Name: Anonymous 2010-10-16 2:29
In A Bargain for Frances, the action begins when little Frances goes off to play teatime with her best friend, Thelma. After a bit of fun playing teatime, Frances and Thelma become absorbed in a conversation debating the differences between tea sets. Frances asserts that china tea sets are better than the plastic one with red flowers that Thelma owns. This argument continues until Thelma convinces Frances that the china tea sets are no longer made, and that Frances would do well do buy the plastic one that Thelma owes. In a surprising twist, we learn that Thelma, upon receiving Frances' two dollars and seventeen cents for the plastic set, is discovered by Frances' sister, Gloria, in the act of purchasing a china tea set exactly like the one Frances desires. The cost of this tea set is exactly what Frances paid for Thelma's plastic one. In essence, Thelma only dupes Frances out of the two dollars and seventeen cents Frances has, only to fulfill her own selfish desire to own a china tea set. We know that Frances also believes that the china ones are far more expensive, and yet, desiring her very own set, acquiesces to purchasing Thelma's plastic one instead. Ultimately, Frances confronts Thelma and her deceitful scheme to obtain money for a tea set she knew that Frances wanted and could very well afford. They realize that friendship and caring are more important than self-betterment. Thelma did not come to this insight readily, however. Frances, exasperated with Thelma's selfishness, mashed two cups of hot tea against Thelma's modest young breasts, yelling, "THEY DON'T MAKE 'EM LIKE THIS ANYMORE EITHER, DO THEY." Thelma was left with a twin set of painful scalds, and ever since, Frances been the champ.