Attracting Abundance

III.) Picture Story

"Attracting Abundance"
5/12/13 (Version #1)

Cast
Husband- late 40's
Wife- late 40's
Self-Help Guru- ?


INT: Bedroom
The husband and wife are lying in their bed. It's obviously bedtime, the wife is sleeping on her side facing away from the husband. He is watching an informercial in the dark.

GURU
Do you feel trapped? Going through the motions day to day finding yourself thinking "There must be more to life than this? What is my purpose? Why am I here?" Well you're not alone! Thousands of people every day are in the same boat! Trudging through their daily lives, asleep and unfulfilled. I know just how you feel, my story is your story. I was broke, working like a dog, and in a failing relationship with no real happiness in sight. My life seemed like a dead end. Then I discovered the revelation that would change my life forever…

The husband reaches for his cell on the nightstand and begins dialing as he gets out of bed and walks to the other room.

INT: Kitchen


WIFE
Something came in the mail for you. Looks like a movie.

HUSBAND
Oh yeah, forgot I ordered that the other night. I couldn't sleep so I was watching TV and this infomercial came on. This self help guy was talking about something called the revelation, he's got some seminar coming up and is sending out free DVDs talking more about his methods and stuff. Sounded interesting so I figured I'd have a look at it.

WIFE
(Scoffs) I can't believe you fell for that crap! Those self help guys are always on TV in the middle of the night promising people who can't sleep the secret to a better life and more money. Let me guess, he said he used to be unhappy and broke and had a bitchy wife until he figured out something that no one else had ever figured out before and now he's rich and happy and has the best sex of his entire life with a harem of beautiful women, right?

HUSBAND
Why are you always so negative? I know you're not happy either… hasn't it ever occurred to you to do something to change it?

WIFE
Of course! That's what the heroin is for!

Both look at each other in silence for a second, then start laughing.

HUSBAND
You're a crackhead. I'm serious though, I don't see anything wrong with watching it just to see what the guy has to say.

WIFE
You're right, I'm sorry. I'll watch it with you tonight after I get home.

They kiss and walk out the door for work together.

INT: Bedroom

The couple are watching the movie together, both seem engrossed in it's content. They lock eyes, and Wife reaches for her cell on the nightstand.

INT: Living Room

Husband and Wife enter through the front door, carrying luggage. They're vibrant and chatty.

HUSBAND
That was the most important thing I think I've ever done! If I knew then what I know now, I would've skipped the engineering degree! Such a waste of time, I could've learned about this years ago!!

WIFE
I know!! All these years in these "successful" (she makes air quote gesture) careers, being completely miserable!

HUSBAND
Our new life starts now. I love you honey, I'm so happy to be embarking on this journey together!

They smile at each other and kiss.


INT: Slum Apartment

Forward to 5 years later. They're living in a one room apartment, the home they used to live in is long gone. He's unshaven and unkempt, she's frumpy and also unkempt. They're sitting on crates eating cold cereal.

WIFE
Oh, this came in the mail for you today.

She hands him a DVD with a picture on the front of a man in a vocational uniform. The title of the DVD is "Starting a career in waste disposal"

HUSBAND
Thanks.