The following is derived from Dan Harmon’s Story Circle. Below, the Story Circle is applied to the book “Night of the Living Dummy” by RL Stine.

Note: in true form to Mr. Stine, I have included a 9th, and final TWIST in the Story Circle.

Night of the Living Dummy, Story Circle:

1. A Character’s Zone of Comfort or Familiarity:
   • Twin sisters Lindy and Kris live a normal suburban life.
   • They bicker like siblings do, but things are mostly ordinary.
2. They Desire / Want Something:
   • They both want attention, especially when Lindy finds a ventriloquist dummy in the dumpster and gets praise for her performances.
   • Kris becomes jealous and wants her own dummy too.
3. They Enter an Unfamiliar Situation:
   • Their parents buy Kris her own dummy—Slappy.
   • Weird things happen: broken items, rude notes, spooky voices.
4. They Adapt to the Situation:
   • At first, Kris thinks Lindy is pranking her.
   • The sisters try to manage the competition between them while dealing with increasingly strange events.
5. Character Gets what they wanted but…
   • Kris gets her own dummy and the spotlight—briefly—but Slappy begins acting independently and maliciously.
6. They Pay a Heavy Price for It:
   • Slappy reveals himself to be alive and starts threatening Kris and her family. The girls must face him head-on.
7. Returning to Their Familiar Situation:
   • The sisters work together to stop Slappy and think they’ve succeeded, restoring peace.
8. New Normal – Changes as a Result of the Journey:
   • The sisters are closer, having faced a frightening ordeal.
   • But . . .
9. TWIST:
   • Slappy Opens his eyes — hints that the horror may not be over.

The Three Act Outline

From this Basic “outline” you can flesh out the story. Understand that your wheel points will vary, and the transitions between each point will blend or mesh together. Applied to the 3 Act outline:

• Act 1: Points 1, 2 (~25%)
• Act 2: Points 3, 4, 5, 6 (~50% or more)
• Act 3: Points 7, 8 (~25% or less)
• TWIST

Act 1 (Points 1-2):

• Introduction: Normal life for Lindy and Kris.
• Trigger: Lindy finds a dummy (Mr. Wood) and impresses everyone.
• New Situation: Kris feels jealous and asks for one too.

Act 2 (Points 3-6):

• First Half: Kris receives Slappy
• Midpoint: Mysterious things begin to happen: pranks, damage, danger
• Second Half: The girls turn against each other. Eventually, Slappy comes to life and confronts them

Act 3 (Points 7-8):

• Climax: The sisters band together to fight Slappy
• Resolution: They think it’s over—but the last scene suggests otherwise

Story Circle: Scene-by-Scene

BOOK: Night of the Living Dummy (2008)

1. OPENING: Life at Home

1. Introduce Twin sisters Lindy and Kris
2. They find an old ventriloquist dummy in a dumpster
3. Lindy claims the dummy; names him Mr. Wood
4. Lindy gains popularity at school by performing with the dummy
5. Kris is envious

2. Sibling Rivalry (DESIRE / WANT)

1. Kris expresses frustration at being in Lindy’s shadow
2. Kris wants her own dummy (popularity)
3. Kris receives a brand-new dummy and names him Slappy
4. The rivalry intensifies

3. The Puppet (UNFAMILIAR SITUATION)

1. Strange things begin to happen in the house
2. Mean and threatening notes appear, seemingly written by Kris
3. Kris is blamed, but she suspects Lindy
4. Kris becomes increasingly paranoid as Slappy seems to move on his own

4. Doubt, Fear, Unspoken Threats (ADAPT)

1. Kris tries to prove her innocence and confronts Lindy
2. Lindy eventually admits to pulling pranks
3. The disturbing events continue
4. Slappy begins acting oddly

5. Attention Turns to Horror

1. Kris achieve the attention she wanted
2. Slappy insults guests at a birthday party
3. Kris’s reputation is damaged
4. Kris realizes Slappy is alive

6. Slappy Strikes Back

1. Slappy becomes fully animated, declares he is Kris’ master
2. Slappy causes chaos
3. Kris and Lindy try to destroy him

7. Peace (WANT ACHIEVED)

1. The girls throw Slappy down the stairs
2. The house return to normal
3. Lindy and Kris finally stop fighting and are more united
4. The family repairs emotionally and physically

8. Trust (PAY A HEAVY PRICE)

1. The sisters have grown closer after the terrifying ordeal
2. They’ve learned to trust each other

9. The Final TWIST

1. Slappy opens his eyes one last time—suggesting the evil isn’t gone
2. The story ends with a lingering sense of uncertainty