Chapter Two: The Cotton Blossom Inn Plot in Soul Quest

Plot points/Scenes

1. It begins to mist and a cloud of gloom seems to hang over the town. 2. After crossing an overgrown train track, they reach the town square with its single stoplight. 3. EVERYTHING is closed and no one is around. 4. The compass is going nuts. 5. Ritchie doesn't like the looks of this place. Dan feels it too. 6. They find the Cotton Blossom Inn, which has a vacancy sign. 7. Ritchie does NOT want to spend the night but Jesse insists. 8. The place is like a toothache. 9. The perky receptionist greets them at the front desk and flirts with Ritchie. 10. Ritchie pays for the last two rooms - one for him and one for Dan and Jesse to share. 11. They unload the car and Ritchie is grouchy. 12. They settle into their rooms.

Themes

Looming Clouds Represent Impending Doom Disunity The Disquiet of Abandonment and Isolation

Exposition

A dreary mist fills the air as the gang drives down the bumpy road into Harmony. A cloud of gloom seems to hang over the town. They cross over a train track, buried under overgrowth and Dan wonders when the last time a train ran through there.

This brings them to a single stoplight intersection in a place that looks like it's been frozen in time. They pass by a hardware store, a beauty parlor, a bank, a water tower, a little white Baptist church, and Barney's Tackle, Guns & Christian Book Store.

Conflict

Ritchie is FREAKED OUT and doesn't want to stop in town. Dan shares his unease but remains hopeful.

Rising Action

The place is a ghost town. Every single business is closed and the streets are deserted, even though sundown is hours away. Jesse wonders if anyone lives there and Dan wonders if anyone is still alive.
The compass is spinning like crazy, which means something is here. Jesse points out a marquee which reads "YES, WE HAVE VACANCIES! COME ON IN!"

The letter board sits outside the Cottonblossom Inn, an adorable cottage that's become a bed and breakfast. Ritchie is not cool with spending the night here but Jesse insists they check it out.

Inside, they meet the perky receptionist, Tina Bowen. She is exceptionally friendly, especially to Ritchie. He asks why everything is closed and Tina replies it's a town holiday and they've arrived just in time! The inn has two rooms available, one with a king sized bed and the other with two queens. Dan thinks about how lovely it would be to stretch out in a big bed in her own private room. Ritchie agrees to pay for both and Tina flirts with him as she checks them in. Then Tina gives them a brief tour, introduces them to Margie and Scottie the goldfish, and shows them to their rooms.

The gang goes out to unload the car and carry their belongings - and Tom - inside. Ritchie snaps at Dan about locking the back door, although she's sure that she did.

Climax

Tina squees over Tom when Dan carries him into the lobby. She says if they're into plants, they should check out the forest and its many unique native species. Dan starts to head to the room with the king bed but Ritchie informs her that's his room and she and Jesse can share the other one. He needs some alone time. Then he enters the room and shuts the door behind him.

Falling Action

Jesse wonders what Ritchie's deal is. He and Dan settle into their room.

Resolution

Dan is tired and cranky and glad the day has come to an end.

Goals

Find out what's causing the compass to spin. Find shelter for the night.

Hooks

Everything is closed. The Cotton Blossom Inn has vacancies. Tina mentions the town matron and suggest they visit the forest. Tension between the group, causing them to split up.