INT. THRONE ROOM OF KINGDOM OF CHOKATII- MORNING

Light illuminates a young pixie, ESPERANZA, sitting on a cushion.

Bzzzz. A bee flutters into view with a parcel dangling from its foreleg.

ESPERANZA

Another?

She untangles the paper from the messenger and unravels the note.

ESPERANZA

They really need a break.

She glances at the letter before laying it down beside her.

ESPERANZA

(to messenger)

ZZZbzz, what would you do if I gave a day off, hmm, starting now?

ZZZbzz gives a short buzz.

ESPERANZA

Okay, I formally declare a day off for all workers starting now. Could you pass that message on to everyone?

ZZZbzz nods and ducks out of the room.

ESPERANZA

There we go. Now everyone will get a well-deserved rest.

EXT. OUTSIDE- TWO HOURS LATER

Dust collects on Esperanza's sauntering heels. Behind her, the sun glowers above the palace, and around her, bees zip flower to flower.

Esperanza pauses beside one of the bees.

ESPERANZA

Excuse me, if you don't mind me asking, why are you still working? Didn't you hear the message I sent out?

The bee buzzes at her.

ESPERANZA

You have to?

The bee bobs in the air before turning back to pollinating.

Frowning, Esperanza continues along the pathway.

ESPERANZA

I haven't felt this isolated since my parents sent me to that snowglobe.

Her sandals scuff against weeds as the road opens into a field where even more bees flutter around.

ESPERANZA
Wow. Um, I guess no one took my declaration seriously.

Beside her, another bee hums.

ESPERANZA

They have to? Why does everyone keep saying that to me! No one should have to be doing this. When I say it's break time, they should be having a break.

The bee shakes its head and clicks its mandibles.

ESPERANZA

I can't understand? Then help me to understand!

The bee drifts off.

ESPERANZA
This sucks.

Esperanza flops down. Dust billows around her and onto the flowers.

The sun sets and as the moon rises, the bees trickle off to be replaced by dancing fireflies.

Esperanza, now collapsed on the dirt road, her cheek pressed against the gravel, stares at the dark green flower stalks. The wind sways the blossoms and brushes her hair into her face.

Groaning, Esperanza stirs and rubs hair and dust out of her eyes. Blinking, her gaze follows the fireflies' movements. She nods. Breathing out with the wind, she picks herself off the ground and heads back the way she came.

Bzzz. ZZZbzz appears beside her. She offers him a smile.

ESPERANZA

Thank you for delivering my message, ZZZbzz. You're free to be who you want now. I'm leaving.

ZZZbzz vanishes into the night, leaving Esperanza alone on the path.