Character Relationship Map: Buy & Cell

Characters

• Herbie Altman (played by Robert Carradine) — protagonist

  Herbie is a financial professional framed by his boss for stock fraud and sent to prison. After successfully advising a fellow inmate on investments, he attracts other prisoners seeking his guidance a...

• Wolf (played by Randall 'Tex' Cobb) — protagonist
• Warden Tennant (played by Malcolm McDowell) — supporting

  Warden Tennant is the warden of the prison where Herbie is incarcerated. Herbie operates CON INC. from inside the facility while evading the warden and guards, placing Tennant on the opposing side of...

• Cowboy (played by Roddy Piper) — supporting
• Raoul (played by Tony Plana) — supporting
• VCR (played by Fred Travalena) — supporting
• Shaka (played by Ben Vereen) — supporting
• Sly (played by Michael Winslow) — supporting
• Dr. Ellen Scott (played by Lise Cutter) — supporting
• Reggie (played by Michael Goodwin) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

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

• Herbie Altman → Reggie (Professional) — Herbie's former boss who framed him
• Herbie Altman → Dr. Ellen Scott (Professional) — Potential ally in the outside world
• Herbie Altman → Warden Tennant (Power Authority Figure) — Prison warden unaware of Herbie's operations

Story Dynamics

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

• Herbie Altman → Sly (Social Inmate) — Prison acquaintance who becomes an investor
• Herbie Altman → Shaka (Social Inmate) — Prison acquaintance who becomes an investor
• Herbie Altman → VCR (Social Inmate) — Prison acquaintance who becomes an investor
• Herbie Altman → Raoul (Social Inmate) — Prison acquaintance who becomes an investor
• Herbie Altman → Cowboy (Social Inmate) — Prison acquaintance who becomes an investor
• Herbie Altman → Wolf (Social Inmate) — Prison acquaintance who becomes an investor

Story Analysis

A framed financial adviser turns imprisonment into an illicit investment enterprise before renewed government scrutiny threatens him again.

Plot Progression

1. A Fraudulent Downfall — An SEC investigation reaches Herbie's company, where his boss frames him for stock fraud. Herbie is sent to prison as a result of the accusation.
2. The Prison Adviser — While incarcerated, Herbie advises a fellow inmate on investments. The success of that advice causes other prisoners to seek his financial guidance.
3. An Enterprise Behind Bars — The demand for Herbie's guidance creates growing capital that needs to be managed. He establishes CON INC and operates it from inside the facility while avoiding detection.
4. Investigations Return — The IRS and SEC launch inquiries into CON INC. Their scrutiny places Herbie in renewed legal trouble.