Urban Legends: The Hook

STORY: A teenage couple drives to a secluded spot and were making out when the music was interrupted with a special announcement on the radio. The radio announcer alerts them that there was a convicted killer, with a hook for a hand, who had just escaped from the local insane asylum and was on the loose. The announcer then urged everyone to "be on the lookout" and stay indoors.

Immediately, the girl was frightened and she urged her boyfriend to take her home. He insisted that everything was okay and continued to kiss her. She heard a strange thumping noise, pulled away, and insisted they leave. Although he was irritated, he realized that the mood was broken and drove her on home.

When they arrived at her house, her door was stuck and wouldn't open. When the boy walked around to her side of the car to let her out, he was shocked to find a hook lodged in the door handle.

ORIGIN: It's possible that the origin of "The Hook" legend lays in distorted memories of real life teenage make-out session murders. The key to this myth is the boyfriend's frustrated response to the girl's demand to end the date abruptly. Almost invariably, he is said to have gunned the engine and roared away. This behavior is essential to explain how the hook became ripped from the killer's arm, and to underscore the moral of the tale. The boyfriend's frustration stems from sexual denial. His girlfriend's insistence on getting home right away ruined his hopes, and he's pissed about it.

"The Hook" is a cautionary tale about teenage sexuality. Unspoken in the story is the realization that if the girl hadn't said no, hadn't insisted upon leaving right away, the couple would have been killed. "The Hook" is clearly one a teenage sexuality tale, and its message is clear: teens shouldn't have sex.

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