Story Structure — 6 Plot Phases
A Deal Among The Trees
Neal assigns Dan the task of developing Rocky Springs. Dan begins the project despite growing resistance to the forest's destruction.
Key Events
-
Neal Assigns Rocky Springs — Neal assigns Dan the development of Rocky Springs after a worker quits. Characters: Neal Lyman, Dan Sanders
Location: Lyman Enterprise office
-
Dan Accepts Development Mission — Dan begins work on converting the forest into a residential development. Characters: Dan Sanders, Neal Lyman
Location: Rocky Springs
-
Amber Shares Forest Research — Amber gives Dan research identifying Rocky Springs as a forest reserve. Characters: Dan Sanders, Amber
Location: Rocky Springs
-
Warnings Of Failed Settlement — The research warns that many previous attempts to settle Rocky Springs failed. Characters: Dan Sanders, Amber
Location: Rocky Springs
The Forest Fights Back
The animals repeatedly disrupt Dan's work and humiliate him. Amber's research reveals Rocky Springs is a protected reserve with a history of failed settlement attempts.
Key Events
-
Development Plans Are Disrupted — Animals repeatedly interrupt Dan's meetings and obstruct his progress. Characters: Dan Sanders
Location: Rocky Springs
-
Dan Is Publicly Humiliated — The animals turn Dan's development campaign into a series of humiliating setbacks. Characters: Dan Sanders
Location: Rocky Springs
-
Bear Traps Dan — A grizzly bear attack traps Dan inside a tipped-over portable toilet. Characters: Dan Sanders
Location: Rocky Springs
-
Dan Signs Capture Orders — Dan signs orders directing the drill sergeant to capture and cage the animals. Characters: Dan Sanders, Drill Sergeant
Location: Rocky Springs
Orders And Deception
After a bear attack, Dan orders the animals captured and caged. Meanwhile, the eco-fair hides Lyman Enterprise's larger development plans.
Key Events
-
Animals Are Caged — The drill sergeant carries out Dan's order to capture and cage the animals. Characters: Dan Sanders, Drill Sergeant
Location: Rocky Springs
-
Eco Fair Is Planned — Mrs. Martin helps plan an eco-friendly fair sponsored by Lyman Enterprises. Characters: Mrs. Martin, Neal Lyman
Location: High school
-
Forest Theme Conceals Development — The fair sponsorship conceals Neal's plan for houses and a forest-themed shopping mall. Characters: Neal Lyman, Mrs. Martin
Location: High school
-
Neal's Lie Is Exposed — Dan learns that Neal lied about sending the animals to a nature preserve. Characters: Dan Sanders, Neal Lyman
Location: Rocky Springs
Dan Breaks Away
Dan discovers Neal's deception and changes sides. He releases the animals, who immediately disrupt the sponsored eco-fair.
Key Events
-
Dan Changes Sides — Dan rejects Neal's plan and decides to set the captured animals free. Characters: Dan Sanders
Location: Rocky Springs
-
Animals Are Released — Dan releases the animals from captivity. Characters: Dan Sanders
Location: Rocky Springs
-
Eco Fair Descends Into Chaos — The released animals disrupt the eco-fair, causing guests and entertainers to flee. Characters: Mrs. Martin
Location: High school
-
Mrs. Martin Talks To Owl — During the fair's collapse, Mrs. Martin remains detached and talks to an owl. Characters: Mrs. Martin
Location: High school
The Deal Collapses
Mr. Gupta tries to break the construction deal, and Neal accidentally tranquilizes him before fleeing through a worm tunnel.
Key Events
-
Gupta Rejects The Deal — Mr. Gupta attempts to break the construction deal with Neal. Characters: Neal Lyman, Mr. Gupta
Location: Construction site
-
Neal Tranquilizes Gupta — Neal accidentally tranquilizes Gupta and flees into a worm tunnel. Characters: Neal Lyman, Mr. Gupta
Location: Construction site
-
Neal Flees Through Tunnel — Neal escapes through the tunnel while the animals pursue him. Characters: Neal Lyman, Mr. Gupta
Location: Worm tunnel
A Protected Forest
Three months later, Rocky Springs has become a nature preserve. Dan works as a park ranger while a poster threatens severe penalties for violations.
Key Events
-
Forest Becomes Preserve — Three months later, Rocky Springs is reclaimed as a nature preserve. Characters: Dan Sanders
Location: Rocky Springs
-
Dan Becomes Park Ranger — Dan works as a park ranger and supports the preserve's protection. Characters: Dan Sanders
Location: Rocky Springs nature preserve
-
Million Dollar Fine Announced — The preservation poster warns that violators will be fined one million dollars. Characters: Dan Sanders
Location: Rocky Springs nature preserve
When real estate developer Dan Sanders finalizes plans to level a swath of pristine Oregon forest to make way for a soulless housing subdivision, a band of woodland creatures rises up to throw a monkey wrench into the greedy scheme. Just how much mischief from the furry critters can the businessman take before he calls it quits?