Gabe's Story - Recap

Gabe O’Brien is in the middle of a car accident and ends up driving home in his wrecked car. He goes into his house where his daughter Linda is playing the violin, badly, and his wife Nancy is taking care of the baby. She admits she hasn’t paid the car insurance premium in three months because they’re low on money. Gabe didn’t get the promotion he needed, but insists that things will get better.

Gabe goes out on the porch and sees a man in a jumpsuit spraying his yard and killing his grass. He calls out to the man, who is surprised that Gabe can see him. The man figures Gabe hit his head in the car and got second sight. Nancy comes out and Gabe realizes she can’t see the guy. The jumpsuit guy tells Gabe to forget that he ever saw him and quickly leaves, the lawn ruined.

That night, Gabe explains what happened to his friend Luke, who wants Gabe to go in on a crime with him stealing from Gabe’s company. The next day, Gabe makes a delivery to a disgruntled client, Fisher, and sees the Jumpsuit Man. Jumpsuit Man refuses to answer Gabe’s questions and breaks a vase. The customer comes in and doesn’t believe Gabe’s claim. Back at home, Gabe discovers that the other driver is suing them. Gabe insists the Jumpsuit Guy is responsible and tries to explain. Nancy thinks he’s making up a story so he doesn’t have to take responsibility for his own actions. She informs Gabe she’s leaving with the children to live with her parents, and Gabe’s boss calls to inform him they’re paying for the vase out of his paycheck.

With no other option, Gabe agrees to Luke’s plan and they go to Fisher’s house. Gabe lets Luke in because he needs Gabe to help carry the stolen goods. Gabe looks outside and sees the Jumpsuit Guy flattening the tires on their truck. Gabe goes out and grabs the Jumpsuit Guy, who warns that if he isn’t across town in 15 minutes the consequences will be unthinkable. He explains that Gabe and Luke will go to jail due to The Writer. Gabe demands that he meet with the Writer. Jumpsuit Guy takes Gabe to a seemingly empty plaza and a huge building appears, extending up out of sight into the sky. Gabe goes in on his own after Jumpsuit Guy directs him to the Writer, Roxanne.

Gabe makes his way through the building while overhearing writers discussing the lives of their “clients.” He finds the office and insists on talking to Roxanne, who insists the whole thing is very irregular. She explains she writes 6,000 lives and if she doesn’t finish her job, her clients won’t have anything to do. She has the whole crime and arrest laid out, but Gabe insists he’s not going back to his lousy life. She explains she writes the small stuff but her superiors handle the long-term stuff. She tries to kick him out of her office but he returns and takes responsibility for his own life. He refuses to leave and she’s forced to call Management. Mr. Jennings in Management refuses to change their policy as a matter of efficiency. Gabe insists he’s a victim of the bureaucracy and wants control of his life back. He notes that Roxanne would have less work to do and she agrees, and Jennings finally gives in. Roxanne wishes him luck and he heads home. He works out a way to start his own business with Luke as Nancy looks on. She’s skeptical and prepares to leave, but he says he can’t let her leave now that things are changing for the better. She believes him and they begin to prepare for their new life.

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