Act 2

Act 2 Scene 1

George W and friend Nick in Nick's house

Nick – Hey, George, what’s going on?  Did you hear Springsteen’s going to be touring soon?  “Born in the USA”.  Right on!

GW Yes, I heard it.   We’ll have to go!  But right now,  We’re off to Vegas!  I’m going to live it up, man.  I’m going to stay up all night, see some shows, spend some time with some beautiful Vegas show girl, play some black jack.  Free drinks, man!  Did I tell you that?  It’s going to be awesome.  Heh heh heh (GW laugh) Aren’t you excited?

N - Yeah, I like the shows and all, and the lights, but man, that blackjack kicks my ass.  Every time.  That I’m not looking forward to.

GW Show a little faith, Nick.  It’s going to work out.  Don’t be so negative!

N What do you mean negative?  I just have a feeling.

GW What kind of feeling?

Vegas Town

I’m going to lose my ass out in Vegas town,

Pray for a winner that will never be found

Play 21 til I’m poverty bound

I’m going to lose my ass out in Vegas town

I’m gonna lose my hand out in Vegas town

Dealer showing 6 so I’m doubling down

He’s hitting 21 then he forces a frown

I’m going to lose my hand out in Vegas town

I’m gonna lose my cool out in Vegas town

Throw a big fit in the hotel lounge

Singing off key some Jackson Brown

I’m gonna lose my cool out in Vegas town

I’m gonna lose my soul out in Vegas town,

Everyone that matters I’m gonna let down

Sorry sweet Virginia I ain’t sticking around

I’m gonna lose my soul out in Vegas town.

[as the song seems to go on forever, GW becomes more and more visibly disgusted by the theme of the song]

GW  What’s wrong with you?  You don’t have to go!

N I know

GW  Dang.  Seriously!..  How ‘bout this?

I’m going to have some fun out in Vegas town

“Life is a gamble” is a truth that I’ve found

I’ll play some golf in the morning then at night PaiGow

I’m going to have some fun out in Vegas town.

Or how about this..

I’m going to act like a nut out in Vegas town

For a few days not let the world beat me down

Put some junk on my head…  [photo] 

Photo not posted while in Kuwait.... 

You know what…

Do me a favor and stay out of Vegas town!

GW Man, if you feel like that, don’t even go.  Seriously! Stay here with my folks!  Live that straight and narrow.  But I’m all in!

N I’m going, George.  Just a feeling.  That’s all.  Let’s go…

Act 2 Scene 2

HW Home

BB How was your trip?

GW  Awesome!  As always!!  Nick was a bit of an old lady, uh, no offense Mother!, but he cheered up eventually.

BB  Hmmm.  Ok.  You got any plans this week?

GW Yeah, but you’re going to laugh.  We went out a couple of weeks ago and I met this librarian, who invited me to church, and I said I would take her.

BB [lifting head up, silent “thank you”, responds, seemingly unaffected] Oh, that’s nice dear.  I hope it’s a good sermon.

GW  Yeah!  I hope I don’t fall asleep!!

Act2 Scene 3

Church

Amazing to Me

It’s amazing to me, how good our God can be.

Amazing to me, all he does.

It’s amazing to me, how good our God can be.

Amazing to me, all he does.

Well he put us here, to do our very best

(Amazing to me all he does)

Once we try, he’ll just do the rest

(Amazing to me all he does)

It’s amazing to me, how good our God can be.

Amazing to me, all he does.

It’s amazing to me, how good our God can be.

Amazing to me, all he does.

Pastor – All right.  Good morning, good morning.  I hope everyone is feeling the spirit this morning!  It’s great to have you with us, especially the visitors!  [pew in front of GW turn and greet him]  Welcome!  I want to get right to it, though.  Last week I received a troubling letter.  Dr. Roman, are you here yet?

DR  I’m here!

P Well, come up here.  If you don’t mind, I’m going to have you read your letter yourself.

[DR makes way to lectern]

No more

There’s another dead child in the world today

His momma got mad and she took his life away

And it’s breaking my heart to be hearing the news

There’s so much evil, there’s so little I can do

And I..  I don’t want to hear it no more, 

No I,  I don’t want to hear it no more

There’s a girl out there with a broken back

She didn’t fix her daddy his favorite snack

There’s a man out there with half his face gone

Caught with another man’s woman when the man come home

There’s a girl I know she wakes up with a scream

She’s just trying to elude another painful dream

And I ….  I don’t want to hear it no more
No I…  I don’t want to hear it no more

There’s a kid on the screen, he’s got a needle in his veins

Yeah he’s trying anything to escape the pain.

He’s just sitting out there in the pouring rain.

They got a close up of his dreams floating down the drain

I feel my faith breaking down, I feel it slipping away

I’m just listening to the sound of my soul decay

And I..  I don’t want to hear it no more

No I .. I don’t want to hear it no more.

[DR embraces pastor for a while, pastor pats him on back, DR steps down]

Pastor – Thanks, doc.  Thanks for saying what so many of us have been thinking.  It’s so hard to stay positive with all this negative around you.  It’s so hard to believe that any divine being loves us, when we see such heartache and such heartbreak.  But that, my friend, is the definition of faith.  And faith won’t decay, as you put it.  It won’t abandon you.  You can abandon it, but you don’t need to pray for more faith.  You’ll always have enough.  This is one of the many promises we can count on.  We’ve all heard about the mustard seed faith.  That’s all we need to keep in the garden.  And doc, by you sending that letter, I know you have that, and I know it’s roots are deep.  You see the suffering, I know you do, you live it.  But you are there, acting as the hands of God himself to those who come your way.  And we stand by you, doc.  We’re all in this together.  Decent folks, trying to live decently, lifting one another up.  We are with you doc.

So what I’m saying to you, is your faith is going to be there – it’s you that can’t break down.  You’ve got to keep at it.  You have to fight that fight with all the fire in your body, because without that, without exercising that faith inside you – faith in making a difference, faith in a better tomorrow, faith in love - you can’t be all that you have been called to be.  You can’t rise above your own fears, your own demons.  Hold on.  Carry that faith, and it will carry you.  You hear me?  Can you hear me?  Can you all hear me?

GW  I hear you!

P In His Precious name…  Amen

Act 2 Scene 4

[dims…  LB and GW walking from church]

LB I’m glad you came with me George.  That really means a lot to me.  

GW I’m glad I came too, Laura.  It’s just that I’m not sure I can buy into all of this faith stuff.  There’s so much of the story that just sounds so impossible.  It just doesn’t feel true.

LB Yes, I know.  It’s hard to believe all of it.  But I believe in something, George.  I believe in something that helps me when I’m feeling down.  Helps me when I struggle with the cruelties, like Brother John was talking about.  

GW You, Laura – you seem so together.  Like you have it all figured out.

LB Oh, far from, George.  I’ve had troubles, still do of course.  Things were bad…

He is Risen

I was burned out, I’d been pushed round, again

Felt like crying, no point in trying, give in.

But then He saved me, the grace he gave me, no end!

And I’ll walk with him, removed from my sin

He is risen, living within.

He is risen, he is risen, Amen!

He is risen, he is risen, my friend,

He is risen, he is risen Amen

And I’ll walk with him, removed from  my sin,

He is risen, living within.

Hey broken hearted, you can take part in this bread!

This ain’t (not sure LB would use this word…) no fable, come to the table, be fed!

And We’ll walk with him, removed from our sin,

He is risen, living within.  

He is risen… Living within!

LB So you don’t have to believe everything.  You just have to accept his way as your way – putting love first, putting yourself second.  I believe in you, George.  I believe you can really make a difference in this world.  I know you have doubts.  But you can do it.  I know you can.

GW Gosh, Laura, you overwhelm me.  I mean, you are so sweet, you are so kind, and you believe in me.  I’m so scared of letting you down.  I don’t want to let you down.  Or my folks.

LB Do your best, George.  I’m satisfied with you.  So are they.  You will be fine.

GW   Ok!  I’m going to do it!  I’m going to try!  Finally, I’m going to go for it!  I’m going to finally take those chances!

Finally

Finally something nice is happening to me

Finally something good is happening to me

Finally something nice is happening to me

Something wonderful is happening to me

Something beautiful is happening to me

Something unbelievable is happening to me

Act 2 Scene 5

[time passes…]

HW Home

BB Hi, Georgie!  You sure seem like you’re in a good mood.

GW Just thinking about something Laura said.   She’s really something, Mom.

BB  I do like the influence she’s having on you.  I have to admit.

GW  I know things haven’t always turned out like we wanted, Mom.  I know that I’ve let you guys down.

BB  Your father and I are very proud.  We believe in you.

GW  That’s what Laura said, too.  I’ve got a few minutes before she comes over – she and Nick are going with me to a ballgame.  [shuffles feet, appearing anxious and conflicted]

BB  What is it, Georgie?  Is something wrong?

GW  

Infected

Mama, she’s infected me.  

I thought my rage protected me. 

She’s in my blood, her dose of love, 

Mama she’s infected me.

Mama, she’s a sight to see.  

She fills me up so beautifully.  

The best of me is what she brings to me.  

Mama she’s infected me. 

[HW enters as GW sings]

HW There ain’t no cure – GW  Well I’ll endure so blissfully

HW There ain’t no cure –GW Well I hope you’re sure, because the rest of my life, with her inside, would be a symphony…

brief music interlude, ? BB and HW dance sweetly

[Nick walks in with LB as GW sings his last verse]

Mama, will she marry me?  

I’d live my life so thankfully.  

If there’s a God, what does he want?  

I pray that she will marry me.  

Momma she’s infected me.

GW  ehhhh, “Hey Laura!  Eh how long have you been here?”

LB  I think just long enough, George.  (Running to George) I will, George, I will.

GW  Oh, Laura!

LB  Oh, George,

BB  Oh, George  (? Together)

HW  Oh, man!

Act 2 Scene 6

All Walk out to wedding.

Each Other’s Dreams

HW I wanted to do everything for you.

Make the sunshine, and the moon glow too.

You’re all grown up, I see it’s true.

But I’ve got one more thing I’d like to ask of you.

I hope you’ll make her dreams come true.

And I hope she’ll do the same for you.

Good love’s so hard to find

You found yours, like I found mine

And I know you’ll make each other’s dreams come true.

[HW and GW embrace]

Pastor I now pronounce you man and wife.

Act 2 Scene 7

[Video– Historical pictures…  George W Bush elected gov TX defeating…

GW announces his candidacy for president]

Campaign Trail – 

Press  Are you going to be hard on crime?

GW:  Am I going to be hard on crime?  Of course I am.  I can’t help myself.  You guys know I’m a hard man.  I don’t mess around!

Hard Man

I’m a hard hard man, with a hard hard life,

I got me some hard hard kids and a hard hard wife

I get up every morning for my hard hard job

Yeah, I’m a hard man baby but that ain’t all

My daddy told me, when I was a boy,

He said there’s something about you son that I do not enjoy

Maybe the way you look, maybe the way you smile,

He was a hard man, baby, and I’m my daddy’s child

I thank God for my hard hard head

So when I fell off my bike I didn’t wind up dead,

Sure I mumble a lot, and I can’t see straight,

But I’m a hard hard man and my life is great… Cause.. I can’t lie…

I’m just a happy guy with a happy life

I got two great kids and a sweet sweet wife

The world’s going to pieces just north of Kuwait

But I’m a happy man and my life is great!

The world going to pieces… But my life is great!

P That’s funny George.  Too funny.

Do you have any comment on the terrible accident near your dad’s presidential library?

GW What accident?

P There was an accident with students who were building the bonfire at Texas A&M. 12 people are dead, several more injured.

GW What?  I’m sorry.  I have no comment.  I need to check on Dad.  Thank you.

[GW walks to phone bank]

GW Dad, I just heard.  How awful.

HW I know, George  It’s so terrible.  Those young people.  Doing something they believed in to bring that community together, and to celebrate the many traditions of that fine school.  Your Mom and I are looking to see what we can do to help.  It’s such a tragedy.  I don’t think the school can do any more bonfires.  I mean, how can they?  [delivered slowly and deliberately, as he considers it all…]

GW  Ok, Dad.  I guess.  I love you.  Tell mom hello.  I’ll talk soon.

HW Love you, too.  Goodbye

Act 2 Scene 8

Stage is black except for pictures.  Music from speaker

Where’s the Light

Where’s the light?  Where’s my friend?

Where’s the love, How can this be over?

“Cause we’re arm in arm.  We’re leg to leg

Before the game, facing the flame

How can this be over?

So where’s the light?  Where’s my friend?

Where’s the love, How can this be over?

One things for sure (God is Holy)

We will never forget (Holy Holy)

Still the same, where’s the flame?

How can this be over?  How can this be over?

video playing… instrumental, ? each other’s dreams?

GW in rubble  “I hear you” scene replayed.

President Obama elected

President Trump elected – Baraba B not a fan

Act 2 Scene 9

[Final scenes (? Advise audience it will get a bit sad for a bit here… perhaps narrator)]

At Bush residence, in chairs

HW to BB – Hey Barbara.  How you feeling?

BB  A bit tired.  But happy…  What a life!

HW  We had a good run.  The kids have done great.  What a dream we’ve had.  

BB You made them all come true, Georgie.  Just like Jimmy wanted.

I wish I could stay longer, Georgie.  

HW I know, my dear.  I can’t stand the thought of losing you.

BB  It’s time though, George.

Hate to Say Goodbye

BB Well I hate to say goodbye to you, but goodbye.

Yes I hate to say good bye to you, but goodbye.

I don’t know if we’ll meet again, all I know is I’ll miss you, my friend,

So goodbye, goodbye, goodbye.

HW  And I hate to say goodbye to you, but goodbye. 

 Yes I hate to say goodbye to you but goodbye.

I don’t know if we’ll meet again, all I know is I’ll miss you, 'til then,

So goodbye, goodbye, goodbye.  

[during this song, HW rises from wheelchair, walks to scene change (gravesite), where he is joined by GW and LB.  His wheelchair is pushed by stage hand, and he is reseated.  GW places his hand on his dad’s shoulder

And begins singing

GW I hate to say goodbye to you, but goodbye. 

 Yes I hate to say goodbye to you but goodbye.

And yes I know that we’ll meet again, All my love to you I'll send,

So goodbye, goodbye, Daddy goodbye. 

[as he sings, HW is wheeled off stage, and a new stone appears in the grave, and GW and LB are now alone putting flowers on two sites.]

pause...

LB  I can’t believe it’s already been a month. 

GW I know  It’s really hard.  [looking sad.  Then mischeviously..]  But, I came up with something.

LB  Hmmmmm.  OK...  Let’s hear it.

GW.  Ok.

So Tired

Well, I get so tired

Of waking up without you.

I get so tired

Of feeling blue.

Yeah I get so tired

Of waking up without you

I get so tired.

Of being blue.

Well I always thought there’d be someone who loved me.

And I always thought that someone would be you.

But now you’re gone, and my heart just feels so empty.

Without you here I don’t know what I’ll do…oooh

Yeah I get so tired

Of waking up without you.

I get so tired

Of feeling blue.

Yeah I get so tired

Of waking up without you

I get so tired.

Of being blue.

My friends say I’ve got to drive right through it.

They say I’ve got to find a way to get on through.

I say I’m fine, but I don’t really mean it.

‘Cause this one heart was really part of two

And I get so tired

Of waking up without you.

I get so tired

Of feeling blue.

Yeah I get so tired

Of waking up without you

I get so tired.

Of being blue.

LB  Hmmm.  [pausing, George looking satisfied with himself..]  George, That’s sweet and all, but the music didn’t really seem that sad, you know?

GW  That’s the thing, though!  I am sad.  Really sad.  But it’s because I had something so great, and now I don’t have it.  I’m sad that I don’t have it, but so so glad that I had it!  I had her!  And I had him!  And I am so grateful.  I am so thankful!

LB  George, I think you may have uttered some real words of wisdom there.

GW  [pausing…]  I know what Dad would say.

[LB looking].

GW  Finally!

Finale ðFinally – with BB singing “satisfied”

Finally

Finally something nice is happening to me

Finally something good is happening to me

Finally something nice is happening to me

Something wonderful is happening to me

She tells me that she loves me

And she looks me in the eye

She tells me that I keep her satisfied

She tells me that she needs me

And she’ll never let me go

I’m living in a miracle I know

Finally something nice is happening to me

Finally something good is happening to me

Finally something nice is happening to me

Something wonderful is happening to me.

The End!