True West is a play by American playwright Sam Shepard. Some critics consider it the third of a Family Trilogy that includes Curse of the Starving Class (1976) and Buried Child (1979). Others consider it part of a quintet that includes Fool for Love (1983) and A Lie of the Mind (1985). True West was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1983. Characters Austin, a Hollywood screenwriter who is well educated and has a wife and children Lee, a drifter and a thief, and Austin's older brother. Mom, Austin and Lee's mother Saul Kimmer, a Hollywood producer Plot Act One True West is about the sibling rivalry between two estranged brothers who have reconnected. The play begins with brothers Austin and Lee sitting in their mother's house. This is the first time they've seen each other in five years. The two are not on good terms, but Austin attempts to appease his older brother, who is more dominant. We learn that their mother is on vacation in Alaska and that Austin is housesitting. Austin is trying to work on his screenplay but Lee continually distracts him with nonsense questions. The two brothers seem on edge with each other. When Austin suggests that Lee leave, Lee threatens to steal things from the neighborhood. Austin calms him down and the night ends with the two of them on neutral terms. Lee talks about the security level of their mother's house, and how Lee went into the desert to find their dad. Austin then tells Lee to leave the house because a film producer, Saul, is coming by to look at Austin's screenplay (described as a “period piece”). Lee agrees to leave in exchange for Austin's car keys. Austin is reluctant at first but relents, and Lee promises that he will have it back by six. Lee departs. Saul and Austin are discussing their agreement when Lee enters with a stolen television set. Saul and Lee discuss golf and make plans to play the next day, excluding Austin because he doesn't play, despite his desire that Lee have nothing to do with Saul. Lee proposes a script idea to Saul and Saul reacts positively. Lee describes his story out loud. Austin writes it down, but stops, saying it doesn't resemble real life. The two brothers quarrel and Austin asks Lee for his car keys back. Lee assumes Austin is trying