Megan Abbott

But I felt very there was no keeping up with the Joneses where I grew up.

My dad was a teacher and, you know, we did not have.

That life at all.

We belong to no country clubs.

So I think that position, I could view it with a little bit of perspective even then.

And of course now, especially so over the years and sort of seeing the way it's impact on me too.

It was very different.

You know, it was really about what, did you have the new polo sweater?

How many colors did you have then when I was growing up?

And of course, I never had any polo sweaters.

So I think, yeah, it's that kind of in-between space.

You know, you're close enough to be in the inside of these houses and in these conversations, but you're on the outside enough to have some distance.

100%.

That makes so much sense to me.

You know, something that strikes me about your novel, like the protagonists, they're very different.

The sisters, I should say, they're very different.

But one thing they have in common is they need money for various reasons.

And I remember one scene where they're like sharing their financial struggles.

And it's almost like they're trying to one up each other.

And I think it was Harper who says, what is this bankruptcy poker?