Quiet Enjoyment: About A Co-Op Closing Gone Hilariously Wrong

Sadia Rahman

Set in New York City, Quiet Enjoyment is about a junior manager Merry Cudlip’s first co-op closing that goes horribly wrong. Richard Curtis, award-winning author, writes a play around a closing on a multi-million dollar Manhattan co-op that ex-husband Peter Chasen is turning over to his ex-wife Juliana as part of a harsh divorce settlement.

When he arrives to turn his $5 million co-op over he brings his girlfriend Karma along to make sure Juliana does not screw him out of anything else. A story that follows a woman trying her best to run her first closing and do everything she can to prevent it from spinning into oblivion. With so many things going wrong her boss is getting more upset, and one more thing: Peter doesn’t have enough money to cover the closing costs.

Directed by Marcus Gualberto and written by Richard Curtis this play is a combination of humor and satire that will have you on the edge of your seat laughing.

"Richard Curtis's unique sense of humor and wit turns the mundane into the hilarious." - Mara Lieberman, Executive Artistic Director, Bated Breath Theatre Company  

Opening Night: October 19 at 7 PM

Closing Night: November 3rd

Location: Playroom theater 151 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036, 8th Fl.

Schedule: Fridays at 7 PM, Saturdays at 7 PM, Sundays at 7 PM

Special Performances: Thurs 10/24 & Mon 10/28

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Tips on Saying No to Your Friend with Benefits

While having a friends with benefits (FWB) relationship allows one to hang out and have fun with someone without any serious commitments, it can sometimes pose a challenge when it comes to saying “no.” It may be turning down a request for a while because you do not feel like doing whatever your partner is requesting. It could also be about ending the relationship.

So, how do you say “NO” to your friends with benefits effectively? Here are some tips on doing it:

Explain why you cannot make it or if they displeased you

You may not feel excited about having fun with your FWB at a given moment when they suggest that you hook up. It is critical to pause and reflect on why that idea may not be appealing to you at that time. It could be that you are tired, for example after a heavy workout, or you could be feeling sick, or you may have a school or work assignment that is almost due and you need to complete it. It may also be that your FWB did something to you, failed to do something, or said something that hurt you. You should let your partner know why you cannot manage to be there at that moment.

If you are busy wrapping up some assignments that are almost due, then tell them that. If you were offended by their actions or omissions, let them know that. You may tell them that you still value your friendship, but if you are to keep being friends, then they should know that they hurt you when they did what they did or said something that you felt was a bit unfair. Seek to straighten out things and continue enjoying each other’s company.

Promise to make up or give an alternative

After explaining your reason for saying “no” at that moment, you need to let your FWB know that it is not a blanket NO, but you still want to continue enjoying the “benefits” and keep the friendship. You can offer to hook up the next weekend or at another convenient time. Maybe it is a friend that you met on a dating site like Happymatches and have not yet got to know each other well, having hung out only a few times. Assure them that you are glad to have met them and wish to keep the friendship. You may give an alternative of doing a video call and chat for some time and exchange pleasantries. You can soften your NO at the moment by promising to spend a longer time with them next time or try new things.

Communicate clearly when saying no to end things

Unlike in official relationships in which breakups normally require a face-to-face meeting or phone conversation, friends with benefits relationships are casual. This can allow you to break up through an email, text message, or any other non-personal method. But you may also choose to respect the preexisting friendship and break up in a more personal way. If you decide to use non-personal ways, ensure that you clearly and concisely state your intention to end the friendship and leave no room for misinterpretation since you will not be there to clarify anything. You could choose to use a non-personal method when you fear that a face-to-face encounter could weaken your resolve, or your FWB is likely to try to manipulate you, or when meeting is a bit more difficult like in a long-distance relationship. You need to be ready to handle the breakup, and if you feel that there are chances of the friendship relapsing, you should cut any communications. Better still, if your FWB has no problem with it, you may agree to continue being friends but do away with the benefits.

You have to be able to say no to your friend with benefits and stand your ground. Whether it is a no for a moment or to break-up altogether, you need to be forthright and always seek your best interests. After all, you are just in it for the benefits and friendship without a serious commitment.

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Designing A Home That’s Inclusive And Stylish

A growing aging population and more awareness of disabilities has forced many home designers to think more inclusively. A home that anyone can live in is more sellable. This doesn’t have to mean sacrificing stylishness either – in fact many elements of inclusive design are becoming trendier and more practical for able-bodied people too. Here are just several features that can make a home both inclusive and stylish.

Go open plan

An open plan layout offers more space for freely getting around as there are no tight doorways or corridors to negotiate. It also has the added benefits of making a home more social, allowing easier communication between rooms. On top of this, it can improve ventilation and make a home brighter. If you’re renovating an existing home to make it open-plan, you’ll want to hire professionals to knock down any interior walls safely. Cut-outs can sometimes be a more economical option to knocking down entire walls and can usually have the exact same effect.

Get creative with ramps

Ramps can help to provide wheelchair access and are essential to inclusive design. When choosing a ramp, look beyond basic options and find a design that will match the décor of your property. A metal ramp could be great for a glossy modern home, while a wooden ramp could compliment a traditional home well. Incorporating a ramp naturally will make it feel less like a home for disabled people. Doing away entirely with stairs may not be possible in two storey homes, but some properties have accomplished it using only ramps (of course, a lift is sometimes the more convenient option – although this can sometimes make a home look a little too disability-focused).

Install a walk-in shower

Walk-in showers can be both a sign of inclusivity and luxury. Curbless walk-in showers can allow easy access suitable for those with disabilities, however you may have to spend a little extra wetproofing the room. Fitting a walk-in shower into a small bathroom can sometimes be difficult – you’ll usually have to sacrifice the tub to make it work. Alternatively, you may be able to keep a tub in your bathroom and find another space in your home to fit a walk-in shower such as a cupboard under the stairs.

Integrate smart technology

Smart technology is the future of home design. It can also be a useful technology for those with mobility issues, allowing remote-control of elements such as heating and lighting without having to physically move. There are all kinds of ways in which smart technology is being integrated into homes. Smart electrical sockets could allow you to turn sockets on and off remotely to save energy (useful for sockets in hard to reach locations). Smart security meanwhile can allow windows and doors to be locked and unlocked remotely. It could be worth looking into companies that deal with home automation to see what other creative ideas they can implement.

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