Gambled it All Away

 

INT. THERAPIST'S OFFICE - DAY

We open on a close-up of JIM, a disheveled, middle-aged man with bloodshot eyes and a heavy five-o'clock shadow. He sits in a plush chair in the office of his therapist, DR. LINDA WELLS, staring blankly ahead. Linda sits across from him, notebook in hand. LINDA: So, Jim. It's been three weeks since our last session. How have things been going? JIM: (sighs heavily) Not great, Linda. I thought I was getting better, but I'm starting to realize I'm still pretty messed up. Linda nods sympathetically. LINDA: It's okay, Jim. Recovery is a process, and it's normal to have setbacks. What's been going on? JIM: Well... I started gambling again. Linda's eyebrows raise in concern. LINDA: Illegally? JIM: Yeah. I owed some money to some... not-great people. And I thought I could win it back. But I lost everything. My savings, my job... everything. Linda leans forward in her chair. LINDA: That's a really tough situation, Jim. But you know that gambling isn't the answer to your problems. You need to focus on your sobriety and finding healthy ways to cope. Jim looks down at his hands, ashamed. JIM: I know, Linda. But it's like... every time I start to feel a little better, something else goes wrong. I can't seem to catch a break. Linda reaches over and puts a comforting hand on Jim's shoulder. LINDA: I understand how hard this is for you. But you can't give up. You've come so far already. You just need to keep pushing through. Jim looks up at Linda, his eyes shining with tears. JIM: Thank you, Linda. I don't know what I'd do without you. Linda smiles warmly. LINDA: That's what I'm here for, Jim. Let's work together to get you back on track. CUT TO: INT. JIM'S APARTMENT - NIGHT Jim sits alone on his couch, staring at a blank TV screen. He looks tired and defeated. Suddenly, his phone rings. He picks it up, and we hear a gravelly voice on the other end. VOICE: Jim. It's time to pay up. Jim's face goes white. JIM: I don't have the money. I lost it all. VOICE: That's not my problem, Jim. You know the rules. You have three days to come up with the cash, or else... The voice trails off, but we know what he means. Jim hangs up the phone and puts his head in his hands. CUT TO: INT. THERAPIST'S OFFICE - DAY Jim sits across from Linda, looking more frazzled than ever. JIM: I don't know what to do, Linda. I'm in over my head. Linda looks at him with concern. LINDA: Have you told anyone else about this? JIM: No. I'm too ashamed. I don't want anyone to know how much of a mess I am. LINDA: Jim, you can't do this alone. You need to reach out for help. JIM: But who can I turn to? My family doesn't want anything to do with me, and I don't have any friends left. Linda thinks for a moment. LINDA: What about your AA group? They're there to support you through times like this. Jim looks skeptical. JIM: I don't know if I can face them after what I've done. They'll think I'm a failure. Linda puts a hand on Jim's arm. LINDA: Jim, they're not there to judge you. They're there to help you. And you need all the support you can get right now. Jim looks down, deep in thought. CUT TO: INT. AA MEETING - NIGHT Jim sits in a circle of people, all with different struggles and stories to share. He listens as each person speaks, feeling a sense of camaraderie with them. Finally, it's his turn to speak. JIM: Hi, I'm Jim. And I'm an alcoholic and a compulsive gambler. The group murmurs words of encouragement. JIM: I've been struggling a lot lately. I started gambling again, and I lost everything. My job, my savings, my self-respect... everything. And I don't know what to do. The group listens attentively as Jim pours out his heart. CUT TO: INT. JIM'S APARTMENT - DAY Jim sits on his couch, surrounded by his old gambling paraphernalia. He looks at it all with disgust. Suddenly, he stands up, grabs a trash bag, and starts throwing everything away. The poker chips, the playing cards, the betting slips... it all goes in the trash. CUT TO: INT. THERAPIST'S OFFICE - DAY Jim sits across from Linda, looking more confident than he has in weeks. JIM: I did it, Linda. I threw away everything. Linda smiles. LINDA: That's great, Jim. I'm proud of you. But what are you going to do about the money you owe? Jim looks serious. JIM: I'm going to face it head-on. I'm going to talk to the people I owe, and I'm going to work out a plan to pay them back. And I'm going to do it without gambling or drinking. Linda nods approvingly. LINDA: That's a great plan, Jim. And I'll be here to support you every step of the way. Jim smiles gratefully. CUT TO: INT. JIM'S APARTMENT - DAY Jim sits at his kitchen table, surrounded by paperwork. He looks up as his phone rings. It's the person he owes money to. JIM: Hello? VOICE: Jim. We need to talk. Jim takes a deep breath. JIM: I know. And I'm ready to make things right. CUT TO: INT. THERAPIST'S OFFICE - DAY Jim sits across from Linda, looking more relaxed than he has in weeks. JIM: I did it, Linda. I talked to them. And we worked out a plan for me to pay them back. Linda smiles warmly. LINDA: That's wonderful, Jim. I'm so proud of you. Jim smiles back. JIM: Thanks, Linda. I couldn't have done it without you. LINDA: Remember, Jim. Recovery is a process. And there will be setbacks along the way. But as long as you keep trying, you'll keep making progress. Jim nods, his eyes shining with gratitude. JIM: I know, Linda. And I'm ready for whatever comes next. CUT TO: EXT. JIM'S APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY Jim walks out of his building, his head held high. He takes a deep breath of fresh air, feeling like he's finally starting to regain control of his life. The camera pans up to show a bright blue sky, full of possibilities. FADE OUT.