THE STORIES: In Place. The scene is the Las Vegas boarding house of Daisy Stoddard, who came to town some years earlier to obtain a divorce and decided to stay on. Her guests are kindred spirits: Jerry Mazlish, a former college professor now a would-be blackjack dealer; and Louise Elliot, who is steeling herself to appear in court for her final divorce decree. All are losers who would like to be winners—and somehow the glitter and fast action of Las Vegas seem to offer hope that better times are ahead. But as Jerry quotes poetry, Louise recites the horrors visited on her by her psychiatrist husband, and Daisy dreams of hitting that one big jackpot, we are aware that most likely their futures are already mirrored in their pasts. (1 man, 2 women.)
The Chinese Restaurant Syndrome. Two old friends, Susan and Maggie, meet for lunch in a Chinese restaurant after having been out of touch for seven years. They grew up together, and their conversation is filled with girlhood memories as well as reports of homes, husbands and children. But despite the warmth and cordiality of the occasion, old rivalries persist, and as cocktails flow and reserve melts flashes of jealously and ire occur, triggered by Susan's confession of a possible crisis that she must steel herself to deal with. In the end, however, the two concede that old friends are indeed the best friends and as they part plans are made for another reunion, this time with husbands and offspring joining in. (1 man, 2 women.)
