Attack at the Pierre Fontaine
by Jan Quackenbush

About the Play: A group of long-tme friends and residents of the Pierre Fontaine Hotel are alarmed by the increasing dangers in the outside world. Together, they try to plan a defense strategy which will protect them all.

Time: The present

Cast List:
Iris, 60-70
Allison, 60-70
Dierdre, 60-70
Tony, 70-75
Liz, 40-45, Iris’ daughter.
Soldier, 20-25.

Place: Iris’s apartment, Pierre Fontaine Apartments, New York City.

Approximate Running Time: 40-45 minutes

From the Play:
Iris’ apartment. Door buzzer. Iris enters from bedroom, carrying a strip of bubble wrap and scissors. She crosses to door, looks though peep hole, unlocks many locks, and opens door...

IRIS: Dierdre!
DIERDRE: Am I early?
IRIS: Not at all, come in.
DIERDRE: (Entering) I’m early, you’re being nice, but Iris before anyone comes I want to confide to you: I’m not in favor of this plan. I’d really have to be persuaded that the entire world is sick, sick, sick, not just the terrorists. And I don’t believe it...(Beat)...What are you doing holding scissors?
IRIS: I was cutting fabric.
DIERDRE: Oh. Do you know they confiscated my nail scissors at La Guardia?
IRIS: Yes, you told me, or you told Allison and she told me.
DIERDRE: No, I told Allison and she told Tony and Tony told you, that’s what Tony told me.
IRIS: Oh. That sounds right, Tony’s quite the “networker.”
DIERDRE: No, he’s quite the leader, ”in charge”...up here?...(pointing to her head).
IRIS: “Captain” Tony...he’s still in the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
DIERDRE: He told me he’s in favor of your plan, that you want us to “assemble” together if...we’re attacked!
IRIS: As a matter of fact, Dierdre, Tony has an idea about how we can all survive, that...
DIERDRE: Of course, of course...but, look at me, I’m all nerves, I don’t belong in groups. I don’t even attend our Co-Op meetings! But since this plan is YOURS, Iris, one my dearest FRIENDS! -- I’m here. (checking her watch) : I’m crowding it in. But LOOK! a fast meeting, right? Here, I brought a hat, I put ballots in it so we can vote and get out early. Where should I put it?

About the Playwright:
Jan Quackenbush is a Playwright, Screenwriter, Editor, Prose Writer.  Jan Quackenbush has had plays produced in the USA and in Europe.  His published plays include  CALCIUM AND OTHER PLAYS, STILL FIRES, OPFER (VICTIMS, published in Austria), IM KREIS DRAUSSSEN (Inside Out, published in Austria), and INSIDE OUT AND OTHER PLAYS, London.  He has had several productions at the La MAMA ETC theatre in New York and has had three plays included in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.   Additionally, he has published poetry and prose, including "Flash," "Stone Eggs," and "Simeon in Memoriam."  In addition to writing new plays, Jan is at work on a documentary film chronicling the military touring shows (soldier-actor shows) that toured Vietnam.  Jan coordinated and prepared those shows as part of his active duty in Vietnam.  He teaches playwriting at Broome Community College in Binghamton, NY., and in the MA Degree in Creative Writing, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA.