Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Tuffy targets the neighborhood boys, and Joe and Farina try to avoid a fight with bandages. Their ruse fails when Tuffy beats them anyway.

Tuffy Targets the Boys — Tuffy sets out to pummel every boy in the neighborhood. Location: Neighborhood
Bandages Fail to Deter Tuffy — Joe and Farina pretend to be too injured to fight, but Tuffy beats them anyway. Characters: Joe, Farina Location: Neighborhood

Joe and Farina encourage the boys to unite against Tuffy. The group chases him away, then gathers at its hideout.

The Boys Unite — Joe and Farina urge the boys to band together against Tuffy. Characters: Joe, Farina Location: Neighborhood
Tuffy Is Chased Away — The boys chase Tuffy away after joining forces. Location: Neighborhood

The gang draws lots to select someone to fight Tuffy. Joe and Farina draw the task of hunting for him.

The Gang Draws Lots — At their hideout, the gang draws lots to choose who will fight Tuffy. Characters: Joe, Farina Location: Gang hideout
Joe and Farina Draw the Task — Joe and Farina draw the unlucky task of hunting for Tuffy. Characters: Joe, Farina Location: Gang hideout

Peggy tells Joe and Farina that Tuffy has moved to Chicago. They return and claim they attacked him and threw him into a lake.

Peggy Reports Tuffy's Move — Peggy tells Joe and Farina that Tuffy has moved to Chicago. Characters: Joe, Farina, Peggy Location: Unspecified
The Boys Return — Joe and Farina return after learning Tuffy has left town. Characters: Joe, Farina Location: Gang hideout
A Fabricated Victory — They falsely claim they attacked Tuffy and threw him into a lake. Characters: Joe, Farina Location: Gang hideout

Story Breakdown

Tuffy's Threat — Tuffy targets the neighborhood boys, while Joe and Farina attempt to avoid fighting him.
- Bully Targets Boys — Tuffy is determined to pummel every boy in the neighborhood.
- Bandages Fail — Joe and Farina pretend to be injured, but Tuffy beats them anyway.
Gang Resistance — Joe and Farina urge the boys to confront the threat together.
- Boys Unite — Joe and Farina encourage the neighborhood boys to band together.
- Tuffy Chased — The boys chase Tuffy away.
The Drawing — At their hideout, the gang uses lots to decide who should fight Tuffy.
- Hideout Gathering — The gang retires to its hideout.
- Unlucky Assignment — Joe and Farina draw the task of hunting for Tuffy.
Peggy's News — Peggy gives Joe and Farina information that makes their assignment unnecessary.
- Tuffy Moved — Peggy tells them that Tuffy has moved to Chicago.
- Search Abandoned — Joe and Farina return after learning Tuffy is no longer there.
The Final Whopper — Joe and Farina conceal the fact that they did not confront Tuffy.
- False Attack Claim — They say they attacked Tuffy.
- Lake Story — They claim they threw Tuffy into a lake.