The Trunk story
A young man at a motel discovers an empty trunk that grants any wishes. He uses it for popularity, but at a party he discovers who his true friends are. Directed by: Steve DiMarco. Story by: Paul Chitlik & Jeremy Bertrand Finch.
10 total · 4 major · 6 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| loser character | major | Everything changed for Willy, who was working a go nowhere job at a motel and apparently had no friends, when he discovered a wish-granting trunk. |
| money can't buy happiness | major | Willy found this out first hand. |
| the desire to be liked | major | Willy apparently wished to be popular, but became disappointed when he realized that people were only interested in him for his wealth. |
| wish-granting magic object | major | Willy found an old trunk that granted wishes. |
| compassion | minor | Willy told an old lady on Social Security that he would pay her rent out of his own pocket if she ran into trouble. |
| coping with getting dumped | minor | At the conclusion of the story a woman was on the phone with her mother, explaining how she had gotten dumped. |
| deciding what to wish for | minor | Willy briefly deliberated on what to wish for when he discovered a wish-granting trunk. |
| generosity | minor | Willy was praised for his generosity upon urging a party attendee to take home with him two bottles of Willy's wine. |
| greed for riches | minor | Candy told Willy in no uncertain terms that she was after him because he could buy her things. |
| jealousy | minor | A hoodlum was jealous of Willy and wanted to know his secret. |