The Tall Guy (1989) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Ron fires Dexter after six years of working together, though the exact reason isn't fully detailed in the story. The timing suggests it may be related to Dexter's changed attitude after meeting Kate, as Ron had always been the dominant force in their partnership and likely sensed his straight man's focus shifting away from the act.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Ron as volatile and controlling, suggesting he wouldn't tolerate a distracted partner.

• ron fires dexter
• the tall guy
• comedy revue
• job loss
• character motivation

After losing his job with Ron, Dexter lands the title role in a new Royal Shakespeare Company musical called Elephant!, which is a satirical send-up of Andrew Lloyd Webber-style Broadway melodrama. His career transition from small-time comedy straight man to major theatrical role represents the dramatic shift in his professional fortunes.

Foreshadowing: The timing of his firing directly precedes this new opportunity, suggesting the professional disruption opened new doors.

• elephant musical
• royal shakespeare company
• dexter king
• career change
• theatre role

Elephant! is a Royal Shakespeare Company production based on the story of Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man. The show is deliberately over-the-top and satirical, featuring a song called "He's Packing His Trunk" and a finale lyric about "an angel in heaven with big ears." It parodies the glamour and melodrama of classic Broadway spectacles.

• elephant man musical
• satire
• broadway parody
• andrew lloyd webber parody
• hes packing his trunk

During rehearsals for Elephant!, Dexter succumbs to the advances of a married co-star, though the exact motivations aren't fully explored. This seems to be a moment of weakness rather than a deliberate choice, as he was already falling deeply for Kate. The affair threatens both his personal relationship and his professional reputation.

• affair
• married co-star
• cheating
• kate
• relationship betrayal

On Elephant!'s opening night, Kate notices suspicious clues that lead her to piece together evidence of Dexter's affair with his married co-star. She leaves him without further ado, ending their relationship decisively when she confronts the truth.

Foreshadowing: The affair was conducted openly enough during rehearsals that subtle clues were visible to someone paying attention.

• kate discovers affair
• opening night
• evidence
• breakup
• relationship end

When Dexter sees a televised award show that suggests Ron is dating Kate, he makes a desperate decision to win her back. He quits the title role in Elephant! just before the curtain rises, sacrificing his biggest career opportunity to pursue a personal rescue mission.

Foreshadowing: The televised moment serves as the trigger for his drastic action, showing how much Kate means to him despite his earlier mistake.

• quit role
• opening night
• desperate act
• kate
• ron dating kate

After quitting Elephant!, Dexter enlists Ron's "involuntary help" by tying him up in his dressing room and stealing his car. This farcical scheme is designed to create a public confrontation with Kate, using the chaos to disrupt the status quo and force a reckoning.

Foreshadowing: The plan reflects the movie's comedic tone and Dexter's increasingly desperate state after seeing the TV broadcast.

• ron anderson
• steal car
• ties up
• dressing room
• farce

Dexter tracks Kate down to a busy hospital ward and presents his case directly, explaining his feelings and the recent missteps with complete candor. His willingness to give up his biggest role just to reach her moves Kate to reconsider. She agrees to give their relationship another chance, though the reconciliation is portrayed as a fragile, hopeful beginning rather than a certainty.

• hospital reconciliation
• kate
• forgiveness
• relationship second chance
• dexter king