t he t rut h n e ve r t ol d - citytheatrecompany.org filegrace , a fri e ndl y a nd c uri ous gi rl...

The Truth Never Told By: Vicky Nieto 2019

1

Characters

Grace, a friendly and curious girl. She will turn 16 soon. Sophie, Grace´s little sister. She is very similar to Grace, but more outgoing. Liam,Grace´s older brother. He is 18 and a really caring guy. Chloe, Grace´s best friend since 1st grade. Mr. Tyler Jones, the real father of grace. Mrs.Charlotte Jones, the real mother of Grace. Mrs. Katie Lewis, the fake mom of Grace. Mr. George Lewis, the fake dad of Grace. Setting: The Lewis family is having dinner. The kids are discussing a book. Grace is on her phone texting.

Act I, Scene 1 Grace has had a rough day today. Mrs. Lewis is exhausted and the rest of the family is as well. Tension occurs during dinner.

MRS.LEWIS (Tired)

Grace please put your phone away

GRACE (Rolls her eyes)

MR.LEWIS

(Yells) Grace! Put your phone away right now!

SOPHIE Hey Mommy! Guess what!!


2

MRS.LEWIS

(Sighs) What is it sweetie?

SOPHIE Mrs.Wilson said I was really good at reading for a kindergartener.

GRACE (mockingly)

Haha should we also have your teacher tell you unicorns are real?

MRS.LEWIS GRACE! That is not nice at all!

GRACE WHAT? You´re yelling at me? It was just a joke. Jeez you guys are too serious.

MR.LEWIS Just drop it Grace.

GRACE

(sighs and becomes quieter) I was just trying to get your attention. I truly didn't think I would.

MRS.LEWIS Grace, really? You´re 15, almost 16. You aren't a little kid anymore who needs constant attention. Grow up please, and finish your food.


3

GRACE (gets up and leaves)

MRS.LEWIS (shouts)

Grace!! Come back right now

GRACE (Continues to walk away)

MR. LEWIS Kids these days…

SOPHIE

It’s just a phone anyways. What’s the big deal?

LIAM Maybe but Grace is different…

SOPHIE

She is? How ? I wanna know! Please-please tell me!

MRS. LEWIS Hush! The both of you, you’ve still got a lot on your plate.

Act I, Scene 2

Grace is inside her room with a box of tissues. She’s crying and feels miserable. She begins to talk to herself about all her emotions and what she's thinking.


4

GRACE I wish mom and dad could pay attention to me. Liam says I’m different and I wanna know how. It wasn’t even like they care anymore. I want to know why Sophie is their absolute favorite. THEY DON’T EVEN TRY TO HIDE IT!

(Sobbing and reaches for a tissue) Gosh I wish I weren’t the middle child. When you’re the middle child you barely get stressed out since you have to balance relationships with your older sibling and younger sibling. Most of the attention goes to your successful older sibling. The rest of it goes to the younger and adorable one everyone loves. Then I am just left with little or no attention. I don’t know if I’m good enough anymore. Sometimes I wonder what would happen if I disappeared. Would my family care? It’s almost as if I don’t exist but all of a sudden when I do something “bad” they realize I exist. All I wanted was to be left alone. Today at school I failed my math test. I lost my pencil case. And my project is nowhere near done. I’m just so stressed and no one understands except for Chloe. I can’t stand it anymore. I wish things were like before, when everything was much more simple.

(Sniffs and grabs yet another tissue) Gosh it feels like I don’t belong here. I don’t know what I should do. Maybe looking through old pictures will cheer me up.

LIAM (Knocks)

Hey Grace can I come in?

GRACE Sure, why not?

LIAM Are you okay? I know that your feeling upset I mean just look at all those tissues you used!

GRACE


5

I’m not doing so well. My day was so stressful. I was down to the last straw at dinner and I burst. It’s just it doesn’t feel like mom and dad care about me. You’re perfect in academics, athletics, and everything. Sophie is young so of course people find her adorable and the kindergarten teachers love her. When I was in kindergarten, they couldn’t even remember who I was.

LIAM Grace I know it can be hard, trust me being the oldest child isn’t easy either. You can be amazing and are amazing in every way possible as well.

GRACE (Sniffs)

Thanks Liam I think I just need some space. I really appreciate you coming in to checking up on me.

LIAM (Hugs Grace)

yep no problem just call me over when you need me.

GRACE Okay I’m gonna head to sleep. Goodnight Liam.

LIAM

Goodnight Grace, sleep well.

Act I, Scene 3

It's 3 am on the clock. Grace wakes up next to the photo album she has left on her bed. Her lamp is turned on.


6

GRACE I said I'd look through the photo album last night, might as well do it now.

(she flips the page) Wow I remember this day.. and

(A picture falls out of the album) Oooh what’s this? There’s even writing on the back!

(Reading card) “ March 15, 2003 Dear Katie, this is hard for me to do but we know it must be done. I’ve left all the things she’s grown up with so far. I hope you take care of her well. I don’t exactly know when I’ll take her back but I just know it won’t be within a year, unfortunately. Please don’t let her find out but if she asks just contact me and we’ll have a talk.- C. J” Who is “she”? Maybe I should ask Liam about this later

(Yawns) I better go to bed.

LIAM GRACE!! Wake up! It’s 6:30 now let’s go!

GRACE Fine! Just stop yelling.

LIAM (Laughs)

Sorry but seriously you’ve go to get out of bed sooner.

GRACE (Whispers)


7

Ha! Easy for you to say, you got 8 hours of sleep. I got 3 hours.

LIAM What was that?

GRACE

Don’t worry about dude. Just lemme get ready bro.

Act I, Scene 4

Grace has just finished packing her things for the sleepover. Liam steps into Grace to see if she’s any better than before.

LIAM What’s up lil sis?

GRACE (Jumps)

Oh my gosh Liam don’t do that! You should at least knock!

LIAM Seriously? It wasn’t even that loud but sorry. I just came in to see if you felt any better than before.

GRACE Don’t worry about it. I’m doing okay but I found a picture of me as a baby being held by two adults I don’t know. I also found writing on the back. Take a look.


8

LIAM

Hmmm..

GRACE It was hidden in a pocket I didn’t know existed. How strange.

LIAM

Wh- What’s wrong with it?

GRACE Why are you stuttering...You know, don’t you? Tell me Liam!!! If I don’t find out I’ll go insane!!

LIAM But Grace, I mean it. If I tell you er- I mean it's not such a nice thing to hear.

GRACE Just tell me. Who knows maybe it will or won’t..

LIAM (nervous)

Grace, aren't you being a little over dramatic? I mean it-it's just a picture right?

GRACE LIAM! If there's nothing to hide you wouldn’t be nervous so please just tell me.

LIAM (Grabs picture and examines it)


9

Grace.. there’s something we’ve never told you. I’m not sure if you’d want to know. It’s just .. if I . If I tell you um you’ll ... Ah just forget it.

GRACE JUST TELL ME!!

LIAM Okay stop yelling jeez. So um that picture was hidden for a reason. You aren’t actually my sister either. You aren’t blood related to any of us. Mom tried to hide this from you but eventually you’d have to find out. We were planning on telling you if you had asked but so far you hadn’t. I-I put that picture there just because the other day we were looking at the photo albums while you worked on your birthday party invitations. Since our albums looked similar I placed it in yours, thinking it was mine. I was small at the time when we “adopted” you. I wish I could tell you who your actual parents were but I can't. Only mom and Dad know. Grace are you okay?

GRACE Not exactly. I mean why would they not tell me? I- I mean yeah it’s kind of not something you just blurt out but why didn’t they tell me? Sometimes I’ve felt so different from you guys and I don’t know what it was or why..

LIAM But Grace please know that blood related or not I love you. You are such a brilliant person in every way. I know you and I have grown up as siblings for the longest time but this doesn’t have to change a thing. We’ll love you regardless. I’m so sorry for telling you. I should’ve just never came here. Then again who says being adopted has to be bad?

GRACE You've got a point but to me I feel a being a part of this family just doesn’t feel right anymore. Also it’s not your fault, I asked. You were just trying to check up


10

on me to see if I was okay and you are the best bro I could have even if we don’t have the same DNA.

LIAM

I-I’m just so sorry I’ll make it up to you soon.

GRACE Liam, don’t worry about it. I’m going to Chloe’s and she’ll help me out. I don’t expect you to do anything for me because you being my brother is more than enough. At least I won’t insane by NOT finding out.

LIAM Thank you Grace. Have fun at your sleepover tonight if you need anything just text me. I’m actually heading out as well, I can drive you to her house if you want.

GRACE

Sure. I don’t think I’ll be able to walk alone at this time. It’s pretty dark.

LIAM I´ll go start the car you get your things and come down when you're ready.

GRACE Got it!

Act I, Scene 5


11

Grace has been in her bed all for 2 days after coming back from Chloe´s. Mrs. Lewis walks in with a basket of laundry. She seems more calm than before. Grace is on her phone watching youtube.

MRS.LEWIS

Hey Gracie! I did your laundry for you while you were out.. I thought I´d come in to apologize.

GRACE Thanks mom.. I´m also sorry for the way i treated you. I know you were tired and irritated that day but so was I. The whole week I tried to talk to you about my project and how I needed your help but everytime Sophie or Liam got your attention.

MRS.LEWIS Grace I’m sorry, I had no idea i had treated you like that all week. Why didn't you just tell me..

GRACE I didn't want you to feel more stressed.It uh doesn't matter anyways. Whatever happened last week is in the past. I mean I can't do anything to change it. I think I feel okay though..

MRS.LEWIS Are you sure you're okay? I can help you with your project if you still need me.

GRACE

Too late. It was due on Friday. I´ve got other things I should be doing right now actually if you don't mind. Thanks for checking on me. Katie- errr mom. Sor-


12

MRS.LEWIS Right! Okay then I´ll get going.

(phone rings)

GRACE Who's that?

MRS.LEWIS Uh-uh some stranger I guess. I'll go answer the phone and see what she...Or HE! Wants okay? You go ahead and be productive I'll be around if you need me.

(shuts door and exists) GRACE

She is definitely down in the most soundproof room, the basement. (sighs)

I better go find out what that call is about. Even if I´m not related to these people, I at least know when they're hiding something from me.

MRS.LEWIS Yeah, I'm in the basement. Char, I think Grace knows. I don't know how she would know but she doesn't seem the same. The other day I went into her room and saw liam´s album laying on her bed, the one with the hidden picture. I don't know if she's been told yet and I don't think liam remembers she was even adopted. So I don't think he could have told her. For Grace´s birthday, please come so I can talk to you about something. I’ll meet you near the alley down Levington street. I’ve got to go before someone hears me talking, you never know who’s listening ha.

GRACE (Whispers)

Shoot she’s coming back upstairs. I better get back to my room.


13

MRS.LEWIS (Footsteps)

Grace! Is that you?

GRACE Oh. Hey! I was just looking for something

MRS.LEWIS

Do you need help? My call ended you know.

GRACE Oh um nevermind I don’t need to find my uh notebook right away, don’t worry about it haha. Who called you though?

MRS.LEWIS

Just an old friend so uh no big deal.

GRACE If you say so. I’m going my room if you need me actually so I’ll talk to you later.

Act I, Scene 6 It is now Monday after school. Grace and Chloe are at the lewis home looking though high school pictures up in the attic.

CHLOE (tosses book)

Grace! We´ve been looking through these dumb yearbooks for an HOURS.

GRACE


14

I know just be patient. We need to find this lady named Char.

CHLOE How do you know her name is Char? What if it's a nickname? Or maybe she had a different name but changed it legally? What if she didn't go to highschool with your mom?? Didn't you ever think of that?

GRACE Maybe it’s um um Charlotte! Oh Chloe you are brilliant! Let's keep looking. They’re also old friends so maybe they went to school together.

CHLOE No that's not what I meant. I mean what are the chances of even finding this woman? Seriously Grace, there are endless possibilities of what could've happened to her. Even her name is Charlotte and we find her in one of these year books , how will you know its her?

GRACE I-

CHLOE Exactly. I know you so bad want to find out who your real parents are, but for what reason?

GRACE I want to know the kind of people I was intended to live with. What they're like. Why they left me. The reason this secret was kept from me. I want answers to many questions I can't figure out on my own.

CHLOE


15

(sighs) Yeah I know but seriously do we have to do all this searching just to find one person?

GRACE Maybe you’re right, but that doesn’t mean wrong. Maybe they didn’t go to school together but we know they are old friends, my mom said so in the call. Support me or not but I want to find answers and I’m going to. Sure it may not be today or tomorrow but I’ll do what I can to find the truth as soon as possible on March 25.

CHLOE Why on your birthday?

GRACE I don’t know but my mom said the lady would show up that day somewhere. I feel like my birthday should have some sort information on who gave birth to me. Right?

CHLOE Hm okay. Uh it’s almost 8 so I’ll head home in a few.

GRACE K so it’s 7:40. We’ve got 20 minutes.

CHLOE To do what?

GRACE

To make a rocket...To make a plan silly!


16

CHLOE okay then what’s the plan?

GRACE Okay so we’ve got 5 days to do this. Today we spent hours looking through the albums so it doesn’t count. Tomorrow we will go and look through my mom’s files in her office. Wednesday we will continue to investigate around the house. Thursday we’ll take that information and make connections. Friday whenever everything is set up we can check my mom’s messages for info. Saturday we’ll spy from the corner of the building which is at the back alley where my mom will meet my other mom. Then as we get out of our hiding spots with the evidence. We will ask my mom the question and ask questions.

CHLOE

Fine but we better make this quick.

GRACE Got it. Let's do this.

Act I, Scene 7 A week has gone by and the packets of information lays before them on the table. The girls are frustrated and they can't seem to figure out the missing piece of the puzzle.

GRACE I cant believe its the 24th already. We´ve only got a day left to do this. We better make sure all the information is well written. Chloe please read to me the notes we took on the chart.


17

CHLOE Okay Tuesday, we found the lady´s husband was named Tyler Jones in the deleted emails then we spent time with your mom to see if she was acting strange. Wednesday, we found a box of baby items in the attic. Some said¨love c.j¨ or from ¨Char. Jones¨. Thursday, we found that they are around the same age as my parents but did go to elementary school together just not high school. In some deleted files we also learned that they work and live an hour away. So far today we have looked through your mom's phone and looked at the address where they would meet. Tomorrow we will go to the place and ask the questions.

GRACE Thank you! Now we don´t know when they will meet up so make sure to keep an eye out for my mom. I will catch up to you once the food buffet is put away for the dessert menu.

CHLOE There was a note under your mom's bed saying ¨Meet jones at 2¨. I´m pretty sure it is taking place at 2 in the morning once she has already driven you home.

GRACE Oh! That makes sense but still look around at 2 in the afternoon.

CHLOE Okay. I have to go home so I´ll see you later.

GRACE Bye! Tomorrow will be a long day...


18

Act I, Scene 8

Grace is at the bowling alley, where her party is located. It’s almost 2 and nothing interesting has happened so far.

CHLOE

Uh so it’s 1:50 and I don’t notice anything suspicious. You think they called it off?

GRACE No, it’s not even 2 yet. We can’t make that assumption yet. Like you said it may take place in the morning so let’s just be patient.

CHLOE Okay but Grace… are you a 100% sure you want to do this? I mean can’t you just not find out and live your life normally like before?

GRACE Chloe, I know this has been a long week for us both. I don’t want to throw all this hard work away.

CHLOE Is that your only reason?

GRACE

No. To be fair they both lied to me for 16 years of my life so I think I have the right to know. Liam and my mom said they would tell me if I asked. Now the time has arrived and they can’t back up now, can they?

CHLOE


19

Alright you’ve got a point.

MRS.LEWIS (Talking in the distance) Oh excuse me sir.

GRACE There she goes! Let’s follow her!!

CHLOE Actually can I stay? This is more of a personal thing for you that doesn’t involve me anyways.

Act I, Scene 9 Grace is at the alley and the moms have just started to talk.

CHARLOTTE

I know I’ll have to tell her eventually. She can’t live her whole life without the truth of her actual parents, no offense. We could lie to her as long as we want but eventually the truth with come out.

KATIE You're right Charlotte. Should we go tell her today?

CHARLOTTE Yes let’s go find her Ka-


20

GRACE No need. I’m already here.

KATIE Oh uh Grace.. How long have you been here?

GRACE Long enough to know what’s happening.

CHARLOTTE I’m sorry. We’re both sorry. I mean we didn’t want you to find out this way but here we are.

KATIE Grace I know that you will be frustrated with me but let me explain. The reason Charlotte was never around was for the sake of your innocence. I know only some of the answers to your questions but Charlotte knows all. I will leave you two so you can talk.

(exits)

CHARLOTTE Where would you like to start?

GRACE

I just have a few questions for you. I know it’s a little early for my questions so I’ll only ask a few.

CHARLOTTE Go for it !


21

GRACE

Why did you leave me when I was born? Was it because you hated me from the beginning?

CHARLOTTE Before I met your dad, I had developed a drinking and smoking problem. He and I had you so I had to stop my habits for a while. One night I was out with some friends and your dad was at home watching you. There were cigarettes and alcohol so of course I gave in. When I got home Tyler noticed I was drunk so we realized if I couldn’t maintain my addictions then it wasn’t healthy to raise you. I contacted katie and she agreed to take care of you. I got into rehab and was there for around 6 years. I was planning on getting you back but if I did then you would think I was a kidnapper or something and it would make it hard for a toddler to understand. I didn’t mean to make you think I hated you at all. I could say sorry again but it doesn't always fix things.

GRACE I get it now, you didn’t mean to harm me in any way. I just have one more question. What did I miss out on for 16 years of my life?

CHARLOTTE (chuckles)

Oh many things Grace. I will make sure to update you later. I have go to go now. Do you want to stay with me? Or would you rather stay here, where you grew up.

GRACE I never thought about it but, I think I´d like to be back at home. Your home.

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