The Odd Couple

The Odd Couple Summary | Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

*Writer's Note: The summary and analysis portions of this study guide have been combined for efficiency and effectiveness.

The curtain rises on a poker game in progress. The air is thick with cigarette and cigar smoke. The players sweat so much that the cards stick together. The air conditioner is broken, and though the windows are open, they provide little fresh air on this stifling night. This is the spacious apartment of successful New York City sportswriter, Oscar Madison. The players are all Oscar's friends who have played here every week for years. The poker players are: Murray, a New York City police officer; Speed, a sarcastic, acerbic man who has some of the funniest lines in the opening act; Roy, who is Oscar's longtime accountant: Vinnie, who tosses out one-liners to match Speed; and, of course, Oscar.

Though the apartment is, indeed, spacious it is also a mess. Beer bottles, half-eaten sandwiches and empty pizza boxes are everywhere. Oscar, whose wife left him, is a slob and since her departure, the apartment has become cluttered and messy.

Though there is a poker game in progress as the first act begins, there is very little poker being played. The friends are worried about their missing buddy, Felix Ungar. Felix, the audience learns, has never been late before and the table talk focuses on their absent friend, much to the annoyance of Speed, who is the only player who seems to want to play poker rather than worry about Felix. The one-liners continue to fly as the friends banter during their game.

As the game continues, a telephone ring interrupts game play three separate times. The first call is from Oscar's wife, Blanche, who is calling to nag Oscar about his late alimony payments. It is obvious from Oscar's reaction that Blanche calls frequently, trying to get Oscar to meet his responsibilities - something Oscar simply does not do. He is, in fact, irresponsible with money and his family, which becomes clear within five minutes of the curtain's rising. The second call is from Murray's wife asking him to pick up some things at the store on his way home. The third call is from Frances, Felix's wife, asking if Felix has arrived at the game. Oscar learns that Felix has been missing all day because that morning, Frances told Felix that she wants a divorce, ending their 12-year marriage. Oscar informs the group of what happened earlier that day and tells them that Felix might be suicidal. Earlier, Felix sent a telegram to Frances threatening to take his own life.

The poker players become even more concerned because they know just how sensitive Felix is. They are convinced that Felix either has killed himself, or that he is thinking about it. Figuring that Felix might not want to talk about his troubles, the friends decide to act as though nothing is wrong when Felix shows up.

Simon has created one of the funniest, best-crafted opening scenes in the history of modern theater. As in most of his plays, Simon avoids "large" issues and "broad" themes. There is no complicated subtext here, just the exchange of banter between friends. Part of Simon's craftsmanship is his ability to create believable dialogue. The back-and-forth that takes place during the game is peppered with zingers, one-liners and conversations that reveal the different personalities of the players. Simon's ear for the way these New Yorkers talk is perfect. This opening scene has a rhythm to it characterized by the staccato, fast-paced exchanges between the different poker players.

Through these exchanges, the audience learns that Murray, the policeman, is a gentle soul who seems most concerned about the missing Felix. Roy is the nerdy accountant of Oscar, who also expresses genuine concern for the missing Felix. Speed and Vinnie try to stay focused on the game and become annoyed when the other players become distracted. In the middle of all of this is Oscar, the 'engine' that moves this first scene forward.

Simon has created an eclectic group of personalities - all long-time friends - and placed them in a hot, smoky room that is covered with the debris of Oscar's newfound bachelor life. Despite the insults and digs, this is clearly a group of middle-aged men who enjoy each other's company - even when they are not playing poker. Each member of the group is secure in his place; each feels comfortable; each feels as though he belongs.

This is part of the genius of Neil Simon - the ability to create believable characters and believable dialogue while making us laugh. Therefore, the stage is set for the arrival of Oscar's best friend and total opposite, Felix Ungar.