Scene 1

Necessary Targets is not broken down into acts, only into scenes. It begins in a plush apartment somewhere in New York City. Two women are onstage. The first to speak is Melissa, who is described as “a young, strong woman who sits awkwardly on the sofa.” The second woman, called J.S., is a “reserved woman near fifty.” Through the conversation, the audience can tell that Melissa is very laid back, whereas J.S. is just the opposite.

J.S. is a psychiatrist, but Melissa refers to her as a “shrink” and becomes self-conscious about the questions J.S. asks her. She senses that every time she offers an answer, J.S. is analyzing her. This is especially apparent when Melissa makes the comment, “Well, I've been through a lot.” Melissa offers this information to make the point that she is older than her calendar years. Melissa...