Play Book Tag discussion

Victor Tuchman was a bad man. Now in his mid-70's, Victor lies dying in a hospital bed after a massive heart attack. His wife Barbra spends her time 'visiting' him by walking laps in the hospital corridors trying to add steps to her step tracker rather than sitting by his bedside. Her mantra has always been "thin and pretty" which she has managed to accomplish for her entire 68 years. She desperately loved Victor once when they lived in their sprawling Connecticut mansion as he commuted to NYC where he was most definitely connected to criminal pursuits. She didn't care as long as he kept the money flowing but a problem with the authorities send the couple to New Orleans and away from legal trouble.

Daughter Alex hates her father and cannot forgive him for things from the past. She, at least, does go to see him in the hospital and tells the unconscious man that she will never pardon his past behavior. Son Gary, who now lives in Los Angeles, hates Victor as well and decides he does not want to be part of any death scene or funeral to come. Gary's wife Twyla is inordinately affected by Victor's imminent demise and seems about to have a nervous breakdown. Cold-hearted Barbra refuses to reveal the details of Victor's life to her family as the dysfunction grows deeper and deeper.

None of these people are particularly likeable and the fact that Victor is about to die does not really intrude on their lives. The backstories are interesting even those of peripheral characters. This is one cold family!