The Percentage story

ahp3x14 · 1958-01-05

Successful businessman Eddie Slovak has a good life with his wife, Faye, but is haunted by his past. He once acted cowardly in the Korean War, and seeks out his old Army buddy Pete Williams, who knows his secret. Pete repeatedly rebuffs Eddie's attempts to pay him, to Eddie's frustration. Eddie begins an affair with Pete's wife, Louise, and one night Eddie, triggered by a picture of Pete in his Army uniform, loses his mind and strangles her. Eddie is arrested for murder, and this leaves Pete and Faye, who are lovers, to be together. Directed by: James Neilson. Story by: David Alexander, Bernard C. Schoenfeld.

12 total · 5 major · 7 minor

Theme	Level	Motivation
extramarital affair	major	Eddie became romantically involved with Pete's wife Faye. And in a surprise twist, in was later revealed that Pete had been romantically involved with Eddie's wife, Louise, probably all along.
having a skeleton in the closet	major	Eddie was haunted by the fact that he'd behaved in a cowardly manner during his time fighting in the Korean War.
husband and wife	major	Eddie and Faye Slovak. Pete and Louise Williams.
murder	major	The story concluded with Eddie strangling Louise.
the desire to repay one's debts	major	Eddie couldn't stand that Pete was privy to the fact that Eddie had behaved cowardly in the Korean War. What is more, Eddie internalized this state of affairs as a kind of debt which he made persistent and repeated efforts to repay.
cowardice	minor	Eddie was ashamed of having succumbed to cowardice back in the Korean War.
female attraction to powerful men	minor	Louise fawned over the businessman Eddie about how strong and successful he was moments before smothering him with a passionate kiss.
law enforcement	minor	The police arrived to arrest Eddie for murder.
romantic jealousy	minor	Faye denied being jealous several times.
shame	minor	Eddie was ashamed of having succumbed to cowardice back in the Korean War.