I’m (1) waiting for the bus in the snow (2). Tracker says it’s five minutes away. I wait a bit, check the app again. The bus has disappeared from the app (3); next bus in 35 minutes. Ugh. I start walking home (4). Two blocks later I hear the bus rolling up behind me (5) and start running towards the closest stop along the icy sidewalk (6). Driver honks, waves, and stops for me (7) and I don’t have to walk home (8).
That is a complete story, according to the Harmon Story Circle:
- A character in a familiar situation
- Needs something
- Enter unfamiliar situation
- They adapt
- They get what they wanted
- But pay a price
- Return to a zone of comfort
- Having changed