I Used to Be Funny

Sam, a young and ambitious stand-up comedian in her early twenties, has hit rock bottom. The pain of a traumatic past still lingers, and she continues to grapple with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To cope with her anxiety, she has turned to the world of stand-up comedy, using humor as a defense mechanism to shield herself from the demons that haunt her. As an au pair, she has also found solace in taking care of children, forming a maternal bond that brings her a sense of purpose and fulfillment. However, when an old friend from her nanny days, Brooke, goes missing, Sam's world is turned upside down. Brooke, a sweet and carefree girl, was one of the children she babysat for, and Sam has always felt a deep connection to her. As the news of Brooke's disappearance spreads, Sam is compelled to join the search efforts, despite her initial reservations. Sam's decision to search for Brooke is met with skepticism by those around her. Her stand-up comedy friends and colleagues are concerned about the potential risks and the toll it may take on her mental health. They encourage her to stick to her comedy routine and focus on her own well-being. Her employers, who are also her bosses, are hesitant to let her take time off and worry about the impact it may have on her duties as an au pair. Despite the doubts and fears of those around her, Sam feels an overwhelming sense of responsibility to help find Brooke. She remembers the girl's smiling face and recalls the countless hours they spent together. The memory of Brooke's laughter and giggles brings back a flood of emotions, and Sam is compelled to take action. As Sam delves deeper into the search for Brooke, she faces a series of setbacks and rejections. The police are skeptical of her involvement, and her efforts to help are met with indifference. The longer the search drags on, the more desperate Sam becomes. Her PTSD symptoms begin to resurface, and she starts to question her own sanity. Throughout her ordeal, Sam's stand-up comedy career begins to suffer. Her jokes, once filled with wit and humor, start to dry up, and she struggles to find her voice on stage. Her relationships with her friends and employers begin to fray, as she becomes increasingly withdrawn and isolated. Despite the chaos and uncertainty surrounding her, Sam finds solace in the small details of her search for Brooke. She re-visits the places they used to go, and she begins to re-examine her memories of the girl. As she digs deeper, she discovers a web of secrets and lies that may be connected to Brooke's disappearance. As Sam navigates the dark and twisted world of her search, she begins to confront her own past. She realizes that her struggles with PTSD are not just about coping with trauma, but also about confronting the fears and doubts that have held her back. Her experiences as an au pair, and her bond with Brooke, have given her a new sense of purpose and meaning. In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, Sam finds a spark of hope. She begins to see the world through the eyes of a child, and she starts to reconnect with the innocence and wonder that defined her relationship with Brooke. As she searches for the missing girl, Sam discovers a new voice, one that is raw and honest, and one that allows her to confront her fears and doubts head-on. As the search for Brooke reaches its climax, Sam's stand-up comedy career is put to the test. She takes the stage and delivers a powerful performance that leaves the audience in awe. Her jokes, once dry and desperate, have been replaced by a sense of authenticity and vulnerability. As she laughs and cries on stage, Sam finds a sense of redemption and healing. She has finally found her voice, and she has finally confronted her demons. The fate of Brooke remains a mystery, but for Sam, the journey has been about finding herself. She has discovered a new sense of purpose and a new voice, one that is raw and honest. Her stand-up comedy career is set to take off, and she is no longer the same person who was once struggling to cope with PTSD. She has found a new sense of freedom, and she is ready to face whatever comes next.