Love and Loyalty
By Derrick M.
Characters:
Vinny the Vindictive Fly Trap—14 years old
Bally the Bee—15 years old
Setting: A clearing in a South American Rain Forest. The tree tops shake as a tribe of monkeys swing from branch to branch. The air smells of banana peels that surround the clearing as the strong wind flies past. Thousands of raindrops nurture the forest floor. Twigs snap as a black panther chases a warthog through the brush.
Time: Present day spring—Spring!—just hours before the first day of spring.
Vinny
I hate the fact that me and Onni the Orchid have been friends for over 12 years but I still can’t tell her how I feel. It’s been raining and spring starts in 2 hours and she’ll bloom. It’ll be perfect. No matter who is around or what happens I’ll tell her. Willy the worm, says it’s young love, but what does he know. Two hours….two hours is my time. Just watch—I’ll tell her. I’ll tell her no matter what. I mean the hardest part is Bally the Bee. I know he’s my cousin but he can’t possibly love Onni like I love3 Onni. I told Bally how pretty Onni was, but he said if I didn’t have the soil to speak up, I should give him a chance to see her. So I did. Now I regret it. My feelings are out of control. What do I do?
(sings)
Girl I’ve been thinking about you
And the things that you do.
One hundred and 20 minutes till the time
That you bloom.
My chance will coooooomeee so very soon.
I hope you are thinking about me
While I’m thinking about you—
(Bally the Bee spins a slow circle onto the scene and perches on a weed nearby.)
Bally
Hey Cuzzzzzo. Wha cha sinin’ ‘bout?
Vinny
(nervous) Uh….n-n-othing special. Just the Itsy-Bitsy Spider.
Bally
(sarcastic) Really? Because it sounded like you were singing ‘bout a chick.
Vinny
(dismissive) Nah no chick for me.
Bally
Come on Vinny, you can keep it organic with me. I’m not your favorite cousin for no reason.
Vinny
You are my only cousin.
Bally
You always say that but technically I’m your favorite cousin.
Vinny
Well if you want to be technical you’re my most annoying cousin cuz you be buzzin’ for real.
Bally
Well you’re boring as heck, but you don’t see me rubbing it in your leaves. I mean you never go anywhere. You really should get out of this clearing. As long as you’ve been around you haven’t even been to the waterfall once.
Vinny
Bally, I don’t know if you’re drunk on honey or high off pollen but have you forgotten that I’m a plant?
Bally
(sarcastic) Oh really? I must’ve forgotten.
Vinny
That was low even for you, with your scared of heights thing.
Bally
An eye for an eye, bud. But it’s really weird, because you don’t have eyes, so I have no idea how you ‘see’, but hey.
Vinny
What do you want?
Bally
Huh?
Vinny
(impatient) You flew over here for a reason but you haven’t said nothing so why are you here? I have an appointment in 2 hours so hurry up and spill the honey.
Bally
Well, sorry! Do you have somewhere to go? I mean you are after all stuck in the ground. Maybe moving 2 centimeters to the left or to the right is more important than talking to your favorite cousin. Go ahead. Let me get out of your way.
Vinny
(annoyed) What. Do. You. Want.
Bally
Since you obviously have somewhere to be let me get to the point.
Vinny
Please do kind sir.
Bally
Well, Rosemary the Rose isn’t allo0wed to date bees. What kind of flower isn’t allowed to date bees??!
Vinny
And you are telling me because?
Bally
I’m telling you because you’re my cousin and because I kind-a want a second chance with Onni.
Vinny
And again, you are telling me this why?
Bally
Because I heard through the soil that you’re diggin’ Onni and I wanted to know if it was OK if I sting my sting and ask her for a second chance?
Vinny
(pissed off) Through the soil?! Just wait till I see Willy that slimy excuse for a worm, and brother at that! (suspicious) It was Willy, huh. Willy said that? I know he did!!!
Bally
It doesn’t really matter Vinny. I just want to know if you’re cool with it being my cousin and all. So calm down.
Vinny
No can do.
Bally
So you can’t calm down because?
Vinny
No I can calm down. But I can’t allow you to do that.
Bally
Do what? I’m confused now.
Vinny
I can’t allow you to get at Onni because in 2 hours (looks up at the sun), less than 2 hours now Onni blooms and I’ll tell her how I feel. And besides you had your chance. Why do you get a second chance when I never had a first?
Bally
Because I’m your cuzzzzz and you didn’t even mover your soil to spit your game first.
Vinny
Well, I do now, and I’m your cuz, and you should be proud.
Bally
Well I’m sorry but Onni is perfect for me.
Vinny
9surprised) Perfect? Well I find that hard to believe now that you’re with Rosemary.
Bally
I’m not with Rosemary because she can’t date bees. Haven’t you been listening?
Vinny
Honestly, no. But I find it really hard to believe that the rainforest revolves around you.
Bally
It doesn’t but—
Vinny
(resentful) But what? You want me to let you mess up again all because Rosemary can’t date bees? Which is really stupid if you ask me but no I will not let you take my chance when all’s you’re doing is using Onni as a fall back plan.
Bally
(offended) She is not a fall back plan—
Vinny
(mad) You’re right! She’s Plan B! (listing labels) Bally’s Sorry Plan–!!!!
Bally
Listen before you speak instead of cutting me off. You won’t even let me buzz.
Vinny
Go ahead. Buzz away. Buzzzzzz like your vibrations depend on it, because they do.
Bally
Thank you. For getting your head out of your grass. Hear me out why don’t you?
Vinny
Listening.
Bally
Well since you’re obviously being difficult, how about—
Vinny
That’s 2.
Bally
Two what, Vinny?
Vinny
2 strikes Bally. First you told me get my head out of my grass then you called me difficult.
Bally
(sighs) Can I continue?
Vinny
Suuuuure.
Bally
How about you let me talk to Onni and if I —
Vinny
Nope.
Bally
You didn’t even let me finish my sentence.
Vinny
For what?
Bally
Because it’s the polite thing to do.
Vinny
Sorry I didn’t know manners were applied in the rain forest.
Bally
Listen. How about you give me a second chance and let me talk to Onni and make it right but IF I mess up you shoot your shot and I won’t say anything.
Vinny
Wh7y should I put my life on hold for you to mess up? Which I know you will because as soon as the next flower grows you’ll screw up for sure.
Bally
Well if you’re so sure I’ll screw up why don’t you give me a shot? Besides you don’t even know if Onni likes you, to be so sure of yourself.
Vinny
Maybe I will give you a shot just to say I told you so. And I hear throught the soil that Onni thinks I’m great and now that you’re dating Rosemary, Onni’s ready to date others.
Bally
I’m not dating Rosemary!!
Vinny
She doesn’t know that. And she hasn’t spoken to you in over 6 months. Sounds pretty useless to try and get her back now.
Bally
So YOU think it’s pointless?
Vinny
Absolutely.
Bally
So give me a shot since it’s so pointless and I’ll just make a fool of myself!
Vinny
Fine!
Bally
Fine!
Vinny
One chance. That’s it, that’s all, and that’s only because you’re my cousin.
Bally
Thanks. I knew there was a reason you were my favorite cousin.
Vinny
Only.
Bally
Huh?
Vinny
I’m your only cousin.
Bally
Here we go again.
Vinny
Aye, Bally?
Bally
Yeah?
Vinny
I’m going to get a quick hour of sleep so I’ll see you in the morning.
Bally
Yeah, Ill fly through tomorrow.
Vinny
Bally…don’t hurt her feelings.
Bally
I won’t.
( Bally dances/flies away. Silence, but then a flock of toucans flies through the trees, cawing.)
Vinny
If he messes up, I’m going to date Onni no matter how Bally feels.
(sings)
Girl I’ve been thinking about you
And the things that you do.
One hundred and 20 minutes till the time
That you bloom.
My chance will coooooomeee so very soon.
I hope you are thinking about me
While I’m thinking about you—
THE END
