The Dastardly Ficus, by Emily Schwartz, is a dark and strangely amusing piece comprised of four stories involving the Derbyshire sisters, who are timeless, devious, and not altogether of sound mind. Inside the confines of their antiquated home, the two spinsters display a simmering malice towards one another, seemingly determined to slowly drive each other mad. But in fact, their story is one of love and companionship, as the two recluses keep each other amused with highly imaginative games.  It is a heartfelt menagerie of severed heads, lemon pound cake, and cat funerals.