

Sara Zarr
The author of two novels, including National Book Award Finalist, Story of a Girl, Zarr feels compelled to make her bed every day.
“Head for the banks, Jay!” you yell over the rumble of the thunder. You and your brother race over to the riverbank and start to climb. It’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do in your life, but somehow, you and Jay make it to safety just seconds before a churning deluge of muddy water fills the once-dry riverbed. The two of you huddle together on the riverbank, and spend the chilly night with barely any sleep. Worse yet, in all the confusion you lost the treasure map! Tired, filthy, and bedraggled, you and Jay decide to give up your hunt for the gold, and start heading in the direction of the nearest road.
After a couple of hours, you see a bunch of people and trucks parked in the distance. Taking your chances, you and Jay wander toward it, and find out it’s a film crew taping a special “Walker, Texas Ranger” TV movie. As you ask one of the film crew for directions to the nearest town, the director walks over to you.
“Excuse me…..you two look awful”, he says. You start to angry, but before you can make a sound, he adds “...and the both of you would make great henchmen for this movie’s villain! I’m running low on extras…what do you say?”
“YEAH!” you and Jay exclaim. Although you feel bad about losing your to hunt for the gold, being roundhouse kicked by Chuck Norris on network TV is a once in a lifetime opportunity!