ARISTAEUS

by
Elizabeth Savage

"I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us
every hour, if only we tune in."
George Washington Carver

“The keeping of bees is like the direction of sunbeams.”

Henry David Thoreau

372 Central Park West #17D

New York, NY 10025
elizabeth.y.savage@gmail.com
917-214-6977
 ii

CHARACTERS

Carver Washington, 18 years old, an African American beekeeper in the Bronx

Paris France Washington, age 7, his sister

Ma’Dear, age 65, their grandmother

Devora, age 24, a Jewish urban kibbutznik and transplant from Scarsdale
 ACT ONE

SCENE ONE

The Bronx. A rooftop amidst a sea of rooftops. The time of

day and season are indeterminate. The sky is streaked
with ribbons of grey, yellow and brown; a polluted
twilight. Wakes of departing planes bend and curve into
the distance. It’s lonely and quiet, save for the distant
hum of street life below and the faint buzzing of bees.

A collection of boxes, man-made beehives, line the far

edge of the tar roof. A figure, completely swathed in
protective beekeeper gear and a netted mask, moves
slowly between the boxes. The movements are unhurried,
almost slow motion. The picture is ominous and
futuristic; an alien figure creeping across the depressed
cityscape.

The beekeeper removes his mask revealing CARVER,

aged 18, lanky, African-American, with round wire
rimmed glasses.

CARVER
The first thing. It was the late, great Albert Einstein-
 2.

A fog horn blasts three times from below.

CARVER
Actually, the real first thing. Ignore my grandmother.

Okay, right. (collects himself) It was the late, great Albert Einstein, who, all due respect,
was definitely a scientific genius but not an apiologist who said, “If the bee disappears
from the surface of the earth, man will have no more than four years to live.”

Yeah, he said that. For real. Well, it’s somewhat disputed who did actually say it but for
now, let’s just believe it was him. I mean, what? This was the time of the Holocaust and
Hiroshima. Things way bigger than bees. Why bring it up, when there were such clear
and obvious threats to humanity? (pause) Good question. (pause) Why focus on an
extinction that was seemingly anything but imminent?

Well, I would argue that Einstein, was just ahead of the game. He saw the perilousness of
us taking for granted the complex inner workings of nature. Or more precisely, taking for
granted those inner workings and messing with it. I’m not a hippy or whatever. It’s not
like that. I’m getting off track.

Takes a deep breath, surveying his imaginary classroom

of tar roofs.

CARVER
Bees. That’s why I’m here. Bees, these ancient transformers of nature, these sacred
insects. They’re everywhere, throughout time, across cultures. The Mayans knew what
was up. The Greeks, the Egyptians, the Hebrews, all these forgone, ancient centers of
thought and wisdom- all these hives- they knew. Shakespeare, even Tolstoy couldn’t get
over bees. Check this out-
 3.

“So, if we may compare small things with great, an innate love of creation spurs the Attic
bees on, each in it’s own way. The older ones take care of the hive and building the comb,
and the cleverly fashioned cells. But at night, the weary young carry back sacs filled with
thyme: they graze far and wide on the blossom of the strawberry trees, and pale-grey
willows and rosemary and bright saffron, on the rich lime trees and on purple hyacinths.
(pauses) I know, right? Virgil. He was a poet. That’s really not about the problem at hand,
it’s just nice. “An innate love of creation.”

But the crisis at hand. Bees are dying and nobody knows why. And not only does no one
seem to know why, not many seem to care. They’ll care alright, though, soon enough.

The foghorn sounds again, which CARVER ignores. His

sister, PARIS FRANCE, aged 7, with one half of her hair
braided, the other half a half-pigtailed poof, peeks
through a small access door from below. She’s got
something of a Pipi Longstocking look.

CARVER
The working name for this apian Armageddon, this silent calamity:
COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER.

PARIS rests her chin on her hands, waiting

for the speech to end.

CARVER
Colony Collapse Disorder. Write that down. Bees are simply not returning to the hive. Or
if they do, they’re sick and deformed and will die. Their migratory patterns have
mysteriously changed. Bees, it seems, have taken a fatally wrong turn. And that, that my
friends, is very bad news indeed. But why?
 4.

PARIS
Ma’Dear says come in now.

CARVER
Jesus! Tell her no. I’m working on something.

PARIS
She said, “Tell Carver, no more science experimenting.”

CARVER
She did not. That’s not even a word. I’ll be down when I’m done and ready.

PARIS
She did say it, except with cuss words.

CARVER
You tell her I’m not hungry.

PARIS
She is.

CARVER
Then tell her to make something herself.

PARIS
You know she can’t.

CARVER
Well, then you make her something. You’re old enough.

PARIS
Am not. (beat) I hate you. (beat) Please.
 5.

Another foghorn blow.

PARIS
See? Now she’s mad. (disappears)

CARVER
Come now and I’ll impart the qualities of Jupiter himself to bees, for which reward they
followed after the melodious sounds and clashing bronze of Curetes, and fed Heaven’s
king in the Dictean cave. They alone hold children in common: own the roots of their city
as one: and pass their life under the might of the law. They alone know a country, and a
settled home, and in summer, remembering the winter to come, undergo labour, storing
their gains for all.

SCENE TWO

The Washington apartment. A room off left belongs to

Ma’Dear. Her door, half off the hinges, hangs open. The
second room down right, just big enough for a bed, is for
Paris. Her walls are plastered with pictures, posters and
a cross. Christmas lights hang from the ceiling, encircling
her bed.

Carver doesn’t have a room, so an old rust colored couch

circa 1971 in the main room is his bed. The place is
rundown, the sparse attempts at decoration only make it
sorrier. The kitchen, left, has a sink full of dishes. The
counter is littered with cereal boxes, some empty and
some spilt. Linoleum flooring curls up at the edge. The
wall behind the stove shows sooty traces of fire.
 6.

MA’DEAR, dressed in a tatty robe, drugstore slippers and

a foghorn in her lap, sits in a wheelchair center, watching
the Food Channel. The TV is blaring.

Paris enters and attempts to sneak off to her room to

avoid the impending confrontation. Carver storms in and
slams the door forcefully. Ma’Dear puts the TV on mute
and wheels around. Carver stands tall and defiant, still in
his bee gear.

MA’DEAR
Do not slam that goddamn door, Carver. Paris, go to your room.

Paris nearly makes it to her room in almost a single leap.

MA’DEAR
Take off that ridiculous whatever it is you’re wearing. You look like some kind of I don’t
even know what. Paris, come here.

Paris, deflated, turns around. She’d almost escaped.

CARVER
I’m not pretending anything. You don’t know what I do.

MA’DEAR
(turns back to the TV, raises the volume) Up there like you’re better than everybody.

CARVER
(quietly) Better than you.
 7.

MA’DEAR
Get your sister in here. It’s 5:30 already and my sugar’s dropping. (Carver mouths in
unison) I could die right here and then what would you do?

Carver goes to the kitchen to make dinner.

Paris, get my insulin.

This is Paris’ daily job, preparing the shot. She lays out
the needle, a swab and sugar tester. She then
dramatically sinks into the couch.

PARIS
What’s dinner?

CARVER
Brains.

PARIS
(fake gags) Carver won’t tell me dinner. I want p’sghetti.

MA’DEAR
Set the table, p’sghetti. We’re eating the hot dogs before they go off.

PARIS, as if heavily weighted, sets up TV trays and

plastic dishes.

CARVER
(brings out hot dogs and chips) I don’t need a tray. I’m fine on my lap.

MA’DEAR
You’ll eat like everybody else, Big Science. Paris, say grace.
 8.

Ma’Dear mutes the TV. Paris solemnly bows her head

and puts her hands together in prayer.

PARIS
Dear God, Thank you for our food, even though you know I don’t like hotdogs. Amen.

MA’DEAR
Don’t be fresh and do it right or no TV.

PARIS
I did do it right. My teacher said God knows and sees everything I do, so He woulda
known I was lying.

CARVER
Your teacher is talking about God? That’s illegal.

MA’DEAR
No one is eating without saying goddamn grace. You, Paris France Washington, are going
to thank the good, great Lord if it kills you.

PARIS
Dear God, sorry to bother you, but I’ve got to say grace again. Some people didn’t like
my prayer, but I guess you know that. (with an eye roll) I know, I know, I was telling the
truth! We can talk about it...

Ma’Dear glares at Paris.

Thank you God for my hotdog and please make all my dreams and prayers come true.
(quickly adds) Please make me a famous tap dance star millionaire with a horse and a dog
and a plane and-
 9.

CARVER
Amen!

They eat in silence, save for the clinking utensils.

PARIS
My hot dog’s green.

MA’DEAR
Eat around that part then.

Silence.

CARVER
Did any mail come for me?

PARIS
My nose itches.

MA’DEAR
Itch it, then.

PARIS
(furiously rubbing) Can you hear my nose clicking? I think I’m ‘lergic to hot dogs.

CARVER
Don’t be dumb. It’s ‘cause it’s spring. Was there mail?

MA’DEAR
Don’t call your sister names. (to Paris) Tell me something you learned today, little girl.

CARVER
If you eat some of my honey, local honey, it’ll-
 10.

PARIS
I learned cursive and spelling and science.

CARVER
It’ll help your allergies.

MA’DEAR
Go on, Paris.

PARIS
I practiced “P”s in cursive for my name. I learned to spell Mississippi and got every
question about volcanoes Ms. Russell asked right. In science, we swung around buckets
of water because of centerful force.

CARVER
Centrifugal force.

PARIS
Whatever, you don’t know.

CARVER
Yes, I do actually. A force tending to move-

PARIS
YOU’RE CENTRIFUGAL FORCE!

CARVER
What?!

MA’DEAR
Don’t upset your sister.

PARIS
Yeah, don’t upset me.
 11.

CARVER
Forget it. I’m going to see if there’s mail.

PARIS
You haven’t been excused!

MA’DEAR
You’ll sit here with us and have dinner like a real family. Set an example for your sister.

CARVER
Okay. Ask me something about what I learned today.

MA’DEAR
Lord knows what you do up there.

CARVER
I’ll tell you. I’m doing research, that’s what I’m doing. And it’s important.

MA’DEAR
Oh yeah? To who?

CARVER
To me. To the bees. To the human race.

MA’DEAR
Oh Lord, Here we go. Tell us then, Mr. Human Race.

CARVER
Okay. Did you know bees are able to differentiate between colors? Except for red. They
can’t see red, I did an experiment about it today.

MA’DEAR
Well, call 911.
 12.

CARVER

Or how bout that bees can recognize and distinguish between human faces? Did you
know that? Or how about that when bees die there are special drones that are
undertakers? As in, it is their job.

Ma’ Dear begins laughing, so much so she begins to

cough.

CARVER
You think it’s funny?

MA’DEAR
(tries to catch her breath) Undertaker bees?! Woo! Is there a little bee salon where the
queen can get her nails done? A little shopping mall for bees?

CARVER
(flatly) Bees are dying everywhere and it’s because of us. And we’re too dumb to care

PARIS
(gets up and begins to dance around) M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-1!!!

CARVER
God, will you shut up! I am trying to explain something important!

PARIS
YOU SHUT UP, FAGGOT!

Ma’Dear slaps her across the face. Paris sobs.

MA’DEAR
Don’t you ever use that language in my house, do you hear?
 13.

PARIS
But he is! Everybody says it. Wayne and Eddy and all the guys hanging out. They say
your brother is a faggot with his faggot bees and he sits up there on the roof and plays
with himself.

Paris runs out of the room, leaving Carver and Ma’Dear

in silence. She turns the TV back up.

SCENE THREE

Back on the roof. Later. An electric lantern casts a halo of

light around him

CARVER
There’s this place in Kansas. Washburn University. It has a department just devoted to
apiology. Can you imagine? A degree in bees? I’ve looked them all up, these schools, but
this one gives a lot in scholarship or whatever, probably ‘cause it’s Kansas and boring,
but I don’t know. I want to go there. Even if it’s boring. Because it’s boring. I’ve thought
it all out. It’s about 19 hours by bus. I could work out my class schedule so that I’d come
back and check up on everyone, make sure Paris doing her homework, not getting in
trouble or whatever. I could do the food shopping and drugstore for Ma’Dear, maybe like
twice a month. Everything would be fine. And if there were teacher conferences or
whatever, I could work it out to be there too. And I could find someone in the building to
help Ma’Dear get in and out of bed.

He takes a long pause and walks around his hives,

inspecting. He shifts into professorial mode.
 14.

CARVER
Here’s something you might not know and this is fascinating. The haplodiploid sex
determination system. This is the mechanism that determines the sex of bees. For them,
sex is determined by the number of sets of chromosomes an individual receives. Humans
are different. We get 23 sets straight up, girl or guy. Females get the XX configuration,
males the XY, but everybody gets 46 chromosomes. But a bee is different. The union of a
bee egg and sperm develops into a female. An unfertilized egg, aka no bee sperm,
becomes a male. This means that a guy bee has half the amount of chromosomes- do you
follow? The implication is a male bee has no father and can have no sons, but he does
have a grandfather and will have grandchildren. Think about that for a second. He has no
immediate past. He has no immediate future. Males have a non-negotiable gap between
generations.

A shadowed figure appears behind him.

CARVER
Mind blowing, right?

The figure makes an explosion noise and mimes smoke

coming out her ears as she steps into the light

DEVORA
Mind blown!

CARVER
(jumps) You just about gave me a heart attack!

DEVORA
Sorry, Carverleh. I know your grandmother likes the national foghorn alert system, but I
figured I’d mix it up and surprise you instead.
 15.

CARVER

She loves that frigging thing.

He turns over a crate for her to sit.

DEVORA
Don’t mind if I do. So how’s life in Beeland, bubbe?

CARVER
Dunno. Good, I guess. Bubbe?

DEVORA
Yiddish. It’s a compliment, I promise. What’s the face? Something happen?

CARVER
I- it’s silly.

DEVORA
Bee genocide got you down again? God, you’re so frigging Jewish.

CARVER
I was just thinking about the haploid sex determination system.

DEVORA
If I had a nickel...

CARVER
Huh?

DEVORA
Nothing. You were thinking about the trapeziodal sex position, go on.
 16.

CARVER
The haploid sex determination system. It just made me feel sad.

DEVORA
I have no idea what you’re talking about.

CARVER
Doesn’t matter. (a siren wails by) I’m worried someone is going to come here and trash
my stuff. Do you worry about yours?

DEVORA
I don’t know. No. Maybe. There’s some sketchy shit on my block, but it’s like crack
heads. Crack heads don’t care about bee hives. I wouldn’t worry. Why?

CARVER
Just get nervous, that’s all. I think you just startled me maybe.

DEVORA
It’s hilarious that you’re such a wuss.

CARVER
I am not a wuss!

She laughs, gets up goes to the edge of the roof.

DEVORA
(sings, laughing) The hills are alive with the sound of Carver’s wussness!

Carver stares blankly at her.

DEVORA
Kidding! God, you’re so sensitive.
 17.

CARVER
And what’s funny about that?

DEVORA
It’s funny because, well, it’s just unexpected.

CARVER
Why?

DEVORA
Oh, I don’t know. I guess if I just saw you walking down the street I’d assume... Or I
wouldn’t assume..

CARVER
That?

DEVORA
Just my first thought wouldn’t be: look at that gentle earnest Jewishish beekeeper who’s
obsessed with nerd haploid sex whatever and bee genocide.

She pulls a thick book out of her backpack.

DEVORA
Here- I brought you this.

CARVER
What is it?

DEVORA
You probably have already read it, knowing you. It’s this amazing book about bee
everything.

CARVER
Oh, yeah? Let me see.
 18.

She hands it to him.

CARVER
Wow, it’s heavy. (reading the cover) “From Aristaeus to the Urban Apiary; Beekeeping
Through the Ages”(leafs through) Sounds comprehensive. No, I haven’t.

He’s instantly engrossed.

DEVORA
Awesome. I thought you’d like it.

CARVER
It’s beautiful. Look at these pictures!

DEVORA
Just wait until you get to the nerd science parts- it’s very you.

CARVER
Thanks. I mean not the nerd part- thanks for this.

DEVORA
No sweat. Have you heard from the school in Kansas yet?

CARVER
Nope.

DEVORA
It’s early. I remember my acceptance letter took like a month longer than everybody else.
It was torture.

CARVER
Yeah, they said I’d hear this week. Whatever. It’s no big deal. Don’t want to jinx it.
 19.

DEVORA
Okay. Seems like a pretty cool thing if it happened. No jinxes. (does the Girl Scouts
honor hand pledge) Are you at the market tomorrow?

CARVER
Yeah, I think so. I’ve got a whole case of this honey I just did. But I’ve got to take my
sister to her dance rehearsal thing, but I think I can. You?

DEVORA
Yeah, we’ll be there. My whole house is coming- we’ve got a fresh batch of pickles and
cheese and stuff. Actually, what am I doing? I’ve gotta go. I got all excited and wanted to
give you that book. I’ve got this NVC thing-

CARVER
NBC?

(laughing) No. NVC. Non-violent communication. It’s like this whole thing my house
does.

CARVER
What is it?

DEVORA
Non-violent communication. It’s like a whole approach to compassionate
communication. Trust me, if you’re living in house full of people, you need it. It’s
basically learning to talk with others better; getting your needs out there, others getting
their needs out. Blah blah blah. It’s a big part of making an intentional community work.

CARVER
Intentional community? (laughs) So I’m living accidentally?
 20.

DEVORA
Of course not. It’s just a way to say living with others cooperatively.

CARVER

You’re into some serious hippie shit.

DEVORA
No way. My parents were hippies. I’m post the peace and free love stuff.

CARVER
Post peace and love? Devora, you’re stone cold!

DEVORA
No, I’m not, but thank you for calling me stone cold! What I mean is I’m not some free
love and dropping acid all day hippie. I want to live consciously. Collectively. Grow my
own food. Consume less. Listen more. Save the planet. Raise people up. Make a
difference.

CARVER
Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. They can leap buildings
in a single bound.

DEVORA
Ha. Ha. Ha.

CARVER
They’re Super hippies!

DEVORA
I’m being serious, Carver! I’m trying to explain it to you. The way we all live now, alone
in our separate little pod lives, without community and support, it’s not sustainable.
 21.

CARVER
It’s not sustainable how much people say sustainable.

DEVORA
Fair point. It’s just... I’m telling you, people lived for thousands of years in community.
And it was layered, dynamic. We live this weird IKEA existence now. Everything’s
disposable; people, stuff, all of it.

Carver sings the Superman theme song as he pretend flies

around the rooftop .

(laughing) Stop!

CARVER
(sits, out of breath) I’m just messing with you.

DEVORA
I know it probably sounds naive, but I’m telling you, it’s not. People are dying of
loneliness. It’s not how we were meant to live. Listen, my parents aren’t impressed or
convinced- I’m used to it.

CARVER
Why? It’s crunchy but you’re not hurting anybody.

DEVORA
Put it this way. My parents didn’t pay for four years of Yale undergrad so I could move to
the Bronx and live in an urban kibbutz.

CARVER
What do they want you to be?
 22.

DEVORA
A doctor? Lawyer? Rabbi? A doctor who practices law while studying Torah? Who
knows.

CARVER
They just want you to have a good life probably.

DEVORA
Yeah. It’s all just so oppressive. All the expectation. The guilt. They’re so aggressively
supportive. Don’t get me wrong, they want me to have a “good life”, as long as it’s the
way they define good.

CARVER
Like what, making money?

DEVORA
Like making money. Like having an impressive job so they can brag about me. Like
marrying a nice Jewish boy so they can brag about him and his impressive job. Like
giving them grandchildren so they can- you get the point. God, this is depressing. Can we
talk about something else?

CARVER
Okay. So, your not-hippy house, you guys share everything?

DEVORA
Yeah. I mean we don’t pool income, but we share other things.

CARVER
Sounds pretty commune-y to me.

DEVORA
We share values.
 23.

He begins to hum the Superman theme song again.

DEVORA
You should just come over and see. It’s the future, I’m telling you.

The foghorn sounds.

CARVER
She never stops. I gotta go in.

DEVORA
Yeah, I’ve got to go anyway.

CARVER
Thanks for the book. It was really nice of you.

They both stand and face each other awkwardly.

DEVORA
Hope it helps your research.

CARVER
I’m sure it will.

DEVORA
Awesome.

CARVER
Awesome.

DEVORA
Great.
 24.

CARVER
Great.

Another awkward silence. He grabs a newly jarred honey

from a crate.

CARVER
Here. Just jarred it. I’m calling it “The Sweet Boogie Down Blend”.

She smiles widely and takes the jar.

DEVORA
Sweet boogie down. You’re awesome, Carver. For real. Nice talking. Catch you at the
market.

CARVER
Yup. See you there.

She exits. He picks up the lantern and switches it off.

SCENE FOUR

Paris’ room, later. A halo of Christmas lights twinkle

overhead, She kneels, hands in prayer.

PARIS
Dear God. Please take care of my family. Please heal Ma’ Dear and help her to cuss less.
And make her okay to walk again so that way she can dance with me. I’m a really good
dancer, Lord, but you know that. I’m a good speller too. But definitely I’m a REALLY
good dancer. Please make us get lots of money, so we can have a big new apartment with
at least two bathrooms. Actually, a house.
 25.

Maybe we can even live in the forest so that I can have a barn for my horse, which I also
really want. Actually, a castle, not a house, in the forest. With a barn. And a horse. And
make Carver not so sad and crazy and mean to me and make him never leave home until I
do. Then he can do whatever, but not until I’m grown.

MA’DEAR
Paris! Get in here!

PARIS
HOLD ON! I AM PRAYING! (bows head) So anyway, that’s it God. Ma’ Dear needs my
help. I got this dance recital coming and I’m pretty sure I’ll do good on my own, but if
you’re around and not busy, you know, you could just make sure I’m doing good. Amen.

SCENE FIVE

The stage is empty. One harsh spotlight illuminates

Ma’Dear, who is sitting center in her wheelchair. There’s
a loud, steady drone hum of something bee-like, but more
industrial.

MA’DEAR
Carver! Where are you? Carver, can you hear me? Dammit. My sugar’s dropping. I feel
dizzy. I need your help. I can’t stand. You know this. My legs are all swelled up.

She rolls down center.

 26.

MA’DEAR
When I was a girl, you did what you was told. None of this running off your mouth. And
you stayed where you was. You were born a place and you grew up there and that was
just fine. You didn’t go away from your family. Why would you? You helped your family.
I remember my Gramma. We were all in one house. Mommy, Daddy, all us kids. And
beautiful Gramma Beatrice. Now she was the queen. You did as she said or there was a
whupping to be had. You understand me? All these wild children with their fresh mouths.
Girls walking around with their everything hanging out. Babies having babies. Boys with
their pants hanging down. Walking around with them beepers and walkie talkie phones,
like they something important. I’m sick to look at them. Show some respect.

Folks don’t know how to do for themselves any more. People using their damn phones to
tell them how to get some place. Never looking up. When I hear on the TV somebody
was hit by a car ‘cause they were looking at that damn screen, I think good. You have
been naturally selected. They’d walk off a bridge if the computer told ‘em to. Folks used
to use maps. I didn’t go nowhere when I was young anyway, understand? We had
nothing.

People’s all spread out now. Always rushing. Always moving. Ain’t nobody know where
they’re from, but they sure in a hurry to get somewhere. Nobody knows their neighbors.
Better to look the other direction. Can you imagine? Folks used to have manners. Folks
knew their neighbors when I was a girl. And anyone who knew your parents and saw you
was doing wrong would give you a whupping too. There was consequences. And we went
to Church! Do you understand me?! We believed in God! What do these children believe
in today? Damn I-phones? Rap music? Christ Almighty.

The loud whirring of noise grows louder, sped up. The

lights randomly rise and fall. Ma’Dear becomes
desperate, slamming her hands on her arm rest.
 27.

And Carver. Where are you, child? Living in a dreamland that where you are! Up on that
damn roof. Bees. Afraid of everything, knows better than anyone. I am not a well woman.
Do you understand me? I need your help, Carver. You can’t leave. I could die right here
and then what? What would your sister do? Who’s going to protect her? CARVER!
WHERE ARE YOU?

Stage goes pitch black.

SCENE SIX

The lights rise as quickly as they fell. It is morning.

Sunshine floods the apartment. Carver bolts up from
where he was sleeping on the gold couch. For a moment
he has no idea where he is

CARVER
Jesus God.

Looks around, takes in the surroundings and realizes it

was a dream. Rubs his eyes. He sinks back into the couch.
He turns on the TV.

NEWS ANCHOR
Serving you the hottest and the most leading news of the hour. Your news, your business,
your weather. For the headlines we turn to-
 28.

Carver changes the channel. It is a Spanish soap opera.

The music swells.

VOICE OVER
(whispered sexily) Del amor!

CARLOS
Hola, Ariadna! ¿Cómo estás?

ARIADNA
Bien, Carlos.

CARLOS
Te he estado esparando. Donde has estado?

ARIADNA
Estaba con un amigo.

CARLOS
(yells) Ah, si? Que clase de amigo? Mira como te vista, pareces una puta!

ARIADNA
Como te atreves?! (she slaps him)

Carver winces. Wraps the sheet around his head so only

his face shows. Changes the channel again.

TALK SHOW HOST

Wow wow! I love a nice riled up crowd up in here today! Okay, okay, welcome back to
the show. (audience claps and cheers) Thank you for being here. We cover the issue of
racism a lot here on the show. And we’ve met a lot of the racists along the way. Some of
the most conflicted people-
 29.

Carver switches the television off and pulls the sheets

totally over his head. Paris sticks her head out from her
room. She is dressed in a bumble bee dance costume and
tap shoes.

PARIS
Psst.

Silence.

PARIS
PSST!

Silence.

PARIS
You awake?

CARVER
NO.

PARIS
Come on! I heard you playing the TV. I’m hungry for breakfast.

Carver pretend snores loudly.

PARIS
Carver, I am starving. (hangs dramatically from the door jamb) I need some Honey
Smacks cereal or I’m gonna die. I am not kidding you. The police is gonna come and I’m
going to be dead on the floor in my dancing costume and then you’ll go to jail because
you didn’t give me Honey Smacks.
 30.

CARVER
The police ARE going to come, Paris, not IS going to come. You’re going to die from
Honey Smacks. All sugar. Shit is poison.

PARIS
DO NOT CUSS! GOD IS LISTENING. YOU ARE GOING TO GO TO H-E-L-L!

CARVER
Okay, okay! Quiet down. I’m not going anywhere. (pokes his head out from the sheets)
What are you wearing? It’s 7 in the morning.

PARIS
My dancing costume. I need to wear it all time. Just so I’m used to it.

CARVER
Okay, crazy. Go on, lemme get some clothes on.

PARIS
I’m gonna count to thirty and then you better be ready. One, two, three... (exits, tap shoes
clacking)

Carver kicks off his blanket and sits up on the couch. He

picks up a tee shirt off the floor, smells it and puts it on.

PARIS
(from offstage) Are you ready yet?

CARVER
NO! You have definitely not counted to thirty!

PARIS
I have! I just did it fast. I’m the quickest counter!
 31.

CARVER
Well do it again, slow. Say Mississippi after every number.

PARIS
I know how to spell Mississippi! You want me to spell it?

CARVER
NO! YES! Just do it to yourself.

He reaches down and grabs a pair of shorts. Puts them

on and walks into the kitchen. He splashes cold water on
his face and opens the refrigerator.

MA’DEAR
(from offstage) Carver!

CARVER
Alright. Hold on.

Just as Paris tends to her insulin, helping Ma’Dear out of

bed and into her wheelchair is Carver’s daily ritual. He
goes to her room.

PARIS
(from off) 29, M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I, 30! You better be ready ‘cause I’m coming!

Paris enters with clock radio/cassette radio player and

plugs it in. She clears the center of the living room and
turns on the cassette. Lullaby of Broadway plays and she
begins tap.
 32.

PARIS
(sings) Come along and listen to
The Lullaby of Broadway
The Hip Hooray and ballyhoo
The Lullaby of Broadway

Ma’Dear and Carver enter.

CARVER
Here we go-

PARIS
(furiously tap dancing) The rumble of the subway train
The rattle of the taxis
The daffodils to entertain
At Angelo and Maxi’s

MA’DEAR
Look at your sister, Carver. Very nice, little girl! You should be on one of them talent
shows.

PARIS
I’m going to be once I’m grown enough. I already decided.

MA’DEAR
They won’t know what hit ‘em. You have a gift from God.

PARIS
I am going to be really famous.

MA’DEAR
That’s right. You are. Ain’t nobody shines brighter than Paris France Washington. Isn’t
that right, Carver?
 33.

CARVER
Borderline radioactive.

PARIS
What’s radioacting?

Ma’Dear shoots him a look.

CARVER
It means you’re a good dancer is all, Paris. Come on and eat some breakfast. You got to
get to your rehearsal and if I’m taking you, we’re going soon.

Carver sets down a glass jar and various ziplocks on the

small table in the kitchen area. Ma’Dear parks in front of
the TV to test her sugar and switches on the food channel.

PARIS
That is not Honey Smacks.

CARVER
We’re not having that kind of cereal, Paris. I decided. You’re going to try something new.

PARIS
I don’t like it.

CARVER
You don’t even know what it is.

PARIS
Doesn’t matter. I only eat Honey Smacks since I was born.

CARVER
Well, today you’re having something else.
 34.

PARIS
(crosses her arms) What.

CARVER
We’re gonna have yogurt I made and oats and honey.

PARIS
Say what?

CARVER
Yogurt, oats and honey. The honey is from the roof. Cool, right? This is like Honey
Smacks except it’s real and it’s good for you.

PARIS
Nope.

CARVER
What’d you mean nope? This is what you’re having because that’s what I’m making. It
will give you energy.

PARIS
I don’t want energy.

CARVER
And make you grow tall.

PARIS
I don’t want to be tall.

CARVER
It’ll make you pretty.

PARIS
I already AM pretty!
 35.

CARVER
Okay. I wasn’t gonna tell you this because it’s secret, but there’s something very special
in it. It’s so top secret kids aren’t even supposed to know about it. I might even get in
trouble.

PARIS
Then how come you know?

CARVER
Because I’m grown, dummy. Once you’re eighteen, you can know.

PARIS
Good things only happen to grown ups. Tell me what’s in it.

CARVER
Nah, nevermind. Too dangerous.

PARIS
Tell me! Ma’ Dear, Carver won’t tell me! He’s got a dangerous secret!

MA’DEAR
Carver! It’s too damn early for this.

CARVER
Do you promise to keep it secret?

PARIS
Double triple million promise.

CARVER
It’s a special kind of magic fuel made special for tap dancers. It makes them dance faster
and better than anyone else.
 36.

PARIS
(doubtful) How?

CARVER
It’s very complicated science stuff. I could explain it, but trust me.

Paris shakes her head no and covers her mouth.

CARVER
You’re a tough customer, you know that? Boy, I hope I don’t get in trouble for telling you
this. (motions for her to come closer) I knew this girl once from my school and she was a
pretty good dancer, probably the best in the Bronx. Then one day, her coach-

PARIS
Tap dancers don’t have coaches!

CARVER
Sure they do. (plowing ahead) So one day, actually it was the week of her big recital, just
like you now that I think about it, and her coach gave her this extra special breakfast- you
know, just to be extra good. And she was like you- strong headed . A pain in the rear end.
She didn’t want it. But she trusted her coach.

PARIS
Was it a girl coach or a boy coach?

CARVER
It was a girl coach and she trusted her. So the little girl tried it.

PARIS
What was the little girl’s name?

CARVER
You’ve got a lot of questions! Her name was.. Trixie.
 37.

PARIS
(suspiciously) Trixie what?

CARVER
Trixie... Fairycake... Chang.

PARIS
That’s a good name. Was she Chinese?

CARVER
(sighs) Yes, Trixie was Chinese.

PARIS
Okay. Then what happened?

CARVER
Well, Trixie ate the breakfast and she couldn’t believe how delicious it was. Better than
Honey Smacks.

PARIS
NOTHING IS BETTER THAN HONEY SMACKS.

CARVER
I’m telling you- it was. Why would I lie? But that wasn’t the most amazing part. After she
finished her bowl of the special breakfast, the same breakfast I’ve got right here, she
stood up and just started tap dancing. I mean the girl could not stop. And she was doing
some serious moves. It was almost scary how good. She danced all the way to school, she
didn’t even take the bus, and people on the street were like, “who is that amazing tap
dancing girl going faster than the bus?” And her friends caught up and ran next to her as
she tapped and were like “Trixie, we knew you were a good dancer but not that good!
You are amazing! Will you teach us now to dance like you?”
 38.

PARIS
And what’d she do?

CARVER
Well, not only was Trixie a great dancer, she was good at sharing too. So, she told them
about the secret breakfast and said they could come over after dance rehearsal sometime
and have some too.

PARIS
She was really nice to share.

CARVER
I know. So, sit down and eat some secret breakfast, we got to go when you’re done and
brushed your teeth. You can tell the other girls at practice.

PARIS
I am not telling anybody!!! It’s my secret weapon. (digs into the cereal)

Carver is slightly surprised and relieved. The story

worked.

CARVER
(to Ma’Dear) I’m going to the roof quick before we go. Do you want anything?

MA’DEAR
I’ll have my regular cheese and roll later. I’m not ready.

CARVER
What’s your sugar? You should really vary what you’re eating. And aren’t you supposed
to eat first thing?
 39.

MA’DEAR
I know what I’m doing, Carver, thank you very much.

PARIS
Don’t you want some tap dancer breakfast?

MA’DEAR
No, no, little girl. That’s for you. Your grandma needs special old people breakfast.

SCENE SEVEN

Carver is back on the roof, watering some potted herbs

and flowers.

CARVER
Pollen. From the Latin, pollen. (pauses) That was a joke. Okay. I’ll stick with science.
(adjusts his glasses) Pollen means “fine flour” in Latin. Not flower as in a rose, but flour
like the kind you bake with. Pollinators are the transporters of this fine four. These tiny,
sacred messengers, mother nature’s heavy lifters, I like to think of them, transport all of
this magic dust. We can’t live without them. Bees aren’t the only couriers, but they are
crucial to this mind bogglingly intricate puzzle we were all born into known as an
ecosystem. And it is a puzzle. Wasps. The wind. Hummingbirds. Hornets. It’s
breathtaking actually.

How does it work so perfectly? How did this all come to be? What was before it? And
what was before even that? All these complex, veiled systems, simultaneously delicate
and durable, evolved, still evolving. It is humbling. We should be humbled. And yet not.
 40.

We depend upon them and will wither without them. We have risen too quickly through
the natural order, leaving a path of destruction in our lumbering, graceless wake.

I don’t believe in God, and the laboratory is hardly the place to discuss it, but the sheer
existence of pollinators makes for a pretty strong argument for divinity. So why have we
completely devastated it? Or, how did we? And make no mistake, friends. We are the
enemy. We are the terrorists.

There is a great and terrible unfolding ahead. The pollinators are warning us. If the forest
could scream out, it would. Or it is, but we’re not listening. Human systems will not hold.
We are at odds natural world and Mother Nature will prevail. In the natural world, the
house always wins.

Ma’Dear’s fog horns sounds one long doleful call.

CARVER
Right. Okay. Life.

ACT TWO

Scene One

Back in the apartment. Paris is practicing a dance

routine on the linoleum floor of the kitchen. She has All
That Jazz playing from the cassette radio player.
Ma’Dear is asleep in her wheelchair in front of the TV. A
cooking show blares.
 41.

TV CHEF
The seasoning is very important to the meal, so I’m going to use a touch more salt. Add a
teaspoon fresh cracked pepper and a teaspoon celery salt, which is very, very important to
the flavor of these ribs. Now this is a dry rub, not a wet rub. And what we’re going to do
now is bring in the ribs.

PARIS
Look!

TV CHEF
These are pork baby back ribs. Now we’re just going to season them on both sides. You
can see I’m using a sheet pan that’s lined with aluminum foil.

PARIS
Ma’Dear! Look at what I’m doing! I’ve got a new dance step!

Ma’Dear stirs slightly and falls back off to sleep. Paris

tiptoes to the TV and turns it down. Then, very carefully,
she turns the wheelchair and moves it towards the
kitchen. Paris returns to the linoleum and cranks the
music.

PARIS
LOOK AT ME !!!!!!!!!

Ma’Dear is shocked awake and disoriented.

PARIS
LOOK AT MY MOVES!!!!!!!

MA’DEAR
Christ on his throne, child! You trying to kill me?
 42.

PARIS
I’m just trying to show you my dancing. Watch this!

She leaps around the room wildly.

And this!

She does a cartwheel, narrowly missing the TV.

MA’DEAR
Careful, little girl! You’re going to hurt yourself!

PARIS
(singing along)
Start the car
I know a whoopee spot
Where the gin is cold
But the piano’s hot

MA’DEAR
The gin is what?!

Carver and Devora enter lugging stuff from the market.

They take in Paris’ performance.

PARIS
(sings)
No, I’m no one’s wife
But, oh, I love my life
And all
That
 43.

Jazz
That Jazz!

She strikes a classic Fosse pose.

MA’DEAR
A gift, little girl. You’ve got a gift. (notices Carver and Devora have entered) Well, look
what the cat dragged in. Carver, tell your sister how good she is.

CARVER
Good job, P. Way to go.

Paris marches up to Devora.

PARIS
Who are you?

DEVORA
(crouches down to Paris’ eye level) I’m Devora. What’s your name?

PARIS
Paris France Washington. I’m 7 and I’m a dancer.

DEVORA
Wow. 7! You’re really good!

CARVER
Don’t get her started.

PARIS
Are you Carver’s girlfriend?
 44.

CARVER
Paris!

PARIS
Because he really needs a girlfriend.

CARVER
(to Devora) Sorry. (to Paris) Don’t be rude, Paris.

PARIS
It’s not rude. I’m just asking a question. Ms. Russell from school says it’s good to ask
questions. Ma’Dear, tell him that’s not rude.

DEVORA
(smiles, blushing slightly) I’m a friend of your brother, Paris.

Ma’Dear wheels back to the TV. She stares inscrutably at

Devora.

MA’DEAR
It’s not rude, little girl. You’re a smartie, that’s all.

Devora approaches Ma’Dear earnestly with an

outstretched hand.

DEVORA
Mrs. Washington. I’m Devora. It is such a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard so much
about you!

MA’DEAR
(flatly) Have you now?
 45.

DEVORA
Of course!

MA’DEAR
Like what?

DEVORA
(uncomfortably) Ah... Well, that you’re a wonderful grandmother for one thing... With
lots of... With so much..

CARVER
Let’s go, Devora. I want to bring all this up to the roof before it gets too dark.

DEVORA
(determined to connect) You know, there’s so much wisdom that comes with age. I really
do believe we’ve lost our sense of respect for elders.

MA’DEAR
Who’s an elder?

CARVER
Okay! Let’s go!

DEVORA
In Native American culture, the elders were considered a treasure. Their presence was
crucial to the health of the tribe. Indigenous cultures hold so much-

CARVER
Alright, Devora. Can you help me here?

PARIS
I can help!
 46.

CARVER
No, you cannot. This is grown up stuff. Devora-

DEVORA
Okay, okay! So nice to meet you both. Good luck with your dancing, Paris. Maybe
someday I can see you on stage. I bet you’re great.

PARIS
I have my big recital next week! You can see me! Carver’s coming! You can be his date!

DEVORA
Well, maybe I’ll come then.

PARIS
You have to! Carver, you have to bring your girlfriend!

CARVER
Bye!

Carver picks up a couple of heavy crates and clumsily

opens the door.

DEVORA
(follows after him) Great meeting!

SCENE NINE

Back on the roof. Carver and Devora are unloading the

crates.
 47.

DEVORA
Your sister is adorable. What a face.

CARVER
What a mouth, more like it.

DEVORA
She’s such a cutie. What’s the age difference?

CARVER
11 years.

DEVORA
(pauses) I don’t think you’re grandmother liked me.

CARVER
She doesn’t like anybody. Just ignore her.

DEVORA
I was so close with my bubbe. It’s such a special bond a kid has with their grandmother.

CARVER
That’s what bubbe means?! You were calling me a grandma before?

DEVORA
(laughs) Technically, yeah, but in that case, bubbe’s like a catch all term of endearment.
But an actual bubbe? Like my bubbe? She’s the matriarch of the family. As far as she’s
concerned, I am the smartest, most perfect, most whatever person ever. She kvells over
everything I do.
 48.

CARVER
Yeah, well, I don’t know what the hell kvelling means, but my grandmother is definitely
not a bubbe.

DEVORA
I’ve never met a bubbe with a foghorn, that’s for sure. Kvelling is having immense pride
and joy in someone. With you though, I was just trying to say I thought you were sweet.

CARVER
Thanks.

Silence.

DEVORA
I’d love to come to the recital though, for real. It’d be fun.

CARVER
If you really want to, but trust me, it’s going to be pretty painful.

DEVORA
That seems a little harsh for a group of little kids in leotards.

CARVER
Yeah? One straight up peed on stage last year during “On the Good Ship Lollipop”.

DEVORA
No! (laughs) Omigod, I shouldn’t laugh. That’s terrible.

CARVER
No, it was funny. One kid peed. Another started to cry. A couple others ran off stage. It
was chaos. But my little sister- she just kept dancing.

DEVORA
I love her!
 49.

CARVER
(now laughs) She’d worked so hard to get that friggin’ routine right- she’d be damned to
let some peeing kid ruin it.

DEVORA
We could all use a little Paris in our lives. Just keep on dancing- no matter what.

CARVER
Well, I’m definitely the only guy in the neighborhood who knows all the lyrics to a
Shirley Temple song.

The sound of bees buzzing rises slowly, almost

imperceptibly. A bird faintly chirping can be heard.
Devora turns over an empty crate and sits.

DEVORA
Omigod, did you hear a bird? Is that possible?

CARVER
Yeah, I set up a feeder awhile back. Never thought a bird would come but you know, the
more life up here, the better. Worth a shot.

DEVORA
Totally. More life is my motto.

CARVER
So a few weeks ago, I came up and was like holy shit- there was a little nest in that drain
pipes full of leaves.

DEVORA
Amazing. What kind of bird?
 50.

CARVER
No clue. But it laid little speckled eggs, so I brought Paris up to see. I thought she was
going to explode she was so excited. “The birdie is gonna have birdie babies!” She was
running around in circles practically. And then she stopped cold and got real serious with
me. I’ll never forget.

DEVORA
Uh oh.

CARVER
She said, “You got to protect them, Carver. Do you promise? Even if there’s a tornado
from the Wizard of Oz when the girl and the dog get blown away”.

DEVORA
And what did you say?

CARVER
I said I promise, especially if the Wicked Witch comes. I’ll fight her with karate. That
made her laugh. She thinks karate is hilarious. Who knows.

DEVORA
You’re a good brother.

CARVER
I’m trying. But she gets so intense like that sometimes. I don’t know what to say. I worry
she’s not going to grow up right, you know? With the right influences.

DEVORA
She seems like a pretty tough little chickies, if you ask me.
 51.

CARVER
Oh, believe me. She can be willful. When she digs those tap dancing heels in, there isn’t
anyone or anything that will make her budge. And opinions? Oh my word. About
everything. And everybody. She’s the biggest little person I’ve ever known.

Carver, now finished unpacking, flips a crate and sits.

DEVORA
I got some stuff from the market for dinner. I was going to bring it home, but do you want
to do a picnic up here?

CARVER
Um. (hesitates) What time is it?

DEVORA
Don’t know. Let me see. (checks her phone) 6:47. Isn’t it weird how exact we are about
time now? It’s the Iphonification of our lives. We’ve all been Iphonified. I’m
trademarking that.

CARVER
(looks uneasily at his watch) Listen, I’ve got to help Ma’Dear later, so I’m not sure...

DEVORA
What time?

CARVER
Depends. Like 9:30 or 10 probably. When she wants to go to bed.

DEVORA
You help her into bed?

CARVER
In and out. Yeah. Every day. She can’t do it easily by herself. Her legs don’t work.
 52.

DEVORA
Wow. What happens when you’re not here?

CARVER
Doesn’t happen. Hasn’t ever happened. I’m always here.

DEVORA
But what happens when you want to move away eventually? What’ll happen when you
go to school?

CARVER
I do not know, Devora. I do not know.

DEVORA
Intense.

CARVER
Welcome to the Washingtons.

Devora doesn’t know what to say.

DEVORA
Well, you’ve got like more than two hours until you’ve got to go down, right? And she’ll
foghorn you, if she needs something?

CARVER
Yes. She definitely will.

DEVORA
(going into her backpack) Great! I’ve got this amazing raw sheep’s cheese, some
yumbacious sourdough. Where’s your table cover thing?

CARVER
Why?
 53.

DEVORA
To use as a picnic blanket, brainiac. I’ve got leftover stuff from our set-up at the market
we can use to.

Carver pulls out the 1970’s style floral print sheet he used
as a table covering and lays it out. He sits cross-legged.

CARVER
(she hands hime plates and cups) You’re not messing around!

DEVORA
(with a bad French accent, passing him the bread and cheese) Pour le monsieur...

CARVER
(laughs) You’re a trip.

DEVORA
(still in the accent) Merci! I take zat as, how you say in your vulgar language, high
praises?

CARVER
How do you say “you’re welcome”?

DEVORA
De rien, of course!

CARVER
Well, de rien then.

The sun had begun to set, casting an orange glow onto

the sides of buildings. It’s peaceful. The Bronx seems far
away. She pours them both something out of a mason jar.
 54.

DEVORA
(she raises her disposable cup) To perfect picnics!

CARVER
(clinking cups) To perfect picnics.

He takes a long sip and nearly spits it out.

CARVER
Oh my God. What the hell is that?

DEVORA
Kombucha! I thought you’d be so into it!

CARVER
It tastes like friggin’ vinegar. (catches his breath) Maybe I just wasn’t expecting it. (tries
it again) Nope. I was expecting it that time.

DEVORA
Acquired taste, I guess. I got a thing of cider too. You wanna try that instead?

CARVER
Definitely. Cider, I know.

She kicks back her kombucha and pours them both cider.
They drink, taking in the sun as it begins to slip behind
the rooftops.

CARVER
Now that is delicious.

DEVORA
Mmmm. Yum.
 55.

CARVER
You want some cheese? I kinda butchered it, sorry.

DEVORA
Do I want cheese? Is the Pope Polish?

CARVER
Is the what what?

DEVORA
Never mind, some dumb saying. Yes, I’d love some.

CARVER
(handing it to her) No, seriously- what about the Pope?

DEVORA
Okay, this is so dumb. The Pope has always been Italian, for like thousands of years.
Maybe a sketchy German or two, but mostly Italian. In the 80’s, the guy who became
Pope was Polish, which was a huge deal. So “Is the Pope Polish” is kind of like “do fish
swim”. See what I’m saying?

CARVER
I guess. I’d never heard that.

DEVORA
Yeah, it’s dumb. A total Dad joke. And by the way, I just explained to you everything I
know about Catholicism. Jews don’t do Popes.

CARVER
What do you do then?
 56.

DEVORA
Me, like personally? Nothing. I don’t do anything. But Jews with a capitol J, like people
who believe in it, in God or whatever, are super turned off by Pope-ness.

CARVER
Because?

DEVORA
Like by literal Popes? Well, there have been some bad ones. Conceptual Pope-ness? I
think the power is too centralized or something for Jews. Judaism doesn’t have that one
main guy. It’s the most disorganized organized religion on the planet.

CARVER
Is there some version of a leader? Is that a thing?

DEVORA
Maybe the chief Rabbi? Don Rickles? Fuck if I know.

CARVER
You’re really funny.

DEVORA
It was a good set up.

CARVER
So you don’t “do” Jewish stuff then?

DEVORA
You mean like eat gefilte fish and obsessively count calories?

CARVER
No, go to synagogue or whatever. Temple.
 57.

DEVORA
No. I mean, I might go to holiday services if my parents do some passive-aggressive
Jewish guilt kung fu thing on me, but no. Doesn’t do it for me. Droning in a language I
do not speak or understand, praying to a God I do not believe in? Being chosen? (fake
gags) No thank you, sir.

CARVER
I don’t believe in God either.

DEVORA
Well, duh, you’re a science nerd, no offense.

CARVER
None taken. I don’t know how anyone does.

DEVORA
Well, people need their stories, right? How Jews of all people believe in God at this point
is beyond me.

CARVER
Because of the Holocaust?

DEVORA
(half-laughing) Yeah, it was kind of a buzzkill for the Jews.

CARVER
Was anyone in your family affected?

DEVORA
Sure. My grandparents on my Mom’s side escaped sort of on the last boat out. Actually
last train out. That’s kvelling bubbe. Dad’s parents got out earlier.
 58.

CARVER
But what about everybody else? Like your grandmother’s parents or cousins or whatever?

DEVORA
Nope.

CARVER
No?

DEVORA
Not a one.

CARVER
No one?

DEVORA
No one.

CARVER
I’m sorry.

DEVORA
(laughing gently) Well, you didn’t do it.

CARVER
No, I just mean on behalf of the world...

DEVORA
You’re so menschy. (pouring them more cider) I always thought there should be like an
international “I’m Sorry” day. Like a day where everyone apologizes. Not even for
something they did personally maybe, or probably, but like on behalf of humanity. Like a
Yom Kippur for everybody.
 59.

CARVER
Like the holiday?

DEVORA
Yeah, the day of atonement. Begging forgiveness. Promising to do better. But for
everybody.

CARVER
That’s a good idea.

DEVORA
Like somebody stands up and says: Jews, on behalf of the world, I’m so sorry that the
Holocaust happened. That so many innocent souls were murdered while the world stood
by. So many sacred books burned, complete family lines stamped out. And somebody
else says to the Native American community: I’m so sorry your land was stolen, that your
communities were pillaged, your people raped and murdered. And then to the African-
American community- to all those descendants of people kidnapped from Africa
hundreds of years ago- I mean literally abducted- robbed of their history and dignity.
Forced to build a country that still treats them like second class. I’m so, so sorry. I don’t
feel like anybody has ever done that.

They sit quietly; a siren wails below.

CARVER
No one has done that.

DEVORA
Seems so obvious, right? I know it’s simplistic, but the world needs it. The people, the
plant. Like a huge healing.

CARVER
It’s not simplistic, it’s deep. Not sure if it’s possible, but...
 60.

DEVORA
Well, it’s gotta happen. There will be a reckoning.

Pause, The faint sound of bees can be heard.

DEVORA
I don’t know how I got off on that. Leave it to the Jewish girl to go all intense and Shoah-
y. Hand me some more of that cheese? This is how I practice Judaism. You know we have
an entire holiday devoted to cheesecake?

CARVER
(laughing) I did not know that. Sounds like a great religion. (hands her cheese) Here.

They sit, listening to the street life below. A siren wails by.
Carver lays back, resting his head in his hands.

DEVORA
Have you ever heard of radical amazement?

CARVER
Don’t think so. Sounds kind of redundant.

DEVORA
Ha! I never thought of that. You’re right. (pours then the rest of the cider) Radical
amazement. How do I explain this without being esoteric?

CARVER
I love esoteric.

DEVORA
I know you do. But I want to explain it in a grounded way. Judaism has cured me of any
desire to be disembodied.
 61.

CARVER
Okay.

DEVORA
So there was this really famous rabbi named Abraham Joshua Heschel. Wow, what a
boring way to start a story. Bear with me. He was born in Poland in like, I don’t know,
1910 or something, but moved to America in the 40’s. Fled the Nazis like everybody.
Anyway, he lived in New York City and taught at seminary in Harlem. Actually- and this
is interesting, I promise- he marched with Martin Luther King Jr. at Selma. Anyway,
that’s not the point of the story. Heschel coined the phrase radical amazement. He
believed that radical amazement is a sort of bridge between experiencing the world-
really intensely- and a sense of the divine.

CARVER
No offense, Devora, but this is pretty friggin’ esoteric. I mean, I’m into it, but...

DEVORA
Ugh, you are so right. I can’t escape myself.

CARVER
Give me an example?

DEVORA
Okay. Smart. Stay rooted. (takes a long breath in) Radical amazement is... the incredible
quality of the light right now. I mean, look at it. It’s how delicious this cheese is. It’s how
unbelievably complex the process of making bread is- who figured it out anyway? It’s a
miracle- and how great it tastes. (takes another deep inhale) It’s your bees, Carver. It’s
the honey they make. It’s the miraculously perfect cells of honeycomb they build without
thinking. It’s the incredible harmony found in a living hive.

They sit in silence, looking at each other.

 62.

DEVORA
I’m going to kiss you, okay?

CARVER
Okay.

SCENE TEN

Paris is kneeling by her bed.

PARIS
Dear God. So you know what tomorrow is. My recital. I know you know already, but I’m
reminding you just in case you were busy and forgot. I know you’ve got a lot of stuff to
do. You’re God. There’s only one and you are him. I want you to know I’ve practiced my
dancing every single day. I ate my special breakfast that Carver made. I wore my dancing
costume, just so I could get used to it. I helped Ma’Dear with her medicines and pulled
up special stockings so her legs don’t hurt and I’ve been protecting my baby bird eggs on
the roof too. Carver is helping me with that because I can’t go on the roof by myself and
you have to be grown to really do protecting. That’s what Carver says. I hope he brings
his girlfriend to my recital. I think she’s nice and definitely she’s pretty. Maybe they’ll get
married and we can all live here. That’d be good except we only have one bathroom.
Okay. I gotta go to sleep. Please make me have good dreams and no nightmares.
Sometimes I wonder where I go when I’m sleeping but then I get tired and close my eyes
and then it’s morning again. Can you see inside my dreams? Probably. Maybe that’s why
people gotta sleep, so you have time to get to everybody. You must be tired with all the
world to take care of, God. Okay. Thanks. See you tomorrow. Good night, God. Amen.
 63.

SCENE ELEVEN

The apartment is dark except for the light from the street
and what little illumination is cast off by the television.
Ma’Dear sits in her usual position, in front of the screen.
Her face has an unearthly glow. Mahalia Jackson’s
“Trouble of the World” plays.

Soon I will be done

Trouble of the world
Trouble of the world
Trouble of the world

Carver enters quietly. He stands watching Ma’Dear.

And soon we will be done

Trouble of a world gone
I’m going home to live with God
No more weepin' and wailin'
No more weepin' and wailin'
No more weepin' and wailin'
I'm going home to live with my Lord

Ma’Dear turns the sound down. The music softly plays.

MA’DEAR
Well, you just gonna stand there looking at me?
 64.

CARVER
How did you know I was standing here?

MA’DEAR
Special old person voodoo. Don’t think you can get away with nothing. I can always see.

CARVER
Are you ready for bed?

MA’DEAR
No. I’m watching an old picture. Imitation of Life.

CARVER
I’m going back up then and read. Call me when-

MA’DEAR
I remember when it came out. Famous. Sandra Dee. Lana Turner. Story about a girl who
passes.

CARVER
Passes what?

MA’DEAR
Passes for white. Something she ain’t. She’s fair skinned. Gets beat by a man she was
going with for lying about who she was.

CARVER
Right. I’ll be on the roof if-

MA’DEAR
And then she runs away. Leaves her family. Her sick mother. She lies, lies, lies. But
trouble always finds her, you understand?
 65.

CARVER
I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.

MA’DEAR
Where have you been?

CARVER
What ?

MA’DEAR
I said, where have you been.

CARVER
You know where I’ve been. Upstairs.

MA’DEAR
Doing what?

CARVER
Putting stuff away. Taking care of stuff.

MA’DEAR
That was a long time to just be puttin’ stuff away. Watering your little plants? Talking to
your little bugs?

CARVER
Yes.

MA’DEAR
You weren’t up there doin’ you-know-what with your little girlfriend?

CARVER
What?!
 66.

MA’DEAR
With your little Lana Turner.

CARVER
No! None of your business.

MA’DEAR
Maybe now I know, up there with your girlfriend.

CARVER
She is not my girlfriend.

MA’DEAR
Uh, huh. Well, she looked pretty sweet on you.

CARVER
I’m not talking to you about this.

MA’DEAR
“Mrs. Washington! I’ve heard such nice things about you!”

CARVER
Yeah, well, then you know it was a lie.

MA’DEAR
Is this what you’re gonna do with your life? Get some snotty little white girl to help you
look down on the world? Pretend your something you’re not?

CARVER
I’m going.
 67.

MA’DEAR
Leave your family because you’re too good? Run away so you can be some other person?
Someone you ain’t?

CARVER
I’m not trying to be something I’m not. I’m trying to be myself.

MA’DEAR
Don’t be fooled, child. I know you think you’re something better. You might be. And I
know you think you can leave your family behind. And you can. You think you can pass
and maybe for a little while you will. But I promise, someone will always remind you of
where you’re from. You can leave, but they’ll never let you forget your place. Do you
understand me?

CARVER
No. I absolutely do not understand you.

Ma’Dear pulls out an envelope she’s had tucked in her

chair and throws it on the floor.

MA’DEAR
Here you go, Big Science.

Ma’Dear wheels around and towards to her room.

CARVER
What is that?

He realizes precisely what it is and quickly picks the

letter up off the floor.
 68.

MA’DEAR
I don’t need your help, Carver. Made my way before you and I’ll damn well make my
way after. I gave you a home, don’t you ever forget it. Ungrateful child. People used to
have manners. People never stay in one place anymore. There is no home. Always
moving, climbing towards Lord know what.

She exits. Carver stands center stage, holding the letter.

The faint sound of a swarm begins. He reads.

CARVER
Congratulations. On behalf of the faculty and staff of Washburn University, it is with
great pleasure that I inform you (pauses) of your admission to Washburn as a member of
the class of 2020.

The sound of a loud swarm descends, grows in intensity.

As the noise rises, the stage fades to black.

ACT TWO

SCENE ONE

In the apartment. Late night. Everyone has gone to bed.

Carver lays on the couch, attempting unsuccessfully, to
get comfortable. A car screeches from below, followed by
muffled yelling and then sirens He puts a pillow over his
head. Paris runs out in her pajamas and shakes Carver.

CARVER
What the-
 69.

PARIS
(whispers) Carver, wake up, Carver. I’m scared.

CARVER
Okay. It’s all right. You’re all right.

PARIS
Don’t be mad I’m waking you up. I had a bad nightmare.

CARVER
I’m not mad. Come here.

He sits up and motions to her. Paris crawls onto the sofa.

PARIS
It was the most scariest dream I ever had.

CARVER
You’re awake now. Everything is safe. I’m here.

Paris nestles into Carver’s side.

PARIS
You sure?

CARVER
Million percent sure. Wanna tell me the dream? You don’t have to.

PARIS
I don’t want to make you scared too!

CARVER
Oh, no. I’m tough. Go on.
 70.

PARIS
I was all by myself. It was like here, but not really. I heard scary noises from somewhere
like ghosts and I got real scared for my birdies. I know I’m not allowed to go to the roof
myself, but no one was here to do the protecting. Don’t be mad, but I went to the roof.

CARVER
That’s okay. You were in a dream, so it’s not real life. Then what.

PARIS
I went to the roof and nothing was there. I mean not one thing. My birdies was gone and
your bees was gone and the flowers we put in pots was gone. All gone.

CARVER
(unsettled) That’s terrible.

PARIS
I know! But it gets way scarier.

CARVER
Uh oh. Okay.

PARIS
Then I saw there was bones everywhere. Lots of old bones. I knew they was old because
of the dust.

CARVER
Dust?

PARIS
Yeah. Everything was real dusty and old. Like a haunted house.
 71.

CARVER
That’s a horrible dream, Paris. I’m so sorry.

PARIS
That’s not it! There’s more!

CARVER
Okay.

PARIS
All of a sudden you were there. It was you and not you. It looked like you, but you had a
scratchy low voice that wasn’t you. I hided-

CARVER
You hid-

PARIS
Yeah, I hid. And you started talking to the bones. I swear. I didn’t understand you. I think
maybe you was talking in Chinese.

CARVER
Well, that’s funny, right? Me talking in Chinese?

PARIS
Nope. That’s how scary.

CARVER
Wow.

PARIS
But here’s the really baddest part. The bones started to move. By themself. And they
started to come together like, like in the Transformers movie. Remember that part?
 72.

CARVER
Yeah, I remember. This is a crazy dream, Paris.

PARIS
I KNOW!

CARVER
Shhhh. We don’t wanna wake Ma’Dear.

PARIS
This is the last part. The bones came together like Megatron in Transformers and made
skeletors.

CARVER
Skeletons? Skeletor is He-Man.

PARIS
Oh yeah, skeletons. And they turned into real people with skin and muscles and hair. And
you were dancing around them, you had a magician hat on I forgot, saying something in
Chinese.

CARVER
This is trippy, P. Then?

PARIS
And then y’all marched out like a parade. The end.

Lights to black.

SCENE TWO
 73.

That afternoon. The house is in pre-recital flurry mode.

The television cracks and sizzles with yet another food
channel show. Paris kneels on the floor in front of
Ma’Dear. Her hair is being tightly braided.

PARIS
Ow!! You’re pulling my hair so hard! You’re making my eyes Chinese!

MA’DEAR
Sit still, Paris. Your eyes are fine. You’re gonna be up on the stage, jumpin’ around like a
crazy person. You don’t want to have hair getting in your face.

CARVER
Paris, have you brushed your teeth?

PARIS
Yes. (to Ma’Dear) Ow! My brain hurts!

MA’DEAR
Your brain is fine. Shush.

CARVER
Do you have your backpack all packed?

PARIS
I did it last night.

CARVER
And you’ve got your tap shoes?

PARIS
Yes!
 74.

CARVER
Extra tights just in case?

PARIS
Yes!

CARVER
And whatever for your hair?

PARIS
She’s pulling all my hair out! I’m not gonna hair any hair!

MA’DEAR
Settle down. I’m almost done.

CARVER
And extra ribbons or whatever?

PARIS
YES! YES! YES! I AM READY.

CARVER
We’re going to leave here at 4:30, okay? That gives us time to make our way there with
extra time just in case.

PARIS
Is your girlfriend coming?

CARVER
Paris, I swear to God. Devora is not my girlfriend.

PARIS
She’s beautiful like a princess.
 75.

CARVER
Well, I’m sure she’d be flattered to hear that.

PARIS
What’s flattered?

CARVER
It means she’d think it was nice of you to say. It’d make her feel good. She would say
thank you because you gave her a compliment.

PARIS
What’s compliment mean?

CARVER
You are a non-stop question generator. A compliment is when you say something nice,
like ”Paris, I think you’re a good dancer”. Remember Devora said that to you?

PARIS
Yeah. Is she coming?

CARVER
I think so.

PARIS
CARVER’S GIRLFRIEND IS COMING TO MY RECITAL!!!!!!!

CARVER
Jesus. I know you’re excited and that’s good, but you don’t want to use up all your energy
before you dance, right?

PARIS
(pouts) No.
 76.

CARVER
Okay. You need to seriously chill then. Like take deep breaths. I’ve still got chores to do
upstairs. When I’m done, we’re gonna go. Are you with me?

Paris falls dramatically onto the couch.

CARVER
Did you just fake die?

PARIS
No, I’m chilling out like you said.

CARVER
Good.

SCENE THREE

Back on the roof. Carver slowly paces the back and forth,
his hands folded behind his back. He squints and then
addresses the classroom of rooftops.

CARVER
So what is it then? If people woke up tomorrow morning and started to care about our
rapidly decreasing bee population, what would we tell them? I wish the answer was
simple. I would like to offer or outline my theory. There are three main culprits, I think.
The first is we are simply poisoning them. By we, I don’t mean you and me particularly,
by “we” I mean- denizens of planet Earth. It’s farmers and factories and everything in
between. It’s what’s pumped into the air and dumped into our rivers. Now it would be
quite easy to cast these people- the farmers, the factories, who so often do our dirty work,
as the “enemy”, but I’m afraid to say that is just intellectually lazy.
 77.

Put it another way: can we really protest oil companies- and surely their actions are often
reckless and questionable- but at the end of the day, if we’re really being honest, can we
extricate ourselves from the system? Do you drive a car? Take a taxi? Buy food that
travels any distance? How often do you get on an airplane? So, pesticides. That’s the first
thing. I won’t bother you with the ominously long and complicated names of toxins we
coat our crops with, which by the way we end gobbling up, but the bees are eating it first
and getting very sick. But remember, we are resisting the desire to be binary. Why do we
use pesticides? Because we’re evil? Well, we- Homo Sapiens- in our excitement and
exuberance jumped on to that hamster wheel called the Agricultural revolution 10,000
years ago or so and we’ve had trouble jumping off ever since. More food, more
offspring. More offspring and we need more food. Do we blame ourselves for wanting to
create steady and consistent food sources for an ever growing population? Is it wrong to
want to be slightly less at the mercy of Mother Nature? No.
The second perpetrator. Monoculture. Again, being wary of demonizing. It’s too easy.
The impetus for these things is often well intended. Monoculture, though, is taking our
already compromised agricultural system, which we may or may not be guilty of making
things worse, and further perverting it with capitalism. Bees are big business in America.
In Europe, the honey is the valuable product but in America, we put the actual bees to
work. We’re force pollinating them. What would happen if you only ate oranges for a
month? Or almonds? That’s what bees are doing. They are boxed up and trucked great
distances to do our heavy lifting- far more than nature intended or could do on it’s own.
And once we’ve force fed them in Florida on orange blossoms, they go back into the
truck and make their way across country. When they arrive in California, it’s time to
binge of almond flowers. What kind of life is this? Wouldn’t you be sick?
Third, and this might perhaps be the most controversial. Technology. All kinds. Power
lines. German scientists have long said that bee behavior changes around them. Cell
phones. There’s mounting evidence that bees refuse to return to the hive if a cell phone is
nearby. They are repelled by the radiation. Can you blame them? Would that we were.
 78.

Paris’ head emerges from the latched door. She is

wearing the bumblebee antenna headpiece that goes with
her costume.

CARVER
The truth is folks that bees are just the canary in the coal mine. Mother Nature is
sounding a final warning: do not mess with me. So, I’ve got some good news and some
bad news. The good news: we are inexorably connected. The bad news: we are
inexorably connected.

Carver turns around, clearly exhausted by the lesson.

CARVER
How long have you been sitting there?

PARIS
Not long. I wasn’t snooping.

CARVER
I know. Nice head thing.

PARIS
Thanks.

CARVER
You ready?

PARIS
Are you sad, Carver?

CARVER
What? No. Are you kidding? I’m excited for your recital!
 79.

PARIS
Don’t tell anyone, but I feel a little scared.

CARVER
That’s okay. Totally normal. Everybody gets scared sometimes.

PARIS
Do you?

CARVER
Sure.

PARIS
About what?

CARVER
Grown up stuff.

PARIS
Like your bees being sick?

CARVER
Yup.

PARIS
I think it’s going to be okay.

CARVER
(laughs) Oh, yeah. Based on all your scientific research?

PARIS
No. Because of God.
 80.

CARVER
And what’s God gonna do?

PARIS
I don’t know. He’s God, not me. But He’s watching over all of us. Even when we’re
sleeping.

CARVER
That’s a nice thought, Paris.

PARIS
Well, it’s true.

CARVER
Okay. Are you ready to do this thing?

PARIS
I think so.

CARVER
That’s not very excited! ARE YOU READY TO DO THIS THING?

PARIS
Yes!

CARVER
Scream it like you mean it! ARE YOU READY TO DO THIS THING?

PARIS
YES!!!

SCENE FOUR
 81.

The stage is split. One side is Paris’ dance recital.

Ma’Dear, Carver and Devora sit in the audience as the
lights go down. The lights go up on the other side,
revealing the rooftop. The following scenes happen
simultaneously and the timing will have to be worked out
so that each scene matches in intensity.

The lights come up on Paris in full bee regalia. She holds

the opening pose. Flight of the Bumblebee begins to play.
Paris begins to dance.

The lights now come back up to half light on the roof.

Two shadowy figures emerge from the door below. They
creep around the rooftop, weaving ominously in the
between the flower pots and beehives.

Paris is now weaving and dancing around the stage with

growing intensity. She is very serious and focused.
Everyone is clapping and cheering her on.

The shadowy figures begin to knock things over. First

kicking flower pots. Then tearing down the bird feeder.
And finally, the beehives are toppled.

A crescendo is reached on both sides, in eerie unison.

Paris gloriously dancing. The rooftop being destroyed.
The audience breaks into applause as Paris bows. The
roof has been razed.

SCENE FIVE
 82.

Back on the roof top, which is deserted and completely

destroyed.

A series of fire trucks honk and race by and then it is

completely silent. Carver emerges from the door below.
He walks a step before realizing what has happened. He
stops and stands completely still, trying to process what
he sees. The destruction of all his work. He can’t take it
in. Shattered flower pots. A smashed bird feeder. The man-
made hives overturned, the wood splintered. His garden
of Eden has been decimated. He continues to stand
motionless and then takes one step more forward. He
begins to weep, but silently. He puts his hands to his face,
kneels and cries.

SCENE SIX

In the apartment, the next morning. Ma’Dear sits in her

usual position in front of the TV, foghorn at the ready. The
Food Channel, at full volume. Paris wears old earphones
attached to a handheld tape deck and sequin leotard,
dancing around the apartment to a sound track that
mercifully no one else can hear. Carver sits in on the
couch, wearing what he slept in. He stares blankly.

SOUTHERN CHEF
(with a thick Southern drawl) And look here what I got.
 83.

TV GUEST
(with an equally ghastly accent) Oh no, you didn’t.

SOUTHERN CHEF
Oh yes, I did.

TV GUEST
Doughnuts?

SOUTHERN CHEF
Doughnuts.

They laugh maniacally.

SOUTHERN CHEF
Okay, now. Settle down. First we take the burger. Put it right on that doughnut there.
Don’t be shy. Then the egg, a couple strips of bacon, mmm, and there you go. Sweet
AND savory!

Paris sets down the radio and disconnects the earphones,

so she can attempt to do the difficult tap dance maneuver
known as “wings” on the linoleum kitchen floor. She
sings.

PARIS
Tap your troubles away
You’re sued for divorce
Your brother gets locked up
Tap your troubles away

Carver bends over and covers his ears. Ma’Dear turns up

the volume on the TV.
 84.

PARIS
Your fat as a horse
And you find yourself knocked up
When you need something to turn your mind off
Why not try tapping your poor behind off?

CARVER
(with a growing intensity) Stop. Stop. stop stop stop stop STOP! JUST STOP!

Ma’Dear and Paris come to an immediate halt; turning

off the TV and the music. Carver never yells. The
apartment is, all of a sudden, very quiet.

CARVER
(quietly) Thank you.

He goes to the door, grabs his beekeeping jacket and

slams the door behind him.

SCENE SEVEN

Dusk. The rooftop is unrecognizable from what it was a

day before. Just another unremarkable rooftop amidst a
sea of other unremarkable rooftops. A car alarm goes off
and continues monotonously as Carver sweeps. He picks
up each broken item and studies it. The terra cotta shards
of a flowerpot. Fragments of the bird house. A smashed in
hive. He kneels and picks up a “super frame” (which for
a non-beekeeper is the foundation board inside a hive on
which bees build). It’s still covered with honeycomb.
 85.

He sits on the tar surface and pulls up his protective

netted hood.

Devora emerges from below and stops in her tracks.

DEVORA
Fuck.

Carver remains still, his knees pulled close to his chest.

DEVORA
Carver? Omigod. What’s happened?

Carver is silent.

DEVORA
CARVER! Are you hurt?

CARVER
(flatly) No.

DEVORA
Jesus Christ. What happened?

CARVER
(avoids eye contact) What does it look like happened?

DEVORA
Who did this?

CARVER
No clue.
 86.

DEVORA
Have you called the police?

CARVER
And tell them what.

DEVORA
Tell them there’s been an incredible act of vandalism on your roof!

CARVER
It’s not my roof, Devora.

DEVORA
Of course it is. What, are you crazy? Someone has committed a crime! This is your
building! We have to call 911.

CARVER
And say what? Hello operator, some punk ass motherfuckers on my block came up
upstairs and killed my bees?

DEVORA
Yes! That’s exactly what you say! Well, maybe leave out the motherfucker part.

CARVER
(finally turns to her) Trust me, Devora. The cops don’t care.

DEVORA
It’s their job to care!

CARVER
Maybe if you and your hippy friends called, but trust me.
 87.

DEVORA
Meaning?

CARVER
Meaning it’s one thing to be from here. Like born here. To be me. That’s one set of rules.
It’s another thing, no offense, to be from Scarsdale or whatever, move here and play the
great white hippy hope avenger-

DEVORA
Excuse me?

CARVER
It’s a different of rules, Devora. Seriously. You know that. You have to. And if you don’t
know that, well, I can’t teach it to you.

DEVORA
Are you angry at me?

CARVER
No. I’m not angry at you. It’s just not about you, Devora.

DEVORA
I’m going to file a police report myself. Someone will be held accountable. We’ll get
justice.

CARVER
(laughs gently) Okay. We’ll get justice.

DEVORA
Why is that funny?

CARVER
Never mind.
 88.

DEVORA
I’m serious.

CARVER
I know you are. You’re really earnest, you know that? It’d be annoying, except I know
you mean it.

DEVORA
Is that a compliment?

CARVER
(rubs his eyes) Listen, I know you want to change the world. I do think you believe the
things you say. Equality, “raising people up”, non-violent whatever Devora, but what
does that even mean? Like in real life?

DEVORA
It means we live in a broken world. And country. With broken systems. Built on
oppression with the sole purpose of perpetuating that oppression. I want to change that.

CARVER
And moving to a bad neighborhood and making homemade pickles is helping?

DEVORA
Fuck you, Carver.

CARVER
Are you really trying to fix broken systems? Or do you just like to talk about it? I mean,
how are you actually doing that? By learning to not fight with your fucking roommates
and make bread? Or is it all really about absolving yourself for being a part of the
problem?
 89.

DEVORA
I grew up privileged. I have no idea what it is to not have enough to eat or get harassed
because of the color of my skin. I didn’t ask to be born into it. I think I’d have been
happier if I hadn’t. But I’m trying to teach myself. I’m trying to learn what I wasn’t
taught, I’m trying to unlearn what I was taught. I’m trying to be a better person, Carver.

CARVER
I know you are.

A long pause follows. A series of ambulances howl by.

CARVER
When I came up last night, for a second I thought, did I dream this whole thing with
bees? Or am I like dreaming now?

DEVORA
I can’t imagine.

CARVER
Paris was begging me this morning to come up and check on her birdies. What the hell
am I gonna tell her? I’m the protector. I’m supposed to know fucking karate and kick all
the bad guys asses.

DEVORA
Does your grandma know?

CARVER
No way. I’m not telling her anything. All she ever did was give me grief. She’d probably
be happy.

DEVORA
I don’t think she would.
 90.

A long pause.

DEVORA
What happens now?

CARVER
What do you mean?

DEVORA
The bees. Do they come back? I mean, where do they go?

CARVER
Depends. If the Queen dies, which I’m assuming she did, but worker bees survive, they
may carry on for a little while, but without her, all the reproduction stuff is screwed. It’s
complicated. Eventually they’ll begin to wander, in search of a Queen.

DEVORA
Wandering bees.

CARVER
Wandering bees.

DEVORA
This is so sad. I’m so sorry.

CARVER
Yeah, well.

Carver stands and begins to sweep again. He’s creating a

pile center stage. Devora rises and begins to add to the
heap.
 91.

DEVORA
Did you know my name means bee?

CARVER
That’s weird.

DEVORA
Yeah, in Hebrew. In the bible, Devora was a judge. A priestess judge? I can’t remember
exactly.

CARVER
Oh yeah? What’s that have to do with bees?

DEVORA
No idea. 12 years of Jewish day school and you’d think I’d had more to show for it.

Ma’Dear’s foghorn sounds from below.

CARVER
I gotta go down. I’ll catch you later.

DEVORA
Okay. Maybe I’ll stay a little and help?

CARVER
If you want, but you don’t have to.

He exits. Devora picks up the broom. Lights go down.

 92.

SCENE EIGHT

The final morning. The apartment is calm. Sunshine

streams in. Paris and Carver are fast asleep on the
couch.

MA’DEAR
(from off) CARVER!

CARVER
(whispers) Jesus. Hold on. (quickly exits to her bedroom)

Paris wakes, sees she’s alone and bolts upright.

PARIS
CARVER?

CARVER
(from off) Hold on!

PARIS
Carver! Where’d you go?

CARVER
Coming!

PARIS
Carver? Right now! I need you!

Ma’Dear rolls out in her wheelchair. Carver follows

behind. Paris is clearly upset.

MA’DEAR
What’s the matter, little girl?
 93.

PARIS
I need to check on my birdies RIGHT NOW.

CARVER
Let’s have some secret breakfast and then-

PARIS
I don’t want breakfast. I want my birdies. They miss me.

CARVER
Breakfast first and then we’ll talk about it.

PARIS
No. No talking.

CARVER
Paris, come on.

PARIS
(throws herself on the couch, starts to cry) BIRDIES! BIRDIES! BIRDIES!

CARVER
Paris, please chill.

MA’DEAR
Go on. Take her up. Don’t cry. Your brother is going to take you up right now.

Carver takes a deep breath and sits.

CARVER
So. Okay. Listen a second, Paris. (struggling to find the words) How do I... (pauses)
Sometimes things in life... (pauses) The world is full of all kinds of different...
 94.

He stares at Paris and looks to Ma’Dear. They’re both

waiting.

CARVER
We just can’t go up right now. End of story.

MA’ DEAR
What do you mean, you can’t? Your legs broken? Look at how upset she is. Take her up!

PARIS
Yeah, what are your legs broken? Look how upset I am. Take me up!

Paris makes her way defiantly to the door.

CARVER
STOP. I can’t because... Come here. Please sit down for just a second. I’ll tell you truth.

PARIS
Okay. What.

He almost works up the courage.

CARVER
Your birdies went on vacation.

PARIS
Birdies don’t go on vacation!

CARVER
Of course they do. Remember how we saw those birds once on the roof, flying in that
perfect V right over us? There were going on vacation. Remember I told you that?

PARIS
(crossing her arms) Maybe.
 95.

CARVER
And remember I said they were going to Florida for the wintertime. They were
migrating? Remember that word- migrating? And then you asked if they were going to
Disneyland?

PARIS
Maybe.

CARVER
And I thought that was funny? Well, it’s like that.

PARIS
(suspicious) But it’s not winter.

CARVER
True, but people- do they take vacation all in winter?

PARIS
No.

CARVER
Well, there you go!

Paris thinks intently for a moment.

PARIS
But how do the birdies carry the baby eggs on vacation?

MA’DEAR
Yeah, Carver. How do they do that?

CARVER
Very carefully. On their backs. They strap them right on there.
 96.

Paris scrunches up her face again in thought.

PARIS
Why didn’t they say goodbye to me then?

CARVER
Birds don’t speak like people do, you know that. I only know because I’m grown.

PARIS
When do they come back?

The buzzer rings from below.

MA’DEAR
Who’s ringing at eight in the damn morning?

PARIS
Maybe my birdies came back early! They missed me!

Carver goes to the intercom.

CARVER
Who is it?

The intercom line crackles.

DEVORA
(brightly, even through the static) Devora!

Paris dances around in circles.

PARIS
Your girlfriend, Carver! It’s Carver’s girlfriend!
 97.

MA’DEAR
It’s too damn early for this.

PARIS
I’m going to put on my new dancing costume for your girlfriend, Carver!!!

CARVER
She’s not... (Paris runs out) never mind.

He unlocks the front door and turns the deadbolt to keep it ajar.

MA’DEAR
Something’s gone wrong.

CARVER
With what?

MA’DEAR
With you.

CARVER
You always think there’s something wrong with me.

MA’DEAR
No. Well, yes, but something different. Something’s happened.

CARVER
Mind your own business. Nothing has happened.

MA’DEAR
I’m not asking you, Carver, I’m telling you.
 98.

CARVER
There’s nothing to tell.

MA’DEAR
(she squints, trying to read him) Mm hm.

CARVER
Not a thing.

MA’DEAR
Okay. Keep your secret. (taps her forehead) But don’t you forget. Old person voodoo.

Devora backs into the apartment backwards, pushing the

door open with her hip. She’s carrying a wooden crate.

DEVORA
Good morning, Washingtons! I hope it’s not too early. Actually, I know it’s kind of early.
I just was excited to come over. Can I come in?

MA’DEAR
You already are in.

CARVER
Hey Devora. Not too early. Everybody’s up. It’s fine.

Devora sets down the crate.

DEVORA
Where’s your sister?

CARVER
Why? She’s in her room, putting on her new dance outfit for you.
 99.

DEVORA
Okay. I’ll wait.

CARVER
Wait for what?

DEVORA
I’ve got a surprise for her. I mean, it’s for everybody, but it’s for her.

Paris jetes out of her room. She wears a flapper outfit,

replete with a sequin feather head piece.

PARIS
Tada!!!

DEVORA
Wow, lady! You look amazing!

PARIS
I know! Oh- hold on!

She runs back out. Carver, Devora and Ma’Dear sit an

awkward silence.

DEVORA

So, Mrs. Washington! We’ve never really had the chance to talk. I mean, like really talk.
I’d love to know more about your history. Like-

MA’DEAR
Carver. I just got real tired all of a sudden. Take me back to my room.

CARVER
You just got up. Maybe you should check your sugar.
 100.

MA’DEAR
Take. Me. Back.

CARVER
Sorry, Devora. I’ll be right back.

Craver wheels her back out. Paris bounds back in with

her little radio.

PARIS
Where’d everybody go? I got new moves!

DEVORA
Your grandma went to take a nap. Your brother will be right back.

PARIS
In the morning time?

DEVORA
Maybe she didn’t sleep well. Sometimes I go back to sleep like that too.

Carver reenters.

CARVER
Sorry about that. So rude. You were in the middle of talking.

DEVORA
No, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have come so early.

Paris clears the floor, adjusts her headpiece and hands

the radio to Carver.

PARIS
Hit it!
 101.

CARVER
Hit what?

DEVORA
Turn on the music!

He turns it on. The Entertainer plays. Paris dances her

way around the apartment.

DEVORA
(clapping along) Woo hoo!

PARIS
(nearly out of breath) I made that dance move up myself!

DEVORA
Go, Paris! Go, Paris!

Paris suddenly spots the crate and runs over to it.

PARIS
(peeking in between the slats) MY BIRDIES! YOU SEE CARVER! THEY DIDN’T GO
NOWHERE!

CARVER
What?

PARIS
I knew they’d miss me too much. You see! I gotta tell Ma’Dear! She’s gonna be so happy.
(she runs out) Ma’Dear!

CARVER
How-
 102.

DEVORA
It’s crazy, Carver. I stayed up on the roof after you left to clean up and stuff and I heard
these little chirps, I thought. I was like, “Am I tripping?”

CARVER
No way.

DEVORA
I couldn’t see where it was coming from- it was just piles of shit and empty live boxes- so
I followed the sound. I got down on my knees and they were in one of the hives. It was so
surreal looking; these little chicks, chirping and sticky, amidst the honey comb. The mom
was gone, but-

CARVER
(quietly) Aristaeus.

DEVORA
What?

PARIS
(from off stage) Ma’Dear! Come on, I said! My birdies came home! (growing frantic)
Ma’Dear! Wake up!

Carver and Devora rise.

PARIS
(runs in) Carver! Ma’Dear won’t stop pretending to be asleep! It’s not funny no more!
Ma’Dear!

CARVER
Oh god.
 103.

The stage snaps to black. The Gregorian chanting of

Libera me Domine rises and swells.

SCENE NINE

Carver stands on the empty rooftop in full beekeeper

regalia. Libera me Domine plays quietly.

CARVER
Aristaeus. Greek for best. He was a pretty minor character in mythology really. The god
of beekeeping. Lots of things actually. Healing, herbal medicine, cheese making. Kind of
a catch all god. His dad was Apollo, who everybody knows, his mom was a huntress
named Cyrene. You don’t need to write that down. (pauses) One day, Aristaeus came
across a beautiful woman named Eurydice dancing with nymphs in the woods. One look
and Aristaeus fell in love. Mesmerized, he watched her gracefully move from afar. She
danced and danced joyfully through the forest until mistakenly, tragically she stepped
upon a serpent. The bite killed her instantly. The nymphs, who rushed to save her, spotted
the horrified Aristaeus and thought he must be to blame for their mistress’ death.

As revenge, the wrathful nymphs found the thing he loved most of all, his bees, and
destroyed them. Aristaeus was devastated.

Heartbroken, he went to the oracle- that’s what you did in those days- and asked for help.
The oracle told him to bring a sacrifice; a bull to the altar and slaughter it. His bees would
then return, the oracle said. So he did it and nothing. No bees. He went back to the great
oracle, who told him to wait, have patience. Dejected, Aristaeus left again. And he
waited. And waited.

And finally when he could wait no longer, he returned to find a disgusting, rotted carcass
in the empty altar. No bees. How stupid he’d been to believe it’d work. He cried out to
sky and to the gods and fell to the ground. So much death surrounded him.
 104.

So much destruction. So much brokenness.

It was from the ground that he first heard it. Faint buzzing. It couldn’t be, he thought. He
searched and searched the altar desperately, wildly. And then he spotted them. He
couldn’t believe his eyes. Bees. They had made a home in the carcass. The oracle had
been right. From the death of one came a thousand. From death sprang new life. From
collapse to a new hive was formed.

THE END
105.
106.
107.