Character Relationship Map: Somewhat Secret

Characters

• Assistant Dean Emily Godsall (played by Mary Howard) — protagonist
• Swingopater Trombonist (played by Benny Rubin) — protagonist
• Benjamin 'Barrelhouse Benny' Barnes (played by Tom Collins) — supporting
• Alice the Tattletale (played by Mary Bovard) — supporting
• Atlantic City Emcee (played by Phillip Terry) — supporting
• Swingopater Violinist (played by Billy Wayne) — minor

Canonical Relationships

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

• Atlantic City Emcee → Swingopater Violinist (Professional Colleague) — Both work together in the swing music scene
• Atlantic City Emcee → Swingopater Trombonist (Professional Colleague) — Both work together in the swing music scene
• Atlantic City Emcee → Benjamin 'Barrelhouse Benny' Barnes (Professional Contact) — The emcee works with Benny's band performances
• Benjamin 'Barrelhouse Benny' Barnes → Swingopater Violinist (Professional Band Leader) — Benny leads the swing band that includes the violinist
• Benjamin 'Barrelhouse Benny' Barnes → Swingopater Trombonist (Professional Band Leader) — Benny leads the swing band that includes the trombonist
• Assistant Dean Emily Godsall → Benjamin 'Barrelhouse Benny' Barnes (Romantic Partners) — Emily is secretly dating Benny, who is also a swing bandleader

Story Dynamics

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

• Swingopater Trombonist → Swingopater Violinist (Alliance Bandmates) — Both musicians play in Benny's swing band
• Assistant Dean Emily Godsall → Alice the Tattletale (Conflict Antagonist) — Emily threatens students who associate with swing music

Story Analysis

An assistant dean's strict opposition to swing music is complicated when her boyfriend is revealed to be a chemistry professor and a prominent swing bandleader.

Plot Progression

1. A Strict School Rule — The story begins at Dimsdale Hall Finishing School. Assistant Dean Emily Godsall establishes a severe stance against students associating with swing music.
2. Punishment Declared — Emily publicly declares that students connected with swing music will be severely punished. Her announcement creates the central tension described in the plot.
3. The Complication Emerges — Complications develop when Emily learns unexpected information about her boyfriend. The discovery directly challenges the position she has announced at school.
4. A Musical Revelation — Emily discovers that her boyfriend is both a chemistry professor at the school and a well-known swing bandleader. This revelation creates the story's central personal conflict.