Six Characters in Search of an Author

The play resumes with the bell that summons the acting company back to the space. The Step-Daughter cries out about no longer participating in creating the new play as she runs onstage with the Child. The Boy slowly enters behind them.

The Step-Daughter, pretending that the Child is speaking with her, worries that the Child is frightened and explains what a stage is to her. She tries to soothe the Child while also mourning her, as the Step-Daughter knows the tragic death that awaits the Child. In the drama, the fountain the Child drowns in is a cheaply constructed set piece, but for the Child, it is a real place.

The Step-Daughter notices that the Boy has a revolver and asks where he got it from. The Boy does not respond, and the Step-Daughter chides him for killing himself instead of the Father and the Son.

The Father and the Manager come on stage to take the Step-Daughter back to the office. At the same time, the Son and the Mother come back onstage.

The Mother questions why God wants her shame to be seen by others. The Son criticizes the Father for thinking these events have meaning.