The Empty Guest Chair
1Dalia had written twelve questions for the student podcast. Their guest, a debate champion from another school, had canceled ten minutes before recording. Across the table, Beck stared at the empty chair. The episode was supposed to be called “People Worth Hearing.” Without their featured guest, the title sounded like a dare.
2A knock interrupted them. Ms. Ibarra, the evening custodian, held out the headphones Beck had left in the auditorium. Dalia thanked her, then glanced at the chair. “Would you be our guest?” Beck asked. Dalia slid her question sheet beneath a notebook. She expected a list of cleaning tasks, not enough material for an episode.
3Ms. Ibarra sat down but left her supply cart outside. Beck asked which room was hardest to clean. “That depends on what happened there,” she said. “After the welcome lunch, I found six chairs pulled around a seventh. Someone had made room.” Dalia moved her notebook aside. That was not an answer she could have predicted.
4Dalia asked whether Ms. Ibarra noticed things students missed. “Mostly what they leave behind,” she answered. “A room after a club meeting can tell you whether people worked together. Chairs in one circle, chairs in separate corners.” She paused. Dalia nearly supplied another question, then waited. “Of course,” Ms. Ibarra added, “I can guess wrong. That's why I ask people, too.”
5When recording ended, Beck checked the clock. They had more material than they needed. Dalia crossed out “People Worth Hearing” and wrote “After Everyone Leaves.” She had thought the guest needed an impressive introduction. Now she wanted an introduction that would get out of the guest's way.
6Before Ms. Ibarra returned to her cart, Dalia asked what question they should have asked. Ms. Ibarra considered this. “You asked me about rooms,” she said. “Next time, ask me what I do when I'm not in one.” Dalia turned her sheet over. The blank side suddenly looked useful.