Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Jed, a New York cop, obtains the last Christmas turkey available in the shop. The turkey becomes the central object of his Christmas plans.

Christmas Turkey Errand — Jed searches for and obtains the last Christmas turkey in the shop. Characters: Jed Location: Shop
The Last Turkey — Jed takes the shop's last turkey for his Christmas meal. Characters: Jed, Turkey Location: Shop

Jed brings the turkey home for his wife Sue. The situation still appears to be an ordinary Christmas preparation.

The Last Turkey — Jed takes the shop's last turkey for his Christmas meal. Characters: Jed, Turkey Location: Shop
Jed Brings It Home — Jed brings the turkey home for his wife Sue. Characters: Jed, Turkey Location: Home

Sue and Jed begin stuffing the turkey at home. Their shared preparation creates the immediate setting for the discovery.

Sue Joins Preparation — Jed and Sue begin stuffing the turkey at home. Characters: Jed, Sue, Turkey Location: Home
The Dramatic Discovery — While stuffing the turkey, Sue and Jed discover something unexpected. Characters: Jed, Sue, Turkey Location: Home

While stuffing the turkey, Sue and Jed make a dramatic discovery. The turkey is not dead, overturning their assumptions about the Christmas meal.

The Dramatic Discovery — While stuffing the turkey, Sue and Jed discover something unexpected. Characters: Jed, Sue, Turkey Location: Home
The Turkey Is Alive — The discovery reveals that the turkey is not dead. Characters: Jed, Sue, Turkey Location: Home

Story Breakdown

Christmas Errand — Jed obtains the final turkey needed for Christmas.
- New York Cop — Jed is introduced as a New York cop.
- Last Turkey — The shop contains only the last Christmas turkey.
Homeward Delivery — Jed takes the turkey home for Sue.
- Jed Carries Turkey — Jed brings the turkey from the shop to home.
- Wife Awaits — The turkey is brought home for Jed's wife Sue.
Married Preparation — Sue and Jed handle the Christmas turkey together.
- Sue And Jed — The married couple are together during preparation.
- Stuffing Begins — They begin stuffing the turkey at home.
Unexpected Discovery — The preparation changes when the turkey behaves contrary to expectation.
- Preparation Interrupted — The stuffing process leads to a dramatic discovery.
- Assumption Challenged — The couple learn that the turkey is not dead.
Living Turkey Twist — The turkey is revealed as alive rather than an ordinary dead food item.
- Turkey Survives — The central revelation is that the turkey is not dead.
- Food Becomes Character — The intended Christmas food becomes an active presence in the situation.
Domestic Shock — Sue and Jed face the immediate shock created by the discovery at home.
- Shared Reaction — Sue and Jed make the discovery together.
- Christmas Disrupted — The living turkey overturns the ordinary meal preparation.