A routine day at a rundown bookmakers on an Edinburgh high street. Two employees Pat (manager) and John (cashier) are chewing the fat, while Pat barely tries to disguise his contempt for bedraggled Harry, sadly, and with a tragic resignation, feeding money systematically into a roulette machine.
A laudable attempt at examining the societal devastation of gambling addiction
Area manager Michelle breezes in. An awkward exchange ensues. John is dismissed to the back room, so that they eventually discuss a highly sensitive personnel and operational matter, all within earshot of the shop customer. This is the first of many jarring choices in this script.
The devastating news for Pat is that, rather than the arrogantly expected five figure bonus for employee of the year, the shop is to be closed down and he is offered a redundancy package. He is asked to sign before the end of the day, swathes of employment law being ignored here.
Gambling addict Harry is roped into a scheme to steal £100,000, inexplicably still in the safe.
This is a laudable attempt at examining the societal devastation of gambling addiction. There are moments of strong comedy timing and there is something to be admired in the performances. However, the script, staging and combat scenes require substantial revision.
