Mary Jane

Act One

Scene One

Mary Jane is at home in her small apartment in Queens. She is chatting to Ruthie, the building supervisor, who is plunging the kitchen sink. Mary Jane is on her own as the scheduled carer for her young son called out sick. As they talk, a beeping is heard from the small offstage bedroom. The loud drone of a suction machine can be heard, but Mary Jane’s son, Alex, is out of sight. After checking on him, Mary Jane returns to pick up her conversation with Ruthie. Ruthie notes that Mary Jane is carrying a lot of tension in her body, despite her outwardly cheerful demeanor. Ruthie worries that Mary Jane will become ill herself if she doesn’t find a means of letting the tension out. After her sister developed cancer, Ruthie does everything she can, including yoga and meditation, to stay healthy. Mary Jane insists she is well but acknowledges that she is tired all the time. Suddenly, Ruthie notices that Mary Jane has removed the window guards from the windows in her