Act 1, Scene 4 Summary

In England in 1947, a British radio broadcaster announces a program of music written by a composer who suffered from Parkinson's disease (making the scores difficult to read). Lights come up on Susan's apartment. Brock sleeps on the bed; there's a large pink box nearby, and Susan keeps her revolver close. Alice sits on the floor inhaling the smoke from the mouthpiece of a hookah. The conversation reveals that Alice is a writer, and enjoys stealing ideas from other writers; that they became friends when Alice worked briefly in Susan's office. Susan complains about the boring nature of her work. She gives a long speech about her boring boss seems determined to have an affair with her, and that she has to get out. She starts oiling and cleaning her gun.

Alice asks how she feels about Brock, and Susan explains that...