Lying in State

August 18-21 and 25-28, 2022

by David C. Hyer

A state senator with an inflated view of himself has become an instant national hero in death, amidst reports that he was shot defending his home from assailants. He left plenty of arrangements in place for his funeral, though. For one, the casket should be closed. For another, his ex-wife Edna should supervise, so she is there when campaign manager Herb shows up, desperate to find a replacement candidate and sets his sights on her. Except Buttons, the senator’s semi-official fiancée and self-described “semi-erotic dancer,” says his last words were for her to succeed him. Oh, and the senator’s always-tipsy brother, Harry, who is enjoying his own bit of celebrity, says the senator wanted HIM to get the seat. OH, and Fred, the governor of this undisclosed state, says the seat should go to the senator’s aide, Wally… and that the body should be in the capitol rotunda. Did we mention Margo, high on prescription drugs, who wanders in from a nearby viewing room and answers a call from the President?