A comedy about
Iowa and love.
A Comedy By
William Missouri Downs & Lou
Anne Wright
NIGHTS AT THE ROUND
TABLE is a love story which takes place in a quirky little rural bar. With a
clientele of farmers, peat moss salesmen, and even old political candidates, it
seems like time took a right at the county line and missed the Round Table
completely. Presiding over the bar are the bashful Harry and the unflappable
Hazel, co-owners. Tonight they're celebrating a recent turn of events in
Harry's usually fumbling love life. He's met Diane, a new resident who, like
Harry, is looking for love and a quiet life.
The
"Governor", a perennial candidate, is the bar's favorite patron. In
the 50's he was a serious contender for the office, but after losing two close
elections he has given up. The only reason he continues to campaign is because
his father left a will which states he must run for office to get the money. He
doesn't even bother to give original speeches anymore, instead cribbing from
other famous politicians. Farmers have come from as far away as Moline to hear
tonight's pontification.
Complications arise
when Harry discovers that Diane has a husband: a recent parolee and no one to
mess with. Diane begs Harry not to make a stand. She needn't have bothered;
Harry is an inveterate invertebrate. Once again, Harry is a failure with love.
With the election returns, the Governor grapples with his own disillusionment
and lost dreams. It occurs to the Governor that he and Harry are the same kind
of person - the kind that accepts failure. Encouraged by Hazel, they both set
out to change their lives, but fate is against them. Diane's husband shows up
and terrorizes the bar. In the end, Diane's husband is subdued, the
"Governor" delivers his first original speech in twenty years, and
Diane and Harry fall in love.