Scene 1

The opening setting of Martin's play, WASP, is a "kitchen in a fifties' house," in which the characters of Dad, Mom, Sis, and Son are eating. Dad is saying grace. Son asks him where heaven is. Dad replies that it is seventeen miles above earth. Son responds by citing his school science learning, which appears to him to refute Dad's certainty about the location of heaven. Dad derides science as un-Christian.

Next, Dad receives a phone call. It appears to be bad news about one of his business ventures. The family begins to quake in fear, evidently expecting the brunt of Dad's wrath. But the telephone conversation ends with Dad laughing, so they all "relax."

Next, Mom gets a call. It is good news for her. She returns to the table talking about her call, but nobody pays her any attention. Dad begins talking over her, and...