<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">Episode 1: At the Bar</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">The music was loud enough to bring out every thought, but Veena could still hear Cas’s voice.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">“You’re too sensitive,” he snapped at her.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">She stared at him across the table, her fingers tightening around the glass in her hand.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">“I only asked you to speak to me with respect.”</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">Cas laughed bitterly. “I don’t have time for this rubbish.”</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">He stood up, adjusted his jacket, and walked away to dance with one of the club girls, leaving Veena alone beneath the flashing lights of the crowded club.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">She tried not to cry.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">Behind the bar, Leeno had seen everything.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">He was only a bartender, and judging by the way his manager treated him, even that title felt like something he had to earn every night.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">“Leeno! Table six!”</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">“Coming, sir.”</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">“Stop standing around lazy ass!”</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">Leeno swallowed his frustration and continued working.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">But his eyes returned to Veena.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">He had been listening to their conversation for several minutes. </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">He walked over and placed a fresh glass of water beside her.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">“On the house Pretty Lady.”</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">Veena looked up. “Why? I have a boyfriend”</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">“Because you look like you need it.” He chuckled</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">For the first time that night, she smiled.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">“Are you always this kind to strangers?”</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">“No,” Leeno replied. “Only the ones who look like they're pretending to be okay after an obvious mistreat.”</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">Her smile disappeared.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">For a moment, neither of them spoke.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">Then Veena whispered, “You don't know me and you should face your work.”</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">Leeno leaned against the counter.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">“Maybe not. But I've been watching you.”</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">She looked at him nervously.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">“Watching me?”</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">“Not like that,” he quickly said. “I mean... I've noticed you.”</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">Before Veena could respond, Leeno's manager shouted his name again.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">He turned away.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">Then Veena noticed something strange.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">Leeno's hands were trembling.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">“Are you okay?”</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">He froze.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">For the first time, the cheerful expression disappeared from his face.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">“I'm fine, just stay behind me.”</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">Across the club, Cas had suddenly stopped dancing.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">He turned and looked directly at them.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">His expression had changed.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">Leeno noticed</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">So did Veena.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">“Please stay out of this” she cried.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">Leeno didn't answer.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">Cas slowly began walking slowly back toward the bar to Leeno.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">And this time, there was something in his eyes that made Leeno step between him and Veena.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">Something was going to happen.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;"><br/></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0.0pt;margin-bottom:0.0pt;">To be continued.....</p>
At the end of the month, we give out prizes in 3 categories: Best Content, Top Engagers and
Most Engaged Content.
Best Content
Top Engagers
Most Engaged Content
Best Content
We give out cash prizes to between 7 and 20 community members with the best insights in the past month.
The winners are picked by an in-house selection process.
The winners are NOT picked from the leaderboards/rankings, we choose winners based on the quality, originality
and insightfulness of their content.
Here are a few other things to know for the Best Content track
1
Quality over Quantity — You stand a higher chance of winning by publishing a few really good insights across the entire month,
rather than a lot of low-quality, spammy posts.
2
Share original, authentic, and engaging content that clearly reflects your voice, thoughts, and opinions.
3
Avoid using AI to generate content—use it instead to correct grammar, improve flow, enhance structure, and boost clarity.
4
Explore audio content—high-quality audio insights can significantly boost your chances of standing out.
5
Use eye-catching cover images—if your content doesn't attract attention, it's less likely to be read or engaged with.
6
Share your content in your social circles to build engagement around it.
Top Engagers
For the Top Engagers Track, we award the top 3 people who engage the most with other user's content via
comments.
The winners are picked using the "Top Monthly Engagers" tab on the rankings page.
Most Engaged Content
The Most Engaged Content recognizes users whose content received the most engagement during the month.
We pick the top 3.
The winners are picked using the "Top Monthly Contributors" tab on the rankings page.
Contributor Rankings
The Rankings/Leaderboard shows the Top 20 contributors and engagers on TwoCents a monthly and all-time basis
— as well as the most active colleges (users attending/that attended those colleges)
The all-time contributors ranking is based on the Contributor Score, which is a measure of all the engagement and exposure a contributor's content receives.
The monthly contributors ranking tracks performance of a user's insights for the current month. The monthly and all-time scores are calcuated DIFFERENTLY.
This page also shows the top engagers on an all-time & monthly basis.
Below is a list of badges on TwoCents and their designations.
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Most Viewed in a Space
Monthly Prize Winner
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Contributor (500+ Score)
Top Contributor (2000+ Score)
Elite Contributor (5000+ Score)
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