Oehlers Story 1 notes - 1

Paul,

I just re-read your post.  Here are some thoughts:

A. Obviously money is a good thing, espescially during the depression.  Maybe we need a 3A. or put as #4 the question "This will changes things how?"  At the moment, if he just hides it, it's not doing anything wonderful.  It's not ACTIVE.  The money needs to change things at this point.  It could possibly be that now he has hope of leaving, but is stopped by events.  Then we can ask, does he try to escape right away?  The boy should try to put his plan in effect and is interrupted by the obstacles.

B. The Uncle is also an obstacle, will he take the money for himself?  What will he do with it?

C. So figuring out what he is doing by hiding it and what he is doing to escape or do whatever he is going to do can then determine what actions he takes once the robbers show up.  If he has access to the money, the money itself could help him out of the situation - or even help him hide it, but he needs to get acces to the money and get away before it is all spent on keeping it safe.


D. I think a big part of what happens with the robbers is dependant upon who they are as characters.  Once their personalities start being set, ideas will sprout from that.

1. THE CHARACTER IS...

A  young orphaned boy who lives on a farm

2. THEIR LIFE IS...

Bad. Even though the farm is his, because he hasn't turned 18, his uncle: who is his legal guardian, abuses him. 

When his parents are shot, it is the age of Prohibition, or the gangster. By the time they get out to retrieve the money from the boy, it is the great depression.

3. THEY...

C.) Receive something wonderful...

His uncle made him work long, hard hours in the field.  He finds a large suitcase of money in a field. 

4. THE REASON THIS HAPPENED WAS ...

It's the money the robbers who killed his parents buried before they were caught.

5. THEY TRY TO...

C.) Keep the wonderful thing going

Hide the money so no one can find it.

6. THEY DO THIS BY...

Burying it somewhere else.

7. THE OBSTACLE IN THEIR WAY IS...

The robbers finally get out of jail because of a reduced sentence and com back to get the money.

8. IN ORDER TO OVERCOME THE OBSTACLE THEY NEED TO...

Avoid the robbers. Don't let his uncle find out.

THIS IS WHERE I'M SORT OF STUCK