Plays for Young Audiences

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Akeelah and the Bee

By
Cheryl L. West

Based on the Book by

Doug Atchison

Akeelah and the Bee was first presented by the Children’s Theatre Company in the 2015-16 season.

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Characters: Suggested Doubling:
 Akeelah  Akeelah
 Gail  Gail
 Reggie  Reggie
 Dr. Larabee  Dr. Larabee
 Georgia  Georgia
 Batty Ruth  Batty Ruth
 Drunk Willie  Drunk Willie/Principal
 J.T.  J.T./DJ Rule/Judge/TV Announcer
 Dylan  Dylan
 Javier  Javier/Chucky
 Dylan’s Dad  Dylan’s Dad/Pronouncer
 Izzy  Izzy/Snorting Girl/Crying Girl
 Ratchet Rhonda  Ratchet Rhonda/Foxy Fay
 Trish  Trish/Horse Girl/Mohawk Girl
 Principal
 DJ Rule
 Judge
 TV Announcer
 Chucky
 Pronouncer
 Snorting Girl
 Crying Girl
 Foxy Fay
 Horse Girl
 Mohawk Girl
 AKEELAH & THE BEE

AKEELAH’S BEDROOM - LATE NIGHT - MAY

In the distance, a police bubble light rotates, illuminating the space. Sound of
gunfire, sirens. Rap music underscores. Akeelah wakes screaming, terrified.

AKEELAH
No, please. Oh, God. Mama? Mama? REGGIE!

Her mother, GAIL, runs in wearing hospital scrubs, car keys in hand,
purse strapped across her chest. She turns on the bedside lamp, grabs
up Akeelah to calm her.

GAIL
It’s okay, baby. You’re okay. Mama’s here.

AKEELAH GAIL
No, no...Are they still shooting? I want my Honey...honey, it’s okay. They’re not
daddy. I want... shooting on this block.

REGGIE, (thuggishly dressed) ambles in. Gail frowns, irritated with him.

GAIL
Didn’t I tell you to be in this house before I leave for work, that I didn’t want your sister
here by herself?

REGGIE
Yeah, and you haven’t left yet. I’m here now so...

GAIL
Boy, you really better be glad I can’t afford to be late.

REGGIE
So you need me to walk you to your car or not?

GAIL
I’ll be alright. You stay here with our sister. I’ll call you two on my first break. And Reggie
you better be here to answer that phone. See you all in the morning. I love you.

Gail exits. Reggie crosses to the window. Akeelah goes ballistic.

Akeelah and the Bee 1

 AKEELAH REGGIE
(Grabbing for him) Akeelah. Akeelah. Nobody’s shooting. It’s
NO REGGIE, GET OUT OF THAT over girl.
WINDOW! THEY MAY START
SHOOTING AGAIN.

AKEELAH
I need... I need Daddy’s hat.

REGGIE
(Retrieving the hat)
I got it.

She grabs it out of his hands. Once on, she calms some.

AKEELAH
You’re not going anywhere, are you? Promise me, Reggie, you’re not going to sneak out.

REGGIE
(He grabs a pillow, makes himself comfortable on the floor)
I’m not. Sibling code, I’ma stay right here on this floor till you fall asleep. Go ‘head, turn
off the light.

Akeelah turns off the bedside lamp. Still the bubble light rotating
illuminates the space. A beat, sirens in the distance.

AKEELAH
(She waits, no response from Reggie)
Ever wish, Reggie, you and me could live somewhere else, even be somebody else? I
would be like some kinda superhero girl who wasn’t afraid of nothing and you could be....

REGGIE
Chill, like you need to do. Go to sleep girl, wouldya?

AKEELAH
But Reggie if you could, wouldn’t you wanna live in a utopia? Isn’t that a great word? Utopia*

REGGIE
Yeah, I guess if I knew what it meant.

Akeelah and the Bee 2

 AKEELAH
Means some place perfect. No guns, everybody has so much money that they’d never rob
anybody, and you could eat all day long some really good food like daddy makes.... used to
make....

REGGIE
New address, same problems, Kee. Why don’t you do that thing, the one you used to do
with dad to calm down? Spelling them words...tran...what was it?

AKEELAH
Tranquil. T-R-A-N-Q-U-I-L. Serenity. S-E-R-E-N-I-T-Y..

REGGIE
It’s working for me. I’m ‘bout to catch some z’s. You okay?

AKEELAH
Yeah... I guess.

But she’s anything but. Lights shift.

AT MORNING LIGHT

We get to experience Akeelah’s 709 neighborhood in all of its chaos. At

present, there’s a loud cacophony of city sound including distant Chicago
El trains rumbling on the tracks.

GEORGIA
AKEELALH, WHAT’S TAKING YOU SO LONG? AKEE-LAH?

GAIL’S VOICE GEORGIA

WHO ATE UP ALL THE DANG I SWEAR I’M LEAVING YOU.
COOKIES WITHOUT EVEN ASKING? AKEELAH?

Akeelah moves to the railing, calls down.

AKEELAH
I’m coming. Could everybody stop screaming?

BATTY RUTH, 70’ISH, a woman with elaborately coiffed hair, (a wig-

wearing woman who always looks either dressed for church or for an
upscale nightclub), steps onto her porch.

Akeelah and the Bee 3

 BATTY RUTH
(Yelling out)
Who’s going to join me for choir this morning? Bible says make a loud and joyful noise.
Come on babies, let’s start the day singing His praises. (Waits a beat; no one comes)
Okay, then, I’ll start us off.
(Sings loudly)
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine

GEORGIA BATTY RUTH

OKAY, AKEELAH, I’M ON MY WAY This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it
DOWN. shine

AKEELAH BATTY RUTH

I’m coming. Just gotta get my backpack. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it
shine/Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

From the basement apartment, DRUNK WILLIE, 7O’ISH, the Super, emerges,
wearing his tool belt and humorously using a broom to chase flies. At some point,
takes a swig from his ever-present flask.

DRUNK WILLIE
Where are all these dang flies coming from? Okay, so who needs something fixed this
morning? Super Willie raring to go.

BATTY RUTH
(Yells down at Willie)
Where you need to go is back in that nasty apartment of yours and sleep it off, cause
everybody know you ain’t gon’ fix nothing. And why don’t you shave that weed patch
growing on your face, you old drunkard.

DRUNK WILLIE
(Takes a swig from his flask)
Your lips may be moving but I sho can’t hear what they sayin!

And to drown her out, Drunk Willie turns up the volume on his huge,
dated boom-box and we hear the sound of R&B. He dances old school.

DRUNK WILLIE
Aw, baby....

ALL
TURN THAT OFF, DRUNK WILLIE!

Batty Ruth sings even louder.

Akeelah and the Bee 4

 GEORGIA GAIL
COME ON AKEELAH. AKEELAH, HAVE YOU LEFT YET?

IZZY, 11, a girl terrified of her own shadow, enters carrying huge
vegetable crates.

DRUNK WILLIE
Hey you? Ever heard of good morning?
(Izzy, looks like she’s going to say something)
Chile, if you gon’ stay around here, you better learn to be heard.

Izzy quickly exits. Drunk Willie back to dancing. JT, 20’ish (very tatted and
very buff) emerges scowling. He angrily yells toward Batty Ruth’s apartment.

JT
What the...don’t ya’ll know I’m trying to sleep! Man, turn that music down.
(Yelling up toward Batty Ruth)
And why can’t you shut up that singing ev’ry morning?

DRUNK WILLIE
Who you telling to shut up? That ain’t no way to talk to a woman.

JT
Ya’ll gon’ respect me today!
(as he exits inside)
Yeah, I got somethin for you.

GEORGIA DRUNK WILLIE

(Yelling down) I’m gettin to it. I’m gettin to it. Yes suh.
Mr. Willie, Mama wanna know when
you’re going to fix the window? It’s been a
month now.

Reggie dashes out at the same time as Akeelah.

REGGIE
Girl, why you clothes look like that? Why didn’t you hit that skirt with an iron?

AKEELAH GAIL O.S

Because I’m late. Akeelah, tell Mr. Willie the dang sink is
backing up again!

Akeelah and the Bee 5

 WILLIE GAIL
Yes suh. I’m gettin to it. REGGIE?

REGGIE
I’m out.

Reggie disappears down into JT’s apartment while...

GEORGIA
AKEELAH COME ON!

Georgia passes Batty Ruth’s stairwell, quickens her step - she knows what’s coming.

BATTY RUTH
Oh, Georgia. Wait justa minute. I keep after you and Akeelah ‘bout joining my children’s
choir. I don’t have anybody regular yet but God promised me more are coming.

GEORGIA
I don’t know Miss Ruth, school keeps us pretty busy.

BATTY RUTH
But we could do practice before and after school and with summer coming...

GEORGIA
Yes, mam. But I better go so Akeelah and I can help the little kids cross the street.

BATTY RUTH
(Calling after her)
Make sure to ask that hurt looking child to walk with ya’ll, the little Asian one. Half the
time she don’t look like she belong to nobody. She and her mama run into that store like
scared rabbits and then the mama don’t come out till she puts up her closed sign. Shoot,
maybe I can get her to join my choir.

Before Georgia can respond, the sudden ear-splitting sound of

thumping hip-hop music coming from JT’s apartment.

BATTY RUTH
...IF THAT BOY DON’T TURN DOWN THAT MUSIC.

JT
(Appears, postures up to Batty Ruth)
Now what you gon’ do?

Akeelah and the Bee 6

 BATTY RUTH
Boy wait till I get my bat.

Georgia escapes as Batty Ruth exits to look inside for her bat. More collision
of sound - sirens, Willie’s music. JT’s music. It’s deafening. Akeelah descends.

AKEELAH
Why does everybody have to be so loud? GOD, I HATE LIVING HERE!

BATTY RUTH
(Reappears with her bat)
I FOUND MY BAT, NOW START SOME CRAP! Oh, Akeelah, just the person...

AKEELAH
Yes mam. God every day, all day. Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus!

And Akeelah makes her escape, joins Georgia in the “yard.” Izzy approaches,
steals hopeful glances in their direction. Georgia whispers to Akeelah.

GEORGIA
Batty Ruth said we should let her walk to school with us being she’s new around here.
(Turns to Izzy)
Do you wanna walk with us?

Izzy is about to same something but can’t quite get it out. Akeelah
frowns, runs ahead.

GEORGIA
Akeelah? Wait up?
(Apologetically to Izzy)
Sorry, about that. Akeelah and me, we stay in a hurry. I don’t know why, ‘cause
neither one of us really like school. What about you?
(Izzy timidly shrugs, not making eye contact)
Well, o-kay! Nice talkin to you again.

GEORGIA
(Realizing Akeelah’s exited)
For real, Akeelah?! You leaving me behind after I waited on you all morning.

Georgia runs to catch up with Akeelah as school “first bell” rings.

Akeelah and the Bee 7

SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL

Where Akeelah hurriedly hides her Daddy hat before her biggest
tormentor, RACHET RHONDA, 13, discovers her. Too late.

RACHET RHONDA
Well, if it ain’t the Brainiac. Hand it over and it better be good today.

Akeelah hands over several mini cookie packs.

RACHET RHONDA
That’s all you got? These stupid cookies again? Should still give you a beat down for
making us do this stupid spelling bee.

AKEELAH
But I said I didn’t wanna do it. I don’t even like spelling.
(Ratchet Rhonda shoves Akeelah down)
Why don’t you leave me alone sometime!

RACHET RHONDA
Why don’t you make me?
(Discovers the “Daddy” hat)
So you call yourself trying to hide your man hat today, huh?

AKEELAH
Give it back. I mean please give it back.

Georgia joins them out of breath as Rhonda holds the hat out of reach.

GEORGIA
Hey, leave her alone, Ratchet Rhonda, ‘less you ready to fight us both.

RACHET RHONDA
Girl, who you calling ratchet?

Principal Welch enters. Rhonda sees him first, dramatically grabs her
face, and pretends Akeelah just slapped her.

RACHET RHONDA
Ouch, girl! What you hit me for? That hurt.

GEORGIA
Rhonda, quit lying, ain’t nobody hit you. Not yet with your ratchet self.

Akeelah and the Bee 8

 PRINCIPAL WELCH
What’s going on here?

RACHET RHONDA
Akeelah started it. She was calling me stupid and I wasn’t doing nuttin to her.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
Why, Akeelah? Today of all days you fighting again! Rhonda, get to the auditorium.
(Rhonda smirks, runs off laughing)

AKEELAH
By the way, I thought about it and I cain’t do that spelling bee thang today.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
Well, it’s up to you. Of course I can always call your mother and get her opinion.

AKEELAH
Principal Welch, please, they’ll make fun of me the rest of the day.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
Who? Give me their names and I will make sure...

AKEELAH
Forget it. Just don’t expect me to spell good.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
I don’t know what gets in you, Akeelah. Let’s go.

Applause and rowdiness and we’re thrust in the throes of the

SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL SPELLING BEE

Principal Welch acts as the spelling bee judge. He pounds his gavel to control
the rowdiness. Akeelah shrinks in this environment. CHUCKY, 12, (played by
the same person who plays Javier) is already at the mic singing and clowning.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
Let’s settle down. Settle down now. Chucky, your word is grovel.

Clowning, Chucky thumps the mic, causing feedback. The kids howl.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
Chucky, let’s try and keep it together. Only a few more minutes. Your word is grovel.

Akeelah and the Bee 9

 CHUCKY
Like the rocks in a driveway?

PRINCIPAL WELCH
No grovel. Like get down on your knees and...

CHUCKY
(Dramatically drops to his knees)
Like help me, help me, please! PLEASE!

PRINCIPAL WELCH
Chucky, get up from there. Show some respect for yourself and what we’re trying to
accomplish here.

CHUCKY
Okay, okay. Grovel. G-R-A-V-E-L.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
Close. But grovel is spelled with an “o” not with an “A”!

The kids hoot and holler. Principal Welch pounds the gavel.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
Akeelah, your turn.

Akeelah begrudgingly moves to the mic. Georgia claps, the only one to do so.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
Only two contestants left in our first, but hopefully not our last, annual school spelling bee.
Akeelah, please move a little quicker.

Akeelah adjusts the microphone. Microphone feedback. Laughter.

Akeelah horrified, this is her worst nightmare - being laughed at.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
ALL RIGHT WHO WANTS DETENTION? Now the winner today will represent
Southside at the District Bee next month, sponsored by the Chicago Tribune! The
newspaper. Our school will finally have some much needed press, some good press. Isn’t
this all so exciting?
(The kids react - no!!!!)
So Akeelah... your next word is...Your word is doubtful.

GEORGIA
Whoo-hoo, easy greasy. Girl you can do it, nuttin to it!

Akeelah and the Bee 10

 RACHET RHONDA
(Chanting, getting all involved)
She’s so whack/ the bah, bah, Brainiac

OTHER KIDS
She’s so whack/ the bah, bah, Brainiac. She’s so whack/ the bah, bah, Brainiac.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
I said quiet, Southside! QUIET!

AKEELAH
(Spells while tapping her thigh)
D-O-U-

Akeelah hesitates, deciding if she should misspell it just to get this over
with. Georgia senses what Akeelah is about to do.

PRINCIPAL WELCH GEORGIA

Please speak up, Akeelah! We can barely Akeelah, don’t be trippin now. Do you,
hear you. girl!

AKEELAH
(Trigger-quick)
B-T-F-U-L. Doubtful!

Georgia hoots. Tepid response from everyone else. Akeelah looks

down, hurries back to her seat, avoiding eye contact.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
Very good, Akeelah. Rhonda, let’s go, your turn. Isn’t this thrilling? Can you believe
we’re down to just the two of you?

Rhonda dances up to the mic. Loud clapping and hoots from the student
body as Rhonda fist bumps the air, does her own little rap and dance...

RATCHET RHONDA PRINCIPAL WELCH

Yeahhh, ya’ll!/They call me Ratchet Rhonda! Rhonda! Please! This is a
Rhonda/Not chimichanga/ I’ll beat you spelling bee, not a rap concert.
down, that’s my mantra/ clap an’ I’ll spell
double-entendre! D-O...

PRINCIPAL WELCH
Your word is attitude.

Akeelah and the Bee 11

 RACHET RHONDA
Y’all must just want me to win. I am Miss Attitude. A-T-A-yea atta -T-U-E-D. At-tit-tude!
So bow down ‘cause I’m right...
(Does a little triumphant dance)
I know I’m right. I am so good an’ right!

PRINCIPAL WELCH
You are so good and wrong, Rhonda! Attitude is spelled with two ‘T’s’ and the ‘E’
comes after the ‘D’. I’m sorry. That means Akeelah if you get this next word correct...

RACHET RHONDA
Who cares about these stupid words nobody uses? Akeelah always gotta show off. I’m
glad this excrement is over. And I can spell it. S-H-I...

PRINCIPAL WELCH
Rhonda, spell another letter and you’re looking at double detention. Now return to your
seat. Akeelah?
(Rhonda stomps over to her seat, pouts)
Akeelah, if you get this next word correct you’ll be the winner. Your word is dictator.

AKEELAH
(Taps her thigh, again spells trigger-quick)
D-I-C-T-A-T-O-R! Am I done now?

RHONDA
(Chanting louder, crueler)
What’s the fuss/She think she better than us!

KIDS
What’s the fuss/She think she better than us! What’s the fuss/She think she better than us!

PRINCIPAL WELCH
Southside, settle down. I know you’re excited for our winner Akeelah...

But it’s a free for all. More chanting. More mayhem.

RACHET RHONDA/KIDS
She’s so whack/ the bah, bah, Brainiac...she’s so whack...

Akeelah frozen in place until, from the back, the distinguished DR.
LARABEE, 50’ISH, stands, then over the chants.

Akeelah and the Bee 12

 DR. LARABEE
Young lady, spell prestidigitation.

He speaks with such command, the kids actually quiet enough to be curious.

RHONDA
Presdi...Nobody can spell that. I don’t care if they are a Brainiac.

Chucky gives Rhonda a high five on that.

DR. LARABEE
Are you unable to spell it?

AKEELAH PRINCIPAL WELCH

(Akeelah hesitates but then takes the We can’t quite hear you Akeelah. Please
challenge, again tapping the letters speak up.
out on her thigh)
P-R-E-S-T-I-

AKEELAH
D-I-G-I-T-A-T-I-O-N.

DR. LARABEE
Correct.

Georgia lets out a loud whoop. Other kids gasp.

DR. LARABEE
Ambidextrous.

AKEELAH
A-M-B-I-D-E-X-T-R-O-U-S...

CHUCKY DR. LARABEE

DANNNNGGGGGG! Correct. Pterodactyl.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
Josh, so glad you could come, but seriously these words are much too advanced.

AKEELAH
P-T-E-R-O-D-A-C-T-Y-L.

DR. LARABEE
Correct. Pulchritude.

Akeelah and the Bee 13

 AKEELAH
(Stumped but gives it a try; taps)
P-U-L-C...Uh...R-I-T-U-D-E. Pulchritude.

DR. LARABEE
That’s incorrect.

RACHET RHONDA
See, ya’ll, I told you, she ain’t no better than nobody. What a loser!

More laughter. Humiliated, Akeelah bolts for the exit.

RACHET RHONDA/KIDS
Let’s all cheer/Akeelah outta here!

KIDS RACHET RHONDA

Loser...Akeelah. Loser...Akeelah...She’s Bye Felicia!
so whack...

BEHIND THE SCHOOL

Akeelah frantically puts on the Daddy hat, immediately calms.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
Akeelah, there you are. I knew it. I knew it would be your moment to shine.
(Akeelah quickly hides the hat)
I am so proud of you.

AKEELAH
Why did you make me do that? Why? So they could all laugh at me?

PRINCIPAL WELCH
But Akeelah, you were...

AKEELAH
A joke. Like I always am at this stupid school. Haven’t learned anything here since third grade.

PRINCIPAL WELCH DR. LARABEE

Now Akeelah.... (Entering)
Did it ever occur to you that they laugh
because you intimidate them?

Akeelah and the Bee 14

 PRINCIPAL WELCH
You’re right, Josh. Akeelah is one of the most gifted students we have at Southside.
(More for Larabee’s benefit)
Didn’t you even skip a grade, Akeelah?

AKEELAH
Yeah, but why we talkin about that? Just ‘cause I couldn’t spell “pulcha-whatever,” I still
know how to spell.

DR. LARABEE
And with proper coaching, I’m fairly certain you could have spelled the word pulchritude.
It’s from the Latin root pulcher, meaning beautiful.

AKEELAH
Hope you’re not suggesting that you become my coach cause I’m “fairly certain”
somebody like you would make me hate spelling.

DR. LARABEE
(As he exits)
Sorry, Milton, I thought she had potential, but I don’t work with students who have bad
attitudes.

AKEELAH
Who does he think he is? Like I need him to coach me.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
What if I tell you he made it all the way to the National Spelling Bee when he was your age?

AKEELAH
And????

PRINCIPAL WELCH
He’s a wonderful teacher, a PhD who used to chair the English department at
Northwestern. He lives close by, grew up in your neighborhood.

AKEELAH
So!

PRINCIPAL WELCH
Akeelah, I am trying so hard to change the culture at this school and this is an opportunity
to represent our school in a more positive...

Akeelah and the Bee 15

 AKEELAH
Why would I want to represent a school that don’t even have decent doors on the toilet
stalls? That don’t even have books from this century?

PRINCIPAL WELCH
I tell you what. Why don’t you watch the spelling bee from last year? Then meet with Dr.
Larabee at least once... And here’s his address.

AKEELAH
I said...

PRINCIPAL WELCH
And I said I can always arrange a parent teacher conference about your involvement in yet
another fight this morning.

Akeelah yanks the address from him, storms off.

MUCH LATER AT 709 - AFTER SCHOOL

Akeelah and Georgia appear. Excited, Georgia dances and chants.

GEORGIA
Akeelah, first place! Akeelah first place!

AKEELAH
Would you stop it?! I hated every minute of that stupid bee.

GEORGIA
But you won. Hands down. You’re so good at it. You should keep doing it.

AKEELAH
You crazy. I ain’t doing that mess again.

BATTY RUTH
(Enters with her bat positioned)
Good ya’ll home. Of course nan one of your parents home so I’m here if you need me.
When my kids got home from school I was always there to open the door even if I had me a
customer. Shoot, that head had to wait until I greeted my kids. Ya’ll wanna come up and get
some hot rolls?

AKEELAH GEORGIA
No, Miss Ruth, homework. Maybe later, Miss Ruth, I’ll come down.

Akeelah and the Bee 16

 BATTY RUTH
Used to bake rolls for my kids all the time, from scratch. Oh, did they love them some hot
rolls. You kids always grow up too fast. What I wouldn’t do to have those days back.

Behind Batty Ruth’s back, Akeelah makes the cuckoo sign.

GEORGIA
Ms. Ruth, guess what? Akeelah, she won...

BATTY RUTH
Won?

GEORGIA
(Despite Akeelah’s frantic “don’t gestures)
She won the school spelling bee. The first winner ever!

BATTY RUTH
(Kissing Akeelah repeatedly, much to her chagrin)
You did? Baby, that is so good.

GEORGIA AKEELAH
And she’s gotta chance to go to the next But I don’t think I’m going to do...
level. First she gotta watch this video...

BATTY RUTH
I know your daddy is dancing in heaven. Ever since you were little, ya’ll two were ‘round
here spellin. It was the cutest thing. Go on now, watch whatever that is you gotta watch...

AKEELAH
(Exits peeved)
Thanks a lot Georgia!

GEORGIA
Akeelah, don’t be mad. I was just trying to get you to do it.

BATTY RUTH
She gon’ do it. Akeelah made to win. Let me get on upstairs. I don’t know if I left the
oven on or not.

GEORGIA
Miss Ruth, now to think about it, I am a little hungry. Maybe I will take a hot roll to go.
Maybe two. And some milk if you got it.
(Batty Ruth happily leads Georgia upstairs)
And of course I do love those ham sandwiches you make with them pickles and...can you
touch up my hair a little?

Akeelah and the Bee 17

 Batty Ruth happily puts an arm around Georgia and leads her off.

AKEELAH’S BEDROOM

Akeelah enters. Clicks on her computer, mutters to herself.

AKEELAH
Okay, just watch the stupid thing, get Principal Welch off your back.

She watches and we see the arrogant Dylan in a special.

DYLAN
“I have a winner mentality which has been fostered by my father.

AKEELAH
Well, boo-hoo for you.

DYLAN
“Losers are people who give up too easily, which is certainly not in my DNA.

AKEELAH
Wow, is he arrogant!

PRONOUNCER
Your word Mr. Chiu, is grandiloquence.

DYLAN
Grandiloquence.

AKEELAH
I wonder what that even means.

DYLAN
G-R-A-N-D-I-L-O-Q-U-E-N-C-E. Grandiloquence. The use of lofty words or phrases.

AKEELAH Now that’s kinda impressive. Plus, I like

that word.
(Reaches for one of her notebooks to write the word down)
Grand-I-L-O-Q-

GAIL (OS)
Reggie? REGGIE?

Reggie rushes in, thrusts some papers at Akeelah.

Akeelah and the Bee 18

 REGGIE
Quick, fill out these applications for me so I can show Mama I did something.
(Yells)
Mom, I’m in Keelie’s room. I’ll be out in a minute.

AKEELAH
Why don’t you fill them out or let me show you how...

REGGIE
You know I get my letters mixed up. Come on Kee-kee. Sibling code.

Akeelah takes the papers, sits on them as Gail appears in the doorway.

GAIL
Did you get a job today, Reggie? Meet with the GED people? Do anything of merit?

REGGIE
I was, but...

GAIL
But what, Reggie? You can’t just live up on me and not work or finish high school.
Reggie, you can even go to junior college if you...

REGGIE
Why? You didn’t go. You always talking about going back, but...

GAIL
That’s cause I’m too busy putting food on the table, boy! Keeping a roof over our heads.
What am I working for, if not for you and your sister to amount to something? Just once
I’d like to see you do something of merit.

AKEELAH
Mama, I did something of merit today.

GAIL
I know, baby but right now I’m more concerned about this pathway to failure your brother
seems to be on.

REGGIE AKEELAH
So I’m a failure now? Guess what? I won the school...

GAIL AKEELAH
I didn’t say you were a failure but... Now I might get to do the next...

Akeelah and the Bee 19

 GAIL
If you just get your GED...

AKEELAH GAIL
Does anybody want to hear about my life You have a baby to support and hanging
today? out with thug life JT...

REGGIE
JT makes bank. And he’s the only one checkin for me.

GAIL
Yeah, he’s gon’ check you, right to the jailhouse or six feet under.

REGGIE
Well then I’d least be with daddy.
(Everyone freezes)
Oh, that’s right, I forgot, nobody in this house supposed to mention daddy...

GAIL
All this anger, son, is not going to change any...

REGGIE
What? That I want to kill whoever killed him.

AKEELAH REGGIE
Reggie, don’t say that. And you sending me to counselors and
programs ain’t gon’ “change” that fact.

GAIL
Reggie, Mama’s only trying to help you son, trying to keep you alive, baby, so you at least
get a chance to grow up. What about your sister? What kind of role model you call
y o u r s e l f being...?

Reggie storms from Akeelah’s room, yelling.

REGGIE
I’m ain’t trying to be nobody’s role model, Mama! That’s your job.

GAIL
What about your son? That my job, too?

Gail follows behind Reggie, their argument escalating until the both exit.

Akeelah and the Bee 20

 GAIL REGGIE
I’m up to here with you, boy. See, this is why I don’t ever wanna come
home.

Akeelah turns up the spelling Bee louder, too loud and again we see
Dylan in his special.

DYLAN
I am second in the country but this year I plan to be National Spelling Champion. Actually,
I guarantee it.

Akeelah grabs her cell phone, and the piece of paper with Dr. Larabee’s
info. She starts punching in numbers as she exits. Classical music over
the transition. Eventually Akeelah arrives at...

DR. LARABEE’S TALL, IMPOSING GATE - DAYS LATER

Akeelah compares the paper in her hand with the address. Over the tall gate, she
spots Dr. Larabee pruning his plants. Akeelah clears her throat. He doesn’t look up.

DR. LARABEE
You’re late.

AKEELAH
Few minutes, you couldn’t wait? What, you got a hot date?

She laughs. He glares, begrudgingly opens the gate.

DR. LARABEE
I fail to see the humor.

AKEELAH
Yeah, lotta times people don’t get my humor. I thought I was at the wrong place when I
heard that white people’s music....

DR. LARABEE
Music is not created for color. Nor are words. Maybe this is a bad idea. I am a very
serious-minded....

AKEELAH
What you think I’m not? Everyday, as soon as my father finished his first shift at the
restaurant, we would spell and read the paper. He started me playing Scrabble at three just
like them national spelling bee kids...words and people, that was my Daddy...

Akeelah and the Bee 21

 DR. LARABEE
Why isn’t your father still teaching you?

AKEELAH
Because...because he had to go away.

DR. LARABEE
Right! Like every other man in this neighborhood.

AKEELAH
Hey, you don’t talk about my daddy like that.

DR. LARABEE
Okay, then let’s talk about your technique. You have none. Spell staphylococci.

AKEELAH
(Tapping her thigh)
UH- S-T-A-

DR. LARABEE
What is that you’re doing, the tapping of your thigh? I noticed it at the school spelling bee.

AKEELAH
It’s my rhythm. Mama said before I could even walk, daddy was teaching me how to spell
with a beat.

DR. LARABEE
I see. Staphylococci again.

AKEELAH
S-T-A-F...

DR. LARABEE
“F” is the exact grade I’d give you. There is no F.

AKEELAH
A-F-H...

DR. LARABEE
Do you not pay attention? S-T-A-P-H-Y-L-O-C-O-C-C-I!

AKEELAH
So! At least I knew it ended with an “i.”

Akeelah and the Bee 22

 DR. LARABEE
Not one point will that earn you. “To whom much is given, much is required.”

AKEELAH
Now what you talkin ‘bout?

DR. LARABEE
You don’t read the bible, either? If you’re going to learn language, you have to read all
types of...

AKEELAH
I do read. When my head is wrapped right, I can memorize any word.

DR. LARABEE
And getting your “head wrapped right” will never happen if you don’t know a word’s
origin, its root...

AKEELAH
Maybe, Mister, you been playing in the dirt too long, cause you don’t need to know a root
to know how to spell a word. Just sayin!

DR. LARABEE
I see.

AKEELAH
You see what?

DR. LARABEE
That you are incredibly rude and insolent...

AKEELAH
What about you? Ever since I opened my mouth, you been trying to put your foot in it.

DR. LARABEE
Please tell me why you’re still here.

AKEELAH
‘Cause I thought you were supposed to be somebody’s coach. I’m trying to give you a
chance here, so blow a whistle, get me some words going. Then watch me put the press to
the impress!

DR. LARABEE
Whatever you just said, I suspect is slang or some type of ghetto-speak... And I will never
entertain slang in my house, ever!

Akeelah and the Bee 23

 AKEELAH
But we ain’t quite made it into your house. We still camped out here at the prison gate. Just
sayin.

DR. LARABEE
Listen, you were the one who called me...

AKEELAH
Obviously a big mistake...

DR. LARABEE
No, the mistake is me wasting my time on a little second rate girl like you. JUST
SAYIN!!!!

AKEELAH
Second Rate? How you gon’ call me second rate when you’re the one that supposedly
went to the National bee - you went but you didn’t win it.
(He doesn’t respond. Continues his garden work)
You know what, I can memorize any word so who needs a dictatorial, truculent, supercilious
man that thinks you need to dig up roots to spell? I can win any spelling bee on my own. O-
kay! And I’m O-U-T. And that’s slang for outta here case you didn’t know!

She storms off. Dr. Larabee smirks - at least she has spirit.

RADIO DJ
And in other news, last night five shot in a laundromat, four adults and one toddler, with
only the toddler expected to survive. A round of bullets and three generations of his family
snuffed out. Now washing your clothes in Chicago can get you killed? So I’m praying for
my city tonight. And I’m Fay-Fay Foxy at 104 FM.

AKEELAH’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Akeelah appears in her bedroom. She gets out her laptop, huge dictionary,
clicks on the radio. Akeelah puts on her daddy’s hat and gets to work studying
the dictionary and writing new words in her notebooks. Radio Music.

AKEELAH
(Reading aloud)
“Staphylococci. A bacterium that can cause pus formation, especially in the skin and
mucous membranes.” Yuck.
(Writes as she spells aloud)
S-T-A-P-H-Y-L-O-C-O-C-C-I!

Akeelah and the Bee 24

 Akeelah stretches, yawns. Her mother, wearing nurse’s scrubs, knocks
at her bedroom door. Enters.

GAIL
Now you know you have no business still being up?

AKEELAH
Gotta learn more words before Saturday. Remember, I told you about the district spelling
bee up north at Barrington Hills.

GAIL
Land of the rich white folks? I don’t know about you going all the way up there for...Is this
part of your school ‘cause you need to be focused more on raising your grades.

AKEELAH
Let me show you. Everyday, I’ve been watching this National Spelling bee over and over again*
and this boy Dylan...

GAIL
No, baby Mama’s tired. I worked overtime today and the supervising nurse...

AKEELAH
The one you don’t like...

GAIL
Yep. As usual she had all us aides doing everything she can’t stand to do. I tell you if I
ever go back to school and become a nurse...

AKEELAH
Mama, why don’t you really do it?

GAIL
Yeah, well, good-night, honey. I’ll see you in the morning.

AKEELAH
But Mama, what about the Bee?

GAIL
If it’s a one-time thing maybe I can send Reggie with you. Maybe he and Brandy...

AKEELAH
Uh-uh. Then I’ll have to deal with them and that whining baby. I won’t be able to
concentrate.

Akeelah and the Bee 25

 GAIL
You’ll be fine. Wish the day would come when I can say that about your brother. Night, I
love you...
(As she exits)
Don’t stay up all night.

Lights shift. Sound of the District judge checking a microphone and we’re at...

THE DISTRICT SPELLING BEE

DISTRICT JUDGE
We ask that our spellers return to their seats in five minutes. This is our last break. Again,
we would like everyone to take note of this year’s sponsors. Without their generous support
we could not put on such a fabulous event.

Akeelah fiddles with her crooked number tag. JAVIER, 12, a gregarious
Latino kid with a preppy style, steps forward.

JAVIER
If I could be of service. I have surgeon’s hands so don’t worry I won’t impale you. First
time and you’ve made it through to the final round.

AKEELAH
Who you tellin?!! I can’t believe it myself.

JAVIER
But you’re amazing.

Akeelah spots DYLAN and his rather severe-looking father, MR. CHIU.

AKEELAH
No, he’s the one that’s amazing. I don’t think he ever asked for a definition.

JAVIER
No, Dylan never does.

AKEELAH
How does somebody get that smart? I mean he’s like a genius.

JAVIER
No, he really is a genius. He has an IQ of 160. All three of us are from Barrington
Academy. Dylan, Trish (Trish crosses, waves excitedly) and yours truly. I placed thirteen
at Nationals last year.

Akeelah and the Bee 26

 AKEELAH
Thirteen. Wow!

JAVIER
The name is Javier, speller extraordinaire! So, I gave you mine. I’m still waiting for yours.
Otherwise I’ll have to keep calling you very pretty smile.

AKEELAH
Oh, sorry, Akeelah. Akeelah Anderson.

First alert bell rings

JAVIER
Well good luck Akeelah Anderson. When in doubt, spell it like it sounds.
(Reggie enters pushing the baby stroller)
Who would bring a baby to this?

Javier to his seat. Reggie beckons Akeelah. She gestures “not now.”

REGGIE
GIRL, YOU BETTER GET YOUR BEHIND OVER HERE... I’ll turn this place out!

AKEELAH
Reggie, stop being so loud. You were supposed to stay in the back. And pull your pants
up some.

REGGIE
Naw, I ain’t pulling up my pants and I’m sick of sitting way in the back. So, this last
round, so me and the baby’ll be right here on the front row so everybody know you got
family, too. You doing good, Kee, so stop acting all nervous. And you know what daddy
would say, put some stank-stank on it.

Second bell sounds. Akeelah hurries on stage, looks around, grossly

uncomfortable while Reggie gets situated in the audience with the baby as

REGGIE
‘Scuse me. I’ll take that seat.

JUDGE
Again, only the top ten will qualify for the Illinois state finals. And the top three from the
State contest will proceed to the National spelling Bee in Washington DC.

The baby frets. Akeelah mortified. Reggie pulls from the diaper bag,
noisy, squeaky toys, then to audience...

Akeelah and the Bee 27

 REGGIE
Sorry ya’ll.

PRONOUNCER
Number 102, Your word is cacophony.

SNORTING GIRL
(At the mic, snorts like a pig)
Yes, cacophony. C-A-C-O-P-H-O-N-Y. Cacophony!

JUDGE
Correct.

She gives a special snort of celebration.

PRONOUNCER
Number 104, your word is Rhesus.

Javier shoots Akeelah a goofy grin as he goes to mic.

JAVIER
Definition please?

PRONOUNCER
A macaque monkey native to southern and southeastern Asia.

JAVIER
Ahh. Rhesus. R-H-E-S-U-S. Rhesus!

JUDGE
Correct.

JAVIER
Okay!

No bell. Javier attempts to give Dylan a high five as he returns to his

seat, but Dylan ignores him. Akeelah to the mic.

PRONOUNCER
Contestant 1-0-8, your word is Eminent.
(No response from Akeelah)
Young lady, did you hear the word?

Akeelah and the Bee 28

 AKEELAH
Nuttin’ wrong with my hearing. I’m just not sure if you saying imminent or E-minent.
They do sound the same, just sayin.

PRONOUNCER
Eminent, rising above other things or places - high, lofty... eminent.

AKEELAH
Real talk. I gotya.
(Akeelah taps her thigh as she spells)
E-M-I-N-E-N-T. Eminent.

JUDGE
Correct.

AKEELAH
I was right again?

JUDGE
Did I not say correct? And there was no bell.

Reggie on his feet hooting and bustin’ a move. Akeelah follows suit.

AKEELAH
Yeah, buddy, putting a little stank-stank on it!

JUDGE
Young lady, this is not a dance show. Please take your seat.

Reggie cracks up. Akeelah quickly retreats to her seat as...

DYLAN
(Whispering loudly to Akeelah as he passes)
Pay attention, you might learn something.

PRONOUNCER
Number 89, Your word is zeitgeber.

DYLAN
Zeitgeber. I believe the origin is German. “Zeit” meaning time and “geber” meaning giver.
Z-E-I-T-G-E-B-E-R. Zeitgeber.

JUDGE DYLAN
Correct. Which is, by the way, defined as an
environmental cue, such as...

Akeelah and the Bee 29

 JUDGE
You have spelled it correctly Mr. Chiu, thank you...

DYLAN
But ...

JUDGE
Again, that’s all we need, Mr. Chiu. Just the correct spelling.

PRONOUNCER
Your word number 6 is abseil.

A scowling MOHAWK WEARING GIRL with a huge dangling earring steps to

the mic. Mohawk girl does a ritual with cracking her knuckles before she spells
her word. After she spells, there’s a rapid succession of contestants.

MOHAWK GIRL
A-B-S-E-I-L. ABSEIL!

SNORTING GIRL
H-E-U-R-I-S-T-I-C. Heuristic! (She snorts)

JAVIER
S-O-U-C-H-O-N-G. Souchong!

DYLAN
(Glaring directly at Akeelah)
E-V-A-N-E-S-C-E-N-T. Evanescent. Meaning fleeting, short-lived, fading!

JAVIER
(Grins, points to Akeelah)
E-X-E-M-P-L-A-R-Y. Exemplary.

PRONOUNCER
Number 1-0-8. Your word is Synecdoche.

AKEELAH
Si-neck-do-kee?

PRONOUNCER
Synecdoche.

AKEELAH
Oh. You wanna tell me what that means? I mean give me a definition please.

Reggie’s baby starts to cry again.

Akeelah and the Bee 30

 PRONOUNCER
A figure of speech in which a term for a part of something refers to the whole of
something, or vice-versa.

AKEELAH
I don’t mean to shout but please somebody take that baby out...

REGGIE
(Standing up to rock the baby)
Sorry, Akeelah. Do your thang.
(Loudly to the audience)
That’s my sister up there ya’ll, she like the family genius. Yeah, okay.

Akeelah mortified.

AKEELAH
S-I-N-E-C-D-O-K-E-Y. Synecdoche.

THE BELL! The audience collectively gasps. Akeelah deflates, stands

in the loser section.

DYLAN
And to the loser section she goes.

JUDGE
(To Mohawk girl at the mic)
#6, if you spell this correctly, you’ll be our tenth and last finalist.

PRONOUNCER
Your word is carmagnole.

MOHAWK GIRL
C-A-R-M...Sorry. Sorry. May I start over?

JUDGE
You can but you cannot change any of the letters you’ve already spelled.

Mohawk girl wipes sweat, looks out into the audience for somebody.

MOHAWK GIRL
C-A-R-M- A-UH-..G-N-O-L-E. Carmagnole.

JUDGE
That is correct!

Akeelah and the Bee 31

 Mohawk girl grins triumphantly, fist pumps the air, and is about to take
her seat when Reggie bursts to the front.

REGGIE
Uh-un, ya’ll ain’t clownin my sister like this. I saw her - Mohawk girl -getting the answer
from somebody over there. Ain’t that called cheating?

MOHAWK GIRL
I don’t know what that boy is talking about.

REGGIE
Boy?! Who you calling boy?

JUDGE
Did anyone in the audience mouth you a letter?

MOHAWK GIRL
Of course not.

JUDGE
Young lady, this is very serious.

MOHAWK GIRL
I don’t know why you all are picking on me. I study more than any kid here. Everyday,
from five in the morning until I go to bed at night, for frigging six years!

REGGIE
Well you should have studied another six years, baby, cause I know I saw your mama
mouthing you a letter...

MOHAWK GIRL
Can you blame her? My mother knows how hard I’ve worked. And it was just one letter...

JUDGE
And that one letter disqualifies you.

MOHAWK GIRL
Who cares? REALLY, WHO FRIGGIN CARES?

JUDGE
And since number 6 has been disqualified, that means Number 108, if you spell the next
word correctly, you may join the other nine as the tenth and final contestant.

Akeelah goes to the mic.

Akeelah and the Bee 32

 PRONOUNCER
Your word is noctambulist.

AKEELAH
N-O-C?-tambu-T-A-M-uh -B-U-L-I-S-T? Noctambulist.

JUDGE
That is correct. You may join the other nine for you are now the final contestant to move on
to the State Finals in December. Congratulations to all ten.

Enthusiastic applause. Reggie hoots. A disappointed Akeelah joins Reggie.

REGGIE
Anderson in the house. In the house, whoo-whoo! (To no one in particular; all
dramatics). Yeah, this my sister. Akeelah Anderson. She one of the ten champions!

AKEELAH
Reggie, stop, you sound crazy. I won by default, which to me is not really winning.

REGGIE
Ain’t no default if you one of the ten! Ask the hundred going home losers.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
(Rushing over)
That was amazing. Hold still Akeelah. I want to get a picture of us and your certificate,
something to show the school board. Come on smile.

He takes the picture on his phone as...

BEE CLERK
A reminder, all permission slips should be signed by your parents and returned to your
host school principal to assure your spot at the State Bee.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
One more.
(Reggie jumps in the picture)
Reggie, I just need Akeelah. Move out the way! (Reggie does, but there’s a flash of hurt)
Hold the certificate up higher, Akeelah. Great. Akeelah, two more bees to go and I will be
looking at a National champion.

And he hurriedly exits before Akeelah can protest. As Mr. Chiu and
Dylan pass, Mr. Chiu speaks just loud enough for Akeelah to hear.

Akeelah and the Bee 33

 MR. CHIU
Clearly, she hasn’t been coached and has no idea what she’s doing. I hope someone
informs her that the Spelling Bees aren’t ruled by affirmative action.

REGGIE
Hey, Jack, what you mean by that? Better back up, my sister smarter than any of ya’ll.
(As they move on, Reggie yells)
She don’t need no affirmative action ‘cept how to beat you spellin it!

AKEELAH
Reggie, just go get me a pop out the vending machine and then let’s get outta here.

REGGIE
Ignore them people. Jerks!

As Reggie exits, Dr. Larabee appears from behind her.

DR. LARABEE
Perhaps it’s too much soda pop that’s affecting your brain. Perhaps if you had asked if ‘syn’
was the greek root meaning “with or together...” Or ‘ekdoche,’ meaning interpretation. Syn-
ecdoche. The first difficult word you were given all day and you missed it.

AKEELAH
Well maybe if I had had me a coach, I woulda done better.

DR. LARABEE
Perhaps if you had been a student willing to learn without rudeness, you would have done
remarkably better.

AKEELAH
(Yelling to his departing back.)
Why’d you even bother to come if that’s all you had to say?!

As Dr. Larabee exits, Trish encourages Javier to approach Akeelah.

Javier hands Akeelah a slip of paper.

JAVIER
We have a spelling club at our school. That’s how all of us have gotten better. It’s fun.
Trish keeps us all focused and she brings really great snacks.

TRISH
Very good snacks.

Akeelah and the Bee 34

 AKEELAH
Wow. Really? You’re inviting me into your club? (They nod) Okay. Thanks. Thanks Javier
and Trish.

LATER AT 709 GANGWAY/ YARD

Akeelah waits on her mother. Eventually, Gail enters carrying Target bags
and talking on the phone.

AKEELAH
Mama, I made it. I made it. I missed this big word but...

GAIL
(Gestures she’s on the phone)
His fever is a 101? Wait, I just got here. Let me ask Akeelah
(To Akeelah)
Where’s your brother? Brandy thinks the baby is getting sick and Reggie left there hours ago.

AKEELAH
No, he just dropped me off after the bee, which, Mama, it was so hard but so ex [exciting]

GAIL
(In the phone)
Brandy, he’s not here but I’ll go pick up some medicine...no, it’s okay. He’s my grandson.

She clicks off.

AKEELAH
Mama, I get to go to the next step, to State! See, I got a certificate and everything.

GAIL AKEELAH
That’s nice honey as long as it’s helping I just need you to sign this consent...
your grades but right now Mama...

GAIL
(Hands off the bags to Akeelah)
Let’s talk about all of this later. Okay?

As Drunk Willie crosses with a newspaper. As she exits, Gail calls out to
him.

AKEELAH GAIL
But we never do. Later never comes. Mr. Willie, I’m still waiting on my sink to
get fixed.

Akeelah and the Bee 35

 DRUNK WILLIE
It’s on my list. I’m getting to it.
(Approaches Akeelah, outstretches a newspaper)
Got today’s paper in case you want it. Used to love watching you and your daddy read the
paper, working them crossword puzzles together. That man could conversate on any
subject. Could’ve been a teacher.

AKEELAH
He wanted to be.

DRUNK WILLIE
See, that’s why you so smart ‘cause he was and he never looked down on nobody...

BATTY RUTH
(Yelling from her apartment)
Man, would you leave that child be? She don’t need to hear all that... Why don’t you collect
your plate off the porch while it’s hot and leave that poor child alone.

DRUNK WILLIE
Oh, Lord, baby, I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to upset you... I just know what it is to
miss...oh forget it, don’t pay me no mind. I don’t know why I thought we could do the
crossword together but shoot, I can’t put two words together let alone two letters.
(Muttering as he exits)
And folks wonder why I drink.

JT emerges from his apartment with Reggie. Surprised, Akeelah, is about to call
out to him until she sees JT hand Reggie a wad of bills. She hides to watch.

JT
There’s more where that came from. Just do as instructed. You run into any problem, let
‘em know who you working for.

Reggie nods, excited but trying to play it cool. JT exits into his apartment.
Reggie immediately starts to count the money. Akeelah steps out of the
shadows, glares at her brother, forcing him to meet her gaze. He can’t.

REGGIE
Just trying to make a little money, Keelie.
(Seeing the tears running down her face)
Don’t look like that. Soon’s I get a job. Really, I’ll stop. I promise.

AKEELAH
You killing daddy all over again.

Akeelah and the Bee 36

 REGGIE
No choice, Kee. Can’t live on this block and not make a name for myself. If I don’t hang
with JT, then my name’s on somebody else’s bullet.
(Akeelah doesn’t want to hear it, exits)
Akeelah?

A beat, then Reggie exits in the opposite direction. ALTERNATIVE

MUSIC over the transition as Akeelah and Georgia arrive

WEEKS LATER AT JAVIER’S HOUSE - JUNE

Outside the house, Akeelah and Georgia stare, awestruck. They look to each
other. Then stare wide-eyed again. Both carry gift bags and are dressed in their
best summer dresses. Georgia’s is of course is a bit over the top as are her
glittery accessories. Note: Akeelah wears her mother’s string of pearls.

GEORGIA
WOW, okay, this be a mansion. This what you call White House big. Shoot, these some
different kinda suburbs up here. You sure this is Javier’s house?

AKEELAH
It’s the address he gave me. It’s so quiet. No horns, no sirens, no screaming. Georgia, we
could live like this one day, peaceful-like, in a house this beautiful, have our whole family
living with us...

GEORGIA
Yeah, if we married us some basketball players!

AKEELAH
It’s just like their school. They got everything...

GEORGIA
I know, Akeelah, I know, don’t start that. I’m sick of hearing ‘bout what their school got
and what ours don’t. You sure I look okay?

AKEELAH
Georgia by Design in the house. Girl, you workin it!

GEORGIA
You watch I’m gon’ be like that girl who made her own prom dress and put it on Instagram
and next thing you know she designing for the stars. That’s gonna be me one day. Rockin’
that glue stick. It’s on Twitter I’m the glitter outfitter.

Akeelah and the Bee 37

 AKEELAH
And what about me? Are the pearls too much?

GEORGIA
Well, they do look a little church lady. You should’ve let me dress you. Now, you made me
take the train and two buses, brought me all the way out here... Oh, and look, look what I got.
(Showing her an I-phone; both pose for selfies)
My step daddy forgot it today, and you know he never gets mad at nothing I do, so I kinda
borrowed it so we could take us some good pictures...

AKEELAH
Just don’t post them anywhere. I’m not tryin to die for sneaking out.

Akeelah takes Georgia’s hand but Georgia yanks her back. Akeelah puzzled.

GEORGIA
I don’t know. Think I ’m getting nervous. You know these people. I don’t so what if I
don’t fit in?

AKEELAH
Georgia, anyone that meets you loves you. Just be yourself.

GEORGIA
Well, o-kay ‘cause you know how we do it. Georgia ‘bout to turn up with the rich white
folks! Let’s do this thang.

They laugh, grab hands, and enter as the new age music greets them. Dylan and
a frustrated Trish play Scrabble at a portable table with a spinning scrabble
board. Javier moderates with a wireless mic.

AKEELAH
(Whispering to Georgia)
That’s him.

GEORGIA
HIM?! THAT’S THE GREAT DYLAN?

AKEELAH
Not so loud, Georgia. People from here don’t talk loud and they kinda whisper when they
play Scrabble.

Akeelah and the Bee 38

 GEORGIA
(Looking around)
But who plays Scrabble at a birthday party!

AKEELAH
Yeah, and see how quickly Dylan plays his letters? No one has ever beaten him.

GEORGIA AKEELAH
Akeelah, I don’t know. I ain’t feeling this. I just want to beat him one time.

GEORGIA AKEELAH
This really ain’t my kinda crowd. Just once....I’ve been practicing.

GEORGIA
Did we get on the wrong bus and stop at crazy? ‘Cause girl he’s not even that cute for you
to be all agitated and....

JAVIER
Welcome to Javier’s birthday spelling extravaganza!

DYLAN
(To Trish as he plays the last of his spelling tiles)
You’re done. I win again!

TRISH
Dang, Dylan, how do you keep doing that when I had the better letters?!!

JAVIER
(In his wireless mic)
And Dylan has just beaten his fourth opponent in (looking at his watch) just under an hour.

Trish notices Georgia, lights up, stares.

GEORGIA
What’s up with her staring at me like that?
(Loudly, to the assembled)
Hey now! I’m Georgia. Let’s get this party started, HEY!

TRISH
Too loud. Your voice is too loud. I have very sensitive hearing.

GEORGIA
(Whispering to Akeelah)
Now I know it’s time to go. Girl, let’s get away from this weird.

Trish retrieves a tray of crackers and olives.

Akeelah and the Bee 39

 DYLAN
The chair is open? Anybody else daring enough?

Akeelah hesitates, nervously looks around. Dylan starts to get up.

DYLAN
Okay, I guess that’s it. No one else wants to take on the master.
(Akeelah slides into the opponent seat. Dylan
smirks)
This should take all of two minutes.

GEORGIA
(Turning up her nose at Trish’s food tray)
Akeelah, what in the world kind of party did you bring me to?

HOURS LATER

Akeelah and Dylan play their third Scrabble game. Georgia bored out
of her mind while Javier excitedly talks into his wireless microphone.

JAVIER
“Again you’re at Javier’s birthday spelling extravaganza and for the last two hours Dylan
and Akeelah have ferociously battled at Scrabble. The previous two games were close with
Dylan winning both but as they play their third...

GEORGIA
And hopefully FINAL...

JAVIER
Yes, their final game. “Akeelah is closing in on finally beating Dylan.... And she’s
shuffling her tiles. That great mind of hers working feverishly.”

GEORGIA
Can we at least turn on some music we can dance to? Party and good music, now that’s
two words that go together.

Everyone shushes Georgia.

JAVIER
“The score stands at Dylan with 460 and Akeelah 450. The closest anyone has even gotten
to Dylan. What will Dylan do? What will poor Dylan do if he loses?

DYLAN
Javier, would you please shut up so I can concentrate?

Akeelah and the Bee 40

 JAVIER
It’s my party, Dylan, which means for once I don’t have to shut up.

Georgia peruses the food table, mutters to herself a little too loudly.

GEORGIA
Been here for hours and the food ain’t even good.

JAVIER
If the food is not to your liking, our cook can prepare you anything you wish.

GEORGIA
No thank you, I don’t wish for nothing except to go home.

Trish steals glances at Georgia, then slowly inches closer. Georgia

looks at her approach suspiciously.

TRISH
Okay, I just have to say it. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your sense of style. Your
sense of pizazz. As you can see, I have none. I’m Trish again.

GEORGIA
Yeah I know. You told me three times. Akeelah can you stop with the Scrabble now? Please!

AKEELAH
This the last game, Georgia. I promise.

JAVIER
“And Dylan spells the word lucid. Using the triple word score, Dylan takes the lead by
thirteen...”

DYLAN
(To Akeelah)
So, how many languages do you speak? I’m fluent in four. Half the kids at Nationals
speak more than one language.

Akeelah looks like a deer caught in headlights, Javier to the rescue

JAVIER
Which means half don’t Dylan.

DYLAN
Does your school at least have Latin?
(She shakes her head no)
How are you going to master enough words without knowing Latin or Greek or....

Akeelah and the Bee 41

 JAVIER
As long as she can spell in English, Dylan, that’s all that counts.

DYLAN
So spell xanthosis.

Georgia gets in the way to take a shot of Akeelah on her phone.

AKEELAH
Z-A-....

GEORGIA
(Overlapping)
Look over here Kee. Let me get a picture with you and your new friends....

DYLAN
Xanthosis starts with an ‘X’, not a ‘Z’. Wow, you’re really out of your element.

Georgia snaps another picture of Akeelah’s irritated face.

AKEELAH
Georgia!

Georgia, laughs, insists on showing the camera picture to Akeelah.

GEORGIA
Look at your expression. You look kinda stupid, don’t you? Maybe one more.

DYLAN
X-A-N-T-H-O-S-I-S. Simple.

So irritated, Akeelah harshly shoves the phone away.

AKEELAH
WOULD YOU PLEASE STOP WITH THE PICTURES, GEORGIA!

GEORGIA
How about you stop being so fake.

DYLAN
I agree with your homegirl, maybe you’re a little out of your league here.

JAVIER
Stop being a jerk, Dylan.

Akeelah and the Bee 42

 Akeelah places her tiles on the board.

AKEELAH
That’s okay, ‘cause this homegirl just took the lead. YES!

JAVIER
“Akeelah just spelled the word funnel and is now ahead by seven points with only a few
letters left. Looks like in this third game, she might finally beat Dylan. Wahoo!

But Javier suddenly turns tense. Mr. Chiu has entered looking rather
disgruntled, especially after hearing the last. Javier notices him first.

JAVIER
Oh, Mr. Chiu. How was your golf game with my Dad?
(Mr. Chiu ignores Javier, glares at Dylan.)
We were just celebrating my birthday, having a scrabble bee, nothing serious, uh...

Dylan looks incredibly distraught at the sight of his father.

MR. CHIU
Did I hear correctly? That you are losing to this girl?

DYLAN
(Nervously laughs)
No. Of course not father. I allowed her a few charity moves but... but I would never lose.

MR. CHIU
I DIDN’T RAISE YOU TO COME IN SECOND TO ANYONE.

DYLAN
Yes, sir.

All intimidated. Dylan shuffles his tiles, focusing hard.

GEORGIA
(Easing over to whisper in Akeelah’s ear)
Akeelah I ain’t feeling this vibe with little Hitler over there. Let’s ease on to the exit.

DYLAN
(Suddenly grins, places his remaining three tiles)
Au revoir, petite fille. Tu ne gagnerez jamais contre moi! [Bye, Bye little girl, you’ll never
win against me!]

Akeelah and the Bee 43

 JAVIER
“And seven points ties the game. But Akeelah has two tiles left worth three points and if
we add that to Dylan’s score....”

DYLAN
It means I win. Again. See, I told you Dad.

Dylan looks to his father for approval. Akeelah devastated that she lost. Again.

MR. CHIU
It’s time to go. NOW DYLAN.

DYLAN
But we haven’t had cake and...

MR. CHIU
I said now.
(Leading Dylan out with)
That’s it. No more parties. Obviously we need to intensify your training if you’re still
almost in a tie with some untrained girl that doesn’t even have a coach.

GEORGIA
(After the Chiu’s are gone)
That man is so mean.

JAVIER
(Re: Akeelah’s silence, crestfallen expression)
It’s okay, Akeelah. No one’s ever gotten that close to beating Dylan, which is why I think
he’s especially mean to you. I think he finds you a real threat.

AKEELAH
But I’m not. Dylan’s unbeatable.

TRISH
Just keep coming to the spelling club. Dylan does challenge us all to elevate our game.

JAVIER
Okay, everybody. Time for ice cream.

GEORGIA
Thank you lord and savior, finally we gon’ get this party started!

Akeelah and the Bee 44

AT 709 - MUCH LATER

Much tension among the adults who wait anxiously - Batty Ruth, Gail,
Drunk Willie. Reggie checks his cell.

REGGIE
She still not answering. And Georgia’s Mama said Georgia doesn’t have a phone. Maybe I
should go look for ‘em.

GAIL
No. You stay your behind right here. I don’t need you coming up missing, too.

REGGIE
But Dad, would want me....

GAIL
I’M THE ONE HERE, YOU HEAR ME? I’M THE ONE STILL HERE!

REGGIE
What’s wrong with you? You never used to get this mad...

DRUNK WILLIE
(Easing Reggie away)
Your mama just worried, that’s all. Like we all are.

Akeelah and Georgia emerge from the gangway. They take one look at
everybody waiting and duck back out of sight, undiscovered.

GANGWAY - AKEELAH AND GEORGIA

GEORGIA
Yep, we getting killed. You always getting me in trouble Akeelah. I don’t know why I
listen to you. Oh, God, what we gon’ do? What we gon’ do?

AKEELAH
You’re going to let me do all the talking, that’s what.

GEORGIA AKEELAH
Oh, Lord, help us. Now take my hand. We need to present a
united front. And remember, I do all the
talking.

With a collective breath, they emerge from the gangway to face the music.

Akeelah and the Bee 45

 BATTY RUTH GAIL
Thank you, Jesus! Where you been?

BATTY RUTH REGGIE

Yeah where you two been? Where your fast butt been?

GAIL
We’ve been calling your phone for the last...

AKEELAH
I forgot to charge it.

BATTY RUTH
You done worried the whole neighborhood. Georgia, your Mama and step daddy out
looking for you, ‘bout to call the police.

DRUNK WILLIE
Me, I was so worried. I had to start up drinking again.

BATTY RUTH
Man, hush up, nobody talking to you with your drunk self.

DRUNK WILLIE
I may be drunk but I care about these babies... All of ‘em runnin ‘round here.

GAIL
You got a whole lot of explaining to do... And why are you dressed like that? Are those my
anniversary pearls?

AKEELAH GEORGIA
We went to a party, a little birthday party... I’m not supposed to say anything but we
got on the wrong bus because some people
don’t like to listen...

BATTY RUTH GAIL

Bus? Where’d ya’ll go that you had to take the
bus?

AKEELAH
We went to a birthday party with the spelling club and....

GAIL
You mean that club in Barrington Hills?! You two took the bus all the...

Akeelah and the Bee 46

 GEORGIA
And the train...

BATTY RUTH
Oh lord, ya’ll was up there with them white people all by yourselves. Lord, lord. Lord!

AKEELAH
Well, no one was here to take us...

GEORGIA
But Akeelah goes out there...
(Akeelah frantically gestures for Georgia to stop)
...all the time so I thought...

GAIL
All the time? Akeelah, I never gave you permission...

GEORGIA
Well, I do wanna say one thing. We didn’t have any fun, NONE, if that makes you all feel
any better!

GAIL
It doesn’t. Your parents are not happy and I certainly am not with you, Akeelah.

REGGIE
You can tell she sorry, Mama. Why don’t you...

GAIL
Boy, who’s the parent here?

REGGIE
(Storms off)
Fine!

BATTY RUTH
Come on Georgia, you come and wait up in my apartment until your parents get back.
Anything could’ve happened to you two. Akeelah had no business going out there. My
children knew better.

Batty Ruth guides Georgia upstairs. Everyone disperses/exits except

Gail and Akeelah.

Akeelah and the Bee 47

 GAIL
So, I gather you been sneaking out there for a while...And if your antics today weren’t
enough, look what I got in the mail.
(Showing her a letter)
It’s from your guidance counselor, saying that you need to go to summer school because
you’ve been half turning in your work. How could you be almost failing English, Akeelah
as much as you like words?

AKEELAH
Cause we do the same ol’ juvenile assignments and read the same old stupid books...

GAIL
And that attitude is exactly why your little defiant behind is going to summer school. I
expect this from Reggie but you...

AKEELAH
But Mama, I can’t go to summer school. I need to train all summer for the State bee. I’ve
just been waiting for you to sign the permission slip...

GAIL
I’m not signing anything. You think you so grown, then you sign it.

AKEELAH
Mama, you know I can’t sign it.

GAIL
Exactly! ‘Cause you’re not that grown. So from here on out, you will not leave this yard
except to go to summer school, which means no spelling club or Barrington Hills or any
other kind of foolishness. I don’t even want to hear the word spelling bee. Am I clear?
Am I clear?
(Akeelah runs ups tairs crying
And take off my dang pearls!

DAYS LATER - DR. LARABEE’S GATE

Akeelah paces, working up her confidence.

AKEELAH
Just go through the gate. Maybe compliment him on his little plants...

Dr. Larabee appears. He points to his watch.

AKEELAH
I don’t care what brand of watch you wearing, I know good and well I ain’t late!

Akeelah and the Bee 48

 DR. LARABEE
“Ain’t?!” A word I hope to never hear again.

AKEELAH
I am not late... And I have totally purged myself of all slang and all rudeness! And may I
say your little yard plants are looking truly splendiferous. S-P-L-E-N-D-I-F-E-R-O-U-S.

Dr. Larabee swallows a smile, opens the gate and is about to usher her inside
when Reggie suddenly appears talking on his cellphone. Akeelah aghast.

AKEELAH
Reggie, what are you doing here? Boy, did you follow me?

REGGIE
(In his phone)
“Baby, hold up for a sec.”
(To Akeelah)
Girl, somebody gotta check him out.
(To Dr. Larabee)
Man-to-man, I got me one sister so I needs to know, is you on the up and up?

AKEELAH
He doesn’t like slang. You’re going to ruin this for me. Go, please!

DR. LARABEE
Young man, my intentions are nothing short of honorable, much like yours, I’m sure.

REGGIE
Yeah, okay... okay, then. Long’s we straight. But, (holding up his phone) I got your
number programmed justa click away. ‘Cause I’ll do some damage about my sister.

AKEELAH
WOULD YOU GO!

Reggie laughs, and as he exits.

REGGIE
Okay baby I’m back.

Dr. Larabee ushers Akeelah into

Akeelah and the Bee 49

HIS STUDY

Where there’s an easel, lots of books and art. Akeelah chatters nervously.

AKEELAH
Sorry about my brother. We kinda got this sibling code and...
(No response, she touches things in awe)
Hey, you got a pretty nice place here, kinda like a museum. Look at all these books.
Reggie, that’s who you just met, he would love all this artwork. He’s an artist, too but I
think he should go into fashion like my best friend Georgia. They both always trying to
tell me what to wear.

DR. LARABEE
And so today they didn’t quite bother?

AKEELAH
What’s wrong with what I got on? Oh, I see you got jokes.
(Notices his degrees on the wall)
Man, you went to Yale and UCLA? I heard those some decent schools to graduate from. I
think I’d like to live in California, anywhere other than around here. Oh, wait...1979,
Maculature. M-A-C-U-L-A-T-U-R-E. 1990 FIBRANNE, F-I-B-R-A-N-N-E. 1996.
VIVISEPULTURE...
(She takes a breath)
I learned all the winning words since 1970.

DR. LARABEE
I see.

AKEELAH
And I learned how to spell that other word, the one about the pus. S-T-A-P-H-Y-L-O-C-O-
C-C-I! See, sir, doctor, I’m trying to show you I’m serious and that I’m sorry for you
know, how I acted before. I was a little out of pocket...

DR. LARABEE
You’re clearly very mercurial...

AKEELAH
Well, you’re no walk in the park yourself. Oops, sorry, that was just a little slip. I spent all
night after I called you, thinking about how I was gonna convince you to give me another
chance. ‘Cause I’m tryin to tell you, I don’t have much time and I need a coach bad.

DR. LARABEE
Badly.

Akeelah and the Bee 50

 He stares at her, so long, she shifts uncomfortably. She picks up a
framed photo from his desk

AKEELAH
So who these two pretty people?

DR. LARABEE
(Ignoring the question, returns the photo to its place)
Please refrain from touching things without my permission. I hope you realize luck was on
your side at the district bee. At the state level, the competition will be much more advanced.

AKEELAH
So start advancing me then!

DR. LARABEE
What are your aspirations, Akeelah? What do you want to be when you grow up?

AKEELAH
How should I know? I’m not good at anything but spelling. You want me to spell some
more of the winning words?

DR. LARABEE
No, I want you to read that plaque on the wall. Read the first part. Aloud.

AKEELAH
(Reading)
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful
beyond measure...”

DR. LARABEE
What do you think that means?

AKEELAH
I don’t know.
(He glares her into trying again)
Well...maybe...maybe it means that sometimes you’re like, you know, kinda afraid to be the
best you can be at something.

DR. LARABEE
And how does that resonate in your life?

AKEELAH
A lot of people laugh at me, especially at school.

Akeelah and the Bee 51

 DR. LARABEE
I saw that. I also saw you encourage it.

AKEELAH
You cray. How can you say I ask people to laugh at me??

DR. LARABEE
What if, Akeelah, you were so powerful and so courageous that all those who laugh now
will one day want to be you?

AKEELAH
You trippin, I mean, who would wanna be me? Half the time I don’t even wanna be me.

DR. LARABEE
No, you don’t get to bully yourself in my presence. Ever! You will stand in your power,
which starts by standing up straight and being focused on the goal at hand.

AKEELAH
So does that mean you decided to be my coach? Really? Please?

DR. LARABEE
I suppose we can work here in the mornings...I teach online classes in the afternoon.

AKEELAH
Mornings? That’s so perfect.

She digs a soda from her backpack. He immediately pitches it in garbage.

DR. LARABEE
And no more of these.

AKEELAH
But I been cutting down...

DR. LARABEE
None! The brain needs nutrition, not empty calories. And I assume your mother is in
agreement that I can coach you and prepare you for the next level.

AKEELAH
Yeah. I mean yes. Winning has a way of bringing families closer together, don’t you think?

He grabs reference books from bookshelves, stacks them in her arms.

Akeelah and the Bee 52

 DR. LARABEE
Guard these with your life. They will help you as you learn how to deconstruct language.
Latin, Greek. French. And I want you to read, read, read. Words are pictures. Pictures of
ideas. If you can see the picture you can see the word to spell.
(Hands her a tape)
And learn these by the morning. I’ve dictated a list so you will know the correct
pronunciation.
(Off her puzzled look)
Don’t you have a tape recorder?

AKEELAH
For what? We just use our phones. You know it’s the twenty-first century.

DR. LARABEE
(Hands her an old fashioned recorder.)
Here. Take this one. We’ll start with the Greek and Latin roots.

AKEELAH
Good, Dylan takes Latin...

DR. LARABEE
Fifty words by morning.

AKEELAH
Fifty? Are you kidding me?

DR. LARABEE
This is summer school, remember? And every minute will be dedicated to learning without
complaint. I will not tolerate any foolishness, which means no tardiness, no laziness, no
slang and no self-sabotage. Otherwise, you can find yourself another coach.

AKEELAH
I feel you. No, sorry, I meant to say that’s a deal.
(Extends her hand. After a beat he shakes it.)
See, I already think you’re starting to like me.

DR. LARABEE
I’m not here to like you. I’m here to teach you. Please don’t ever confuse the two. Goodbye.

She exits, then retrieves from her backpack the consent form and a pen.

AKEELAH
He’s not you, daddy, but he can help me win and then you won’t have to worry. We’ll all
be happy again, especially Mama. She’ll never sign this so I kinda have to lie...
(As she signs the consent form)

Akeelah and the Bee 53

“I consent for (writes in her name) Akeelah Anderson to participate in the State
Spelling Bee. Relationship to the child, ( writes in) father, Sam-u-el Ander-son. ”

END OF ACT ONE

Akeelah and the Bee 54

 ACT 2

DR. LARABEE’S STUDY - WEEKS LATER

Akeelah shuts a book despairingly. She sighs. Sighs again - even louder.
Dr. Larabee, writes words at the easel across the room.

AKEELAH
Don’t you get tired of being cooped up here at your house all the time? You never go
anywhere. Don’t you have any friends or...

DR. LARABEE
Personal questions annoy me. Now what is this really about?

AKEELAH
It’s about coming here all summer reading all these books and learning all these words but I
bet Dylan has learned a hundred times as many words.

DR. LARABEE
Dylan’s a robot programmed to memorize lists. The people we’re studying -Dubois, Dr.
King, JFK used words to change the world. What’s with you today? You’re all over the
place. Do you want to win Nationals or not?

AKEELAH
I told you before I’m not even thinking about Nationals.

DR. LARABEE
Yes you are. Everyday. All day.

AKEELAH
That’s not true. I can barely wrap my head around going to State.

DR. LARABEE
That’s crap. You have the spirit of a champion. Even at that first awful school spelling
bee, I could tell that.

AKEELAH
Glad you could ‘cause to me it was scary and getting even scarier the closer we get to State.

DR. LARABEE
“Courage is not the absence of fear...

Akeelah and the Bee 55

 DR. LARABEE/AKEELAH
“But the triumph over it.” I know. Mandela.

DR. LARABEE
School can be extremely difficult for the gifted. Your generation, I believe, calls them
nerds.

AKEELAH
In the olden days, what did y’all call ‘em?

DR. LARABEE
In my day, if you had certain aspirations, they called you Oreo or white boy. And then
the white boys called you... the most despicable name you could call a black person.

AKEELAH
Mean the N word?

DR. LARABEE
(Nods yes)
I didn’t lose at nationals because of a misspelling. I lost because I allowed a white boy to
bait me and I responded with my fists instead of my intellect. I became the stereotype they
expected. And, sadly, it all happened on the final day.

AKEELAH
Really?!!! Aw, man!

DR. LARABEE
Yes. Took me years to get over my unfortunate lapse in judgement.

AKEELAH
Don’t think I could ever get over losing, especially close to the end.

DR. LARABEE
So that must mean you want to win?

AKEELAH
Yeah, I guess so.
(He cups his ear)
YES, I WANT TO WIN AND I AIN’T GONNA STOP TILL I DO.

DR. LARABEE
That’s the spirit I’m talking about except for the “ain’t.

AKEELAH
But still Dylan...he...

Akeelah and the Bee 56

 DR. LARABEE
(Crosses to the easel)
Look here. What do you see?

AKEELAH
A bunch of words that I don’t know. I mean words that I should know...

DR. LARABEE
What’s this word? You know it. Say it aloud.

AKEELAH
So-li-terr-ane-ous.

Dr. Larabee covers it so just the word “sol” shows.

AKEELAH
Sol means sun.

DR. LARABEE
And what kind of power do we get from the sun?

AKEELAH
Solar.

DR. LARABEE
(Covers up “soli”)
And what does terraneous sound like?

AKEELAH
Terrain. So that word means the sun and the earth working together, right?

DR. LARABEE
Exactly. So where do big words come from?

AKEELAH
From little words. Combinations of them. Dr. Larabee, I know this already.

DR. LARABEE
Humor me. So, how many little words do you know?

AKEELAH
Tons of them. More than I can count. Oh, I get it. You’re trying to say I actually know
more words then I think I know. Little words are just big words...

Akeelah and the Bee 57

 DR. LARABEE
Strung together. Exactly. And if you learn them all - Greek words, Latin ones, French
ones, you can spell any word, no matter how multi-syllabled.

AKEELAH
So if I think about it like that, maybe I know almost as many words as Dylan? Is that what
you’re saying?

DR. LARABEE
I’d put money on it....if I were a betting man. Dylan can’t be our yardstick. Improvement
is. So now spell parasitology.

AKEELAH
Eeeww. Why do you always pick words that have to do with something yucky like
staphylococci and parasites and...?

DR. LARABEE
Okay, Akeelah! Then spell effervescent. Is that benign enough for you?

AKEELAH
(Tapping her thigh; dog bark)
E-F-uh- F...

DR. LARABEE
You’re getting distracted again...

AKEELAH
But don’t you hear that dog barking? E-R-uh...no...Did I say R? I meant F. E-F...

DR. LARABEE
Child, you’re aging me. EFFERVESCENT! Let’s go. Derived from the Latin verb, fervere
meaning boiling up...

AKEELAH
Like you’re doing at the moment?!

DR. LARABEE
BECAUSE, AKEELAH, YOU KNOW THE WORD.

AKEELAH
But you’re yelling. It’s distracting me.

DR. LARABEE
At the State Bee, you’ll have even bigger distractions. Then what?

Akeelah and the Bee 58

 AKEELAH
(Tapping her thigh)
E-F-E-R

DR. LARABEE
(Gets an idea after watching her
tap) Go. Outside. Now. I’ll be right THERE.

She goes outside, still trying to spell. He disappears into the house.

AKEELAH
E-F-F-E... Come on Akeelah, don’t make him mad. E-F-F- E-

DR. Larabee returns with a dusty box of old toys. He searches the box.

AKEELAH
Whose toys are these?

DR. LARABEE
Once again, too many questions.

AKEELAH
But you said that’s how you learn, asking questions.
(Picks up one of the old dolls)
Aw look, this doll’s so cute!
(He yanks the doll away)
Wait, did you have a daughter?

DR. LARABEE
See how easily you get distracted? Here’s what I was looking for.

He gruffly, thrusts an old jump rope at her. Akeelah notices the

engraved rope handle.

AKEELAH
What does D-A-L stand for?

DR. LARABEE
START JUMPING. NOW!

She realizes she’s hit a nerve. Jumps. But then she can’t help herself.

AKEELAH
And how is this helping? Is there a point to this?

Akeelah and the Bee 59

 DR. LARABEE
Keep jumping.

AKEELAH
I think I’m a little out of shape.

DR. LARABEE
That’s pathetic. You’re eleven years old!

AKEELAH
Yeah, but I’m hungry. What about my snack?

DR. LARABEE
The usual cottage cheese and celery when you’re done.

AKEELAH
(Abruptly stops jumping)
I said I was hungry, not wanting throw up in my mouth.

DR. LARABEE
Focus, Akeelah!

Again, she jumps. Dr. Larabee bangs two objects together.

DR. LARABEE
Now spell effervescent and don’t think about anything else.

AKEELAH
E-F-F-E-R-V-E-S-C-E-N-T. Please, do you have to bang those?

DR. LARABEE
(Banging the lids again)
Alfresco?

AKEELAH
Origin?

DR. LARABEE
Guess.

AKEELAH
(He bangs the lids louder)
Italian? A-L-F-R-E-S-C-O. Alfresco.

Akeelah and the Bee 60

 DR. LARABEE
Galoot.

AKEELAH
G-A-L-O-O-T.

DR. LARABEE
(Thrilled)
That’s it! Your mnemonic device. Keeping time makes you incredibly focused. It’s what
you’ve been doing all along, the tapping of your thigh. But jumping will make it even
stronger. You’ll learn even quicker. Because now we can add JUMPING!

She stops, huffing and puffing, out of breath.

AKEELAH
Yeah, yippee-yi-yay! Us and jumping. But I need me some rest. See you Monday.

DR. LARABEE
(Trying for nonchalant)
I believe I might have some extra time tomorrow. And maybe I’ll, maybe I’ll even add
some carrots for your snack. Would you like that? Carrots?

AKEELAH
So now I’m a rabbit? How about peanut butter? I looked it up; peanut butter is brain food.

DR. LARABEE
Ok, I can do that.

AKEELAH
Great. And if I - I mean when I win state

DR. LARABEE
Yes!

AKEELAH
What about preparing me for Nationals?

DR. LARABEE
I’m committed as long as you continue to progress.

AKEELAH
Wow. And peanut butter and crackers, too? How did I get so lucky?

She grabs tonight’s stack of books, exits. He watches her go, smiles, waves.

Akeelah and the Bee 61

AT 709 YARD - STOOP

Georgia practices her basketball dribbling, badly. Drunk Willie crosses

with his usual hot plate meal from Batty Ruth. He smells it, laughs, then
exits as Akeelah enters carrying her stack of books.

GEORGIA
Hey. If you gon’ put me in all your lies, at least tell me first. I didn’t know we was
supposed to be going to the library on the regular. Shoot, hardly even see you anymore.

AKEELAH
I know, Georgia, but once the bee is over...

GEORGIA
What you think about us trying out for the basketball team? I been working on my
dribbling ( Demonstrates) and tryouts are...

AKEELAH
Georgia, only sport I do is learning all these words Dr. Larabee’s cramming...

GEORGIA
It’s like you going to double school. Who does that?!!

AKEELAH
But he’s got more books than a library and he teaches me all these words and history. Girl
he’s even got me listening to classical music.

GEORGIA
Akeelah, come on now, you done gone way to the other side...

AKEELAH
But it relaxes you, ‘specially when you trying to concentrate. I’m not feeling the opera so
much but Brahms and Mozart, throw in a little Vivaldi and girl, I be chilling while the brain
be fillin’! I love being there.

GEORGIA
Yeah, seem like you love everything about your new life ‘cause you sho ain’t got time for
your old one. We used to be best friends but now...

AKEELAH
But Georgia we still...

But Georgia’s gone as Reggie enters yelling.

Akeelah and the Bee 62

 REGGIE
Keelie, I got a job.
(Drunk Willie emerges)
I got a job!

AKEELAH
You did, Reggie, that’s so good.

DRUNK WILLIE
Boy, I’m so proud of you. Now you a working man taking care of his responsibilities.

AKEELAH
And now you can leave JT and that crazy alone now. Wait till mama hears...

GAIL
(Overlapping, enters from work, exhausted)
Wait till mama hears what?

AKEELAH
Reggie got a...

REGGIE
What big mouth was gonna say was I gotta job today, bussing tables. Daddy’s old boss is
opening up a new restaurant so he’s going to give me a shot. And I even made an
appointment with the GED lady.

GAIL
Thank you, Jesus. My prayers been answered. Boy, I am so proud of you!
(To Akeelah)
And summer school good today as well?

AKEELAH
Yeah. Very good. Un-hun. My teacher loaned me all these books... you know for extra
credit.

GAIL
See, all you gotta do is apply yourself, baby. You know what, I’m going to make you two
a really great dinner tonight and we’re going to sit down at the table like a family,
something we haven’t done in way too long.

Drunk Willie turns up music. He does some kind of stiff leg Cat daddy dance. Gail
surprises everybody and dances, too. Drunk Willie stops dancing to encourage her
on.

Akeelah and the Bee 63

 DRUNK WILLIE
Oh-oh, let me step back, let you have it. Yeah, Gail, you still got it.

GAIL
(Off Reggie and Akeelah laughing)
I know ya’ll ain’t laughing at me ‘cause baby we used to cut up! Getting dressed up for date
night. You should’ve seen me and your daddy. Other than cooking, going dancing was his
fav.... [favorite]

Gail abruptly freezes mid-sentence. Once again the unspoken hangs in

the airs as does the unspoken grief.

GAIL
Well, let me go get dinner on.

And Gail quickly heads upstairs. Reggie and Akeelah look lost for a
minute. Reggie puts his arm around Akeelah, leads her off.

DR. LARABEE’S YARD

Dr. Larabee quizzes her from spelling index cards as Akeelah jumps.

AKEELAH
B-L-A-S-P-H-E-M-Y. Blasphemy.

DR. LARABEE
Keep jumping. State Bee only days away. Spell Xanthosis.

AKEELAH
Dylan taught me that word. I thought the first letter was a Z. Don’t you think it’s a little
cold to be outside? I mean it is November.

DR. LARABEE
Yes, and you should be glad that there’s no snow on the ground.

AKEELAH
(Missteps)
Need to cut it short today, Dr. Larabee.

DR. LARABEE
We have ten more minutes.

Akeelah and the Bee 64

 AKEELAH
I’m just not feeling it.

He moves her inside to

DR. LARABEE’S STUDY

DR. LARABEE
I’m listening.

AKEELAH
It’s nothing. Really.

DR. LARABEE
The first anniversary of your father’s death is nothing? It’s coming up, isn’t it?

AKEELAH
Yeah. I don’t know, maybe it’s the dang holidays, too.

DR. LARABEE
Anniversaries... holidays, they’re always difficult.

AKEELAH
Yeah, he died right before Thanksgiving. The first hospital wouldn’t even take him ‘cause
he had a gunshot. If they had, maybe my daddy would still be alive. Instead they thought
he was in a gang or something. All he did was go out to get us some dessert. That’s all, Dr.
Larabee, and then some idiot had to rob and shoot him.
(Beat, the next is difficult for her)
Dr. Larabee, I really need to ask you something. Do you think when you go to heaven, do
you think you still got your gunshot or do you go happy like you was before? “cause my
daddy was always happy.

LARABEE
(A beat; a bit lost in his own past)
That’s a very good question, Akeelah. I imagine you go like before...laughing, still
playful...not in any pain whatsoever.

AKEELAH
Yep, that’s what I was hoping. Have you ever lost anyone, Dr. Larabee?
(Picks up the picture on his desk.
Like where are your...?

Akeelah and the Bee 65

 DR. LARABEE
(Snatches the picture away, snaps.)
Didn’t I tell you before, I’m not here to talk about me or... You’re right it’s past time for
you to get to school.

AKEELAH
But, do you think he knows, do you think my daddy knows that I’m doing good?

DR. LARABEE
Doing well. Do you just like being late for everything, Akeelah?! Get your backpack. And
please collect all of your items today. I am not running up to that school again because you
forgot your keys or your math book or your lunch...

Akeelah collects her lunch and backpack, then teases him.

AKEELAH
Okay, I’m out. You have any plans for Thanksgiving?

DR. LARABEE
Nor do I want any.

AKEELAH
Okay, I’ll see you after school.

DR. LARABEE
Maybe not today. I’ll have to call you.

AKEELAH
Wait, are you upset because I brought up the past? I’m sorry....I didn’t mean...

A beat. She’s puzzled. He doesn’t meet her gaze. She starts for the exit.

DR. LARABEE
And you’re ready.

AKEELAH
What?

DR. LARABEE
I said you’re ready. Not quite for Nationals, but you’re certainly ready for state. And if I
were your dad, I would think that was quite the accomplishment.

Akeelah grins; goes to hug him but he quickly sidesteps her. She looks
puzzled. He turns away. After a beat, she exits.

Akeelah and the Bee 66

STATE BEE DAY - 709 YARD - DECEMBER

Radio Music. Drunk Willie and Batty Ruth lay out a mass of
Christmas decorations and lights. As usual, they argue.

BATTY RUTH DRUNK WILLIE

I tell you this every year... Untangle ‘em You messin’ up my system. Just let me do
before you put ‘em up. it. I don’t need your help. I have a system.

Overlapping, Akeelah descends the stairs, dressed for the Bee. Drunk
Willie continues to mutter about “his system” under the next.

BATTY RUTH
Where you going?

AKEELAH
Uh...to something at the school. You seen Georgia, Miss Ruth?

BATTY RUTH
I think she’s at home. I didn’t see her leave.

WILLIE
Shoot, I’m done. Let’s just go to the store an’ buy some more lights.

BATTY RUTH
No, un-un, “Mr. System,” you gon’ untangle each and every one of ‘em so get busy.

As Akeelah starts toward the store Reggie emerges from the gangway.
He takes one look at her and pulls her out of earshot.

REGGIE
That’s what you wearing?! Thought you were going to that state bee thing today?

AKEELAH
This the best I got. Aren’t you supposed to be at work?

REGGIE
Got into it with the boss for being late. Then he accused me of taking tips. I was like, I’m
outta here, I quit.

AKEELAH
You mean you were fired. God, Reggie!

Akeelah and the Bee 67

 REGGIE
And don’t go runnin tellin mama. Like I ain’t tellin her what you been doing with the Doc.
Kee, I really got to see about getting you some new clothes! For real! How you gon’
represent looking like that?

AKEELAH
You know Mama can’t afford anything new right now.

REGGIE
(Re: Daddy’s hat)
But at least today, maybe you don’t need Daddy’s...

AKEELAH
(Hands him the hat)
Okay, here, you can keep it. Maybe it’ll bring you luck getting a new job.

JT
(Appears)
Reggie, let’s roll.

REGGIE
(Sheepishly goes to join him)
Represent, Kee.

AKEELAH REGGIE
But Reggie... And ‘member put a little stank-stank on it.

And he’s gone with JT. As an excited Drunk Willie turns up the radio.

DRUNK WILLIE BATTY RUTH

They talking about Akeelah. GIRL THEY Then hush up, Man, so we can hear.
TALKIN ‘BOUT YOU!

RADIO DJ
And for our Good News Thursday segment, this week we feature a student from
Southside Middle School...

Georgia enters and listens. So does Izzy.

RADIO DJ
Akeelah Anderson, aged 11, nominated by her principal Milton Welch. Akeelah is on her
way to compete in the state spelling bee sponsored jointly by several Chicago newspapers.
If she wins today, she will go on to the Nationals in DC. So today we celebrate Akeelah
Anderson. Southside.

Akeelah and the Bee 68

 DRUNK WILLIE BATTY RUTH
Southside! Akeelah, girl, that’s some kinda That’s all right! Georgia, that’s the thing
good... you was talking ‘bout long time ago,
wasn’t it?

AKEELAH
Yes, but Miss Ruth, mama doesn’t know...about today, today’s bee. I’m...I’m trying...I’m
planning to surprise her.

BATTY RUTH
Well, mums the word. That’s one thing Miss Ruth knows how to do is hold on to a secret.

DRUNK WILLIE
Woman, you can’t hold well water.

BATTY RUTH AKEELAH

Why don’t you shut up? Sorry, I gotta go so I won’t be late.

BATTY RUTH/DRUNK WILLIE

Well, good, luck baby. We’ll be here rooting for you.

Batty Ruth and Drunk Willie return to their Christmas decorations.

Akeelah pulls a pouting Georgia out of earshot.

AKEELAH
(To Georgia)
Oh, God! What am I gonna do? If Mama finds out before I can at least see if I can win
State...

GEORGIA
That’s what you get for lying.

Georgia heads toward the stairs.

AKEELAH
Wait. Where you going? I thought you were going with me.

GEORGIA
You a celebrity now. You got the whole city clapping for you...

AKEELAH GEORGIA
So you hatin on me now? You don’t need me. I’m sure your little
Barrington friends will be there.

Akeelah and the Bee 69

 AKEELAH
But, I may not have anybody there that really knows me except for Principal Welch.

GEORGIA
Please! Like I really know you anymore. But if you that worried, stay home...

AKEELAH
Stay home??? Didn’t you hear? It’s on the radio, Georgia. If I don’t place in this
tournament, I’m done and everybody is going to laugh and...

GEORGIA
Well, then we’ll both be done ‘cause girl I am so done with you.

And on that note, Georgia exits upstairs. Akeelah sees Izzy. Izzy wants
to say congratulations but can’t get it out, tries clapping for Akeelah.
Akeelah doesn’t know what to make of that or Izzy, storms out.

STATE BEE AUDITORIUM

Loud applause and cheers. Spellers are seated with their number cards
pinned to them. Javier gives Akeelah the thumbs up from across the
room. Akeelah shifts in her seat, scans the crowd for a familiar face.

STATE BEE JUDGE

Welcome again to the Illinois State Spelling Bee. We’ll be giving out trophies to our top three
spellers who will represent Illinois at the national spelling bee in Washington DC in May.

Eventually, Akeelah spots Dr. Larabee walking in. She waves, relieved.

AKEELAH
DR. LARABEE! YOU CAME.

Dr. Larabee offers her a tight greeting nod. He takes his seat next to Principal
Welch. Unused to this level of fanfare, Akeelah nervously approaches the mic.

PRONOUNCER
Your word is Ahimsa.

AKEELAH
Definition please?

PRONOUNCER
“The principle of nonviolence toward all living things.”

Akeelah and the Bee 70

 AKEELAH
A-H-I-M-S-A. Ahimsa.

Everybody claps.

TRISH
P-R-O-S-A-I-S-T. Prosaist! Yes!

DYLAN
C-O-R-D-I-L-L-E-R-A. Cordillera, which means...

AIR-SPELLER GIRL to mic.

AIR-SPELLER GIRL
(Air outlining the words in supersize)
J-A-C-K--A-R-D. Jacquard.

Bell dings. Air-Speller exits.

PRONOUNCER
Mr. Mendez, your word is naugahyde.

JAVIER
N-A-U-G-A-H-Y-D-E. Naugahyde.

He bows grandly. Trish takes to the mic. Does her signature dip/sway.

PRONOUNCER
Miss Garber, your word is pusillanimous.

TRISH
Is there another pronunciation?

PRONOUNCER
There is not.

TRISH
P-U-S-I-L-L-I-N-I-M-O-U-S. Pusillanimous!

Bell dings. Trish looks crestfallen. Akeelah goes to the mic as Trish crosses.

AKEELAH
Sorry, Trish.

TRISH
It’s up to you now, Akeelah. Win it for the girls.

Akeelah and the Bee 71

 PRONOUNCER
Miss Anderson, your word is psalmody.

From the back, Gail enters, causing a commotion.

GAIL’S VOICE AKEELAH

Where is she? Where’s my daughter? Definition please?

PRONOUNCER
The practice or art of singing psalms.

GAIL
WHICH SHE HAD BETTER START SINGING CAUSE JESUS ‘BOUT TO BE HER
ONLY SALVATION.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
(Whispering to Dr. Larabee)
I’ll be right back.

AKEELAH
P-S-A-L-M-O-D-Y. Psalmody.

PRONOUNCER
That’s correct. Miss Anderson? Miss Anderson? This is highly unusual. If the speller is
not back on stage by her next turn, she will be disqualified.

HALLWAY OUTSIDE THE AUDITORIUM

Principal Welch tries unsuccessfully to calm Gail. Akeelah so

embarrassed yet scared it might all be over.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
Mrs. Anderson, I beg you to reconsider.

GAIL
(To Akeelah’s hung head)
How do you think I feel, having to hear from some co-worker that they heard about my
daughter, MINE, doing some spelling game on the radio? Something I expressly told you,
Akeelah you couldn’t do anymore. So, I’m raising a liar now?

AKEELAH
I didn’t exactly lie. I...

Akeelah and the Bee 72

 PRINCIPAL WELCH
Akeelah’s doing this for the school as much as for herself. If she wins, we’ll be able to
attract more resources, new textbooks and...
(Dr. Larabee joins them)
Josh, please tell Mrs. Anderson how you’ve been working with Akeelah and...

GAIL
And who might you be?

DR. LARABEE
My name is Dr. Joshua Larabee.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
I arranged for him to tutor Akeelah over the summer and they’ve continued....He’s an
English professor.

GAIL PRINCIPAL WELCH

Let me get this straight. Believe me I understand your concern but
we’re running out of time.

GAIL
...You’ve been working with my daughter on this spelling thing and I don’t even know
who you are.

DR. LARABEE
I assumed you knew. (Pointedly to Akeelah) It appears we both have been misled.

AKEELAH
I just wanna die!

GAIL
Oh, don’t worry, little girl, that can be arranged.

AKEELAH
But spelling is the only thing that makes me happy, Mama.

GAIL
So you have to lie to do it?

PRINCIPAL WELCH
Yep, yep, yep, her turn is coming up. She’ll be disqualified.

Akeelah and the Bee 73

 AKEELAH
I was trying to do something good, something of “merit.” I really was, Mama, something
that would make you happy, make us all happy again.

DR. LARABEE
Mrs. Anderson, like you, I am no fan of lying and there should be consequences but
perhaps Akeelah did have good intentions.

AKEELAH
And it really is improving my grades.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
Now that’s true. She’s really been buckling down. Her grades and attitude have improved
greatly, miraculously, but if she doesn’t get back on stage...

AKEELAH
Please Mama, one more round. I promise I’ll never lie again and I’ll do every chore in the
house for a month. Two months. Just let me do this. Please.

PRINCIPAL WELCH
It’s now or never, Mrs. Anderson.

ADD JAVIER ON AUDITORIUM STAGE

Javier humorously stalling.

PRONOUNCER
Mr. Mendez, we have given you the pronunciation five times now. We’re running out of
patience.

JAVIER
Do you think you could use the word in a song for me? Sometimes a little rhythm helps.
(Spots Akeelah rushing toward him)
Oh, never mind. R-A-T-A-T-O-U-I-L-L-E. Ratatouille!

PRONOUNCER
Thank you. Finally. I guess we can assume number 73 has forfeited.

JAVIER
No, she’s right here.
(To Akeelah as she takes the mic)
I was about to start tap dancing.

Akeelah and the Bee 74

 PRONOUNCER
Your word Miss Anderson is intrepidity.

AKEELAH
Intrepidity. Defined as an ability to confront fear, pain, uncertainty, or intimidation. From
Latin intrepidus?
(Gail astounded.)
I-N-T-R-E-P-I-D-I-T-Y. Intrepidity.

Dr. Larabee on his feet applauding.

PRONOUNCER
That is correct. We have our three fantastic winners. You three will represent the proud
state of Illinois.

Music. Dylan, Javier, and Akeelah are handed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
trophies. They pose for pictures. Javier and Akeelah thrilled. Dylan tense.

AKEELAH
Congratulations, Dylan. Can you believe the three of us...?
(Frowning, Dylan walks away.)
Bye Javier.

Dr. Larabee rushes the stage to Akeelah.

DR. LARABEE
You were incredible. So poised and confident. You did so well, Denise Ann, just like we
practiced.

AKEELAH
Denise Ann?
Who’s...?

DR. LARABEE
(Realizes his mistake; shaken)
I’m sorry. So sorry. If you’ll excuse me...

AKEELAH
Dr. Larabee?

But Dr. Larabee is gone. A PHOTOGRAPHER snaps pictures of her.

PHOTOGRAPHER
Over here, Akeelah. One more.

Akeelah and the Bee 75

709 YARD - LATER THAT NIGHT

Akeelah and her mother return to the yard.

GAIL
All that fanfare when I thought it was just some type of board game but...

They stop short at the beautiful transformation of the 709 yard into a
magical Christmas wonderland.

AKEELAH
Wow. It’s beautiful. They got a new Santa Sleigh this year. Look at all the lights.

GAIL AKEELAH
My, my, my. Every year Mr. Willie and I love it or maybe I love everything today
Miss Ruth go way and beyond for you ‘cause I’m going to Nationals...
kids.

GAIL
I hope Reggie got up off his lazy behind and helped....

JT, Batty Ruth, Drunk Willie emerge from their apartments - all look upset.

BATTY RUTH
Gail, we been trying to call you.

GAIL
Oh, I forgot. We couldn’t have our cell phones on at the...wait, what’s going on? Where’s
Reggie?

BATTY RUTH
The police came. They took Reggie.

DRUNK WILLIE
Yeah, they put the hand cuffs on him.

BATTY RUTH
And they left this card...

GAIL
(Looks at the card; not comprehending)
What did he do?

JT
Don’t look at me. We kicked it and then I dropped him off at the mall.

Akeelah and the Bee 76

 AKEELAH
(To JT)
You lying. He left with you. This is all your fault. Reggie would never be in trouble if it
wasn’t for you. God, I hate you. And I hate this place.
(Running up the stairs repeating)
I hate it. I hate it...Hate it.

GAIL
(To Batty Ruth)
I better get down there. This had better be a mistake. Check on Akeelah for me.

Gail hurriedly exits.

DRUNK WILLIE
Reggie was doing so good... I wonder what happened.

BATTY RUTH
You should ask your own self that question. What happened to you?

DR. LARABEE’S GATE/ STUDY - JANUARY

Weeks later. It’s snowing. Akeelah arrives. Dr. Larabee appears with a
snow shovel, opens the gate. Akeelah pushes past him, then blurts.

AKEELAH
Sorry I haven’t been here in a minute...

DR. LARABEE AKEELAH

It’s been weeks. But it’s just been so crazy and I really need
to talk you about a lot of things.

AKEELAH
What if you had a secret that could really affect not just your life but somebody else’s and
what if the person was basically good but did something kinda bad...?

DR. LARABEE
Akeelah, this is not going to work. I can’t be your coach any more.

AKEELAH
What? Why? Because you called me Denise? Who is she anyway?
(He looks away, clearly with no intention of answering)
Never mind. I didn’t come here to spell or deal with your life or your secrets or...whatever.
Look, I have a real problem that I don’t know what to do about...

Akeelah and the Bee 77

 DR. LARABEE
Don’t you understand? Your problems cannot be my problems, Akeelah!

Unnerved, he suddenly retrieves several long boxes, knocking over a

few things in the process. We’ve never seen him so discombobulated.
Akeelah kneels to help him pick up the knocked over items.

DR. LARABEE
Don’t touch anything! Just...just stop. I’ll take care of it myself.
(Handing her the boxes)
Take these. Five thousand new words, the type of words you can expect at finals. And
here are the pronunciation tapes.

AKEELAH
Why are you doing this? What did I...? Fine. I don’t want those boxes. I don’t want to do
the bee anymore.

DR. LARABEE
Now that would be a tragedy. You’ve worked too hard. You could win it all, Akeelah.

AKEELAH
Then why? You were so happy with me when I won State and...

DR. LARABEE
Because I’m not your father! And you’re not my....

AKEELAH
My father? I know that. I’m not asking you to be...

DR. LARABEE
There are teachers everywhere. I just can’t anymore. I just can’t.

Akeelah stands there in disbelief, utterly destroyed. He refuses to meet

her gaze. Finally, she runs out. He yells after her.

DR. LARABEE
Akeelah, wait, you forgot the tapes and the index....

BATTY RUTH’S - JAN/FEB

Where Batty Ruth tries to teach a tone death Georgia how to sing, to
humorous effect. Batty Ruth hits unseen piano keys.

Akeelah and the Bee 78

 BATTY RUTH
Now, Georgia. You just repeat after me. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

GEORGIA
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

BATTY RUTH
Let’s try this: This little light of mine…

GEORGIA
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE…

BATTY RUTH
This little light…

GEORGIA
THIS LITTLE LIGHT…

BATTY RUTH
This little…

GEORGIA
THIS LITTLE…

BATTY RUTH
This.

GEORGIA
THIS...

Exasperated, Batty Ruth covers Georgia’s mouth. As we see below,

Drunk Willie sprucing up the place, maybe placing some flower baskets
around the yard, then sweeping, so pleased with himself.

AKEELAH’S BEDROOM - FEB

Akeelah morosely sits. Her mother enters with an envelope, which she
hands to Akeelah.

GAIL
Your brother made it - it’s your Valentine’s Day card. Gave it to me in court
today.

Akeelah and the Bee 79

Akeelah opens the card. Looks more unhappy, which isn’t lost on Gail.

Akeelah and the Bee 80

 GAIL
The good news is finally everything’s settled. He’ll do a few more months in detention and
then be out on supervision, maybe out early if he behaves.

AKEELAH
Why can’t I go see him?

GAIL
No, he doesn’t want you to see him in a place like that, all locked up... I can’t believe a son
of mine robbing somebody. Ruining his life for a couple hundred dollars. And still he
won’t say what he used the money on, even when the judge asked him. Anyway, keep
your fingers crossed, with good behavior he could get out in time to go to DC with us.
(Akeelah finally breaks, starts crying)
What? What is it, honey? Just because Reggie seems to be giving up on his life doesn’t
mean you should. He wouldn’t want you hiding out in this room every day being sad...

AKEELAH
Sad is not a big enough word, Mama.

GAIL
Maybe I have something that will help.
(Returns with a Dr. Larabee index card box and
the jump rope)
I went by Dr. Larabee’s yesterday. He said he made you some word boxes weeks ago,
five thousand new words, but you didn’t take them.

AKEELAH
Why would you go to
his...?

GAIL
And I don’t know why he insisted on making me take this old jump rope.

AKEELAH
I don’t want those cards or his jump rope. I hate him and anything to do with that bee.

GAIL
You don’t mean that, Akeelah...

AKEELAH
I do. I’m just tired of losing people, Mama. First daddy dying, now Reggie’s in jail,
Georgia doesn’t want to be my friend anymore and then all of a sudden Dr. Larabee told
me to stay away, that he didn’t want to be my teacher. I feel like everything’s always my
fault.
Akeelah and the Bee 81
 GAIL
Akeelah, honey...

AKEELAH
And that’s not all. I know I said I’d never lie again but me and Reggie we kinda got this
sibling code... I know I should’ve told you sooner but this...
(Retrieves the hidden bags of stolen clothes)
...this is what Reggie spent the money on. He robbed that guy to get money to buy me
some new clothes.

GAIL
He did? My God Reggie.

AKEELAH
All because of me.

GAIL
No, because of him, his decisions. I admit Reggie was trying to do something good but it
was still a bad decision, honey...

AKEELAH
No Mama...you don’t understand...

Sudden gunshot sounds. Gail uses her body to protect Akeelah until they stop.

GAIL
Oh God! Oh God. Oh God! (Eventually) You okay?

AKEELAH
Yeah.

Gail turns away to keep Akeelah from seeing her breakdown.

AKEELAH
Mama?

GAIL
I miss your father so much. He was always here to protect us. Can’t believe he’s gone...

AKEELAH
But he’s not. I still talk to him. All the time.

Akeelah and the Bee 82

 GAIL
Me too. Just this morning I was telling him how our little girl was inspiring people all over
the city, how you’ve even inspired me to do what he and I had planned to do together. We
both wanted to go back to school, be an example for our kids. But no more talking about
it. I need to stop feeling shame and...

AKEELAH
Shame?

GAIL
Honey, mama’s not quite as quick as you and your daddy. There’s so much I don’t know.

AKEELAH
Please, mama, you’ll be teaching the teacher before it’s over. I’m so proud of you.

GAIL
Your brother said that, too. And he promised to behave in that place so he can get out in
time to go with us. So, what do you say? Nationals here we come?

AKEELAH
I can’t. I’ve lost too much time. Even a day off is like eternity in spelling bee world. And
I’ve lost almost two months. Plus without a Dr. Larabee or some other teacher like...

GAIL
Well, what about me? I can be your teacher. Yesterday, Dr. Larabee even said, one thing
about teachers, they’re everywhere.
(Reads a card from the box)
Oh, boy, these some real big words.

AKEELAH
If you think about it like they’re just a bunch of little words strung together, then it won’t
be so daunting.

GAIL
I think I know what daunting means, but still I think we’re gonna need some help.
(Looks at her wristwatch)
I’m on it. I’m excited. I got us a plan and a purpose.

AKEELAH
Daddy used to say that. But Mama where we gonna get more tea [teachers]?

Gail drags a protesting Akeelah out to...

Akeelah and the Bee 83

PORCH RAIL / 709 YARD

But Akeelah stops mid-sentence when she looks out to find everybody in
the yard, holding their own box of index cards, including Javier and
Trish. Also, tacked on the railing is a banner that reads: HOME TO
THE STATE SPELLING CHAMPION.

GAIL
There’s your teachers. Thanks for getting here on time, everybody. I got plenty spelling
cards for everybody. And, baby, I got this sign for you.

DRUNK WILLIE BATTY RUTH

And I hung it up there. Until we replace it with National
Champion.

BATTY RUTH
So I got Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays before and after school.

DRUNK WILLIE
And I’m your Tuesday and Saturday man. Well, shoot, I’m here every day.

GEORGIA
I’ll do the other days after school.

Ratchet Rhonda holds up a banner that reads, “Southside Middle

School proud of Akeelah.”

RACHET RHONDA
And I’m supposed to do lunch time. And I ain’t doing it just cause Principal Welch
making me, okay? So don’t get it twisted.

JAVIER
My mother is letting us do the spelling club here once a week.

AKEELAH
You’re kidding. In my neighborhood?

JAVIER
Our driver is also our security. He’s trained in martial arts and trust me he won’t let
anything happen to us.

TRISH
And my father just gave me this new apple watch so you have exactly 63 days left and I
will commit to keeping you on task.

Akeelah and the Bee 84

 GEORGIA
63? That many? Shoot, we got this.

AKEELAH
But I thought you didn’t wanna be my friend anymore...

GEORGIA
I don’t. I’m your teacher now. So you gotta listen and do everything I say.

They exchange that look - all is forgiven. Then a tiny, barely audible voice.

IZZY
I want to help, too.

AKEELAH
Izzy did you just say something?

IZZY
I been practicing. Next year I do...I DO THE BEE, TOOOOOOOOO!

Izzy, exhales, exhausted from the effort. Everybody laughs. Batty Ruth
puts her arm around Izzy.

BATTY RUTH
Chile, come here. With a voice like that, you’s exactly what I need in my children’s choir.

DRUNK WILLIE
And did anybody notice how I been sprucing up the place lately so it’s befitting a spelling
bee champion? And notice my new word, “befitting”...
(Pulling index cards from his tool belt)
Got my spelling cards early.”

BATTY RUTH
I noticed.

Drunk Willie pleased.

JAVIER
I think I’m speaking for everybody. We just don’t want you to quit.

BATTY RUTH
What you mean? She ain’t quitting. In this yard, we don’t raise quitters, right Akeelah?

Akeelah and the Bee 85

 AKEELAH
Well, who’s got the first word?

DRUNK WILLIE
(Peering at an index card)
I think it’s pronounced dip-so-maniac.

AKEELAH
D-I-P-S-O-M-A-N-I-A-C. It means craving...alcohol.

DRUNK WILLIE
Why ya’ll looking at me? I’m sober and highly functional! ‘Bout to teach her every word
there is to know. Shoot, we got this.

EVERYBODY
Yeah, we got this!

Akeelah smiles for the first time in weeks. Lights shift as days have passed.
Throughout the next, we see Trish in a special (with sound effect) as she acts as
our calendar - counting down the days. All of 709 bustle about to “teach”
Akeelah while still participating in their own normal activities.

TRISH
Let’s go. 45 days left. No hocus pocus, it’s called focus!

Batty Ruth enters with laundry. She folds while she quizzes Akeelah.

BATTY RUTH
Ok, chile, start tapping that thigh and spell the word bon-sai.

AKEELAH
B-O-N-S-A-I. BONSAI!

IZZY
(Washing Du’s store windows)
Spell a-pho-nic.

AKEELAH
Aphonic. A-P-H-O-N-I-C. It’s what you used to be, Izzy. It means having no voice.

IZZY
But now I have one!

They laugh, high five each other.

Akeelah and the Bee 86

 BATTY RUTH
So spell... Es-thee-tee.

AKEELAH
Esthete. E-S-T-H-E-T-E. Meaning a person who has a special appreciation of art and
beauty, like you Miss Ruth. You always looks so nice.

Batty Ruth smiles gratefully.

TRISH
Twenty-two days and counting, you're spelling in your sleep, while you eat and practicing
your technique."

RHONDA
(Entering with Georgia)
Sisyphean.

AKEELAH
What? Oh. Sisyphean. S-I-S-Y-P-H-Y-A-N.

RHONDA
UN-UN, GIRL, you so wrong.

GEORGIA
Let me see, Ratch, (catches herself) Rhonda... (Looks at Rhonda’s card) Yep, she right.
Try again.

AKEELAH
Oh, it should be E-A-N at the end.

RHONDA
Correct. Finally.

GEORGIA
(From her card)
“Vis-ca-rally...”

RHONDA
(Correcting)
Viscerally, Georgia. Shoot. You gotta pronounce it right for her to spell it right.
(Off their look)
Yeah, I know some thangs! And that’s my teaching for the day ‘cause I’m getting way too
irritated and aggravated, both words I can spell, o-kay! (She exits)

GEORGIA
Teaching done really gone to her head.

Akeelah and the Bee 87

 AKEELAH
Yeah, but she’s really been helping. You too, Georgia. You’ve been a really good friend
even when I haven’t been so....

GEORGIA
Sound to me like you trying to say you sorry but girl I already know that. We been beezies
since kindergarten so come on let’s get to it. Teacher Georgia needs you to spell viscerally.

AKEELAH
VI-S-C-E-R-A-L-L-Y. Viscerally. Okay, now can I see what you been working on?

GEORGIA
Nope. You’ll see it when you wear it in DC. Since I can’t go with you, this will be the
next best thing.

Georgia exits as JT emerges from the gangway. Seeing him, Akeelah

starts to exit. He blocks her path.

JT
Look girl, I don’t care if you hate me.

AKEELAH
Good, ‘cause I do. My brother is nothing like you...

JT
Girl, I know that. I’m a criminal to the bone, baby. Both my parents been locked up since I
was eight and I’ll probably be dead before I’m twenty-eight.

AKEELAH
What I’m supposed to do, feel sorry for you?

JT
Naw, that would be a waste of time, and one thing I don’t do is waste time so...
(Pulls one of the spelling cards from his pocket)
Spell sanguinary. Just spell it girl.

AKEELAH
S-A-N-G-U-I-N-A-R-Y. Sanguinary. We done?

JT
Means marked by blood. Fits me and Chi-town to a T.
(As he exits)
Win that thang.

Akeelah and the Bee 88

 TRISH
4 days before departure. Manage the fatigue and the fear. Believe. Believe! BELIEVE.

Trish quizzes weary Javier and Akeelah. Batty Ruth yells down.

BATTY RUTH
Ya’ll staying focused down there?

GEORGIA/AKEELAH
Yes mam...

TRISH/JAVIER
Uh, yes mam.
(Off Georgia and Akeelah chuckling)
Did we not say that correctly?

AKEELAH
No, don’t worry, ya’ll in the cut.

TRISH
Yeah, we’re in the cut, Javier. I wasn’t so sure at first but I actually like it here. Javier can
tell you, we rarely see our neighbors.

AKEELAH
Well, here, neighbors are like family, you can’t help but see ‘em. But I don’t think I would
trade it.

Georgia looks surprised. Gail, at her railing, holds a stack of index

cards. Calls down.

GAIL
Akeelah, did you finish this stack of words - Xenic/ Endemic/ Epidemic?

AKEELAH
Yes, mama. I know all of those.

GAIL
Okay, I’m testing you tonight. And hello Barrington Academy. You packed yet, Javier?

JAVIER
My mother has packed and unpacked at least ten times.

Gail laughs, exits inside.

Akeelah and the Bee 89

 TRISH
Speaking of mothers, we had better go.

JAVIER
Yes, one minute late and our parents will send out the cavalry.

GEORGIA
Trish, wait up.

From her own head, Georgia gifts Trish a glitter barrette. Trish squeals.

TRISH
This is the best day of my life!

Javier leads Akeelah away to have a private moment.

JAVIER
Next time I see you, we’ll be in DC

AKEELAH
Yeah, us and “know-it-all-Dylan.”

JAVIER
Dylan’s father was so worried about him losing that he hired some super coach who
supposedly trained three previous national champions.

AKEELAH
REALLY?

JAVIER
(Hands her a leather bound journal)
This is for you.

AKEELAH
Wow, thank you Javier. Never had anything with my name engraved on it.

TRISH
Come on we have to go Javier.

Javier gives Akeelah a quick kiss to her cheek and he and Trish are
gone. Georgia teases her in singsong.

GEORGIA
Ewww, I saw you kissssinggggg! I saw you kissssinggggg!

Akeelah and the Bee 90

 BATTY RUTH
Did I hear somebody say something ‘bout kissing ‘cause you know Miss Ruth got a bible
AND a bat!

GEORGIA AND AKEELAH

Yes, mam. We know!

DRUNK WILLIE (OS)

(Sings at the top of his lungs)
“When you look for me, baby...I say when you look for me baby...”

BATTY RUTH
What is that man SQUALLIN’ about now?

Batty Ruth exits into the gangway to investigate.

GEORGIA
Well, I gotta go finish working on my project. And girl would you get Dylan outta your
head. I’m tellin you, what I been working on is gonna really help you beat him.

Georgia goes. Drunk Willie and Batty Ruth re-enter arguing but there’s
something deeper than their usual bickering. Akeelah listens partially obscured.

BATTY RUTH
Washington DC? You must be nuts. And where did you get some trip money from?

DRUNK WILLIE
Woman, how many buildings we own ‘side this one? We worked hard to...

BATTY RUTH
Man, hush up. Them “we” days are over. Three days a week I leave you a hot meal on the
porch so your stomach can at least know something besides liquor. That’s all you getting
from me.

DRUNK WILLIE
But Ruth you and me we ain’t never supposed to give up on each other.

BATTY RUTH
(Notices Akeelah)
What you doing hiding back there?

AKEELAH
Were you two once...?

Akeelah and the Bee 91

 BATTY RUTH
Grown folks business, not little girl’s business. Now put some wings on them feet. NOW!

After Akeelah quickly exits....

DRUNK WILLIE
Ruth, don’t you wanna support Akeelah and see our own kids and grand-kids... I know
they don’t have much to do with either one of us ‘cause of me. But we can fix this thing. I
know we can.

BATTY RUTH
I told you there’s no “we” anymore. I’m going to enjoy my retirement in peace.

DRUNK WILLIE
It’s not like I’m trying to move back in but don’t forty-two years count for something?!
Can’t you at try to forgive me and see the man you used to care about? Maybe my
drinking shut you out, but I still needed you to knock on the door every once in a while.
(Music) Look, I even been going back to my meetings. I’m trying to heal baby, but I need
some help. I can’t do it without you. Aw, baby, that’s our song.

He reaches his hand out to her for a dance. She hesitates but then takes it.

DRUNK WILLIE
You remember this?

BATTY RUTH
(Laughing)
Hush, man.

As they dance off....

DR. LARABEE’S GATE

Akeelah arrives out of breath. Finds Dr. Larabee sweeping his walk.
For a beat he stares at her trying not to look happy to see her. She
hands him the jump rope.

AKEELAH
I came to return your jump rope. And in case you’re interested, I learned all five thousand
words.

DR. LARABEE
I knew you would.

Akeelah and the Bee 92

 She starts to walk away but then turns back.

AKEELAH
I know you had a daughter and this was her jump rope and her name must have been
Denise and you loved her, a lot, like I did my daddy, and maybe you never get over the
sadness but you and the Bee taught me you can still go on and do good things, like you
did for me. Okay, that’s all I have to say.

She turns to go.

DR. LARABEE
Akeelah? Wait.

AKEELAH
(Suddenly blurting)
I can’t do it without you, Dr. Larabee, I can’t. I can’t beat Dylan, not without you. You
and me, we cain’t never give up on each other. Right?

DR. LARABEE
“Can’t never” is a double negative. Though, at the moment, those two words just might be
our best expression of truth.

He smiles. Relieved, she impulsively grabs him in a hug. Eventually he

manages to awkwardly wrap his arms around her, too.

DR. LARABEE
Akeelah, you are so special, just like my little Denise. Before she became ill, she was so
much like you, bright and every bit of wonderful. I think I just started to see too much of
her in you.

AKEELAH
But maybe, maybe that’s not a bad thing, Dr. Larabee. You think? You feel me?

He laughs heartily, joyously, finally released. Music, Lights shift and

we’re at...

GRAND HYATT - NATIONAL SPELLING BEE, DC.

Spelling bee logos are everywhere. There’s a video screen set up so we

see the kids televised at the same time with an ESPN ticker tape. This is
the big time! Everything is more sophisticated, more spectacular,
including the speller’s number tags and the microphones. Dynamic
music cue just as a TV ANNOUNCER is revealed.

Akeelah and the Bee 93

 TV ANNOUNCER
So in case you’re just joining us, I’m Max Milieu and we’re broadcasting live from the
DC’s Grand Hyatt on our final day of the National Spelling Bee. The competition has
been fierce and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. After this next commercial break, you’ll
hear from one of the top competitors. A young man expected to win it all.

Reggie and Akeelah enter ahead of everyone else. [Note Akeelah wears her
new Georgia by Design shirt or dress.]

AKEELAH
I am excited, Reggie, but that don’t mean...doesn’t mean, I can’t be nervous, too. But I’m
glad you’re here, though.

REGGIE
I promised you, didn’t I?
(Handing her a little pouch)
Been wanting to give you this. It ain’t much. Just some letters strung together.

AKEELAH
(Pulling a bracelet from the pouch, puts it on)
Aw Reggie, I love it.

REGGIE
Didn’t steal it either. I made it. Not much else to do in detention except think about what
you gonna do different when you get out.

AKEELAH
(Reading the letters)
Superhero.

REGGIE
Yeah, one time you said you wanted to be one. You know, fearless. Well, from where I’m
standing, you are.

Akeelah hugs him as the rest of the 709 contingent: Dr. Larabee Reggie and Gail, Batty
Ruth and Drunk Willie enter. [Note: Batty Ruth and Drunk Willie have really
“glammed” themselves up, Batty Ruth in particular has a hat on that would stop
traffic.] Lights shift to the TV Announcer interviewing Dylan. His father stands next to
him.

TV ANNOUNCER
I’m standing here with Dylan Chiu and his father. So Dylan, you made it through the semi-
finals and now we’re at the home stretch. So how are you feeling right now?

Akeelah and the Bee 94

 A weary Dylan robotically answers. Akeelah experiencing an attack of self-doubt.

DYLAN
(To the TV announcer, robotically)
I am extremely focused and confident....

MR. CHIU
(Interrupting)
Dylan has been training since he was seven and attended his first National bee at nine. Last
year he was second in the country. For this year, he’s doubled his training so we’re definitely
expecting to conclude today holding up a championship trophy. I am very proud of him.

TV ANNOUNCER
And who would you guess is your biggest competition, Akeelah Anderson? She’s been the
talk of the tournament as well.

Mr. Chiu dismissively snorts.

DYLAN
When you’ve trained and prepared, you have no competition.

AKEELAH
(Shaken, panicked)
Dr. Larabee, can I talk you for a minute?

GAIL
Akeelah, honey, you okay?

REGGIE
The Doc’s got her mama. Come on, why don’t you let me take care of you. Need me to get
you some water or anything?

Gail, Reggie, Batty Ruth and Drunk Willie take their seats as....

AKEELAH AND DR. LARABEE

AKEELAH
They’re already interviewing Dylan. That means they already think he’s going to win today.

DR. LARABEE
Akeelah, you have not come this far to panic.

Akeelah and the Bee 95

 AKEELAH
No. Dr. Larabee I’ve only been training a year. Dylan’s been training since ...since birth.

Georgia appears. She’s barrels toward them.

GEORGIA
(Adjusts Akeelah’s outfit)
You look good girl. I can’t believe everybody going to see my design on TV. (To Dr.
Larabee) And thank you again for you know, for my airline ticket.

DR. LARABEE
You’ve thanked me every day, on the hour Georgia. That’s enough thanking me.

GEORGIA
Okay, thanks. Pep her up some Dr. Larabee ‘cause I can look at her and tell she’s getting
scared. Good luck, Kee. You got this. (Georgia goes. Akeelah panicking).

AKEELAH
I’m faking it, Dr. Larabee. I’m no superhero.

DR. LARABEE
What?

AKEELAH
I’m scared out of my mind. Dylan’s unbeatable. Oh, God, I think I’m getting sick.

DR. LARABEE
Akeelah, what’s the biggest lesson I’ve taught you?

AKEELAH
I don’t know but...

DR. LARABEE
Yes you do...think. Look at me. What do you know?

AKEELAH
That I’m stronger and smarter than I think I am?

DR. LARABEE
“Do what you were born to do. You just have to trust yourself.”

AKEELAH
Is that Mandela again?

DR. LARABEE
Nope, Beyonce. Sasha Fierce.

Akeelah and the Bee 96

 Akeelah can’t help but laugh. Lights shift, much time has passed.

TV ANNOUNCER
Welcome back to the National Spelling Bee.
(Akeelah moves to the mic)
Over ten million kids participated in spelling bees this year and 285 of the best arrived here
in DC on Thursday.

Akeelah expertly spells at a microphone. Video spellers are projected and with
each correct word Akeelah spells, the number of spellers dramatically lessen
until they’re only four.

AKEELAH
S-E-S-Q-U-I-P-E-D-A-L-I-A-N. Sesquipedalian.
A-P-P-U-R-T-E-N-A-N-C-E-S. Appurtenances.

S-E-R-P-I-G-I-N-O-U-S. Serpiginous
M-E-R-O-V-I-N-G-I-A-N. Merovingian.

TV ANNOUNCER
We are now down to the talented four. That’s right, four out of ten million are on the stage
right behind me - three from the state of Illinois, and one from Texas. Who will be the one
to take home the Championship trophy and prize money worth thirty-thousand dollars?

GEORGIA
What??? Akeelah, didn’t tell me about no money prize.

DR. LARABEE
Because, for her, it’s never been about money.

GEORGIA
Oh, and thanks again for buying me a plane ticket.

DR. LARABEE
Georgia!

GEORGIA
Oh Lord, there she go. Pray now.

TV ANNOUNCER
And 7th grader, Akeelah Anderson moves to the mic. She truly has been a crowd favorite.

PRONOUNCER
Your word is argillaceous.

Akeelah and the Bee 97

 AKEELAH
Excuse me?

PRONOUNCER
Argillaceous.

AKEELAH
Definition please?

PRONOUNCER
“Like or containing clay.”

AKEELAH
Is it derived from the Greek word Argos meaning white?

PRONOUNCER
Yes.

She tries tapping her thigh. It’s not working. She rocks back and forth.

TV ANNOUNCER
And Akeelah Anderson seems to be faltering.

AKEELAH
A-R-G-I-L-L-A... May I start over?

PRONOUNCER
You may but you cannot change the letters you’ve already spelled.

DR. LARABEE
Focus, Akeelah. See the word. See the word!

Finally, Akeelah puts her two feet together and begins jumping up and
down and turning her arms as if she’s jumping rope.

AKEELAH
A-R-G-I-L-L-A-C-E-O-U-S. Argillaceous!

PRONOUNCER
That is correct.

TV ANNOUNCER
Boy, we haven’t seen this before. Little Akeelah Anderson just showed us how jumping an
invisible rope can help you spell a rather difficult word correctly. She’s on fire.

Akeelah and the Bee 98

 Before he can catch himself, Dr. Larabee excitedly stands, claps. Batty
Ruth and Drunk Willie also yell and clap, and then argue while.

DRUNK WILLIE
That’s what I’m talkin ‘bout. I taught her that word. I remember saying fish gill to her,
you know as a hint. Ar-GILL...

BATTY RUTH
No, it was me. I’m the one frying the catfish with gills and whiskers.
(People around them start to shush them)
Don’t be shushing us, Akeelah from our yard. And she done out-spelled over a hundreds
of people.

DRUNK WILLIE
Thousands. Millions.

PRONOUNCER
And now contestant 11.

HORSE GIRL
HEY YA’LL!

At mic is horse girl wearing cowboy hat and boots. She shuffles one foot like a horse.

PRONOUNCER
Your word is apterygote.

HORSE GIRL
A-P-T-E-R-I-G-O-A-T. Apterygote!

DING the bell sounds. Horse Girl neighs in frustration as she leaves
the stage. Javier steps to the mic.

PRONOUNCER
#34, your word is mithridatism.

JAVIER
M-I-T-H-R-uh -A-D-A-T-I-S-M. Mithridatism!

Before the bell even rings, he realizes he misspelled it. Bell dings

JAVIER
Are you kidding me?!! ‘I’ instead of an ‘A.’ should have spelled it like it sounded. Well,
it’s been a good run, people.

Akeelah and the Bee 99

 Javier yanks open his shirt and is wearing an undershirt on which he’s
painted in huge letters - “AKEELAH, NO. #1. He yells...

JAVIER
YOU GOT THIS AKEELAH. AKEELAH #1!

Javier exits. Dylan to the mic - it’s obvious the pressure is getting to him.

PRONOUNCER
Your word #16 is Abbozzo.

Dylan freezes. Spells with effort.

DYLAN
Definition please?

Akeelah looks shocked. She’s never heard him ask for a definition.

TV ANNOUNCER
I don’t think we’ve heard Dylan Chiu ever ask for a definition. But there is enormous
pressure on these last two contestants.

PRONOUNCER
A rough drawing or model.

DYLAN
A-B-B...

He looks over at Akeelah. It’s obvious she knows the word.

DYLAN
...-O-Z-Z-O. ABBOZZO.

No bell. His fatigue at a new high, his confidence at a new low.

PRONOUNCER
Correct.

TV ANNOUNCER
Fascinating! And that concludes this section of our final round.

Akeelah’s distracted by Mr. Chiu harshly pulling Dylan to the side.

Akeelah and the Bee 100

 MR. CHIU
How many times have I told you? FOCUS! FOCUS! FOCUS!

DYLAN
I am. I’m trying...

MR. CHIU
Being tied with that girl, how is that trying? “Trying” is being your age and spending
every night working alongside my father steam pressing clothes, cleaning office buildings,
landscaping rich people’s yards. Have you ever had to do any of that? No. Because I made
sure your...... your hands never knew the burns and the dirt and the shame that mine have.

AKEELAH
(Joins them)
Excuse me, but maybe you should say something nice to him for a change.

MR. CHIU
Nice does not make champions. (To Dylan) First place, nothing less.

AKEELAH
(After Mr. Chiu exits)
I’m sorry, Dylan, I just wanted to wish you good luck in the final round...

DYLAN
So now you want to pressure me too?

AKEELAH
No, I wasn’t trying to pressure... Dylan?

But Dylan hurries off. Akeelah makes a decision. RETURN BELL sounds.

HYATT BALLROOM

PRONOUNCER
Let us welcome back Akeelah Anderson and Dylan Chiu.

TV ANNOUNCER
And a reminder to our audience - if either speller misses a word, the other has to spell the
missed word plus another to win.

PRONOUNCER
Your word is Xanthosis.

AKEELAH
Xanthosis?

Akeelah and the Bee 101

 PRONOUNCER
Yes, that’s the word.

Akeelah hesitates, debates with herself. Looks at Dylan’s hung head.

PRONOUNCER
Miss Anderson?

AKEELAH
Xanthosis. Z-A-N-T-H-O-S-I-S. Xanthosis.

Dylan looks up with a start. Dr. Larabee bolts out of his chair in protest. A huge
groan of disappointment from the audience as THE BELL SOUNDS.

PRONOUNCER
I’m sorry Miss Anderson, that is incorrect.

Dylan is still staring at Akeelah.

TV ANNOUNCER
This is it. Will Dylan Chiu ultimately beat newcomer Akeelah Anderson?

DYLAN
Xanthosis. X-A-N-T-H-O-S-E-S. Xanthosis.

Akeelah shocked. THE BELL SOUNDS. A gasp from the audience.

PRONOUNCER
Sorry but Xanthosis is spelled X-A-N-T-H-O-S-I-S.

DYLAN
Um... Could I get some water please?

PRONOUNCER
Can we bring both spellers some water?

TV ANNOUNCER
Unbelievable. Both Dylan Chiu and Akeelah Anderson have missed the last word,
xanthosis. How often does that happen? I think I might need some water.

Dylan takes advantage of this brief pause to whisper to Akeelah.

DYLAN
What are you doing?

Akeelah and the Bee 102

 AKEELAH
What are you doing?

DYLAN
You knew that word. A long time ago, I dared you to spell it.

AKEELAH
Which means you knew how to correctly spell it, too.

DYLAN
You’re just going to give it away?

AKEELAH
I have another year. You don’t. It’s the right thing to do.

DYLAN
It most certainly is not.

AKEELAH
Dylan, what about your father? He really wants you to win.

DYLAN
I know he does but not like this. You do your best or I don’t want it.

AKEELAH
Then let’s go hard and put a little stank-stank on it.

DYLAN
I’m not quite sure what that means, but okay.

They high five each other.

PRONOUNCER
Your word young lady is "Effleurage."

AKEELAH
Effleurage? E-F-F-L-E- uh.-U-R-A-G-E. Effleurage.

DYLAN
That’s more like it.

PRONOUNCER
Your word, young man, is Scheherazadian.

DYLAN
SC-H-E-H-E-R-A-Z-A-D-I-A-N. Scheherazadian!

Akeelah and the Bee 103

 AKEELAH
Eww-eww.
(At her mic)
Palynological. P-A-L-Y-N-O-L-O-G-I-C-A-L. Palynological.

Dylan and Akeelah both hoot and fist bump the air.

DYLAN
L-O-G-O-R-R-H-E-A. Logorrhea.

AKEELAH
Pulchritude. Meaning beautiful. P-U-L-C-H-R-I-T-U-D-E. Pulchritude!

PRONOUNCER
That is correct.

TV ANNOUNCER
Wow! And that is the last of the championship level words. This is amazing. A spelling
Superbowl.

PRONOUNCER
The judges have conferred and we have two final championship words. These words will
conclusively determine the final winner or winners. Your word, Mr. Chiu is vitrophyre.

DYLAN
V-I-T-R-O- I’m sorry, uh, may I start again?

PRONOUNCER
As long as you...

DYLAN AKEELAH
I KNOW! Come on, come on Dylan.

DYLAN
V-I-T-R-O-P-H-Y-R-E. Vitrophyre?

PRONOUNCER
That is correct.

DYLAN
Go, get ‘em.

PRONOUNCER
Miss Anderson, your next word, if spelled correctly will mean you share the championship
title with Dylan Chiu. Your word is triskaidekaphobia.

Akeelah and the Bee 104

 AKEELAH
Eww-eww.
(At her mic)
Palynological. P-A-L-Y-N-O-L-O-G-I-C-A-L. Palynological.

Dylan and Akeelah both hoot and fist bump the air.

DYLAN
L-O-G-O-R-R-H-E-A. Logorrhea.

AKEELAH
Pulchritude. Meaning beautiful. P-U-L-C-H-R-I-T-U-D-E. Pulchritude!

PRONOUNCER
That is correct.

TV ANNOUNCER
Wow! And that is the last of the championship level words. This is amazing. A spelling
Superbowl.

PRONOUNCER
The judges have conferred and we have two final championship words. These words will
conclusively determine the final winner or winners. Your word, Mr. Chiu is vitrophyre.

DYLAN
V-I-T-R-O- I’m sorry, uh, may I start again?

PRONOUNCER
As long as you...

DYLAN AKEELAH
I KNOW! Come on, come on Dylan.

DYLAN
V-I-T-R-O-P-H-Y-R-E. Vitrophyre?

PRONOUNCER
That is correct.

DYLAN
Go, get ‘em.

PRONOUNCER
Miss Anderson, your next word, if spelled correctly will mean you share the championship
title with Dylan Chiu. Your word is triskaidekaphobia.

Akeelah and the Bee 105

 GAIL
(Standing in protest)
What? Uh-uh. How did he get an inch-long word and my daughter gets one longer than a
yardstick?

REGGIE
Mama, Keelie’s got this. Come on, sit down!

AKEELAH
Triskaidekaphobia. Am I pronouncing the word correctly?

PRONOUNCER DR. LARABEE

You are. Come on Akeelah, tune out all distractions,
you know the origin...

DYLAN
Come on Akeelah.

AKEELAH
It’s Greek. I know that. And phobia means fear. I believe it means the fear of the number 13...

Dylan suddenly starts jumping the invisible rope to encourage her on.
She smiles, then signals she’s got it. He stops.

AKEELAH
Okay, here goes. T-R-I-S-K-A-uh...
(Freezing. People collectively hold their breath)
I-D-E...uh...-K-A-P-H-O-B-I-A.Triskaidekaphobia.

PRONOUNCER
Congratulations to both our champions, Akeelah Anderson and Dylan Chiu, who are co-
winners of the 2015 [insert current year] National Spelling Bee.

Dylan and Akeelah awkwardly embrace. Akeelah looks to her community family.

AKEELAH
We did it!

TV announcer hands Dylan and Akeelah the trophy. Cheering, colorful confetti
and balloons drop from the ceiling. Akeelah and Dylan hoist the huge trophy in the
air as lights go down.

THE END

Akeelah and the Bee 106