The Middle of Nowhere

Four people must change buses at an isolated bus stop—literally in the middle of nowhere. The only items in sight are two benches, a Coke machine and an old man who calls himself Keeper of the Machine. The travelers wait for their bus ... and wait ... and wait. The old man makes the startling announcement that they will not be able to leave until he is killed by one of them, who will in turn assume his place as Keeper of the Machine. Humor gives way quickly to incredulity and then to terror as night approaches and no bus has stopped for them. Who is the old man? What is the significance of the perverse Coke machine? Where are they and why can't they leave? This gripping play is full of symbolism and subtle suggestions about life. The author has intentionally led his audience into expecting the expected—from trite, weird solutions to strange, bizarre problems—but what we've become conditioned to expect to happen never happens in this play. Read the play, and then, after you've taken time to reflect on what it says, read the author's explanation included in the script. You—and your audiences—are in for an intriguing experience. The Middle of Nowhere is intended for young adult and adult theatres.