HotCity is kicking off their 2012 season with this tense, explosive play written by
David Mamet, that will surely leave an impression as you head to your car after the show.
The play begins in the office of John (John Pierson), a college professor, who is meeting with one of his students, Carol (Rachel Fenton). Carol, meek and self-effacing, has received a failing grade on a paper, and is seeking the help of her rather condescending, smug and verbose professor. Carol admits that she is having a difficult time understanding John's class, his book, and just about everything he's saying most of the time. She quotes from her extensive notes and frantically jots down everything he says to her, but she remains overwhelmed by the material, is offended by his assertion that higher education is like "systematic hazing", and thinks she's stupid. John tries to console Carol by opening up and telling her that he wasn't the best student himself back in the day, but key points during this conversation are interrupted by phone calls from John's wife. John, who's an inch away from being granted tenure along with a sizable raise, is also getting ready to close on a new high dollar house. His wife keeps calling about last minute details and wants him to come out to the property. After numerous interruptions, one coming just as Carol was going to reveal something about herself, John eventually offers to give her an "A" in the course if she would agree to come back to his office for talks about the coursework. After an innocent hand on the shoulder is quickly shrugged off by Carol, the first act ends.
