The Scarlet F extends beyond the individual.  Families and Friends of Felons (FFs) are branded as well and feel the burden of knowing/being related to a WCC .

There is an audible gasp when FFs enter their Country Club or local restaurant.  Heads turn followed by muted whispers. Invitations to parties and sports events decrease dramatically (social staples for WCCs).  You can kiss the annual invite to your friend’s suite at the Super Bowl goodbye.  Same goes for the ski trip to Aspen and the Summer folly in St Tropez.

Should an FF find themselves in a situation where they are engaged in polite cocktail conversation, initiate the inevitable question about your Familial Felon and provide a status report on your WCC, then immediately ask how THEIR family is doing.  This diffuses the situation and addresses the elephant (or in this case WCC) in the room right away, thus avoiding any probing questions about your Crimson Crony.

Besides the murmurs and stares, family members that share the last name of the WCC find themselves in the unenviable position of having to explain their rouge relative.

A simple Google search will provide (sometimes inaccurate) details of their indiscretion.  It is not up to FFs to defend their friend/family member but rather talk about what they are doing to support their wayward WCC.  This will show FFs in the most sympathetic light and actually garner some much needed sympathy.

FFs need not fear being ostracized from society.  Their compassion will be rewarded and the support they have given their WCC will be appreciated more than one can express in words.