MARY JANE TAEGEL
A Romantic Comedy in Two Acts
by Mary Jane Taegel
SUMMARY
Dr. Jack Ramsay, an OB/GYN, has just finished paying off his medical school debt. In order to make the payments, he had “gone bare”, that is, he had dropped his malpractice insurance coverage to avoid paying outrageous malpractice premiums. When he is hit with a frivolous lawsuit to the tune of $4.2 million, Jack and his devoted wife Barbara conspire to get a divorce that puts all their assets into her name. “You’ll be too poor to sue because I’ll have all your money,” she chips. Possibly a destitute doctor will discourage the plaintiff’s attorney from pursuing a large settlement.
Jack loves the idea, so the divorce plans proceed over the howling protests of their boozy friend and lawyer, Elliot Strauss, just fresh from his own divorce. “Sign over all your assets to your wife? When you don’t have to?” Elliot goes for another martini. When Barbara moves out, Jack becomes easy prey for Claire Hoffman, a sexy neighbor who innocently believes the doctor is fair game.
How can this marriage survive a divorce, two foot-shuffling lawyers, outrageous lies and deceptions, and the hot-to-trot pursuit of Jack by a temptress? And what about the $4.2 million?
Going Bare takes a hilarious look at love in the time of liability, lawyers, lust, lies, and a marriage tested by divorce.
CHARACTERS
Jack Ramsay, MD: In his mid or late thirties, he is a handsome, well dressed obstetrician/gynecologist dedicated to medicine. Maybe overly dedicated?
Barbara Ramsay: In her mid-thirties, she is attractive, witty, intelligent and adventurous. She is dedicated to Jack and their marriage, so she suggests they divorce to save the day.
Elliot Strauss: In his thirties or forties, Elliot is a sharp-witted, scrappy lawyer who has all the answers even when there are no questions.
Claire Hoffman: Mid or late thirties, she is a “friendly neighborhood Realtor”. Flashy, gorgeous and sexy, it’s easy to see why men find her appealing (and tempting) and women find her threatening.
Tom O’Hern: He is a clueless neighborhood security guard of indeterminate age who does odd jobs when he’s not guarding the neighborhood or snooping around. He wears khakis, a security guard’s badge, and understands little of what goes on in the world around him. An introvert.