SYBIL

Characters

BEN, a middle-aged English professor.

PSYCHOLOGIST, a younger psychologist.

Setting

Benjamin is sitting in an overstuffed chair across from a female therapist, who is also sitting on a similar chair.

Referencing J.D. Salinger short story, A Perfect Day for Bananafish.

Scene 1

PSYCHOLOGIST

Have you had any further thoughts about her?

BEN

Yes. I think about her all the time. But, I still cannot figure out who she really is and why she’s entered my life. Sometimes, I am certain that she is there for a reason and I just haven’t figured out the meaning yet. Other times, I think that she isn’t there at all and I am simply living a fantasy. Sometimes, I believe that I made it all up.

PSYCHOLOGIST

Which do you think it is?

BEN

You tell me. That’s why I’m here.

PSYCHOLOGIST

You know that it’s not that simple. A lot of what you have been telling me seems like an active imagination. But, you are an educated man who should be able to tell the difference between reality and fiction. And yet, you have said things that are not particularly rational or logical. You seem quite convinced that Sybil is real.

BEN

I never said that her name was Sybil.

PSYCHOLOGIST

Yes, you did. Right in the beginning. At our first session. Maybe, you forgot? I couldn’t have known that otherwise.

BEN

No. I was very careful not to.

PSYCHOLOGIST

Why?

BEN

I was afraid that you would think I was delusional if I told you that she was a fictional character from a short story.

PSYCHOLOGIST

Which short story?

BEN

A Perfect Day for Bananafish, by J.D. Salinger.

PSYCHOLOGIST

I am familiar with the story. Which character?

BEN

The young girl on the beach with Seymour Glass. Sybil. Sybil Carpenter.

PSYCHOLOGIST

But, why would she have entered your life?

BEN

I don’t know.

PSYCHOLOGIST

Was it that you needed her?

BEN

Maybe.

PSYCHOLOGIST

Or, was it because she needed you?

BEN

Why?

PSYCHOLOGIST

To save her.

BEN

From what?

PSYCHOLOGIST

Have you read THE CATCHER IN THE RYE?

BEN

Of course.

PSYCHOLOGIST

Maybe you are the catcher. You know, like Holden Caulfield. And, she needs you to catch her.

BEN

I cannot imagine from what?

PSYCHOLOGIST

From herself. Remember, she wasn’t able to save Seymour?

BEN

She was just a little girl. How could she have known?

PSYCHOLOGIST

Perhaps, that day weighed upon her as she got older. She certainly would have learned about his death and would have questioned if she could have done anything?

BEN

But, how would I be able to help her?

PSYCHOLOGIST

You could give her a second chance. A redemption.

BEN

I’m not sure I can. I’m not Holden.

PSYCHOLOGIST

You won’t know unless you try.

(Lights fade out.)

BLACKOUT