The Coupon Cutter Game

Synopsis

Stella Conway is an extreme coupon cutter who has perfected the art for many years. She even has nationwide recognition as a coupon cutter. But when neighbor and rival, Betty Connolly, finds out, she challenges Stella to a game of extreme couponing with a list of specific groceries and a budget and only one day to see who can find the most items within the specified guidelines. Who will win the coupon war?

Chapter 1

Stella Conway was clipping coupons from the many magazines and newspapers she had stacked on her desk. She was way behind because of a family emergency. Her daughter, Marie, was in a car accident and Stella had to delay her coupons for a few days. But she was back, after Marie was given a clean bill of health from the doctor, clipping away.

She had to hurry, though, because the National Coupon contest was just days away. After clipping coupons for a couple hours, there was a knock on Stella’s front door. She went to answer it and it was Betty Connolly, her coupon rival.

“Hey, Stella, busy cutting coupons?” Betty asked satisfied about Stella’s delay.

“Yes I am.” Stella said, proudly. “Well, I hope Marie’s accident didn’t put you too far behind?”

“Don’t worry, Betty, I’m back in the game.” Stella assured her.

“Well, that’s good to know.” Betty said, pretending to be relieved.

“Happy couponing, Betty.” Stella told her neighbor as she went away.

Betty needed to win this contest. Stella always won. It wasn’t fair. That’s why she caused Marie’s accident. To delay Stella from clipping coupons. She had to win! Stella’s won too many times. She wasn’t the best couponer, she was. Stella just had to be the center of attention. That’s why she’s always won! Not this time! Betty Connolly was going to make sure of it!

Two days later, Stella was at the store waiting for the contest to begin when Betty arrived with her bundle of coupons.

“May the best couponer win!” Betty told her neighbor.

“I’m sure I will. I always do!” Stella said proudly, as she went on to find her items for the contest.

“Okay, ladies, on your mark, get set, go!” the announcer said as the two ladies began their journey to find their coupon items.

“Not if I can help it!” Betty said silently to herself.

The two ladies went about looking for the items on the coupons they had in their hands. It was neck and neck as the time was fastly coming to an end.

5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . Time was up! The winner would soon be announced when the judges looked over their items to see if they had everything correct.

Ten minutes later, the judge announced he had a winner: "Betty Connolly!"

Stella was crushed, “No way! That can’t be!”

“Read it and weep, Stella!” Betty marched proudly in front of the store. “I finally won!”

As Betty was leaving the store after her victorious win over Stella, she heard a familiar voice: “You won’t get away with it!”

Betty looked to the rear of her and saw Stella’s daughter standing behind her: “What are you talking about?”

“I know what you did to win the contest?” Marie told her.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about?” Betty defended herself.

“You caused my accident to delay my mother from getting her coupons cut in time for the contest.” Marie accused.

“You can’t prove that?” Betty said defensively.

“No, but I will and you’ll be disqualified.” Marie threatened before leaving Betty’s car.

Marie intended to find proof as to Betty’s involvement in her accident so her mother could take her rightful place as winner of the contest. At least her mother did things legally. Betty was so jealous, she had to do something drastic to ensure her win. But Marie was about to find even more darker secrets to Betty’s sudden win!

Chapter 2 

“Mom?” Marie said when no one came to door.

Marie walked inside Stella’s home and found her mother lying on the sofa. “Mother, what are you doing?” Marie asked when she saw her mother.

“My life is over!” Stella said with pity.

“Oh, mother, no it’s not!” Marie tried to encourage her.

“I’m no longer number 1 in couponing! I’ve worked hard to perfect the art and Betty now has the title!” Stella rolled over and laid back down on the sofa.

Marie felt sorry for her mother. Now she was sure Betty did something to get the win. Jealousy was a huge factor in this situation. Betty was always trying to one-up her mother when it came to couponing. She had to find out just what Betty did to win.

“Mom, I have some errands to run!” Marie told her mother. “I’ll come by later and check on you.”

Marie decided her first place to look was with the grocery store where the contest was held. Talking with the manager, Mr. Sheckem, was the first place she would start. He would know something, Marie was sure of it.

Marie walked up to the customer service booth to speak with the CSR. “May I help you?” Amie greeted Marie, who was approaching her register.

“Yes Amie, I’d like to speak with your manager.” Marie told the salesgirl, reading her name badge for her name.

“One moment, ma’am.” Amie told Marie, as she dialed Mr. Sheckem’s number.

“Hello?” Mr. Sheckem asked as he picked up his line.

“Mr. Sheckem, there’s a woman up here at the customer service booth who would like to talk with you?” Amie told Mr. Sheckem.

“I’ll be right up front in a moment.” Mr. Sheckem told Amie, who made it a point to meet with customers immediately.

“The manager will be up front in a moment. If you’ll just wait a few until he comes?” Amie told Marie who stood by on the side to wait, while Amie helped other customers.

True to his word, Mr. Sheckem was only a few minutes as he appeared at the front of the store. “Amie, you said someone wanted to speak with me?” Mr. Sheckem asked Amie.

“Right over there.” Amie said to him, pointing in Marie’s direction, as he walked over to Marie.

“Hello, Marie, what can I do for you?” Mr. Sheckem asked her. “Mr. Sheckem, I wanted to speak to you about the coupon contest a few days ago?” Marie asked him.

“Oh, what did you want to know?” Mr. Sheckem asked.

“Well, I recently found out that there were two other contestants in the coupon contest who backed out at the last minute?” Marie grilled Mr. Sheckem.

“Well, they found out Stella Conway was in it?” Mr. Sheckem told Marie. “It’s the logical choice, don’t you think?”

“So, because my mother was in the contest, and given her reputation for extreme couponing, they just backed out?” Marie said doubtfully.

“Well, they knew they had no chance if your mother was in it?” Mr. Sheckem gave his obvious answer.

Marie knew something was up and that Mr. Sheckem wasn’t going to give her a reason. Something must be really up for him to give such an obvious reason.

“Well, thank you Mr. Sheckem, for your time.” Marie said courteously.

“Anytime.” Mr. Sheckem said as he watched Marie leave, and headed back to his office.

Mr. Sheckem got back to his office and dialed a number immediately. “Marie Conway is asking questions.” Mr. Sheckem said to the unknown caller before hanging up.



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