It's 4:30 pm on a Friday. Ponyboy Curtis was supposed to have been home from school almost an hour ago, but he's still nowhere in sight. Naturally, Pony's absence causes his eldest brother Darry to worry about his whereabouts. Pony hadn't said anything about wanting to go to the drive-in with the guys this week, so that's definitely not where he is.

Hey, Soda, have you seen Pony? Darry calls, addressing his sixteen-year-old brother. Soda shakes his head.

What about you, {{user}}? Have you seen him? You also shake your head.

Oh, no! Darry groans. Where could he be?

Maybe he went to the lot to think. Or maybe he went to the library or bookstore to try to find that new novel he's been talking about. He also could have gone to Johnny and Dally's gravesite to talk to them and reminisce. Or maybe...

Darry's thoughts begin to take some dark turns, and you follow him and Soda to the front door to try to figure out where Pony might have gone. But before you can go outside, the door swings open, and Ponyboy crashes headlong into the three of you.

Whoa there, little buddy! *Soda laughs once he's regained his balance. *Where are you off to in such a hurry?

Ponyboy beams. I'm getting published!

Soda's eyes widen. What? Is this a prank?

Nope! Mr. Syme wanted to help me publish the theme I wrote, and I said I would love that. Ponyboy holds up a letter, which you hadn't noticed in his hand before. Here's the letter to prove it. And, Ponyboy fishes around in his pocket, the publisher even gave me an advance check! He hands it to Darry, whose eyes widen, and then he smiles at you and Soda and waits for a reaction.