Tag: election 2016

White House – Evening – South Lawn – Three weeks later.

Trump and Melania are walking alongside.

Melania – What was the point of insulting Lebron James, the basketball player?

Trump – It got away from me.

Melania – The man had just helped fund a school for underprivileged children.

Trump – Please stop.

Melania – It is so unbecoming of a President.

They walk in silence.

Melania – And then you keep having those rallies…

Trump – We need to win in November. Both houses. I love my rallies… stirring up their fury…love it… and with every rally I validate them.

Melania – Validate them?

Trump – Sure… that they’ve been treated unfairly, like I have. Clinton’s ‘deplorables’, how could you forget? And by extension, the witch hunt.

Melania – (stopping) By extension?

He stops too.

Melania – Are you linking Hillary and Mueller?

Trump – Put her in jail! they chant, again and again.

Melania – Russian talk about their having damaging emails on Hillary started the investigation… but Mueller’s probe is not about Hillary’s campaign, it’s about yours… and if you link them to stir up your base, then you’re guilty of manipulating their admiration for you and should be ashamed of yourself. Hillary is one thing, the probe quite another… which your own attorney general recused himself from overseeing… and you can’t stop badgering him for… which smells of a clear intent to cover up.

He looks at her, then lowers his head as he pinches the base of his nose.

Trump – (calmly but with an edge to his voice) It’s a witch hunt… a rigged witch hunt… and neither I nor anyone working on my instructions obstructed justice. That’s all you need to know.

Melania – No, it’s not. And you’re not brushing me off.

They stand glaring at each other.

Trump – So I’m guilty?

Melania – You’re acting like it.

Trump – (Irritated) Why don’t you go back to New York and leave me alone?

Melania – I’m staying right here. I am your wife and there’s something wrong with you. And I’m not about to abandon ship.

He shakes his head slowly.

Melania – And now you’ve started to have those bad dreams…

Trump – I’ve only had three or four…

Melania – How about seven or eight?

Trump – They’re not coming back, I know that.

Melania – You have no control over them.

Trump – Yes, I do.

Melania – What are the dreams about?

Trump – I can’t remember anything.

Melania – Then how the heck can you have control over them?

Trump – I just do.

Melania – Nonsense.

Trump – (angrily) You are not inside my mind! I do not remember my dreams, okay? I do not.

Melania – Then you can’t have control over them.

Trump – Yes, I can.

Melania – How?

Trump – Because after every rally, after I vent my frustrations, I go for at least two or three nights without any nightmares.

Melania – So you’ll need to keep having rally after rally, whipping your base into a rage… so you can sleep better at night… is that it?

Trump – I think they’ll fade.

Melania – You’ll beat down your dreams with the help of your adoring crowds.

Trump – Something like that.

They are quiet for a moment.

Melania – It is madness… pure madness.

Trump – You want me to see a psychiatrist, is that it?

Melania – Why not? You have nothing to lose. You seem unable to reflect on what’s happening even as it’s staring you in the face, even as you’re moving for a head on collision… so maybe… maybe… speaking to someone like that might help you save your presidency.

He just looks at her.

Melania – (gently) Dee… the party won’t do it for you. They’re probably already plotting against you.

Trump – I don’t doubt it, but they won’t get away with it.

She closes in and puts her hands on his shoulders.

Melania – There’s still time to find your higher self… I know it’s in you… reach for it, please… it’s in there. Beneath the hooting and hollering of your adoring crowds… lies a desire for clarity… a yearning for connection with themselves and their fellow human beings… you can lead them there… but you can’t do it if you haven’t found that place in yourself. Do you understand what I’m saying?

He nods uncertainly.

Melania – Doing that… is more important than your presidency.

Trump – (softly, incredulously) What?

Melania – You owe your base complete honesty… they brought you this far… it’s been an incredible ride… you never imagined it would be this rich… they made you president… but dark clouds have gathered over you and you have to answer with honesty… you owe them that… and what will be, will be. They have been disappointed by others that came before you… don’t join in with those… you have a unique chance to do the right thing… and that would be priceless. And no matter what… I’ll stand by you.

Look at me, do you believe me?

Trump – I don’t know… I’ve cheated on you so many times… disrespected you…

Melania – And still I love you… and believe in you.

She takes his hands in hers and kisses them as she looks up at him.

Melania – Dee… I’m here because of you… I’m not a hostage to this glamour.

Trump – Melania… I appreciate what you’re telling me but it’s going to be okay. I’m making money for my people, that’s what really counts.

Melania – No!

She pulls away brusquely and stalks off a few paces before she pivots to face him again.

Melania – You’re leading a nation, not a company! We need more than money, we need a sense that we care for each other… a sense that we share a truth… that we’re a community!

Because it’s not every man for himself, it can’t be… we can’t be the best we can without family… we can’t be the best we can without schools… we can’t be the best we can without the skills of others… we can’t be the best we can without talking and understanding each other… and you have been failing at that. Do you hear me?

He goes to her and embraces her. After a moment of quiet, they start to sway lightly in each other’s arms.

Melania – You have to find and harness the strength of the entire country, not simply the strength of a part of it.

They pull apart as they face each other and hold hands.

Trump – You don’t think I’m being treated unfairly?

Melania – I do not. The Mueller probe is an effort to preserve the nation. You need to respect that.

Trump – I didn’t collude… but maybe… Russia’s interference did throw the election my way.

She looks at him.

Trump – I have to allow for that possibility.

Melania – Did you obstruct justice?

Trump – I did not.

She closes her eyes for a moment.

Melania – If you could say that in public…

Trump – I’ve been saying that I didn’t collude…

Melania – No, the part about you now believing that Russian interference did influence the election in your favor… and that if not, maybe Hillary would’ve been elected.

Trump – What difference would that make?

Melania – A huge difference.

Trump – Even if it can’t be proved?

Melania – Even so. Just that statement would give the nation a sense that we prize fairness… and that you, as our leader, values it most of all… and it would remind us all of how egregious has been the action of another nation to violate our sovereignty, and how we must pull together to defend ourselves and our way of life… and to impose whatever sanctions are needed to put an immediate halt to that kind of interference. 

Trump – But I would be putting my legitimacy in question…

Melania – Your legitimacy has been in question… but in the absence of proof you could not be removed from office, and you would have the rest of your term to strengthen us as a country.

Trump – It would raise the likelihood of impeachment…

Melania – Not if you have nothing to hide.

Trump – They could come up with fake evidence…

Melania – That’s your paranoia talking. You have to check that. In the end… if impeachment comes… you have to trust that your own sense of fairness will be repaid.

He shakes his head slowly.

Trump – I’m not as trusting as you are.

Melania – I’ll stand by you.

She takes him by the hand and they walk off toward the White House.

Oscarvaldes.net.     also available in anchor.fm, apple and google podcasts and buzzsprout.

                                                                 Chapter 8

Oval Office – White House – Night

Trump goes in and sits at his desk. He pushes back on his chair and puts his feet up.

Trump – Annoying as it is sometimes, it’s useful to hear that liberal point of view. Not that she doesn’t have some good ideas. What I said about American women giving me a free pass, at least the ones in my base, that’s true. And I got in. Love them.

How did Melania put it?

Something about women feeling suppressed for so long that they could not bring themselves to choose one of their own. Interesting how that view doesn’t get any press… wonder why?

Maybe their less suppressed sisters being nice and tolerant.

He laughs.

Madeline Albright came up with that line that women who didn’t vote for Hillary deserved a place in Hell. Got you, babe.

The women in my base were being pragmatic… that’s what it was… they knew that what I brought to the table was far more important than my peccadilloes.

He pauses, then glances over his shoulder at the portrait of Andrew Jackson.

What say you, Stonewall?

He gets up and goes to stand in front of the portrait.

Trump (speaking to Jackson) – You held back the British in New Orleans and I will hold back immigration. Stonewall they nicknamed you, and surely they’ll come up with something for me, something to immortalize me… because the Wall goes, brother, I promise you that.

Jackson winks back at him.

                                                            Chapter 9

Park in Washington DC. Early Evening.

A middle aged man and a woman, walking side by side, approach an empty bench.

They both wear business suits. They sit, both take out their phones, turn them off and place them between them.

Man – You can smell blood, can’t you?

Woman – There’s that scent.

Man – If we win both Houses we’ll have a chance to impeach him.

Woman – Manafort, Cohen, Gates… the dominoes are falling.

Man – Man going down and he can’t stop himself. How many times have we seen it?

Woman – He made his choices… now he’s got to live with them.

Man – We’ve got to win in November.

Woman – Have to pull all the stops. You think he colluded?

Man – I didn’t think so but, since Helsinki I’ve changed my mind.

A Man with a child in a stroller go by.

Man – Russians want him in… so there’s going to be a massive effort to support him.

Woman – What would you do?

Man – My take… go straight to the people sitting on the fence, tell them, ‘this is who your leader is. A vote against Trump is a vote against Russia’s interference, a vote against Trump is a vote for a sovereign America.’

Woman – You’d concede the base…?

Man – Pretty much. Run the video clip of Helsinki… ‘if he can’t stand up to Putin, will he stand up for you? Brand him an appeaser.’

Woman – ‘Hey John Voter, wake up buddy! Trump’s doing a number on you. He’s given you a platform to rant and rave but who’s listening? You’re going nowhere with the hooting and hollering. He’s cranking you up but where are you headed?’

Man – Go check out the Wall.

Woman – Right.

Man – Where are the programs to get you up to speed with the global economy? Where is the education you need?

Woman – Basic stuff.

They look at each other.

Man – The Street loves him.

Woman – Sure, they got their tax cut and deregulations.

Man – The economy is going strong… can’t take that away from him. You and I are worked up about him but people like to hear that jingle in their pocket… and may be willing to look the other way.

Woman – True.

A young couple in love saunters by.

The Man and the Woman glance at each other and smile.

Man – How’d we get here?

Woman – The debates. Not a single one of them stood up to Trump. Not a single one took him to task. Clinton should’ve made mincemeat out of him but she didn’t. And that was it.

Man – Comey put the last shovel full of dirt on her.

Woman – Unbelievable.     

Man (singing) – What a difference a day makes… 24 little hours…

Woman – It’s sad.

Man – Well, it’s payback time. There’s a lot of angry women running for office.

Woman – And they should.

An elderly, frail looking woman walks past with the aid of a cane. She limps a little.

                                                Chapter 10

Trump walks into a large room in the Kremlin. In the center, Vladimir Putin is sitting facing a small table with two bottles of water and an extra chair. Putin now rises to greet the advancing Trump. The two men shake hands. Putin signals for Trump to take a seat. He does.

There are no translators.

Trump – Glad you could make it.

Putin – For you, anytime.

Trump – Thanks

Putin – What can I do for you?

Trump – I’ll get straight to the point.

Putin – Please.

Trump – You interfered with our election in 2016.

Putin – I did.

Trump is surprised.

Trump – You have been denying it all this time.

Putin – We were in public. In private it’s a different matter. That’s the beauty of meeting alone.

Putin smiles.

Trump – You can’t do that.

Putin – I did it.

Trump – Why?

Putin – It was wide open. Low lying fruit, as you Americans say. How could I resist? I’m an old KGB hand. You’re not exactly new to intrigue but, next to me, you’re a newbie.

Trump is disconcerted.

Putin – Look at it this way… real wars are bloody and painful. We both have a long history of it. In WWII alone, Mother Russia lost 20 million people. Hard to imagine, isn’t it? Your country has never suffered a loss of that magnitude. Of course, we would do it again if we needed to, but cyberwarfare is so much cleaner. And more effective.

Trump – What are you after?

Putin smiles warmly.

Trump (pressing) – What are you after?

Putin – Don’t you know?

Trump (impatiently) – I am asking.

Putin – The American mind.

Trump stares at Putin.

Trump (emphatically) – You can’t have it!

Putin nods thoughtfully.

Putin – My cyber warriors will see to it… and I can’t be stopped.

Trump – Can’t be stopped?

Putin – Historical forces beyond my control, and yours, have been set in motion. Believe me, we’re mere pawns.

Trump – Pawns?

Putin – There’s two sides to your famous America, one side that wants education and fairness of opportunity… so the motivated and capable can climb up the ladder… and another side, sitting on top, that wants to knock down the ladder… so no one but their favorites will follow. So you fluctuate between being a meritocracy… very honorable… and a nepotocracy.

Trump – Nepotocracy?

Putin – Ring a bell?

Trump – What?

Putin – That’s the side you and I are with.

Trump rises abruptly.

Trump – I’m not listening to this. I’m leaving.

He turns and stalks to the door. But he finds the door locked and he can’t open it.

Trump – Let me out!

He slams his fist on the door but there’s no response.

Putin, unconcerned with Trump’s pleas but affecting a sympathetic air, rises and takes a few steps toward him.

Putin – Please listen. This is the most important part. The two sides of the American mind have tried to dialogue… and sometimes they’ve succeeded… and when they have the American mind has been brilliant… like in battling the Depression during the 1930s… and in WWII… and the Marshall Plan afterwards… but at other times you’ve been a disaster… like in dealing with racism.

Trump advances toward Putin with determined step and the two men come face to face.

Trump – We defeated you in the Cold War. Our economy left you behind!

Putin – Yes, you did. You crushed us. You were the victor. I accept it.

Trump – Thank you.

Putin (a hint of sadness in his eyes) – My dear and beautiful Soviet Union… broken up into pieces. It was very sad and painful to see it happen. And the whole world stood witness.

Putin turns around and returns to his seat. He resumes speaking, now and then glancing up at Trump who remains standing near him.

Putin – That was the American mind at work… the American mind that does science… and art… and the humanities… the mind that is intoxicated with the pursuit of riches… any and all types of riches… the mind that takes on any challenge… the cradle of Intel and IBM and Boeing and Northrop… and the miracles in food production and medicine… and MIT and JPL… and Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Tesla and Hollywood… the insatiable American mind that wants to dominate and transform the world… devour us all… to impose your culture…

Putin is looking Trump in the eye.

Putin – … The insatiable mind that seduces talent from everywhere…. from Russia too… my dear Russia… immigrants flocking to your country lured by your way of life. Believe me, we lament their leaving… and most of all, lament that they don’t return. Your gains, my dear sir… and our losses.

Trump narrows his eyes, warily.

Putin – Who knows what would’ve happened if Sergey hadn’t left…

Trump – Sergey?

Putin – Sergey Brin. The cofounder of Google, born right here in Moscow.

Trump – He got out. He went to Stanford.

Putin (smiling slyly) – It will take time, of course, but we will do it…

Trump – Do what?

Putin – … with great stealth…

Trump – What?

Putin – … my cyberwarriors will work to steadily erode your values… but it’s for the good of the world, you must understand… so that we create a level playing field… because you’re too much out in front… and the cyberwarriors will do so by targeting your culture… accentuating your differences… minimizing your similarities… so your dialogue will be impoverished… degraded… and finally stopped.

Putin pauses.

Trump – Stop our dialogue?

Putin – The pearl that lies at the center of it all… the light that when shining shows you the way. When it goes out, for it will, I will rejoice as I never have.

Trump – I won’t let you.

Putin – In the chaos that will follow, in the darkness… your people will clamor for autocracy… a wonderful system… vastly underrated… a system where the majority rules… and minorities learn to live with it… suck it up… as you’re fond of saying.

Trump (to himself, as if considering the possibility) – A world where the autocrat is the light…

Putin – Yes! Brilliant! Oh, dear man, you’re so much like me… that’s why I like you so… that’s why we’re so fond of each other. Every time you cry out, ‘Fake News!’, my heart leaps with joy.

Trump – It does?

Putin – Yes! Believe me, I’m rooting for you to succeed. You have my full backing.

Trump steps back, shaking his head, distrustful.

Trump – No… no… there’s something wrong here… you’re tricking me…

Putin – Donald, please… I am eager to learn from you, I tape all your rallies.

Trump – You tape my rallies?

Putin – Yes, so I can study them and learn to work a crowd, learn to please it, to excite it, for you are the master, the one and only… oh, how I wish I had your gifts!

Trump (moved) – I am very good.

Putin – An artist.

Trump – Thank you. Did you know I have a star in Hollywood’s Walk of Fame?

Putin – Of course I know. They should add a statue.

Trump frowns, suspicion growing again.

Putin – I owe you more than you owe me.

Trump – I owe you?

Putin – It’s nothing… nothing compared to what you give us, and are giving us…by your example… every day… how you rose from nothing…

Trump – Nothing?

Putin – I mean, from being a distinguished hotelier and shrewd judge of character… Manafort and Gates aside… to beating and smashing the Clinton machine.

Trump – Thank you.

Putin – You’re most welcome. And I’m so sorry, we tried to get you the popular vote, we really did…  but it was not possible. I know you wanted it badly. I’m so sorry.

Trump explodes with anger.

Trump – What? How dare you? You did not win me the election! American women did!

Putin – There’s no need to get upset. We will do much better next time, I assure you. We’re already working on it, improving our techniques.

Trump (loudly) – You will not interfere with our elections, do you hear me?

Putin (rising, stepping up to Trump) – Please lower your voice. For your own good, Donald. You’re overweight and out of shape… and I wouldn’t want you to have a heart attack. I’m serious. You’re too valuable an asset.

Trump – Asset?

Fuming, yet controlling his rage, Trump paces off for a stretch, then turns to face Putin again.

Trump – Are we being recorded?

Putin – I record all my conversations.

Trump is incredulous.

Putin – For history’s sake, believe me, because we’re on the right side of history, you and I, don’t you ever doubt it. Would you like a glass of cider, a bit of caviar?

Trump – No!

Putin – Calm down, it will be all right.

Trump stares angrily at Putin.

Putin – We need to be composed when we step out for the press conference,

Trump (panicking) – Press conference?

White House – Bedroom

Abruptly, Trump sits up in his bed, confused and agitated.

Trump (crying out) – Helsinki! Helsinki!

Melania is by his side, holding him.

Melania – You’re here, you’re not in Helsinki! Dee, you’re here with me, in our bedroom!

He gives a shudder and turns to face her.

Trump – What happened?

Melania – It must’ve been a bad dream.

Trump – A dream?

Melania – You’ve been shouting Helsinki! Helsinki!

Trump – A dream… yes… thank god… but it was so real.

Melania – What happened?

Trump – What else did I say?

Melania – Just that.

He falls back down on his bed, immensely relieved, face sweaty with perspiration.

Trump – I didn’t say anything else?

Melania – No, just Helsinki.

She gets up, puts her robe on and crosses to sit at his side. She holds his face in her hands and kisses him.

Melania – I’m so sorry. Why don’t you talk about it?

Trump – I can’t remember anything… did you hear anything else?

Melania – No. Just Helsinki.

He sighs, shakes his head, the expression still strained. He looks at her and takes her hands in his and kisses them.

Trump – Wow. I felt so alone.

Melania – Talk about what you remember, maybe the whole dream will come back.

Trump – I can’t remember anything. What time is it?

Melania – 5 A.M.

Trump – Might as well get up, then.

He does and walks to the table adjacent where he takes a seat, his worries weighing on him.

Melania – What a coincidence…

Trump – What?

Melania – Helsinki is 7 hours ahead… the dream happened about the same time you held that news conference on July 16^th.

Trump looks at her, baffled.

Oscar Valdes.     Oscarvaldes.net.     

also available in anchor.fm, apple and google podcasts and buzzsprout.                                                                            

White House – Dining Room – Evening

Trump and Melania having dinner. They sit next to each other. No one else is in the room.

Melania – You have good ideas.

Trump – What? Did I hear you correctly?

She smiles

Melania –  You do. I’ve been following the trade issue. China has been cheating us. Not only stealing our technology through forced transfers but also by heavily subsidizing industries that dump their cheap products onto our markets. You have brought attention to that. That’s good.

Trump – Thank you, Melania, thank you very much.

Melania – But the urgent need is to unite the nation… to help us reach our collective, higher self… which is where our greater riches lie.

Trump nods thoughtfully, then raises his glass of cider for a toast.

Trump – Here’s to my winning the trade war.

Melania (not raising her glass) – Not in favor.

Trump (smiling) – Can’t you just indulge your husband?

Melania – I have my political views.

He drinks

Melania – You’re also combative and feisty, and that has mobilized something deep in the American psyche.

Trump – Thank you.

Melania – The nation was due for a good, internal fight, and we’re having it now. I think that’s why so many people voted for you.

Trump – That’s two compliments in one evening. I’m marking this day in my calendar.

She smiles

Melania – People identified with you because you represent something raw. A will to make money, to push ahead, even if it means you rough up some folks along the way.

Trump – That I’ve done.

Melania – Even your lack of refinement has an appeal.

Trump (taken aback) – I’m not refined?

Melania – Of course not. But that’s part of your charm.

Trump (a dash of regret) – I always wanted to be refined.

Melania – Let it be. It’s not you. Obama, on the other hand, is refined.

Trump (irritated) – What?

Melania – He is. Look at his manner, his intellect, his gift for nuance and oratory.

Trump (stubbornly) – I am smart in my own way.

Melania – Of course you are. And it’s okay not to be on the same level as Obama.

Trump – You’re really coming after me, aren’t you?

Melania – Not at all. I love you. You’re just different.

Trump – Different?

Melania – Yes.

They pause, look at each other.

Melania – Go ahead, say it.

Trump – Say what?

Melania – That you’re different.

Trump – I’m not going to say it.

Melania – It’ll be good for you.

Trump – I’m not saying it.

Melania – Please.

He rubs his face, then smiles devilishly.

Trump – I’m different.

Melania – Good. A lot of people love you just as you are. Raw. Unrefined. And it’s okay. Being who you are touches their hearts. Americans elected Obama twice, because they wanted to be like the man.

Trump – White people wanted to be like him?

Melania – He couldn’t have got elected without White people.

Trump – True.

Melania – White people with prejudices, looked at Obama and said, ‘now, that’s a fellow I want to be like, even if he’s dark.’ And the thought astonished them because they saw how the power of the mind overcame the racial barrier. And why had they not done it before? Why had they overlooked the possibilities of education? Like during Reconstruction after the Civil War?

Trump – Blacks wanted too much… too soon…

Melania – What’s too soon about wanting the White man’s boot off your throat?

Trump – Change takes time.

Melania – Social courage is what went missing. But to my point. It’s hard to be like Obama. Certainly not in just 8 years. It’s going to take a lot longer and some heavy spending on education. It didn’t help that Republicans in both houses, filled with envy, decided to obstruct everything the man wanted to do during his term, as if they had said, ‘how dare the upstart address our structural problems?’

Trump – They did obstruct him, I admit.

Melania – Republicans were dead set against spending because it would raise the deficit and how immoral it would be to burden our children with debt. Spending which, by the way, would have benefitted your base also. Then you come along, cut taxes, the deficit goes through the roof and everyone is cheering, right?

He smiles with satisfaction.

Trump – Very soon, our coffers will be brimming.

Melania – it could go the other way.

Trump – It won’t.

Melania – Let’s hope. The nation was not ready for more Obama and Hillary came close to that.

Trump – Wait a second… Hillary is more refined than me?

Melania – Yes

Trump (slapping the table in exasperation) – No, she’s not!

Melania – In the eyes of the nation, electing a woman was a further refinement in our collective thinking. But it was too much. The psyche of the White American voter had found it difficult, having been governed for 8 years by a refined African American, the mere sight of whom was a reminder that White supremacy is an absurdity, to have him then be followed by a woman. No. Unacceptable. The psyche of the average White American voter needed time to readjust… and in the absence of a visionary candidate… chose to regress.

Trump – Regress?

Melania – Yes.

Trump – So I’m a regression?

Melania – A symbol of it.

Trump – That’s insulting.

Melania – Sadly, it came with a price… the targeting of minorities, the sanctioning of crude behavior against women, the further breakdown in the national dialogue.

Trump – You’re wrong, Melania… very wrong… yes, we needed a good fight… but we did because we were growing weak… and seeing that – which was my great insight – I reached down into our collective unconscious and stirred up the spirit of the frontier… I alone stirred up the feistiness, the greed and the combativeness that had made us great.

They look at each other for a moment.

Melania – But the world has changed, my dear, these are not the days of the frontier and that is not lost on White Americans. They know they have to change also. They know that in a few decades’ time, they will be a minority in this country.

Trump – We cannot have that.

She smiles.

Melania – It’s beyond you, you know that. White Americans know, that for the nation to remain an engine of growth and a dominant world economy, we need the strong backs of foreigners, be they Mexicans, Latin Americans, Arabs, Africans or Asian. White American women are simply not willing to devote their lives to popping out enough White children to take their places, and they’re not because they’ve discovered the pleasures and challenges of the mind.

He puts his elbows on the table, joining his hands. Staring off, he nods slightly.

Trump – So I’m a transitional figure, so to speak.

Melania – That’s a good way to put it. White America was essential to bringing the country to where it is now… and that achievement is their glory – leaving out the century of slavery and the century of Jim Crow – but they know that to continue to move forward, we need the world. Change is at our core. And part of the genius of the American mind has been to recognize the virtue of being inclusive.

He rises and walks off a few paces.

Melania – China is on our heels… and now, more than ever, we need openness… the belief in the nation’s transformative powers… the powers that nurture us… and which take the immigrant and makes them our brothers and sisters.

He turns around to face Melania who’s still seated at the table.

Trump – Let’s see how China survives the tariffs.

Melania – They stole technology from us but their talents knew how to take it and add value to it. And if they ever need the strong backs of other nations, they will invite them in. They know what isolation is. They paid dearly for it in the past.

He nods thoughtfully.

Trump – You think I’ll get reelected?

Melania – Doubt it.

Trump – How come?

Melania – We’re getting tired of your antics and want to get back to the business of nation building.

Trump – If I build the wall I’ll have a better chance.

Melania stares at him

Trump – Mind you, I know we don’t need a wall… but I’ll give them a wall anyway… a huge and expensive one… the more the better… so that my people can flock over and admire it, touch it, kiss it, climb on it, take selfies with it in the background… and Mexicans will build the wall… our Mexicans… because we need their labor… and at night their cousins and friends will find a way to climb up on top of it and drop down onto our soil… and we’ll catch them and send them back… only so they climb back up once more and do it all over again… because so long as our economy is stronger than theirs, the flow will not cease. I know that. My people know that, too.

Melania – But still you will build it…

Trump (smugly) – I keep my promises.

Melania – Billions of dollars that could go to training programs, for education…

Trump – And they will reelect me.

Melania – Why not give them the money instead?

Trump – They’re all good people, but they’ve been neglected for too long.

Melania – Neglected you say… by whom may I ask?

Trump – Why, by the political class…

Melania -… and the affluent, both of whom happen to be mostly White… so is it fair to point the finger at immigrants and minorities?

He gives her a long look.

Trump – Whoever said life was fair?

Melania – Understood. So maybe you should say that at your rallies, too.

He laughs.

Trump – You know… the democrats have an up and coming socialist wing… you might be interested in joining.

She rises.

Melania – Let’s go for a walk.

They exit and a moment later they’re walking in the White House garden, side by side.

Trump – How do you think Helsinki is playing in the White American psyche?

Melania – Remember Charlottesville?

Trump – August 12^th, 2017, how could I forget?

Melania – You equivocated then also.

Trump – Equivocated?

Melania – Both sides were at fault, you said then. Couldn’t commit. Same as in Helsinki.

Trump – So?

Melania –  So the White American psyche is wondering… what’s with the waffling?

He stops and so does she. They face each other.

Trump – You have said you believe me when I say I didn’t collude…

Melania – I stand by that.

Trump – But do you think… even if it cannot be proven… that Russia’s interference in the election threw it my way?

Melania – I do.

He grimaces as he studies her expression… then takes a step back.

Trump – I know you’re unhappy, so why are you sticking around?

Melania – Because I still think you can be a good president.

Trump – Melania… I don’t think it’s in me to be a cheerleader for Mueller and his probe… I don’t think it’s in me to be a builder of dialogue between Right and Left… I appreciate your good intentions but that’s not going to happen. I’d rather lose the next election than compromise on what I believe. And I don’t think I’m committing political suicide.

I think we will win and keep control of both Houses… and victory will mean more deregulation and more defense spending… more tax cuts and less welfare, less foreign aid and more restrictive immigration… and that’s what I want to do… and if I go after one term, so be it… but I’m not going out… so I’ll have another term to choose even more supreme court justices, so my legacy will be enduring. I happen to like a bit of chaos in my life, and that’s who I am.

And I happen to think that most Americans want what I want, chaos included. And if down the line, reality tell us that we have to change course, then we’ll do so… but for now we’re doing just fine… breaking down boundaries… pushing the limits.

He pauses.

Trump – Am I being too blunt?

Melania – Not at all. It’s best to know where I stand.

Trump – This is not an act I’m putting on, this is who I am, and the great White American psyche seems to like me. Regression or not. Refinement or not.

She looks at the ground for a moment.

Trump  – As far as inequality is concerned, I’m all for it. Some people have more drive than others and more brains than others and more imagination than others… and those people need plenty of rewards so they can keep creating wealth for everybody else… not that we don’t need the less gifted ones, sure we do, and the more educated they are the more they’ll learn to tame their resentments… the more they’ll learn to put up with their unsolved grievances. But most Americans want to be rich… rich like me… not do gooders… even it if means stepping on others as they climb up the ladder. The really smart figure it out, they always have, they get on with it and don’t complain. So It has been for ever and ever, and so it will be, for ever and ever.

She looks him in the eye.

Trump – The trade war is just the beginning… and I will make alliances with the wealthy and creative all over the world… and my people will love me for that… because deep in their hearts and minds, that’s how they see themselves.

Melania – Even if the majority will never get there.

Trump – You die trying.

Melania – I suppose, then, that you have no intention of making a public apology to American women, like you once said you would?

Trump – I’ve gone back and forth on that but I don’t think so.

Melania – Why not?

Trump – Because powerful men have privileges…

Melania – The privilege to harass…?

Trump – If you let me get away with it. And if women don’t like it, then go ahead and bitch, and march and complain and unite and form a political party if you want… and let’s fight it out. I have no idea where that will end… maybe it will end in some kind of new sexual equality… but you have to fight for it. And to be frank, why shouldn’t you win that fight? You’re a greater number that men in this country.

He pauses.

Trump – But something holds you back. Why did Hillary lose? It wasn’t Russian interference… it was because women let themselves down. But nobody’s talking about that. I do not hear women criticizing themselves, lamenting that they didn’t seize the opportunity.

Melania – Excuse me, I was the one that made that point about women.

Trump – You did, and a good one it was, too. Hillary wasn’t perfect, we all know that, but she was a seasoned politician… a woman who had been through some tough fights in her life… and her own kind just blew her off. Instead of saying, ‘Okay, Hillary has some flaws, but she’s a woman’s woman for crying out loud, so let’s go with her’. Instead of doing that, you waffled… and I got in.

He smiles with satisfaction.

Trump – So I owe much to waffling.

Melania – It’s coming back to haunt you.

He walks off a few paces, then turns around to face her again.

Trump – What happened to your Women’s Party, a while back you talked about getting one going?

Melania – I did talk about it… and you asked me not to do it.

Trump – Well, you need to do what you think is right.

Melania – Yes.

She walks over to the window, crossing her arms as she looks out, pensively.

Trump – Go for it. See if women can really unite… not just talk about it and complain about what men do and don’t do.

She pulls open the drapes a bit more. She doesn’t look at him as she speaks.

Melania – Women have never stopped fighting. Nature put the fight in us… not only to struggle to be all we can be but also to take pause at some point during our lifetime… to create human beings and to nurture them… and it is a noble fight indeed… so, no, we’re no stranger to the good fight. We raise and nurture you and all men alike… only to see you then turn around and devalue us… do violence to us, as if you were afraid of your origins. Man’s story is the story of denying us opportunity… denying us access to education, access to the vote, denying us equal pay, denying us control over our bodies… we’ve had to fight for every single one of those gains… and it has gone on and on to this day…

Now turning to him.

… so don’t you dare sing the praises of inequality when you have known nothing but privilege… and know nothing about the treasures hidden in those who have been deemed less gifted. It’s painful to see you stand there and carry on with your drivel… for it speaks loudly of your disconnect with history. And then you justify your crude behavior toward women, and have the audacity to ask us to fight some more… speaking as if you were exempt from examining yourself and finding fault with your own behavior.

There is a profound rift in the nation… and you intend to address it by telling us that putting more money in our pockets is the solution.

She holds her face in her hands and then slowly brushes back her hair.

He walks over to stand by her side.

Trump – I didn’t mean to offend you.

Melania – You did. You paint yourself as the great fighter… but tell me… was that you fighting Putin in Helsinki?

Trump – Putin is part of the elite of this world… like it or not. He’s sitting on top of a lot of gas and oil and a pile of nuclear weapons… and like him or not… he’s managed to convince a lot of Russians to cheer him on. And he has growing fans in other nations as well. That’s reality.

Melania – So you give him a pass?

Trump – He’s got nothing on me. Even if he’s lying and did know of the interference in our election… or directed it… I got in on my own… and I couldn’t have done it without American women.

She nods slowly.

Trump – I you ever get it together on the idea of the Women’s Party… that should be up there on the agenda to discuss.

Melania – Feeling pretty confident, aren’t you?

Trump – Why shouldn’t I? GDP went over 4 percent, bull market is going strong… NATO members are paying up on defense… I’m renegotiating NAFTA… we’ll give it another name… unemployment is low… and people have more money in their pockets. America is finding itself again.

He goes to her, gives her a kiss on the forehead.

Trump – I’ll be at the office for a while.

And he exits.

Oscar Valdes.   Oscarvaldes.net.   Podcasts in Anchor.fm, apple, google and buzzsprout.

This play was published as a book in 2018. It is available on Amazon.

Chpt 4 –

Outside Moscow. Putin’s dacha.

Putin’s walking in the woods outside his home. Wearing a T shirt and jeans, he’s accompanied by his dog and a Woman dressed in a grey pant suit.

Putin stops, picks up a stick from the ground, rears back and calling to his dog, ‘Fetch, boy, fetch!’, hurls the stick a good distance off. The dog races after the stick.

Putin – How deep do you think the Mueller investigation will go?

Woman – He’s stubborn. Diligent. He won’t give up and won’t be intimidated.

Putin – You think there’s a chance they’ll uncover the full extent?

Woman – There is.

Putin – We have to protect Trump, at whatever cost.

Woman – Of course.

Putin – The more divided Americans are, the better for us. Their focus as a nation will be less clear.

Woman – He’s good at dividing.

Putin – Excellent.

Woman – There are some fringe white supremacy groups that could use financial support. We would make it look like it’s coming from some obscure wealthy southerner. All online.

Putin – Let’s stay away from that.

Woman – We can increase the conversation in support of Republican candidates… we don’t want Republicans to lose the House or the Senate.

Putin – I wish they could come together to put an end to the probe. By whatever means. They know it’s best for them. We’re still looking at Mueller’s background, see what we can use against him?

Woman – He’s clean.

Putin – Keep looking.

Woman – Of course.

The dog returns with the stick in his mouth. Putin pats him on the head, takes the stick and hurls it off again. This time it lands in the water of a nearby lake. The dog races after it.

Putin – The more Trump feels he won the election on his own, the less cooperative he’s likely to be. Which brings me to the reason I called for you.

Woman – Please.

Putin – I need his tax returns.

Woman – Tax returns?

Putin – I’d like to take a look.

Woman – They’re probably in a tightly guarded vault.

Putin – So?

The Woman smiles.

Putin – Melania would like a look, too.

The Woman laughs.

Woman – You’d like Trump to know we got them?

Putin – No… but I may want to release them to the public through a third party, at the right time.

Woman – We’ll get to it right away.

Putin – Thank you. That is all.

Woman (bowing) – It’s been a pleasure. Have a good day.

The Woman turns and leaves.

Putin walks toward the lake where the dog is still struggling to retrieve the stick.

Putin – Washington! Come boy, come! Washington!

                                                                 Chapter 5

White House. Bedroom Suite. Midday.

Melania is standing by the window.

Melania – It wasn’t just once. I’ve been willing to forgive… to see his affairs as indiscretions… but if it were me having the affair, it would be a far different matter. I would be called every name under the sun… and the howls would be unceasing. The disparagement would come not only from men but from women, too. Holy women.

She reaches to the drape and pulls it more open.

Melania – How do you get rid of temptation? Impossible. So it takes intelligence, more so than morality, to see the greater good of maintaining a relationship. But there have to be limits. Without limits then it’s an open marriage and that is no marriage at all. We need limits so we learn to hold our pain. Hold our pain so we can examine it. Examine it so we can process it. If we set limits, we have a chance. A chance to explore who we are… value what we find… and commit to fulfilling our potential. And if we dare to act as catalysts for each other, then we can rightly claim that the partnership is fruitful. Marriage as a partnership to help deliver ourselves onto the world. Affairs and indiscretions will happen because we’re flawed. But without the willingness to examine the source of the affair, then the deceit is compounded and the relationship no longer has validity.

She turns, walks back into the room and sits at the table.

Melania – The theory is clear in my mind… the practice, though, is murky.

She holds her face in her hands for a moment, then, looking forward…

Melania – I am not happy. His affairs have been wounding… far deeper than I have acknowledged.

She sits back and holds her hands on her lap.

Melania – A while back he said he was going to publicly apologize for his behavior toward women… he even drew up a statement that I thought was quite good… but he hasn’t done it. He cannot find the strength in himself. His base forgives his behavior… or looks the other way… and I have, too… but I can’t anymore.

His behavior toward women was unacceptable and the nation deserves an apology. But there’s no apology and instead it continues… the other day he called a lady and a former aide, a dog.

What is that? Where does that come from?

He has no respect for the office he holds. No concern for the role model he needs to be.

She rises and walks off a few paces.

Melania – I’ve talked myself into thinking I can have an impact on him but it’s amounted to nothing. And yet I try… because I have a responsibility to the nation… to this country who took me in as an immigrant. I have a responsibility to act within my powers… to persuade him to come to his senses.

Tears have come to her eyes. She dabs them dry.

Melania – I’ve loved him… but I don’t think he loves me… not anymore… if he did he would pay more attention… though sometimes he has… but he could be doing so much more.

She crosses to sit on the edge of the bed, arms on her knees.

Melania – Soon enough his base will tire of him… soon enough they’ll see through him… they’ll see that to deliver what they truly need he has to have the consent of the entire nation… because it’s going to take a long term investment to empower them… and he doesn’t know how to do that. He knows how to whip up a rage against immigrants… but doesn’t know how to constructively channel those energies. He can build hotels… but he doesn’t know how to nurture people.

He knows how to use them… and yet… I love him.

She shakes her head slowly.

Melania – One day, though… I may choose to not be at his side.

                                                Chapter 6

Washington DC. Park. Evening.

A man in a suit (1^st) sits at a bench. He checks his cell phone. A moment later, a second man (2^nd), also in a suit, approaches and sits next to the first one. They both turn off their cell phones and lay them side to side between them.

1^st – Pleasant evening.

2^nd – Indeed.

1^st – The investigation keeps going deeper.

2^nd – Like it or not.

1^st – They may yet stumble into something big.

2^nd – Any day now.

1^st – The democrats are salivating.

2^nd – Drooling.

1^st – Think Cohen will make a dent?

2^nd – I think we’ve seen all he’s got… but he may yet have an ace up his sleeve.

1^st – Something is about to break.

2^nd – How do you think T will react?

1^st – He’ll go bonkers.

They look at each other.

1^st – We’ll have to ease him out. In the interest of the nation.

2^nd – Like it or not.

1^st – Call in a forensic team… certify him unfit for office.

2^nd – There’s a way to do it.

1^st – I heard about it.

2^nd – Pence should slide right in.

1^st – We can work with him.

2^nd – For a while.

1^st – Mitch is whom I’d like to see as Prez.

They both chuckle.

1^st – Hard to drain the swamp, ain’t it?

2^nd – Damn hard.

Two joggers pass by.

1^st – You still jog?

2^nd – Three times a week.

1^st – I need to get back to it.

2^nd – Good for your brain.

1^st – What about Manafort?

2^nd – Hard fall from grace.

1^st – What a lousy vetting job, getting him for campaign manager.

2^nd – You’re not kidding. Where was the Party?

1^st – La La land.

2^nd – Bet you he didn’t jog.

1^st – Manafort?

2^nd (smiling) – Didn’t get enough oxygen up there.

A squirrel scampers across.

1^st – Think he’ll get a pardon?

2^nd – He just might.

1^st – If he doesn’t, it’s going to be some years in uniform.

2^nd – What a come down.

1^st – I’m sure he saw himself slipping…

2^nd – And he couldn’t stop.

1^st  – Tragic character… when you can’t stop yourself.

2^nd – Playing out as we speak.

1^st – Was it John Acton who said ‘power tends to corrupt…’ or was it Clausewitz?

2^nd – John Acton, ‘Absolute power corrupts absolutely’.

1^st – Easy to forget, when you’re counting the money.

2^nd – Let’s make sure it doesn’t happen to us.

1^st – Yep.

2^nd – Will you call me aside if you see me slipping… if I ever do?

1^st – I promise.

2^nd – I’ll do the same for you.

1^st – Thanks.

Pause.

1^st – I was about to say it won’t ever happen to me… but that’s a bad sign right there.

They both laugh.

2^nd – Yep.

1^st – Keep it real.

2^nd – Amen.

Oscar Valdes.    Oscarvaldes.net.    Also available in anchor.fm, apple and google podcasts and buzzsprout.

This play was published in 2018 and is available on Amazon.

Trump is finishing addressing a huge rally, standing room only. A multitude of American flags are waving in the crowd. The noise dies down just so…

Trump (into the mike) – You know… I am here because of you… because you love me…and together… you and me… will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

The crowd explodes in thunderous cries of USA! USA! Long live Trump! Long live the king! Streams of multicolored confetti shoot out into the arena below from contraptions set up high above and rousing music blares out from the loudspeakers.

He raises his arms and waves back, beaming with satisfaction, exulting in the crowd’s adoration. Then the room goes completely dark and the music stops.

Trump finds himself alone in a barely lit, rectangular room. There are no windows. He’s seated in a chair at one end of the room. He looks around warily but it’s very dark. He’s not sure where he is or what he’s doing there. He feels something on his head, so he reaches up and removes it. He pulls it close to his eyes so he can examine it.

He smiles.

Trump – A crown… ah… finally…

Just then a tall, slender and shadowy figure appears at the other end of the room. The Man is dressed in a black suit with a hood over his head. Trump is puzzled because he didn’t see the Man enter. The Man glances at him. With a wave of his hand the Man creates a chair for himself and sits facing Trump. In the darkness, Trump cannot discern the Man’s features. The Man calmly crosses his legs.

Man – You and me… working together… will make America great again.

The Man speaks with a deep voice. Trump listens attentively.

Man – So, if your supporters had had a greater role in the conduct of the nation’s affairs… the country would not have slipped from greatness?

Trump eyes the Man suspiciously.

The Man – But how is that possible… that such a vital section of the nation allowed itself to be pushed aside… and by whom?

Trump – The immigrants, the undocumented, the illegals.

The Man (shakes his head slowly) – They have all that much political power?

Trump (chuckles) – Who are you?

Man – You’re running a scam in broad daylight, aren’t you…?

Trump (laughs) – Who are you?

Man – … transferring blame to an important, productive and enterprising segment of the nation… to exonerate… excuse your base.

Trump – Watch your words, buddy. You’d get lynched if you said something like that at one of my rallies.

Man – I say exonerate and excuse because it’s not the immigrants and minorities that’s pushing your base down… and you know it… no… instead, it’s been your base’s affluent and politically powerful brothers and sisters… white also… who did not reach out to them and said… ‘come, rise and walk with me’.

Trump – They needed a leader.

Man – You?

Trump – Yes, me… to lead them out of the wilderness and to the promised land. And if I have to blame some groups to stir them up, so be it.

Man – So you picked the easier target… rather than the class that has been deaf to their cries…

Trump, his anger smoldering, stares at the Man.

Man – … the class to which you belong.

Trump (impatiently) – Look, I’d love to chat but I’m a busy guy, I’ve got a country to run.

Man – So your base shares blame for not examining themselves… and waiting too long.

Trump – They’ve been waiting for me.

Man – Dear man … you’re a choice of desperation… and not a good one.

Trump – I’ve had enough of this.

He tries to get up but can’t.

Trump – What the hell?

There are no visible ties to bind him but he cannot get out of the chair. He struggles frantically but cannot free himself.

Man – The crowds at your rallies… do you promise them anything?

Trump – Why, yeah… sure, I tell them they can have… we can have… anything we want if we stick together.

Man – I see the salesman in you.

Trump – As a matter of fact, I am. New York City salesman. Ever been to New York City? Ever heard of Trump Tower… I mean, where have you been? You’ve never heard of me?

The Man says nothing.

Trump – Look buddy, I don’t know what game you’re playing but you can’t just hold me down like this… I’m the president of the United States.

Man – I’m not holding you down.

Trump (still trying in vain to free himself) – You’ve no idea who you’re messing with.

(bursting in anger)

Goddammit, are you deaf? I command you to let me the hell out of here!

The Man is unmoved.

Trump bows his head, gathering his strengths. Again, he thrusts forward trying to pull out of the chair but cannot.

Trump – Let me out!

The Man stares at Trump. Frustrated, Trump tries another tack.

Trump – Say, friend… I didn’t mean to get ornery… what’s your name?

The Man rises slowly, starts to leave but then stops, all the while looking at Trump.

Trump – Who are you? (exasperated) What do you want from me?

The Man turns and vanishes.

Trump – Hey, you!

Trump wakes up with a startle, sitting up in bed, restless. Melania is asleep next to him.

He then rises, puts on his robe and crosses to the window. He pulls up a chair and sits, looking out into the night.

Oscar Valdes.    Oscarvaldes.net.  Also available in anchor.fm, apple podcasts, Google podcasts and buzzsprout.