In the wake of the September 11 attacks, New York City fire captain Nick has the monumental task of writing eulogies for eight of his men who were killed. Unable to adequately put his memories and sentiments into words, he enlists the help of Joan, a news editor and former journalist. Nick and Joan come from completely different worlds and, were it not for the attacks, never would have met. United through tragedy, Nick and Joan discover a shared humanity as they craft poignant remembrances of “the guys”. The play is somewhat autobiographical; playwright Anne Nelson based the character Joan on herself and her own experiences as a foreign journalist in Central America. One of the first plays written immediately after September 11, Nelson’s one-act is a sensitive examination of loss, connection, and the power of language.
The Guys guide sections
