Screenwriting : Here’s another synopsis — a system that deeply troubles me. by Aleksandr Rozhnov

This is a biblical story about Job, in which God made a wager with the Devil regarding him and his soul. This story deeply troubles me, so I wrote a synopsis based on it — a film idea where I slightly changed the ending.

Please share your thoughts and comments — I'd love to hear what you think.

SYNOPSIS:

Gordy Blessman is a beloved philanthropist, admired for his generosity and integrity. On the night of his 60th birthday, he invites his old friend Damon Helwick a cold, sarcastic realist for a private conversation. As they reflect on life, Damon challenges Gordy’s blind faith in his long-serving assistant, Jova a bright, loyal man who has helped run his business and personal affairs for years.

Damon proposes a wager: test Jova’s loyalty by reducing his income, increasing pressure, and pushing him to the edge. Gordy agrees, believing Jova’s devotion stems from something deeper than money.

What follows is a calculated campaign of humiliation cuts in salary, punishments, revoked promises, and even emotional betrayal. Gordy manipulates Jova’s family life, blocks his son’s Harvard admission, and attempts to seduce his wife. Yet Jova remains steadfast, smiling, loyal or so it seems.

As Gordy delivers the final blow Jova’s dismissal the assistant responds with grace and a gift. But in a final twist, Gordy learns that while he was testing Jova’s faith, Jova was quietly rewriting the rules transferring the entire empire into his own hands.

When confronted, Jova smiles and simply says:

“Love, loyalty they’re noble things. But if you don’t love yourself first, someone else will own your soul.”