E-NOTES: THE FRUITCAKE SPECIAL

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E-NOTES: THE FRUITCAKE SPECIAL

POWERPOINT

T HE WRITER: FRANK BRENNAN

Frank Brennan hails from the North West of England and is a graduate of the University of Wales. He was an actor and writer in a theatre group for schools and has taught English and Drama in secondary schools both in the UK and in Singapore. He has experienced editing books of short stories and plays. He has published original short stories and plays and written literature guide books for secondary students. Currently, he is working on a new collection of short stories. His interests include music, especially jazz and roots music, and history.

THE SYNOPSIS

The fruitcake special is a short story about Anna, a 27 year-old single girl who discovered an amazing perfume concoction by accident. She worked as a chemist at Amos Cosmetics factory which produces perfume. It all started when she was designing a new perfume mixture. Later, she put some of the mixture at the back of her hand and did not give much thought to it. However, as her boss David Amos, was passing nearby, the potent perfume took effect and he was immediately attracted to her in some strange way. He invited her for a date later that night, much to the surprise of Anna. Annas mum and Aunt Mimi who had been concerned about her single status were thrilled to know that she would be dating her boss.

That night, Anna wore a different perfume called Intrigue and was curious to know why her boss had a sudden liking for her. But when they met that night, he seemed to act differently towards her as they drove to and dined at an expensive French restaurant. He mentioned that he only took her out as reward for her hard work. His changed behaviour upset her. She decided to put on half a bottle of her fruitcake special perfume and a dramatic change happened. The waiter who passed by her was madly attracted to her and Mr Amos too began to show his affection towards her. It was then that she realised the fruitcake special was the cause of the strange behaviour of the two men. She was careful to avoid being near other men in the restaurant.

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E-NOTES: THE FRUITCAKE SPECIAL

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By that time, Sabina, a beautiful young model who was Mr Amos latest girlfriend, appeared and was surprised when the two men professed their deep love for Anna. After Sabina hit David on the chin, a fight broke out between two men, Sabina and several other waiters. Anna took this opportunity to leave the restaurant and took a taxi home. The next day, she did not go to work but decided to find out how to make the fruitcake from Aunt Mimi. However, she learnt that her aunt did not make the cake. It was made and sold by an old lady at the open-air market. She had seven husbands who all liked and ate her fruitcake. Unfortunately, she had already passed away the previous week. Anna was disappointed that the secret of the fruitcake died with her.

When she returned to work two days late, Anna had a message on her desk asking her to see her boss. In her boss office, she discovered that David Amos was spotting a large black eye and Sabina was seated beside him. David tried to explain what had happened but was cut short by Sabina. Anna was offered some money as compensation. This made Anna angry. She found what was left of the fruitcake special and threw qll or the content on Sabinas dress. Anna left the factory and her job on that day.

Sometime later, Anna had started working for a rival perfume company. Armstrong, the former pizza delivery man, then owned the pizza company. He dropped by her house one day to profess her love for her. Anna started to take an interest in him from then on.

THEMES Illusion vs Reality Be realistic in life Appearances can be misleading

MORAL VALUES We should not be taken in flattery. We must not be too proud of our looks. We must not belittle other people.

PLOT EXPOSITION Anna creates a Fruitcake perfume and dabs on it. Mr Amos becomes intoxicated with her when he gets a whiff of it. Anna is very surprise with this sudden interest. CONFLICT During dinner, Mr Amos is not as attentive as he was in the morning. Anna dabs on the Fruitcake perfume in the ladies room. CLIMAX Mr Amos becomes enamoured and makes declarations of love to her. A waiter also makes love declarations to her. A fight starts between Mr Amos, the waiter and Sabrina, Mr Amos girlfriend. Anna realises it is the effects of the fruitcake perfume. FALLING ACTION Anna wants to find the special something in the fruitcake but is unable to.

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E-NOTES: THE FRUITCAKE SPECIAL

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RESOLUTION Anna resigns from Amos Cosmetics and she settles for the pizza delivery man, Armstrong, who has his own pizza company.

CHARACTERS Main characters 1. Anna, the narrator 2. David Amos, owner of Amos Cosmetics Minor characters 1. Narrators mother 2. Narrators Aunt Mimi 3. Waiter at restaurant 4. Sabina, David Amos girlfriend 5. Armstrong, the pizza delivery man

POINT OF VIEW First person point of view

TONE, MOOD, ATMOSPHERE Light-hearted and humorous Comedic and entertaining

LANGUAGE AND STYLE Simple and easy to understand the language

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