The Neighborhood

Three couples are sitting in lawn chairs in a driveway, a regular get-together for this group of neighbors. The conversation flows freely around typical topics of suburban families: dogs, minivans, work, houses, and yards, with only hints at deeper struggles. Everything is friendly, but not very personal or authentic. Then the scene freezes, and one of the characters, Ed, speaks to the audience. He finds the whole thing depressing. He wants deeper relationships-especially because he knows people are hurting and really need support. Whenever conversation gets more substantial, he complains, someone changes the subject. In the end, Ed doesn't know what to do to make it different.