At one point in time, Hester Smith worked for the Rich Family as a maid with her son, Boy Smith. However, one day while he was still a child, Boy stole a cut of meat from the Rich Family’s pantry and was caught in the act by Rich Girl, who told her father. Rich Girl’s betrayal led to Boy’s arrest and Hester being given the choice between a prison sentence and becoming an abortionist. Distraught, Hester bit Boy’s left arm before he was dragged away by the police so that she would be able to recognize him no matter how long they were apart. She then bit her own arm in the same spot so they would have matching scars. Boy was taken to prison, and Hester was forced to become an abortionist.

The play opens thirty years later. Boy is still in prison, and Hester has been slowly paying the Freedom Fund in order to secure his release. In this dystopian society, all abortionists are branded with a letter A just above their left breast that must remain visible at all times. The audience is introduced to Canary Mary, a prostitute and Hester’s only friend, who has been paid to be the exclusive mistress of the Mayor. It is revealed that the Mayor’s wife, the First Lady, is in fact Rich Girl and that he is threatening to divorce her over her alleged infertility. Canary and Hester, who blames the First Lady for her son’s imprisonment, are both hoping that the Mayor will assassinate the First Lady and marry Canary instead.

That night, on a park bench overlooking the sea, Canary meets a mysterious man who is later revealed to be the runaway convict Monster. At a nearby tavern, three Hunters who earn their living by tracking down and torturing runaway prisoners are hoping that the famous convict will arrive in their town so they can make a name for themselves. Later, the First Lady, despondent and knowing that her husband will try to assassinate her if she doesn’t fall pregnant soon, comes to the same park bench overlooking the sea. She meets Monster, and the two embark on a passionate affair.

Meanwhile, Hester has saved enough money that the Freedom Fund will allow her to have a picnic with Boy—the first time the two will see each other in over thirty years. She tells the town Butcher, who gently flirts with her. The next morning, however, Hester’s house is robbed by Monster, who threatens to murder her if she doesn’t give him all her food and money. While Hester hands him the money, Monster sees the scar on her left arm and immediately leaves in a state of shock. Relieved that she still has enough money for the picnic, Hester readies herself and leaves for the prison.

At the prison, a prisoner named Jailbait is led out for the picnic with Hester. After initially being overwhelmed with joy at the reunion, Hester quickly realizes that the prisoner has no scars on either arm and is not her son. She immediately inquires after her son, and Jailbait claims to have murdered a man named Boy Smith. Hester spirals into despair at the news of her beloved son’s death and swears vengeance on the First Lady, whom she still blames for all her misfortunes.

The play cuts to the park bench overlooking the sea, where the First Lady is meeting Monster. He attempts to extort her and demands she give him ten thousand gold coins by midnight. When she threatens to snitch on him to the Hunters, Monster threatens to...