The Not-Secret/Playing With

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.


Basic Trope: Alice has a secret. Everybody already knows, but Alice isn't aware that they know.

  • Played Straight: "Uh, Alice? We know."
  • Exaggerated: Bob figured it out figured it out five minutes after meeting Alice, and Charlie made posters for it. Davis had a betting pool going for when Alice was going to come clean. Ellen thinks that Alice believing her secret is safe is just hilarious. Frank is hurt that Alice hasn't come clean yet, etc.
  • Inverted: The secret is obvious to outsiders, but Alice herself isn't aware of it.
  • Justified: Alice has some serious trust issues, and is flat-out terrified of talking with her friends about her secret, for fear of ridicule or rejection.
  • Subverted: Alice was afraid that everyone knew, but when she talks about her secret, everyone reacts with shock...
  • Double Subverted: But the second she leaves the room, everyone immediately goes "I Knew It!!"
  • Deconstructed: Alice's refusal to come clean drives a wedge between her and her friends.
  • Reconstructed: When she finally does come clean, she's instantly forgiven.
  • Lampshaded: "Is there anyone who doesn't already know?! What, was there a memo or something? Acknowledge my shocking revelation, damn it!"
  • Averted: Nobody knew.
  • Enforced:
  • Invoked:
  • Defied:
  • Discussed:
  • Conversed: "Alice has no idea that we already know, does she?"
  • Played For Laughs: "I'm sorry, Alice, but this is like telling someone Darth Vader is Luke's dad, or spoiling the big surprise that Clark Kent is really Superman. Everyone knows, and anyone who doesn't has some serious catch-up to do."
  • Played For Drama: The refusal for Alice to spill her guts makes for some serious angst, and she develops some serious issues due to it.

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