What is Game show cockiness for 500, Alex?
It's a random weekday, let's say Wednesday to be precise. You have had along day of either school or work and your intelligence has not been commended or even appreciated. Let's face it you were actually called stupid once or twice by your friends today. You just finished dinner and you and the family pile up on the couch. You click on the tv and the final Wheel of Fortune question pops up. Your obnoxious younger sibling blurts out the correct answer as your family looks back at them in amazement. You roll your eyes and mumble out that you were on your phone and didn't hear the clue right. Even though no one asked or for that matter even heard your pathetic explanation as to why you, the older, supposedly wiser sibling didn't answer the question correctly, you felt the need to say it anyway. It's fine your time will come.
It's 7:30pm "This is Jeopardy!". The moment you have been low key waiting for all night. It's your time to prove to your family all of that tuition money is worth it. Alex Trebek comes out, introduces the contestants and categories. Mary, a school teacher from Denver Colorado, chooses literature for 300. The question: "JOHN STEINBECK ORIGINALLY CALLED THIS 1937 SHORT NOVEL "SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED". The name John Steinbeck rings a bell. You think for a second and remember the only Steinbeck novel you read in your 10th grade English class (you know, the one with the horrific ending that is hard to revisit) and you confused, yet semi-confidently question, "Of Mice and Men". Mary answers accordingly and you know your family is looking at you impressed, but you just nod without making eye contact with any of them. Because, honestly, you weren't that sure of your response in the first place. After a few difficult questions about composers and 20th century poetry are asked, which no one knows the answers to besides the geniuses on the show, it's your time again.
"IT'S THE NICKNAME OF "JERSEY SHORE" RESIDENT NICOLE POLIZZI" "Snooki", you condescendingly snicker. Your dad doesn't even know what the question said, and your answer didn't clear anything up for him. He actually said "bless you" after you answered assuming your weird response was actually a sneeze. But the rest of the family takes note of your answer which becomes all the more impressive as you get a second one correct in a row. "BLOOD LEAVES THIS ORGAN THROUGH THE HEPATIC VEIN" "what is the liver?" You only know this because last week you were helping your nursing major roommate study, and that was the only thing you picked up on. However, your family doesn't need to know that this knowledge was newly acquired. For all they know you could know all about the veins and organs in the body. You have a slightly smug look on your face as you look around to your inferior family. The only answers they get right are about rock n' roll songs and thanksgiving food items.
Okay it's final Jeopardy. It's make it or break it. You get this right and you're officially top dog. If you get it wrong, all of your cockiness and intelligence goes to waste and your ego gets knocked down entirely. "ON AUGUST 15, 1994, 59 YEARS AND 1 DAY AFTER FDR SIGNED THE ORIGINAL ACT, BILL CLINTON MADE THIS AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY". You channel your 11th grade American history class. The daunting, infamous Jeopardy music plays. Your family is waiting for you to answer you feel all eyes staring your way. (Honestly they're probably not even paying attention, but you've bully up this competitive game in your mind, and you can't just abandon it now). You almost whisper but manage to say "FDIC". This way you don't have to claim you said anything if you get the answer wrong.
Social security administration was the correct answer.
You're crushed.
Your reputation: tarnished.
But don't worry, the next day, 7:30 sharp you can redeem yourself. One day you will be the Jeopardy champion of your house. But for now, you're just a regular person who answers a few trivia questions right on an average Wednesday.
