Character Relationship Map: The Genius

Characters

• Desmond Denton (played by Joe Gibbons) — protagonist

  Scientist who discovers a method to copy personalities. Initially falls for Kitty, but later uses his invention to become a terrorist waging a violent crusade against the American Family League's cult...

• Kitty Church (played by Karen Finley) — protagonist

  Rebel female artist actively resisting the ultra-conservative American Family League's monopoly on New York art galleries and their promotion of the restrictive New Formalism movement.

• Les Alabaster (played by Tony Oursler) — supporting
• Dirk Dirkson (played by Tony Conrad) — supporting
• Dr. Corbin (played by Adolfas Mekas) — supporting
• Manic Client (played by Camden Toy) — supporting
• Depressed Client (played by Mark MacElhattan) — supporting
• Psycho Client (played by Mike Ousterhout) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

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

• Les Alabaster → Psycho Client (Professional Employer) — Controls artist through drugs
• Les Alabaster → Depressed Client (Professional Employer) — Controls artist through drugs
• Les Alabaster → Manic Client (Professional Employer) — Controls artist through drugs
• Desmond Denton → Dr. Corbin (Professional Mentor) — Scientific mentor relationship
• Desmond Denton → Kitty Church (Romantic Lovers) — Scientist falls for rebel artist

Story Dynamics

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

• Les Alabaster → Dirk Dirkson (Alliance Allies) — Both represent oppressive art world forces
• Kitty Church → Dirk Dirkson (Conflict Opponent) — Artist opposes exploitative dealer
• Kitty Church → Les Alabaster (Conflict Adversary) — Rebel fights against the conservative League
• Desmond Denton → Dirk Dirkson (Conflict Nemesis) — Opposes the exploitative art dealer
• Desmond Denton → Les Alabaster (Conflict Arch Enemy) — Fights against the League's leader

Story Analysis

A scientist's personality-copying invention transforms romantic desire into a violent revolt against cultural and artistic control.

Plot Progression

1. The Identity Experiment — Desmond Denton discovers a method for copying personalities and begins using it to become more like other people. His attraction to a rebel artist gives the invention an intensely personal purpose.
2. Galleries Under Control — The American Family League controls New York art galleries and promotes New Formalism. The restrictive cultural system establishes the conflict surrounding artistic expression.
3. The Terrorist Transformation — Desmond uses his invention to win over the rebel artist, but his identity changes in a darker direction. He becomes a terrorist and launches a violent crusade against the League.
4. War Against Artistic Exploitation — Desmond's campaign expands beyond the League to a greedy art dealer who controls artists with drugs. Cultural oppression and commercial manipulation merge into the final conflict.