Plot Screw

Plot Hex Machina.

A type of Plot Saver that inconveniences the Good Guys by throwing an enemy or roadblock in their way. Even though it has a negative effect on the story, this UnTrash is a Plot Saver because it keeps the story's conflict from being solved too quickly by the Good Guys. Being hit by a Plot Screw may call for a detour if the problem cannot be avoided or solved on time. The pain of Plot Screw is based on how poorly timed and placed it was, scaling up the more hopeless the Good Guys are in fixing the issue. Plot Screws prevent early wins, always giving the Good Guys something to do other than loll around.

In familiar franchises, Plot Screws take on a mildly different form, depending on the context. They can force people to delay their plans or maybe even be enough to force them to postpone or cancel those plans. Weather, for instance, is a good way to keep a family from enjoying a day out. Rain is the most common Plot Screw to get in the way, though strong winds or even extreme sunlight can result in the same disappointment. The absence of a person can also mess up somebody's plan since that person might be crucial to the idea. Conversely, someone's presence might spoil the mood if they're disliked by the planning individual.