Gym Candy
By: Carl Dueker
Exposition
Mick Johnson has big football shoes to fill. His dad was a high school star who went on to be a college standout and then a third round draft pick in the NFL. There are two empty walls in the family den just waiting for all the honors and awards Mick is expected to earn.
rising action
Things seem to be headed in the right direction. Mick is an accomplished eighth-grade running back. He and his friend are stoked to learn they have been invited to join the high school team for their spring workouts. By the end of the summer, they both actually make it onto the varsity team as mere freshmen. But just making the team is not enough for competitive Mick. He doesn’t just want to be there; he wants to play there, too.
Climax
Personal goals as well as parental pressure drive Mick to seek ways to speed things up. He knows he needs to be
bigger and stronger, but natural growth is way too slow. Pills and protein powder from the health supplement store seem like a possible answer. He even gets his dad to agree and pay for the expense. Maybe he’s on his way to playing bigger, faster, and stronger.When Mick starts increasing his weight training time, his dad has another answer. The radio station where he works is the new owner of the local fitness center -- and free memberships for employees come with the deal. Mick starts
working out with his own personal trainer. Peter, the trainer, has other ideas of how to help develop power.
Falling Action
Mick’s competitive drive pushes him toward steroid use, with all its positive results and negative side effects. His game and his body do get stronger, but at what cost? Friends, health, and personal pride suffer as Mick becomes more and
more involved with the performance-enhancing drugs.
Resolution
After taking the steriods throughout high school they start taking control of Mick's life and he becomes a different person. One day Drew finds the drugs in his duffle bag and confronts Mick about them. Then he decides that he can't hide his secret forever so he confeses and pulls out a gun out of his car. He points the gun at his friend then at himself and pulls the trigger.
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