TWO CHAIRS
A Play in Seven Acts
by Catherine Tricarico
CHARACTERS
HER
HIM
SETTING
A bare stage. Two wooden chairs. Dim light.
No set changes. Only bodies, silences, and the two chairs.
ACT I: STILLNESS
Stage: Bare. Two wooden chairs, far apart. Dim light. A hush that feels like waiting.
From opposite sides, they enter. Very slowly. Each step separated by stillness. Neither looks at the other. They pause midway, as if uncertain. Finally, both continue and sit. The chairs creak faintly.
Long silence.
He fidgets with his hands in his lap. Fingers clench, unclench. He glances up, almost at her, then drops his eyes.
She notices, but looks away. Her foot begins to tap lightly against the floor. A rhythm.
Silence holds.
HER (quietly): I was there.
No response. He shifts in his chair, restless. Silence stretches.
HER (after another long pause): You didn’t see me.
He stirs, runs a hand through his hair, then grips the chair tightly. Silence.
HER: Always looking somewhere else.
(beat)
Never at me.
Silence. He exhales sharply. Still does not look up.
HIM (suddenly, snapping): Stop looking at me!
The words burst out, loud after the long quiet. He grips the chair as if bracing himself. Silence follows; heavy, almost unbearable. Her foot stops tapping.
HER (steady, after a pause): I wasn’t looking.
Silence again. She lowers her head. He stares down into his lap. Neither moves.
Blackout.
reflections of an unquiet mind 