A Million to One

1980 was an eventful year. Another war in Afghanistan.
Killer earthquakes in Algeria and Italy. The election of
Ronald Reagan.The murder of John Lennon. And then,
out of nowhere, the arrival of a million dollars to poor,
star-crossed Cassie Jean Dornwell.
December 23: $25.50 remaining in her bank account.
Then, on December 24: $1000,000,025.50. And no idea of
the who, how and why of such an incredible Christmas gift.
Cassie was born into a wealthy, aristocratic southern family,
scion toa legendary tycoon grandfather, an immigrant from
South Wales who made an outrageous fortune in Florida. She
lived a pampered, privileged existence. But not for long. As
a young child, her world wassuddenly turned upside down.
Since then, her life can be described with a twist on
a well-known phrase... "From Riches to Rags".
Now, in 1980, Cassie is a pretty twenty year old southern
belle. Although having lived an entire life in the "sunshine
state", her stateof mind is anything but bright. Desperately
poor since age ten, raped at fourteen, abandoned and alone,
she now works day and night as a bartender and part-time
stripper to barely support herself and her ailing six year
old child.
Then finally, a life-changing event... the arrival of that
mysterious fortune from Heaven. Or was it Hell? The
money, of course, came with a catch. Cassie's windfall
blew in on the wings of ironic twists of fate, betrayal, sex,
menace and murder.
There are fierce rivals for her serendipitous wealth.
Ruthless men of the Mafia. Scheming men of the law.
A clever, beautiful murderess. Most lethal of all, a brilliant
psychopath from out of her family's past. All relentless. All
deadly. Eventually, it will come down to not just the money.
But a matter of Cassie's and her child's very survival.
Question: What chance does a young single mom, all but
alone, have against such overwhelming odds?
Answer: A million to one.