- Lee tries to steal antiques from his mother's house, but everything is locked up tight.
- The antiques don't seem all that fancy or valuable, but their mom still keeps them locked away. They're objects from the past—from their old house—and they have meaning and sentimental value to Austin and Lee's mom. Lee doesn't go in much for the sentimental value of dinner plates.
- Austin listens as Lee tells about his prior night's journey to the foothills and how the West that used to exist doesn't exist anymore. This is a big moment as far as themes in the play go. As things move forward, the idea of this mythological West that Lee builds up in his mind becomes a major point of tension and connection between the two brothers.
- Lee recounts his glorious time in the desert that involved dog fighting, stealing, and freedom. Lee's life story stands in stark contrast to Austin's. Austin went to an Ivy League college and spent a lot of time reading and studying, while Lee got out there and sought some form of adventure, or at least some form of escape.
- Lee wants to borrow Austin's car. The two bicker about it for a while, but cars actually serve as one of the few connections the two share. In the past, Lee used to lend Austin his car and let him drive it.
- Finally, Austin lends Lee his car to get him out of the house while Saul Kimmer, a producer, comes over to discuss Austin's latest project.