The Forbidden Fruits of Honey Frost April 2018 Fengar Gael 135 West 70th Street (2 C) New York, NY 10023 home: (646) 707-0903 mobile: (949) 307-48215
[email protected] “The world as we know it began with an apple and it will end with an apple.” Scarlet Maeveen Bailey CHARACTERS: HONORIA (HONEY) FROST, an American heiress raised in London, age mid-twenties BEVERLY GRAVENSTEIN, a New York estate lawyer, age mid-forties INGRID GRAVENSTEIN, Beverly’s daughter, an archeology student, age nineteen SCARLET MAEVEEN BAILEY, an Irish emigrant orchardist, age mid-forties MILTON FROST, Honey’s uncle, an astronomy professor, age mid-fifties JONATHAN FROST, Milton’s son, a medical student, age late twenties TIME: The present PLACE: New York City: a stylized set represents the operating theatre of a hospital on Wards Island, and a law office and vintage boutique in Manhattan. 1 PROLOGUE (New York City: the operating theatre of Wards Island Hospital. A choir is heard singing classical music as BEVERLY GRAVENSTEIN, a middle-aged lawyer, limps to the edge of the stage, facing the audience. SHE wears a robe, tinted glasses, a surgical mask, and speaks boldly as the choir fades.) BEVERLY Can you hear me through the mask? No...? Then I’m taking the damn thing off! (SHE yanks off the mask and thrusts it into a pocket.) BEVERLY There’s no proof of contagion at this distance, but feel free to leave. (pause) So you’re staying after all. Good for you! I was told I’d be speaking to the nursing staff as well as your brightest physicians and visiting specialists, but I hope there’s a few witch doctors among you because we’re desperate here, ha, ha! I say that in all sincerity, though I’m not like those patients I’ve seen gorging on exotic plants under full moons.