"I smile, pleased to be complimented."Here to have your daily smooth 'n shine?" Yes, Gerry," I say."You getting used to it now??? That tan stuff worki...g out?"I nod. Gerry turns to his lap top. I know that the staff always check the files before they start a session, but this time I know what he's going to see. He doesn't say anything about that though, he just says, "Hop up on the chair honey. Let's get this done."I get back onto the chair. He swings me around and tips me back. He picks up his. I followed what she was pointing to and saw my picture hanging in the middle of the wall with the other carriers. Under it was a sign that said, "Carrier of the Month—August." I snapped around to look at Cary. He was grinning and so was Mom. She already knew and hadn't told me."Congratulations, Brian," Cary said. "What is this, the fourth time you've won?" Yessir. I didn't even know I was in the running this month. I guess I wasn't paying attention." Well, you've done a good job on your route.. Over time, they switched to paeans to favorite players -- many featuring phone numbers and increasingly graphic descriptions of what was in store. By the end of the second season, though, it became much more complicated. Signs told one player what another had done behind his back. They urged alliances, tried to rattle front-runners, demanded retention of favorites. It was pro wrestling meets "Big Brother."The producers rode the wave. The crowds outside eventually were given the say in which. "I sat in my room stunned. I thought all I would have to do was tellStacy I didn't like dressing up for her and this would stop. Now Mom istelling me I have to go on this date. Surely, this was over. Stacy wasso impressed with what I had done for her last night that she was trulycoming over because she wanted me to be her boyfriend. In my heart Iwanted it to be true, but deep down I knew that Mom was right. I knewwhy Stacy wanted to taking me to the Mall. All I had to do was say no.I.