W.I.N.N.E.R. Spells Loser

Two elderly female care home residents, Clara and Irene, sit in the day room playing Scrabble together. Through the window, many care home residents are spending time with their families. It is a beautiful day. As they play, Clara can’t help but laud it over her opponent by telling her how successful her son is and how clever her grandson is. She smugly tells Irene that her son spent nearly £20,000 on a family Caribbean trip. They are even taking her grandson’s friend with them. When Irene asks why they are not taking her instead, Clara fobs her off by saying it is due to her medical aversion to sand. Irene hits back by saying that her son only visits for the shortest possible time when he can find time between holidays and business trips. Irene explains that her daughter is often busy working for a charity organisation, and her son has a debilitating condition that, unfortunately limits their visits. However, she makes the point that when they come, they stay for hours and take an interest in their mother, unlike Clara’s family. Irene’s son, Michael, is due to visit shortly and take her out for afternoon tea. As Clara lays down her last three tiles to gleefully win the game with the word ‘winner’, Irene spies her son through the window and, with him, her daughter. She is overjoyed as she stands up and prepares to greet them. She leaves a crestfallen Clara wallowing in her ‘moment of glory.’ Irene forlornly stares out the window at fellow residents happily spending time with their loved ones.