TRAVIS: Lord? ….Lord, you there?
GOD: Yep. Here, there…everywhere. I thought we covered that.
TRAVIS: Sorry.. Lord, there’s something that’s been bothering me.
GOD: Look, Brenna’s doing the best he can and…
TRAVIS: No…no, I mean about me. …and You.
GOD: Then let’s talk about it.
TRAVIS: I don't know for sure how to say this…
GOD: You never do. So just go ahead. Blurt it out.
TRAVIS: Okay. Here goes.. .How do I know it’s you talking?
GOD: Uh…do I sound different?
TRAVIS: No..no… I mean, right now I know it’s you.. but sometimes…Sometimes when I get away from PAC, I have questions…you know…problems and stuff…and I need an answer and I pray to you and then ….here’s where it gets tricky. I think you answer me..I mean, I know you answer me, but I can’t always tell if it’s you or just me talking to myself. (a beat) Does that make sense?
GOD: Perfectly.
TRAVIS: So?
GOD: So what?
TRAVIS: So how do I know when you’re answering my prayers? How do I know for sure that it’s you?
GOD: Did you talk to your mom yesterday?
TRAVIS: (a long beat, then) Huh?
GOD: Your Mom. Her name’s Dakota.
TRAVIS: I know..I know..I mean, what’s that got to do with…
GOD: Did you talk to her?
TRAVIS: Sure. She calls me nearly every day. We just …you know…talk.
GOD: You ever talk to her for a few minutes then say, “Excuse me, but who is this?”
TRAVIS: (laughs) ‘Course not. I know my Mom’s voice. But what’s that….?
GOD: How’s your dog?
TRAVIS: (a beat) My dog?
GOD: He’s a puppy…four legs..barks…makes those stains on your rug…
TRAVIS: Yeah..I know …I know..he’s fine, but what’s…
GOD: Did he keep you awake again this week?
TRAVIS: Nearly every morning about 2 o’clock. I don't know what he’s barking at but I’ve always got to holler for him to shut up.
GOD: Maybe it’s the neighbor’s dog instead of yours.
TRAVIS: No way. I’d know that bark anywhere…even at two in the morning.
GOD: So…you know your Mom’s voice for sure?
TRAVIS: Yeah.
GOD: And you can’t mistake your dog’s voice for any other dog?
TRAVIS: Sure.
GOD: But you don't know for sure if you can recognize mine?
TRAVIS: (a long beat) Whoa…that ..uh…that sounds pretty bad.
GOD: What do I need to do? ……Bark? (a beat) So…what’s the difference, Trav? Why can you recognize the voice of our friends but you don't always know if it’s me talking?
TRAVIS: Well…I mean, I spend so much time with them that…(he realizes..long beat) .. I just answered my question, didn’t I?
GOD: No. I did. You just now heard it. Remember when your old college friend called you last week?
TRAVIS: Yeah..that was really embarrassing. We talked for about five minutes and I finally had to say, “Excuse me, but who is this?” (a long beat) I think I get it.
GOD: (a beat then) When you and I have to use Caller I.D. we’re in trouble. The more you talk to me…the more time we spend together, the more you’ll recognize my voice.
TRAVIS: (a beat) You should write a book, Lord.
GOD: (laughs) I’ll think abut it. Now get back on the light board before I slap you. (Travis exits)
Travis I God, II, 2 Page PAGE * MERGEFORMAT 1