Act I

American Buffalo takes place in "Don's Resale Shop," a secondhand junk store run by Don Dubrow, the play's protagonist. When the play opens, Don is instructing Bob, his young protege, in the art of "good business". Don offers pointers and advice which Bob accepts and echoes. The two discuss last night's poker game, held in the shop, and the virtues of Fletcher, a character who is never seen but who embodies all of the values that Don is trying to impart to Bob. Don offers other fatherly advice, such as, "Never skip breakfast" and "it wouldn't kill you to take a vitamin." Their relationship, like that of a father and son, is thus established.

Their moment of quiet bonding is cut short when Teach, a friend of Don's, enters the shop and delivers an impassioned harangue about another friend of theirs, Ruthie, who begrudged him a...