Play script: Asteria Pt. 1

(ELLI is sitting downstage center staring off stage at what seems to be a solace lake to her. Her clothes are ash covered and her skin looks like a black bodysuit splotched with clots of blood. As she daydreams a phantom-like boy, ZALE, wearing torn clothes, walks out from stage right. He spots her and stops a few paces behind her. ELLI doesn’t realize ZALE is behind her as she begins to talk, doing a mock imitation of her mother.)

ELLI:

The gods have something planned for all of us. Everything happens for a reason. But don’t worry I’ll never leave you.

 (At this point a stream of tears clears a path through the ash on her cheeks. Her voice breaks as she speaks in her own voice.)

If that was true then why did you leave me today? The gods don’t care about us. They-

ZALE:

Hey! That’s not true.

 (ZALE’s voice made ELLI jump, her body snapping around so that she was facing him. His voice was filled with anger but changed to worry when he took in ELLI’s appearance.)

What happened?

ELLI:

Why do you care?

(pause)

And who are you anyways?

 (ZALE steps back and looks from side to side. Off stage the sound of thunder sounds, making ZALE’s eyes widen.)

ZALE:

I can’t say. It is against Zeus’s laws.

ELLI:

Zeus? You mean the king of gods Zeus.

ZALE:

Yes.

ELLI:

You’ve got to be kidding me! Zeus doesn’t exist.

 (More thunder rumbled in the background, but this time even louder, as if it were angry at what ELLI had said.)

ZALE:

Do you like upsetting the gods? Or are you really that lost in spirit?

 (The tears ELLI was able to stop earlier came flowing again. She turned away from ZALE so that he could no longer see her face.)

ELLI:

Go away! No one asked for you to be a shrink.

 (pause)

Who are you?

(Stage lights black out. When they come back on ZALE is gone. When no answer comes ELLI speaks again.)

ELLI

Answer m-

(Her words are cut off when she turns around and sees he is gone. With that she rubs her temples and stands. Walks off stage left. Lights dim.When they come back on ZALE is standing in front of ZUES, ATHENA, and ARTEMIS. The three gods are sitting in chairs placed in a semicircle. ZALE is pacing in front of them.)

ZEUS:

We can’t bring back every dead mother, my son.

ZALE:

I’m not asking that! I’m asking why that girl showed up at my lake.

(ZALE glared at the three gods as ATHENA                            stood and walked toward him.)

ATHENA:

Well sweetie she’s a special child and it’s not like the lake is protected from all humans. And it is located near her hom-

ZALE:

Was! Where her home was…

ATHENA:

Yes…well… Anyways it was just a matter of time before she stumbled upon it.

(Ignoring her, ZALE turns to ZEUS and glares at him once more.)  

ZALE:

I know you had something to do with this old man! And I will find out why.

(He turns and exits stage left, leaving the gods to themselves.)

ZEUS:

Who gave that boy such balls as to stand up to a god in such a manner?

ARTEMIS:

I do believe it would be Hecate the goddess of childbirth. Though you, my lord, are the one who said you wanted the boy to be head strong and brave as a god, even as a lowly water spirit.

(The three gods freeze eying each other. Stage lights dim. The sounds of thunder rolls from off stage. ELLI’s voice comes from upstage center.)

ELLI:

Today sucks!

(Lights come on showing ELLI squatted down holding her sides. Her clothes are more tossed and fresh blood is streaming from cuts she obtained from walking through thick woods.)

None of this is fair.

ZALE:

Do you need help?

(He walks in from stage left with a towel one hand and a bottle of water in the other. ELLI looks up at him with a surprised expression.)

I can help you get to the hospital, if you want.

(He knells beside her and hands her the items he’s holding. She takes them without thought.)

ELLI:

I don’t want to see anyone. I hate this world.

(ELLI’s voice is filled with anger and sorrow. ZALE’s brows pinch together as he surveys her. Neither of them speaks for a long time. Finally ZEUS walks in from stage right in everyday clothes. He seems not to notice them at first. When he finally turns to them she is watching him with wide eyes and ZALE is glaring at him through narrowed eyes.)

ZEUS:

Well children you have been keeping us waiting long enough.

ELLI:

What? Who are you?

ZALE:

This is Zeus. King of the Gods

(ELLI's eyes widened before they narrowed. Her body stiffened as she pulled away from ZALE.)

ELLI:

This is not a great time to be playing a prank on someone who just lost her mother.

ZEUS:

This is no prank. And that woman wasn't really your mother. Now take that towel you have and wipe your face. I hate talking to gods who look like they've wallowed in mud all their lives.

(Though she is confused ELLI wipes her face and looks back up at him. The whole time ZALE is looking away from ZEUS, making sure to keep his gaze on anything but the god.

That's a good girl now why don't we have a seat?

ELLI:

But there's nowhere to sit around here but on the ground.

(ZEUS snaps his fingers and ATHENA and ARTEMIS come on from stage right with two chairs each. ZALE helps them set up the chair then stands behind the chair that ELLI seats in. Before she sits                                though, the three gods sit.)

ZEUS:

Now let's get to the point of all this. You Elli are a goddess just like Artemis and Athena here. But you are slightly different as well.

ELLI:

Wait a minute. I'm not a goddess. I'm a normal girl who’s lived on earth all her life with a normal life and a human mother.

ARTEMIS:

I know it is strange sweetie, but truth is none of that was true. Well it was but wasn't all at the same time. Yes that woman was your mother but that is because you were given to her after your rebirth so you would be safe. We kept you close to a lake that Zale here protected because we knew when the time came you'd need help.

(ZALE's eyes widened before narrowing again as he stepped next to ELLI.)

ZALE:

I knew you had something to do with this old man! You lied to me all these years saying I was out casted.

(ZEUS nods his head.)

ZEUS:

And you'll get over that.

ELLI:

Can we get back on topic? What is this about rebirth and being a goddess?

ATHENA:

You are the goddess Asteria: The goddess of the stars and the last immortal to live with man. Even though that description was made back during Caesar's time it holds true today.

ARTEMIS:

You had to be reborn because Aphrodite declared an attack on you. Once she becomes jelous of someone there is no protecting them without going to the extreme. And Zale here refused to let you get hurt.

ZALE:

You said that she was banned to the underworld like Hades.

ZEUS:

Well we couldn't have you searching her out and having Aphrodite know she wasn't banned. That would just cause more problems than we wish to deal with.

(ZALE huffed in anger and clenched his fist, holding himself back from hitting ZEUS.)

ELLI:

What does Zale have to do with anything?

ARTEMIS:

Well he was in love with you... Asteria... It's a shame he’s a black-hearten water spirit now.

ATHENA:

Aphrodite was mad that someone in Olympus wasn't madly in love with her beauty and so she decided to destroy the person taking that love away from her. This happened to be you.

(Everyone was silent for a long moment as ELLI made since of everything that was said. Finally she pulled her legs to her                            chest, her feet half way off the chair, and rested her head on her knees, hiding her face. ZALE places a hand on her back                           and tries to comfort her, but can't tell if he is.)

ZEUS:

But now that Elli has found her way to your lake Zale, she is in danger once more. Aphrodite will learn of her freedom and will be angry to hear she was not punished for what she had done, superficial or not. Elli will have to face that woman soon enough so it is up to the two of you whether you wish to hide her a bit longer or confront her now.

(ELLI lifted her head and wiped away a few tears. When she does so everyone looks towards her.)

ELLI:

If a goddess hates me then why are other gods trying to help me? Aren't you all family?

ZEUS:

Well-

(ARTEMIS cuts him off with a wave of her hand as she stands and kneels in front of ELLA.)

ARTEMIS:

All of our reasons are different. My reason is that Asteria was my daughter... You are my daughter. Zeus needs you to control the cosmos; I only control the phases of the moon. And you were a part of Athena's army... A critical part as well.

(ELLI listened with her eyes closed. Everyone was so focused on her that they didn't notice APHRODITE come on stage from stage right. She only takes a few steps on when she freezes and stares                               mouth wide open at the small gathering. Her eyes narrow at ELLI, knowing who she really is. Before anyone notices her APHRODITE runs back off stage the way she came.)

ELLI:

I don't want to... I've lost my mother today. It's just too much. I don't want to face her.

(Lights dim only long enough for everyone but ZALE and ELLI. When they come back on even the chairs are gone and the two are sitting on the ground. ELLI is staring towards the front of the stage at the lake. ZALE has one knee pulled up his chest and is resting his head on it.)

ELLI:

Why does everything have to happen on the same day?

ZALE:

Um... It's... It's a nice lake isn't it?

(He is trying to get her mind off of everything that has happened but it is apparent that this is awkward for him and he doesn't know what more to do. As he tries comforting her by rubbing her back with one hand APHRODITE walks on stage and up to the two.)

APHRODITE:

Asteria I know that's you!

(ELLI and ZALE's head snap up to look at her with wide eyes.)

You have no business being here. You belong in the underworld with the rest of those who have back stabbed a god.

ELLI:

Aphrodite?

APHRODITE:

Don't act like you don't remember me!

(APHRODITE steps closer, but as she does ZALE jumps up and stand in between the two girls, protecting ELLI. ELLI stands up as well, about in tears from the cruelness of fate.)

Zeus swore he exiled you.

ELLI:

Look I know you hate me.... Though I'm still not quite sure why... But I swear to you, I don't have a single clue as to what's going on here. I just want to be left alone so I can live a normal life, like I did before today.

APHRODITE:

I'm not falling for it. Last time I saw you, you were taking away love meant for me.

                                        

ELLI:

I did no such thing!

APHRODITE:

Then explain why that boy refused to adore me with the excuse he was “in love with Asteria”?

(Silence fell over the three as APHRODITE and ELLI stared each                                      other down. After a few moments ZALE broke the silence.)

ZALE:

It's apparent that she is no longer a threat to you... Neither she nor I live in Olympus anymore, so I'm sure every man up there loves your beauty more than any other goddess's.

APHRODITE:

That's not good enough! I want her to be punished for even daring to do what she did.

(With that APHRODITE grabbed ELLI's shirt and pulled her out from                                       behind ZALE. Before he could react APHRODITE threw ELLI to the ground and was hitting her. ZALE pulled her off of ELLI as fast as he could, falling back in the progress. As the two struggle against each other ELLI stood and helped ZALE detain APHRODITE's                                     arms. ZALE frees his one hand and whistles to call ZEUS to the scene. ZEUS enters from stage right and right away goes to ZALE's side and grabs APRODITE's arms, keeping them together behind her back. Once he is sure he has a good grip on her he looks over at ELLI and ZALE.)

ZEUS: 

Are you two alright?

                                               

ELLI:

Only thanks to Zale.

ZALE:

Why didn't anyone warn us she wasn't in Olympus?

ZEUS:

Don't get snappy with me boy. You're just lucky I heard your call and decided to see what was happening.

(The two males stare each other down till ELLI clears her throat. Then their expressions smooth out and a smile crosses ZALE's lips.)

ZALE:

Anyways, get her back to Olympus and deal with her... I guess.

(ZEUS nods before leaving stage the opposite way he came. Once they were gone ELLI sits again and starts to shake. ZALE kneels beside her.)

ZALE:

You okay, Elli?

ELLI:

No... Not really....

ZALE:

What's wrong? Aphrodite is gone.... I doubt she'll mess with you now.

ELLI:

I miss my mom. Today was too much. How could any of you expect me to go unaffected when you tell me I'm a goddess on the same day my mother burned alive? It wasn't fair to me. I just want my mom back. I wish today never happened.

(ZALE looks broken hearted. But none the less he smiles weakly. Then he stands and holds out his hand for her.)

ZALE:

Well come on. Let's go find somewhere safe for you to rest. The forest isn't the best place at night.

(ELLI takes his hands and allows him to pull her to her feet. Once they both were standing they walk off stage. Only a moment later ZEUS and ARTEMIS walk on stage. ARTEMIS is obviously angry at ZEUS.)

ARTEMIS:

And why can't you just help her out?

ZEUS:

If she wants a home she can come live on Olympus like a god is suppose to.

ARTEMIS:

She doesn't want to!

(Until this moment ZEUS is not facing ARTEMIS. But she forces him to look at her by pulling on his arm and turning him towards her.)

She wants a normal life away from all of this. It was just too much to force upon her in one day. For our sake just help the poor thing out!

(ZEUS finally lets out a sigh of defeat and nods. A smile crosses ARTEMIS's lips.)

ZEUS:

Fine... But she will live at the bottom of Mount Olympus, if she likes it or not.

(ARTEMIS is satisfied and walks away the way they came on stage. ZEUS stays, waiting for ELLI and ZALE. When they come on stage, ZEUS clears his throat to get their attention.)

We've decided to help you out. You will live in a villa at the bottom of Olympus. There is a school a few miles away in which you may attend if you please.

(He doesn't wait for them to answer. He just walks away. ELLI stares wide-eyed after him.)

ZALE:

Well I guess that solves the problem of where you can stay.

ELLI:

Yeah... How far away is that?

(ZALE thinks for a moment and counts on his fingers. After a long pause of silence ELLI speaks.)

Don't you know?

ZALE:

I'm not good at math okay? It’s not like I need it being a water spirit.

(ELLI laughs a bit then stops herself. It wasn't a time to laugh. She now looked exhausted as the weight of today took full effect on her.)

Come on, I do at least know where it is. Let's get you there before you crash.

(They walk off as the lights dim. When the lights come back on ELLI is lying on the floor in night clothes. Off stage) ARTEMIS calls to her as her mother.

ARTEMIS:

Elli, get up. You've been sleeping on the floor all night! It's time to get ready for the day!

(ELLI opens her eyes before slowly sitting up. She rubs her eyes sleepily then looks off stage.)

Come on now. Get up. You have chores to do!

(With that ELLI stand slowly and sleepily walks towards the left stage exit. She stops short and looks back at where she was.)

ELLI:

Was that all just a dream?

(As she looks around a look of knowledge crosses her face as she realizes that she was in the villa. ZALE walks on stage from the opposite direction as ELLI and smiles. She only watches him for a second before ATREMIS call her again and she runs off.)

ZALE:

Yesterday was pretty interesting, but I'm sure we haven't heard the end of this problem have we Zeus?

(As he asks the question he looks up at the sky and frowns. Thunder rolls in the background as an answer.)

I thought so.

(He walks off stage and the lights dim for a final time.)