"I'm sorry Mr Wilkins, as well as your credit is, I cannot approve of this loan." The banker says in a sympathetic tone.

"But I don't understand. I never missed a repayment of the last loan I got, and was never late. I need the money to update my bar to accommodate the laws for the National Disabilities Act." Todd agreed to help Suzanne, without the money, she cannot comfortably get and move inside.

"I see that. But you cosigned with a Bert Wilkins. He fell behind on his mortgage and car payments. He filed for bankruptcy last month." The woman tell him.

Todd closed his eyes. Why didn't his parents say anything? He thanked the woman and walked out despondent and depressed. Great. He loved his bar, but he realized he may have to sell it. It was doing okay, but wasn't making the money it used to be. He was too busy thinking hard he accidentally ran into Bruce.

''Wilkins, watch where you're going."

"Sorry Bruce. I just have a lot on mind." Todd needed to help his parents. Plus, find a job. Bruce seeing Todd'a face, asked if he needed help. Todd shook his head and walked to his car. The BMW was a nice car but was getting up in age. It cost money to drive it. Looks like he had to get rid of his car too. Where did he go wrong? Todd knew it wasn't his or his parents fault. The economy sucked. He needed to figure things out. He decided to go home.

Later that night, Todd was working as a bartender. A group of young women came in, and Todd instantly knew they were underage. He nodded to his bouncer, they looked drunk.

"Three low cal beers." The leader said giggling.

"ID." Todd demanded.

"Here."

"All of you." When they presented their IDs, Todd instantly knew they were fake. He took them, only because they were fake.

"Nice try. Go home."

The girls were outraged and were yelling they were over twenty one.

"If you were twenty one, you'll act it. Bring your parents tomorrow, they can pick up your IDs in the afternoon when we open. I'll call you a taxi." The teens wanted to argue, but seeing the bouncer, shrunk back. They meekly walk out. Todd knew they won't be back, no teen wanted to bring their parents. Todd threw the IDs in the ID bin. Just in case.

Later that night, Todd was clearing the tables. He had a busser, but he was sick. It wasn't that busy anyways. He yawned. He wished his night would end. But he had a few hours left. Looking up he saw a familiar face, who was that? She looked familiar. Oh yeah.

"Hey Emily." Emily Mayer used to be the Droids drums back in high school, but quit playing when she was in her senior year. Her new step mom, Karen and her clashed heads a lot and she moved out the day she turned eighteen. Todd didn't blame her, he heard the stories from Elizabeth and Dana.

She was now working as a music engineer for a major music label. It was her that got AJ and Dana famous, by having her boss listen in SVU's student radio station. She and her father Ron Mayer have a tentative relationship these days, but rarely speaks to her stepmother, Karen. Her half sister Karrie is going through her hellion teen stage, Emily remarked it was karma. Now Karen and Ron are stuck at home screamed at by a hormonal teenager.

"Hey Todd. Can I have a raspberry cooler?"

"Coming right up." Emily wasn't alone, she brought someone Today hadn't seen since college.

"Andrea, what can I get ya?"

"Dirty Martini."

"Coming right up." Andrea Slade was now a former model. As the daughter of legendary rock star, Jaime Peters, she moved to Sweet Valley with her dad so she can have a normal life. She and Nicolas Morrow dated for two years, but broke up when Andrea signed on to a modeling contract and moved to London, England when she was nineteen. Now she was a reporter for More More Music Television. She and Emily were good friends since they both worked in the music industry.

"What brings you two here? Sweet Valley isn't glamourous as LA."

Emily speaks up.

"Work. Andrea here, she is scouting."

"Yep. We are currently looking at bars. More Music is producing a reality television show about bar makeovers."

"Yea, but there is so many reality TV shows that did that. What makes you think this will be any different." Emily remarked. "Paramount and MTV already have a few."

"Not like this one. We are turning bars into lounges. Jazz clubs, rock, pop, country, you know, like a live music venue. The bars will be competing in a reality television series. There will be different artists performing, mostly amateurs from different walks of life. The musicians and the bars will be competing for the title of the Best Of. It won't just be a singing competition, it is also how the bar employees interact and promote the acts. Whomever wins, the musicians will be signed and the bar owner will win a million dollars."

Todd froze. A million? That will pay off his parent's debts, and put his bar on the map. Frankie's can return to its glory days. Plus, bring it up to code.

"Andrea. You ever consider Frankie's?"

Todd was jumping up and down his apartment, till his neighbours banged on the ceiling. Todd quieted down, but was excited when Andrea said she'll think about it. She and Nicolas used to come to Frankie's when they both attended SVU. If Todd competes, he can help Suzanne. He knew nothing about music, but knew someone who did. It was too late to call Winston, but a email on Messenger should suffice.