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* The start of ''Film/GhostbustersII'' shows two members using their ghost-fighting gear to (unsuccessfully) entertain children at a birthday party. Another member is hosting a hack-psychic show.

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* The start of ''Film/GhostbustersII'' shows two members Ray and Winston using their ghost-fighting gear to (unsuccessfully) entertain children at a birthday party. Another member Peter is hosting a hack-psychic show.
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''VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2002'': Ratchet's last encounter with Qwark sees the ruined ex-hero shucking gadgets from a ramshackled stand on the sidewalk under the name "Steve". TheStinger after the credits shows Qwark in an infomercial.
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* "WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'' had that episode where Mojo Jojo had no more money to build world dominating inventions so he got a job teaching English to immigrants. His students end up imitating his overly descriptive way of speaking and causing Townsville to come to a standstill.
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* "WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'' had that episode where Mojo Jojo had no more money to build world dominating inventions so he got a job teaching English to immigrants. His students end up imitating his overly descriptive way of speaking and causing Townsville to come to a standstill.
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* Magica De Spell in ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales2017''. You know you hit rock bottom when your current job is a party magician for kids, while your previous occupation was [[EvilSorceress an all-powerful sorceress]].

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* [[Characters/DuckTales2017MagicaDeSpell Magica De Spell Spell]] in ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales2017''. You know you hit rock bottom when your current job is a party magician for kids, while your previous occupation was [[EvilSorceress an all-powerful sorceress]].



** In "Propane Boom", Hank Hill ended up working at Mega Lo Mart when he got laid off from Strickland when the aforementioned store briefly sold propane.

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** In "Propane Boom", [[Characters/KingOfTheHillHankHill Hank Hill Hill]] ended up working at Mega Lo Mart when he got laid off from Strickland when the aforementioned store briefly sold propane.



** Homer's job at the nuclear plant is actually this because it's the only job with a salary that is enough for a family with three children. His dream job was at the bowling alley.
** In "The Seemingly Never-Ending Story", when Mr. Burns [[RichesToRags lost his fortune]] in an AbsurdlyHighStakesGame to Rich Texan, he decided to start from zero. However, he felt he needed to work at Moe's in order to get ''up'' to zero.

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** Homer's [[Characters/TheSimpsonsHomerSimpson Homer Simpson's]] job at the nuclear plant is actually this because it's the only job with a salary that is enough for a family with three children. His dream job was at the bowling alley.
** In "The Seemingly Never-Ending Story", when [[Characters/TheSimpsonsCharlesMontgomeryBurns Mr. Burns Burns]] [[RichesToRags lost his fortune]] in an AbsurdlyHighStakesGame to Rich Texan, he decided to start from zero. However, he felt he needed to work at Moe's in order to get ''up'' to zero.



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This is the job where a once-famous, successful or admired character is "reduced to this!" More dire than a day job, this is a stereotypical last-resort job to which has-beens, people who got fired or laid off from their regular jobs, {{Impoverished Patrician}}s, or {{Fallen Hero}}es have resorted, just to pay the bills. The Fallen on Hard Times Job is often the starting point for a protagonist's RedemptionQuest, or attempt to chase after their LifelongDream (with accompanying TrainingMontage). It can also serve as a recruiting station for a RagtagBandOfMisfits or PuttingTheBandBackTogether. Such jobs include:

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This is the job where a once-famous, successful successful, or admired character is "reduced to this!" More dire than a day job, this is a stereotypical last-resort job to which has-beens, people who got fired or laid off from their regular jobs, {{Impoverished Patrician}}s, or {{Fallen Hero}}es have resorted, just to pay the bills. The Fallen on Hard Times Job is often the starting point for a protagonist's RedemptionQuest, or attempt to chase after their LifelongDream (with accompanying TrainingMontage). It can also serve as a recruiting station for a RagtagBandOfMisfits or PuttingTheBandBackTogether. Such jobs include:



* Really any blue collar work ([[TheTaxi taxi driver]], cook, [[SoulSuckingRetailJob retail]], [[BurgerFool fast food]], etc) for various commando/spec ops military officers and immigrants whose merits ([[WorthlessForeignDegree university degrees]], positions, nobility) in their country are worthless in this country.

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* Really any blue collar blue-collar work ([[TheTaxi taxi driver]], cook, [[SoulSuckingRetailJob retail]], [[BurgerFool fast food]], etc) for various commando/spec ops military officers and immigrants whose merits ([[WorthlessForeignDegree university degrees]], positions, nobility) in their country are worthless in this country.



* Golf instructor, ski instructor or local fitness club tennis coach for former sports pros.

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* Golf instructor, ski instructor instructor, or local fitness club tennis coach for former sports pros.



Compare RichesToRags, which may culminate in this. Compare FormerRegimePersonnel, when a lot of secret policemen, commandos, spies, and similar people end up fallen on hard times at once. They may work as mercenaries or bodyguards. The most common FallenOnHardTimesJob for them is [[TheMafia mafia soldier]] or [[TheGuardsMustBeCrazy security mook]]. Also compare WorthlessForeignDegree, in which highly educated immigrants end up in menial jobs. Contrast WaitingForABreak which is about aspiring actors and film writers doing a day job as a server or barista whilst ''attempting'' to make it big. Can lead to a ScrapHeapHero if the person is called back to duty. See also LoserProtagonist, AcceptableTargets.

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Compare RichesToRags, which may culminate in this. Compare FormerRegimePersonnel, when a lot of secret policemen, commandos, spies, and similar people end up fallen falling on hard times at once. They may work as mercenaries or bodyguards. The most common FallenOnHardTimesJob for them is [[TheMafia mafia soldier]] or [[TheGuardsMustBeCrazy security mook]]. Also compare WorthlessForeignDegree, in which highly educated immigrants end up in menial jobs. Contrast WaitingForABreak which is about aspiring actors and film writers doing a day job as a server or barista whilst ''attempting'' to make it big. Can lead to a ScrapHeapHero if the person is called back to duty. See also LoserProtagonist, AcceptableTargets.



* The {{Hentai}}, ''Cage'' revolves around a young woman who resorts to [[StreetWalker prostitution]] after her boyfriend ran off after having maxed out her credit cards, and emptied her bank account. [[DealWithTheDevil When she accepts the proposition of a guy to help her financial situation]], he responds by [[SexSlave pimping her out to random johns]].

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* The {{Hentai}}, ''Cage'' revolves around a young woman who resorts to [[StreetWalker prostitution]] after her boyfriend ran runs off after having maxed out her credit cards, and emptied her bank account. [[DealWithTheDevil When she accepts the proposition of a guy to help her financial situation]], he responds by [[SexSlave pimping her out to random johns]].



* ''Manga/IdolXIdolStory'': Mimi Nagisa was once a talented idol whose career just never took off. She has resorted to working in a convenience store just to pay for her idol ''otaku'' lifestyle, while lying to her family that she's seeking an office job she has no intention of actually getting (since that's less time to spend on idols). She continues this way until a younger idol she inspired shows up where she works and drags her out of retirement.

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* ''Manga/IdolXIdolStory'': Mimi Nagisa was once a talented idol whose career just never took off. She has resorted to working in a convenience store just to pay for her idol ''otaku'' lifestyle, lifestyle while lying to her family that she's seeking an office job she has no intention of actually getting (since that's less time to spend on idols). She continues this way until a younger idol she inspired shows up where she works and drags her out of retirement.



** Midway through ''Recap/TheMansionsOfTheGods'', it's revealed that the slaves who earned pay and freedom thanks to the Gauls' antics was none other than the pirates.

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** Midway through ''Recap/TheMansionsOfTheGods'', it's revealed that the slaves who earned pay and freedom thanks to the Gauls' antics was were none other than the pirates.



* ''Fanfic/TheSecret'': After her husband gambled away her father's winery, Kate Caldwell began running a bakery out of her house with her eldest daughter’s help. However, this isn't enough to make ends meet (especially with her husband’s excessive gambling and boozing), so Kate ended up turning to sex work in secret.

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* ''Fanfic/TheSecret'': After her husband gambled away her father's winery, Kate Caldwell began running a bakery out of her house with her eldest daughter’s help. However, this isn't enough to make ends meet (especially with her husband’s excessive gambling and boozing), so Kate ended up [[SecretSexWorker turning to sex work in secret.secret]].



* ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooOnZombieIsland'': Even though Fred and Daphne managed to find a decent job after Mystery Inc. split up (Working as a news show hosts), Shaggy and Scooby are both working as airport security where they get fired after [[EatTheEvidence eating contraband]] they were supposed to guard while Velma is working at a small book store that's close to going out of business.

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* ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooOnZombieIsland'': Even though Fred and Daphne managed manage to find a decent job after Mystery Inc. split up (Working (working as a news show hosts), Shaggy and Scooby are both working as airport security where they get fired after [[EatTheEvidence eating contraband]] they were supposed to guard while Velma is working at a small book store bookstore that's close to going out of business.



* Randy Daytona from ''Film/BallsOfFury'' used to be a child ping-pong prodigy until he lost a big game in 1988. As a grown man, he makes a living as ping-pong trick artist.

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* Randy Daytona from ''Film/BallsOfFury'' used to be a child ping-pong prodigy until he lost a big game in 1988. As a grown man, he makes a living as a ping-pong trick artist.



* ''Film/TheBluesBrothers'': Jake and Elwood reassemble their old band from members who are currently making their ends meet as lounge musicians and short-order cooks. Averted in the case of Mr. Fabulous, who had found a high-paying job as maître d′ at a fancy restaurant and was apparently very happy there. The rest of the band JumpedAtTheCall, but getting Mr. Fabulous back took a fair bit of work (and some judiciously applied blackmail).

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* ''Film/TheBluesBrothers'': Jake and Elwood reassemble their old band from members who are currently making their ends meet as lounge musicians and short-order cooks. Averted in the case of Mr. Fabulous, who had found a high-paying job as maître d′ at a fancy restaurant and was apparently very happy there. The rest of the band JumpedAtTheCall, but getting Mr. Fabulous back took a fair bit of work (and some judiciously applied blackmail).



* In ''Film/DeadAgain'', Robin Williams plays a former therapist who lost his license due to sleeping with patients, and now works in a grocery store.

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* In ''Film/DeadAgain'', Robin Williams Creator/RobinWilliams plays a former therapist who lost his license due to sleeping with patients, patients and now works in a grocery store.



* ''Film/TheHand'': After [[CareerEndingInjury losing his hand]], and being dropped by his agent, cartoonist Jon Lansdale takes a job teaching cartooning at remote community college, to a class of students who seem largely uninterested in the subject.

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* ''Film/TheHand'': After [[CareerEndingInjury losing his hand]], hand]] and being dropped by his agent, cartoonist Jon Lansdale takes a job teaching cartooning at a remote community college, to a class of students who seem largely uninterested in the subject.



* Terry Malloy from ''Film/OnTheWaterfront'' was set to face off [[ICouldaBeenAContender for a shot at being a contender for the heavyweight boxing title]] but he was convinced by his brother Charlie to take a dive because they needed the money. He has been being a longshoreman ever since. When the mob kills Charlie, Terry steps up against them to show that he's not going to take a dive ever again.

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* Terry Malloy from ''Film/OnTheWaterfront'' was set to face off [[ICouldaBeenAContender for a shot at being a contender for the heavyweight boxing title]] but he was convinced by his brother Charlie to take a dive because they needed the money. He has been being a longshoreman ever since. When the mob kills Charlie, Terry steps up against them to show that he's not going to take a dive ever again.



* ''Literature/{{Mahabharata}}'': The [[UrExample First ever examples]] are the jobs the Pandava princes and Draupadi are forced to take on during their one year spent incognito at King Viraat’s palace. After losing their kingdom, all their wealth, personal belongings, pretty much everything except their armor and weapons in a dice game, the Pandavas and Draupadi spend twelve years living in the forest followed by a year spent in hiding under assumed identities. Yudhistir becomes a court advisor for King Viraat, Draupadi becomes the queen’s personal maid, Bhim becomes a cook, Nakul tends horses in the royal stable, Sahadev tends to the king’s cows and Arjun, who also has to endure a year of impotence, slaps on the {{Manscara}} and becomes a teacher of music and dance.

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* ''Literature/{{Mahabharata}}'': The [[UrExample First ever examples]] are the jobs the Pandava princes and Draupadi are forced to take on during their one year spent incognito at King Viraat’s palace. After losing their kingdom, all their wealth, personal belongings, and pretty much everything except their armor and weapons in a dice game, the Pandavas and Draupadi spend twelve years living in the forest followed by a year spent in hiding under assumed identities. Yudhistir becomes a court advisor for King Viraat, Draupadi becomes the queen’s personal maid, Bhim becomes a cook, Nakul tends horses in the royal stable, Sahadev tends to the king’s cows cows, and Arjun, who also has to endure a year of impotence, slaps on the {{Manscara}} and becomes a teacher of music and dance.



** After his loaded father cuts him off, Tommy Merlyn, who previously didn't need to do anything to live by, seeks employment at Oliver's nightclub. He not only takes the job seriously, but proves to be a very capable manager using his experience as a former partying playboy.
** Felicity is a MIT graduate, and isn't happy when Oliver promotes her as his assistant in season 2, as it ends up reducing her to a GirlFriday (or "Girl [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall Wednesday]]"). In season 7, after Oliver is arrested, she ends up having to go into hiding by working at a coffee shop.

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** After his loaded father cuts him off, Tommy Merlyn, who previously didn't need to do anything to live by, seeks employment at Oliver's nightclub. He not only takes the job seriously, seriously but proves to be a very capable manager using his experience as a former partying playboy.
** Felicity is a an MIT graduate, graduate and isn't happy when Oliver promotes her as his assistant in season 2, as it ends up reducing her to a GirlFriday (or "Girl [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall Wednesday]]"). In season 7, after Oliver is arrested, she ends up having to go into hiding by working at a coffee shop.



** In the flash-forwards of ''Series/BetterCallSaul'', which take place after the finale of ''Breaking Bad'', the main character Jimmy [=McGill=] is forced to go into hiding and assumes another identity. No longer the flashy criminal lawyer comfortably living high when he was Saul Goodman, "Gene" is a Cinnabon manager who mops floors and empties the trash. In the present-timeline of the show, after being temporarily disbarred, Jimmy winds up working in a cell phone store for a full year. His frustrations at the mundanity of the job leads him to take a second, technically-legal-but-very-sketchy job of selling burner phones to petty criminals.

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** In the flash-forwards of ''Series/BetterCallSaul'', which take place after the finale of ''Breaking Bad'', the main character Jimmy [=McGill=] is forced to go into hiding and assumes another identity. No longer the flashy criminal lawyer comfortably living high when he was Saul Goodman, "Gene" is a Cinnabon manager who mops floors and empties the trash. In the present-timeline present timeline of the show, after being temporarily disbarred, Jimmy winds up working in a cell phone store for a full year. His frustrations at the mundanity of the job leads lead him to take a second, technically-legal-but-very-sketchy job of selling burner phones to petty criminals.



** After being fired by the Lillian Corporation, and with her reputation as a businesswoman nuked thanks to her lover using her for insider trading, Rebecca gets a job as a demo room saleswoman, where's she's treated shabbily, having to demonstrate unsafe products with no protection and no medical coverage. This job is so humiliating that going back to Cheers is still a step-up from, as Woody puts it, "selling snake oil like a carnival geek".

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** After being fired by the Lillian Corporation, and with her reputation as a businesswoman nuked thanks to her lover using her for insider trading, Rebecca gets a job as a demo room saleswoman, where's where she's treated shabbily, having to demonstrate unsafe products with no protection and no medical coverage. This job is so humiliating that going back to Cheers is still a step-up step up from, as Woody puts it, "selling snake oil like a carnival geek".



** Lindsay, the victim from "Schadenfreude", was the wife of a rich surgeon. After one of his patients died on the operating table, the legal fees bankrupted them and Lindsay was forced to work sweeping floors of the hair salon she frequented.
** Evan from "Breaking News" worked at Shaw Plastics but was fired for failing a drug test (he was taking Percocet). He was told by the victim, reporter Jane Everett, that he, his late wife and other Shaw employees are getting sick from asbestos exposure. She promised to break the story but she was murdered. Years later, Evan is living in a trailer, working as a janitor, and is dying of cancer.

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** Lindsay, the victim from in "Schadenfreude", was the wife of a rich surgeon. After one of his patients died on the operating table, the legal fees bankrupted them and Lindsay was forced to work sweeping floors of the hair salon she frequented.
** Evan from "Breaking News" worked at Shaw Plastics but was fired for failing a drug test (he was taking Percocet). He was told by the victim, reporter Jane Everett, that he, his late wife wife, and other Shaw employees are were getting sick from asbestos exposure. She promised to break the story but she was murdered. Years later, Evan is living in a trailer, working as a janitor, and is dying of cancer.



* In the ''Series/DoctorWho'' story "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS13E5TheBrainOfMorbius The Brain of Morbius]]", Sarah Jane contemplates such a fate after being [[spoiler: temporarily]] blinded. She hits upon selling flowers on the streets of London, briefly affecting a sickeningly-sweet Cockney accent: "Luv'ly violets, guv'nor!"
* ''Series/{{Frasier}}'': Bulldog Briscoe gets fired from KACL at the end of season six after the ratings on his show drop too low. By his next appearance in the following season he's living at the YMCA and delivering pizzas to make ends meet. He gladly accepts Roz's offer to take over as her new babysitter. Later seasons see him back at KACL but working in the storage areas hauling boxes.

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* In the ''Series/DoctorWho'' story "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS13E5TheBrainOfMorbius The Brain of Morbius]]", Sarah Jane contemplates such a fate after being [[spoiler: temporarily]] blinded. She hits upon selling flowers on the streets of London, briefly affecting a sickeningly-sweet sickeningly sweet Cockney accent: "Luv'ly violets, guv'nor!"
* ''Series/{{Frasier}}'': Bulldog Briscoe gets fired from KACL at the end of season six after the ratings on his show drop too low. By his next appearance in the following season season, he's living at the YMCA and delivering pizzas to make ends meet. He gladly accepts Roz's offer to take over as her new babysitter. Later seasons see him back at KACL but working in the storage areas hauling boxes.



** Monica had to become a waitress at a 1950's themed diner.

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** Monica had to become a waitress at a 1950's themed 1950s-themed diner.



** Being an actor, Joey is used to having these. The most notable was when he went to Nevada to star in a movie only to find that it ran out of money. He had to get a job as a greeter at Caesar's Palace so he can get enough money to go back to New York.

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** Being an actor, Joey is used to having these. The most notable was when he went to Nevada to star in a movie only to find that it ran out of money. He had to get a job as a greeter at Caesar's Palace so he can could get enough money to go back to New York.



* ''Series/LukeCage2016'': Luke Cage used to be a cop in Savannah, Georgia, and before that, he was a soldier in the Marines. After being framed up by Diamondback, sent to Seagate Prison, and receiving powers in a botched experiment, he escapes with Reva to New York City, where he initially works as a Hell's Kitchen bartender up until near the end of ''Series/JessicaJones2015''. After getting shot by Jessica to break Kilgrave's control over him, Luke starts his own show living in Harlem, getting paid under the table by working as a floor sweeper at Pop's Barbershop and a dishwasher at Harlem's Paradise.

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* ''Series/LukeCage2016'': Luke Cage used to be a cop in Savannah, Georgia, and before that, he was a soldier in the Marines. After being framed up by Diamondback, sent to Seagate Prison, and receiving powers in a botched experiment, he escapes with Reva to New York City, where he initially works as a Hell's Kitchen bartender up until near the end of ''Series/JessicaJones2015''. After getting shot by Jessica to break Kilgrave's control over him, Luke starts his own show living in Harlem, getting paid under the table by working as a floor sweeper at Pop's Barbershop and a dishwasher at Harlem's Paradise.



* On ''Series/SchittsCreek'' Johnny Rose is a formerly wealthy business mogul who loses his fortune at the start of the series. He decides to build himself back up, and eventually becomes part-owner of the roadside motel where he and his family have been living. Unlike most examples, he throws himself into the managing of the place and gradually improves it, and he rarely if ever complains about the hard work. The series ends with him on the way back to restoring his fortune through a revamped and expanded motel business plan.
* In ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'', Elliot leave Sacred Heart for a better hospital on a research fellowship, only for the disease she was hired to study suddenly being cured. She is fired from her new job and, because she burned her bridges with Sacred Heart's higher-ups, is forced to take a job at a free clinic. She does manage to [[StatusQuoIsGod get back]] her job at S.H. when Dr. Kelso comes into her clinic to get treatment for an STD which he caught from his mistress.
* On ''Series/ShakespeareAndHathawayPrivateInvestigators'', Sebastian is a RADA-trained actor who is working as Frank's receptionist and secretary while keeping his acting dreams alive by appearing as a spear-carrier in plays and doing bit parts in commercials.

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* On ''Series/SchittsCreek'' Johnny Rose is a formerly wealthy business mogul who loses his fortune at the start of the series. He decides to build himself back up, up and eventually becomes part-owner of the roadside motel where he and his family have been living. Unlike most examples, he throws himself into the managing of the place and gradually improves it, and he rarely if ever complains about the hard work. The series ends with him on the way back to restoring his fortune through a revamped and expanded motel business plan.
* In ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'', Elliot leave leaves Sacred Heart for a better hospital on a research fellowship, only for the disease she was hired to study suddenly being cured. She is fired from her new job and, because she burned her bridges with Sacred Heart's higher-ups, is forced to take a job at a free clinic. She does manage to [[StatusQuoIsGod get back]] her job at S.H. when Dr. Kelso comes into her clinic to get treatment for an STD which that he caught from his mistress.
* On In ''Series/ShakespeareAndHathawayPrivateInvestigators'', Sebastian is a RADA-trained actor who is working as Frank's receptionist and secretary while keeping his acting dreams alive by appearing as a spear-carrier in plays and doing bit parts in commercials.



* Country singer John Anderson's song, "Would You Catch A Falling Star" is about a singer who used to have a big tour bus and draw crowd in the millions, but now he spends most of his time drunk and playing shows for tiny crowds at any place that will have him, and he drives himself there in a crappy little van.

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* Country singer John Anderson's song, "Would You Catch A Falling Star" is about a singer who used to have a big tour bus and draw crowd crowds in the millions, but now he spends most of his time drunk and playing shows for tiny crowds at any place that will have him, and he drives himself there in a crappy little van.



* One ''AudioPlay/BigFinishDoctorWho'' radio play is set in an AlternateUniverse where the Third Doctor (who is a thirty-something woman instead of a [[Creator/JonPertwee middle-aged man]]) is banished to the early 2000's rather than UsefulNotes/TheSeventies, so she can't join up with UNIT and instead is forced to take a shelf-stacker job at Tesco's.

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* One ''AudioPlay/BigFinishDoctorWho'' radio play is set in an AlternateUniverse where the Third Doctor (who is a thirty-something woman instead of a [[Creator/JonPertwee middle-aged man]]) is banished to the early 2000's 2000s rather than UsefulNotes/TheSeventies, so she can't join up with UNIT and instead is forced to take a shelf-stacker job at Tesco's.



* In ''VideoGame/DeadRising2'' Chuck Green was once a star and a champion in the motor-cross circuit, but has been reduced to slaughtering zombies on the controversial [[ShowWithinAShow "Terror is Reality"]] in order to afford Zombrex, his daughter's [[PhlebotinumDependence expensive multi-dose anti-zombification medicine.]]

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* In ''VideoGame/DeadRising2'' Chuck Green was once a star and a champion in the motor-cross circuit, circuit but has been reduced to slaughtering zombies on the controversial [[ShowWithinAShow "Terror is Reality"]] in order to afford Zombrex, his daughter's [[PhlebotinumDependence expensive multi-dose anti-zombification medicine.]]



* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' episode "King's Ransom" has both Melanie and the Royal Flush Gang she left working this way. Melanie has a traditional hard times job working food prep in a restaurant (though at least she’s living an honest life), while her family laments that they have to steal for hire instead of for themselves.

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* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' episode "King's Ransom" has both Melanie and the Royal Flush Gang she left working this way. Melanie has a traditional hard times hard-times job working food prep in a restaurant (though at least she’s living an honest life), while her family laments that they have to steal for hire instead of for themselves.



** One gag had the now grown up Bam-Bam from ''WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones'' has become a taxi driver.
** Another has Jem from ''WesternAnimation/JemAndTheHolograms'' performing in a child's birthday party.

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** One gag had the now grown up grown-up Bam-Bam from ''WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones'' has become a taxi driver.
** Another has Jem from ''WesternAnimation/JemAndTheHolograms'' performing in at a child's birthday party.



** In "Three Coaches and a Bobby", Hank's old highschool football coach is working at a sporting goods store after retiring from coaching. He seems to resent this because when Hank meets up with him and offers him to coach Bobby's middle school team, he angrily tells his coworker he quits. When Hank reminds him the job is voluntary, he retracts the statement.

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** In "Three Coaches and a Bobby", Hank's old highschool high school football coach is working at a sporting goods store after retiring from coaching. He seems to resent this because when Hank meets up with him and offers him to coach Bobby's middle school team, he angrily tells his coworker he quits. When Hank reminds him the job is voluntary, he retracts the statement.



*** Lion-O from "Thundercats" is an unemployed construction worker. He also worked as male stripper. When asked about what happened, Lion-O reveals that after Mumm-Ra died of testicular cancer, there was no one left to fight and the Thundercats had to get real jobs.

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*** Lion-O from "Thundercats" is an unemployed construction worker. He also worked as a male stripper. When asked about what happened, Lion-O reveals that after Mumm-Ra died of testicular cancer, there was no one left to fight and the Thundercats had to get real jobs.



** Homer's job at the nuclear plant is actually this because its the only job with the salary that is enough for a family with three children. His dream job was at the bowling alley.

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** Homer's job at the nuclear plant is actually this because its it's the only job with the a salary that is enough for a family with three children. His dream job was at the bowling alley.



* One specific to recent [[ADegreeInUseless college grads who can't find work in their degree field]] is working in coffeeshops. At least, it's seen as this by more "marketable" graduates and by some of the coffee shop workers themselves. Ironically, despite the stereotype that "what the English major says to the business major is 'do you want fries with that'", coffee shops are somewhat more likely to hire graduates than fast-food chains, who consider them overqualified.

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* One specific to recent [[ADegreeInUseless college grads who can't find work in their degree field]] is working in coffeeshops.coffee shops. At least, it's seen as this by more "marketable" graduates and by some of the coffee shop workers themselves. Ironically, despite the stereotype that "what the English major says to the business major is 'do you want fries with that'", coffee shops are somewhat more likely to hire graduates than fast-food chains, who consider them overqualified.



* [[http://www.discoveringbristol.org.uk/slavery/people-involved/sailors/slave-ships-crew/ From the 16th to the 19th century, working on a slave ship was this for contemporary sailors.]] While their conditions were practically enviable by the captives on the cargo hold, most of the crewmen had to sleep on the exposed top deck, since there was no space below deck. [[NoOSHACompliance The raw sewage and deceased bodies meant disease was rampant]]. If the cargo decided [[SlaveLiberation they did not want to be cargo anymore]], the crew could literally find themselves fighting for their lives. To top it off, [[BadBoss employers offered comparatively low pay for dangerous work, or oftentimes stiffed their employees]]. Once the slaves were sold off to their new masters]], most of the crew were told their services were no longer needed and had to sail back their home countries from the Americas.

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* [[http://www.discoveringbristol.org.uk/slavery/people-involved/sailors/slave-ships-crew/ From the 16th to the 19th century, working on a slave ship was this for contemporary sailors.]] While their conditions were practically enviable by the captives on the cargo hold, most of the crewmen had to sleep on the exposed top deck, since there was no space below deck. [[NoOSHACompliance The raw sewage and deceased bodies meant disease was rampant]]. If the cargo decided [[SlaveLiberation they did not want to be cargo anymore]], the crew could literally find themselves fighting for their lives. To top it off, [[BadBoss employers offered comparatively low pay for dangerous work, or oftentimes stiffed their employees]]. Once the slaves were sold off to their new masters]], most of the crew were told their services were no longer needed and had to sail back to their home countries from the Americas.
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* ''Film/CatchMeIfYouCan'': Frank Abagnale Sr. was quite a successful entrepreneur at one point, but by the start of the film he's being scrutinized by the IRS for sketchy bookkeeping, likely tax evasion. First he's forced to sell the old family home and downsize his store. The last time his son sees him, his business has gone under, as he's now a deliveryman for the US postal service.
* In ''Film/ChaletGirl'' Kim was a skateboarding champion, but she had to quit her career to help her dad at home and works as a BurgerFool at the start of the movie.

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* ''Film/CatchMeIfYouCan'': Frank Abagnale Sr. was quite a successful entrepreneur at one point, but by the start of the film film, he's being scrutinized by the IRS for sketchy bookkeeping, likely tax evasion. First First, he's forced to sell the old family home and downsize his store. The last time his son sees him, his business has gone under, as he's now a deliveryman for the US postal service.
* In ''Film/ChaletGirl'' ''Film/ChaletGirl'', Kim was a skateboarding champion, but she had to quit her career to help her dad at home and works as a BurgerFool at the start of the movie.



* On ''Film/TheCuttingEdge'', Doug was an Olympic level ice hockey player until he suffered an eye injury which ended his career. Two years later he is working in a factory and playing for the D-Leagues on the side.

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* On ''Film/TheCuttingEdge'', Doug was an Olympic level Olympic-level ice hockey player until he [[CareerEndingInjury suffered an eye injury which ended his career. career]]. Two years later later, he is working in a factory and playing for the D-Leagues on the side.



* On ''Film/{{Election}}'', Tracy had an affair with her teacher Mr. Novotny causing him to get fired and ruin his marriage. Near the end of the film, she wonders whatever to him and he is shown at a dead-end job in a grocery store.

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* On ''Film/{{Election}}'', Tracy had an affair with her teacher Mr. Novotny Novotny, causing him to get fired and ruin ruining his marriage. Near the end of the film, she wonders whatever happened to him and he is shown at a dead-end job in a grocery store.



* ''Film/{{Kolya}}'': Louka's offhand smartass remark to a bureaucrat got him fired from the orchestra. Now he cadges work playing at funerals and moonlights as a restorer of gravestones, and is in debt, which is why he agrees to the marriage scheme. Lampshaded when the Bad Cop interrogating Kolya threatens to get him fired from the orchestra and leave him playing funerals, and the Good Cop passes him a note saying "HE DOES FUNERALS ALREADY."

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* ''Film/{{Kolya}}'': Louka's offhand smartass remark to a bureaucrat got him fired from the orchestra. Now Now, he cadges work playing at funerals and moonlights as a restorer of gravestones, and is in debt, which is why he agrees to the marriage scheme. Lampshaded when the Bad Cop interrogating Kolya threatens to get him fired from the orchestra and leave him playing funerals, and the Good Cop passes him a note saying "HE DOES FUNERALS ALREADY."



* Derek ''Film/{{Zoolander}}'' joins his father and brothers in the coal mines after he retired from modelling.

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* Derek ''Film/{{Zoolander}}'' joins his father and brothers in the coal mines after he retired from modelling.modeling.



* In a crossover with RealLife, showing what times were really like for the disabled around the year 1918, Mary Grant Bruce's book ''[[Literature/ALittleBushMaid Back To Billabong]]'' has the Linton family see a disabled youth offering for sale toy gas-filled balloons as well as matches in a London street. Since the Lintons are reasonably well off, they buy his whole stock of balloons to help him out without insulting him (and then give the balloons to a random youngster shortly afterward).

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* In a crossover with RealLife, showing what times were really like for the disabled around the year 1918, Mary Grant Bruce's book ''[[Literature/ALittleBushMaid Back To Billabong]]'' has the Linton family see a disabled youth offering for sale toy gas-filled balloons as well as matches in a London street. Since the Lintons are reasonably well off, well-off, they buy his whole stock of balloons to help him out without insulting him (and then give the balloons to a random youngster shortly afterward).



* In ''Literature/TheKiteRunner'' most of the Afghans who made it to America were from well-off or even noble families (escaping a war-torn zone and getting a visa has its cost). Since their degrees or merits have no value in the U.S. most of them work in blue-collar jobs. Amir's father goes from tycoon to gas station worker (but eventually becomes the director), his father-in-law is too proud to work and lives on state aid money and what he earns from the flea market.

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* In ''Literature/TheKiteRunner'' ''Literature/TheKiteRunner'', most of the Afghans who made it to America were from well-off or even noble families (escaping a war-torn zone and getting a visa has its cost). Since their degrees or merits have no value in the U.S. , most of them work in blue-collar jobs. Amir's father goes from tycoon to gas station worker (but eventually becomes the director), director) while his father-in-law is too proud to work and lives on state aid money and what he earns from the flea market.
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* [[Literature/AgnesGrey Governess]] or nanny for Real Life FallenPrincess

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* [[Literature/AgnesGrey [[PrivateTutor Governess]] or nanny for Real Life FallenPrincessFallenPrincess (''Literature/AgnesGrey'')
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* Youth coach for athletes or former professional coach(''Film/TheBadNewsBears'')

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* Youth coach for athletes or former professional coach(''Film/TheBadNewsBears'')coaches (''Film/TheBadNewsBears'')
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* In ''Film/NationalSecurity'', Hank becomes a security guard after being fired from the police force after mistakenly thought of committing a hate crime. His "victim" Earl becomes his partner.

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* In ''Film/NationalSecurity'', Hank becomes a security guard after being fired from the police force after mistakenly thought he was accused of committing a hate crime. His "victim" Earl becomes his partner.



* Terry Malloy from ''Film/OnTheWaterfront'' was set to face off [[ICouldaaBeenAContender for a shot at being a contender for the heavyweight boxing title]] but he was convinced by his brother Charlie to take a dive because they needed the money. He has been being a longshoreman ever since. When the mob kills Charlie, Terry steps up against them to show that he's not going to take a dive ever again.

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* Terry Malloy from ''Film/OnTheWaterfront'' was set to face off [[ICouldaaBeenAContender [[ICouldaBeenAContender for a shot at being a contender for the heavyweight boxing title]] but he was convinced by his brother Charlie to take a dive because they needed the money. He has been being a longshoreman ever since. When the mob kills Charlie, Terry steps up against them to show that he's not going to take a dive ever again.

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Added example(s)


* ''Film/CatchMeIfYouCan'': Frank Abagnale Sr. was apparently quite a successful entrepreneur at one point, but by the start of the film he's being scrutinized by the IRS for sketchy bookkeeping, likely tax evasion. First he's forced to sell the old family home and downsize his store. The last time his son sees him, his business has apparently gone under, as he's now a deliveryman for the US postal service.

to:

* ''Film/CatchMeIfYouCan'': Frank Abagnale Sr. was apparently quite a successful entrepreneur at one point, but by the start of the film he's being scrutinized by the IRS for sketchy bookkeeping, likely tax evasion. First he's forced to sell the old family home and downsize his store. The last time his son sees him, his business has apparently gone under, as he's now a deliveryman for the US postal service.



* Before getting his big break, the failed boxer Film/{{Rocky}} works as a debt collector for a local loan shark.



* Terry Malloy from ''Film/OnTheWaterfront'' was set to face off [[ICouldaaBeenAContender for a shot at being a contender for the heavyweight boxing title]] but he was convinced by his brother Charlie to take a dive because they needed the money. He has been being a longshoreman ever since. When the mob kills Charlie, Terry steps up against them to show that he's not going to take a dive ever again.



** Jamal and Andre Jackson could not continue their football careers because they could not work without each other. They become bodyguards.

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** Jamal and Andre Jackson could not continue their football careers because they could did not work know how to play without each other. They become bodyguards.bodyguards.
* Before getting his big break, the failed boxer Film/{{Rocky}} works as a debt collector for a local loan shark. He goes bankrupt in ''Film/RockyV'' and he takes over Mickey's old gym.



* On ''Film/SetItOff'', Frankie was a bank teller until the bank got robbed. She was fired after being suspected of being an accomplice just because she knew one of the robbers. She becomes a janitor like her friends. They are all so poor that their dream job is in a factory that has been closed down.

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* On ''Film/SetItOff'', Frankie was a bank teller until the bank got robbed. She but she was fired after being suspected of being an accomplice just because she knew one of the robbers.in a robbery. She becomes a janitor like her friends. They are all so poor that their dream job is in a factory that has been closed down.
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* In ''Film/NationalSecurity'', Hank becomes a security guard after being fired from the police force after mistakenly thought of committing a hate crime. His "victim" Earl becomes his partner..
* In ''Film/OceansEleven'', at the beginning of the movie, Rusty has resorted to teaching young actors how to play poker and Saul is attempting to retire and take up dog-racing but both are clearly bored out of their minds.

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* In ''Film/NationalSecurity'', Hank becomes a security guard after being fired from the police force after mistakenly thought of committing a hate crime. His "victim" Earl becomes his partner..
partner.
* In ''Film/OceansEleven'', at the beginning of the movie, Rusty has resorted to teaching young actors how to play poker and while Saul is attempting to retire and take up dog-racing dog-racing, but both are clearly bored out of their minds.



* ''Film/TheReplacements''

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* ''Film/TheReplacements''''Film/TheReplacements'':



** Most famously, Rhonda Britton who earns just enough money for groceries by selling rabbits for meat.

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** Most famously, Rhonda Britton Britton, who earns just enough money for groceries by selling rabbits for meat.



** Some autoworkers get jobs at Taco Bell, hoping to use their assembly line skills in the making of Tacos.

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** Some autoworkers get jobs at Taco Bell, hoping to use their assembly line skills in the making of Tacos.tacos.



* On ''Film/SetItOff'', Frankie was a bank teller until the bank got robbed. She was fired after being suspected of being an accomplice just because she knew one of the robbers. She becomes a janitor like her friends. They are all so poor that their dream job is in a factory that has been closed down..
* In ''Film/ShaolinSoccer'', the team's coach had suffered from a CareerEndingInjury in the beginning and is now working as an errand boy for his teammate now chairman who caused his injury. Also, the former Shaolin monks except one are working for a meager living.

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* On ''Film/SetItOff'', Frankie was a bank teller until the bank got robbed. She was fired after being suspected of being an accomplice just because she knew one of the robbers. She becomes a janitor like her friends. They are all so poor that their dream job is in a factory that has been closed down..
down.
* In ''Film/ShaolinSoccer'', the team's coach had suffered from a CareerEndingInjury in the beginning and is now working as an errand boy for his teammate teammate, now chairman chairman, who caused his injury. Also, the former Shaolin monks except one are working for a meager living.
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Added example(s)


* In ''Film/NationalSecurity'', Hank becomes a security guard after being fired from the police force.

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* In ''Film/NationalSecurity'', Hank becomes a security guard after being fired from the police force.force after mistakenly thought of committing a hate crime. His "victim" Earl becomes his partner..
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Added example(s)

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** As for Terrence, he is proven innocent of murder but guilty of betting on his own games. He becomes a greeter at the casino he used to frequent.
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** Roy Minard in "Hubris" was an Ivy League art history professor until he was accused of murdering one of his students, who was also his [[StudentTeacherRomance lover]], causing him to be fired in disgrace. In the present, he teaches English as a second language.

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** Roy Minard in from "Hubris" was an Ivy League art history professor until he was accused of murdering one of his students, who was also his [[StudentTeacherRomance lover]], causing him to be fired in disgrace. In the present, he teaches English as a second language.
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** After his loaded father cuts him off, Tommy Merlyn, who previously didn't need to do anything to live by, seeks employment at Oliver's bar.
** Felicity is a MIT graduate, and isn't happy when Oliver promotes her as his assistant, as it ends up reducing her to become a GirlFriday (or "Girl [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall Wednesday]]"). In season 7, after Oliver is arrested, she ends up having to go undercover by working at a coffee shop.

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** After his loaded father cuts him off, Tommy Merlyn, who previously didn't need to do anything to live by, seeks employment at Oliver's bar.
nightclub. He not only takes the job seriously, but proves to be a very capable manager using his experience as a former partying playboy.
** Felicity is a MIT graduate, and isn't happy when Oliver promotes her as his assistant, assistant in season 2, as it ends up reducing her to become a GirlFriday (or "Girl [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall Wednesday]]"). In season 7, after Oliver is arrested, she ends up having to go undercover into hiding by working at a coffee shop.



* ''Series/CafeAmericain'': In "Pilot", Holly follows an employment opportunity in Paris, but when the job falls through she finds herself pursuing a waitress position at the Cafe Americain.

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* ''Series/CafeAmericain'': In "Pilot", Holly follows an employment opportunity in Paris, but when the job falls through through, she finds herself pursuing a waitress position at the Cafe Americain.



** Roy Minard in "Hubris" was an Ivy League art history professor until being accused of murdering one of his students, who was also his [[StudentTeacherRomance lover]], causing him to be fired in disgrace. In the present, he teaches English as a second language.

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** Roy Minard in "Hubris" was an Ivy League art history professor until being he was accused of murdering one of his students, who was also his [[StudentTeacherRomance lover]], causing him to be fired in disgrace. In the present, he teaches English as a second language.

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* ''Series/ColdCase''
** Carlo from "It's Raining Men" used to get by on his looks and a string of sugar daddies. In the present day he works in a pet store.
** Subverted in "Superstar". Fritz used to be a prospective top tennis player in college until he was accused of murder. He became an instructor and his old classmates are glad he never made it. He indicated, however, that he liked being an instructor because he could pick up women. He never took tennis seriously at all.

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* ''Series/ColdCase''
''Series/ColdCase'':
** Roy Minard in "Hubris" was an Ivy League art history professor until being accused of murdering one of his students, who was also his [[StudentTeacherRomance lover]], causing him to be fired in disgrace. In the present, he teaches English as a second language.
** Carlo from "It's Raining Men" used to get by on his looks and a string of sugar daddies. In the present day day, he works in a pet store.
** Subverted in "Superstar". Fritz used to be a prospective top tennis player in college until he was accused of murder. He became an instructor and his old classmates are glad he never made it. He indicated, however, that he liked likes being an instructor because he could can pick up women. He never took tennis seriously at all.



** Lindsay, the victim from "Schadenfreude", was the wife of a rich surgeon. He accidentally kills someone on the operating table. The legal fees bankrupted them and Lindsay was forced to work sweeping floors of the hair salon she frequented.
** Evan from "Breaking News" worked at Shaw Plastics but was fired for failing a drug test (he was taking percocet). He was told by the reporter Jane Everett that he, his late wife and other Shaw employees are getting sick from asbestos exposure. She promised to break the story but she was murdered. Years later, Evan is living in a trailer, working as a janitor and is dying of cancer.

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** Lindsay, the victim from "Schadenfreude", was the wife of a rich surgeon. He accidentally kills someone After one of his patients died on the operating table. The table, the legal fees bankrupted them and Lindsay was forced to work sweeping floors of the hair salon she frequented.
** Evan from "Breaking News" worked at Shaw Plastics but was fired for failing a drug test (he was taking percocet). Percocet). He was told by the victim, reporter Jane Everett Everett, that he, his late wife and other Shaw employees are getting sick from asbestos exposure. She promised to break the story but she was murdered. Years later, Evan is living in a trailer, working as a janitor janitor, and is dying of cancer.
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* A strange invocation of this happens in Anime/Bakugan2023. Two episodes in, Bakugan Brawls are declared illegal, and all the Bakugan have to get minimum wage jobs. [[NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer We’re not making this up]].
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The two tropes are related and should mention each other.


Compare FormerRegimePersonnel, when a lot of secret policemen, commandos, spies, and similar people end up fallen on hard times at once. They may work as mercenaries or bodyguards. The most common FallenOnHardTimesJob for them is [[TheMafia mafia soldier]] or [[TheGuardsMustBeCrazy security mook]]. Also compare WorthlessForeignDegree, in which highly educated immigrants end up in menial jobs. Contrast WaitingForABreak which is about aspiring actors and film writers doing a day job as a server or barista whilst ''attempting'' to make it big. Can lead to a ScrapHeapHero if the person is called back to duty. See also LoserProtagonist, AcceptableTargets.

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Compare RichesToRags, which may culminate in this. Compare FormerRegimePersonnel, when a lot of secret policemen, commandos, spies, and similar people end up fallen on hard times at once. They may work as mercenaries or bodyguards. The most common FallenOnHardTimesJob for them is [[TheMafia mafia soldier]] or [[TheGuardsMustBeCrazy security mook]]. Also compare WorthlessForeignDegree, in which highly educated immigrants end up in menial jobs. Contrast WaitingForABreak which is about aspiring actors and film writers doing a day job as a server or barista whilst ''attempting'' to make it big. Can lead to a ScrapHeapHero if the person is called back to duty. See also LoserProtagonist, AcceptableTargets.
AcceptableTargets.
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Updating the name.


This is the job where a once-famous, successful or admired character is "reduced to this!" More dire than a day job, this is a stereotypical last-resort job to which has-beens, people who got fired or laid off from their regular jobs, {{Impoverished Patrician}}s, or {{Fallen Hero}}es have resorted, just to pay the bills. The Fallen on Hard Times Job is often the starting point for a protagonist's RedemptionQuest, or attempt to chase after their LifelongDream (with accompanying GonnaFlyNowMontage). It can also serve as a recruiting station for a RagtagBandOfMisfits or PuttingTheBandBackTogether. Such jobs include:

to:

This is the job where a once-famous, successful or admired character is "reduced to this!" More dire than a day job, this is a stereotypical last-resort job to which has-beens, people who got fired or laid off from their regular jobs, {{Impoverished Patrician}}s, or {{Fallen Hero}}es have resorted, just to pay the bills. The Fallen on Hard Times Job is often the starting point for a protagonist's RedemptionQuest, or attempt to chase after their LifelongDream (with accompanying GonnaFlyNowMontage).TrainingMontage). It can also serve as a recruiting station for a RagtagBandOfMisfits or PuttingTheBandBackTogether. Such jobs include:

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