II, 2 Travis & God
2008 (Travis walks across the playing area, avoiding this talk)
GOD: Travis? (Travis stops..hesitates a moment, then turns to leave again) Trav? What’s wrong?
TRAVIS: Look Lord…could I talk to you later?
GOD: Of course…but what you trying to get away from?
TRAVIS: I just….I just don't feel like talking right now.
GOD: That uh…that’s never happened before. What’s wrong?
TRAVIS: God, I can’t think of a worse thing I could do than to not want to talk to you…and I know I’m wrong…But this time…this time I just can’t help it.. (he turns to leave again)
GOD: It’s your life.
TRAVIS: (stops, turns) I can’t do this.
GOD: Can’t do what?
TRAVIS: I can’t tell God no.
GOD: Of course you can. Lots of people do.
TRAVIS: But I mean I don't want to.
GOD: How about…how about you stop beating around the bush..trying to hide something…and just tell me what’s wrong?
TRAVIS: It was in small group today. We were talking….about what it means to follow you.
GOD: I know. I was there.
TRAVIS: Lord… I know all that’s true… but ….I don't know how to say this.
GOD: I’ve got time. Keep trying. I really want to know, Travis.
TRAVIS: It’s my friends, Lord. There.. ..I’ve said it.
GOD: Your friends?
TRAVIS: What if my friends….What if I’ve got to change in some way that might cause me to lose friends? I don't think I can do that. (a beat) I know I can’t do that.
GOD: Your …friends…
TRAVIS: I’m not as strong as you, God. Look, having friends …having people like me…that’s about the most important thing in my life. If I’ve got to act or talk or be something that friends think is weird, then… Lord.. (a long beat..nearly in tears) I get lonely. I get really, really lonely God. (crying) I’m sorry, but I can’t think of anything worse than losing my friends. I know you’re God and I should do what you say but …but what if… Lord, you just don't know what it’s like to be this lonely. There’s nothing worse than losing a friend! (a very long beat…Travis calms a little) Lord? Lord, you still there?
GOD: I’m uh…I’m still here.
TRAVIS: Did …did I say too much?
GOD: No. No, you didn’t say too much.
TRAVIS: I’m sorry. (a beat) I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have…
GOD: When you came out here just now…. You…you were trying to avoid me.
TRAVIS: I didn’t want to tell you this, Lord.
GOD: You’re my friend. You had something hurting you terribly. And you didn’t want to talk to me about it. And then you ask me….you tell me that I don't know what it’s like to be ….lonely.
TRAVIS: (a beat) I uh…I never thought of it that way.
GOD: There are a lot of things you can do that make me sad…some even make me angry.. but …but there’s nothing you can do to hurt me more than to just….than to just ignore me.
TRAVIS: (a long beat…Travis takes a deep breath…he walks away a bit, confused, a bit shattered, then returns to speaking spot) I uh…I didn’t do this very well.
GOD: Well…now you’re doing pretty well. We’re talking again. We’re being honest. You ever been mad at me before? Come on…let’s get it all out on the table.
TRAVIS: Well…yeah. When my grandpa died. I prayed and prayed….and you let him die. I was mad.
GOD: I know. You didn’t speak for about a month.
TRAVIS: Well?
GOD: Travis… if I told you everything… If I told you the why of everything… well, it would only confuse you more. Some day… and I promise you this…some day you’ll have all your questions answered..and by then you won’t even care about them, but until then….. Can you trust me?
TRAVIS: Lord, I’m really sorry…
GOD: Stop changing the subject. Can you trust me?
TRAVIS: (a beat then) Yes. Of course.
GOD: Everything…everything I tell you and especially those things I don't tell you…everything is because I love you so very much. And it’s okay if you argue with me. It really is. Just don't…Travis…please… don't stop talking to me. A friend of mine once told me that there’s nothing worse than losing a friend…
TRAVIS: (a beat as he wipes the tears from his eyes, then smiles a little) Thanks. Thanks for…for making me talk. Thanks for being my friend.
GOD: Thanks…..Thanks for being my friend. (Travis leaves)
Travis & God, II, 2 PAGE * MERGEFORMAT 3