GEOFFREY HOLLAND
A Short Story Adaptation from the Screenplay by Geoffrey Holland
Retired basketball star, Trev Logan had it all—an NBA career that made him a household name, massive wealth, and the adoration of millions. But none of that mattered when he stepped back onto the downtrodden streets of Malpene Township, Pennsylvania. Trev’s mixed-race hometown, once a thriving industrial hub, had long been a community in economic ruin. Storefronts sat empty; Malpene was a town worn out, and without hope.
For Trev Logan, returning to Malpene after a long absence was taken as an obligation. He had escaped to a privileged life through his basketball talent and grit. He knew well how lucky he had been. No one else from Malpene had known anything close to his kind of fame and success.
Trev wanted to help his downtrodden hometown. In his search for an answer, he connected with Amy Richter, a consultant focused on urban food production technologies. Amy inspired Trev with a vision of revitalizing Malpene with high-tech vertical farming. She showed him that vertical farming was poised to be a big part of the world’s food security in the years ahead. It used food production tech that was 50 times more efficient than traditional cropland farming, and required much less water and energy. Trev and Amy settled on a plan to build a vertical farm using cutting edge food production technology. They envisioned greenhouses teeming with fresh produce. For Malpene, vertical farming meant jobs, sustainability and renewed hope.
But there was a problem. Malpene had a corrupt gatekeeper. His name was Jim Ware. As owner of the county’s massive landfill operation, Ware employed a big share of the county’s people and he controlled the politics in Malpene.
A Local Autocrat’s Grip on Power
Jim Ware had been a nobody once. Growing up in Malpene, he had learned early that power was taken, not given. He started as a low-level enforcer for a local businessman with deep connections in the waste industry. Through calculated alliances and brutal backroom deals, Ware clawed his way up, eventually seizing control of the landfill operations. Ware’s total community control came after he helped get Judge Chester, Sheriff Martin, and Commissioner Borman elected, ensuring that local politics served his personal ambition.
Ware had a simple philosophy: control the jobs, and you control the people. With Malpene’s manufacturing era long gone, Ware ensured that his trash dump remained the only viable, community employment source. Ware crushed and punished anyone who dared to dream beyond working in his expanding garbage business.
A Community Divided
The people of Malpene had lived under Landfill owner Jim Ware’s corrosive influence for so long that many had forgotten what political freedom looked like. Some, like Betty Henry, the landfill’s bookkeeper, had always known the truth about Ware but feared speaking out.
Trev Logan was looking for a way to help his hometown. Then, he learned about the latest indoor farming technology from Amy Richter, an expert in sustainable food production. Amy convinced Trev to get behind a plan to revitalize Malpene by building the latest ‘vertical farming’ technology for growing a range of vegetables in a multi-story commercial buildings.
Jim Ware and his corrupt political stooges face down Trev Logan and his challenge to their authority. The community is torn. The people doubt Trev’s commitment.
“I get what Trev’s trying to do,” said one of many town skeptics, “But when his game is up, he got his beach front to go back to. Meanwhile, us folks lose everything.”
At Malpene’s coffee shop, the conflict raged daily.
“You really think growing veggies in a building is gonna save us?” said a grumpy elder. “Jim Ware is a scumbag, but at least he keeps the lights on.”
Yes, Malpene’s mood was dismal, but many of the community’s young people were eager for Trev Logan’s vision.
Trev Logan’s Breaking Point
Trev and Amy, who had a budding relationship, had been fighting for months to get construction going on their innovative, vertical farm business. Every step forward was blocked by Ware and his political henchmen. Trev’s Malpene Farms construction permits were revoked. The town was divided. Ware was becoming ever more obstructive. The uncertainty in the air was wearing Trev down.
One night, Trev sat alone in the high school gym’s basketball court. He was staring at the frayed net hanging down from one of the court’s hoops. It reflected his gloomy mood. He had given his full commitment to Malpene, and yet, he knew the town was skeptical and afraid.
Amy found Trev in the gym, his head in his hands. She comforted him and said, “A lot of good people believe in you. You’re the hero this town needs.”
Trev said, “That’s a lot to live up to.”
Amy reassured him. “I’m a fan. I saw you play. Your best came when you got behind. The people here need that same commitment from you now.”
Trev loved Amy’s cheery encouragement. He found his resolve. He was very glad to have Amy standing with him.
From Ruin to Renewal
Trev and Amy had one big card left to play. With a lot of community help, they gathered enough citizen signatures to force a recall election. The county’s corrupt politicians were on the ballot. So was the fate of evil landfill lord, Jim Ware.
On the night of the recall election, Ware made his move. Flanked by his goons, Ware cornered Trev outside the town hall.
“Takin’ me on….That’s a damn fool’s risk,” Ware growled with menace.
Trev ridiculed Ware’s provocation. “You got no game, trashman.”
Ware smirked and moved into Trev’s space. “You’re out of your league, boy.”
Trev saw the Sheriff gripping his sidearm. Trev stood his ground and stayed calm. He glared at Ware and said, “I know a racist asshole when I see one.”
Ware scowled. Then, he noticed a hostile crowd of Malpene’s young people had gathered nearby. Enraged, Ware backed off and retreated flanked by Judge Chester, Sheriff Martin, and commissioner Borman.
The Final Restoration
The recall vote was razor-thin, but it was enough to shake Malpene’s dependence on Jim Ware. That same day, Betty Henry, Ware’s bookkeeper, found her courage and handed over the landfill’s accounting files to state government authorities. Within hours, the arrests began. Judge Chester, Sheriff Martin, county commissioner Bormann, and Jim Ware all in cuffs. As the FBI hauled Ware away, Trev smiled and muttered. “Game over, trashman.”
Led by its young people, Malpene township was reborn. The community gathered and celebrated with Trev and Amy, who were in love and committed to each other.
With Ware gone, the community’s transformation began in earnest. Malpene Farms opened as a high-tech cooperative venture owned jointly by Trev Logan and the people of Malpene. It was the beginning of a community renaissance.
Trev didn’t stop with Malpene Farms. He was awarded control of Ware’s landfill by state courts. Applying the latest waste management technology, Trev and Amy transformed the landfill to reprocess all incoming waste into useful raw materials. They also added the production of clean, renewable energy to the facility’s business model.
As Trev and Amy gazed out on the remarkably remade landfill, she said, “I love what happened here.”
Trev smiled and responded, “You and me; we just getting started.”
Malpene, the town that had once been mired in misery was back. It had found its pride. It was now a model for inclusion and community renewal. It was a beacon for people choosing to live in tune with nature, and an inspiration for a world very much in need of human success stories.
Trev Logan became more than just a big time sports MVP. His transformative heroics made him a historical figure; a true champion for people and communities across the entire planet.