Act One: Part One (Summary and Analysis) Summary and Analysis

At the opening of the play, John is on the phone while Carol, the student, sits opposite him at his desk. John is on the phone with his wife, Grace, arguing about the home they are buying. The fact that the play opens with a telephone highlights the importance of communication in this play. John wants Grace to call their real estate agent, Jerry, so he can answer some "significant" questions John has about their land. John and Grace have already put down a deposit on their house, and Grace is worried that they're going to lose it. John wants Grace to distract the selling realtor for fifteen-twenty minutes until he can get down there himself. One of John's main concerns is whether or not the yard will be...