Summary
Act I
The Verge begins in a mysterious setting, shrouded in darkness except for a bright beam of light coming from a trap door in the center of the floor. This light reveals an unusual, twisting plant. The sound of a fierce wind can be heard outside, suggesting that this is an unusual and possibly menacing place. Suddenly, a buzzer rings, and Anthony emerges from the trap door. He picks up a phone and receives instructions from Miss Claire to check the room's temperature. After doing so, he reports back that the temperature is falling and the plants are at risk. Miss Claire says something over the phone that reassures him, and he descends back through the trap door. Briefly, the curtain closes on this scene. When it reopens, the setting is revealed to be a greenhouse. It is now a bright winter morning, though snow is swirling and accumulating outside. Frost has created abstract designs on the greenhouse glass, giving the space a creative feel. Inside, unusual plants fill the shelves and line the walls. A particularly intriguing plant crawls along the low back wall of the greenhouse, its leaves described as "both repellent and significant." Clearly, this is no ordinary greenhouse; it's a botanical lab used for experimenting with new plant varieties. Anthony is busy preparing soil but pauses to check the thermometer. Satisfied with the temperature, he resumes his work. The buzzer rings again, but Anthony ignores it.
Harry Archer enters from outside, bringing a gust of snow with him. Anthony quickly asks him to shut the door to protect the plants. Harry questions why Anthony didn't respond to the buzzer and learns that Claire instructed him not to, to prevent interruptions. Harry also asks why the house is so cold, and Anthony explains that Claire redirected all the heat to the greenhouse to protect the plants. He mentions that the heat is crucial now because the Breath of Life plant is about to bloom. Harry opens the door again, and Anthony rushes him back outside into the snow before returning to his tasks.
Hattie, the maid, enters carrying breakfast and informs Anthony that Mr. Archer has requested that breakfast be served in the greenhouse because it is heated. Harry returns, and he and Hattie begin setting up breakfast. Claire enters, reprimanding Harry for inviting their guests, Tom and Dick, to have breakfast in the greenhouse. Claire and Anthony then discuss the Edge Vine. They are both distressed because the plant is not thriving. Anthony attempts to lift Claire's spirits by reminding her that the Breath of Life will soon bloom. It's evident from their conversation that the Edge Vine and the Breath of Life hold significant meaning for them beyond ordinary plants.
Dick arrives, and a brief comedic exchange ensues about the absence of salt for the eggs. Dick then asks Claire about her work with the plants. She attempts to convey the significance of her experiments but struggles to find the right words. She expresses her feelings in a disjointed manner, saying, “I want to give fragrance to Breath of Life—the flower I’ve created that is beyond what flowers have been. What has gone out should bring fragrance from what it has left. But no definite fragrance, no limiting enclosing thing.” The men continue to press Claire about her intentions, and she becomes increasingly upset. In her frustration and eagerness to explain, she smashes an egg. She eventually retreats to the inner room. Harry and Dick discuss Claire’s unusual behavior, and Harry reveals he is contemplating having a doctor visit Claire.
Tom arrives but finds...
(This entire section contains 1482 words.)
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himself locked outside the greenhouse. Another comedic scene unfolds as the men try to communicate to Tom that they lack the key. Tom humorously threatens to shoot himself with his revolver if they don't let him in. Claire eventually returns and unlocks the door, but not before sending Tom off to fetch some salt. He mistakenly brings back pepper. The three men sit down for breakfast and continue to question Claire about her odd behavior. Claire struggles to articulate her thoughts in awkward, insufficient language, while Harry grows more frustrated and bewildered. Claire finally leaves to assist Anthony in the inner room.
The three men continue their conversation about Claire's behavior. Harry admits he was hoping Tom and Dick would help him address the situation, but now he worries they might just encourage her. Tom advises Harry to let Claire be herself. He suggests that if Claire can "do it with plants, perhaps she won’t have to do it with herself." When Harry questions him, Tom clarifies, "Break up what exists. Open the door to destruction." Harry leaves to smoke. Tom then confides in Dick that he loves Claire, but since he can't have her the way he desires, he plans to leave for India.
Elizabeth, Claire's daughter, arrives with Harry. Claire returns but is unable to show her daughter any affection. As Claire attempts to leave, Harry stops her. It's evident that Claire feels uneasy around Elizabeth. Despite Elizabeth’s efforts to connect with her mother, Claire is unresponsive. Elizabeth expresses a desire to help with the plants, but Claire firmly rejects the idea. Claire launches into a speech about her ambitions, but words fail her. She suddenly focuses on the Edge Vine and laments that "it isn’t—over the edge," instead reverting to its traditional forms. Deciding it should be destroyed, Claire becomes enraged and tears the Edge Vine apart. She tries to strike Elizabeth with it, but Harry intervenes, taking the vine away and quickly escorting Elizabeth out.
Act II
The scene opens with Claire alone in a peculiar tower, visible through the downstage window. Adelaide and Harry enter. Adelaide criticizes Claire for failing to be a proper mother to Elizabeth. Claire argues, stating she has no desire to conform to Adelaide's idea of a proper woman. Harry then tells Claire he has invited Dr. Emmons, a neurologist, for dinner in hopes of helping her. Claire suddenly throws open the tower window and calls down to Tom, saying she’s in trouble and needs assistance. Tom rushes up to see what’s wrong. Claire hints that she needs help escaping Adelaide’s ridiculous notions. Harry suggests they all go down for dinner, but Claire refuses. She persuades Tom to stay and talk with her as Harry and Adelaide leave.
Claire reveals to Tom that she loves him, but he responds that it cannot be. He fears that if they become romantically involved, their current way of communicating will be lost. Tom then asks Claire about the Breath of Life flower. She tells him she will find out tomorrow if she has succeeded and requests that he stay until then. Tom agrees to try. Claire continues to urge Tom to stay and help her in her quest, but he refuses once more. As Claire becomes more eloquent in her persuasion, Tom is nearly swayed by her words but ultimately resists. Realizing her failure, Claire abruptly leaves, running downstairs to reprimand Harry for playing the phonograph. She returns to the tower, with Harry following. She asks Harry to gather everyone in the tower, including Dr. Emmons, which he does. Claire then confronts Dr. Emmons, sarcastically remarking, “It must be very interesting—helping people go insane.” When Dick arrives, Claire immediately rushes to him, asking him to take her away. Harry suddenly realizes that Dick and Claire have been lovers. He attempts to pursue Dick, but Dr. Emmons intervenes.
Act III
The scene shifts back to the greenhouse. Anthony is tending to the plants when Hattie, the maid, bursts in. She informs Anthony that Mr. Archer is having a heated argument with Dick, and she fears for Dick’s safety. Moments later, Dick rushes in, attempting to escape through the trap door, with Harry in pursuit, wielding a revolver. Anthony stops Harry, saying, “You can’t shoot him in here. It is not good for the plants.” Claire enters and calmly takes the revolver from Harry. Then Tom arrives to say goodbye. Anthony reminds Claire that it is time to check the outcome of the Breath of Life. Anthony investigates and reports to Claire that they have succeeded, but she remains unhappy. Harry, distressed, wishes Claire could be content. The three men leave, but Tom returns, telling Claire he doesn’t want to leave without her and urges her to join him in India. This disturbs Claire, as she realizes Tom is just like everyone else, wanting her on his terms. Overcome with despair, Claire feels she has no choice but to kill him. She strangles Tom and then fires the gun into the air through an opening in the glass. Hearing the shot, the others rush in to find Tom dead. Consumed by madness, Claire softly sings “Nearer My God, to Thee” as the play concludes.
