TRINITY RISES (Stage Version) By D. M. Larson from Freedrama.net

The Stage has the interior of Grandpa Joe's house (living room and Bedroom) and outside the front door. 

Grandfather Joe excitedly shows Trinity his letter from the government.  Dad comes in.

JOE

There's enough money here to pay off the house, pay for your school and buy me a new truck.

DAD

A new truck?  You're nearly blind.

JOE

But then I could crash in style.

DAD

See what I have to deal with?  I can't do this anymore.

JOE

You've only been home for half an hour.

DAD

That's all it takes.  Welcome home, Trini.  I've gotta go.

Dad leaves out front door in a fluster.  Joe locks the door behind him.  He finds Dad's bag and tosses it in the trash. 

TRINITY

Isn't that Dad's bag?

JOE

Shhh.

Dad comes to door but it is locked.  He bangs on it.

DAD

I forgot my bag.

Joe pretends like he can't hear him.

DAD (Cont.)

I know you can hear me!  Trini!

Trinity opens the door.

DAD (CONT.)

Where's my bag?

JOE

You mean your purse?

DAD

It's not a purse... it's a... man bag.

Trinity gets it out of the trash.  Dad stomps out.  Trinity goes to hug Joe.

TRINITY

Looks like you two are still having fun together.

JOE

He loves every minute of it.

Dad is seen outside angrily looking through his bag.

DAD

Where are my keys?

Joe goes to his bedroom and covers the car keys with a pillow and sits. Trinity gets the government letter and follows him.  She frowns.

JOE

What's wrong?  Does it say, "just kidding" at the end?

TRINITY

It's for real.  But this is hush money isn't it?

JOE

Consider my lips sealed.

TRINITY

They're paying off all the uranium miners.  They don't want everyone to know that the mining gave you cancer.

JOE

They're taking care of us.  They even got me a nurse.  She's a cutie. 

TRINITY

A nurse? 

Dad comes back in.

DAD

Where are my keys, old man?

Joe looks around blindly. 

JOE

Who is that, Trini?  I can't see.

Dad

Can it.

TRINITY

Dad... Grandpa has a nurse?

DAD

Where is she anyway?  She's supposed to be here by now.

JOE

It's the weekend.  She's just here during the week.

TRINITY

If Grandpa has a nurse, why did you need me to come home?

Dad pulls Trinity into the living room.  Joe leans over to listen and falls on to the floor.  Trinity starts to go help him but Dad stops her.

Dad

He's fine.

TRINITY

I'm going to fail all my classes now because I came home.

Dad

I need help, Trini.  I can't do this alone anymore.

Dad sinks into a chair in the living room.

TRINITY

You don't look like you're feeling very well.

DAD

I'm tired.  I'm working two jobs just to keep up on the bills. 

TRINITY

I'm sorry, Dad.  I know school is expensive. 

DAD

I'm not sure I can help you get all the way through... how many more years is it going to be?

TRINITY

Who knows.  I'll need to do this semester over again.  I nearly didn't pass last semester.  They probably would have kicked me out if I'd stayed.

DAD

So you're done.

TRINITY

I am now.

They are silent a moment and then they hear Joe moaning.  Dad goes to the doorway of the living room and cries out.

DAD

Dad!

Trinity rushes to join him and sees Joe still on the floor.  Dad heads for for him but them steps over him and gets his keys from under the pillow.

DAD

That's what you get for taking my keys.  Hide them again and I'll hide your medications and we'll see who's laughing then.  I'm going to work.

Dad exits and Trinity goes to help Joe.  Joe waves her away and gets up. 

JOE

So you quit school?  I have the money now.  I can pay for it.  But don't tell your dad how much money I have.  I like it when he's at work all the time.  He's such a pest when he's home.

TRINITY

I think I made big mistake with school.  I'm not failing because it's too hard.  I'm failing because I hate it.

JOE

So what do you like?

TRINITY

Plants... I like plants.

JOE

So you want to be farmer like your Grandpa huh?

TRINITY

Maybe.  There's something about them that turns me on.  And they don't talk back and they don't... suffer.

JOE

Does death scare you?

TRINITY

No, but the dying does... Are you hurting, Grandpa?

JOE

A little.  But my pusher brings me some good drugs.

TRINITY

Pusher?

JOE

Nurse Grace.  An old man's fantasy come true.

TRINITY

You dirty old man.

JOE

Don't you know it.  I'm not sure if it's the drugs or her perfume that makes me all light headed, but she's my angel. 

Trinity is checking out the drugs he has.

JOE (Cont.)

They call it a comfort pack.  I guess I could take the whole thing and get it done with...

TRINITY

Grandpa, no.

JOE

I won't.  Not as long as Grace is taking care of me. 

TRINITY

I've gotta meet this nurse.

JOE

I think she likes me too.

TRINITY

I'm sure she does.  Who could resist you?  

JOE

I've sure missed you, kid-o.

TRINITY

I've missed you too.

She hugs him.

NEXT DAY.

It's the next day and the doorbell rings.  Trinity answers and it is Nurse GRACE.  She's a big and jolly looking woman.

TRINITY

Nurse Grace?

GRACE

You must be Trinity.

TRINITY

That's right.

GRACE

Pleased to meet you.  Your grandfather thinks you're the cat's meow of the family. 

TRINITY

Yes, I'm the baby... spoiled rotten.

GRACE

Where's Old Man Withers?

Trinity smiles and Joe comes out of his room in a tie and nice shirt.

JOE

If it isn't my angel of mercy.

GRACE

Oh, stop that.

JOE

Isn't she the most beautiful thing you never did see?

TRINITY

Why are you all dressed up?

JOE

Grace is taking me on a date.

TRINITY

A date?

GRACE

I have to take him where ever he wants to go.  What is it today?

JOE

The casino!

GRACE

That smoky air isn't good for you.

JOE

They have a non-smoking room now.  Besides.  I have to spend this government check they sent me before my kids get it.

TRINITY

Grandpa!

JOE

I'm just kidding... a little.

GRACE

Let's give you a checkup before we get going.  Sit.  How have you been feeling?

Grace pulls out her stethoscope.

JOE

I've been kind of achy. I think a little rigimortis is setting in.

TRINITY

I hope not.

GRACE

I guess at your age, you never know.

JOE

How about a sponge bath too?

GRACE

Maybe later today.

JOE

Hot dog.

GRACE

But only if you're good.

JOE

I'll be a good boy.

GRACE

You have to hold something over his head or he gets totally out of control.

TRINITY

Are you going through your second adolescence?

GRACE

I've known teen-age boys that have been better behaved than him.

JOE

Dang.  Gotta pee.

GRACE

Need help?

JOE

Nope.

Joe heads for the bathroom.

GRACE

He gets all shy about using the potty.

TRINITY

He's all bark and no bite I see.

GRACE

Uh-huh.

Grace is making notes in his chart.

Trinity

So how's he doing?

GRACE

Fine for now.  He's sick enough that all the government aid kicked in.  The old uranium miners have been getting a lot of good help, both medical and financial.

TRINITY

Hush money.

GRACE

You can be bitter or you can be proud of your grandfather for making a great sacrifice for his country.

TRINITY

What?

GRACE

He's proud of what he did.  It's men like your grandfather that helped win the cold war.  If these men hadn't mined uranium during the time of need, who knows where our country would be.

TRINITY

Wow, that's some dandy propaganda you're spewing.

She pulls out a pamphlet about Cold War Patriots and gives it to her.

GRACE

I think I have it down.  We're supposed to memorize that pamphlet.  I have a rough version of the first paragraph down but you can read the rest for yourself.

TRINITY

So do you really believe this?

GRACE

It brings comfort to men like your grandfather. 

TRINITY

They're proud to suffer.

GRACE

Something like that. 

Grace looks concerned as Joe comes out of the bathroom.

TRINITY

Don't worry. I won't say anything to him about it.

GRACE

Ready to hit the slots?

Joe

Let it ride!

Trinity reads the brochure as Joe and Grace leave.

GRACE (Off stage)

Watch the hands!

Trinity shakes her head.  She looks at the Cold War Patriot brochure and then pulls out her cell phone.  She dials.

TRINITY

Hey... is this Randy?  It's your cousin, Trinity.  Yeah, I'm back home... I need some help.  It's about Grandpa and the uranium mining... sure, come on over.

Trinity hangs up her phone and falls frustrated into a chair.

LATER in Day

Randy comes up to the door of the house and knocks.  Trinity has been pacing and jumps a little at the knock.  She goes to the door.

RANDY

Can I help you?

TRINITY

Hey, Randy.  You still fighting the power?

RANDY

Every day. 

TRINITY

...so what do you know about the uranium mining starting again?

RANDY

Shh... let's go inside.

RANDY looks around nervously. 

TRINITY

Have you been getting yourself in trouble again?

RANDY

Trouble means change.  What do you want, Trinity?

TRINITY

What's the deal with this Cold War Patriot crap? 

She gives her the brochure.

RANDY

Government needs uranium for bombs.  Gets guys to think they're fighting Russia by digging up the stuff no matter what.  Won the Cold War, but now a whole lot of guys got cancer. 

TRINITY

This is horrible.

RANDY

Gets worse.  They're coming back again.

TRINITY

What?

RANDY

The mines.  Uranium is worth a pretty penny now.  They're going to start digging again.

TRINITY

We can't let them.  You have to help me protest this.

RANDY

Let's make a stand!

NEXT DAY.

Randy goes out in audience to hand out protest fliers.  Dad comes up to him and takes one.   He orders Randy out of the auditorium and marches up to the house.

Trinity is working on a protest sign.  Dad storms into the house with a protest flier.

DAD

What is this?

TRINITY

I'm leading a protest march against the uranium mining companies that want to return to our town.

DAD

Why?

Showing one of her signs.

TRINITY

Uranium = Cancer.

DAD

And why are you helping her?

Grandpa Joe is making a sign too. 

JOE

Fight the power, dude.

DAD

You're fighting the people who put a roof over your head and food in your stomach.

TRINITY

That doesn't make it right.  We can't let ourselves be bought so easily.

DAD

What's wrong with providing jobs?  And they're good jobs.  A lot better than the two crappy minimum wage jokes I'm doing every day.

TRINITY

Some things are more important than money.

DAD

Like what?

TRINITY

Like our health.

DAD

Grandpa Joe is old.  He would be going down hill anyway.

JOE

True.

TRINITY

You're impossible.

DAD

At least I'm realistic.  You're always off on some wild unicorn quest, Trinity.  Well unicorns don't exist.

JOE

I've seen a unicorn.

TRINITY

I'm tired of everyone around here rolling over and begging for handouts.  I want us to take control of our lives and do something with them.

DAD

How in heaven's name did I raise such a difficult child?

JOE

I was thinking the same thing.

DAD stomps into his room in frustration and slams the door.  Grandpa holds up his sign.  It's a mushroom cloud with a happy face.

JOE (CONT.)

You like my sign, Trini?

Trinity's angry face breaks into a smile and she bursts out laughing.

DOWNSTAGE OUTSIDE HOUSE (possibly in audience?)

Trinity walks with Grandpa Joe through a farm field.  Joe is using her for support and is going slow.  

JOE

How did the protest go today?

TRINITY

Nobody showed up.

They walk in silence a bit.  Trinity bends down to inspect a plant...

JOE

Some of these plants just won't give up.  You want to plant something here?

TRINITY

Would that be okay?

JOE

I'd love that.  Your father never took an interest.  I'm hoping it skipped a generation.

TRINITY

Me too.  I'd love to see this field green again.

JOE

I'm not sure you should plant anything edible though.

TRINITY

Why not?

JOE

The soil is a bit contaminated. 

TRINITY

But we're miles from the mine.

JOE

Water is the problem.

TRINITY

Uh!  This is what I'm talking about.  Look at what they've done already... and they want it back again?

JOE

I'm not feeling so good, Trini.

Trinity grabs him and guides him back to the house.

TRINITY

I'm sorry, Grandfather.

JOE

It's not your fault.  I really appreciate you taking me out here.  I miss it.

TRINITY

I'll see if there's something interesting I can plant out here for you.  And the uranium water will give it a nice glow.

JOE

That's the spirit.

Nurse Grace meets them at the porch.

GRACE

Out for a walk?

JOE

I was racing Trinity through the fields.  I won.

GRACE

Oh, really?  I guess you don't need me anymore then.

JOE

Okay, maybe she beat me. 

TRINITY

But only by a little bit.

GRACE

Oh, good.  I thought I was out of a job.

JOE

Never.  Time for my sponge bath?

GRACE

Oh, why not.

JOE

Hot dog!

Later in the WEEK.

Trinity sits beside her Grandpa Joe who is sleeping. 

Joe stirs and reaches for Trinity.

JOE

Mary?

TRINITY

No, Grandpa Joe.  It's Trini.

JOE

I could have swore you were Mary.

TRINITY

Grandma Mary?

JOE

Yes, it almost felt like she was here with us.

TRINITY

Dad says I look a little like her.

JOE

You do.

TRINITY

Where is Dad anyway?

JOE

He's been gone a lot lately.

TRINITY

I'll be here when Grace can't be.

JOE

Grace?

TRINITY

Your nurse.

JOE

Oh, yes.  My angel.

TRINITY

Can I bring you anything?

JOE

You're all I need right now.

They sit quietly a moment.  Both their eyes drift out to the field.

TRINITY

I started planting.

JOE

Did you?

TRINITY

Some native plants that are pretty rare around here now.  Just for fun.

JOE

How about some corn?

TRINITY

Maybe.

JOE

I'd like that if you planted some for me.

TRINITY

Okay.  I will.

JOE

Corn... if only it was as sought after as uranium.

TRINITY

It would have solved a lot of my problems.

JOE

Am I your problem?

TRINITY

No...

JOE

Then what's wrong?

TRINITY

I shouldn't bother you with this.

JOE

Bother me, please.  Everyone is so worried about bothering me to the point of ignoring me.  I'd rather be bothered than ignored.

TRINITY

I feel like a failure.

JOE

What do you mean?

TRINITY

I couldn't make in medical school.  I'm better at growing plants than saving lives...

JOE

Growing plants is good.

TRINITY

Doesn't pay as well as medicine.

JOE

Why does that matter?

TRINITY

It matters.

JOE

In the end, no one wishes for more money.

Joe closes his eyes and Trinity looks at him sadly.  He stirs and smiles at her.

TRINITY

What do you wish for Grandpa?

JOE

Your happiness.

Next DAY.

Nurse Grace is in the living room talking to Trinity.  Grandpa is in his bedroom resting.

GRACE

He's going to be in a lot of pain. 

TRINITY

Can't you do the meds?

GRACE

I'm not on duty 24-7.  If he's going to stay home, you're going to need to help.

TRINITY

What if I give him too much?

GRACE

You won't.  Start with 4mg and if he is still in pain, give him 4mg more.

TRINITY

What if he stops breathing?

GRACE

He's dying, Trinity.  The important thing now is to make him comfortable.

TRINITY

Can I call you? 

GRACE

Yes, you can call us.  Someone can talk you through the meds.  And we'll be here if it's an emergency, but you can handle the meds... You'll be just fine, Trinity.  You can do this.

Grace leaves.  Trinity sighs and goes and sits sadly by her Grandpa Joe.  Joe is watching something in the corner of the room.

JOE

Do you see him?

TRINITY

Who?

Joe looks at Trinity

JOE

I was good friends a Navajo man named Germy Begay.  Jeremy was his real name but I called him Germy.  We worked together at the mine.   Germy was the one who discovered the first rock of uranium here.

TRINITY

Really?  Was he rich?

JOE

No, the white man he told about it got rich.

TRINITY

That's not right.

JOE

It's okay.  He was so proud of his discovery.  It gave all those people jobs.  Me included.  They were good paying jobs too.  The only thing around here before that was farming and that didn't pay well at all.  I loved farming but it didn't pay the bills anymore.  Did you know that plastic killed the farms?

TRINITY

Plastic?

JOE

Plastic allowed veggies to be shipped over long distances.  People no longer needed local sources.  They could get their veggies from a big farm somewhere out east where some factory cranked out more than we ever could... I hate plastic.

Grandpa Joe is staring at something in the corner like Germy is in the room.

TRINITY

What was Germy like?

JOE

He had two loves... women... and ice cream.

TRINITY

Ice cream?

JOE

It was the happiest day of his life when Baskin Robbins came to town. 

TRINITY and Joe

31 flavors.

JOE

He was probably prouder of that than anything else.  When knew his discovery had brought Baskin Robbins to town, he knew he had truly done something wonderful.

TRINITY

That's too funny.

JOE

I think he enjoyed that almost as much as the Mansion.

TRINITY

The Mansion?

JOE

You know that big blue and white mansion outside of town.

TRINITY

Yeah?

JOE

That's where he enjoyed his other love.

TRINITY

What?  The mansion was... one of those places.

JOE

A house of ill repute.  Still is I think.

TRINITY

No way.

JOE

They say it's a bed and breakfast... emphasis on bed. I wonder if I could get Grace to take me there tomorrow?

TRINITY

Grandpa!

JOE

We called it the playboy mansion.

TRINITY

I've heard enough.

Trinity is laughing.  Joe stares at the corner again.

JOE

He's laughing too.

TRINITY

Who?

JOE

No one, Mary... I need to rest now.

Trinity holds his hand and Joe closes his eyes.

GRANDFATHER'S HOUSE. Night.

Trinity is asleep in a chair.  Grandpa Joe is awake smiling.  He starts giggling.  Trinity wakes up and goes to him.

TRINITY

What's so funny?

JOE

Do you see them?

TRINITY

Who?

JOE

The bunnies.

TRINITY

Bunnies.

Trinity looks around and under the bed.

JOE

They're dancing.

TRINITY

Dancing bunnies?

Joe burst out laughing.

JOE

They're Playboy Bunnies!  Oh, Germy.  You bad boy.  Ha!

Trinity looks as if trying to see them. 

JOE (CONT.)

You shouldn't be looking.  Cover your eyes!

Trinity laughs as Joe tries to cover her eyes.  She gets away.  Joe points.

JOE (CONT.)

Look out.  You nearly stepped on one.

TRINITY

What kind of dance are they doing?

JOE

A conga line!

Trinity starts doing the conga as is she's joined the line.  Joe laughs even harder.

JOE (CONT.)

You're going the wrong way!

Trinity laughs too.  Grandpa start coughing.  Trinity stops and goes to him.

TRINITY

Are you okay?

JOE

The pain... it's getting...

TRINITY

Do you need the morphine?

JOE

It hurts...

TRINITY

I'll get some.

Joe is in obvious pain. Trinity rushes to the other room and gets the supply Nurse Grace gave her.  She's shaking badly.

JOE

You'll be okay...

TRINITY

That's my line.

Joe calms after getting the medicine.

JOE

Thank you.  That's good "more fine."

TRINITY

You mean morphine?

JOE

No... "more fine" because when you get some everything is more fine.

Trinity tries to smile but she is still shaken by giving the drugs.  He drifts off to sleep.  Trinity is still shaking and goes back to the living room.  She collapses.  Dad comes home from work and sees her.  He rushes to her.

DAD

Trini?

TRINITY

Shhh... I'm okay.  Don't wake Grandpa.

DAD

What's going on?

TRINITY

He's in so much pain... I don't know if I can do this.

DAD

Now you know why I called you.

TRINITY

I haven't felt this horrible in a long time... It's almost as bad as when Mom left us.

DAD

It is like Grandpa is leaving us too.

TRINITY

But he doesn't have a choice... Mom did.

DAD

She was never satisfied with how things were.  You get that from her. 

Trinity gives him a dirty look.  Dad tries to explain.

DAD (CONT.)

You have her spirit... she was so full of life... and maybe I was just too dead for her.  I wanted a family... she wanted adventure.  I wanted her to settle down and find a job.  She wanted me to quit my job and hit the road like some hippy.  I didn't think that was a good way to raise a child.  So she left.  Then you got older and turned out to be more and more like her.  When you went off on your little medical school adventure, I felt all those old feelings again. Maybe I was using Grandpa as an excuse to get you back home when it was me who had the problem.  I'm lucky you didn't reject like your mother did.  I'm sorry I made you quit school.  That was a mistake.

TRINITY

No... it wasn't.  I hated it.

DAD

Really?

TRINITY

It wasn't right for me... I love science but the blood... ugh. 

DAD

So what are you going to do?

TRINITY

Good question... what do you want me to do?

Dad considers answering her.  He stops himself.

DAD

I should let you find your own way.

TRINITY

But I'm so lost.

DAD

What do you like?  What makes you happy?

TRINITY

Farming.

DAD

Farming?

TRINITY

I want to be a farmer.

DAD

Really?

TRINITY

I love plants.  Something about digging and growing... I feel at peace. 

DAD

We are a family of farmers.

TRINITY

It seems so useless since we can't eat what we grow.  What do you do with corn you can't eat?

DAD

Have you ever heard of biofuel?

Dad gets a brochure and hands it to Trinity.

TRINITY

Biofuel?

DAD

It's fuel raised from things like corn.

TRINITY

Wait, I have heard about that.

DAD

We could do that with our corn.  It's something I've been thinking about for a while now.  The university is looking for places to do some experimental growth programs.  We could sign up.

TRINITY

Yes!

Trinity hugs her father and looks excitedly at the brochure.

DAD

And best of all, we can do it right here.  And we can do something that our family has been doing for generations.

TRINITY

You don't know what this means to me.

DAD

It's nice to make you smile for a change.

TRINITY

Have I been that bad?

DAD

We both haven't had much to smile about lately. 

Dad yawns.

DAD (CONT.)

I need to hit the hay.  I've got a big day tomorrow.

TRINITY

Good night, Dad.

Trinity heads for the front door.

DAD

Where are you going?

TRINITY

I think I'm going to grow something.

Trinity heads to the field and Dad watches puzzled.

FARM FIELD. SUNRISe.

Trinity is working the field (downstage).  She has been digging all night.  Suddenly Joe appears looking very refreshed and wearing an all white flowing bed gown. 

JOE

You need to sleep.

TRINITY

What are you doing out of bed?

JOE

I should ask you the same thing?

TRINITY

I mean... I didn't think you could.

JOE

I didn't either.

TRINITY

Let me help you back.

JOE

I remember wanting to find you and then I was here.

TRINITY

Maybe the bunnies carried you.

JOE

Maybe.  How sad I can't remember that.

TRINITY

A moment worth savoring.

JOE

You've been crying.

TRINITY

I needed to water my plants somehow.

JOE

That's seems like the hard way.

TRINITY

No, it's much easier than carrying the buckets of water. 

JOE

Why were you crying?

TRINITY

I don't want you to go, Grandpa.

JOE

You're strong, Trini.  You can do anything you put your mind to...

TRINITY

No, I can't.  I'm failing at everything.  I was flunking out of medical school.  And I'm giving up on this whole uranium thing too.  I only wanted to do something to help my community.  I saw a problem and I wanted to fix it.  But no one seems to care.  It's a battle I can't win.

JOE

So pick a path of peace.

TRINITY

What do you mean?

JOE

When your enemy blocks your way, find a way around.

TRINITY

Around?

JOE

Look around you.  What do you have?  You have sun... you have wind.  You have soil to grow. What do you want out of life?

TRINITY

At the moment, a nap.

JOE

What else?

TRINITY

To help my family.

JOE

You're doing that.  You gave up a lot to come take care of me.

TRINITY

I don't mind.

JOE

What else do you want out of life?

TRINITY

To help my community.

JOE

So now, we need to figure out how you can help.  You're a natural farmer. I'm leaving you my field. Grow something.

TRINITY

Dad thinks I should try corn.

JOE

Corn is good.

TRINITY

Corn for biofuel.

JOE

Biofuel?

TRINITY

We can grow our fuel.  We can harness the wind.  We can convert the sun to energy.  We have it all right here.  And the best thing... no one gets hurt.

JOE

I got a sunburn once.

Trinity laughs.  Joe is leaving.

TRINITY

Where are you going?

JOE

It's my time...

TRINITY

What do you mean?

JOE

I love you, Trini...

Joe exits.  Trinity is stunned... she runs for the house...

TRINITY

Grandpa?   Grandpa Joe?

DAD

What is it, Trini?

TRINITY

Grandpa!

END OF PLAY