This play is set in a fairly new house on a country road with the action taking place in the living room, although the kitchen and the hall to the bedroom can be seen. There are two characters: Jessie Cates, in her late thirties, and her mother, Thelma Cates (Mama), in her early fifties.

Jessie is preparing to commit suicide. She has told her mother about her plans and then goes about getting things ready, so her mother can get by without her, at least for awhile. She lays in supplies of cupcakes and candy, which seem to be the staples in Thelma's diet.

At first, Thelma thinks Jesse is joking about killing herself. Then Thelma suggests that Jessie needs to take her medicine. Since that doesn't work, Thelma tries to convince Jessie that the gun is broken - that her father broke it before...