3 minute read
Synopsis
STUDENT STUDY GUIDE
Fellow Travelers SYNOPSIS
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September 1953 to May 1957, in Washington, Dwight Eisenhower is President. Senator Joseph McCarthy is stoking fears that the U.S. Federal Government is full of Communists, Soviet spies, and homosexuals.
CHARACTERS
Timothy Laughlin, tenor An up and coming reporter for The Washington Star (Fictional Character)
Hawkins Fuller, baritone A State Department employee (Fictional Character)
Mary Johnson, soprano Hawkins’ assistant, and close friend (Fictional Character)
Estonian Frank, baritone Mary’s lover (Fictional Character)
General Arlie, baritone (Fictional Character)
Tommy McIntyre, baritone New Hampshire Congressman (Historical Person)
Charles E. Potter, baritone Michigan Senator (Historical Person)
At a park in Dupont Circle, an up-and-coming reporter, Timothy Laughlin, sits on a bench reviewing his notes from McCarthy’s wedding when he is approached by State Department employee Hawkins Fuller. The two flirt before going their separate ways.
Timothy is hired as a speechwriter for Senator Charles Potter. Timothy meets Tommy McIntyre, who gives him unsolicited advice about Washington politics. Timothy stops by Hawkins’ office to drop off a thankyou gift. At the office, he meets Hawkins’ assistant and best friend Mary, as well as his secretary Miss Lightfoot. Miss Lightfoot mocks Timothy’s fondness for Hawkins after he leaves.
Later, at his apartment, Timothy is cooking and writing his sister a letter when Hawkins unexpectedly stops by. The two daydream and make plans. In the afterglow of last night’s encounter with Hawkins, Timothy is torn between his deep Catholic beliefs and his blossoming passion for a man. He attends confession at St. Peter’s Church.
Timothy goes to a Christmas party at The Hotel Washington with many high profile politicians and socialites in attendance. While there, he is approached by an Army General about enlisting. Across the room, Mary warns Hawkins about his reckless behavior with Timothy while McIntyre tells Potter about McCarthy’s latest political troubles. Later, Miss Lightfoot overhears an intimate exchange between Hawkins and Timothy.
Hawkins has been called into Interrogation Room M304. An interrogator puts Hawkins through a series of humiliating tests in an attempt to determine whether or not he is a homosexual. Afterward, Hawkins goes to Timothy’s apartment to debrief the interrogation; and Hawkins discloses his illicit activities he took part in while away in New York City.
D.C. streetcar
Senator Potter warns Senator McCarthy that the “Adams Chronology” will be his downfall if he does not remove Roy Cohn from his staff. This document details how Roy Cohn and McCarthy pressured the Army to give Cohn’s friend David Schine special treatment.
Mary invites Timothy over to warn him of Hawkins’ fickle nature. She then tells him she is pregnant from a one-night stand. Later, Hawkins rejoices that he’s been cleared of allegations of homosexuality. But Timothy cannot celebrate with him, and, in agony over his fraught relationship and sexual identity, tells Hawkins he’s decided to enlist in the Army. Meanwhile, Mary tells Hawkins she is quitting, as she can no longer work in an atmosphere of panic and persecution.
Two years pass. Timothy writes letters to Hawkins in Chevy Chase and Mary in New Orleans from France, where he is stationed. Hawkins is now married to a woman named Lucy, with a house in the suburbs, but would clearly like to rekindle his relationship with Timothy upon his return. Hawkins rents a house in D.C. for his afternoon flings with Timothy. While they are together, Hawkins expresses that he cannot be everything Timothy wants. Hawkins resolves to end the affair himself.
Mary is packing when Hawkins stops by, distraught. Hawkins confesses that in order to push Timothy away, he has given Timothy’s name to those investigating alleged homosexuals. He asks Mary to tell Timothy about this betrayal in the hope that it will make Timothy hate him. His dreams dashed, Timothy decides to leave Washington, D.C., and Hawkins Fuller for good. Both heartbroken, they say goodbye.
Mattachine Society (pro-gay activist movement) advertisement. 1951.
D.C postcard.
