The Red Chair by Gary O. Bennett
Characters, Time and Place
Donna Raffle, 32 years old
Old Woman, 85 years old
Ms. Stewart, 25-30 years old
Manager, 35-45 years old
Young Man, 25-30 years old
Time: A.D. 2009
Place: An urban area of the United States
A reception area of the Future View Corporation. A couch, a
couple of chairs and a reception console. Ms. Stewart sits
on the couch. She is weeping timidly. No one is at the
reception console. Ms. Stewart is alone. Donna Raffle walks
through the front door. Petite, Donna sits on one of the
chairs, placing her purse on her lap. Ms. Stewart continues
to weep, but more discreetly. The two women acknowledge each
other. A few moments pass.
MS. STEWART
Is this your first time?
DONNA
Yes. I didn’t realize people did
this more than once.
MS. STEWART
Oh yes.
DONNA
How many times have you been here?
MS. STEWART
This was supposed to be my first.
DONNA
What happened?
MS. STEWART
They said…they said…
Ms. Stewart starts to cry.
MS. STEWART
Sorry. I didn’t expect this to
happen. Nobody told me this could
happen. They should prepare you,
you know. You figure you pay your
money and they could at least put
on a good show or something. But
no. Not them, not that damn
computer.
DONNA
I’m not sure I understand.
MS. STEWART
They have nothing for me. The
computer came up with nothing.
Zip. Damn thing, as if it’s some
kind of God.
DONNA
What did the computer say?
MS. STEWART
That I don’t make it. Hah! What
does it know. My great grandmother
is still alive, barely. She can
still walk around. And I’m not
even thirty yet. The computer’s
not always right. They said it’s
not infallible. Makes mistakes.
DONNA
I’m sure.
MS. STEWART
The computer have something for
you?
DONNA
I expect so. They called me for an
appointment.
MS. STEWART
You’re doing it now?
DONNA
At eleven o’clock.
MS. STEWART
This is so silly. I don’t know why
I’m so upset. It’s just a game.
Entertainment. You know, like the
movies. They’re giving me my money
back.
DONNA
Is that why you’re here?
MS. STEWART
I was here for my ten o’clock
appointment. Everything was set.
Then they tell me they have
nothing. So they’re giving me my
money back.
DONNA
Really. So maybe they’ll have
nothing for me.
MS. STEWART
Maybe.
The office manager walks out from the back room.
MANAGER
I have your check Ms. Stewart.
Ms. Stewart pops up, grabs the check out of the manager;s
hand and turns to walk out.
MS. STEWART
(to Donna)
Enjoy the show.
Ms. Stewart leaves via the front door.
MANAGER
Can I help you?
DONNA
Yes. I’m Donna Raffle. I have an
eleven o’clock appointment.
MANAGER
You’re early.
Donna gets up and walks to the reception console.
DONNA
Yes, I know.
MANAGER
But everything is ready and we had
a cancellation, so you can start
now.
DONNA
Everything’s ready?
MANAGER
Yes.
DONNA
You mean you have something?
MANAGER
What do you mean?
DONNA
The computer came up with
something?
MANAGER
Yes, of course.
DONNA
Ms. Stewart was quite upset.
MANAGER
Yes. It happens. You understand
how this works?
DONNA
Not really.
MANAGER
Did you read the brochure?
DONNA
Yes, but I would still appreciate
an explanation.
MANAGER
I wonder sometimes why we have a
brochure. Do you see that door
over there?
DONNA
Yes.
MANAGER
That’s the holography chamber. You
go through that door and sit on the
red chair at the table. Don’t
wander around the room. Go directly
to the red chair and sit down.
DONNA
OK.
MANAGER
When your settled, I will direct
the computer to start the session.
Do you understand?
DONNA
Yes.
MANAGER
This was all in the brochure. A
couple of things you should know.
The manager looks at a document on the console.
MANAGER
The computer projected your date of
death to be August 17, 2065. So
the holographic image you will meet
is the future you on August 17,
2055.
DONNA
2065. That would make me…
MANAGER
95. The computer projects you will
die at 95.
DONNA
That’s all!
The manager gives her a once over.
MANAGER
Short people usually don’t make it
that long. I wouldn’t complain.
DONNA
Why is it ten years before my date
of death?
MANAGER
It’s in the brochure. It’s part of
the programming. On average, it’s
a good date. Ten years puts you
far enough away from the DOD that
you are generally healthy enough to
carry on a conversation, but far
enough along to give our customers
some interesting insights.
DONNA
What happened to Ms. Stewart?
MANAGER
Her projected DOD was four years
from now. That would make her
holographic image younger than she
currently is. The computer goes
into default. We refund the money.
DONNA
Makes sense.
MANAGER
Do not attempt to touch the image.
It is not really there anyway, but
the computer does not permit any
invasive movement into its
projected hologram.
DONNA
OK.
MANAGER
And the computer is sensitive. The
holograms it creates believe they
are real people. Don’t question
her humanity. Are you ready?
DONNA
Yes. How long do I have with her,
with the image?
MANAGER
We guarantee a half-hour minimum.
DONNA
So much money for just half an
hour.
MANAGER
Go through the door and sit on the
red chair. There is an intercom on
the table. Use it if you have a
question.
Donna goes through the door to the holography chamber. The
stage turns to reveal the chamber. The chamber is a simple
room, almost metallic in appearance. There is a table with a
red chair. An intercom box sits on the table in front of the
red chair. Donna sits down on the red chair. A few moments
pass. Nothing happens. Donna presses the button on the
intercom.
DONNA
Excuse me.
MANAGER
Yes.
DONNA
Nothing is happening.
MANAGER
The computer is assessing your
presense, making some last second
changes.
DONNA
Really. It does that?
MANAGER
It was in the brochure. Just relax
for another half minute.
A moment passes. From behind a curtain, an old woman
appears, slumped in a wheel chair, moving slowly and with
some trouble. She wears a flower print dress and wheels
slowly to a point opposite Donna on the other side of the
table. Donna watches intently. They stare at each other.
Donna presses the intercom button.
DONNA
Excuse me.
MANAGER
Yes?
DONNA
I think there is some mistake.
MANAGER
What’s the problem?
DONNA
Are you sure you put the right disk
into the computer?
MANAGER
We do not make such mistakes.
DONNA
Yea, but she doesn’t look like me.
MANAGER
Well of course dear, you’ve aged.
DONNA
But there is like absolutely no
resemblence.
MANAGER
I can see it. Just relax. The
first few moments are always a
shock. Get to know her.
Donna releases the intercom button. She again stares at the
old woman. A moment passes. Donna presses the intercom
button again.
DONNA
Excuse me.
MANAGER
What is it now?
DONNA
She’s not saying anything.
MANAGER
You have to initiate. She will not
be good at initiating.
DONNA
OK. Sorry.
Donna releases the intercom button.
DONNA
Hi.
OLD WOMAN
Hello.
DONNA
Why do you need a wheelchair?
OLD WOMAN
I can’t walk.
DONNA
I can see. But why can’t you walk?
OLD WOMAN
My legs do not work.
DONNA
Yes, but why?
OLD WOMAN
Not enough blood flows to them
anymore.
DONNA
I see. My name is Donna. Donna
Raffle.
OLD WOMAN
My name is Donna Stern.
DONNA
Your maiden name is Raffle?
OLD WOMAN
Yes.
DONNA
When did you become Donna Stern?
OLD WOMAN
Thirty-two years ago.
DONNA
Thirty-two years ago. That’s nice.
That would make you 53. You got
married when you were 53?
OLD WOMAN
Yes.
DONNA
Why did you wait so long?
OLD WOMAN
I didn’t.
DONNA
I would say 53 is a long time.
OLD WOMAN
I was 34 when I was first married.
DONNA
That’s two years from now.
OLD WOMAN
That was 51 years ago.
DONNA
Who was your first husband?
OLD WOMAN
Jonathan Zingman.
DONNA
Jonathan Zingman. What a
ridiculous name.
OLD WOMAN
I never cared for it either.
DONNA
I don’t know any Zingman.
OLD WOMAN
He was a wonderful man.
DONNA
After Zingman you married a Stern?
OLD WOMAN
Harold Stern.
DONNA
Two jews?
OLD WOMAN
Yes.
DONNA
How did that happen?
OLD WOMAN
It just happened.
DONNA
Where did you meet this Zingman
person?
OLD WOMAN
At the bank where I worked.
DONNA
I don’t work at a bank.
OLD WOMAN
I worked at a bank.
DONNA
I work at a television network.
OLD WOMAN
So did I. I was fired.
DONNA
Fired?
OLD WOMAN
Yes.
DONNA
Why were you fired?
OLD WOMAN
A lawsuit.
DONNA
I don’t understand.
OLD WOMAN
The network was sued because of me.
They weren’t happy. They fired me.
DONNA
They would never do that.
OLD WOMAN
They did it.
DONNA
What did I do?
OLD WOMAN
I did a story.
DONNA
About who?
OLD WOMAN
I was always doing a story.
DONNA
Yes, but what story are you
referring to?
OLD WOMAN
You are doing a story now.
DONNA
I don’t do technology stories. No,
the one that got me fired.
OLD WOMAN
I can’t say.
DONNA
Why not?
OLD WOMAN
Confidentiality. It was part of
the settlement. I don’t talk, all
I lose is my job, nothing more.
DONNA
All you lose is your job! What
else is there for chrissake?
OLD WOMAN
It wasn’t so bad.
DONNA
Who sued the network?
OLD WOMAN
A Japanese company. They owned a
business here. My story almost
ruined the business.
DONNA
If I did the story, then it’s
public knowledge. You can tell me.
OLD WOMAN
I agreed not to talk about it. I
keep my agreements.
DONNA
Come on, you can’t get into
trouble. You’re just a computer
image. Tell me.
The old woman starts to turn her wheel chair and wheel away.
DONNA
Where are you going? Please wait.
I’m sorry. Please. I didn’t know
what I was saying.
The old woman stops. Before turning, she pulls a
handkerchief out of a pocket and wipes her eyes. She turns
and wheels back to the table.
OLD WOMAN
I knew you were going to do that.
I thought I was prepared. I’m
sorry.
DONNA
No. Really. It was cruel of me.
The old woman struggles to gain her composure.
DONNA
So you can’t tell me anymore about
why I was fired from the network.
OLD WOMAN
No.
DONNA
OK. What happened after you were
fired?
OLD WOMAN
Nothing.
DONNA
What TV station did I go to?
OLD WOMAN
I didn’t go to a TV station.
DONNA
Why not?
OLD WOMAN
No one wanted me.
DONNA
Why not?
OLD WOMAN
I was blacklisted.
DONNA
By who?
OLD WOMAN
The networks.
DONNA
Why?
OLD WOMAN
The story. I was very arrogant.
The Japanese do not like arrogance.
DONNA
Just because of one story. What
about the newspapers?
OLD WOMAN
No. I wasn’t really a writer.
DONNA
But I am. You were.
OLD WOMAN
I thought I was. I’ve since
learned better.
DONNA
That’s ridiculous.
OLD WOMAN
I tried. I tried very hard. Wrote
some pieces. Freelance. No one
bought.
DONNA
What about your friends? Your
friends at the publishers? The
editors? I know dozens of editors.
OLD WOMAN
No one bought.
DONNA
Why? It makes no sense.
OLD WOMAN
They said I was not a writer. Good
in front of the camera, but not a
writer.
DONNA
I was a writer before I became a
television reporter.
OLD WOMAN
I know. That’s what I said. But
then I realized that everything
I’ve accomplished was a result of
my looks, my personality.
DONNA
Oh bullshit, who told you that?
OLD WOMAN
I can see it clearly from here.
You are very attractive. More than
I thought. A good face.
DONNA
I have more than a good face.
OLD WOMAN
Yes.
DONNA
So did you.
OLD WOMAN
Yes. Perhaps.
DONNA
Sounds like you gave up?
OLD WOMAN
It is easy to dream when you are
young.
DONNA
I’m not dreaming. I’m doing.
OLD WOMAN
As you get older, you do less and
less.
DONNA
Not if I stay healthy.
OLD WOMAN
I remember how so much you crave a
star, how your youthful steps seem
like leaps, like you are walking on
the moon. You taste the sweet air
of your journey’s end before you
arrive. But you never will arrive.
Time will pass and your legs will
grow heavy, every move will get
shorter and harder. That star you
so covet will remain a mere
shimmering point like the fixed
horizon that never gets closer.
You reach with outstretched hand,
but you will grasp nothing but
leaves.
DONNA
I didn’t come here for poetry.
OLD WOMAN
Facts are hard. Poetry is easier.
DONNA
I deal in facts. Facts are my
business.
OLD WOMAN
Not when about yourself. We do not
hear the truth when it’s about
ourselves. I sat in that red chair
fifty-three years ago, and I didn’t
listen. We are deaf when the
speaker speaks of us. We let the
tiller rattle in the wind, and our
lives inevitably lead to a place
where the current travels, a place
already mapped out for us.
DONNA
This is all you have for me? A
sophomoric philosophy lecture.
OLD WOMAN
You will remember these words. You
will repeat them. Eventually, you
will lower your binoculars, and you
will look at what you have in your
hand (beat) and it will please you.
DONNA
I hardly think working for a bank
will ever please me.
OLD WOMAN
A child appreciates small things.
This is also true when you are old.
DONNA
How did you end up working for a
bank?
OLD WOMAN
I went through my savings. I had
to pay my rent. It was a good job.
DONNA
You gave up. I would not give up
like that. This is wrong. You’ve
got this wrong.
OLD WOMAN
The bank gave me something I never
had before. It changed my life.
DONNA
Were you at least earning big
money?
OLD WOMAN
Oh no. I was just a clerk.
DONNA
A clerk! From a television
reporter to a bank clerk? It
wouldn’t happen.
OLD WOMAN
Life has it’s own legs.
DONNA
How did the bank change your life?
OLD WOMAN
Because of Jonathan.
DONNA
What was so great about him?
OLD WOMAN
We fell in love. It was the
greatest thing that ever happened
to me.
DONNA
Was he rich?
OLD WOMAN
(laughing)
He had less than me.
DONNA
I would never marry him. I would
never work in a bank.
OLD WOMAN
It’s not so bad.
DONNA
It sounds like you’ve been
brainwashed.
OLD WOMAN
I have lived your life. You cannot
understand until you live it for
yourself.
DONNA
Don’t you see. Now that I know all
this, I will purposely avoid
banks, I will most certainly avoid
all Jonathan Zingmans, and I’m
going to be very careful about the
stories I do.
OLD WOMAN
That’s what I said too when I sat
in that red chair.
DONNA
This Future View session is
internally flawed. You find out
some possible future, one that you
don’t much care for, and you can
avoid it, steer clear of the
mistakes. I will not be you.
OLD WOMAN
The computer takes into
consideration the knowledge you
acquire from me when projecting
your future. It knows you will
learn about Jonathan Zingman, about
the bank.
DONNA
The computer cannot know
everything. It certainly doesn’t
know me well enough.
OLD WOMAN
Strange how we are reliving these
moments. I knew today would come.
I was dreading it. But now that it
is here, it seems oddly relaxing,
almost exhilerating. To be here
again on the other side of this
table is a totally different thing
than sitting in that red chair. I
know you are frightened of what’s
to come. I know you do not see
yourself as becoming what I have
become. But life comes and you
deal with it, one day at a time.
DONNA
You have dealt with it one way, I
will deal with it in another.
OLD WOMAN
When I first met Jonathan Zingman,
I was in shock that he really
existed. But by then, I had lost
my job and started working for a
bank, things I never thought would
happen. I avoided Jonathan for
months. But my obsession with
avoiding him turned into an
obsession to know him. I was
lonely. And since everything else
was turning out just like the old
woman in the wheelchair had said, I
almost fell in love with Jonathan
before we ever spoke a word to each
other.
Donna stands up.
DONNA
The computer forgot one little
thing. What I would learn in this
session becomes a self-fulfilling
prophesy. But I’m not going to
give you an opportunity to tell me
anymore, because I’m going to
leave. Right now. I don’t want to
hear anymore of what you have to
say. And that dress you’re
wearing…I would never wear such a
thing.
Donna turns to walk out.
OLD WOMAN
I have more to tell you.
DONNA
Forget it. I will not be you. I
will not hear another thing. You
will not come true.
Donna leaves. The stage turns. Donna walks into the
reception area. The manager is at the reception console. A
young man sits in the chair Donna had been sitting in. Donna
walks up to the reception console. The manager looks at his
watch.
MANAGER
What happened?
DONNA
I had enough.
The man checks the computer screen.
MANAGER
Oh well. It happens sometimes. We
can’t always guarantee a half hour.
Our policy is to refund a portion
of your money.
DONNA
There is no reason for a refund. I
left before it was over.
MANAGER
Oh really. The computer says it
had generated only nine minutes.
DONNA
Your computer is wrong. She said
she had more to tell me. I just
left before she could.
MANAGER
According to the computer, that is
the very last thing she was
supposed to say. If you had stayed
any longer, her image would have
disappeared. You are entitled to a
refund. I’ll be back in a moment.
The manager leaves. Donna sits on the couch. A moment
passes.
YOUNG MAN
Excuse me. Are you Donna Raffle
the television reporter?
DONNA
Yes.
YOUNG MAN
Oh wow, I watch you all the time.
Donna smiles.
YOUNG MAN
Are you doing a story about this
place?
DONNA
No…yes. Yes I am.
YOUNG MAN
Really.
DONNA
I recommend you get your money
back.
YOUNG MAN
I haven’t paid yet.
DONNA
Good.
YOUNG MAN
Why? What’s wrong with this place?
DONNA
It’s a hoax. The whole thing.
YOUNG MAN
Wow. Really. When will this be on
the news?
DONNA
I don’t know yet.
YOUNG MAN
Thanks for the tip.
The young man gets up and leaves. Donna remains seated. The
lights go down.
THE END.