Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Bickford leaves Fort Worth and arrives in Dime Box. He presents himself as a naive newcomer and takes various menial jobs.

Fort Worth Departure — Bickford leaves Fort Worth and heads toward a new life. Characters: Bickford Waner Location: Fort Worth
Arrival in Dime Box — Bickford arrives in the tiny Texas town of Dime Box. Characters: Bickford Waner Location: Dime Box
Naive Newcomer — Bickford presents himself as an apparently naive young man. Characters: Bickford Waner Location: Dime Box
Menial Work Begins — Bickford takes on a variety of menial jobs. Characters: Bickford Waner Location: Dime Box
Attempted Fresh Start — His work suggests an attempt to establish a different life. Characters: Bickford Waner Location: Dime Box

Bickford is befriended by Reese Ford and becomes connected to Reese's household. His involvement with Reese's wife creates a forbidden affair.

Attempted Fresh Start — His work suggests an attempt to establish a different life. Characters: Bickford Waner Location: Dime Box
Meeting Reese Ford — Bickford is befriended by local resident Reese Ford. Characters: Bickford Waner, Reese Ford Location: Dime Box
Friendship Takes Root — Bickford and Reese develop a friendship in the town. Characters: Bickford Waner, Reese Ford Location: Dime Box
Household Connection — Bickford becomes connected to Reese's household through their friendship. Characters: Bickford Waner, Reese Ford Location: Reese Ford's household
Forbidden Affair — Bickford becomes involved in an affair with Reese's wife. Characters: Bickford Waner, Reese Ford Location: Dime Box

The affair produces a humiliating scandal. Janet Conforto arrives and reveals that Bickford is actually the notorious train robber Kid Blue.

Forbidden Affair — Bickford becomes involved in an affair with Reese's wife. Characters: Bickford Waner, Reese Ford Location: Dime Box
Hidden Scandal — The affair creates a scandal connected to Bickford's friendship with Reese. Characters: Bickford Waner, Reese Ford Location: Dime Box
Public Humiliation — The scandal humiliates Bickford and destabilizes his new life. Characters: Bickford Waner, Reese Ford Location: Dime Box
Janet Arrives — Bickford's former girlfriend Janet Conforto arrives in Dime Box. Characters: Bickford Waner, Janet Conforto Location: Dime Box
Past Relationship Returns — Janet's arrival reconnects Bickford with his romantic past. Characters: Bickford Waner, Janet Conforto Location: Dime Box
Kid Blue Exposed — Janet reveals that Bickford is the notorious train robber Kid Blue. Characters: Bickford Waner, Janet Conforto Location: Dime Box

Bickford's hidden identity and the scandal destroy the possibility of a respectable fresh start. His friendship with Reese is damaged.

Kid Blue Exposed — Janet reveals that Bickford is the notorious train robber Kid Blue. Characters: Bickford Waner, Janet Conforto Location: Dime Box
The Mask Falls — Bickford's apparently naive identity is replaced by his criminal reputation. Characters: Bickford Waner, Janet Conforto Location: Dime Box
Straight Path Collapses — The scandal and exposure undermine Bickford's attempt to go straight. Characters: Bickford Waner Location: Dime Box
Friendship Rupture — The affair scandal damages the relationship between Bickford and Reese. Characters: Bickford Waner, Reese Ford Location: Dime Box
Giving Up Respectability — Humiliated by the scandal, Bickford gives up on going straight. Characters: Bickford Waner Location: Dime Box

Humiliated by the consequences of the affair, Bickford abandons his attempt to go straight. He begins plotting another crime.

Giving Up Respectability — Humiliated by the scandal, Bickford gives up on going straight. Characters: Bickford Waner Location: Dime Box
Crime Takes Shape — Bickford turns toward a new criminal plan. Characters: Bickford Waner Location: Dime Box
Kid Blue's New Plan — The former train robber plots another crime after abandoning reform. Characters: Bickford Waner Location: Dime Box

Story Breakdown

Leaving Fort Worth — Bickford begins a new life away from Fort Worth.
- Departure — Bickford leaves Fort Worth.
- New Destination — He travels to Dime Box.
Dime Box Arrival — Bickford establishes himself as an apparently naive newcomer.
- Naive Persona — He appears inexperienced and harmless.
- Menial Labor — He takes various menial jobs.
Reese's Friendship — Reese gives Bickford a local social connection.
- Local Friend — Reese befriends Bickford.
- Household Access — Bickford becomes connected to Reese's household.
Forbidden Affair — Bickford's involvement with Reese's wife creates a damaging scandal.
- Secret Involvement — Bickford begins the affair.
- Public Humiliation — The resulting scandal humiliates Bickford.
Janet's Revelation — Janet's arrival exposes Bickford's concealed criminal identity.
- Former Girlfriend — Janet is identified as Bickford's former girlfriend.
- Kid Blue Exposed — She reveals that Bickford is the notorious train robber Kid Blue.
Return to Crime — Bickford abandons respectability and begins planning another crime.
- Failed Reform — The scandal ends his attempt to go straight.
- Criminal Plan — He plots a new crime.