In May 1976, at the age of 29, I wrote this dialogue as an exercise in exploring identity, agency, and the forces that shape human thought. Three voices—the self, the conscience, and the disruptive impulse—interact around a simple table, questioning existence, morality, and the meaning of action. What follows is a conversation untouched since its creation, a small window into a younger mind wrestling with timeless questions.

Characters:

• I – the self, doubting, observing, asserting autonomy

• Defender – the conscience, moralist, protector

• Supplanter – the disruptive impulse, instinctual, provocative

(There is a person sitting at a round table partially hidden by the darkness. There is an empty chair at the table, and the man is leaning back in the chair against the wall with his hands clasped behind his head. Another person enters and walks up to the table and attempts to pull out the empty chair and sit down.)

I – That seat is taken.
Defender – But I must sit down.
I – I’m sorry but you cannot sit there.
Defender – Then what do I do?
I – You can stand.
Defender – I’ll not stand for this.
I – Then please, sit down.
Defender – Thank you.
I – Don’t thank me.
Defender – Then who?

I – Why are you here?
Defender – I was invited.
I – By whom?
Defender – By you.
I – I did not invite you.
Defender – Then who did?
I – I don’t know. Maybe you should leave.
Defender – I’ve got to find out why I came before I leave.
I – I see no point in this.

(A third person arrives carrying a chair and walks up to the table.)

Supplanter – I do.
I – Who are you?
Supplanter – I am the one who wanted us to meet.
Defender – You are?
I – That’s what he said, don’t you listen?
Defender – But why?
Supplanter – Is that important?
I – No, it’s not. Please leave, both of you.

(Defender makes a move to get up, but Supplanter motions “no” with his head and swings the chair he was holding behind his back, sitting down.)

Supplanter – Sorry I’m late, but I was looking for a chair.
Defender – That’s nice.
I – No it’s not.
Supplanter – Have you been here long?
Defender – Not too long.
I – He just got here.
Supplanter – And you?
I – I’ve been here all my life.
Defender – I’m sorry to hear that.
I – I’m not.
Supplanter – Don’t pay any attention to him.
Defender – He seemed like such a nice person.
I – I’m not.
Defender – But why?
I – Why not?
Supplanter – Is this necessary?

I – It wasn’t until you two arrived.
Defender – We came to help.
I – I never asked for any help.
Supplanter – That’s why we came.
I – And that’s why you can leave.
Defender – But we haven’t done anything.
I – And you won’t either.
Supplanter – You mean you won’t let us.
I – I didn’t say that.
Supplanter – It was implied, wasn’t it?
Defender – Yes, I think it was.
I – You don’t know what I mean.
Supplanter – I think we do.
Defender – I agree.
I – Who are you two?
Defender – I am the defender.
I – The what?
Supplanter – I’m the supplanter.
I – That doesn’t make any sense.
Supplanter – Not now.
Defender – But in time it will.
I – I don’t ever want to know.
Supplanter – What are you?
I – I am I.
Defender – But who are you now?
I – I am here now.
Supplanter – Are you?
I – I am alive, so I must be here.
Defender – But how?
I – I think, therefore I am I.
Supplanter – You think?
I – Yes, I do, but as a doubter.
Supplanter – Then all you’ve said is false.
Defender – He’s right, you know.
I – How’s that?
Supplanter – If you doubt everything.
I – And I do.
Defender – Take your time.
Supplanter – Then you should also doubt yourself?
Defender – Take your time.

I – My physical body proves my life leaving me free to doubt.
Supplanter – Does this give you meaning?
I – There is no real meaning.
Defender – Life is meaning.
Supplanter – What is real?
I – Real is whatever you want it to be.
Defender – Is life real?
I – Life is absurd.
Supplanter – To you?
I – To all of us.
Defender – Not to me.
I – Then you are foolish.
Supplanter – And you? How do you feel?
I – I feel with my fingers.
Defender – But why do you have to be so.
I – So what?
Supplanter – So asinine.
I – I have no choice.
Supplanter – You can do whatever you want.
Defender – Within reason, of course.
I – I do what I must.
Supplanter – How’s that?
I – It’s either survive or perish.
Defender – There’s much more than that.
I – What?
Defender – It’s how you live.
Supplanter – Experiencing everything life has to offer.
I – That sounds like a real drag.
Defender – The way you’re living is a drag.
I – How do you know how I live?
Supplanter – You’ve told us.
I – I’ve told you only what I want you to know.
Defender – Yes, that and much more.
I – What gives you the right to dissect me?
Supplanter – We could do it by force.
I – I abhor violence.
Defender – Then submit yourself voluntarily.
I – I can’t.
Supplanter – You can if you want.
I – That’s the whole point.

Defender – What’s the point?
Supplanter – He’s not ready.
Defender – You’re not ready?
I – He said it, not me.
Defender – There is no right time.
Supplanter – You’re such a silly, gutless little man.
I – You know, I could tolerate one of you, but the other, I can’t stand.
Supplanter – Let’s go; I can see now it was a mistake.
Defender – We had to try, didn’t we?
I – No you didn’t.
Defender – I cannot help but think.
I – Don’t think, and you won’t exist.
Defender – I really am sorry.
Supplanter – I’m not.
I – Just get out of here, both of you.
Defender – You’re being silly.
Supplanter – He’s not worth the effort.
I – It’s about time.
Defender – But what will you do?
I – I’ll survive.
Supplanter – Will you?
I – Yes, if you ever leave me alone.
Defender – Nobody can live like that.
I – Who said anything about living?
Defender – We’ll come back again.
I – No you won’t.
Supplanter – You’re right, we won’t.
Defender – But why?
I – Why not?
Supplanter – Because you’re dead already.
I – Come to think of it, I don’t like either one of.

(Both visitors get up and leave the table.)

I – Hey, you forgot your chair.
Supplanter – Keep it; it’s yours anyway.