Better Days

The effect of a factory closing on blue collar workers is explored ad absurdum in this hilarious comedy by the author of Alone at the Beach, Splitsville, and The Downside. Laid off, Ray sits around the house drinking beer. One night boredom drives him to the roof where he hears the unmistakable, inexplicable voice of God or so he thinks. He isn't sure what God said, but he thinks God wants him to organize a church for those dispossessed by economic upheaval. He has practically convinced his unemployed buddies that the new religion is their best hope when a mysterious slicker named Bill shows up. Bill has plenty of money and he has a practical alternative to the "True Value Church" - arson to collect insurance. The men, eventually even Ray, end up busily torching cars, burning down houses, etc. They hope this is temporary, just until the plant reopens. Then Bill announces the next big job - torching the plant. The play ends with an oddly comic apocalypse as Ray, sitting on his roof once again, watches the plant burn and waits for the voice of God to explain it all.