In Alfred Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps", Pamela paves the way for Richard Hannay's quest and manages to assist him in many key ways over the course of the story. She is first introduced in a rather awkward moment, as Hannay frantically kisses her to hid his face from the police hot on his trail. She is initially enraged and immediately reports him to the police.
Hannay eventually escapes, but Pamela's influence on the story is only just beginning.
Hannay's first impression from the train car looms large over his relationship with Pamela as the film moves forward. Out of spite, Pamela turns him in for a second time, unknowingly setting the two up for an epic adventure. When she is reunited with Hannay in the back of the police car, she remains apprehensive towards him and continues to see him as the villain. This creates dramatic irony, as the audience knows that Hannay has noble intentions, but Pamela still sees him as a fugitive. Hannay soon realizes that the men taking them captive are not police at all, but are actually a part of the evil plan of the 39 Steps. When presented with the opportunity, Hannay makes an escape, dragging an unwilling Pamela along with him. The handcuffs holding the two together is symbolic of the nature of their relationship. Despite the fact that neither one of them wants to be with the other, they remain tied together, almost by fate.
"There are 20 million women in this island and I've got to be chained to you." - Richard Hannay
The physical connection also foreshadows the cognitive teamwork they share as the story continues to unfold. Pamela has an opportunity to escape, but realizes Hannay was telling the truth and voluntarily decides to stay. After this sudden realization, the relationship takes a sharp turn. After a frustrating and quarrelsome relationship to this point, she begins to work cooperatively with Hannay the next morning. When they begin to fully trust each other, they are able to connect the dots rapidly and prevent military secrets from being shared by the 39 steps.