Dalton has almost finished closing up the entry to the royal living quarters with beeswax. Behind the wall, all was quiet. He turns to us.
Dalton: Shhhhh! Her royal Majesty is sleeping and I don’t have the heart to wake her. The last two weeks have exhausted her so much, I fear for her health. This week has been especially rough since Frank has been here. Because he’s such a big guy. I had to put him in the assembly hall. It is the only chamber in the hive where he can stand up straight and stretch himself. This means we can’t use the assembly hall for any other purpose. A lot of worker bees are angry about that. I must admit, between taking care of Frank and keeping the protesting worker bees away from the Queen, I feel a bit taxed myself.
Dalton looks as if he hasn’t slept the whole week. His feelers droop and his deep bass voice sounds a bit scratchy.
Dalton: I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about Frank. He can be a joy. There is something comforting about having a nice person around who is twice as big and five times as strong as you are yourself. He can help with practical things like fixing the hive or carrying in an injured bee from the meadow. The problem is that most of the worker bees are still afraid of him. He tries to hide his face when he moves from one corridor to the next, but it doesn’t help. Personally, I think the more I look at him the easier it gets. By now, I’m used to his peculiar appearance. He only wants to be liked, I guess. Don’t we all?
I thought the monster the original Frankenstein created had been educated somewhat, though I may be wrong about that. Still I have the sneaking suspicion, that our Frank is not even from the book by Mary Shelley. I am afraid he is from one of the many movies made about his short life. That is a mistake I can’t make again. But what can I do? The characters themselves never tell me exactly where they are from. Most of them have no idea. I just take whomever I can find. You have no idea how difficult it is to get anyone to come here for an interview. I mean, no one can expect me to come up with someone like Harry Potter, can they? Why, he’s booked out five years in advance. I couldn’t even get Dobby to come here on such short notice. Good heavens, I am an advisor, not a magician. Her Majesty must simply slow down with this project and have a little more patience. Then she might even be able to take a moment and read one of the books she is reviewing. I cannot make her understand how important that is.
At least, it was not a mistake to invite Frank. Which is more than I can say for the Queen of Hearts. If I have to hear one more time about chopping off someone’s head, even in jest, I swear I will chop of my own on the spot.
I was rather surprised at what an uproar Helen made. (Whispering) You know, the witch. I don’t think she is the original either. But whether she’s that or a movie copy, she has the Queen so up in arms she can’t sleep at night. Now she insists that I invite Dorothy to come here as a neutral witness. I cannot imagine how she could be neutral, since those two witches are fighting over her ruby slippers. Anyhow, I had to go all the way to Kansas to find her. Do you have any idea how far that is? I had to cross three rainbows just to be able to ask directions. And do you know that rainbows run away from you if you try to catch up to them. It is nearly impossible. If Helen had not helped me out, I never would have made it. I found it somewhat confusing that Helen was the one to count on and not Glinda, but maybe Helen has more at stake in the matter. Who knows?
Dalton yawns.
Dalton: Well, my friends, I think I will sneak off to one of the guest chambers for a little nap myself before the …
Drucilla: Dalton! What is the meaning of this?!
Dalton (rolling his eyes): Or not.
