Character Relationship Map: Duffy

Characters

• Duffy (played by James Coburn) — protagonist
• Stefane Calvert (played by James Fox) — supporting
• Segolene (played by Susannah York) — supporting
• Antony Calvert (played by John Alderton) — supporting
• Bakirgian (played by Barry Shawzin) — minor
• Bonivet (played by Carl Duering) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

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

• Duffy → Bonivet (Professional Transaction Associate) — Duffy is indirectly involved in negotiations attended by Bonivet.

  Bonivet appears during the negotiations for the equipment and supplies after Duffy directs the group to Bakirgian.

• Bakirgian → Bonivet (Professional Business Negotiators) — They are connected through the supply transaction.

  Bakirgian arranges the deal, and Bonivet appears during the negotiations where a deposit of £5,000 is recorded.

• Duffy → Bakirgian (Professional Supplier Contact) — Duffy uses Bakirgian as a practical source for the operation.

  Duffy directs the group to Bakirgian, who can provide the equipment and supplies they need.

• Duffy → Segolene (Romantic Entanglement) — Their attraction is intense but contested by both characters' insistence on independence.

  Duffy remains emotionally entangled with Segolene, admits that he may love her, and argues with her about jealousy and sexual freedom.

• Antony Calvert → Stefane Calvert (Family Brother) — Antony and Stefane are brothers involved in the wider operation.

  The plot identifies Stefane's brother during the darts wager and later discusses the Calvert brothers' practical problems.

Story Dynamics

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

• Segolene → Stefane Calvert (Alliance Travel And Operation Partners) — Their connection is shaped by the operation's travel demands and Segolene's refusal.

  When the Naples transaction fails, Stefane is urgently summoned to Beirut, while Segolene is asked to meet the group and initially refuses to leave wi...

• Segolene → Antony Calvert (Alliance Operation Associate) — They share involvement in the broader scheme, although the plot gives no detailed personal exchange between them.

  Segolene is part of the group dealing with the Calverts' transportation, escape plans, and ship-based operation.

• Duffy → Antony Calvert (Alliance Operational Ally) — Duffy supports the scheme while also threatening to leave it.

  Duffy joins the Calverts and becomes involved in their operation involving a ship, concealed goods, and an escape plan.

• Duffy → Stefane Calvert (Conflict Gambling Rival) — Duffy turns a social game with Stefane into a reckless financial contest.

  Duffy provokes Stefane Calvert into a high-stakes darts game and repeatedly raises the wager after winning money from Stefane's brother.

Story Analysis

A risk-loving outsider becomes entangled in an absurd criminal operation while struggling with a destructive attachment to Segolene.

Plot Progression

1. Gambling and Schemes — Duffy establishes his appetite for risk by turning a darts game into a major wager. Antony then outlines the ship-pump bill scheme while the Calvert brothers face practical problems.
2. A Dangerous Invitation — Transportation and escape plans become difficult, prompting Segolene to contact Duffy in Tangier. Duffy joins the unusual ship-based operation and its theatrical disguise.
3. The Elaborate Deal — Duffy directs the group to Bakirgian for equipment and supplies. Negotiations involving Bonivet produce a recorded deposit of £5,000 as preparations continue aboard Osiris.
4. Love Against Freedom — Duffy announces that he has quit, but his emotional connection with Segolene keeps him involved. Their argument reaches a painful admission about love, jealousy, and independence.
5. The Reversed Telegram — The Naples transaction fails and the operation shifts urgently to Beirut. A later telegram announces success, demands immediate delivery, and orders a meeting with Segolene at a beach club.