55 pages 1 hour read

Caryl Churchill

Top Girls

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1982

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Act II, Scene 3Act Summaries & Analyses

Act II, Scene 3 Summary

In the Top Girls Employment Agency office, Nell, played by the actor who plays Griselda, and Win, played by the actor who plays Nijo, have just begun their workday. Win tells Nell about a married man she is seeing who invited her over while his wife was away and showed her his prized rose garden. Nell gossips about Howard, their coworker, who is late this morning. Howard was up for Marlene’s promotion and thought he was entitled to it as a man, but Nell asserts, “Our Marlene’s got far more balls than Howard and that’s that” (46). Nell and Win consider their prospects at the agency and conclude that they’ll both have to move on eventually. Since Marlene was promoted, there isn’t much room for them to advance. Employers are always trying to poach both Nell and Win, but so far, none have offered what they’re worth. Win comments that she’s fine where she is for the moment unless she decides to move to Australia. They discuss some of the agency’s employers and clients seeking work. In particular, Nell is regretting that she agreed to help one man who is trying to get a job and relocate while his wife wants to stay put.