Rent A Family (Part 3)
| Series | |
|---|---|
| Work In Progress | |
| Original Broadcast Date | |
| 1987 | |
| Cast | |
| Barbara Sohmers, Mark Hammer, Arthur Miller, Tim Jerome, Nick Ullett, Carolyn Swift, Larry Block, Lynn, Sarah, Carmen, Thomas, Timo, Sharon, Christa | |
| Format | |
| Scripted Actors, Improv Actors, Panel Discussion, 1 hour | |
| Preceded by: | Rent A Family (Part 2) |
| Followed by: | In The Middle Of Nowhere (Part 1) |
"I had a terrible dream last night. I had this baby."
Rent A Family (Part 3) is a program Joe Frank produced as part of the series Work In Progress. It was originally broadcast in 1987.
Synopsis
Eleanor (Barbara Sohmers) tells a psychiatrist about a dream in which she has a baby which has a problem she can't do anything about. She recalls her younger sister, Pearl, how she rocked her cradle when she cried; their mother called her a 'good little mommy.' Pearl died, after which her father was cold to her; Eleanor felt guilty. She complains to the psychiatrist, who coughs a lot, about the sound of the children playing next to his office. She complains about his coughing and cigars, that her therapy makes her feel worse.
10: Panelist #2 (Arthur Miller) tells of annual psycho-anthropology convention; at the dinner a woman seated across from him played footsie with him. He fell asleep; when he woke up, she was gone.
13:40: Eleanor calls Arthur (Mark Hammer), when she brings up Wendy and Diane, Arthur says they don't exist, hangs up.
16: Eleanor calls for Arthur, Kathy (Carolyn Swift) answers; she tells him this has to stop; she insists on speaking to Arthur. She wants to live with him and Kathy.
19:50: Eleanor calls Arthur, says she's very sick, throwing up blood. Kathy thinks she's making it up, wants Arthur to hang up; Arthur takes it seriously. Arthur and Kathy fight.
23:30: Joe visits his Rent-a-family again, Sharon and her daughters, Christa and Sarah. This sounds like a repeat from part 2, though more audible.
25: While their conversation continues, Joe recites a list of things, 'throw pillows, dental floss...' perhaps the same list as before.
26:30: Eleanor tells psychiatrist that she used to stand in front of a mirror and repeat 'father' until the word meant nothing when she was a girl. She tells psychiatrist how easy his job is, how little work he does, wonders why she's paying him. She likes rain.
28:30: Panelist #3 (Nick Ullett) tells of affair with businesswoman. Later, when he was 'out on the coast',[1] her daughter, June, called him up because she was in town. They end up having sex. His son shows up for a bit, which increased her attractiveness to him. They have sex.[2] Later, his son has sex with June. He finds it fascinating.
33: Eleanor calls Arthur. They get along for the first time, possibly because Kathy divorced him. They make small talk. Arthur humors her reminiscences of Wendy and Diane.
39:30: The sound of children playing, the same sound Eleanor heard at the psychiatrist's office. Arthur can't hear it, but it drowns out Arthur for Eleanor, so she hangs up.
41: Arthur tells Panelist #2 that he never really loved Kathy; apparently she's in a coma.[3]
42:50: Panelist #2 says there's a strong odor of tahini about her, which attracts him. Panelist #3 says he can't get near a woman who smells of patchouli. Proprietor says he can't be near a woman who smells of chocolate. Panelist #2 says patchouli causes impotence. Proprietor tells panel how much he has enjoyed the evening. Panelist #1 (Tim Jerome) thinks Rent-a-family is a fad. Proprietor disagrees. They discuss how paying for something makes it more valuable. Proprietor pays for the drinks.
47:40: Arthur delivers a rant about his rage, how he wants to destroy others, everybody at the university struck blind.
Eleanor talks to her psychiatrist - Eleanor has a dream about a screaming baby in a flood, hears children through the window, complains about her doctor's coughing. A man meets a woman at a banquet and falls asleep during a game of footsie. Eleanor calls Arthur and apologizes, offers to move in as a maid, claims she's sick. Joe chats with the woman he's rented. Chimes and list of nouns. Therapy session continues: Eleanor talks about repeating the word "father," A man seduces a woman and her daughter, and her daughter seduces his son. Eleanor and Arthur talk later after she's recovered. Eleanor hears voices on the line. Panel discussion: changing one's feeling for someone who's sick; smell and dating; Rent a Friend; value associated with paying for things. A man is full of rage, yearns to watch the university where he teaches crumble.
Music
- "A Fine Line" - Tim Story (from Three Feet From The Moon, 1985) | YouTube
- "Gypsy Violin" - Harold Budd (from Lovely Thunder, 1986) | YouTube
