Editing Texas: Drama And Narrative Resolution (section)

=A Film of Three Acts=

Central to the concept of Texas is that it is the game Spaghetti Western '''movies'''. Because of this, the laws of reality are secondary to the laws of cinema.

Broadly any movie is divided into three acts: '''The Set-Up, The Meat''' and '''The Showdown'''.

==The Set-Up==

This is the opening act. The protagonists are introduced and the setting of the movie is established.

The GM should use this act to give players a feel for who their characters are, and to enmesh them in the plot. 

The classic opening is to have the protagonists riding into town, but this needn't be the case for all characters. An opening scene for a saloon gal, for example, would likely have her already as a local resident, with her trade set up.

''The Set-Up'' ends when all the protagonists have met each other, and the films agenda is laid out. The players now know what it is they're meant to be doing in this movie. Optionally the set-up might also include some run-ins with the movies' big bad guy.

During ''The Set-Up'' protagonists all have absolute plot immunity. Their characters will not die in this act, and are unlikely to be badly set-back in any way.

==The Meat==

''The Meat'' is Act II - the main part of the film. During this section the protagonists act and interact, they make schemes and try them out, and work towards whatever objectives they might have. This is where the bulk of the game session takes place.

If you're playing in the Hero's Journey mode, one or more protagonists may still be reluctant to take up arms during this Act. It may or may not be a major part of this Act to have the other player characters trying to convince or recruit them.

During ''The Meat'', protagonists have partial plot immunity. Bad things can (and should) happen to them, but they can't be taken out of the movie altogether. A gunslinger might get shot, but by the time the Act ends he'll be patched up and ready to fight again. A Hustler might get thrown in prison, but by the end of the Act he'll either have escaped, or be let out (perhaps in exchange for agreeing to the part he plays in the next Act).

Also during ''The Meat'', protagonists will generally have the edge over their opponents. A gunslinger might fight against thugs who aren't as skilled as him. A Saloon Gal might have to deal with dribbling imbeciles who are weak against her charms.

==The Showdown==

This is the final part of the movie. When we hit this segment, everybody knows that its time to win or lose, and that there's no more time to prepare. Perhaps the Mexican Bandidos attack the town, or perhaps the showdown is less literal.

Bear in mind that every protagonist should have an equal part to play in ''The Showdown''. The Hustler might have to play in the card game that means the difference between bankruptcy or riches. 

Regardless, in ''the Showdown'' it is normal for protagonists to face challenges that they only have a 50-50 or worse chance of beating.

Finally, in the ''Showdown'', all plot immunity is lost. If you're shot, you're killed outright. If you fail to make the big hustle, you get thrown in jail. The showdown is all about high stakes and last chances.