WARNING - SPOILERS BELOW. Cass' Clips Every day when Mod wakes up, he starts his morning rituals -- says good morning to his deceased mother's picture, washes his face, and brushes his teeth. He also recites affirmations to himself in the mirror and while he exercises: (1) Failure is not an option; (2) Knowledge is power; (3) Who's better than me; (4) What I think about I bring about; and (5) My attitude determines my aptitude. Mod then turns on the boom box and pretends he is directing an orchestra playing Flight of the Bumble Bee by N. Rimsky-Korsakov. Day 1 -- Mod receives a call from a former associate requesting that he collect a $2,000 outstanding debt from Bone. Mod explains that he's not interested in the job because he's not performing those types of services anymore. He's getting his life together and going to school to get his G.E.D. However, with a little convincing that he can keep $1,000, Mod accepts the job because his money is a little funny. Mod prepares himself mentally for this job as he drives to Bone's apartment. As he barges into Bone's apartment, Mod's entire persona changes from a pretty nice guy to a -- Where's my f*$%ing money gangsta debt enforcer!!! Bone confesses that he's a little short with the money and he begs Mod for more time. [But "HOMEY DON'T PLAY DAT," especially since Mod is temporarily back 'n da game for a hot second]. Mod tells Bone that he's not leaving until he gets what he came there for -- all the money. While all this pleading is going on, Ox, a chick in Bone's apartment, is clearing the kitchen table. Bone offers Mod to take anything in his apartment until he gets the rest of the money. [But "HOMEY STILL AIN'T PLAYIN' DAT, because there ain't a damn thing in his apartment he wants]. As a last ditch effort, Bone tells Mod that he can take Ox, who will do "anything" he wants, until he gets the balance of the money. Initially, Mod is outraged, but because he's basically a nice guy, he takes Ox with him. When Mod and Ox get to his apartment, he tells Ox what chores to do around the house, and shows her where she can sleep -- on the sofa. Day 2 -- The next morning, Mod starts his daily rituals. Ox pretends she's sleeping when she hears Mod turn on the boom box. She peeps out of the sheets and sees Mod pretending to direct an orchestra playing Flight of the Bumble Bee. Mod leaves for the day and Ox cleans up the house. When he returns, he brings dinner and he tries to have a conversation with Ox. Ox doesn't utter a sound or a word in response. [Initially, I thought she was deaf, but the reason for her silence is explained later in the movie]. Day 3 -- Mod begins his morning rituals. Mod tells Ox that he has a list of things for her to do and leaves for the day. Instead of doing these chores, Ox spends the day flipping through glamour magazines. When Mod returns and sees her looking at magazines, he is furious and yells at her for not cleaning up the house. His yelling triggers a horrible event in Ox's memory and she cowers out of fears. Mod sees how upset Ox is, and he tries to comfort her. In the middle of the night, Mod is awakened by Ox's screaming. He is upset by her strange behavior, so he calls Bone for an answer. Mod is shocked, and then pissed, to hear how Ox has been abused. This phone call changes their lives. And, the answer to why their paths crossed at a time when they both need love is only revealed when their pain is finally shared with someone who accepts them unconditionally. Da 411 I really enjoyed Flight of the Bumble Bee. Freez was a very convincing thug, and Vernon was a believable petty criminal. When Bone gave Ox to Mod like a slave, I wondered why she didn't complain. But the fact that Ox didn't speak until the end of the film allowed the viewer to follow the story through her actions and expressions. I'm not sure why I was drawn to this short film, except to say that nothing in my life happens by chance. Read more in my Flight Of The Bumble Bee interview with the writer and director, Linda and Rayce Denton. Cass' Conclusion Flight of the Bumble Bee (the short) won the grand prize in the 2002 Showtime Black Filmmakers Contest, and was the Grand Jury Audience Choice Winner at the Fourth Annual Hollywood Black Film Festival. FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLE BEE: After you watch Flight of the Bumble Bee, its stinging message will also give you wings to fly. back to top Copyright Cassandra Henry, 2002 EMAIL: cass@3blackchicks.com