Act 1

The first act of The Shrike opens at a city psychiatric hospital. Ann Downs arrives with her husband, Jim, who has just swallowed a number of pills in a suicide attempt. Eventually, Jim regains consciousness and admits what he has done. Dr. Kramer, the attending physician, tells Miss Hansen, one of the nurses, to order extra care for Jim during the next forty-eight hours. When Miss Hansen shows her concern that Ann won't be able to pay for this, Ann insists that Jim get "anything that's needed." Ann tells the doctor that she found him in his apartment and admits that they are separated.

The next morning, Miss Cardell notes that Ann has stayed by Jim's side all night and so tells her to go home, but Ann refuses. Ann discusses Jim's case with Dr. Barrow, one of the hospital's psychiatrists. She tells him that when Jim...