The action takes place in a desert illuminated by a "dazzling
light". The cast consists of just one man, who, at the start of
the play, is “flung backwards” onto the stage. After he lands he
hears a whistle from the right wing. He “”takes the sound for
some kind of call, and after a bit of reflection, proceeds in
that direction only to find himself hurled back again. Next the
sound issues from the left. The scene is repeated in reverse.”
There is clearly no exit. He sits on the ground and looks at his
hands. A number of objects are then lowered into this set
beginning with a palm tree with “a single bough some three yards
from the ground,” “a caricature of the Tree of Life.” Its
arrival is announced, as is that of each object to follow, with
the same sharp whistle. On being made aware of its existence the
man moves into its shade and continues looking at his hands. “A
pair of tailor’s scissors descends from the flies” but again the
man doesn’t notice them until he hears the whistle. He then
starts to trim his