Ash’s second scene before the tilt will be the first time we see her interacting with current situation from her perspective. Previously, we had a flashback for how she got sucked into this mess, and we’ve only seen her as filtered through Jay or Bill’s point of view. And to kick it off, we actually got two cards to play around with.

The first card is a repeat from Jay’s first scene: Hug The Crocodile. In his scene, that card really change what I had in mind for him and his relationship to Ash. Originally, I wanted them to be strong rivals, given their relationship is Work: Both want that promotion. Yet, after thinking about the card, I decided that Jay is going to be as positive about this job as possible, realizing that they all can succeed together.

Now this card came up again, but for Ash. In the past, when I got a repeat draw, I just let it inform the next scene loosely based on what the card did before. Then I would draw a new card as the real prompt or focus. To that end, I think the card tells me that both Ash and Jay really want to see this job through, work together to see it done. They both believe that this, admittedly extreme, job will get them ahead with the Boss.

On the other hand, we got the new card: #04 Not My Job.

Without even going into the card, it makes me think that, at least to some small part, Ash doubts that this is the way forward for her. Bill just tried to talk her out of it, after all. And why she probably can’t know just how serious he was, their relationship and need (long lost lovers; get away and start over) might start to change her heart and mind, as well. “Not my job” could mean that she reinforces her original stance of not being cut out for this life. Of needing change. And Bill returning, pleading, might be what she needed to get her head out of her ass.

The outline I wrote tells me that the focus of this scene is Ash needing to choose between the Boss and Bill. I think her being trapped between these people, who seem to me making choices, or at least please, for her future, will also be something that factors in what she does next. Maybe it’s time she took her life in her own hands, instead of just relying on crime boss aunts or high school boyfriends.

Anyway, it seems to me that both cards I got for this scene are at odds with each other, which fits the outline, and the general state of things for Ash and her story. This is her last chance to set herself up before the tilt, when it all falls apart.

So, let’s take a look at the card in more detail.

04 – Not My Job

“Give your hero new responsibilities, including a chance to prove themselves.”

The picture shows the Queen serving on a butler and a bobby, who lounge in fancy, high top chairs.

Let your hero become the boss, or the new janitor. It doesn’t have to be a profession. Give them a baby to take care of—or a baby elephant. New obligations mean new options, both for the hero and the story.

Like judo, you’re looking for ways to play your hero’s strengths against them. Make the lone wolf lead the mission. Make the captain shovel coal.

Or maybe your hero used to have this job, but left it behind. What would bring them back?

Two things come to mind right away. Firstly, what if Ash gets the idea to put and end to this ridiculous plan herself? Stop the bomb, stop Jay. Secondly, what if Ash is actually working for someone else opposed to the boss (as in, is a rat herself), and sabotaging this job is her way to get ahead of the Boss, prove herself to this rival, and have her aunt work for her after all is set and done?

What would that mean for her, after Bill told her that the boss suspects a rat already? Her resolve seemed to have been strengthened.

Try This

List three interesting jobs in your world, then brainstorm how your hero might fill them.

I’m going to interpret “jobs in your world” as jobs in Ash’s world for this one.

1. Crime Boss. Despite not feeling like she was cut out for this life previously, her newfound ambition might actually give her ideas of moving up in this line of work. After all, she wants this promotion according to Fiasco. What kind of boss would she be, though? It doesn’t seem like she’s capable of making great life choices, after all. Would she rule her empire with fear and violence and recklessness, to make up for her lack of leadership and acuity?
2. Big City Job. Something in a high rise, with expensive clothes and an assistant. Like a lawyer, or some sort of business person. Important, rich, successful. Given what we know about her, though, chances are that she’d go overboard on leisure and fame. Unless she could get her shit together to show her assholes of parents that she made, she got out.
3. Journalist. Maybe she would make a good reporter some sort. Writing for a newspaper, or an online column, perhaps. In her current life, she scams people, which means she must be good at networking, socializing, and also be great at reading people, making connections. She’d see herself as some sort of hero journalist, that just wants to get to the bottom of it.

Imagine your hero is drafting a résumé. What would they list for career goals?

Make an impact. It think, deep down, Ash wants to matter. Her father ran out, her mother doesn’t give a shit. That’s why she was so eager to follow her aunt, who offered her the means to prove herself. To show that she’s better than the sum of her shitty life so far.

Take on responsibilities. There was a part of her that was okay with going to jail for what she did. But was that really her taking responsibilities, or was it just a way to escape? I think the would like to believe the former.

Become an expert in her field. She wants to prove herself, prove that she can do more, do better.

If your hero were to pretend to have another occupation, what might it be?

Maybe she had a dream once. When she was young, before Billy left. Finish school, go to college. Become a teacher, maybe, or a report as I said before. Study something, several things. Something that would let her travel. I think if she could pretend not to be a petty criminal, she would pretend to be in a successful career after graduating from college. She has no idea what exactly that would be, though. Which is the point of her character, in a way. She wants something better than this life, but she does not know what that would even look lie.

Final Thoughts

I think we will find Ash make a drastic choice in her scene. Is she going through with this job, and working with Jay to get it done? Did Bill get to her in some way, causing doubt in this? Or is there something other reason she might be reluctant to finish the job?

“Not My Job” as a motif for this scene could be interpreted in several different ways, for sure. What if her initial change of heart—”I’m not cut out for this life.”—causes her to want to step away from this mission, this job. It’s not her job, not because she’s above it, but because she can’t be a terrorist. Understandable, for sure, but is this crisis of conscience enough?