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Dramatic Publishing Company,

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If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click, otherwise
(below) are AbeBooks for secondhand & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Play/Drama

14

9

extras

Play is based on the screenplay by Stewart Stern from an adaptation by Irving Shulman from a story by Nicholas Ray.

Jim has moved to a new town with his parents. He is arrested on suspicion of being involved in a mugging which was in fact carried out by Buzz and his gang. At the police station he meets Judy and Plato. Judy is in custody for going missing and is waiting for her parents to pick her up. Plato has shot some puppies and is there with his black nanny who has care of him as his mother is often away. Jim's parents and grandmother arrive. Jim believes that his father should stand up to his mother more and not be a wimp. After talking to the police officer Jim is allowed home. Next day, his first at the new school there is an outing to the Planetarium and Jim goes because Judy is. At the Planetarium he meets Plato and Plato points out an abandoned house that he goes to sometimes. Jim gets on the wrong side of Buzz and is challenged to a chicken run - two stolen cars are driven at high speed towards a precipice - the first to jump out is a chicken. Before the chicken run Jim tries to get advice from his father but to no avail. At the chicken run Buzz cannot get out of his car and dies when it goes over the precipice. Buzz's gang declare Jim a chicken because he jumped first and survived. On the run from the gang Jim, Judy and Plato hide out at the abandoned house - but the gang find them. Plato has a gun. Whilst he is sleeping Jim and Judy explore the house. The gang arrive and confront Plato who shoots blindly and wounds one of the boys. The police also arrive with Jim's parents and Plato's nanny. Jim tells them that they will come out. Plato waves his gun and is shot but not seriously. Jim introduces Judy to his parents.