Character Relationship Map: Two People

Characters

• Evan Bonner (played by Peter Fonda) — protagonist

  A former soldier and Vietnam deserter who has lived as a nomad in Sweden and Morocco. He meets Deirdre on a train, initially withdraws from her advances but later spends time with her in Paris. Determ...

• Deirdre McCluskey (played by Lindsay Wagner) — protagonist

  A Manhattan-based fashion model and mother. Her love for her lover Ron has died. She reconnects with Evan on a train, develops a romance with him in Europe, and eventually returns to New York with him...

• Barbara Newman (played by Estelle Parsons) — supporting

  An editor working with photographer Ron Kesselman on a Vogue assignment in Marrakesh. She travels with Deirdre on a train to Casablanca after Ron departs for the Sahara Desert.

• Ron Kesselman (played by Geoffrey Horne) — supporting

  A photographer and Deirdre's lover. After completing a shoot in Marrakesh, he decides to explore the Sahara Desert instead of returning to his son, leaving Deirdre and Barbara to travel to Casablanca...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Ron Kesselman → Barbara Newman (Professional Colleague) — They collaborate professionally on the fashion shoot.

  Ron is the photographer and Barbara is the editor working with him on the Vogue assignment in Marrakesh.

• Deirdre McCluskey → Evan Bonner (Romantic Interest) — Deirdre develops a new romantic attachment to Evan.

  Deirdre is attracted to Evan on the train, spends a day and night with him in Paris, and proposes that they remain in Europe together.

• Deirdre McCluskey → Ron Kesselman (Romantic Former Lover) — Their romantic relationship has deteriorated before the main journey begins.

  The plot identifies Ron as Deirdre's lover, but Deirdre realizes that her love for him has died.

Story Dynamics

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

• Deirdre McCluskey → Barbara Newman (Alliance Travel Companion) — Barbara accompanies and supports Deirdre during the early journey.

  After Ron leaves for the Sahara, Deirdre travels with Barbara by train toward Casablanca and returns to Barbara after finding Evan alone.

Story Analysis

Two unsettled people form a brief romantic connection while confronting emotional loss, displacement, and personal responsibility.

Plot Progression

1. A Love Left Behind — Deirdre completes the Marrakesh fashion assignment with Ron and Barbara. Ron leaves to explore the Sahara, while Deirdre realizes that her love for him has ended.
2. A Stranger on the Train — Deirdre recognizes Evan and approaches him about sharing kief. The train breakdown gives them an opportunity to explore an Arab village together.
3. The Burden Revealed — Evan initially withdraws from Deirdre's advances. On the flight to Paris, he reveals his desertion, nomadic past, and intention to surrender.
4. Paris Before Judgment — Deirdre and Evan spend a day and night together in Paris. Their intimacy offers temporary hope before Evan's decision forces them toward the United States.
5. The Chosen Consequence — Deirdre asks Evan to remain in Europe, but he refuses and returns with her to New York. He then surrenders to the authorities, accepting the consequences of his desertion.