Janice & The Giving Tree
A disheveled Janice trudges across the grass and stops in front of Giving Tree.
Giving Tree
Janice, is that you? Didn't recognize you without your cape. You look...different
Janice
I'm done, Tree. Can't do it! No more. They've taken everything out of me. I'm sapped. No pun intended.
Giving Tree
None taken. What happened?
Janice
You don't know? Black women are quitting. We damn near sweated out our natural hair for that election! Voted, marched, mobilized, hired Beyonce, twerked, did some voodoo and guess what, the nightmare still nightmared!
Giving Tree
I knew something stale was in the air.
Janice
Welp, doesn't matter cuz we're done. Personally , I've stopped it all. I'm not checking in, not inviting folks to cookouts, not sharing my opinion, not listening to Pam at work crying “why, why did this happen?”
Giving Tree
No, Janice No!
Janice
Yes, Janice, Yes. I'm t-iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiid!
Giving Tree shakes her leaves.
Giving Tree
But Janice, you're different. You're a natural giver. Me and you, we're the world's best givers. Our whole existence is to give. Just listen.
Music cue: An instrumental of what sounds like We are the champions by Queen. Giving Tree sings.
Giving Tree
Reeeeemixx! I've had my time. I've had the blues. I've inhaled a lot of pollution and still I refuse to not give up on Earth. I give up my air, my leaves, I give it all. Despite all the seasons and reasons I still stand tall. cuz we are the givers, my friend, we'll keep on giving til the end. We are the givers. We are the givers. No time for users cuz we are the givers...of the world
Giving Tree
Now come on sis. Let's just keep on giving. Like the old days. Sit, lean on me and say it with me, I am a giver.
Janice
I am a giver
Giving Tree
I give to the world
Janice
I give to the world
Giving Tree
And I will give until my last day!
Janice stands.
Janice
Tree, I will always be a giver but I am no longer giving up anything for a country that has never considered me. Just simply considered! I burned the damn cape. I'm saving myself. Listen. You don't have a choice. You're stuck here. But remember this. Today you may think you have all the lives to live, a solid foundation, branches swaying in the clouds with no worries. Then somebody comes along and takes all you got after you've given them every part of yourself. They will cut you down til there's nothing left.
Giving Tree hangs her branches low. Janice presses her hand against The Giving Tree
Janice
Goodbye Giving Tree. And Good luck.
As Janice leaves a young boy comes along and climbs The Giving Tree
