Book Opener

The Opening SceneViktor and Alena are outside their high school, chattingwith their friends, Trevor and Micha.The Burning BarnVIKTOR: I’m not buying Keith’s car, after all. Weagreed that the deal wouldn’t work. I’m reallydisappointed. I was counting on getting a carbefore the end of the month. What am I supposedto do now? Dad has already made it clear that hewon’t co-sign for a car loan.ALENA: It’s not that bad. Look on the bright side ofthings. At least you got your $500 deposit back.You’d be in much worse shape if that hadn’thappened.VIKTOR: But I still don’t have a car. It doesn’t look likeI’m going to get one anytime soon, either.MICHA: Did somebody just mention that he neededa car?ALENA: Just my genius brother.MICHA: What’s the problem? Why do you look sodown, Viktor?VIKTOR: Simple. I need wheels, but I don’t have anymoney.MICHA: I have a great idea! Maybe you can take mybrother’s car.VIKTOR: Your brother has a car for sale? How muchdoes he want for it?MICHA: His car is not exactly for sale. He owesmoney on it, but he can’t make the paymentsanymore because he got sick and had to quit hisjob. Maybe you can work something out with him.ALENA: He can’t just stop paying his bills becausehe’s sick.VIKTOR: Yes he can!ALENA: That’s stupid. Do you think that’s fair? I’d bepretty mad if your brother owed me money andtold me he wasn’t going to pay me because of anillness.TREVOR: You need a job, Viktor.VIKTOR: No thanks. A job means work.ALENA: Yeah, a job would be a stretch for you. Ican’t imagine you working for money.VIKTOR: Hey! I had a job once. Remember when Iworked for Mr. Olsen?ALENA: You can’t count that as a job. You helped himpaint the Granger barn for one afternoon!VIKTOR: So?ALENA: So the barn burned down, and that was theend of your job.TREVOR: Did you ever get paid?VIKTOR: No.TREVOR: Well, there you are.VIKTOR: Where am I?TREVOR: Get your money from Mr. Olsen.MICHA: One day’s pay won’t buy my brother’s car.TREVOR: Maybe you can sue for damages.ALENA: The statute of limitations has probably longsince passed.VIKTOR: Maybe, but maybe not. It’s worth a try.TREVOR: Good. Let’s meet after school to talksome more.VIKTOR: Done.1. What happens if one party to a contract is notsatisfied with the other party’s performance?2. Will a slight deviation from the promised performanceamount to a breach of the entire contract?3. Can a contract be ended by mutual agreement?4. What happens if the subject matter of a contractis destroyed?Chapter 11: How Contracts Come to an End 223