“Ordeal by Cheque”
Wuther Crue
1. Plot: Each student’s story will be different. This may take over ½ a page or longer.
a. Climax: Either the first check to Tony Spagoni or the last check to Tony Spagoni (depending on students’ stories)
2. Characters: Lawrence Exeter, Sr. (protagonist—flat), Dr. David M. McCoy, Lawrence Exeter, Jr. (co-protagonist and his own antagonist—flat), Miss Daisy Windsor, Tony Spagoni, Miss Flossie Wentworth, Marie Wharton Exeter, Peter Ventizzi
3. Setting: Hollywood, California 1903-1931
4. Conflict: Man vs. Self: Sr. indulges his son either through guilt or another internal feeling and buys him expensive things and sends Junior away to school. Man vs. Man: Junior requires the services of Tony Spagoni. This might involve more than just Junior and Spagoni.
5. Theme: Money does not buy happiness.
6. Suspense: What is the purpose of the money paid to Tony Spagoni and Peter Ventizzi? Who are all the women?
7. Mood: There are many: joy, frustration, worry, happiness, scheming, fear, sorrow
8. Foreshadowing: Senior spending exorbitant amounts of money on Junior at a young age, Senior sending his son away from home at the age of 6, Junior paying Tony Spagoni, Junior purchasing boots and gear from a sporting equipment store, Senior taking the check book back
9. Symbolism: Money represents greed and privilege which can lead to pain.
10. POV: 3rd person