Their Plan to Escape

Perry continues to portray Dick as a heartless while portraying Perry as kinder and more thoughtful. Both of their plans to escape are vastly different. Dick chooses a quite a violent, but not very well thought out plan. While in his cell, he creates “‘Shiv,’ an instrument very like an icepick—something that would fit with lethal niceness between the shoulder-blades of Undersheriff Meier,” (263). Here Dick’s brutal plan to kill the undersheriff does not seem to be very well thought out. There is no evidence of further planning, just where he will go when he escapes. Perry’s plan however seems much less violent and better thought out. He draws maps, plots the best places at “which a ‘getaway car’ could most advantageously be stationed,” (265). He also has concerns about the two men whom the plan depends on. On the back of the map he writes, “But do you realize the consequences if you get caught (nod your head if you do)? It could mean a long stretch in prison. Or you might get killed.” (265). His plans show that Perry is more thoughtful about what happens to those involved in the escape plan. He doesn't want the two innocent men he keeps seeing outside the window to get in trouble. Dick's plan also makes him seem heartless. He plans on going to the Colorado mountains, "alone, of course; Perry's future did not concern him," (263). He seems to be thoughtless about Perry's well being. For one half of a pair that has just spent so much time together, to not care about the other half is quite cold-blooded. Capote makes Perry once again seem kinder and more thoughtful where it is concerned with Dick. On the back of the map, he notes "What about Hickock? All preparations must include him," (265). The kindhearted Dick feels that it is necessary to include his partner-in-crime to his more thoughtful plan of escape. Capote once more makes Perry seem the better of the two.