Character Relationship Map: Cheaters

Characters

• Steve Morris (played by William Boyd) — protagonist

  A confidence man who leaves prison with a reputation and substantial money from his previous job. When his chief operative, Mabel, deserts him, he recruits Kay for a scheme to marry wealthy Paul South...

• Kay Murray (played by June Collyer) — supporting

  An innocent woman who served time in prison in place of her erring brother. After leaving prison alongside Steve, she becomes his friend and agrees to his business proposal: romance wealthy Paul South...

• Mabel (played by Dorothy Mackaill) — supporting

  Steve's chief operative in his scheme to separate wealthy men from their money. She deserts Steve, leaving him without his principal operative and prompting him to recruit Kay for a plan involving wea...

• Paul Southern (played by Alan Mowbray) — supporting

  A wealthy man targeted by Steve's scheme. Steve persuades Kay to romance Paul and marry him, with the plan being to secure a divorce later and divide the settlement proceeds among Steve, Kay, and K.C....

• K.C. Kelly (played by William Collier Sr.) — supporting

  One of Steve's partners in the plan involving Kay and wealthy Paul Southern. The proposed divorce-settlement proceeds are to be divided among Steve, Kay, and K.C. Kelly, placing him among the benefici...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Kay Murray → Paul Southern (Romantic Planned Romance) — Kay's romantic involvement with Paul is initially presented as part of a calculated scheme.

  Steve proposes that Kay romance wealthy Paul Southern into marrying her and later obtaining a divorce.

• Steve Morris → Mabel (Professional Chief Operative) — Mabel previously held a leading operational role in Steve's confidence game.

  Mabel is identified as Steve's chief operative in his scheme to separate wealthy men from their money.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Steve Morris → Paul Southern (Conflict Target And Schemer) — Steve's scheme positions Paul as the wealthy man whose money is being pursued.

  Steve designs a plan in which Kay romances the wealthy Paul Southern into marriage and later obtains a divorce settlement.

• Kay Murray → K.C. Kelly (Alliance Scheme Partner) — Kay and K.C. Kelly share a financial interest in the planned operation.

  Kay and K.C. Kelly are both designated partners who will split the divorce-settlement proceeds with Steve.

• Steve Morris → K.C. Kelly (Alliance Business Partner) — K.C. Kelly is part of the planned partnership behind the scheme.

  The divorce-settlement proceeds are to be split among Steve, Kay, and K.C. Kelly.

• Steve Morris → Kay Murray (Social Friend) — Steve initially approaches Kay through personal friendship.

  After leaving prison, Steve befriends Kay.

Story Analysis

A confidence scheme built around marriage becomes emotionally unstable when Steve develops genuine love for Kay.

Plot Progression

1. Prisoners Meet Again — Steve Morris and Kay Murray leave prison at the same time. Their different prison histories establish the basis for Steve's interest in Kay.
2. A Scheme Needs Rebuilding — Steve has money and a reputation from his last job, but discovers that his chief operative Mabel has deserted him. He begins looking for a replacement participant in his confidence game.
3. The Marriage Proposition — Steve presents Kay with a business proposition involving wealthy Paul Southern. Kay is recruited to romance Paul into marriage so a later divorce settlement can be pursued.
4. Success With A Cost — The plan proceeds well, with Steve, Kay, and K.C. Kelly expecting to divide the settlement proceeds. The apparent business success becomes complicated by Steve's changing feelings.
5. Love Disrupts The Game — Steve realizes that his feelings for Kay are no longer part of a professional arrangement. His love creates the central emotional crisis at the end of the provided plot.