CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY ONE – AN EVEN WILDER NERD FIGHT

The quiz began, and it quickly became clear that this was no ordinary night. The questions were harder, the competition fiercer. The lead changed hands multiple times, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. As they entered the final round, the Dark Horses held a slim lead over the Brainiacs, with the Know-It-Alls close behind. Charlotte could feel the tension radiating from the teams as she read out the last question. "For the championship," she said, her voice ringing out in the hushed pub, "your final question is this: In what year was the first text message sent, and what did it say?" The teams huddled together, whispering furiously. Charlotte watched the clock tick down, her heart racing. When time was up, she collected the answer sheets with trembling hands. As she read out the answers, the pub held its collective breath. The Know-It-Alls had the year right but the message wrong. The Brainiacs had both elements partially correct. And the Dark Horses... "The Dark Hor