The play looks at dissociation—both the literal "split personality" as it affects the individual and the more abstract split that is affecting our country. It poses the idea that reintegration can’t be achieved from within the dissociated sides, but rather through the involvement of an outside influence.

It is suggested that you first read the excerpt from the play, and then this synopsis if you desire an overview of the remaining story. (The full play, of course, is available upon request.)

Scene-by-Scene Synopsis
Josh, a gay nondenominational minister, bids a sad farewell to his congregation, and he and his partner Kevin emigrate from the Red States of America to the Blue States of America...from Nevada to California. They swap homes with Wiley and Margaret, a traditional minister and his wife, who are moving to the Red States. The meeting does not go well, with Kevin responding fiercely to Wiley’s judgment.

An intense man named Malcolm is trying to track down Kevin, with whom he has been having an affair. We later meet this same person—though he is behaving very differently—as Hank, the son of Wiley and Margaret. We then meet this same person a third time, calling himself Adam, when he comes to visit Josh for a consultation. It is then revealed that he has dissociative disorder and has three personalities—but it is only Adam who is aware of the other two.

TV bulletins announce that the Red States have begun to suffer terrorist attacks of anthrax, and the open border between the two countries is closed. Josh, meanwhile, is ill at ease with his new life and not as “spiritually peaceful” as he wishes he were, and begins to hallucinate the ghost of Matthew Shepard—or is it? A tortured young man named Baxter (doubled by the actor who plays Matthew) appears at Josh’s house (formerly Wiley’s), and reveals that he was molested as a child by his minister...Wiley.

Wiley’s wife, Margaret, exhibits increasingly pronounced mood swings...or perhaps it is something else. She has coffee with her mousy daughter-in-law, Sally, and treats the girl with subtle yet stinging disparagement. They hear on the TV that new attacks are hitting the Red States from within: Red States Americans have begun strapping explosives to themselves and blowing themselves up in front of government buildings.

Josh tries to assist Baxter by escorting him into the Red States to confront Wiley, but only Adam can help them gain entry across the closed border. Adam (posing as Malcolm) also arranges for Kevin to show up, and (posing as Hank) arranges for Margaret and Sally to show up. There is a climactic confrontation as the major characters meet in a Red States hotel room, as orchestrated by Adam. Baxter haltingly confronts Wiley, overheard by the in-denial Margaret, who shames Baxter mercilessly. This is too much for Baxter, who emotionally breaks down and runs out.

As the confrontation culminates, actors one by one turn to face upstage until only Josh, Kevin, and the shattered Hank are left amid the wreckage. The last scene of the play shows a desperate Baxter standing before Wiley’s church with explosives strapped to himself. Lights blackout as he detonates. Lights slowly fade up to reveal Matthew standing there, serenely staring at the audience. Fade to black.