The Adding Machine is a 1923 play by Elmer Rice. The 2007 Columbia Encyclopedia of Modern Drama called it "a landmark of American Expressionism, reflecting the growing interest in this highly subjective and nonrealistic form of modern drama." Mr. Zero lives in an unnamed major city where he has worked for 25 years in an accounting office adding figures together by hand. His coworker, Miss Devore, dreams of having the courage to kill herself and detests Zero. His wife, Mrs. Zero, spends her days gossiping, going to see lowbrow movies, and nagging Mr. Zero for being a disappointing husband. One day, after work, Zero's boss unceremoniously fires Zero and informs him he will be replaced by a mechanical adding machine.
Adaptations (1)
The Adding Machine was adapted into a 1969 film.
The Adding Machine1969 · film · 100 min · dir. Jerome Epstein · IMDb ↗IMDb6.1An accountant whose job is about to be taken over by a computer starts to re-examine his life and his priorities.
