Getting Out

Act One

In the blackout, the Warden’s voice announces Arlene Holsclaw’s parole. After eight years in an Alabama prison for second-degree murder, she is released and allowed to return to Kentucky. The lights rise on a dingy, one-bedroom apartment. To the left is a prison cell, where Arlene waits for her ride to her new home. She leaves, and lights come up on Arlie--she is a younger version of Arlene, a memory brought to life by triggers in Arlene’s new environment. Younger Arlie reminisces about one of her first criminal endeavors: stealing the pet frogs of a neighbor kid and throwing them at cars. Throughout the show, memories of Arlie burst in on Arlene’s story in the present day.

Arlene and Bennie, a prison guard, enter the apartment. As they look around--and Bennie tries to get himself invited to stay the night--Arlie wanders in as though she is at a bar, picking up a soldier for a date. She then pantomimes being caught in the middle of a break-in, with Bennie’s describing Arlene’s