Speed-the-Plow Study Guide

The play opens in the office of a film producer, Bobby Gould. There are boxes and painting materials all over, evidence that Gould is in the process of moving into the office. Gould is sitting at his desk reading when Charlie Fox walks in. The first thing Gould says to Fox is that when the gods would make us mad they answer our prayers. This first line foreshadows a conversation Gould will later have with the temporary secretary Karen. Gould then comments on the kinds of movies he is responsible for producing: "If it's not quite 'Art' and it's not quite 'Entertainment,' it's here on my desk." He reads aloud to Fox from the book he has been reading. It is pretentious and confusing. (read more)