The Closest Kind
1. Exposition
A. Characters: Margie: Margie is the lady in the picture- main character. She has been a widow for 16 years and suffers from Major Depression Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She has come into this diner every night an hour before closing time ever since she was released from the hospital after losing her husband. Most of the time she doesn’t say much; she only smokes cigarettes and sips on drinks.
Lucas: He owns the diner and is the bartender. He is an elderly man who is very laid back and is in the diner every day and every night. He and Margie have developed a close but interesting relationship. He goes home to a wife that is constantly stepping out on him. The two enjoy small talk and are happy to have each other’s company.
Willy: Willy is the kitchen man that works late night shift. He has been working in the diner for almost 10 years. Usually he is drunk but does the job well and has never disappointed Lucas. Sometimes he comes out to the bar to drink and watch television.
B. Setting: Tuesday evening in downtown Chicago. It is raining outside. There are no other guests in the diner. Margie is quiet, as usual. The news comes on and they watch it- this is the nightly routine.
C. Why are they there? Ever since Margie lost her husband, she does the same thing every night. Lucas owns the diner so he is always there. He would rather be there than at home. Margie is dressed in black because she hasn’t worn any other color in the last 16 years. She wears sunglasses all day and all night- as long as she is awake. Lucas has asked her why and she replied, “I like them.” Willy is in the kitchen by himself where he listens and dances to music.
2. Conflict
A. What drives the character into the plot? This is her routine evening. The two have never argued like they do on this night. Nobody will ever know what the argument is over. Possibly adultery…?
These two have an obvious but unmentioned need for each other. Neither of them have any other nor better of a friend than each other. They don’t talk about their friendship, however. They truly need each other; they are a part of each other’s life every day.
B. Conflict: The first (mini) conflict happens between Margie and Lucas. They get into an argument over something that is on the news. This argument could have caused Lucas to pass out and have a heart attack à Major conflict. Margie has witnessed this before when her husband died. She has to take action to save her best friend’s life.
3. Rising Action
- Margie wakes up that day feeling like something weird is going to happen. At first she is afraid to leave the house.
-She goes on about her day at home. She reads, sews, and does some laundry. The first song to come on the radio happens to be Lucas’s favorite song.
-She decides to go out and buy a card for Lucas telling him how much she appreciates his friendship. She has never done this before, but had an overwhelming feeling that she should today.
-She goes home and takes a nap.
-She skips dinner because she feels uneasy.
-Margie goes to the diner at her usual time- 9:00 pm
-They watch the news and politics get brought up.
-The two argue and get into a fairly heavy argument.
-Willy hears them- comes out and makes a comment in a joking matter and goes back to the kitchen
-Lucas falls to the floor, unconscious.
A. What happens? Margie has to decide what she wants to do. Watch? Or Take action?
4. Climax
A. Point of No Return: Lucas falls to the floor because of a heart attack.
B. Highest Emotion: The highest emotion occurs when Margie has to think fast about what she can do in the situation. Her best friend has just fallen to the ground. She could save him, or she could just watch. Even though they have been arguing, she leaps over the bar and does everything she can to save his life. Courage: the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery. (Dictionary.com)
5. Falling Action
-Margie’s mind is racing. Flashbacks of her husband start coming back. She leaps over the bar and begins CPR.
-Willy comes out to see what the commotion is about and calls 911.
-The ambulance comes and rushes Lucas to the hospital.
-Margie goes, waits, card still in her pocketbook. He wakes up 12 hours later from surgery. His wife never showed up.
-She goes to his bedside and reads him the card- starts crying and apologizing for ever having an argument.
-He tells her everything is OK and don’t stress. Margie is afraid to go home alone because when tragic things happen, she lashes out. The nurse suggests Lucas go home to Margie’s house to rest and recuperate.
-Several weeks later Lucas returns home, only to find his wife has moved out. The two decide to become roommates and are best friends until the end.
A. Loose Ends Tied Up: Margie has felt strange all day because her gut was trying to warn her something was going to happen. If neither of them would have never come out of a shell (and argued), they would not have the great understanding for each other that they do now.
B. Changes in Characters: Margie has to begin seeing a psychologist again after this event but learns a lot about herself. Lucas realizes he should have left his wife a long time ago. Margie now feels like she does not need to hide anything, and can freely express herself rather than always remain quiet.
6. Resolution
A. Solution to the Conflict: Margie saved her best friend’s life. Even though the argument could have been a leading trigger to the conflict, there is no way either of them could have known that. This event has brought the two closer together than ever before, and who knows if they would have ever been able to bring themselves closer on their own.
B. Happy Ending? Yes, this is a happy ending. Other than the fact that Lucas’s wife left him, he has learned what a true friend is. Somebody who sticks by your side through the good times and the bad is more of a friend than someone who wears a wedding ring and doesn’t obey rules that come with it. Margie needs Lucas in her life to give her something to look forward to. After losing her husband, she feels she can confide in Lucas and now be open with him.
7. Special Effects
A. Something in Margie’s gut that day told her she needed to go buy that card to show Lucas her appreciation for him. A strange morning ended up being a really strange evening; only to result in something wonderful.
B. “A friend in Need is a friend indeed.” ~ Quintus Ennius
C. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any descriptions, resemblance to real persons- living or dead- is purely coincidental.”
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