Dominique Morisseau’s writing and Matthew Xia’s direction are so naturally crafted that we learn everything about this quartet from their dialogue.  There are almost comic moments when Reggie tries to enforce the rules with pre-printed posters on the noticeboards but with added handwritten names of the likely transgressor.  So under a notice that says “No Smoking”,  “Faye!” has been added by hand.  The poster about “No Gambling” is directed at Dez. Shanita is concerned that someone has been using her salad dressing.  Because she is expecting a baby she is taking care of her diet.

We see Dez come in early and put a revolver and some metal parts in his locker, at the same time as the news comes through that materials have been stolen from the factory at night. We think the worst. At each scene change, there is loud musique concrète, noise from the factory production line and silhouetted shifts in the black and white projections above, an image of the clanging of work beyond the break room.  As each worker goes out to rejoin the production line they take reinforced gloves for working with sharp metal.