David Mamet's Oval Office satire depicts one day in the life of a beleaguered American commander-in-chief. It's November in a Presidential election year, and incumbent Charles Smith's chances for reelection are looking grim. Approval ratings are down, his money's running out, and nuclear war might be imminent. Though his staff has thrown in the towel and his wife has begun to prepare for her post-White House life, Chuck isn't ready to give up just yet. Amidst the biggest fight of his political career, the President has to find time to pardon a couple of turkeys—saving them from the slaughter before Thanksgiving—and this simple PR event inspires Smith to risk it all in attempt to win back public support. With Mamet's characteristic no-holds-barred style, November is a scathingly hilarious take on the state of America today and the lengths to which people will go to win. “Hilarious. . . . The poetry of Mamet's pugnacity-with all its half notes of contempt, rage, and terror-really swings.” — The New Yorker “A savage farce. . . . Mamet is in contention for the title of America's best living playwright.” — The Guardian (London)“Maniacally funny. . . . It says something about November that its swift conclusion makes you yearn for a little more.” — Associated Press “Breezy. . . . Punch-line-packed.” — USA Today David Mamet is a dramatist, director, novelist, poet, and essayist. He has written the screenplays for more than twenty films, including Heist , Spartan , House of Games , The Spanish Prisoner , The Winslow Boy , Wag the Dog , and The Verdict . His more than twenty plays include Oleanna , The Cryptogram , Speed-the-Plow , American Buffalo , Sexual Perversity in Chicago , and the Pulitzer Prize-winning Glengarry Glen Ross . Born in chicago in 1947, Mamet has taught at the Yale School of Drama, New York University, and Goddard College, and he lectures at the Atlantic Theater Company, of which he is a founding member. Act OneAt rise, charles smith and archer brown in an office.Charles: (Reading a list) What is this? What is this? One spot in Cleveland One in Cincinnati . . . Why?Archer: You see the polls?Charles: What happened to never say die?Archer: I saw the polls.Charles: You saw the polls, how bad can my numbers be?Archer: You broke the machine.(Archer hands Charles a sheet of paper.)Charles: Can these numbers be right? These numbers can't be right.Archer: They're right.Charles: Why? Why? We won the first time, Archie. Four scant years. Why have they turned against me now?Archer: Because you've fucked up everything you've touched.Charles: We're a forgiving people.Archer: Time to cash out, Chucky. Sell a couple pardons, call it a day.Charles: Nobody's spending any money on me. That's the problem, Archie. They dint cut me off, I'd be beating the other guy into Marshmallow Fluff. All I need, I need, some money . . .Archer: And an issue.Charles: How about "continuity."Archer: You've screwed the country into a cocked hat.Charles: Yes, but at least I've done something. What has the other fella done? Have you thought of that? That's the basis of an ad! Get me the committee.Archer: They'll let you keep what you got, put it in your pocket, but they ain't buying any more air.Charles: (To phone) Get me the committee.Archer: You're done, Chuck . . . (The phone rings. To phone) Hello.Charles: Gimme that. (Takes phone) Barry . . . Cathy. Hi. Hon? Hon, can I . . . Cathy, I can't talk now . . . (To archer) Can my wife take the couch? (To phone) Take, take the couch where, hon? . . . Why do you assume we're going home . . . (To archer) 'Cause she hasn't seen any ads on TV. And can she take the couch?Archer: No, she can't take the couch.Charles: No, you can't take the couch, hon. (To archer) She had it re-covered.Archer: It was re-covered with taxpayers' money.Charles: It was re-covered with taxpayers' money, Cath. (To archer) Can she reimburse the taxpayers? And does she get a discount because the couch has been used . . . Cath? (To archer) Get me out of here . . .Archer: (Loudly) Mr. President, Iran has launched a nuclear strike.Charles: What?Archer: Iran has launched a nuclear . . .Charles: Ca . . . Cath? Iran has launched a nuclear strike . . . (To archer) Or could she uncover the couch and take the unupholstered couch . . .Archer: She can't take the couch. (A second phone rings. ARCHER answers.) Hello. Barry, one moment.Charles: (To phone) Cath, I have to, Cath, I'll have to call you back. I'm not being cheap, Cath . . . I'm . . . I'm, yes, I'm trying to save money, 'cause WE'RE GOING HOME BROKE, Cath, and we're being bombed by Iran, so I have to hang up. (archer hangs up.)Archer: Why is the couch so important to her?Charles: She wants it for the Library.Archer: The Library?Charles: My Presidential Library. (Pause) What are you telling me? (Pause) I gotta have a library. Archie? Don't I have, like, a, uh, a Library, uh, an Exploratory, uh . . .Archer: No.(Pause)Charles: What is it about me peo