Eleanor Gates

“ FLY
But what’s one boy! Huh! With the help of my thousand children, I could wipe out this whole town! (Animals turn away incredulously. The Horse brays like a donkey in derision. The Cat puts a paw over her mouth to hide a smile.) I could, I tell you. (To the Cat.) Haven’t I the entrée to the best homes?
CAT
(Nods.)
Oh, meow!
HORSE
And to the best stables! (Stamps.)
MONKEY
(Crossly.) ”

“ In the garden wall, at left, is a wide door leading to a city street. In the rear wall is a square, window-like opening through which can be seen the Horse’s standing-stall. The Monkey’s house is in the lower right-hand corner of the garden. Directly across from it is the kennel of the Dog. The Rabbit’s hutch is placed against the rear wall, close to the square opening. The front of the hutch is screened with wire netting.
The garden is covered by a lawn. Flowers grow against its walls, as well as in the corners made by the meeting of wall and building. ”

“ Don’t you dare to touch him! (She takes the Boy up in her arms.) I wouldn’t let you treat a dog of mine! (Crosses to the street door and halts to look back.) You fiend! (Goes out.)
[Pg 14]
DOCTOR
Oh, all right! (Follows the Inspector to the door, slams it, turns toward the laboratory.) But the poor little chap ought to be home in bed. (Strikes at the Fly.) Oh, you pest! (Looks up at the top of the wall, to where the Fly has gone, turns, touches the electric button, putting the garden again in darkness, and closes the laboratory door after him.)
DOG
(Howls mournfully.) ”

“ Indeed, I am! I even THINK like a man. (The animals agree by nods.) And I ought to live in the house with the family. But does that Doctor want me? Oh, I hate him! (Chatters angrily.)
RABBIT
And I hate him! (Moves her ears.)
MONKEY
My friends, this Doctor is the cause of ALL our troubles. ”

“ We’ll swat him! We’ll swat him!
FLY
Buzz-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z! (He moves his wings; his eyes glow red. As he attempts to back away the animals form in a half circle and block his retreat.)
ALL
Yes, swat him! Swat him! Swat him!
FLY
Oh, wait, wait! Oh, ladies and gentlemen!
ALL
Swat the Fly! Swat the Fly!
[Pg 27]
FLY
(Holds up his third left foot.)
Look out! On this foot I carry a disease that’s death to animals!
RABBIT
Oh! Oh! (Hops aside and covers her eyes with her forepaws. Her ears tremble.)
MONKEY
(Retreats in the opposite direction and cowers in fear.) ”

“ The Boy enters from the street. He is wearing pajamas. In his right hand, wrapped in paper, he carries a bone. In the circle of his left arm he has a banana, which he holds against him; in his left hand are an apple and a carrot. ”