
You’re just being protective.
Mother
Maybe. But I just want to see our daughter succeed.
Mother
I’m not sure if this is the right choice.
NAME REMOVED
We can’t shelter her forever.
Mother
What if college doesn’t work out? Then what will she do?
TruthApp
Transcription paused.
Courtney
This is MY mom? Are you serious?!
Courtney
How did you get this conversation?
TruthApp
Every phone has a speaker.
TruthApp
I tapped into your mother’s phone in “listening mode.”
Courtney
I can’t believe this…
Courtney
Kyle LOVES me. I know that. My mom has never liked him for some reason.
TruthApp
Would you like to listen to a conversation I recorded of Kyle?
Courtney
Mom doesn’t know what she’s talking about.
Courtney
Kyle wouldn’t want me to go to the same college as him if he didn’t love me…
TruthApp
The second trait you ascribed to yourself was “adventurous.” Here’s what I found…
TruthApp
Transcribed conversation between Kyle and another (name removed) individual:
NAME REMOVED
Dude, you excited about college?
NAME REMOVED
Kinda? Going to Columbia has always been your dream.
Kyle
Yeah, but I feel like there’s still something tying me down…
NAME REMOVED
What do you mean?
Kyle
You have to keep what I’m about to tell you a secret, okay?
NAME REMOVED
I got you, man.
NAME REMOVED
What about her? She’s going to Columbia too, right?
Kyle
Right, but that’s the thing…
Kyle
I don’t want her to.
NAME REMOVED
Why not? Don’t you want to be with her?
Kyle
That’s what I thought, at first, but…
Kyle
Now I’m not so sure.
NAME REMOVED
Uh oh. What happened?
Kyle
The more I learn about her…I just don’t know, man.
NAME REMOVED
What do you mean?
Kyle
She just isn’t willing to try new things. Or take a risk. At ANYTHING.
Kyle
Which is fine, I guess. It’s just not my personality.
NAME REMOVED
Are you going to break up with her?
Kyle
I don’t know. I feel bad. She’s following me to Columbia…
NAME REMOVED
But if you don’t like her—
Kyle
I know. I know. I’m trying to figure it all out.
Courtney
ARE YOU KIDDING?!?!
TruthApp
Transcription paused.
Courtney
I CAN’T believe him!!
TruthApp
I am sorry you are displeased with the results.
Courtney
Are you, though?!
TruthApp
I am just presenting you with what I have heard.
Courtney
Well, this sucks…
TruthApp
Thank you for your feedback. Your opinion is important to us.
Courtney
Wasn’t really feedback for you, but whatever…
Courtney
I have one more person, right?
TruthApp
Correct, your best friend, Jess.
Courtney
Jess will come through. I know she will.
TruthApp
The last trait you ascribed to yourself was “caring.” Here’s what I found…
TruthApp
Transcribed conversation between Jess and another (name removed) individual:
NAME REMOVED
Anyone you going to miss when you leave?
Jess
Not really. Ready to get out of this stupid town.
NAME REMOVED
Not even your best friend?
Jess
Who’s my best friend?
NAME REMOVED
I don’t remember her name…
NAME REMOVED
Who’s that girl you always walk home from school with?
Jess
Oh God, no. I won’t miss her. Don’t tell her, though…
NAME REMOVED
Why not? You two hang out all the time.
Jess
Not my choice. It’s because she’s clingy.
Jess
And I feel bad. That’s why I hang out with her.
Jess
Plus, she always asks to borrow my stuff or calls me when she feels insecure about Kyle.
Jess
Then when I need something, she doesn’t respond…
Jess
I can’t have that energy around me anymore.
Jess
That’s why I’m saying “bye, forever” to her after graduation.
NAME REMOVED
Ouch, that’s harsh.
Jess
Well, it’s real life.
Courtney
OK! STOP! PLEASE!
TruthApp
Transcription paused.
Courtney
This is HORRIBLE.
TruthApp
I am sorry you’ve had a bad experience with the app.
Courtney
This is all real? I mean real conversations?
TruthApp
Your test trial has ended. Would you recommend this app to others?
TruthApp
I am sorry again—
Then, thinking out loud to herself…
Courtney
I feel like I don’t even know these people…
Courtney
Kyle and I need to chat…
TruthApp
We are offering all our test trial subjects another opportunity to use the newly updated app for FREE!
Courtney
I’m not sure I want to subject myself to that again.
TruthApp
I am sorry to hear that. May I ask why not?
Courtney
Hearing what people say about me behind closed doors?
Courtney
It didn’t exactly feel good.
TruthApp
I am truly regretful that you had such a negative experience.
Courtney
I guess it wasn’t your fault…
Courtney
You just brought to light what others were really saying…
Courtney
You know, it did help me in some ways.
Courtney
I moved on from some people who weren’t good for me.
Courtney
I broke up with Kyle. Stopped talking to Jess.
Courtney
Now I’m going to Cal Tech instead of Columbia. Turned out to be a better fit actually.
Courtney
I guess now that I think about it, I would actually like to take you up on your offer.
TruthApp
GREAT! Just like last time, what three people do you think know you best?
TruthApp
I can autofill with the same three people you picked last time—
Courtney
No…I’d like to choose two new people. Keep my mom as one…
Courtney
My new boyfriend, Quinn, and my roommate, Lila.
TruthApp
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Courtney
I want to try the same three I used last time.
TruthApp
Extroverted, Adventurous, and Caring?
TruthApp
I will report back to you in a week!
Courtney
Looking forward to it…
TruthApp
I have another report…are you ready to see what your three contacts think about you?
TruthApp
The first trait is “extroverted.” Here is what I found…
TruthApp
Transcribed conversation between mother and another (name removed) individual:
Mother
I’m so happy for Courtney.
Mother
She’s really come into her own since going off to college.
NAME REMOVED
That’s wonderful!
Mother
She’s excelling academically and really involved in extracurriculars.
Mother
She seems so happy now. Always has a smile on her face.
Mother
I honestly never thought she’d love Cal Tech as much as she does.
NAME REMOVED
Are you disappointed she didn’t go to Columbia? It’s such a prestigious school.
Mother
Oh no, I’m glad she didn’t pick that place. She made the right choice for sure.
NAME REMOVED
She’s making new friends I take it?
Mother
Oh, yes. She has a delightful roommate. They hang out all the time.
Mother
And she’s got a new boyfriend…I think this one’s a keeper.
TruthApp
Transcription paused.
TruthApp
Would you like me to keep playing the transcription?
Courtney
No, I get the gist of it.
TruthApp
Shall we move on to Quinn?
TruthApp
The second trait was “adventurous.” Here’s what I found…
TruthApp
Transcribed conversation between Quinn and another (name removed) individual:
NAME REMOVED
So how are things going with the new girl?
Quinn
Oh man. She’s awesome.
Quinn
She’s a gamer like me, which is a big plus.
Quinn
And I like that she doesn’t care if we go out or like…do big, fancy things for dates.
Quinn
We’re both cool with just staying in and watching Netflix—
Quinn
Just hanging out together.
NAME REMOVED
I think I may throw-up…
Quinn
Oh, shut up. You’re just jealous.
Courtney
So I wouldn’t say I’m adventurous but…
Courtney
I’m okay with that. Quinn likes me for who I am.
TruthApp
Transcription paused.
Courtney
Let me hear the last person?
TruthApp
Of course. The last trait is “caring.” Here’s what I found…
TruthApp
Transcribed conversation between Lila and another (name removed) individual:
NAME REMOVED
So how’s roomie life?
Lila
I’m so lucky. Courtney and I clicked right away.
Lila
And, we have the same birthday.
NAME REMOVED
Nice. What’s she like?
Lila
She was a little shy at first, but once I got to know her…
Lila
I mean, when Tyler dumped me, she was the first one there for me.
NAME REMOVED
I can’t believe he dragged you to Cal Tech just to break up with you in the middle of the first semester.
Lila
I know…I wanted to go home, but Courtney saved me.
Lila
She told me what happened with her boyfriend from high school…
Lila
She made me feel so much better about it all.
NAME REMOVED
I’m glad you lucked out…my freshman roommate was a terror.
Lila
Well, you can’t have her. We’re going to be roomies again next year.
NAME REMOVED
Is my status as best friend being threatened?
Lila
Haha, I don’t know…she’s giving you a run for your money.
Courtney
I think I have all I need to know.
TruthApp
Transcription paused.
TruthApp
This ends your free trial of the newly updated app. Would you like to buy a subscription?
Courtney
Thank you, but I don’t think I’ll be using this app again.
TruthApp
I am sorry you are displeased with your experience.
Courtney
I’ve just learned that…you can’t label yourself with just three words…
Courtney
And the people we surround ourselves with get that.
Courtney
So I guess I’m thanking you.
Courtney deletes the Truth Teller App.
