NormThe Chair of the Board (2006)
A chair faces.
A figure enters and sits on the chair.
Stares straight ahead.
Looks around.
Speaks:
OK, I’m watching.
Tilts head and peers.
What am I watching?
Squints.
What we all are.
Rub of the eye.
Better keep the third eye quiet.
Strains and relaxes.
How long will this last?
Scratch of the head.
Keep it quiet not without breath.
Thumb and index finger pegs the nostrils.
There might be fatalities.
Unpegs and runs index along to slit the throat.
Silent exhalations from inarticulate lips.
Rubs a furrowed and downward brow.
Can’t form words without a tongue.
Pokes it at a member.
Can too.
Sighs.
They can form in the head by way of signs.
A leg shakes.
Can’t say without tongue.
Rests elbow on dissident-leg and hand on cheek.
All my life I’ve had tongue and never have I spoken.
Eyes the sky.
Talented taster.
Folds arms as leg demonstrates louder.
Can they see me?
Looks down at recalcitrant appendage.
My leg is shaking, it’s spasmodic.
Shakes head and looks around in disgust.
Uncontrollable.
Stares blankly.
Is that me?
Stares blankly.
If not, how much else I do is involuntary?
Head swivels and leg abates.
I came here – voluntary.
Irate.
Had to pay to volunteer.
Resigns.
Charitable cause.
Smiles wryly.
The pen to the page is worthy.
Scans the audience with truant-pupils.
Worthier than the bum to the seat.
Pupils turn to owners feet.
That’s me.
Alternately lifts the toes of the feet keeping the heels grounded.
I: a bum on a seat.
Looks up and stares out.
Has this thing no end?
Stares out.
Look at me.
Engages members.
Really look at me.
Holds members.
What do you see?
Looks to the wings.
Do you really see me?
Eyes shut and hands over eyes.
Where I am no eye can catch light.
Peers out.
A figure enters and sits on the chair.
Stares straight ahead.
Looks around.
Speaks:
OK, I’m watching.
Tilts head and peers.
What am I watching?
Squints.
What we all are.
Rub of the eye.
Better keep the third eye quiet.
Strains and relaxes.
How long will this last?
Scratch of the head.
Keep it quiet not without breath.
Thumb and index finger pegs the nostrils.
There might be fatalities.
Unpegs and runs index along to slit the throat.
Silent exhalations from inarticulate lips.
Rubs a furrowed and downward brow.
Can’t form words without a tongue.
Pokes it at a member.
Can too.
Sighs.
They can form in the head by way of signs.
A leg shakes.
Can’t say without tongue.
Rests elbow on dissident-leg and hand on cheek.
All my life I’ve had tongue and never have I spoken.
Eyes the sky.
Talented taster.
Folds arms as leg demonstrates louder.
Can they see me?
Looks down at recalcitrant appendage.
My leg is shaking, it’s spasmodic.
Shakes head and looks around in disgust.
Uncontrollable.
Stares blankly.
Is that me?
Stares blankly.
If not, how much else I do is involuntary?
Head swivels and leg abates.
I came here – voluntary.
Irate.
Had to pay to volunteer.
Resigns.
Smiles wryly.
The pen to the page is worthy.
Scans the audience with truant-pupils.
Worthier than the bum to the seat.
Pupils turn to owners feet.
That’s me.
Alternately lifts the toes of the feet keeping the heels grounded.
I: a bum on a seat.
Looks up and stares out.
Has this thing no end?
Stares out.
Look at me.
Engages members.
Really look at me.
Holds members.
What do you see?
Looks to the wings.
Do you really see me?
Eyes shut and hands over eyes.
Where I am no eye can catch light.
Peers out.
