Week 14, Day 94 - "Queen of Bees"

“Queen of Bees”
Written by Joe Janes
4/22/09
94 of 365

CAST:
STANLEY, 30s
OLIVIA, 30s

(Lights up on Stanley outdoors in full beekeeper attire. He is doing something beekeepery with one of those wooden beehive crates full of drawers full of bees. Olivia enters. She wears a stylish wedding dress, carries a bouquet and also wears a beekeeper’s helmet.)

OLIVIA

Stanley.

STANLEY

Olivia. Oh. You look magnificent.

OLIVIA

I know.

STANLEY

Did you forget we were working in the beehives today?

OLIVIA

No, Stanley. I didn’t forget. I’m leaving you.

STANLEY

You’re leaving me? But I thought you were happy.

OLIVIA

You thought, but you didn’t ask. That’s the problem, Stanley. You never ask. You think that as long as I keep myself busy, I must be happy.

STANLEY

Aren’t you? Weren’t you?

OLIVIA

I thought I was. Until I went to the farmer’s market last weekend to sell our little pots of Stanley and Olivia’s Honey and Honey Accessories. There’s a new vendor that put up his tent and table next to ours. His name is Blake.

STANLEY

Blake Hanson?

OLIVIA

You know him.

STANLEY

He…He’s a florist.

OLIVIA (holding up bouquet)

He is.

STANLEY

Handsome, too.

OLIVIA

He has what I need.

(Olivia removes her beekeeper helmet, revealing bee-like antennae.)

STANLEY (removing helmet)

But, Olivia. All I’ve done, I’ve done for you. I’m allergic to bees.

OLIVIA

I know. And I appreciate all you have done. You served my needs well, but I don’t love you. I’m not sure I ever loved you. But I like you and will think fond things about you and speak of you kindly.

STANLEY

And I shall do the same. If anyone should ever ask me.

OLIVIA

Very well. I have to go. Blake and I are getting married.

STANLEY

I thought you didn’t want to ever get married.

OLIVIA

I thought so, too. Then I met Blake. Well, I suppose I’ll see you at the farmer’s market. I’ll be there with Blake.

STANLEY

See you then. Have a nice wedding.

OLIVIA

You, too. I mean, have a nice day. Good-bye, Stanley.

(She exits. Stanley kicks the beehive.)

STANLEY

Stupid bees.

(The bees stir and start to swarm around him and stinging him. He runs off yelling multiple “Ow’s!” Blackout.)