Bad Quarterback - Bittersweet Endings in Fictions

How does it feel to win the game but know that you could have played better?

That's what happens when your character goes through a scene that has a bittersweet ending.

In story writing, there is a well-established structure to how a story is done.

The basic form of it is a problem is introduced, a conflict is explored, and a resolution is presented.

The ending is the resolution.

Now in talking about scenes, we’re starting at the most basic building blocks of a story. A story contains anything from one to hundreds of scenes depending on length and genre.

You achieved something but you still did not win the game.

The scoreline showed you did a good job, but your performance was not enough to impress anyone. You know why?

Because they know they can get a better quarterback.

You are just a Band-Aid right now.

When writing a story, you are writing a long journey consisted of many pit-stops (scenes), where something important happens to the character. It causes a change, the question is whether that change was good, bad or bittersweet.

Bittersweet scenes are like being an average quarterback.

Even if that quarterback wins the game, the fans are not happy with the quarterback. They would love anyone else.

One of my dumber mistakes was when I forgot I took money from a customer. Context, i work in the wholesale/retail industry.

I already paid for the food products on her behalf and because I was serving two customers at the time; I forgot.

The customer told me I already took the money from them.

For some dumb reason, my ego could not take the accusation seriously.

I denied it and we went into a long back and forth about whether I took the money from her or not.

Side fact, I collected $1200 JM dollars that day in tips. Two people specifically called for me to serve them so those were my customers, more or less. They liked my service so much that they called for me rather than order with the other workers.

So was I so bad?

Yes, I was.

I could have easily looked to the left to check and make sure if there was any change left for that order.

On top of that, I could have asked the cashier (my manager), “Did I give you one thousand dollars for this order?”

It would be an easy enough question.

I could have just verified her words.

It was funny that removed from the situation, I rationalized these simple solutions now.

You know, like an armchair quaterback.

In that moment, in front of that woman my ego could not take the accusation.

Yes, that's what it sounded like to me when she told me I took the money from her.

For some dumb reason, I distrusted her immediately and did not even verify her words.

I could not believe I was making a mistake like that even now.

It was my fault. Even though it could be said, my poor relationship with the cashier made it hard for me to ask her such a question. I take responsibility for not taking some basic steps to remedy the situation.

Funnily enough, the cashier, (my manager) was the one that remedied the conflict by telling me, after overhearing the argument, that I gave her (my manager) the money.

My ego and lack of memory kicked in and I stood on that assumption that I didn't.

The cashier moved me aside, gave her the goods and the change from the order, which I didn't see until now.

I was stupid.

Many times, I wished I was an elite talented quarterback that would make no mistakes like Tom Brady, smooth as Patrick Mahomes and calmer than Joe Montana. I likened being at the counter in a fast wholesale to being a quarterback in the NFL.

It felt like that at times. People shouting at you for answers and everybody wants to be served right now even though eight people were there before them.

You know what makes it worse? When you are the only person at the counter.

I have to realize that's my ego dramatizing it even though it's an apt comparison. Still, I could be better but is perfection worth chasing when I keep making so much mistakes?

For the few people.

Your character would feel the same way after such a scene.

They feel bad because they could have been better. Their internal struggle or bad character trait stalled their development.

Also, your character has to show up, it doesn't matter whether they’re good at the job or not, the team needs them to play, so they put on their uniform and go out there.

The story isn't over yet.

This is just a bump.

Have you had to show up when people wanted anybody else other than you?