Normal Gossip - Getting Frisky at the Black Rose with Erika Casupanan

Episode Date: December 13, 2023

Survivor 41 winner Erika Casupanan joins us this week for a story about the perils of gossiping at work. Listen to Erika's podcast, Happy to See Me! Sign up to hear Normal Gossip's next sec...ret here. Support Radiotopia's fall fundraiser! You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend at supportnormalgossip.com. Our merch shop is run by Dan McQuade. You can also find all kinds of info about us and how to submit gossip on our Komi page: https://normalgossip.komi.io/ Episode transcript here. Follow the show on Instagram @normalgossip, and if you have gossip, email us at normalgossip@defector.com or leave us a voicemail at 26-79-GOSSIP. Normal Gossip is hosted by Kelsey McKinney (@mckinneykelsey) and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin (@alexlaughs). Jae Towle Vieira (@jaetowlevieira) is our associate producer. Abigail Segel (@AbigailSegel) is our intern. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Credits read by Libby Crowe. Show art by Tara Jacoby. Normal Gossip is a proud member of Radiotopia.

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Starting point is 00:00:00 Hey, it's Alex from NormalGossip. You have probably heard a couple of radiotopia fundraiser ads at this point. But I wanted to come to you directly as a producer and talk about why radiotopia matters. If you're listening to this, you are a fan of podcasts. You probably know that podcasts have really exploded over the last decade. There was a ton of money that was infused into the industry. Tons of jobs were created, tons of companies, and a lot of people got rich.
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Starting point is 00:03:38 Thanks so much. Hello and welcome to Normal Gossip. I'm Kelsey McKinney. In each episode of this podcast, we're going to bring you an anonymous morsel of gossip from the real world. I am so excited to have with me today, Erica Kassoupin and Erica, welcome. Thank you. I am so excited to be here today. I love this podcast. Oh my God, I am a huge fan. So I'm thrilled to have you here. I will tell the people who you are. Erica is the winner of Survivor 41
Starting point is 00:04:13 and the first Canadian winner ever. She's also a keynote speaker, media personality, and the host of the Happy to See Me podcast, where she has inspirational chats with people who have been overlooked and underestimated. She recently returned to reality TV on the Traders' Canada Erica welcome. Thank you so much. I want to talk specifically about your season of survivor just because I will give people a little insight into how gossip on the game may or may not function. In your season right before the official merge, you got sent in what seems
Starting point is 00:04:51 like a very traumatic experience. Yes. And you were given an important choice. Can you explain the choice and then also how gossip impacted your decision? Yes, okay, this choice was just insane. It was the first time they did this on Survivor where I got sent, you know, very humbly sent to live on an island by myself and you're right, it was a traumatic, but life changing and character building experience. And everyone else who was back at the main camp,
Starting point is 00:05:23 there were half of the people who won the competition and they were safe. And they were the ones who sent me there. And then there was the other half of the people who did not win the competition. And then they were not safe. And then I had the opportunity to symbolically break this hourglass with a hammer and go back in time and change the result of the competition. So the people who were safe are now vulnerable and vice versa. But yes, I made the decision to change the results. But there was something specifically that I remember
Starting point is 00:05:55 from that experience where the people who won that competition said that they decided how they were going to make the decision based on a game of rock paper scissors. And I'm just like, I never saw the fist go up and down. Okay, I never saw a piece of a rock paper or scissors be revealed. And I'm also thinking this is a high stakes televised game. No one is making a decision like this based on rock paper scissors. So for some reason, it's like their decision to justify
Starting point is 00:06:26 their decision to Just to finish by saying it was like based on a game versus based on a game like a game decision I'm like no, no, this is you trying to like soften Blow for me and I'm just like then I know that that's not true I'm always Saving gossip and always information so I know that that's not true. So it signals to me. I'm like, okay, I can't ride with these people. I have to choose myself first, choose my safety first. And then sorry, you guys are unsafe now, but not sorry. I love that. And I think like now if those people are to bring you information in the future,
Starting point is 00:07:00 you're going to be taking that with like a whole box of course sea salt, right? Like I don't believe you for a second. Is there anything else you'd like to talk about about how gossip works on Survivor? I think any reality show, especially these reality strategy games, it's so built in gossip, right? Because the truth is based on what people say about themselves and of each other. So we're actually always gossiping to each other, saying, this person wants to target this person, but then you go to somebody else, and you say this person's targeting this person,
Starting point is 00:07:31 and then you cheer all these stories, and you have to be able to deduce which one is the real one. And by creating these gossip stories about each other, then we can make someone see more trustworthy or make somebody see more threatening. So that is a huge element of playing the game. And then something else that I realized after I finished watching the show is even what
Starting point is 00:07:54 you see on TV is the result of gossip because it's like, what do the players say about each other in their confessionals? And then I learned from making friends with producers is that the producers could be on the same beach and seeing the same conversation and they could interpret it going differently. Where they're like, I think this person had the upper hand, another producer could say, I think this person
Starting point is 00:08:17 had the upper hand, but then it goes through their machine where they talk about it and it goes through producers, editors, executive producers, and then somehow it's like a game of telephone. And then what you see on TV is like the end result of that gossip. So it's all just like hearsay and telephone, really. So it's also like a POV battle, right?
Starting point is 00:08:37 Where it's like you have one producer saying, I saw it this way and someone else saying it, I saw it this way and then eight people down the line. They're like, we think both these people hate each other. And it's like, what? Yeah, exactly. So it's like, yeah, it's like what we watch on TV is really just like a rumor that has gone so far,
Starting point is 00:08:54 and now it's on Prime Time TV. You know, I love that for us as the American people. That's great television. A birdie told me that you brought a gossip to share with me. Is that true? Yeah, so this is like a you brought a gossip to share with me. Is that true? Yeah, so this is like a vintage high school gossip. I can share. I love history.
Starting point is 00:09:09 Great. All right, so this was back when I was in high school. So this was something that happened in a high school in my hometown. And you know how in high school girls tend to form groups where it's like the four of us, our best friends, and we have a name for our group. So there were four girls who were best friends.
Starting point is 00:09:27 And then just outside of the group, there was a girl named Caitlyn who was not in the foursome. Is this mean girls? Yeah, it is. You see, you're wearing a Tina Fey. Okay, continue, great, I love it. Actually, there's someone. So yes, there's this Caitlyn who is the fifth person, She's not in the group, but she hangs out. And it's
Starting point is 00:09:47 worth mentioning, there's also a Caitlin who was in the group because at this point in time, everyone is named Caitlin. Well, yeah. Let's say there's a tall Caitlin and there's a small Caitlin, but anyways, just not to get them confused. Okay, thank you. So then one day, and remember, this is the time where MSN is a big deal. Geocity sites, big deal. One day, someone begins hacking the MSN accounts of these four girls. And then someone is hacking their Geocity sites, revealing secrets, talking shit,
Starting point is 00:10:19 conversations with crushes are being sabotaged, new MSN accounts impersonating them are being creative. It's just like this online war fair back in the early 2000s. And these four girls are like, what is going on? And then they realize who would know all of these secrets? And they're like, oh, it's the small Caitlin. So then naturally, these girls are like, okay, small Caitlin,
Starting point is 00:10:43 we don't want to be friends with you anymore if you're attacking us online and all Caitlin please give us our accounts back we're trying to DM our crushes exactly it's like think of all of the weird like high school makeouts that have been prevented because of the small Caitlin so small Caitlin is like I'm not doing this goes to the principal's office because she's feeling shut out by this group. The principal calls in parents. The girls are like, we are not bullying small Caitlin, small Caitlin is bullying us. And then small Caitlin is just so mortified,
Starting point is 00:11:17 she ends up disappearing from school for a few months. I don't know, gets homeschooled or something and then shows up next year and is just like kind to herself and the dynamic is never the same with this small Caitlin. But the girls are like, small Caitlin, you were sabotaging us, of course this is happening. Small Caitlin, it's like sweetie, you hacked four accounts. Exactly, you are the only one who knows all of these secrets. You're doing crimes.
Starting point is 00:11:44 Exactly. You are the only one who knows all of the secrets. You're doing crimes. So then years later, years later, one of the girls in the group as an adult catches up with one of the other girls in the group and then somehow it all clicks to her that it was not small Caitlin. It was actually tall Caitlin who was bringing small Caitlin because she was afraid that small Caitlin. It was actually tall Caitlin, who was bringing small Caitlin because she was afraid that small Caitlin was getting too close to the group. And apparently there's only room for one Caitlin. It's a Caitlin war.
Starting point is 00:12:15 It was the Caitlin versus Caitlin. So now it's like, Holy shit. I don't know if there's ever been justice for small Caitlin. I don't know if tall Caitlin is living with guilt, but it was just a Caitlin war. I think Paul Caitlin should be living with guilt, justice for small Caitlin.
Starting point is 00:12:32 That's not fair. For small Caitlin. She had a leave school. She was being bullied. I know, and the other girls didn't realize that they were just clearly getting the wrong information. And Tall Caitlin was actually the puppet master the whole time.
Starting point is 00:12:47 Oh my God! If a small Caitlin is listening today, I hope you're okay. I hope you're justified in knowing that the truth is out there. Yeah, it's time for you to seek vengeance. You were right. You were right.
Starting point is 00:13:04 Oh man, I feel so bad for small Caitlin. And I'm also like, tall Caitlin. It's not your fault that your parents gave you the same name as everyone else. But that doesn't mean you have to wage wars. Like, exactly. Scarcity mindset in friendship. No, thank you.
Starting point is 00:13:19 I know. And like, one of them could have gone as a Katie. One could have been a Kate. This all could have prevented. A Lynn, you have so many options. Yeah. A Lynn. Ha.
Starting point is 00:13:30 Erica, thank you for bringing me this gossip. I am going to be haunted by it, perhaps, forever. And that's the best kind of gossip. Do you want to hear the gossip that I have for you? Yes, I would love to. Oh my god, okay, great. Okay, great. Okay, great. Okay, great.
Starting point is 00:13:47 Okay, great. Okay, great. Okay, great. Okay, great. Okay, great. Okay, great. Okay, great. Okay, great.
Starting point is 00:13:55 Okay, great. Okay, great. Okay, great. Okay, great. Okay, great. Okay, great. Okay, great. Okay, great.
Starting point is 00:14:03 Okay, great. Okay, great. Okay, great. Okay, great. Okay, great. Okay, great. Okay, great. You know how when you like see people over and over and over again, like you're in very close proximity to them over a period of time, you get like a kind of blindness that causes you to believe that they're hot. Yes, definitely. Today's story is about when you combine this kind of proximity obsession with a workplace. Ooh, okay. Do you have any experience of this dynamic? proximity obsession with a workplace. Ooh, okay.
Starting point is 00:14:25 Do you have any experience with this dynamic? I've never had a workplace crash. Okay, great. I think you're gonna love this. Okay, can't wait. Here we go. I want you to imagine palm trees. A small main street with pastel colored homes,
Starting point is 00:14:43 bridges everywhere. The houses have columns on them, large sprawling oak trees. It's the kind of city where light is dappled. Yeah, I'm like, okay, I'm like, this is like what, an American South rom-com? Yes. Okay.
Starting point is 00:15:01 This is the kind of city that is so historically haunted that it has been rebranded as Tweet. That's what we're working with. Okay, so there could be some spookiness to this too. Always here, it is wedding season. Always, it is bachelor at season. Always, it is someone's 50th wedding anniversary. I know exactly where we are.
Starting point is 00:15:20 I love that. Here in the city, right on the water, is a sprawling luxury hotel. Big pool, striped umbrellas, rooms with ceilings up to the sky, think like white lotus American South. Can you help me name this hotel? Can we call it the black rose? We sure can.
Starting point is 00:15:40 In the spirit of white lotus. It's beautiful. So we are here at the black rose. Have you ever stayed in a fancy hotel? What's your take on them? I have stayed in a fancy hotel and I'm like, this is a treat. I'm going to use every amenity.
Starting point is 00:15:53 I'm going to spend time in the bathtub no matter how busy the schedule is. And if somebody wants to carry stuff to my room wearing a top hat, by all means. That is your luxury and you deserve it. Our story today is about the people wearing the top hat by all means. That is your luxury and you deserve it. Our story today is about the people wearing the top hats. It's about people who work at this luxury hotel. Oh my god, okay.
Starting point is 00:16:13 Their goal is to make this run so smoothly that like no one ever needs anything. They are anonymous and interchangeable to guests and the guests are always right. No request you can make is too unreasonable. Wow, okay, so there's already no boundaries here. Yes, have you ever worked customer service? So many times, yes.
Starting point is 00:16:35 Since I was like a kid. Yes, so you know that you learn a lot about human nature in this job. Yes, yeah. Yeah, and you also understand why all of the requests I'm about to read you are unreasonable. Yeah, that's yeah. Yeah, and you all also understand why all of the requests I'm about to read you are unreasonable. If someone needs a strapless bra in 30 minutes, this staff makes it appear. If someone needs 40 matching shirts in an hour, no problem.
Starting point is 00:16:56 Someone needs 12 p-cocks, none of whom make noise by tomorrow evening, like they've got a guy for it. And these workers are like supremely competent. If you're a billionaire trying to lay low, they know how to cheat the system by putting an asterisk in front of your name so no one can find you. But this means that the guests are treated like kings. They behave like kings and their little demons. For example, the black rows used to have
Starting point is 00:17:21 nice Pendleton blankets that sat outside by the ocean so that guests could go out at night and not get too cold, but people started getting frisky under them and so they had to remove the Pendleton blankets. How are you feeling at this point in this setting? It just sounds like there's going to be so much privilege on display. I'm excited to really test the limits of humanity
Starting point is 00:17:44 in the story. It's like, okay, if people are going for it under these fancy blankets and getting peacocks instantly, and those are just the opening context building, just details that we're sharing. I'm like, all right, some crazy stuff is happening and I am ready for it. Yeah, it's chaos sour. Every guest at the hotel has main characters in Durham, obviously. But our friend of a friend today, we're going to call her Jade. She's 23 years old. She's just out of hospitality school. And she works on a
Starting point is 00:18:15 team that we're going to call welcoming. The welcoming team is like, mostly women. The only person on this team who's not a woman is Sky. And Sky is a person who everyone at this hotel deems an equal opportunity flirt. Like they will flirt with a tree if given the option. Charismatic, charming. Sky's whole deal is that they are like drama royalty. If there's gossip, Sky wants it. From the guests or within the top-hat people or anybody. Anybody. Sky will take any more stuff gossip at any time and also they're the manager. Amazing power dynamic.
Starting point is 00:18:55 This is a healthy workplace. So this is a messy group, welcoming, obviously. But they also are very competent. They check people in. They coordinate their problems, every guest has to be walked to their room because it's this giant hotel. Our friend of our friend Jade,
Starting point is 00:19:10 her shift is from 3.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. every day. So there is a culture of having a little drink at the hotel bar, afterward doing a little smooch. You know, culture of dating and sleeping with your coworkers, which is always a healthy sign for a workplace. But at least it's like a luxurious place, so if you're going to do it, you might among the expensive blankets. Yes, there are two problems that come out of this.
Starting point is 00:19:38 The first is that it's a culture of kind of rousing people if they're like dating or sleeping with each other. And the second is that if you are dating someone on the staff, you can't work the same shift. So like one of you will get moved to either the morning shift or the overnight shift, both of which are worse. OK.
Starting point is 00:19:58 The, it sounds like the picture is clear because then the manager who presumably is making the shifts also knows all of the gossip. It sounds like a scheduling nightmare to be honest. Yes, because if you know one piece of gossip now you have to move someone's shift to earlier and like chaos. Today when Jade gets to work, her work rival, Tiff, is already there. Tiff is like a real, you know, game respects game. Tiff is supremely confident. She never stays out too late.
Starting point is 00:20:28 Tiff and Jade started at the hotel at the same time, and like, unlike everyone else who is like, this is a good job that pays me money and gives me a lot of time off. Tiff and Jade are like, this is my career. I want to move up the ranks of this hotel. Have you ever had a work rival? Mostly people who have authority over me, which is not the best way to feel like a rival, re-outwork, but for some reason the people who are
Starting point is 00:20:53 my peers are like, great, we ride together, but oh, if it's someone above me, I'm like, oh, get ready, I'm coming. I love that. By the time Jade arrives on time, she is always on time. Tiff has taken all the cool assignments. Like Tiff is finding a local artist who can paint someone's dog. She's finding someone a specialty whiskey. And so Jade has to do this terrible job of like trying to find 200 perfectly round ice cubes.
Starting point is 00:21:20 That seems actually reasonable. If you just give somebody a couple hours, you could just make them. Yeah, yeah, but it is annoying. So Jade is like, this is a boring job. I don't get to have any fun. I don't get to meet a local dog painter. I'm just making 200 round ice cubes.
Starting point is 00:21:35 She's doing this when TIFF like hits her arm lightly. There is only one thing that TIFF and Jade have in common, one shared interest. And that interest is the Bellman. So it's a workplace and a romantic rivalry. Yes. Jade would like to believe that like the Bellman of this hotel are the brawn, and welcoming is the beauty, but the Belman are both the beauty and the bra. They wear little hats. They are all very tall. They're all jacked. They all have like unkempt hair that's a little too long. They're always like a little but not too sweaty, and they're like high-necked uniforms are always unbuttoned, like flapping open.
Starting point is 00:22:20 What? Technically this is against protocol, but the guests love it and they get lots of tips for it so they keep doing it. How are you feeling? What are your takes? It sounds like these are the people who are going to be carrying my bags to my room and I will happily giving them my American dollars. And it already sounds like it's wild
Starting point is 00:22:44 that they are just walking around with hats and open shirts. Yeah, it is wild. I agree. And they're making incredible tips for it. So, you know, more power to them. In the front of this group of guys is a tall, beautiful lad. His name is Wyatt. And he's like, I want you to imagine the beast after he transforms into a man. Okay. That's big. The blowing hair, I see the packs, I see it all. Yes, Wyatt is like charming and charismatic, which as you know is a dangerous combo.
Starting point is 00:23:18 Everyone on welcoming has had a crush on Wyatt at some point. But he is like very mysterious and very good at boundaries. He is like, I never date within the staff. I never have too many drinks, which is torture for TIFF because TIFF has had a crush on Wyatt for years. And in the spring, she finally like got up the gall and asked him out and he turned her down. Oh my God, no.
Starting point is 00:23:42 Now the rejection is fueling the rivalry even further. Yes. And because of this rejection, they're now always doing this thing where they're like play fighting, which makes Jade crazy. She cannot tolerate this at all. So like, why it will come to the counter and be like,
Starting point is 00:24:01 Tiff, you forgot to restock the water bottles in the valley stand and like wink. And Tiff is like, no, I didn't. And he be like, Tiff, you forgot to restock the water bottles in the belly stand and like, wake. And Tiff is like, no, I didn't. And he is like, yes, you did. And Tiff is like, I swear that I didn't. Like, what will you bet me? Did it or not? And they're like always doing this like, chirping thing.
Starting point is 00:24:15 Jade, watching them do this, like rolls her eyes at her like, work wife Miguel, who is on the Bellman team. Miguel is her like, lifelineeline here because she's like, tiff makes me crazy. The Bellman are always in this feud with us. And Miguel is the only one who likes to gossip. So the two of them will like huddle up at the bar and gossip
Starting point is 00:24:36 about the guests and gossip about the co-workers and gossip about Sky and gossip about like the other hotels in the chain. Are you a gossip at work? A strategic gossip at work. Yeah. Where I'm like, oh, you can come and speak to me because I'm a safe space for you to venture frustration. Oh, nice.
Starting point is 00:24:54 And then I'm just like, okay, and now I know the crazy shit that this person's done. I'm going to keep that in mind for the future. You just hold it all in your little hands. And then, yeah, have the right moment to deploy it. Yeah, I love that. This night, after the shift, Miguel and Jade like settle at the hotel bar to debrief.
Starting point is 00:25:10 Eventually, Jade is like, oh, let's check in. Like, what about Wyatt and Tiff? Like, do you think that they're ever gonna hook up? And Miguel's eyes get like really wide. And he's like, oh my god, I forgot to tell you. He's like, Wyatt told me that he has a girlfriend. And Jade's like, oh my god, I forgot to tell you. He's like, why it told me that he has a girlfriend. And Jade's like, what? Who?
Starting point is 00:25:29 And Miguel is like, I don't know, it's this girl who lives a couple hours away, like he showed me a pick. Why are you making that face? I don't know, I was hoping it was gonna be Tim. I was hoping it was going to be from within the house. I feel a little sad for Jade now, because like not only has she seen this inseparable flirting, but I'm like, oh, he's not even available.
Starting point is 00:25:49 I know. Jade is like, wow, this is very upsetting, because I've had to watch all this play flirting and now he's not even available. She's like, do you think that they're gonna stop flirt fighting? And Miguel is like, I mean, I doubt it. Like, could they even stop it if they wanted to?
Starting point is 00:26:05 This drama goes on for all May. Tiff and Wyatt are like still hiding each other's key cards. They're still making up fake things that guests need. They're like doing these little pranks on each other that are like teasing. You are Jade. You know that Wyatt has a girlfriend. Knowledge famously is power.
Starting point is 00:26:26 Do you tell Tiff? No. So fast in for a while. No, she is my workplace rival. So I'm like, it sucks for me to watch it all go down, but at the same time, I'm like, okay, whatever history we have, where she's my workplace rival, I'm like, I don't think I need to have
Starting point is 00:26:45 her best interests in mind. I think I can just allow her to go down this journey and figure it out the hard way. I don't know. I wouldn't say anything. Here are what Jay thinks are the pros and cons. Jay's like, the pro is that baby if she knew he had a girlfriend, they would stop like flirt fighting
Starting point is 00:27:01 in front of me, which would be great. She's like, but there are two cons. The cons is, then I lose the entertainment of them flirt fighting in front of me, which would be great. She's like, but there are two cons. The cons is then I lose the entertainment of them flirt fighting. And it could make Tiff grumpy, which would make her worse to work with. Which, yeah, very important. If you already have a rivalry with her,
Starting point is 00:27:17 you don't want her in a bad mood. Yes. So Jade's like, I'm not going to tell her. I'm going to keep this little knowledge inside my heart. But then in June, two fakes happen. Tiff and Wyatt stop play fighting entirely, like abruptly. They are ignoring each other. The second thing that happens is that Sky
Starting point is 00:27:34 announces that they're leaving to go to a different hotel, which means there is now a power vacuum and Tiff and Jade both apply for that position. Oh my God. Okay, I am ready for this. And I'm also like, did Tiff and Jade both apply for that position. Oh my God. Okay, I am ready for this. And I'm also like, did Tiff and Wyatt hook up? Like, what has happened here?
Starting point is 00:27:51 Why do you say that? Well, just for them to automatically stop talking and like, did they hook up? And then she finds out he had a girlfriend and then something goes down. Or tell me, tell me it's even crazier than that. That is too pedestrian of a theory. Okay. Too pedestrian, way too pedestrian, but that. That is too pedestrian of a theory. Okay.
Starting point is 00:28:05 Too pedestrian, way too pedestrian, but we're not gonna get there for a second. Do you try, if you and TIFF are both applying for this job, that is management of your team that you work on, do you try and talk to TIFF about this? No. No. No, I'm like, we're just applying for the job,
Starting point is 00:28:24 let the powers that be, make the decision, just put my best foot forward. I don't feel like I need to talk to Tim about that. I love this boundary setting that you have. You're like firmly, she is not my problem. Yeah. Jade does not have this self-awareness. And so she's like, Tiff, I just want you to know
Starting point is 00:28:42 that I know we're both applying for this. And I'll totally support you if you're the one that gets it. And Tiff is like, Tiff, I just want you to know that like, I know we're both applying for this and like, I'll totally support you if you're the one that gets it. And Tiff is like, thank you. I'll be happy for you too if you're the one that gets it. They're like, great. Now you've had like a nice, tiny conversation. Do you want to ask her what's happening with her and why it?
Starting point is 00:28:59 Oh, yeah, 100 times. Yeah. That's actually very big of them in hindsight to share the all the intro ever, but it's just like, okay, if you get this little bit of nice behavior, like why not see if you can scratch and get a bit more. So yes, 100%. Yes, she's like, great, I'm so glad that we're both supportive of each other. Is everything okay between you and Wyatt? And tips like, what? And Jates, like, oh,
Starting point is 00:29:24 I just noticed that you're not like play fighting anymore? And tips like, what? And Jates like, oh, I just noticed that you're not like play fighting anymore. And tips like, what are you talking about? Jade like drops it, but she's like, I feel like I'm losing my mind. Like I have been watching these two people play flirt for like months. I have watched them do these little fights.
Starting point is 00:29:42 And now TIFF is standing in front of me saying, like, I have no idea what you're talking about. We've never done that. I just can't imagine what is going to be on the other side of this, because it's like everyone in this hotel has eyes. We have seen the play fighting. We've seen the hidden key cards.
Starting point is 00:29:57 There's no way you can convince anyone that this hasn't been happening. Yes. Jates, like, I'll drop it, but like, I'm paying attention, and I know that something is happening here. One day, the next month, they're at the desk and why it comes running in. And he's like, a guest has arrived. We've got a code yellow.
Starting point is 00:30:34 Code yellow is when a guest wants something that the hotel has not done before, so they like don't know how to obtain this thing. In this case, it's that this man wants to go purl diving. And everyone is like, we don't have any guys that do this. We don't even really know what this is. Like, this should be a chaotic moment. But as why it is explaining the code yellow, TIFF is just like a brick wall,
Starting point is 00:30:56 like not responding to him at all, clicking around on her computer, like not even paying attention. You're Jade, you're sitting at the desk next to TIFF, listening to why it tell you about this Codialo, what do you do here? I mean, okay, listen to the Codialo, put your job first, figure out all of that stuff,
Starting point is 00:31:14 but I think once that conversation is over, it's like I have to turn to her and be like, girl, what is going on? How are you not responding to this at all? Yes, Jade is like, Tiff, are you gonna handle this code yellow or do you want me to handle it? And Tiff's like, I'm not handling it.
Starting point is 00:31:33 And so Jade's like, okay, why it come over here? Like, what's this, which guest is this? What does he need? And why it's like, oh my God, finally, thank you. And then he winks at her and leaves. Luckily for Jade, she doesn't have to talk to Tip about her behavior because Skye is still watching this because they're staying there until the replacement is chosen and trained.
Starting point is 00:31:50 So Skye is like, Tiff, you cannot ignore the bellman. Like it is your job and a Codiello is serious. And Tip's like, yeah, I know, I'm sorry. And then Skye is like, just because Wyatt hit on you, doesn't mean you can ignore him. And tip is like, okay. And Jade, in her heart, is like, what? What?
Starting point is 00:32:15 Are you asking a follow-up here? I'm just like, what? It's like the hitting on her. What was it for it to cause this much of a reaction? Are they not play fighting and play flirting for years? Like wonder what this was? Yes, Jates like Tiff. What?
Starting point is 00:32:35 And Tiff's like, it's nothing. He made a pass at me at drinks last week, sky saw it and like helped me shut it down. And Jates like, I do not understand what's going on here. What is going on? Jates, theoretically, why it has some long-distance girlfriend? Or I guess could have lied to Miguel, and it's just like being shady.
Starting point is 00:32:58 What do you think here? I have no idea, because I'm like, we wouldn't him hitting on her be something that's welcome? Like, is she not nudging Jade saying, look, why it is here? Yes. And yeah, where does the girlfriend factor into this?
Starting point is 00:33:13 If they spend this much time at this resort, they get together for drinks after work, presumably when they drink, they talk about their lives. How is it also not out in the open that he has a girlfriend? Jade gets answers to none of this. He said the tension between Wyatt and Tiff continues to escalate. Like, she's not talking to him.
Starting point is 00:33:32 She won't help him at work. Wyatt then begins to like go on the offense. Like, he starts talking to Tiff in an exaggerated imitation of like her phone voice. And they both start throwing each other under the bus with guests. So when a guest asks why it's to help him find a date for a wedding, why it will be like,
Starting point is 00:33:51 oh my god, Tiffany would love to help you with that. So Jade keeps having to intervene in these conversations because she's like, you're gonna fuck up the guest experience here. And that is our whole job. Sky is on her team about this, obviously. So Sky and Jator like gabbling about this at the counter one day. And Sky to Jade is like, if Tiffany and Wyatt do not stop this like elementary school behavior, I'm gonna lose my mind. Like,
Starting point is 00:34:18 it's fucking up our job. And Sky is like kind of joking but not really. Why it over here's this, and is pissed, like so angry. And he leans over the front desk, and it's like, I know that you all think that this little like drama gossip club is cute, but you are a manager, Skye, and this is inappropriate, like you need to stop it. Wow, where did why it get boundaries from? And also this is where he's going to step up and speak up for himself. Are you skeptical about?
Starting point is 00:34:51 You're making a skeptical face. Yeah, I'm very skeptical of that. I'm just like, wait, there has been this weird tension now for however long and this is the moment when I think that sky is actually being very reasonable and saying that this is fucking up the whole team, like why is why it just now saying something? Yes, and I think maybe if sky were staying longer, they would have like investigated this, but because sky is on the way out, they're just like,
Starting point is 00:35:18 I'm sorry dude, like my bad. Yeah, it also sounds like Jade is probably the front runner for this job between her and Tiv, because she's not actively fucking up this team as far as we know. So that's for Jade. Great transition. Thank you. At the end of June, Sky comes to Jade and is like, congratulations, you got the job.
Starting point is 00:35:39 You're going to be the manager starting in July. Go Jade, our girl. Jade's like, oh my god, thank you. She's like ecstatic. She's like, this is my career. I'm so happy. I really didn't think I would get it. Like, thank you so much. And then she's like, can I ask like why I got it over Tiff? Expecting that Sky to be like, well, Tiff has been behaving like a 14 year old with why it. And so I can't get for this job job and Sky is like, oh, Tiff pulled her name from the running.
Starting point is 00:36:06 And but Tiff still works there. But Tiff still works there. Jade's like, so I was the only applicant. And Sky's like, yeah, but that doesn't mean you don't deserve it. Would you feel bad here? Like how would you feel? I'm just like, J, don't go into the title waves. Just be happy.
Starting point is 00:36:24 You got me job. Don't do this weird comparison shit. You're getting, you're gonna get paid more. You're gonna have more responsibility. Like, don't ruin yourself image over that. But then also, now she has some questions for TIFF. And as a manager, she can ask that. I love this.
Starting point is 00:36:44 Jay, it feels a little bad for one second. and then she's like, I got what I wanted. I don't really care. This doesn't matter. Before she starts as manager, before Sky's last day, she gets to use one of the few perks they have in this job, which is that for one week every year, you get to stay in a sister hotel. So Jade takes her week vacation in June, she goes away, she gets to be a guest, someone deals with all of her petty insane requests, and then she comes back and she's feeling refreshed and good. And she comes in on
Starting point is 00:37:18 her first day as manager and things feel different. Partly because she's the manager. And partly because she has changed her outlook on work, right? She's like, as a manager, I have decided that I will not replicate the mistakes that Sky made. Like, Sky encouraged the culture of this place to be unprofessional and gossipy and deranged. And like, I am gonna do better as a manager. She's like, I'm gonna become a totally different person who's not interested in gossip.
Starting point is 00:37:47 Now that I have this position of power, do you think that that's possible? I mean, after one week of having people cater to all of her crazy requests, maybe that changed something in her? Where she's like, oh, I realized how deranged it is that I can have a peacock on request. So maybe I need to come back down to earth. Yeah, she's like, I feel great about this revelation and I think it's the right thing to do.
Starting point is 00:38:12 Until she walks in the front doors. And she watches, why it, come up to the counter and be like, hey, lean on it and be like, hey, can I get a pen? And TIFF be like, oh yeah, of course. Like which pen do you want and like fan them out in front of them? And she's like, they're getting along. They're flirting again.
Starting point is 00:38:32 You've resolved to never gossip again and you are the manager. Do you ask? Yes. Yes. Because now it is totally within my job to know about the social while being of this team. So yeah, I'm gonna ask.
Starting point is 00:38:47 You're just gonna be like, what's going on here? What's your move here? Like, how do you ask? I think that I would frame it as, so what has happened in my week away? How have the relationships changed? You coming back from ex-Hail Island? What has happened in my week away?
Starting point is 00:39:03 Oh no. Jade is like, oh, did you and Wyatt like work your little problem out? And Tiff is like, what problem? And Jade's like, I mean, it seems like you had a problem with Wyatt. And Tiff's like, I've never had a problem with Wyatt. These people just need to be honest about where they're at. It's okay if there's a conflict, Tiff.
Starting point is 00:39:23 It's okay. It's fine. Yeah, exactly. And Jade is like, okay, whatever. Like, maybe this is the sign from the universe that I was right to try and stay out of it. Like, I'm going to keep trying. This goes on for a few months. Everything is calm. Tiff and Wyatt are still flirting all the time. And then one day in September, Tiff is like, I have to run an errand. Can I take my dinner break now? And Jade is like, yeah, no problem. Like, who cares? But then, when she needs a bellman for something in calls one, Miguel comes. And Miguel is like, oh, why it just took his dinner break? Do you have the number of this card retailer that we need? A guest is asking. And Jade is like,
Starting point is 00:40:03 well, well, well, why it is on his dinner break at the same time as Jade. That's very interesting to me. I'm intrigued. I'm like, we need some answers. Everybody has been exposed to this for too long. We all deserve something. I don't like this hot and cold. Just tell us what's going on, Tiff.
Starting point is 00:40:22 Jade is like, it's not really gossiping to speculate with your work wife, right? So she and the gal are like, could they be together? Like, where could they have gone? What are they doing going on and on? When another employee comes up and is like, what are you guys gossiping about? Do you tell your employee what you're gossiping about? See, I fully agree that there's this sanctity
Starting point is 00:40:46 in the relationship with the work wife where all other social decorum gone, you can say whatever. Yes. It's a tough position because you are the manager, so I think you shouldn't be telling this other employee, but I get the feeling that Jade is going to say something. Jade is like, it's nothing. We're just gabbing.
Starting point is 00:41:08 And the other employee is like, so you're sure it's not about Tiff getting into why it's car. And Jade is like, don't tell me about that. I don't wanna know that. And then the employee leaves and she and McGell are like, what? What do you do here? Do you do anything?
Starting point is 00:41:25 It's, I mean, one, continue to gossip with the work wave. Yeah. But I think when she comes back, I think it's reasonable to say, hey, how did that Aaron go? It appears that you and Wyatt went on the errand together. Was it productive? I think you can't find a way to ask, because at this point, it's like, come on guys,
Starting point is 00:41:47 it's been years. Yeah. They come to the conclusion that Jade is getting nothing out of Tiff. Every time she asks a question, Tiff just stonewalls her. So they're like, you try. Miguel, you try with Wyatt. So Miguel goes off and does his job,
Starting point is 00:42:01 and he comes back next day, and he's like, I talked to Wyatt. And Wyatt said they are absolutely not dating. They are absolutely not involved. Like, he just took her on an errand because she needed to dress him and his aunt is a tailor. I also can't believe that they haven't used Miguel and Wyatt's relationship as a resource up until this point. You mean like Miguel has never asked Wyatt at all about this?
Starting point is 00:42:24 I know. It's like boy, hour over there where where he's like this guy showed me a picture of his long distance girlfriend on his Instagram and I asked no follow-up questions. What are you doing? He's actually like probably one of the worst people to have in your gossip arsenal if he's not doing the work to get more information to. Yes, luckily in this case, Miguel is like, oh, it's nice that you hooked Tiff up with your aunt, who's a tailor, but like, why did you need to drive her there? Yes. And why it's like, oh, oh, oh, oh, I've been driving her places
Starting point is 00:42:58 because her car is broken, and she can't afford to get it fixed. And Jaden, her head is like, this is a little like the lady, Doth, protest too much to me. Like, a lot of excuses happening here. But she's like, I'm not gonna ask Tiff because I am reformed. I shant ask her about Wyatt,
Starting point is 00:43:16 but as a manager, it is, perhaps my duty to know if her car works. So she's like, Tiff, I heard that you're having car trouble. Is that true? What happened with your car? And Tiff's like, oh, my car is broken.
Starting point is 00:43:31 And Jade is like, oh, I'm so sorry about that. Like, let me know if you need anything. And Tiff is like, yeah, actually I do need to talk to you. Can we talk for a minute? I'm ready for the reveal. Let's go, Tiff.
Starting point is 00:43:44 Or at least tell us why you don't have the Uber app. Yes. Jade is like, it's definitely not gossip if she confides in me. She's like, come to my office, what's up? And Tiff's like, listen. I've been dreading telling you this because I know it's going to create all sorts of problems and like, the fall out blah, blah, blah, blah, and Jade's like, yay, yeah, get to it. What is it?
Starting point is 00:44:08 And Tip is like, I put in my request for my week at a sister hotel at this big fancy hotel overseas that no one ever gets approved for, and I got it. And I'm going the first week of October. And Jade's stomach plummets into the round because she's like, first off, this is not the gossip I wanted. This is an amateurial bullshit.
Starting point is 00:44:30 She's like, second, the first week of October is like the biggest week for us this year. We have three weddings, two billionaires on site and a conference for food and drink people who when they were here last year drink the whole bar out of booze. She's like, the staff had been strategizing for this for weeks, like months maybe. She's like, and Tiff is supposed to be the point person for like all of these weddings. So her leaving for this has fucked up everything. What do you do? Well, one, it seems like Tiff is really skilled at
Starting point is 00:45:03 fucking up a lot of shit here. What do you mean you're leaving during that week? What do you mean you have had this weird flirt man forever? What do you mean you can't call an Uber when your car is in the shop? And also this is a very expensive hotel So I would think that like you're at least making enough to cover the usual cost of living. So TIFF, not trusted but This is a moment with privacy. So, I don't know if Jade's gonna do it, but as someone who is really invested in the story, I hope she takes this
Starting point is 00:45:32 moment to ask what the fuck is going on. Jade is like, could you go to this fancy hotel any other week? Instead of the first week of October, she does not take the wide open door chance to ask a question here. And TIFF is like, no, that's the only week they offered me. But Jade does not believe this. And with the system that she has, she can see whether or not they offered TIFF more than one week. Do you look? 100%.
Starting point is 00:46:03 Why? It's within your managerial right. Jade looks and she sees that Tiff was offered three different weeks and that Tiff shows the one that she would be the busiest on. What do you do? So is Tiff aware that Jade can see all of this. I would assume so. OK. I feel like she has to go back and say, hey, I see that there's actually other weeks available. Can we work something out where maybe you get a bit more than a week, and then you can go at a different time.
Starting point is 00:46:41 Maybe we can figure out a compromise. I love this strategy. Like I love your manipulation of this. I think that would work perfectly. Jade is like, I'm so mad at her that I want her out. Like I'll do it without her. She can leave for the week, whatever. But then the whole lead up to that week,
Starting point is 00:47:00 she's like panicking and planning and rushing. Like one of the brides wants 5,000 pink roses. So someone has to source those. One of the fancy guests wants two rooms that connect, but this doesn't exist in the hotel, so a contractor has to be brought in to like connect them. Jesus Christ, I didn't realize that they're renovating for these guests too.
Starting point is 00:47:20 By the time the week begins, Jade is like, I don't even have time to think about TIFF. Like, I only have time to work. And at the end of the first day of that week, she's like, I'm so exhausted. Like, I'm not having a drink at the bar. I'm going home, and I'm going to sleep. For three days, she works so hard that she has no memory
Starting point is 00:47:37 of the day before. On the fourth day, she's stuck late doing some dumb request. And she's like, looking at things on on her computer trying to find something for a guest When Miguel comes in and he's like, hey, do you want to get a drink at the bar? And Jade's like, yeah, I feel like I'm absolutely dead and Miguel is like, oh, why? And she's like, I mean, I told you that Tiff is gone because like she got into the swanky hotel and so she's left and Miguel is like, oh my god, I forgot that that was this week. Miguel's like, isn't it interesting
Starting point is 00:48:10 that Wyatt is visiting his brother in Miami this week? Stop. Of course, I was about to ask is Wyatt there this week too, but of course they are both gone at the same time. Mm-hmm. And also, Miguel, you need to be more forthright with this information.
Starting point is 00:48:25 Yes, come to the desk and tell me immediately. Jade is like, this girl screwed be over, is constantly creating problems for me. She's like, do you think that they're together to Miguel? And Miguel is like, yeah, of course, I think they're together. He's like, they're both gone this same week and he's like, isn't Swainky Hotel like the most romantic of all of our hotel properties? And Jade's like, yeah, I think it's like four couples. And Miguel's like, oh my god, it is. You and Miguel have the power of management and friendship on your side. And you want proof that they are together.
Starting point is 00:49:06 How do you get it? Is there like an interconnected network of welcome team managers at the different hotels? Like can you reach out to the the equivalent of you at the swanky hotel and figure out who she's with. That is a great idea and they will do it but not yet. Okay. First thing they do is Miguel is like, it's an international hotel. He's like, what I'm gonna do is I'll call Wyatt tomorrow. And this I did not know this. These people are very smart. Apparently the ringing tone, like when you call someone is different in different countries. Oh shit. tone, like when you call someone, is different in different
Starting point is 00:49:45 countries. Oh shit. Okay, I learned something. Yeah. So like the US uses like, there's a two-second ring followed by a four-second pause. In like the UK, for example, you hear a double ring. So like two-bring-brings followed by a two second pause So Miguel is like I'll call Wyatt tomorrow if the ringer is different. We know he's not in Miami We know he's a brat so Miguel calls in the morning it rings The ringing totes different And why it answers his phone And Miguel is like oh hey, like what's up? We're just bored at the front desk
Starting point is 00:50:28 and we're wondering if you know where the cards are. And why it's like, what do you mean you're bored at the front desk? Isn't this like one of the busiest weeks that the hotel has all year? And Miguel's like, ha ha, yeah. Okay, Miguel needed a real plan for this. I was like, Miguel needs to be coached through
Starting point is 00:50:43 like this gossip and information sourcing. Yes, Miguel is like, yeah, it's bad, but do you know where the cards are? And so why it's like, yeah, like the cards are in the valley stand like, did it it it it it it. Miguel's like, great, thank you so much. How's your brother? Are you having a good, a good time?
Starting point is 00:50:59 And why it laughs and hangs up the phone. Now they are very mad and more suspicious than ever because they're like, did the two of them leave us in this hellscape to go on in this secret romantic vacation? This is where your idea comes in. Jade is like, I don't have access to that hotel system. So I can't just like look them up. She's like, but I could call the version of me that's there
Starting point is 00:51:27 and ask a strategic question and probably find out. Yes, I like what Jade is doing here. This is like the way to play the game. Yes, Jade. What kind of strategic question do you want to ask? You don't want to get caught as being snoopy on your employees and you don't want them to find out that it's like you calling, but you want to know for sure that why it is there.
Starting point is 00:51:50 Can you call and say that you're like the sister of somebody and you want to send a bottle of champagne or some type of like anniversary surprise? Oh my god, you're so good at this. I'm going to start calling you with my problems. She calls and she's like, hey, so sorry. Uh, we're having a bit of an emergency here at the hotel. Could you transfer me to Wyatt last name's room really quick? And the her on the other end is like, yeah, absolutely. Give me one second. She directly got there. The transfer signal begins to ring. Do you let it ring? No, because clearly these people are not capable
Starting point is 00:52:32 of having the conversation when he picks up. When you call someone, there's the risk they're going to pick up and you need a plan for that. So no, don't let him pick up. First ring Tiffany picks up the phone. She's like, hello, Jade hangs up. First ring Tiffany picks up the phone. She's like, hello, Jade hangs up. Ha ha ha ha. Miguel and Jade are like dying.
Starting point is 00:52:51 They're in hysterics with the front desk. They're like, these two think that they're so sneaky. They're like acting like they don't go on vacation together. Like, come on, we have like solve the mystery. They're so proud of themselves. They're patting themselves in the back. Why don't you forford turn the next week? They have their stories straight.
Starting point is 00:53:08 Jade asked why it how it was Miami and why it's like, oh, it was great. I did a walking tour. I ate ceviche. I saw the beach. She was so fun. Jade asked Tip how her vacation was. It tips like, oh, it's so good.
Starting point is 00:53:19 I got some alone time. Jade is like, ah, like, why are they like this? Like, they this? They're so difficult and I can't prove it. I don't want to deal with them anymore. This is just annoying me now. I almost feel like, okay, if they're not clay fighting anymore and it's not ruining the guest experience and they're not passively, aggressively handing each other pens, at this point I'm going to be like, you know what, just go off and secretly date, like fuck it. But then I guess they did leave during the busiest time of the year.
Starting point is 00:53:48 So actually, I think I would be salty still. A couple of weeks after their trip, Tiff comes to Jade and is like, hey, I'm putting in my two weeks. She's like, I'm transferring to another hotel in like a new city. And Jade's like, okay, bye. The relief I feel. And then she immediately is like, where's Miguel? And she goes to Miguel and she's like, Miguel, tip is leaving. And Miguel's
Starting point is 00:54:12 like, oh my god, why it is also leaving. Like he has transferred to a different hotel in that same city. So the two of them are like, well, well, well. We have all the proof we've ever wanted. Like, we've solved this mystery. We are almost at the end, whose side are you on? Okay. I think it's Jade. I think that it's always been Jade. I think that perhaps Jade could have been more strategic in how she went about this.
Starting point is 00:54:41 But at this point, if I was Jade, I'd be like, girl, you won. You got the job, your workplace rival is leaving. You don't have to do this weird Sherlock home shit anymore. And then you can have the satisfaction of knowing that like they're just out of there and you can have this toxic, free workplace environment. Yes. Tiffany, why it leave?
Starting point is 00:55:02 Bliss. Jades job is so easy. No one's doing play fighting. People are just hooking up in a normal way that doesn't cause any problems for her. A few months after this, she's leaving at the end of her shift and she runs into Sky on the street. They're gapping. They're happy. She's like, oh my god, you'll never believe what happened with Wyatt and Tiff.
Starting point is 00:55:25 And she tells Sky this whole story. And Sky is like, oh my god, you don't know. And Jade's like, no, what? And Sky is like, so I'm friends with Tiff's sister on Facebook. And Jade is like, why would you be friends with Tiff's's on Facebook. And Skye's like, she's hot. Like, don't worry about it. That's not important. She's like, OK.
Starting point is 00:55:50 So Skye is like a couple of weeks ago. I'm on Facebook. And I see that she posted photos from the fall of last year, right? Like an album titled Fall, whatever year. Skye's like, so I'm scrolling through the photos and look what I see. And they turn their phone around. and on it is a photo.
Starting point is 00:56:08 It is a photo of Tiff and Wyatt and they are kissing and the sun is behind them and they look so beautiful. And her hair is so thick and gorgeous and Jade is like, wait a second. Is that a fucking veil? And Sky nods flips to the next photo and they are standing at an altar. Like full tux full white dress full marriage. The two of them got secret married in the fall while working at this hotel. Why is this a secret? Why does this have to be a secret? No, why is it a secret? Why are they hot and cold with each other? If people are in the same time, you can obviously have these arrangements. Why is this a secret?
Starting point is 00:56:58 Janice, what are the fucking dates on this? She's scrolling through the photos. They got married the week before Hell Week and their trip to that hotel was their honeymoon. So that's how she got into that hotel was by being like, it's my honeymoon, please. I think it's very humblings. I was like, okay, if everyone is gossiping here and Jada's supposed to be the manager who knows everything, It's like, I just, these people have been fucking married and I had no idea. But I'm also so confused like, why is this a secret? I'm sure you could like go to HR and say you're married and it's fine. Why is this a secret? What happened to why it's girlfriend from hours away? Yes, I don't
Starting point is 00:57:44 understand why this is kept from everybody. No one understands. She goes to Begell and she's like, what the fuck is this? And Begell is like, oh, maybe that's why they were fighting because wedding planning is really stressful. And Jates, that doesn't make any sense. Why did they need to hide this? Jates, I feel like I'm losing my whole mind. Do you have any theories of why they might hide this. Jade's like, I feel like I'm losing my whole mind. Yeah. Do you have any theories of why they might hide this? Why they would feel the need to hide this? God.
Starting point is 00:58:12 I'm like, was I, I really like Adelaide, was she worried she wasn't going to get the manager job? Like, I just, I cannot think of a reasonable reason to be hiding this. Yes. Jade is like, this is going to send me into like a quick descent into madness. Like, I am going to be checked into a mental hospital. I am going to lose my mind. So she's like, you know what? Fuck it. I'm like, going to bring this to the whole team and see if we can like, sort it out. She's like, did any of you know that they were married? No one knew that they were married. And everyone's like, did any of you know
Starting point is 00:58:53 that they were dating? And everyone's like, no, we thought that they were just fighting all the time. It turns out that like basically they were just like, we want privacy. And so we won't be telling anyone about our relationship. Like we want to work the just like, we want privacy. And so we won't be telling anyone about our relationship. Like we wanna work the same shift, we wanna be able to carpool, we don't want anyone in our business, so we have secrets now. Okay, boundaries, I guess.
Starting point is 00:59:16 I guess. But it's like fighting all the time is such a weird way to throw people off the scent because you're just drawing attention to yourself. Yes, it's like the worst stealth technique of all time to be like, we're enemies actually. Yeah. Let's openly show people that we don't get along. I don't understand. I don't get it. I don't understand them. I don't know. We are at the end of our story. Do you have any takes? What are your final thoughts? Lay it on me. I mean, I love how the one Jade did not complete her mission of having a gossip
Starting point is 00:59:48 prevert place that she calls in the whole department and is like, okay, let's get to the bottom of this. So I'm rooting for Jade, but unfortunately, Jade has not hit her goal during this. I still do not understand this tip and why a thing. At all, like, truly, I don't. And then I wonder now that they're in a new city, like what happens? Is it a clean day? Where they can live openly as a married couple or is this roof going to continue? Right. They'll never tell their co-workers about each other. Right. It's like, is that why you're at different hotels? Is so that like you can continue to do this ruse where like you're just a nobody who has no interests and no one knows anything about you?
Starting point is 01:00:29 Like, imagine being able to keep that many secrets about yourself, like certainly could not be me. I feel like you would go home and just scream or something. It's like, I wonder what they talk about in the car ride home where they're like, all right, baby, another day to come. No one knows, I think we're just fighting. I guess that's a question.
Starting point is 01:00:48 It's like, do you think it could be some kind of kink? Like some reason to like, keep it a secret? Yeah, what if their names aren't even tiff or Wyatt at all? Like, what if they're whole? What if everything about their identities are fake? And what if it's not actually following her sister on Facebook? Like, what if nothing is real? Wow, that's a terrifying and beautiful place to end.
Starting point is 01:01:11 Erica, thank you so much for coming to the podcast. It was a delight to have you. Thank you so much. It was an honor to talk about this. I still cannot wrap my head around this story. Thank you for listening to Normal Gossip. If you have a gossip story to share with us, email us at normalgossipatdefector.com or you can leave us a voicemail at 2679 gossip. If you love this podcast and want us to keep making it, become a friend or a friend of a friend You can follow the show on Instagram and TikTok at NormalGossip.
Starting point is 01:01:53 You can follow Kelsey on all social media at McKinneyCelsea. This podcast was produced by Alex Sujean Laughlin, Justin Ellis is Defectors Projects Editor, Jasper Wang and Sean Koon are defectors business guys. Tom Lay is our editor in chief. Jay Tolviera is our associate producer. Abigail Seagal is our intern. Dan McCoyd runs our merch store which you can find at normalgossip.store. which you can find at normalgossip.store. Tyra Jacoby designed our show art. Thank you to Jasper Wang for your help on this episode. Thank you to Ray Rado for your help on this episode.
Starting point is 01:02:33 Thanks to the rest of the Defector staff. Defector Media is a collectively owned subscriber-based media company. Normal Gossip is a proud member of Radiotopia. Normal Gossip is hosted by Kelsey McKinney. I'm Libby, and remember you did not hear this from me. Radio Topia. From PRX. From PRX.

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