SCENE 23:
The next day. The Gods are trudging along a rather dull patch of yellowed grasses and muddy puddles. Trees rise in twisted chunks, but not very high and not very often. They have made it past the edge of the world and the sun rising and are now passing through the possibilities of the future, which ends up being a very dull landscape enlivened only by the fact that there are twelve suns in the sky, circled out. It does make it very hot, and all of the Gods are wiping their brows and cursing. They obviously carry nothing with them, but have to walk through this odd land and some of them are in less than stellar shape.

Eilithea: Are we there yet?

Zeus: It is hard to say. The way to true Elysium is not visible, it must be stumbled upon.

Eris: Well, how do we know we’re stumbling the right way?

Hades: All ways lead to Elysium. It is a matter of patience, not distance.

Artemis: Easy enough for you to say. I don’t mind the walking but, twelve suns is a bit much.

Demeter: I’m sure we’re getting fabulously tan, though.

Hera: Why don’t we try going over that hill?

Hades: What hill?

Hera: That one, on our right. It looks as though there may be something beyond it.

Zeus: I’ve told you, you can’t see anything until you’re in it.

Poseidon: It can’t hurt to wander off in that direction, there are more trees for shade. (they head to the hill, which is relatively close and one wouldn’t think there could be anything beyond it, but as they crest it they see below them a marble temple complex.
Hera merely gives Zeus a ‘told you so’ expression as they all bounce down the hill and in a disproportionate time they are right up to the door.)

Prometheus: I don’t think we have to petition for five days if it’s the entire Godhood. There’s something in the rules about emergency situations.

Aphrodite: Yet I somehow doubt they’d advertise it. So what do we do, knock or something? (everyone shrugs, there is a door with a large knocker. Apollo, being in the front, knocks. A young woman answers with a very bored look on her face. She has reading glasses perched on the end of her nose and wears a tweed, elbow patched professor’s jacket over a gauzy white greecian robe. On her feet are very modern and flashy sneakers. She is the assistant of the Fates, and her name is Nemesis.

Nemesis: May I help you?

Zeus: The entire Godhood has assembled to request of the Fates an answer to one simple question. We ask their attention before the normal five day waiting period considering the number of busy Gods and Goddesses we bring in our company.

Nemesis: And we’re, what, not busy?

Zeus: We request that our waiting time be waived.

Nemesis: I just don’t understand what makes you so special.

Zeus: It is the entire Godhood.

Nemesis: You’re missing a few Titans, a hundred or so lesser gods, and the host of the half-gods. But you’re close.

Zeus: Are you going to let us in or not?

Nemesis: I’ll think about it. (She looks about to close the door but Eros and Psyche walk forward)

Eros: I would not shut your door on the Pre-Born without the blessing of those you serve.

Psyche: It might be misinterpreted as a hostile gesture. (Nemesis looks scared)

Nemesis: So sorry, didn’t see you two. Come in, all of you, the presentation hall is just right here, make yourselves comfortable, let me tell the ladies.
(The Gods file in. Minos favors Nemesis with a flirtatious smile, which she seems tempted to return – after she has found the Fates, she hurries away.)

Hestia: Nice setup, I think they’ve done the place up since the last I was here.

Ares: You’ve been here, too. Have all of you been here?

Hera: All of you, meaning the first generation Olympians? I suppose we have. It all seems so long ago.

Poseidon: We were here many times during the Titanomachia. There was no desire for any of us to return once that memory had been expunged from our minds.

Zeus: Perhaps not for you. I have been several times since.

Demeter: But none of you younger Gods ever wished to petition the Fates?

Hephaestus: I came to them once.

Hestia: You did? What for?

Hephaestus: It was a private matter. (Those who know his true father understand)

Athena: I did as well. It has been some time, however, and as with the six of you, it seems to be an experience one does not wish to repeat. (Athena is back to being cold and bitchy again, and glares at Hera with an intensity that seems especially hurtful)

Dionysus: Well, we’re here now, might as well make the most of it.

Clotho: And indeed, you should.

Atropo: Perhaps you will.

Lachesis: If you had not already lost the chance.

Together: Welcome to the hall of the Fates and the room of many judgments. Which judgment are you here for?
(The Fates are three women, looking plump and pleased with themselves. Their ages vary though none of them is very haggy, and all three are wearing black gowns. Clotho has a leather jacket, Atropo a flannel shirt, and Lachesis a terry cloth robe. They have no chairs in their hall, so they merely wave their hand to suggest that everyone else sit, and sit they do. There are no pillows, so throughout the scene, the Gods look restless and uncomfortable, and shift position. The Fates stand during the entire scene and keep glancing at the door as though they have more important business elsewhere).

Zeus: I feel that the time is ripe for the Gods to regain their glory on earth and subject humans to the worship that is rightfully ours. Other gods feel less passionately about this, and have asked for your wisdom on the matter.

Clotho: Mighty Zeus calling us wise.

Atropo: How flattering.

Lachesis: We will consider the matter. Who are these Gods that feel differently?

Hera: I speak for the opposing party.

Clotho: What do you speak?

Hera: Simply that the humans are capable of taking care of their own affairs, and should be left to do so. That any interference with them is the height of arrogance on our part and will be resented by humans. We feel that any God undertaking to assert their position should be actively discouraged.

Zeus: They prefer that we should skulk about dressed as humans for playacting.

Clotho: They are living their lives in happiness. Your displeasure in them is a problem you must overcome. There is nothing shameful about the Gods taking their places on earth amongst the mortals.

Atropo: But certainly there should be no question about the Gods taking their place as the authorities over Earth.

Lachesis: There should not be, but there is. We will need to think on this for some time. Please acquaint yourself with our grounds, we are going to our library to hold council.
(They depart. The other gods look at each other, most of them standing up to find more comfortable lodgings.)

Zeus: Well… (he is cut off by the reappearance of the Fates)

Clotho: We have thought the matter out.

Zeus: You just not left us.

Atropo: That is merely how you perceive it.

Lachesis: We see the problem that Hera’s side presents. The humans are not easily swayed by the unknown or unwanted, and will not be apt to worship you after such an absence. Moreover, many of them do have negative feelings about what they believe is a lack of attention from the Gods. Still more would use your appearance toward negative ends such as the taking of power and the making of wars. None of these things would serve our purposes.

Clotho: So you would be wise not to engage in them. We will not stop you, because it is amongst yourselves that you must find your discipline.

Atropo: We are not peacemakers and mediators, we do not answer the squabbles of the Gods. We advise you to go back to your lives, go back to your jobs, or go back to Olympus. Do not attempt to seduce the humans.

Clotho: But know you that a war between Gods is a traitor’s war, and will be heavily sanctioned. Even if you are trying to stop others from going against our will.

Hera: So we are damned if we do, and damned if we don’t.

Lachesis: Hardly, Hera. We have told you that our judgments are their own punishments and rewards, you need hardly back up our word once it is given. Leave justice to us.

Hera: Some forms of justice are considered overdue.

Clotho: And that to which you refer is coming quickly.

Atropo: Your patience will have its end, but you will not be the one to give it.

Lachesis: Have faith in us, dear friends. Or, if you do not, then you will face our wrath. Go now. (she waves her hand and they fizzle out, sent back to Olympus. The three turn to each other and then look at their Nemesis.)

Clotho: I think that Minos likes you.

Nemesis: I’m sure he was just trying to get you to see them faster.

Atropo: Perhaps you should take a vacation. Do a little gathering of information for us.

Nemesis: Then it wouldn’t actually be a vacation, would it?

Lachesis: Use whatever word suffices. Go and have business and pleasure, Nemesis.
(Nemesis bows deeply)

Nemesis: I’m sure I will find much business to give me pleasure. It appears that both Zeus and Hera were told that which they least wanted to hear. (she winks and is gone)

SCENE 24:
Olympus. The front gates. It is a grand building from the front, with fine defensive gates even though no one has ever tried them. Some Gods look relieved, others angry. Still more are confused.

Hera: Well, this is where we part company. Husband, children, always an experience to see you, and I wish you well on your endeavors, wherever they take you. As to the other Gods, I’m sure I will be in the usual communication with you.

Athena: Or lack of communication. Now that you cannot get what you want, I doubt you will be so eager to be friendly with us.

Hera: Do you challenge my integrity?

Athena: I merely suggest that politicking will get you nowhere now. You heard the Fates, it is out of our hands. Or do you think you can escape their anger?

Hera: I am leaving for Earth, to go back to my job, which suffers while I am away. As you state, there is nothing left for us to do together, we may as well all go our separate ways. (She disappears, Poseidon taps Nathaniel on the shoulder and they disappear)

Apollo: So it’s all just good-bye then?

Prometheus: We have accomplished what we came here for. There is really little need to linger. (He and Hestia give some hugs and disappear, Hephaestus, Eros & Psyche go)

Dionysus: Not even I’m in the mood for a party, brother. See ya around. I might have a video I want you to star in. (He slaps some backs and then disappears)

Aphrodite: It’s been fabulous, kids, let’s do it again some millenia. (she kisses a few and goes)

Persephone: It’ll be good to be home.

Hades: Yeah, I guess. Minos, Charon, ready?

Cephallenia: So we can’t go to earth?

Hades: Perhaps you can in a few days for a visit. We’ll talk about it. Bye everybody.

(they go, Apollo turns to Artemis)

Apollo: So everyone’s just going to go without talking about this, without anything?

Artemis: You were there, bro. It didn’t sound like the Fates intended us to have much to discuss. It’s over, let’s get back to real life. Or pretend actor life, as the case may be.

Eris: It was good to see you, okay? Come around soon. (they disappear)

Demeter: Well, it was good to see everyone. If you don’t want to go back just yet, Apollo, I know a great little café in Paris that’s always worth a stop.

Apollo: That’s a good thought. Bye, guys. I’ll try to visit Olympus more, father.

Zeus: You will have no need. We will come to Earth.

Apollo: You’re going to try the lifelines thing?

Zeus: No, we intend to be worshipped. A simple shake of the finger of the Fates will not bend me from my purpose. They were courteous to not hurt your feelings, you who would protect the humans, but clearly they felt that our positions are ours to regain.

Apollo: I see. I will not stop you, because that is not my place. Good luck to all of you.
(He and Demeter go.)

Zeus: What do you wait on, Ares, do you not wish to go back to your mother?

Ares: Not really. It occurs to me that the Fates said that our worship would lead to war. Now, there hasn’t been a proper war on earth in about fifty years, so I’m a bit… excited about that prospect. I think I might just join you after all.

Athena: How do we know that you are not a spy for your mother?

Ares: Why would I risk the double dissatisfaction of the Fates? Besides, you didn’t seem so suspicious of my mother last night.

Athena: I was cajoled into thinking she… anyway, it does not matter. She was trying to get me on her side, and I figured that out before I was tempted.

Hebe: So, does this mean that all of us have to go to Earth?

Zeus: Of course, our duties are there.

Hebe: But shouldn’t one of us stay around Olympus, just in case, people stop by or something? I mean, it might be a useful headquarters.

Zeus: We go to Earth. All of us. Athena has a place that will become our working quarters. Come. (they disappear. Nemesis steps out of some shadows with a wicked smile on her face).