The Man at the Top story
A young seaman becomes embroiled in a fight with another man and kills him. Eager to escape, he turns to his friend, Diane. She sets him up with someone who can help. Directed by: Claude Whatham. Story by: Edward D. Hoch.
8 total · 6 major · 2 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| facing job insecurity | major | The sailor Hardy was out of work and turned to mugging to get money. |
| facing organized pursuit | major | Hardy believed the police were likely after him. |
| great need vs. breaking the law | major | Hardy, who was broke and out of work, mugged a man. |
| ironic twist of fate | major | It turned out that the man Hardy had killed was the single man who had the power to help him escape facing justice. |
| mugging | major | Hardy, who was broke and out of work, mugged a man. |
| organized crime | major | Sam was the man at the top, presumably of some more-or-less organized crime ring. |
| orphanhood | minor | Hardy explained the the old lady at the restaurant how he had lived in a foster home and was twice adopted. |
| prostitution | minor | Hardy visited the prostitute Diane at her flat. |