Streamers

Streamers Summary | Act 1 Summary

In the opening scene, Martin, a private in the American Army, slits one wrist in an aborted suicide attempt. His friend, Richie, finds him and talks him into going to the infirmary. Carlyle, a stranger, appears in the doorway looking for Roger who is not home at that moment. Billy, yet another private, comes into the room and is concerned for Martin, though Richie tries to distract Billy and get rid of him. All three friends leave the room, presumably heading for the infirmary to get treatment for Martin. This is the last the audience will see or hear of Martin.

Roger enters the room with his laundry and begins putting it away. Billy returns to the room and the two men discuss the "ole sarge" who is going to be deployed to Vietnam as a Demolitions Specialist. Richie returns to the room, playful and teasing, making jokes about being in love with Billy, which annoys Billy and makes him angry. When Richie leaves to take a shower, Billy and Roger discuss whether he might really be gay or is just pretending to be gay. Billy leaves to retrieve some cleaning supplies to mop the floor, leaving Roger alone.

Carlyle enters the room again, still looking for Roger. This time he introduces himself and tells Roger he has just arrived and he has not yet been given a special assignment. He appears volatile and angry when he asks Roger about racial relations in the company. Richie returns from the shower and Carlyle leaves. Billy returns with the floor wax and as he and Roger clean the floor, they confront Richie about his sexuality. Richie is defensive and secretive, never really giving them an answer. Conversation eventually returns to a discussion of the war in Vietnam.

Sergeant Cokes and Sergeant Rooney enter the room, drunk. They brag about their missions in two previous wars, particularly the Korean War. They sing a song, "Beautiful Streamer," for which the play is named. When they have finished singing, they demand lights out and leave.

Carlyle enters, returning from his trip to town. He is drunk which intensifies the fear and craziness resulting from thoughts of being sent to war in Vietnam. In his confusion, he settles to sleep on the floor, wrapped in Richie's blanket. Taps sounds; lights go down.