Present (current situation and circumstances) - Belle tells Mrs. G and Chrissy about Jane's current situation.

Present is explored in terms of Fact, Security, Threat, and Fantasy - Jane faces the Threat that she'll be squeezed again between the rotations. Facts: Jane is terrified, Jane and Rupert have a difficult situation, and Rupert assumes he has solved the problem (Fantasy).

Concern: Past - Belle is concerned that the Past will repeat itself and again Jane won't get a period of respite between the rotating mothers-in-law!

Problem: Thought - Nancy, Dick and Rupert are Thoughtless and selfish.

Focus: Chaos - Belle focuses on the lack of order in the rotations.

Issues: Fate vs Destiny - Belle may be able to change Jane's imminent Fate, but her Destiny is something else again! Both Fate and Destiny are disadvantageous here.

Goal: Past, MC Direction: Stop, Story Work: Kickoff Decision - 

Learning (gathering information or experience) - Belle wants her mother and sister to Learn about Jane's plight and finds out her mother's preoccupation with the benefit.

Learning is explored in terms of Wisdom, Skill, Experience, and Enlightenment - Mrs. G is a Skilled and Experienced cook. Belle wants to draw upon her Wisdom. Mrs. G homes in to the heart of any problem (Enlightenment).

Concern: Understanding - Everybody is concerned with Understanding (becoming one) with poor Jane's Situation, so they can decide what to do.

Problem: Inequity - Belle is always bugged by any Inequity she encounters.

Focus: Chaos - Belle is intent on stirring things up (Chaos).

Issues: Interpretation vs Senses - Belle is eager to tell them her Interpretation of what is needed. The food appeals to all their Senses! Both Senses and Interpretation are advantageous here.

MC Unique Ability: Senses - She is sensitive to everything: Jane's plight, aroma of pastries, roasting duck…

Story Limit: Timelock - They have one week till next Wednesday!

Conceiving (coming up with an idea or determining a need) - Mrs. G's scruples force Belle to scheme behind her back.

Conceiving is explored in terms of Circumstances, State of Being, Situation, and Sense of Self - Mrs. G Situation and Circumstances are advantageous. Her State of Being and Sense of Self are tied up in her girls. She takes advantage of her Situation to collect money for the hospital.

Concern: Conceptualizing - Mrs. G is concerned with the benefit she is planning, Belle and Chrissy come up with a plan to coerce Rupert.

Problem: Thought - Belle et al. are Thinking about poor Jane's problem. Mrs. G is a Thoughtful person who is bent on Changing the way her girls operate. "You should tell Jane to have a nice talk with Nancy and negotiate!"

Focus: Change - Belle et al. are focused on Changing Jane's Situation. Mrs. G is focused on Changing the girls' approach.

Issues: Circumstances vs Situation - Jane's Circumstances are worse than her practical Situation, because of her nerves. Last year, she couldn't move her arm for a month!

OC Unique Ability: Situation - Mrs. G is uniquely Situated to affect the outcome, but we don't know it yet!

Preconscious (innate responses) - Mrs. G's instinctive preference: honest and direct. The girls' instincts tell them otherwise! They argue over methods to be used in solving the problem.

Preconscious is explored in terms of Truth, Evidence, Suspicion, and Falsehood - Mrs. G is Suspicious that Belle is intent on stirring (Chaos) things up! She wants Evidence that Falsehood is necessary. "All this sneakiness… I want it done, but I don't want anyone to know that it's me who wants it done!" 

Concern: Memory - "You are always inclined to use deception!"

Problem: Change - Belle et al. want to Change Jane's Fate.

Focus: Chaos - Belle is eager for some direct action: "Though one must admit the perverse appeal of breaking some knees..."

Issues: Truth vs Falsehood - Belle, a utilitarian, is eager to use deception (Falsehood) in the service of a good cause. Mrs. G prefers plain talking (Truth) and advises against the use of deception -- her instinctive reaction. At this point, Falsehood appears more advantageous.

Present (current situation and circumstances) to Progress - They discuss Jane's current situation and Belle is ready to make Progress: "So. I'm open to suggestions."

Concern: Past - "You know, it's like Ground Hog Day!"

Problem: Thought - Nancy, Dick and Rupert are Thoughtless and selfish.

Focus: Chaos - Belle would love to be able to order Nancy and Dick to behave!

Issues: Fate vs Destiny - 

Goal: Past, MC Direction: Stop - 

Concern: Understanding - Everybody is concerned with Understanding where exactly the problem lies: in the burden or the sharing.

Problem: Inequity - When Mrs. G brings up old folks becoming a burden, Belle explains, "Our problem is not the burden, but the Inequitable sharing of the burden!"

Focus: Chaos - Belle is intent on forcing order (lack of Chaos) as she sees it.

Issues: Interpretation vs Senses - Belle tells them her Interpretation of what is needed.

MC Unique Ability: Senses - She is sensitive to everything: forsythias in bloom, Jane's plight, aroma of pastries and roasting duck…

This journey was not illustrated.

This journey was not illustrated.

Progress (the way things are going) - Belle makes Progress in her mission by sending off a mailgram. Chrissy makes Progress by talking to her travel agent. 

Progress is explored in terms of Destiny, Prediction, Interdiction, and Fate - Belle Predicts her efforts (Interdiction) will change Jane's imminent Fate though not her Destiny.

Concern: Past - Belle's concern is to avoid a repeat of the Past.

Problem: Thought - Belle is Thinking about Jane's troubles!

Focus: Chaos - Belle hopes to cause confusion to get her way.

Issues: Fate vs Destiny - Belle Predicts her efforts (Interdiction) will change Jane's imminent Fate though not her Destiny.

Goal: Past, MC Direction: Stop, Story Work: Decision. Belle decides (Story Work: Decision) to send a mailgram.

Understanding (appreciating the meaning of something) - They try to Understand what made the mother-in-law choose the rotating life-style.

Understanding is explored in terms of Approach, Self Interest, Morality, and Attitude - Jane's mother-in-law was intending to buy a small apartment flat. But when a neighbor said, 'You crazy? You have three children. Just take turns visiting each one!' she followed her neighbor's counsel!

Concern: Understanding - They try to Understand old age and the rotating life-style.

Problem: Inequity - They discuss the Inequities and Chaos of old age and of the rotating life-style.

Focus: Chaos - Chaos is an inevitable byproduct of the rotating life-style.

Issues: Interpretation vs Senses - Belle Interprets how the mother-in-law chose the rotating life-style.

Story Limit: Timelock - It is Thursday evening. Six days to next Wednesday!

Conceptualizing (visualizing how an existing idea might be implemented) - Mrs. G puts into effect her plan to punish the girls by making them witness the lobster's demise. Belle explains that she has devised a simple but elegant plan (Conceptualizing) to frighten Rupert with the prospect of two mothers-in-law in the house at the same time! 

Conceptualizing is explored in terms of Rationalization, Commitment, Responsibility, and Obligation - Mrs. G demonstrates the large amount of Rationalization in their actions by the lobster episode. What is our Responsibility and Obligation to a fellow creature's pain? The girls eat the lobster. So how Committed are they?

Concern: Conceptualizing - The girls Conceptualize what led the MIL to choose the "rotating" life-style. 

Problem: Thought - Mrs. G Thinks the girls should mind their own business and concentrate on getting husbands instead!. 

Focus: Change - Mrs. G would like to Change their marital status!

Issues: Circumstances vs Situation - The lobster is in hot water — literally! It is an unfair world. 

Memory (recollections) - Mrs. G recalls (Memory) Belle's past antics.

Memory is explored in terms of Value, Confidence, Worry, and Worth - Mrs. G does not have Confidence in the scheme and is Worried. She is a person of Value and Worth.

Concern: Memory - "Who was there to pull your chestnuts out of the fire?" (Forewarnings!)

Problem: Change - Belle tried to Change her roommates' plight.

Focus: Chaos - By stealing access to the school administration's phone lines! Not a method of Order.

Issues: Truth vs Falsehood - Was Belle's telephone-pole escapade justified? "…the foreign exchange girls were so desperately home-sick." Truth and Falsehood are equally advantageous in this episode.

This journey was not illustrated.

This journey was not illustrated.

This journey was not illustrated.

This journey was not illustrated.

Future (what will happen or what will be) - The Future looks very grim indeed: The Past is about to repeat itself and Destiny is on its inexorable march.

Future is explored in terms of Openness, Delay, Choice, and Preconception - Belle is Open to new schemes without Delay. Rupert has a Preconception that Jane is always wrong.

Concern: Past - Jane tells Belle Nancy is not coming — the Past is about to repeat itself.

Problem: Thought - Nancy, Dick and Rupert are Thoughtless.

Focus: Chaos - Belle is panicked.

Issues: Fate vs Destiny - Jane's Fate appears worse than before.

Goal: Past, MC Direction: Stop, Story Work: Decision - Belle Decides to do something, but what?

Doing (engaging in a physical activity) - Belle announces, "The roof has fallen in!" What she's done (Doing) has misfired!

Doing is explored in terms of Prerequisites, Strategy, Analysis, and Preconditions - All their Strategizing and Analysis -- of no use! They have to start again from scratch! Chrissy is helping with the fund-raiser's Prerequisites.

Concern: Understanding - Belle is having trouble Understanding why her plan has backfired.

Problem: Inequity - 

Focus: Chaos - Things have gone awry (Chaos). 

Issues: Interpretation vs Senses - Music calls their attention. They try to interpret Belle's distress.

Story Limit: Timelock - It's Saturday. They have only three days left.

Being (temporarily adopting a lifestyle) - Mrs. G is Being sarcastic and enigmatic as and talks to Belle on the screen.

Being is explored in terms of Knowledge, Ability, Desire, and Thought - Mrs. G and the girls are computer-literate. Mrs. G is busily cooking (Knowledge, Ability, Desire, and Thought) in her kitchen

Concern: Conceptualizing - 

Problem: Thought - Mrs. G is Thoughtful as she counsels calm.

Focus: Change - 

Issues: Circumstances vs Situation - 

OC Signpost #3 marks the beginning of the end of OC's story. The Story Limit will soon be closing in to force the story to a climax as it reaches OC Signpost #4. At that point the OC will Change or remain Steadfast.

Subconscious (basic drives and desires) - Belle is stumped, but eager to dig into the smoked chicken. Jane disintegrates when Rupert gives her the silent treatment.

Subconscious is explored in terms of Closure, Hope, Dream, and Denial - Belle and Chrissy don't want to admit defeat -- they want to escalate instead!

Concern: Memory - Belle recalls an episode last year when Jane was squeezed!

Problem: Change - 

Focus: Chaos - 

Issues: Truth vs Falsehood - Belle wants to escalate up "the ladder of deception"! Mrs. G is not amused.

SS Signpost #3 marks the beginning of the end of the SS. What are the new concerns that have come up? They are covered in this scene.

This journey was not illustrated.

This journey was not illustrated.

This journey was not illustrated.

This journey was not illustrated.

Past (what has already happened) - The OS plot climaxes when Jane tells Belle over the phone that Nancy is coming on schedule to pick up her mother. The Past does not repeat!

Past is explored in terms of Work, Attraction, Repulsion, and Attempt - Shouldn't Jane and Nancy one day confront their mutual problem and Attempt to solve it? Jane has to overcome (Work) her Repulsion of confrontation and plain speaking.

Concern: Past - The Past did not repeat — this time. But will Dick and Nancy revert to their Past practices next year?

Problem: Thought - Everybody considered and reconsidered and did the right thing.

Focus: Chaos - 

Issues: Fate vs Destiny - Jane's unpleasant Fate has been averted — for now. One unpleasant Fate has been averted, but Destiny is unclear.

MC Direction: Stop, Story Work: Concluding Decision, Outcome: Success - Nancy has Decided to pick up her mother as planned. Unpleasantness has Stopped and Belle has Succeeded in her quest.

Obtaining (achieving or possessing something) - Belle is surprised to get the phone call (Obtaining) from Jane announcing that Nancy is coming to pick her mother up.

Obtaining is explored in terms of Senses, Conditioning, Instinct, and Interpretation - 

Concern: Understanding - Belle, Chrissy and Jane do not Understand how it happened!

Problem: Inequity - The Inequity has been rectified.

Focus: Chaos - An Orderly rotation as planned will take place.

Issues: Interpretation vs Senses - Belle and Chrissy try to Interpret what happened. Mrs. G is intent on mis-Interpreting their questions.

Story Judgement: Good - Belle has achieved the smooth and timely transfer (Obtaining) she has been scheming for (Story Judgement: Good).

Becoming (transforming one's nature) - Signpost #4 describes the destination that is ultimately arrived at (denouement) where the OC's impact comes to a climax and conclusion, as Belle and Chrissy realize that Mrs. G has Become flexible and solved the problem! The girls Become jubilant and grateful.

Becoming is explored in terms of Permission, Need, Expediency, and Deficiency - Mrs. G bows to Need and Expediency and uses a sneaky and underhanded method. The Deficiency has been rectified without Permission!

Concern: Conceptualizing - Has Mrs. G Become one of them? A utilitarian? Nope! Mrs. G explains that she has used "compulsion in the service of charity!" After all, didn't Saint Augustine say, "Love, and do what thou wilt!"? Mrs. G.'s further Conceptualizations ("I did some reading last night, dear. And I concluded that any rule (Permission) carried to extremes is harmful. It makes the rule look stupid and irrelevant. It is better to bend a rule (Expediency) occasionally, rather than have it break because it causes obvious harm and attracts ridicule!") have been edited out!

Problem: Thought - 

Focus: Change - Mrs. G has Changed her position and helped.

Issues: Circumstances vs Situation - Jane's Circumstances and Situation have both improved.

Conscious (present considerations) - The relationship between Belle and Mrs. G climaxes and concludes with them going over the visit to Ross Colby. (Conscious: present considerations. The key here is not to redefine who a character is, but to lead them to relearn how to weigh an issue so that their conclusions are less destructive to themselves and/or others.) 

Conscious is explored in terms of Investigation, Appraisal, Reappraisal, and Doubt - 

Concern: Memory - Mrs. G recounts her visit to Ross Colby.

Problem: Change - Who Changes and who remains Steadfast? Mrs. G Changes. Have they resolved the problem in their relationship? Yes!

Focus: Chaos - The world is in Order again!

Issues: Truth vs Falsehood - Belle finds out Mrs. G has Reappraised and Changed her position on Truth vs Falsehood and helped her using a scheme that could be considered less than orthodox! Falsehood is definitely advantageous here!