Jason

## Description

Jason is Marvin and Trina's son. Born into a loveless marriage, Jason was forced to mature at a very young age, coming to resent his parents, to the point where he fears he will grow up to become his father. He eventually gets over this, developing a more stable and happier relationship with his parents.

## March of the Falsettos

Jason is Marvin and Trina's son. A crucial part to Marvin's "tight-knit family". Jason resents his father for leaving him and Trina, and also resents Trina, albeit less than he resents Marvin, for not being able to provide for him a normal life. Jason has been forced to mature due to his parent's divorce, as well as the nature of their divorce.

He enjoys playing chess, believing it to be the most beautiful thing in the world, as opposed to love, which is what Marvin told him. Jason is worried that he will grow up to become his father, and is also worried that his father's homosexuality has been carried onto him through his genes. Jason does not want to become his father, as he fears he will hurt others the way that Marvin has hurt him and the people in Jason's life.

Jason is also very reserved, spending his time playing chess instead of making friends and hanging out with them. Trina asks him if he wants to go to the Jewish center, to which he responds with pretending to vomit. Trina tells him she's worried about him, telling him she doesn't think what he does is normal. She begs him to see a psychiatrist, but Jason refuses. Marvin then steps in, telling Jason to see the psychiatrist, but Jason still refuses. The three argue before Jason asks to speak with Whizzer. Jason asks Whizzer if he should see a psychiatrist, and Whizzer tells him he's not sure, until Marvin flicks him on the head and Trina nods at him violently, so Whizzer changes his answer to, "absolutely Jason." Jason agrees to see Mendel, but only if Mendel comes to their house.

Trina calls Mendel to invite him over to their house, and Jason wonders how he should act and what he should say. Mendel arrives, and the three have dinner. Mendel remarks that Jason looks miserable, and Jason agrees. Trina leaves to room so Jason and Mendel can have their session, and Jason gestures for Mendel to sit next to him. He tells Mendel about his fear of becoming like his father, especially since people say that Jason resembles Marvin in far too many ways. He begins panicking, and Mendel tells him to relax and feel alright for the rest of his life. Jason is very confused, because this does not seem like what therapy is supposed to be like. Mendel continues returning for multiple sessions with Jason, which aggravates Marvin, asking why he's always here. Jason kicks Marvin and Trina out of the room so he can continue having his therapy session. Jason asks Mendel about his intentions regarding his mother, and Mendel tries to change the subject, but Jason reassures him that it'll be okay, and he tells Mendel to feel alright for the rest of his life.

He offers to help Mendel propose, watching as Mendel proposes to Trina.

After Trina has accepted, and the two get married, Jason stays with them as they decorate their new home.

Jason is there when Marvin barges into their house, throwing a fit over Trina and Mendel's marriage. He watched as his father slaps his mother in a rage, shocked at what's going on. Jason breaks down, thinking about how he hates the world, and hates his dad, but still can't help but love him, and love the life that he never had. He begs the Lord to listen to his cries. Marvin sits Jason down, apologizing for everything he's done to Jason. He tells Jason that he loves him, and didn't means to hurt Jason to the point that Jason doubts that there's any love between them. He tells Jason he's proud of him, and believes that Jason can grow up to be himself, not Marvin.

## Falsettoland

In the two year period between March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland, Marvin and Trina had come to a truce, and Marvin gets custody of Jason every weekend. Jason's 13th birthday is nearing, which means that his Bar Mitzvah is nearing as well. Jason practices his prayers, watching as his parents all argue over his Bar Mitzvah. He remarks that they're much too excited over this. The lesbians from next door come over, and Cordelia offers food to Trina. The adults all celebrate Jason's upcoming Bar Mitzvah.

Jason thinks about his Bar Mitzvah while at one of his baseball games. He goes up to bat, but is more focused on thinking about what girls to invite to his Bar Mitzvah. Jason gets all three strikes, forgetting about the ball because he's worrying about if any girls will even come to his Bar Mitzvah, and if they do, if they'll laugh at his Hebrew or his father and his friends. Jason states that if they did come, and they didn't make fun of his Hebrew or his father and his friends, that would be a miracle (of Judaism).

Jason is clearly very bad at baseball. Mendel shouts very poor motivation. Jason leaves first base after all three strikes, returning to batter-up when Whizzer comes over. He greets Whizzer, happy that he came. Whizzer gives him advice to hit the bat. Using Whizzer's advice, Jason swings and hits a home run. Standing there in disbelief, he runs after everyone yells at him to run.

Marvin and Trina continue to argue over the details of Jason's Bar Mitzvah, to the point where things will often become heated. Jason becomes stressed out by their arguing, claiming that they're ruining his Bar Mitzvah, and that he no longer wants one. Marvin and Trina are shocked, trying to guilt trip Jason so he'll have his Bar Mitzvah. Mendel shoos them away, telling Jason that every hates his parents, and that it's okay, since he'll grow up, hate his parents less, have children of his own, and his own children will hate him. Jason agrees.

Jason goes to the hospital to visit Whizzer, telling him that he looks awful, and that playing chess might make him feel better. Jason offers to let Whizzer win, but Whizzer tells him to not do that. They continue playing, but Whizzer becomes tired from the simple act of playing chess.

Jason decides that he'll have his Bar Mitzvah, but when Whizzer recovers, since he wants everyone he cares about to be at his Bar Mitzvah. Mendel tells him he isn't sure if Whizzer will ever get better, but Jason doesn't care. Trina suggests that they cancel the Bar Mitzvah, but Jason refuses, telling them that he wants to have the Bar Mitzvah, and Whizzer has to be at the Bar Mitzvah. Mendel wants to tell him that Whizzer will probably never get better, but decides not to.

Jason, unsure if God is real or not, prays to Him, asking Him to make Whizzer get better.

Jason eventually comes to the conclusion that he'll have his Bar Mitzvah in Whizzer's hospital room. The adults set everything up, and Jason reads his prayers. With Marvin's help, Whizzer manages to get out of bed, placing his hand on Jason's shoulder and thanking him for everything.

Jason is present at Whizzer's funeral, placing The Queen chess piece on his grave before going over to his father.