Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Clive is introduced as a young fugitive with a troubled past and bleak future. The law catches him, and Marshal Preston Booth takes him into custody.

Clive's Troubled Situation — Clive is introduced as a young fugitive with a troubled past and bleak future. Characters: Clive Emerson Location: American Southwest
The Law Catches Clive — The law catches up with Clive, ending his immediate freedom. Characters: Clive Emerson Location: American Southwest
Booth Takes Custody — Marshal Preston Booth takes Clive into custody. Characters: Clive Emerson, Marshal Preston Booth Location: American Southwest
The Prison Transfer Begins — Clive and Booth begin a long train trip back to prison. Characters: Clive Emerson, Marshal Preston Booth Location: Train

Booth escorts Clive on a long train trip across the American southwest. Their destination is prison, and Clive remains under Booth's custody.

Across the American Southwest — The train carries them across the American southwest toward prison. Characters: Clive Emerson, Marshal Preston Booth Location: Train across the American Southwest
Clive Claims Innocence — Clive insists that he is innocent during the prison transfer. Characters: Clive Emerson, Marshal Preston Booth Location: Train
Booth Takes Personal Interest — Booth takes a personal interest in Clive's case after hearing his insistence. Characters: Clive Emerson, Marshal Preston Booth Location: Train

Clive insists upon his innocence during the journey. His claim causes Booth to take a personal interest in the case.

Booth Takes Personal Interest — Booth takes a personal interest in Clive's case after hearing his insistence. Characters: Clive Emerson, Marshal Preston Booth Location: Train
The Journey Continues — The long journey continues despite Clive's claim and Booth's interest. Characters: Clive Emerson, Marshal Preston Booth Location: Train
Clive Accepts His Fate — Clive ultimately resigns himself to his sad fate. Characters: Clive Emerson Location: Train

Clive resigns himself to his sad fate as the journey continues toward prison. When the train stops, the future awaiting him is not what he expects.

Prison Draws Near — The train continues toward the prison that Clive expects to enter. Characters: Clive Emerson, Marshal Preston Booth Location: Train
The Train Stops — The train stops, bringing Clive to the moment he has been anticipating. Characters: Clive Emerson, Marshal Preston Booth Location: Train stop
An Unexpected Future — Clive discovers that the future awaiting him is not what he expects. Characters: Clive Emerson, Marshal Preston Booth Location: Train stop

Story Breakdown

Clive's Troubled Past — Clive begins as a young fugitive facing a bleak future.
- Young Fugitive — Clive is identified as a young fugitive.
- Bleak Future — His situation is associated with a bleak future.
The Law's Pursuit — The law catches up with Clive and removes his freedom.
- Law Catches Up — The law catches up with Clive.
- Custody Taken — Marshal Preston Booth takes Clive into custody.
The Prison Journey — Clive is transported across the American southwest toward prison.
- Train Transfer — Clive begins a long train trip back to prison.
- Southwest Crossing — The train travels across the American southwest.
The Innocence Claim — Clive challenges the basis of his fate by insisting that he is innocent.
- Clive Insists — Clive insists upon his innocence.
- Booth Listens — Booth takes a personal interest in the case.
Resigned Expectations — Despite the discussion of his case, Clive eventually accepts the fate he expects.
- Sad Fate — Clive resigns himself to his sad fate.
- Prison Expectation — Clive expects the journey to lead to prison.
The Unexpected Stop — The train's stop reveals that Clive's future is different from what he anticipated.
- Train Stops — The train reaches the moment when it stops.
- Future Changes — The future awaiting Clive is not what he expects.