Ripcord (TCG Edition)

David Lindsay-Abaire

• Publisher: Theatre Communications Group
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9781559365192
• eBook ISBN: 9781559368452
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: American Drama
• Index: Literature

"A lyrical and understanding chronicler of people who somehow become displaced within their own lives…Mr. Lindsay-Abaire has shown a special affinity for female characters suddenly forced to re-evaluate the roles by which they define themselves."—New York Times

Set in the Bristol Place Assisted Living Facility, this glorious and biting new comedy from David Lindsay-Abaire centers around Abby, who takes pride in her residence in one of the most coveted rooms in the rest home. Things turn sour quickly when she must take in Marilyn, a new roommate to share her precious space. In a satirical conflict of territory and control, Lindsay-Abaire spins a benign, typically mundane setting into an absurdist, colorful battleground. This high-stakes comedy examines our expectations of what it means to grow old in twenty-first century America, and what happens when a sense of possession collides with a mania of obsession.

David Lindsay-Abaire's plays include Good People, Fuddy Meers, Kimberly Akimbo, Wonder of the World, High Fidelity, A Devil Inside, and Rabbit Hole, winner of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Lindsay-Abaire wrote the book for Shrek the Musical, and the screen adaptation of Rabbit Hole starring Nicole Kidman. Lindsay-Abaire is a proud New Dramatists alum, a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and the Juilliard School, as well as a member of the WGA and the Dramatists Guild Council.

ACT ONE

SCENE ONE

A double room in the Bristol Place Senior Living Facility. It’s fairly homey, as far as these places go. There are two beds, a couple of end tables, two sitting chairs, and two identical dressers. There’s a door to the room stage right that leads out into the hall. A wide set of windows line the stage left wall. It’s a very sunny day. A door upstage right leads to the bathroom.

As the lights rise, we discover Abby Binder in the chair closest to the windows, reading on an iPad. Her side of the room, stage left, has a few plants and a watering can on the windowsill, and some knickknacks. Her bed is made, while the stage right bed is not. The stage right dresser has several framed family photos atop it, while Abby’s dresser has a small stack of books.

There’s a tap at the door. Scotty, a resident aide, enters, carrying a tray with a couple of covered plates on it.

SCOTTY

Hey, Abby. You didn’t want to come down to the dining room?

ABBY

(Doesn’t look up from her iPad) Am I there?

SCOTTY

That’s all right, I brought some lunch up for you. (Places the tray near her)

ABBY

Why bother? I can’t taste anything.

SCOTTY

I know, I’m sorry.

ABBY

Going on two months now. Which may be a blessing given what they serve down there.

SCOTTY

It’s very common. Losing your sense of taste.

ABBY

No, it isn’t.

SCOTTY

I’ve seen it with a lot of our residents. It’s usually the medications. Certain combinations do funny things.

ABBY

Oh, are you a doctor now?

SCOTTY

No. The plate’s right there when you get hungry. It’s shrimp marinara.

ABBY

It doesn’t matter what it is. It all tastes like sand to me.

SCOTTY

Okay.

(He makes the unmade bed over the following:)

ABBY

How long is that woman here?

SCOTTY

What do you mean?

ABBY

It’s been three weeks. And she never stops talking. How long is this supposed to go on?

SCOTTY

This is where she lives, Abby.

ABBY

Well yes, for now, but I / meant—

SCOTTY

Not just for now. Indefinitely. This is Marilyn’s room. Same as you.

ABBY

But I thought she was being moved as soon as a bed opened up. And from what I hear, that fat woman on the first floor died last night.

SCOTTY

Mrs. Moore. Her name was Mrs. Moore.

ABBY

Well I can’t keep track of everyone’s name. You knew who I meant. She’s dead isn’t she?

SCOTTY

She passed away, yes.

ABBY

Then there’s an open bed.

SCOTTY

I think Marilyn prefers this room. She said she likes the view of the park. She’s very happy in here.

ABBY

But everyone wants the first floor. It’s closer to everything. And I’ve always had my own room, Scotty.

SCOTTY

That’s not true.

ABBY

Most of the time. That Spanish lady was here for a few months, but after / her—

SCOTTY

If there’s space, we try to accommodate you, but there’s not always space. And you don’t have a private room.

ABBY

Not officially maybe.

SCOTTY

If you and your fami...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Production History
• Characters/Place
• Act One
• Act Two
• About the Author