Plot Analysis Summary
Harry Berg is drawn from personal financial trouble into a violent struggle over stolen technology, money, and Rachel's life.
Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases
A Debt And A Return
Harry begins in financial trouble after a hostile poker game. Hilda's return forces him into an unwanted errand involving a package.
Key Events
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Tense Poker Game — Harry and several men play poker as money and a car turn the banter hostile. Characters: Harry Berg, Norman, Nick, Ralph Vigo, Poker Player
Location: Poker game
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Hostile Departure — The dispute escalates, forcing Harry and the other men to leave abruptly. Characters: Harry Berg, Norman, Nick, Ralph Vigo, Poker Player
Location: Poker game
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Lizard Job Struggles — Harry struggles to complete a lizard-themed job while facing financial problems. Characters: Harry Berg
Location: Unspecified work location
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Hilda Returns — Harry's former wife Hilda unexpectedly returns and asks him for help. Characters: Harry Berg, Hilda
Location: Unspecified location
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The Package Request — Hilda asks Harry to retrieve an important package from her new roommate's apartment. Characters: Harry Berg, Hilda
Location: Unspecified location
The Dangerous Package
Harry retrieves the package and learns that it is dangerous. Its contents and possible connection to millions of dollars transform a personal favor into a major security problem.
Key Events
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Errand Boy Resentment — Harry resents Hilda's demand, while she insists that he is the only person she trusts. Characters: Harry Berg, Hilda
Location: Unspecified location
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Apartment Retrieval — Harry obtains the package from the apartment after Hilda's request. Characters: Harry Berg
Location: New roommate's apartment
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Dangerous Package Warning — Hilda warns Harry that ruthless people are pursuing the package. Characters: Harry Berg, Hilda
Location: Unspecified location
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Millions At Stake — Hilda reveals that the object may be connected to millions of dollars. Characters: Harry Berg, Hilda
Location: Unspecified location
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Electromagnet Revealed — The package contains an electromagnet tied to stolen industrial technology. Characters: Harry Berg
Location: Unspecified location
Competing Hunters
Harry investigates the electromagnet and the parties seeking it. Gem Vigo and Rigaud deepen the mystery while the device is stolen again and violence increases.
Key Events
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Quiet Security Breach — An official explains that Bulgarian agents may seek the electromagnet, but authorities want quiet handling. Characters: Harry Berg
Location: Unspecified official setting
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Investigation Begins — Harry investigates the technology and the parties competing to control it. Characters: Harry Berg
Location: Unspecified locations
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Gem Vigo Encounter — Harry contacts Gem Vigo, who appears to know the Bulgarians connected to the case. Characters: Harry Berg, Gem Vigo
Location: Unspecified location
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Rigaud Appears — Harry encounters Rigaud, a dangerous Frenchman associated with the stolen device. Characters: Harry Berg, Rigaud
Location: Unspecified location
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Device Stolen Again — Harry learns that the object has been stolen again as the competing parties maneuver for control. Characters: Harry Berg, Gem Vigo, Rigaud
Location: Unspecified location
Blood Money And Abduction
Rachel rejects Harry's attempt to share the potential fortune and leaves after condemning his choices. Harry then learns that she has been abducted.
Key Events
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Violence Escalates — The struggle over the device becomes increasingly violent. Characters: Harry Berg, Rigaud, Gem Vigo
Location: Unspecified location
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Blood Money Argument — Harry considers sharing the fortune, but Rachel rejects it as blood money. Characters: Harry Berg, Rachel Dobs
Location: Unspecified location
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Rachel Walks Away — Their argument ends with Rachel leaving after condemning Harry's willingness to risk his life. Characters: Harry Berg, Rachel Dobs
Location: Unspecified location
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Rachel Abducted — Harry discovers that Rachel has been abducted by people demanding the package. Characters: Harry Berg, Rachel Dobs
Location: Unspecified location
The Jersey Ultimatum
Norman delivers the kidnappers' demand: Harry must bring the package to Jersey or Rachel will be killed. The supplied plot ends before the rescue or final outcome.
Key Events
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Rachel Abducted — Harry discovers that Rachel has been abducted by people demanding the package. Characters: Harry Berg, Rachel Dobs
Location: Unspecified location
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Jersey Ultimatum — Norman tells Harry that Rachel will be killed unless he brings the package to Jersey. Characters: Harry Berg, Norman, Rachel Dobs
Location: Unspecified location
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Unresolved Rescue Threat — The supplied plot ends with Harry facing the demand, leaving the rescue and final outcome unresolved. Characters: Harry Berg, Norman, Rachel Dobs
Location: Jersey
Harry Berg is both a con artist and an actual artist -- he constructs large sculptures out of television sets -- but he is not particularly successful in either role. He owes some money, which gets him involved with Rachel Dobs, a police detective who works with a collection agency. When Harry comes into possession of a strange parcel, both the con man and the detective find themselves wrapped up in a sinister corporate plot to fix the lottery.
