A Christmas Story

Set-up: In the recent holiday classic, A Christmas Story, it seems all adults conspire against young Ralphie's one desire. All he wants is a Red Ryder B-B gun. The boy's father is irritated whenever he brings up the subject. That irritation spills over into all of Ralphie's relationships.

After one particularly trying day at school, Ralphie runs into the school bully while walking home. Tired of being teased, Ralphie surrenders to his rage. He pummels the bully and bursts into a string of obscenities. Ralphie's mother hears his tirade and sends him up to his room. Waiting tearfully for his dad to come home, Ralphie anticipates the worst punishment.

Scene (show or tell): Ralphie's mother finds his younger brother, Randy, hiding under the kitchen sink. "Randy, what's the matter? What are you crying for?" she asks.

"Daddy's gonna kill Ralphie!" he sobs. Mom assures Randy that everything is going to work out, but she too seems to be fretting about what may come.

Still locked in ...