On his way home from the movies, Ponyboy is attacked by a group of Socs (short for Socials, a term used to describe the wealthy, preppy kids in the novel). The Socs are a gang of upper-class teenagers who have a long-standing rivalry with Ponyboy's gang, the Greasers. The Socs chase Ponyboy down an alley and corner him, intending to beat him up. Ponyboy is terrified and desperately tries to escape, but the Socs are too strong and overpower him. He is punched and kicked repeatedly, and his head is slammed against the pavement. He is eventually rescued by his friends, who come to his aid and fight off the Socs. This is an example of an external conflict, as Ponyboy is struggling against an outside force (the Socs) in order to survive.
