Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

During World War II, Dixie wants to help the war effort and becomes a taxi driver. Her bad driving leads to a crash with businessman Roger Hudson.

Wartime Setting — The story takes place during World War II. Characters: Dixie Dugan Location: United States during World War II
Dixie Seeks War Service — Dixie looks for a way to help the war effort. Characters: Dixie Dugan Location: United States
Taxi Driving Begins — Dixie becomes a taxi driver to support the war effort. Characters: Dixie Dugan Location: City streets
Bad Driving Causes Trouble — Dixie's poor driving creates an immediate problem. Characters: Dixie Dugan Location: City streets
Crash With Roger — Dixie crashes with businessman Roger Hudson in the car. Characters: Dixie Dugan, Roger Hudson Location: City road
Roger Is Identified — The person involved in the crash is businessman Roger Hudson. Characters: Dixie Dugan, Roger Hudson Location: Crash site

Dixie takes a civil service exam in another effort to serve the war effort. Instead, she becomes Roger's secretary.

A New War Effort — Dixie pursues another way to help the war effort. Characters: Dixie Dugan Location: Civil service office
Civil Service Exam — Dixie takes a civil service examination. Characters: Dixie Dugan Location: Civil service office
Secretary Assignment — Dixie's exam leads to her becoming Roger's secretary. Characters: Dixie Dugan, Roger Hudson Location: Roger Hudson's office
Office Work Begins — Dixie works as Roger's secretary. Characters: Dixie Dugan, Roger Hudson Location: Roger Hudson's office

Roger sends Dixie outside the office to survey women about the obstacles preventing them from doing defense work. The survey proves extremely useful.

Roger Changes Her Assignment — Roger arranges work to get Dixie out of the office. Characters: Dixie Dugan, Roger Hudson Location: Roger Hudson's office
Survey Mission Assigned — Roger sends Dixie to survey women about defense work. Characters: Dixie Dugan, Roger Hudson Location: Roger Hudson's office
Women Are Questioned — Dixie surveys women about barriers to defense work. Characters: Dixie Dugan Location: Survey locations
Barriers Are Documented — The survey records what prevents women from doing defense work. Characters: Dixie Dugan Location: Survey locations
Survey Proves Useful — The completed survey becomes extremely useful. Characters: Dixie Dugan, Roger Hudson Location: Roger Hudson's office
Dixie Becomes A Hero — Dixie gains recognition as a hero because of the survey. Characters: Dixie Dugan Location: United States

Dixie becomes a hero because of the survey's value. She then travels with Roger to conduct the same survey in England.

England Mission Begins — Dixie travels with Roger to conduct the survey in England. Characters: Dixie Dugan, Roger Hudson Location: Route to England
Arrival In England — Dixie and Roger continue the project in England. Characters: Dixie Dugan, Roger Hudson Location: England
English Survey Conducted — They conduct the same survey in England. Characters: Dixie Dugan, Roger Hudson Location: England
Mission Continues — Dixie and Roger conclude the described mission by extending the survey to England. Characters: Dixie Dugan, Roger Hudson Location: England

Story Breakdown

Wartime Motivation — Dixie seeks a practical way to contribute during World War II.
- War Effort — The wartime setting motivates Dixie's actions.
- Service Search — Dixie looks for a useful role.
Taxi Misadventure — Dixie's first attempt at helping the war effort leads to a traffic accident.
- Taxi Driving — Dixie becomes a taxi driver.
- Roger Collision — Her bad driving causes a crash with Roger Hudson.
Civil Service Turn — Dixie takes an examination and enters Roger's professional world.
- Exam Attempt — Dixie takes a civil service exam.
- Secretary Position — She becomes Roger's secretary.
Survey Assignment — Roger redirects Dixie from office work to research on women's defense participation.
- Office Redirection — Roger arranges work to get Dixie out of the office.
- Women Questioned — Dixie surveys women about barriers to defense work.
Heroic Recognition — The survey becomes valuable and transforms Dixie's public standing.
- Useful Findings — The survey proves extremely useful.
- Dixie Honored — Dixie becomes a hero.
English Expansion — Dixie and Roger extend their survey work beyond the United States.
- Journey With Roger — Dixie goes with Roger to England.
- Same Survey — They conduct the same survey in England.