| rdfs:comment
| - A plot where one non-rich character has a huge and very sudden increase in expendable income. This might be for any reason, such as winning a lottery, inheriting the fortune of a rich friend or a long lost family member, getting a better job, crime, inventing the latest popular gadget, or even because something was delivered to the wrong address. Simultaneously, however, they are handed the Idiot Ball. Opposite of Broke Episode. Contrast Rags to Riches, where they get to keep the money. Compare Credit Card Plot, in which the character only thinks they've hit the jackpot.
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| abstract
| - A plot where one non-rich character has a huge and very sudden increase in expendable income. This might be for any reason, such as winning a lottery, inheriting the fortune of a rich friend or a long lost family member, getting a better job, crime, inventing the latest popular gadget, or even because something was delivered to the wrong address. Simultaneously, however, they are handed the Idiot Ball. Almost invariably, Acquired Situational Narcissism makes the character start to act like an Upperclass Twit, spend like there's no tomorrow, mindlessly buy "whatever it is that rich people like", blow off their former friends as has-beens, etc. The Intimidating Revenue Service and distant relatives never heard of before or since may also demand their share of the character's winnings. Within a few days, one of the following happens:
* The character somehow manages to completely exhaust their fortune except for just enough to buy themselves back into the life they had before.
* The bank, mafia, CIA, etc., realizes their mistake and sends a collection agent to confiscate the missing funds.
* They get fired from their new job for gross negligence, making the company look bad, insulting the boss, etc.
* They get in trouble for something, and to get out of jail time, a mob hit, etc., they must abandon their fortune. At that point, the character is sincerely worried about their future and the people they left behind, perhaps for the first time in their life. They are now so low that a life in Perpetual Poverty is starting to look good to them, having insulted their old friends, quit their old job, etc., they are likely on the streets. Expect the character to be Easily Forgiven; their friends blow it off as completely unimportant, their old boss hasn't been able to find anyone willing to apply for their old job, the person they sold their old house to is moving out of the area and sells it back to them, and the collection agents go home. In shows where Status Quo Is God, the episode's end will have the character's lifestyle restored to exactly what it had been before. If not, there may be a surprise twist which leaves the character with something after all, perhaps something that couldn't be had for All That Glitters. Opposite of Broke Episode. Contrast Rags to Riches, where they get to keep the money. Compare Credit Card Plot, in which the character only thinks they've hit the jackpot. Examples of A Fool and His New Money Are Soon Parted include:
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