Michael wants a new skateboard for his birthday. He has a skateboard, but it is two years old, and Michael thinks he needs a new
one to do the types of tricks he sees other boarders doing at the skatepark. He has picked out the board he wants- a pro grade model that costs about $100.
Michael's mother works at a factory and earns about $25 per hour. She had been working 35 hours each week, but recently business has slowed, and her hours have been cut back to 30 each week.
Michael's parents buy him a skateboard for his birthday, but it costs $50 - half of the cost of the one he picked out. He gets angry, accuses his parents of not loving him, and then locks himself in his room.
