The Convincing Hour

What if you could have the most incredible life you imagine for yourself, but you had to give up everything in your current life? Would you do it?

Teenagers are vanishing from Lakeview, Michigan, specifically some of Lakeview's juvenile criminals. Kids commit crimes and go to jail...but they never return home. Story Black, a brilliant fifteen-year-old, has heard that these kids are sent to a very special school-and then college. Paying the bill for everything is Lakeview's newest citizen, Charlotte Barnaby, a former school principal who has won the largest lottery jackpot in history.

Lakeview, once on the verge of complete collapse, has been saved with the appearance of Char's new company, Second Beginnings. She does indeed give Lakeview a second beginning, and her power is matched only by her generosity. The entire community is thriving, and no one notices that teens are missing, although their families remain in Lakeview.

Story Black plans to be next. She robs a neighborhood store with the intent of being caught, and after breezing through the jail's aptitude test, she finds herself face to face with Charlotte Barnaby. Char promises Story amazing opportunities, but standing between Story and her new life is her mother, Patty Black, a meth user with a genius I.Q. Patty sees through Char's deception and threatens to destroy everything Char has built, not caring if she brings down all of Lakeview and her own daughter.

Who will win and what will be the cost of Story's second beginning?