Day 1: Ask to borrow $100

Day 1: Request $100 from a stranger 

I was already on my way to campus for class so I knew I would be seeing plenty of people. Surely I could just stop a random pedestrian, ask for $100 and then leave right? I knew I would be anxious but I had no idea to what extent. 

I eyed every person up and down on my walk to class, deciding if they would be the one I’d have the courage to ask. 

After passing dozens of people already, I decided I was too scared to ask someone my age because asking for $100 from another broke college student just seemed offensive. That was my reasoning at least. But in reality, I was just too scared.

I walked to my next class, determined to find someone who was sitting down. Maybe that would be the trick. Approaching another person walking seemed too intense. I passed a hotel and saw a couple of grown men walking outside. Perfect candidates, I thought. But my feet weren’t walking towards them. They were going the opposite direction actually. My heart was racing and I knew I was going to bail. I anxiously sat through my next class wondering how I was going to find someone.

By the time I got out, it was dark and no one was around . I drove home disappointed in myself. It was one little question. Why did I let the anxiety take over my whole afternoon? I went to bed annoyed with myself and decided tomorrow would be the day.

Attempt 2:

It was 6 o’clock by the time I got home and had free time to film. I looked over my balcony and saw people out and about taking their evening walks. Nows the time. 

I filmed my intro, hyped myself up, and made my way outside. I first passed a woman walking- I decided I didn’t want to approach a female and interrupt her hot girl walk. That just seemed rude. (Plus on the off chance someone does give me $100, I thought I had a better chance if it was a man). But then I passed a man and I still didn’t ask.

Then another. Than a family. Then a couple. Than more women. Than an old man playing with his dog. For each one I had an excuse as to why I couldn’t ask them. For the next HOUR this pattern repeated. I walked around the area, back and forth, back and forth. I sat down on a bench and watched the sun set. 

 I was disappointed in myself again. There was nobody left around me and I had failed yet again. I walked back to my apartment and saw a man standing outside the building. There’s my opportunity, I thought. But again my feet walked right by him before I could get my mouth to move.

I went to my room sat on my beanbag and screamed. I took a deep breath and decided to go back down one last time. I walked right out the door, passing the man again and headed to my car. I collected myself and started walking back inside. The man was still standing there, looking down at his phone.

Now is my chance. Knowing this was my last opportunity, I started waking towards him. My feet were finally going the right direction and before I knew it, I was stopped in front of him spitting out the words, “Random question, can I have $100” 

“No” he said bluntly and went back to his phone.

I said thank you and rushed inside. My heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest.

But it was Euphoric. I felt relieved. Accomplished. Proud. I finished making my TikTok and pressed upload.

I went to bed feeling empowered. I can do this.