Character Relationship Map: Fast Workers

Characters

• Gunner Smith (played by John Gilbert) — protagonist

  Gunner is a womanizing riveter who avoids emotional commitment and considers it his duty to keep his close friend Bucker from rushing into marriage. He dates Mary without serious intentions, but delay...

• Bucker Reilly (played by Robert Armstrong) — protagonist

  Bucker is Gunner's close friend and fellow riveter, but unlike Gunner he readily falls in love and becomes entangled with women. He marries Mary without knowing about her history with Gunner, then tri...

• Mary (played by Mae Clarke) — supporting

  Mary is a woman Gunner dates casually and who supports herself by fleecing men. She accepts Bucker's marriage proposal after learning he has $5,000 in the bank, unaware at first that he is Gunner's cl...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Bucker Reilly → Mary (Romantic Husband) — Their rapid courtship develops into a brief marriage.

  Bucker becomes enamored with Mary, proposes marriage, and has already married her by the time Gunner reveals his involvement.

• Gunner Smith → Mary (Romantic Casual Lover) — Gunner has an ongoing but emotionally noncommittal relationship with Mary.

  Mary is identified as one of the women whom Gunner dates regularly, although he does not date her seriously.

Story Dynamics

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

• Gunner Smith → Bucker Reilly (Social Close Friend) — They are close friends whose contrasting attitudes toward women drive much of the story.

  The plot describes Gunner and Bucker as two friends who work together and spend their lives pursuing romantic adventures.

Story Analysis

Two riveter friends survive romantic betrayal, attempted murder, and reconciliation while remaining divided over how to treat women.

Plot Progression

1. Riveters and Rakes — Gunner Smith and Bucker Reilly are introduced as riveters and close friends. Their opposing attitudes toward romance establish Gunner as the noncommittal rake and Bucker as the impulsive lover.
2. A Costly Courtship — Bucker meets Mary and quickly becomes enamored with her. Mary learns about his $5,000 bank nest egg and accepts his clumsy marriage proposal.
3. Friendship Betrayed — Gunner delays revealing his involvement with Mary until after Bucker has married her. Bucker interprets the disclosure as a serious betrayal and turns against his friend.
4. Guilt at the Hospital — Bucker's sabotage leaves Gunner seriously injured and near death. Bucker confesses to Mary, who ends the marriage and threatens prosecution if Gunner dies.
5. Forgiveness and Mischief — Gunner awakens and is expected to survive, while Mary admits her feelings for him and her past. Gunner forgives Bucker, and the friends return to their comic rivalry over women.