text: "Welcome to Valentine Password, the game show in which couples compete for the length of one dinner. Three couples are given a free dinner at a fancy restaurant, but they are unaware of hidden cameras throughout the establishment. If either one in the couple says a series of three password phrases, they'll win an all-expenses paid trip to Bora Bora. Let's get to know tonight's couples." "Couple number one has been dating for two and a half years; they met on a dating website called "The Magic Touch," and they're presently looking for apartments where they might move in together; meet Carl and Becky." "Couple number two has been married for five years and have been together for eleven years; they have no children but a cat named Calisto that they adore; one is a lawyer, and the other is an unemployed actor; meet Jeff and Simon." "Couple number three has been together for forty years and will be celebrating their 32nd wedding anniversary next month; they met in middle school and have two children together; meet Dan and Alice." "The Valentine's Passwords for tonight are "thinking," "lucky," and "I love you." A couple will receive a point if one of them says a phrase. They win the trip if they say all three! Let us join the dinner that is already underway," said the host. Carl and Becky are sitting in a restaurant, staring into each other's eyes. They don't even notice the waiter has brought them some bread to snack on. "Something happened today that totally made me think of you," DING, Becky continued, "Jennifer, at work, got flowers for lunch from her new boyfriend; I remember when you did that for me on my birthday." "That's funny, sweetie; I'm the luckiest man alive to have you at my side." DING "That was unexpected; Carl and Becky have taken a surprisingly strong lead, gaining two points in one conversation. Let's check in on couple number two, shall we?" Said the host. Jeff and Simon have already placed their orders and are settling in. "I am completely stumped by this case today; an office manager was found with $10,000 from his office and was arrested for stealing, but he said he didn't steal the money." "Why are you stumped?" "He's a pillar in his community; why would he leave it in her car for all to see, and how did the secretary know he was the one who took the money?" "It reminds me of The Crucible, a play I once performed in, in which a man has an affair with the maid and is set up for a crime by his mistress when she is fired. I'd examine the secretary." "An affair, I didn't think of that. I'm lucky you were in that play!" DING "Couple number two is off to the races, so they get one point. Let's have a look at couple number three," said the host. Dan and Alice haven't said anything to each other since they arrived, and they're now finishing their soup and bread. "Oh no, the main course is about to arrive, and Dan and Alice have barely spoken. What's this? It looks like Dan might be about to say something...." "Pass the salt?" "Welp, it appears that Dan and Alice will have difficulty winning that trip; they have 0 points, and the dinner is just about halfway through. Let us return to Carl and Becky and see if they can get that last point," said the host. Carl and Becky are now eating their main course when all of a sudden; Carl receives a call on his cell phone. Becky gets sight of the screen, which reads, "Angela." "Who is that?" "It isn't anyone. Just someone I work with." "How come you've never brought her up before?" "It's never come up, and she's new there anyway." "Why don't you take the call? Are you afraid to pick up the phone in front of me? Are you scared of what she'll say?" "We're eating dinner; I'm not going to answer the phone while we're eating." "Call her back; it must be very important if she's calling after hours." "Can't we simply eat? I swear you're insane; you get jealous over the smallest things that mean nothing!" "Call her back, Carl!" "I'm not calling her back!" Becky throws her napkin on the table. "I need to go the bathroom," Becky says as she storms off. "Uh oh, with only one point to earn to win the trip, Carl and Becky have hit a little snag in the game. Let's check in with couple number two once again," said the host. Jeff and Simon have now got their main course, Jeff is eating a steak, and Simon is eating chicken. "This chicken is quite excellent. When I was in A Streetcar Named Desire, they served me this horrible dry chicken during the dinner party scene. If they had given me this chicken, I wouldn't have minded so much." "Uh-huh." "You know, the community theater is bringing back A Streetcar Named Desire next season; I feel like I could still play Stanley; maybe I should audition." "Uh-huh." "You don't think I should audition?" "I never said that." "You never encourage my acting; do you want me to work as a store clerk or something?" "I didn't say that, either." "You didn't have to; every time I talk about my career, I know precisely what you're thinking." "Are you going to tell me what I'm thinking now?" "What are you thinking then?" "You have to be real sometimes, too. You haven't had any parts in over a year, you can't reach your agent, and the last time you were paid to perform was in a toothpaste commercial over two years ago." "I don't want to talk about this anymore; just eat your steak." "That's quite a turn of events for Jeff and Simon. They scored a point very fast during the dinner, but they also encountered a major hurdle in winning that trip. Let's check in with Alice and Dan once more," said the host. Alice and Dan also have their entrees and eat quietly, enjoying their meal and soaking in the ambiance. Dan finished his Bolognese and wiped his mouth with his napkin. "How was it, hun." "It was good, yours?" "A little gamey." "Oh." "Well, that conversation is riveting; let's check back in with Carl and Becky," the host said. "I'm going to take an Uber to my sister's house tonight; feel free to invite over anyone you want!" "You're insane; I thought we were watching the rest of that Netflix documentary?" "I don't know, why don't you call your whore and watch it with her!" "Yikes, what started out as such a promising dinner for Carl and Becky has turned into an utter disaster. Let's check in with Jeff and Simon, my odds-on favorites to win the trip, now," said the host. "You know what, the next time I perform, I just want you to stay at home and not think about it." "Great, next time you're cast as an audience member in an infomercial, I'll pass!" "That was one time!" "I think that's it for couple number two; yet another promising night has ended in disaster. I suppose we can check in with Dan and Alice; perhaps they can earn a point by accident," said the host. Dan and Alice finish their meal, and Dan pulls out his wallet to leave a tip. They stand up from the table without saying anything. Dan helps Alice by putting on her jacket; then Dan puts on his coat. "We were lucky to win this dinner; it was nice." DING "I was thinking to myself, you deserve a nice evening out." DING "Thank you, hun. I love ya." "I love you too, always and forever!" DING "Oh my god! In an upset that hasn't been seen since the "Miracle on Ice" in the 1980 Olympics, Dan and Alice have won the trip to Bora Bora! A couple that said no more than 15 words to each other the entire dinner won the game! It simply goes to show that after you've been together long enough, sometimes a few words are all you need.