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Chance Against Control

The Maltese Falcon

Plans repeatedly fail when chance, misjudgment, or another person’s independent action interrupts attempts to control the falcon’s route.

increasingupBearing stren­gth in each eventdowndecreasing
A Plan for ThursbyA Plan for Thursby from "The Maltese Falcon". A Plan for Thursby Controlled surveillance Brigid arranges for Miles Archer to shadow Thursby, expecting the watching to frighten him into leaving town or to…
A Plan for Thursby Controlled surveillance Brigid arranges for Miles Archer to shadow Thursby, expecting the watching to frighten him into leaving town or to produce another useful result. Control fails immediately Archer is killed, and the plan creates a crisis Brigid did not publicly acknowledge. An attempt to direct events instead exposes her to greater danger.
The Unwatched CourierThe Unwatched Courier from "The Maltese Falcon". The Unwatched Courier A separated route Brigid sends the falcon with Captain Jacobi while she travels separately, trying to keep the bird out of Thursby’s and…
The Unwatched Courier A separated route Brigid sends the falcon with Captain Jacobi while she travels separately, trying to keep the bird out of Thursby’s and Gutman’s hands. Dependence on another person The plan relies on Jacobi’s discretion and survival. Once he is attacked, Brigid cannot manage the consequences from a safe distance.
A False Safe HouseA False Safe House from "The Maltese Falcon". A False Safe House A message misleads Rhea tells Spade that Brigid is at a house in Burlingame, but the address proves empty.
A False Safe House A message misleads Rhea tells Spade that Brigid is at a house in Burlingame, but the address proves empty. Information cannot be controlled Spade cannot tell whether the lead is old or deliberately planted. Even a message delivered under distress may direct him away from the person he hopes to find.
The Unexpected ArrivalThe Unexpected Arrival from "The Maltese Falcon". The Unexpected Arrival A plan interrupted Spade is dealing with office business when Captain Jacobi enters unexpectedly, wounded and carrying the parcel.
The Unexpected Arrival A plan interrupted Spade is dealing with office business when Captain Jacobi enters unexpectedly, wounded and carrying the parcel. A new crisis replaces the old The delivery secures the falcon but brings a dying man and immediate exposure risk. Spade must improvise before police or pursuers can seize control.
Gutman Begins AgainGutman Begins Again from "The Maltese Falcon". Gutman Begins Again Failure reinterpreted Gutman accepts that the statuette is counterfeit and proposes another search rather than abandon his pursuit.
Gutman Begins Again Failure reinterpreted Gutman accepts that the statuette is counterfeit and proposes another search rather than abandon his pursuit. Adaptation’s darker face His response echoes Flitcraft’s adjustment to changing circumstances, but here persistence is an appetite for a prize rather than a route back to ordinary life.
The first evening
Before La Paloma arrives
Saturday night
After Jacobi reaches Spade’s office
After the counterfeit is revealed