I overheard a chair and table talking. The chair was bemoaning how she bore the brunt of all the labour: endured the weight of men and women leaning backwards, rocking forwards, putting pressure on her back and legs, scuffing her dainty feet. The table observed that he was bigger, stronger, yet didn’t have to carry weight at all, merely accessories to add to his good looks— silver, glassware, crisp laundered napkins. Proprietor and patrons accorded him respect, a presence of importance in the centre of a circle of chairs. Forget monogamy, he said, unless you wished to be a desk,…