Dr Robert Chase (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
intheblanks) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
poly_chromatic2012-06-17 10:44 pm
intheblanks) wrote in poly_chromatic2012-06-17 10:44 pm
Entry tags:
021: VIDEO
[The room is dim, but there's enough light for the camera to make out that there's only one person in it, sitting stiffly at the table like an interrogation subject.]
So thanks for the talk, but I reckon cutting me out of your will sent the message clear enough. Couldn't find any 'you're a disappointment' cards?
[Silence replies, but Chase continues the conversation, bitterly.]
I didn't want your money. I never wanted your money. [And he pauses, and something makes him huff a laugh.]
Figured out it was all I was going to get. You don't think I might have wanted to say goodbye?
[Why would he, since-]
I hated you. Didn't mean I didn't still-
Doesn't matter, now. Look, why don't you take this down to the hospital. Probably find someone more interested in listening to your lectures, there. Sign a few copies of your books.
[Another wait for a response that doesn't come, and Chase's tone slips from sarcastic to something dull and flat.]
You don't have a shadow, here.
[A beat. An interruption.]
Sooner be in his than yours.
[And now the silence stretches long. Chase pushes his chair back from the table and stands, but neither party are done talking.]
Allison was wrong about that.
[Barely enough time for the invisible speaker to draw breath.]
Don't want to talk about it. We're not going to talk about it. [But someone doesn't agree and, jaw clenched, despite himself, Chase listens.] Right, and you walked out on two kids and your sick wife. Careful, dad, high ground's looking a little shaky.
[He turns, walking to a counter in the back of the room. The motions, a familiar glug and clink denote drink being poured. He speaks without turning.]
It's under control. Think I'd still have a job right now if I showed up for surgery with shaky hands?
[Pause.]
It's under control.
[Silence.
Silence.
Silence, but for the hard slam of the glass against the back wall. Liquid spilling.]
And maybe I'd prefer to be just like her.
So thanks for the talk, but I reckon cutting me out of your will sent the message clear enough. Couldn't find any 'you're a disappointment' cards?
[Silence replies, but Chase continues the conversation, bitterly.]
I didn't want your money. I never wanted your money. [And he pauses, and something makes him huff a laugh.]
Figured out it was all I was going to get. You don't think I might have wanted to say goodbye?
[Why would he, since-]
I hated you. Didn't mean I didn't still-
Doesn't matter, now. Look, why don't you take this down to the hospital. Probably find someone more interested in listening to your lectures, there. Sign a few copies of your books.
[Another wait for a response that doesn't come, and Chase's tone slips from sarcastic to something dull and flat.]
You don't have a shadow, here.
[A beat. An interruption.]
Sooner be in his than yours.
[And now the silence stretches long. Chase pushes his chair back from the table and stands, but neither party are done talking.]
Allison was wrong about that.
[Barely enough time for the invisible speaker to draw breath.]
Don't want to talk about it. We're not going to talk about it. [But someone doesn't agree and, jaw clenched, despite himself, Chase listens.] Right, and you walked out on two kids and your sick wife. Careful, dad, high ground's looking a little shaky.
[He turns, walking to a counter in the back of the room. The motions, a familiar glug and clink denote drink being poured. He speaks without turning.]
It's under control. Think I'd still have a job right now if I showed up for surgery with shaky hands?
[Pause.]
It's under control.
[Silence.
Silence.
Silence, but for the hard slam of the glass against the back wall. Liquid spilling.]
And maybe I'd prefer to be just like her.
Private
Private
I was led to believe one was directly correlated to the other.
Private
Does any of this have a point?
Private
Good luck with the surgery, Doctor.