SYBIL
Chapter 8: THE RUNNER

Characters

Ben, a middle-aged man

Runner, a woman in her 20’s

Setting

A hiking trail

Scene 1

(Ben to the audience)

Ben

Sometimes, I thought she was a messenger sent for me. At least, that was what I had hoped most of the time. It seemed impossible that I would see her that often. There had to be more to it. And yet it probably was nothing more than a coincidence. My disbelief in almost everything reconfirmed that she wasn’t the miracle, angel, or muse that I had hoped. But strangely, I hadn’t given up. I desperately wanted to believe in magic. Not the slight-of-hand illusion or trick type, but the true, real, and possible kind. I wanted there to be more to it.

(Ben pauses)

There often were numerous cars in the parking lot. But because the hiking trails are so long and varied, I seldom saw anyone during my walks. And yet, I had seen this particular runner an unusually large number of times. I could always tell it was her, even from a distance. She always wore the same cap. Occasionally, because she was running, she would pass me twice. Most of the time we just waved and said, “Hi.” But one time, we briefly talked.

(Ben to the Runner)

Ben

Excuse me, but did you ever notice that our paths cross quite often? We’ve run into each other more than a few times. I don’t even come here on the same days or times.

Runner

I don’t either. Maybe, it’s fate.

(Ben to the audience)

Ben

That’s all she said. (beat) She then continued her run along the trail. I watched her disappear over the hill. I had begun to think that I would never see her again. Perhaps, it hadn’t been fate and there wasn’t anything beyond what it was in the first place, just a coincidence. Maybe, I wanted it so badly that I convinced myself that something had happened. Now, I think I was just desperate. It was a year before I would see her again. This time, her dog was running with her.

(Ben to the Runner)

Ben

Well, there you are again. I didn’t know you had a dog.

Runner

Yes. His name is Guinness. I’ve only had him a little while. He’s still a puppy.

Ben

Nice, and well behaved.

Runner

He’s become my running companion.

Ben

You make a good team.

(Ben to the audience)

Ben

And again she ran off. I wanted to say more. (beat) “Say, here we are running into each other again. Do you still think it might be fate?” Or, “It’s been a while, I began to believe that I would never see you again.” Or, “I had given up hope that you were sent to me for a reason.” None of those responses seemed appropriate. So, I said nothing. (beat) But, I imagined it happened another way.

(The lights fade out and back in.)

Scene 2

(Ben to the Runner)

Ben

Well, there you are again. I see that you have a dog?

Runner

Yes. His name is Guinness.

Ben

He’s a nice dog. You two look good together.

Runner

Thanks. He’s a good running companion.

Ben

I can see that. Strangely, you seem to run on the same days that I’m here. And, our paths continue to cross.

Runner

I know. I’ve been thinking about fate. You remember?

Ben

Yes, off course.

Runner

I don’t believe in coincidences.

Ben

Me either.

Runner

I don’t want to miss an opportunity. Perhaps there was a reason for our meeting.

Ben

I have been wondering the same.

Runner

Maybe we should talk?

(Ben to the audience)

Ben

But of course, it didn’t happen that way.

(The lights fade out and back in.)

Scene 3

(Ben to the audience)

Ben

Maybe, it could have happened this way.

(Runner to Ben)

Runner

I’ve been looking for you.

Ben

Really?

Runner

Yes. I have been running more often than usual and staying longer in hopes of seeing you.

Ben

Why?

Runner

I’ve been thinking about what you said about the number of times we have seen each other. Do you think it’s just something random?

Ben

I don’t know.

Runner

Maybe, it means something.

Ben

What?

Runner

I’m not sure, but I’ve wondered if you were sent to me for some reason?

Ben

I don’t think so.

Runner

Are you certain?

Ben

Yes.

Runner

You don’t have a message to tell me?

Ben

No.

Runner

Somehow, I was so hoping that you were a messenger. I imagined that you were what I have been waiting for.

Ben

I wish that I could have been that, but I don’t think so. I’m just as lost as you are.

(Ben to audience)

I wanted to tell her that I was hoping that it was the other way around, that I had the same thoughts about her. But, I didn’t. I didn’t want her to know how disappointed I was that she wasn’t the angel that I had imagined.

(The lights fade out and back in.)

Scene 4

(Ben to the audience)

Ben

Again, months passed before I saw her. The next time she was again with her dog. She ran past me, stopped and came back.

(Runner to Ben.)

Runner

Yes. It ’s Guinness and me again.

(Ben addresses the audience. )

This time, I could see that she had something on her mind.

(Runner to Ben.)

Runner

I have something to tell you.

Ben

I always hoped you did.

Runner

It’s not what you think.

Ben

No?

Runner

You have to stop talking to me. It only gives you false hope.

Ben

Actually, it gives me my only hope.

Runner

You have to go on with your life without me.

Ben

Why?

Runner

It is keeping you from moving forward and discovering your real self, and finding happiness.

Ben

I don’t understand?

Runner

Our meeting was just a coincidence. You invented the rest. I’m not really there for you. It’s just in your imagination that wants it to be more. It is time for you to stop.

Ben

It’s not true. I can’t believe that.

Runner

It’s true. There was no miracle, just your need for one. You have to look for the everyday magic that is all around you. It’s the only way. Our meeting was just chance and you made it into something else.

Ben

You don’t believe that.

Runner

But, deep down inside you do. You know there is no burning bush, no revelation, no redemption outside of yourself.

(Ben puts his hands to cover his face with a look of resignation.)

(The lights fade out and then back in.)

Scene 5

(Ben addresses the audience)

She turned and ran away. It was the last time I would see her. (beat)

I began to question it myself. Had I created my own schizophrenia? Had I wanted something so badly that it became my reality? At first, I kept hoping that I was wrong. But eventually, I resigned myself to the truth. I knew that I had to find my own way. I just had no hope I would.

None the less, I continued to go hiking. My walks still crossed the paths of others. Some of them would smile or say “hi” as they ran past me. Sometimes, they would be with their dog. Seldom did I see the same person or dog. For me, there were no further questions about fate or coincidence. I no longer imagined one of them was sent for me.

One day, a dog without a leash came running down the trail towards me with something in its mouth.

(Ben to an imaginary dog)

Ben

Hi, boy. What are you doing here?

(Ben to the audience)

I recognized the dog.

(Ben to an imaginary dog)

Are you Guinness? Where’s your person? What have you got there?

(Ben to the audience)

The dog dropped the object at my feet and ran back in the direction that he had come. I watched him until he disappeared before I looked down at what he had left. I then picked up the cap that I knew so well.

BLACKOUT

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