Two-Man Rule

by Collin Van Son

Captain Sandaker and Second Lieutenant Wallace, two-man crew of a remote missile silo, hold the literal keys to the U.S. nuclear arsenal. As the hours tick by in their underground control room, the two missileers try to keep the terror—and the boredom—of nuclear watch at bay. But with the arrival of a mysterious park ranger and her missing mountain lion, Wallace and Sandaker must face the fact that personal...

Captain Sandaker and Second Lieutenant Wallace, two-man crew of a remote missile silo, hold the literal keys to the U.S. nuclear arsenal. As the hours tick by in their underground control room, the two missileers try to keep the terror—and the boredom—of nuclear watch at bay. But with the arrival of a mysterious park ranger and her missing mountain lion, Wallace and Sandaker must face the fact that personal secrets can be as dangerous as nuclear ones.

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Two-Man Rule

Recommended by

  • Nick Malakhow: Two-Man Rule by Collin Van Son
    “

    A super-compelling and unassuming piece whose tricks, twists, and turns were surprising yet always organic. The relationship between Wallace and Sandaker was so well fleshed out, as were the individual characters themselves. They felt so human, specific, and real, that all of the little dreamlike/mind-trip elements were all the more effective and startling. The pacing was excellent as well, both capturing the irregularities of human interaction while charging ahead at a steady clip.

    A super-compelling and unassuming piece whose tricks, twists, and turns were surprising yet always organic. The relationship between Wallace and Sandaker was so well fleshed out, as were the individual characters themselves. They felt so human, specific, and real, that all of the little dreamlike/mind-trip elements were all the more effective and startling. The pacing was excellent as well, both capturing the irregularities of human interaction while charging ahead at a steady clip.

    ”

Character Information

3 M (1 not seen), 1 F
  • Wallace
    Male, early to mid-20s. Air Force officer at a nuclear missile site. Excitable. Inexperienced, yet takes himself (and his job) very seriously. Still a kid at heart, but the kind of kid who’d fry ants with a magnifying glass and call himself a scientist.
  • Sandaker
    Male, roughly 40 years old. Wallace’s superior officer. Jaded, but not cynical. Feels more responsibility for his men than for his mission. Increasingly overwhelmed.
  • Annie
    Female, roughly 30 years old. Ranger with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Talking with her, one gets the sense she’s taking field notes. Enjoys making jokes that only she understands. Remarkably nonchalant for someone who’s hunting an apex predator.
  • SAC HQ
    Male, character not seen. Voice of authority. Probably likes cigars.

Development History

  • Workshop, New Art City Theatre, 2025

Awards

  • Eugene O'Neill Finalist
    Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
    2021