If done correctly, a full-length feature film in which tickling is the underlying theme has the potential of being a huge box-office success. It would need to have an inventive plot, realistically portrayed characters who you really care about, some social relevance, lots of conflict and resolution, plus a healthy dose of humor. I believe that a screenplay based on my novel, “The Heroes of Hastington”, would meet these criteria. I’ve often imagined how great it would be if an independent film producer were to stumble upon my book and decide to turn it into a movie!
Set in a small New England town, the story begins with the introduction of five college students who are trying to devise a game for their school’s charity fundraising carnival. They want it to be something that has never been done before, and they are determined to win the big prize that’s awarded to the students whose game booth raises the most money. So they begin their quest by visiting merchants and business owners in search of ideas, as well as donations. They’re a little surprised when the local cabinetmaker suggests that a tickling game, complete with stocks, would all but guarantee their success. He is extremely convincing because, for years, he has had a secret love of tickling. And as it turns out, he’s not the only one in town with a few secrets.
The carnival game proves to be much more grueling than the students had expected. It also becomes the vehicle that our cunning carpenter uses to persuade the town justice to punish three female troublemakers. Having plagued the town for years, the girls are taken to town square and publicly tickled into becoming law-abiding citizens. Curiously, many residents suddenly develop an avid interest in tickling, and some interesting theories emerge as to why this has happened. As a result, Hastington soon becomes known as the tickling capital of the world.
Word of the unusual goings-on quickly spreads across the region, drawing tickle enthusiasts from afar. The unorthodox, yet effective, punishment also attracts the attention of several lawyers from Boston. Although they view it as a violation of the girls’ Constitutional rights, their primary motivation for attempting to file a lawsuit is purely greed. And in the end, they get exactly what they deserve. (Some savvy readers will recognize the lawyers’ characterizations as a spoof on the old Fox-TV program, “Ally McBeal”.)
There is so much more to this story than what I’ve briefly outlined. There are several sub-plots with some surprising twists, and there’s a very happy ending. Tickling is presented in a fun-filled non-fetish manner, which makes it appealing and perfectly acceptable for general audiences. I really think it would be a fabulous film, but I’ll let you be the judge of that.
So if you’ve got a couple of hours with nothing to do, grab a cup of hot cocoa, cuddle up with a comfy blanket, and then click the link below. Let me know what you think!
does she already have to be famous? 
