Act 2, Scene 3, Part 1 Summary

Two assistants in Marlene's office, Win and Nell, arrive to start work. They talk about a late-arriving colleague named Howard, saying that Marlene has "far more balls" than he does. Howard was also up for the promotion that Marlene got, and neither Win nor Nell can see themselves advancing any further in the company now that Marlene's running things. Marlene comes in, complains of having a hangover (presumably after her party with the historical women the night before) and gets teased by Win and Nell for being late. Marlene pours herself coffee as Win and Nell fill her in on the gossip, and then she goes into her office, saying she's got to pick up the slack for another staff member who's away.

After Marlene has gone, Win moves into an interview with Louise, a woman in her mid-forties...