The Magic Shop story
A boy gains the power of mind over matter. Directed by: Robert Stevens. Story by: H.G. Wells (story), John Collier (teleplay).
17 total · 2 choice · 5 major · 10 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| magic powers | choice | Tony gained magic powers and used them to garner mischief in the neighborhood. |
| what if a child had power over adults | choice | The story concluded with Tony holding his parents in thralldom and terror, using his newly acquired magical powers. He had terrorized the rest of the neighborhood as well. |
| father and son | major | Steven and Tony. Tony's father took him to the magic shop mentioned in the title, and lost him there. |
| human childhood | major | The youngster Tony gained magic powers and used them to garner mischief in the neighborhood. |
| husband and wife | major | Steve Grainger and Mrs. Grainger. |
| mother and son | major | Mrs. Grainger and Tony. Tony's mother admonished him for terrorizing the neighborhood. |
| the desire for vengeance | major | Tony was a rather vengeful boy who used his power out of spite. He avenged himself on a police officer that told him off. He soaked a girl that upset him by turning on a sprinkler by magic. He burned down a neighbor's house because he had killed Tony's dog (who was actually his magician mentor). He caused a laceration on his father's cheek. |
| arson | minor | Tony used his newfound psychic powers to burn Mr. Adams' house to the ground to avenge Mr. Adams' killing of his dog. Mr. Adams perished in the blaze. |
| coping with a loved one being missing | minor | Tony went missing for a span of nearly 24 hours, leaving his parents most distressed. |
| fear | minor | The story concluded with the Granger parents continuing to life their lives, but now in mortal terror of their son. |