The play takes place on and around the neighboring back porches of two modest but well-kept homes in a small Kansas town. On the right, a widow of about 40 years old, Mrs. Flo Owens, lives with her two teenage daughters, Millie and Madge. In the house on the left, an older widow, Mrs. Helen Potts, lives with her elderly mother. A handmade sign advertises rooms to let.

The action of the play begins on Labor Day. Helen enters, followed by Hal Carter, a good-looking young drifter who is doing chores for her. Hal is embarrassed that he had to ask Helen for breakfast and declines to remove his jacket because his shirt is dirty. Helen offers to wash it, and Hal sheepishly agrees, following her into the house. Millie Owens, who is 16, enters from the Owens’ house. She hears a bicycle bell and hurries to sit on the steps and light a cigarette.

Bomber, the newsboy, throws the paper loudly onto the porch, hoping to rouse Millie’s sister. Millie teases him, and Bomber tells her to go back inside and send out her “pretty sister,” adding, “It’s no fun looking at you” and calling her “Goonface” (8).