1. The Chaser
By John Collier

2. Costs Benefits Create this chart in your notebook!!
Pheromone: chemicals that are secreted in our sweat and other bodily fluids that are believed to influence the behavior of the opposite sex, such as triggering sexual interest and excitement
Costs
Benefits
Create this chart in your notebook!!

3. Discuss and Answer the Prompt Below
You’ve heard that there is a new pheromone-based perfume available on the black market. If you wear it around someone for an extended period and you are alone with them, they will begin to become delirious and think they are in love with you. You know you can get some of this stuff. Discuss and list the costs and benefits of buying and using such a perfume for your upcoming date with someone you really like but who isn’t really returning your affection.
What would you do?

4. Focused Free-write: For each, write until we tell you to stop.
How much effort should you put into earning someone’s affection – whether they are returning your advances or not?
Should you still like and pursue someone who doesn’t seem to have any interest in you? Why/why not?

5. Read the first eight paragraphs of the story
What is your initial impression of Alan? Why do you think he is here in this apartment on Pell Street?
 Why is the old man unnamed? What do you think it is that he does?
What does the description of the setting imply about Alan’s decision to go there?
Are Alan’s motivations and thoughts healthy? Why/why not?

6. Read to the bottom of the first page
Why do you think the old man keeps talking about the “cleaning fluid”?
Why do you suppose this is so much more expensive?
How does this demonstrate new information about the old man and his potions?

7. Finish the story How is this story about relationships?
What points are being made about the theme of relationships and ways of relating to each other?
What will happen between Alan and Diana after the story ends? What does this show about the nature of good relationships? Is this what the author wants us to think? Do we agree with him?

8. Writing Prompt: ¾ - 1 page: DUE MONDAY! (double spaced)
If your last name begins with A through L, you will write a diary entry as Diana, six weeks after the story. Begin with “I don’t know what has happened to me . . .I feel different…”
If your last name begins M through Z, you will be Alan. You will write a letter to the old man. Start with “I don’t know what has gone wrong...”