Loser Takes All
Loser takes all is a 1955 novel by British author
Graham Greene.
Plot summary
Mr. Bertram and Cary are about to get married. An unambitious assistant accountant, Bertram's plans for marriage
are not particularly exciting. One day, he comes to the attention of Dreuther, the powerful director of his company, who changes
Bertram's plan for him: they are to wed and honeymoon in Monte Carlo. Dreuther
will meet the couple in Monte Carlo
and be their witness, on board his private yacht.
Bertram and Cary arrive in Monte Carlo but Dreuther
does not show up. The couple are therefore forced to
stay there. Bertram is angry with Dreuther. In order
to make sure they can pay the hotel bills, Bertram visits the casino. At first
he loses, but gradually his system starts working, and he begins to win big
money. He wins so much money that he gets the attention of Mr. Bowles, another
director of the company gambling in Monte
Carlo, who is also a rival of Dreuther.
Bowles wants Bertram to lend him money. In exchange, Bertram wants Bowles'
shares of the company, so that, in gaining control of the company, he will get
his revenge on Dreuther.
Meanwhile, Cary
is disappointed that Bertram becomes obsessed with his system. A romantic
person, she does not want him to become rich. At this time, she meets a
"hungry" young man who expresses his love for her. She decides to
leave Bertram.
Devastated, Bertram does not know what to do. He blames Dreuther for ruining his marriage. Just at this time, Dreuther arrives on his yacht. He explains that his no-show
is not deliberate: he is only forgetful. Bertram, while still doubting Dreuther's sincerity, tells him about his trouble. The wise
and well-meaning Dreuther then devises a plan that
would help Bertram gets Cary
back. The plan works perfectly. With Cary
coming back to him, Bertram is happy even though he loses all his money to
Bowles (thereby cancelling his deal with him) and the
hungry young man. Hence, it is "loser takes all".
Š http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loser_Takes_All
