To Bee a Hero - A Radio Play

	SCENE 1 MUSIC SOUND OF STORM RAGING. QUIETER AS DOOR CREAKS OPEN FOOTSTEPS DAMP DOG SHAKING
CHIEF FORAGER: Female	Quick you, yes you, shut that hatch. SOUND DOOR SLAMS SHUT Stop dripping, the boss will be round soon and you know she hates wet patches. (Beat) You, yes you cleaner bee mop that up
FORAGER #1: Female	It's wet out there sir, not sure we will collect much more today. (Beat) SOUND DAMP DOG SHAKING The rose garden is underwater, the walled garden has rivers running through it. I’m shattered. THUD
CHIEF FORAGER: Female	Nurse bee take this bee to the sick bay, he’s exhausted and soaking wet. SOUND OF SCUTTERING FEET GROANS HEAVY SLOWER FOOTSTEPS
FORAGER #2: Female	(OFF) Sir, Sir (Beat) SOUND OF HEAVY BREATHING Sir Armageddon is coming, floods, pestilence it's all coming. (Beat)
CHIEF FORAGER: Female	Calm down, it's only heavy rain.
FORAGER #2: Female	No its worse, far worse. Two hives in the bottom paddock have been washed away and a third blown over. (LOW)There are casualties everywhere. In all my long life I have never seen it this bad.
CHIEF FORAGER: Female CHIEF FORAGER (CONT’D):	Right, we need to mobilise everyone into action. ELECTRICAL CRACKLE (D) Attention, Attention. The severe weather is taking its toll, we need to be prepared. (D)Builders seal the hatches, ensure the nursery and the honey reserves are safe. (CHIEF FORAGER /CONT'D OVER) SQUEAL IN DISTANCE STORM NOISES LOUDER (D) Nurses prepare the sickbay. Guards secure the hive (Beat) ensure the queen's safety. Undertakers well your all old enough to know what you need to do. HUSHED BUZZING CLAPPING (D) Come along, to your duties. HUSHED VOICES. RUSHING FEET
	SCENE 2 THUNDER CRASHES SOUND LOUD STORM RAGING FADE
FORAGER #3:	We have to get back. This storm's getting worse
FORAGER #4:	We can’t, I can hardly fly. My wings are soggy, they ache so much. I have to rest. THUNDER CRASHES Argh, I hate Thunder.
FORAGER #3:	A nook in that tree, we can shelter there.
FORAGER #4:	Thank you. WIND WHISTLING
	SCENE 3 SOUND OF FRENETIC BUZZING AND ACTIVITY FADE
QUEEN:	(OFF) What’s going on? What’s all the noise and fuss? DOORS OPEN AND CLOSE BUZZING AND SCUTTLING (CLOSE) Stop. Will somebody please tell me whats going on?
CHIEF FORAGER:	Ma’am, I was just coming to find you. The floods are coming, two other hives washed away. We need to protect you, the guards will be escorting to a place of safety. The workers will secure the hive.
QUEEN:	Thank you. My drones?
CHIEF FORAGER:	We will do our best, the builders are securing the nursery. The Nurses preparing the sick bay. All is in order. Now please your majesty hurry, you must get to safety.
	SCENE 4 SOUND OF RUNNING WATER CREAKING WOOD
WORKER #1:	Oh what was that?

WORKER #2:	I don’t know. But I don’t like it, I don’t like it. SOUND OF WATER GUSHING THROUGH SMALL SPACE
WORKER #1:	Whoa, we’re floating, we are we’re floating, quick we must tell the chief. (OFF) Chief, Chief I think we are floating. We’re being washed away.
CHIEF FORAGER:	(CLOSE) What's wrong, Oh no don’t worry I can feel it. (D) Builders, Guards Quick secure the hatches, don’t let the water in. Hold on tight for the ride of your life. BUZZING SCREAMS AND SQUEALS WOOD CRASHING IN WATER RAIN AND STORM FADE
	SCENE 5 RAIN AND DISTANT THUNDER WINGS BEATING HARD
GUARD #1:	There your majesty tuck yourself right in, you’ll be safe here in this nook, nice and dry.
QUEEN:	Thank you. (Beat) Do you think they will be okay?
GUARD #1:	I hope so your majesty, here have some mead, it will calm your nerves.
	CREAKING WOOD GUSHING WATER BUZZING AND GASPS
QUEEN:	My goodness my hive it's turned into a boat, it's floating, floating away. Do something.
GUARD #1: GUARD #1 /CONT'D	It's okay Ma’am, look the hive has stuck on that table. LAND ROVER ENGINE SPLASHING WATER (GUARD #1 /CONT'D OVER) And look there’s farmer he’s come to help, he’s loading the hive into his trailer. They’re all safe.
QUEEN:	That mans a hero. We must build a statue. WIND AND RAIN EASING RUSHING WATER SLOWING BIRDS SINGING
GUARD #1	The rain has stopped, we can go home. The hive is safe there on the hill. Are you ready to fly Ma’am? BEATING WINGS LOW BUZZING WATER DRAINING AWAY
QUEEN:	Oh yes, let's go home, make sure all is well. BUZZING INTO DISTANCE
	SCENE 6 LOUD BIRD SONG FOOTSTEPS ON WOOD FANFARE
CHIEF FORAGER:	Welcome home Ma’am. Please excuse the mess we had a few leaks, but damage control prevented us sinking, we are just cleaning up. SWEEPING
QUEEN:	Were there casualties?
CHIEF FORAGER:	Yes Ma’am, some the nurses and undertakers are doing a wonderful job. The hives a bit damp, but we are luck, luckier than some. The farmer got here just in time.
QUEEN:	That man is a hero we must up production. Have the builders make a wax statue of him. I’m glad to be home.
	BUZZING HAPPY CHATTER TITLE MUSIC
	END