Rocket to the Moon

Rocket to the Moon Summary | Act 1 Summary

Rocket to the Moon is a three-act play about the emotional mid-life crisis of dentist, Dr. Ben Stark, whose business life intermingles with his private one as he struggles with the angst of personal relationships, economic challenges and artistic aspirations.

The play takes place in the waiting room of the dental office of Dr. Stark in New York City in 1939. On an exceptionally hot day in early June, Ben and his wife Belle are arguing about Ben expanding and relocating his dental practice. Belle's father, Mr. Prince, has offered to pay for new equipment so that Ben can move to a better New York location.

Belle, who has been estranged from her father for many years, is discouraging Ben from accepting Mr. Prince's offer because the rent for the new location will be prohibitive and it will take awhile to realize any income after establishing a new practice. Ben has higher aspirations and goals than Belle, who would prefer to remain in the security of the status quo. He relents and agrees not to continue any discussion about expanding the practice.

Phil Cooper, a dentist who rents space in Ben's building, enters the waiting room to get a drink from the water cooler, and Belle, who is the credit manager for Ben's practice, takes the opportunity to remind Dr. Cooper that he is a few months behind on his rent. Belle reminds Ben that his softhearted approach in financial matters impacts their home life, and they cannot take a vacation like the rest of their friends.

Belle's petulant attitude continues, and finally Ben realizes that it is the third anniversary of the death of their newborn son. Belle would like to adopt a baby, but Ben does not want someone else's child. Ben falls short of the comfort that Belle needs and offers to buy her ice cream when she tells him that he knows as much about women as the man in the moon.

Ben's new secretary, Cleo, enters the office, and Ben affects an attitude of impatience with the girl so that Belle will think that he is managing the office better. Belle does not approve of Cleo's makeup, clothes or hairstyle and chastises the girl for her inefficiency. Dr. Cooper reappears, and Belle takes another opportunity to demand the back rent. She accuses him of being lazy and drunk when he cannot pay. Cooper confides in Belle that he is financially embarrassed because he cannot get any clients due to the economy and cannot even pay recent medical bills from his son's broken arm incident. Belle finally relents and gives Cooper an extension of another month to make a payment.

Belle sends Cleo out to place an ad in the newspaper for the Starks' summer rental apartment. As Cleo exits the room, Mr. Prince, who is a dapper man of about sixty years of age, comes in and strikes up a conversation with Cleo. Mr. Prince reveals that he is Belle's father, but that does not hinder Cleo's revelations of distaste for Belle, whose surly attitude permeates the office and stifles Ben's aspirations for growth.

Despite the forty years' difference in their ages, Mr. Prince flirts with Cleo and moves in close to remove something from Cleo's eye just as Ben enters the room. Watching wordlessly for a few moments, Ben finally interrupts, wondering what Prince's intentions are with Cleo. Prince changes the subject, and Ben tells his father-in-law that he will not be able to accept the financial offer for new dental equipment because Belle does not approve of the arrangement.

Prince accuses Ben of losing his life by being married to the sour Belle, who does not allow Ben to take any chances or try anything new. Prince reveals that Belle blames him for ruining the marriage to her mother by being inattentive. Prince claims that he had no support from his wife but persevered and succeeded anyway. Prince does not want Ben to fall victim to the same fate and suggests that Ben have an affair with Cleo to add some excitement to his life, to take "a rocket to the moon!"

Prince leaves and Frenchy, a chiropodist in the building, initiates a conversation with Ben. The two men discuss the doldrums of married life. Ben feels as if he has slept through his marriage and feels that it is easier to stay asleep than to make any changes. Being a bachelor, Frenchy cannot completely understand Ben's perspective but tells Ben that he does not seem happy.

Cooper joins the conversation and tells Ben that Belle has chastised Cooper for the late rent again. Ben is embarrassed by Belle's aggressive behavior and assures Cooper that he will not be thrown out of the building. Cleo comes back to the office after completing her task at the newspaper office, and Frenchy and Cooper return to their respective offices. Ben is abrupt with Cleo at first due to Belle's lectures about the girl, but soon Ben becomes comfortable with Cleo and views her differently in light of Prince's observations.