THYESTES’

FEAST

BY

PETER WING HEALEY

Copyright Jan 30, 2003 Pau 2-723-558

CHARACTERS:

The Sun

Secret Servicemen

Aerope, Queen

Cliopea, her friend

Messenger

Staevinus, Captain of the Guard

Daughters of the Queen

Thyestes, King

Anaxacractus, aristocrat

Monaphibia, his wife

Lysurgicus, a radical

Polypanthus, son of Staevinus

Agamemnon, son of Atreus and Aerope

Calista, young beauty of the court, later the Sibyl

Atreus, brother of Thyestes

The Golden Ram

Homeless Citizens

Pelops and Plianthus, sons of Aerope and Thyestes

Rich Cronies – Ladies and Gents

PROLOGUE:

THE SUN: Gents and ladies, friend and foe,

Indulge us for tonight. We've just a little faux.

A retro contemporary classic, like a

PT Cruiser or those "restoration" kitchen

Cabinets. I know. Faux tows us unto

Shadows dark in musty climes

Where artsy folk whine and opine

Of times gone by. You’d banish clutter.

Simple, modern, clean technicians

You’d much prefer a play with issues;

Pregnant teens on crack, or children of

Satanic cults, deadly, viral

Mutant spores on bathroom doors,

Lacrosse teams with a secret homo hunk.

But a play, I’ve always thought, should rise

Somehow above the evening news.

This tale is from two thousand, maybe

Three or four, BC, and yet,

I get a chill and can’t help feel

It jells around our current hells.

Realize. The curse upon the house of Atreus

Was somehow central, a pillar of the Ancient

World. They pondered it, wrote plays about it.

The biggies did - Aeschylus and Sophocles

Euripides, and not just plays, but trilogies.

Yet they’ve all been lost – burned or buried.

So here’s a version, in simple loose-draped

Verse (Oh dear!), of that most crucial

Tale; “Thyestes’ Feast”. I am the sun.

I mean the Sun, high in the sky.

The ancients, it must be explained, believed

That, before the crimes of Atreus, I

Was free to wander in the sky - a

Celestial child at play who slipped

Each night into my cloud-puff bed.

I catered, they believed, to human need.

Attuned to every sprouting seed and

Sunburned neck, to every leek with

Chalk white face pushed deep in pitchy

Earth who lifted up her stolid tail

To kiss my lips of green. Chlorophyl

You say? We know that now. Back then,

They couldn't tell. And you weren't there.

You're now. Not then. So maybe what they saw

Was just as true as cholorophyl's to you.

I was there and it seems to me I do remember

How sweet I was before the crimes .. but there.

No more. It’s all explained, it’s all

Contained within the cosmic, tragic,

Morbid, magic, planet-bending,

Not exactly appetizing

Tale of Atreus and Thyestes.

ACT ONE

Outside the palace. Enter Chorus of Secret Servicemen.

SERVICEMEN: Before

The tribe would always camp in a circle.

A line bisected the circle, you know,

A diameter, slanting across exactly

Dividing in two the one people;

The right, the Sky Side, the left, the Earth-

Sea-mud-swamp-forest-

Filled-with-darting-game-side. Well

The Earth side was more complicated, always.

That was before. Now the circle’s

Gone. Mighty houses of stone

Stand here today, palaces with reception rooms

Where chattering diplomats pluck sweets

From beaten gold trays. The feast will

Soon begin. Look sharp. We are the

Secret Service. Now don't get all worked up.

Everybody knows who we are, so it's no big

Secret. As to service, that's a pretty

Wide word. There are some who say

We don't do anything which is not music

To our ears. We'd better explain.

Two brothers vie to rule in this state.

At first it was Atreus and now it's Thyestes.

From the Earth-side comes Thyestes;

Generous, handsome, kind, beloved.

Atreus; proper, Sky-side, sharp,

Relentless, is under house arrest.

We support Thyestes and he's been great.

But the people we mentioned earlier, who, like,

Want to take away our chariots and our villas,

Are from the Thyestes side. So we're starting

To drift over to the Atreus side. Can you blame us?

YOUNG GUARD: I don’t understand. You say these two

Are brothers but from different sides.

How’s that?

SERVICEMEN: Before, I said. Before

Was long ago. The clear-drawn line

Cannot be traced that once divided

Sky-side/Earth-side. Still, the blood

Remembers. The two sides coalesce.

The line becomes a crack dividing, not the city,

But the heart. Families are torn apart.

Chorus exits. Scene change..Palace garden. Enter Aerope and Cliopea.

AEROPE: I can’t abide these crowds. A breath

Of air. Please come with me, Cliopea.

CLIOPEA: You shouldn’t leave the court, you know.

There’s tension in the air.

AEROPE: My hair is wrong.

Something’s crawling on me.

CLIOPEA: Stop. You are

The kind and graceful princess queen.

Your hair is hair and you are you,

Aerope. Remember? Born in the Dolphin

Palace. Married to the gorgeous Plisthenes,

Who's tragic death brought Atreus, his father,

To claim you as his wife, your sons his sons.

You wore his crown then kicked him down.

You are a walking revolution.

AEROPE: I am corrupted, soiled and polluted.

CLIOPEA: Not that again. Sit here. I’ll move this pin,

Rearrange the coil. Calm down. Remember how

You'd just arrived when Atreus was crowned.

You watched his crimes unfold. That day he took

The Golden Ram, the Magic Ram,

The God’s untiring gift. The Ram

In pasture waited for the king to come

With gleaming sickle, bent it's neck

Prepared to die for state and city.

Knowing it’s role. The blood poured out

Would feed the Goddess Earth. Ensure

A future free from cruel disaster.

The fleece of gold hung from the life-tree

Glowing wealth for every member

Of our state. The stern instructions

Of the God inscribed in stone were heritage.

Just think..

AEROPE: In cradle from our nurses' lips

We heard the promise ‘Blood for the Goddess.

Eternal Golden Wool for all.’

Over and over. “The Blood. The Wool.”

Went the mantra. We sang it. We knew it.

CLIOPEA: We know it.

But on that day Atreus took no

Course of duty. Crimes he preferred.

With silent hands the Ram he strangled.

No Blood he poured. No Wool he shared.

But locked it in an oaken chest. He hoarded it.

He kept the wealth of all the people

Hostage to his whims. He bullied you

Who served him. Errand girl. Aristocrat. You kept

The key and scurried to the chest for Wool

And Blood. Outside the palace people came

In grim application, hoping for a crumb.

Eyebrows raised at each request,

He parsed them only just enough

To live. He manufactured scarcity.

AEROPE: He saw the Golden Wool as finite

Limited, rare, against the stern

Instruction of the God...

CLIOPEA: The God! He never

Trusted in the God. He couldn’t heed

The stern instruction.

AEROPE: Not him! He was

Blind to life in all its gushing

Surplus.

CLIOPEA: Was it then Thyestes

In dark passageways awaited your coming?

Brushed your back with feather fingers?

Breathed his youth-breath hot on your neck?

His tawny chest your tear-stained pillow?

“Love and duty” he preached. Beseeched,

“Release the key and come with me.

Free the people. Free yourself.”

AEROPE: Not a moment too soon. Another year, another month..

CLIOPEA: Another day, another hour, you would have hardened.

AEROPE: Hardened.

Like the skulls of children, soft, unformed,

My mind was open. Atreus worked

As at a lump of clay, “Scarcity", he'd say

Must be maintained. The price of lentils,

Leeks can be persuaded to obey,

To wax and wane. Supply can be cut short

Demand increased until the suckers pay."

CLIOPEA: The hardened you would never stoop

To pet a cat . But soft the you

Who went that night alone to give

Your husband’s brother all he asked -

The key, the chest, the Golden Ram,

Your hand, your heart, your body. Future

Plans were mute. ‘Whoever holds

The Golden Ram is King’ the rule goes.

The ten long years of Atreus’ reign

You ended with a simple step.

Fleeing the house of Atreus that night,

Escaping enraptured from dark to light,

Your footfalls sure....

AEROPE: Sure footfalls fail

As time wears on. The dark you fled

Returns to feed on what it fed.

A Messenger enters with a note.

MESSENGER: My Lady Aerope, a letter's come for you.

An urgent message. I await your reply.

AEROPE: (she opens and reads) By the God...

CLIOPEA: What's this? She reads then faints.

What news could be so bad? Let me...

“Faithless wife, before I dash your brain

To pieces on the rocks, I’ll strip

The skin from every inch, and with hot

Pincers every nerve ..” By the God!

Destroy this filth. Delete. Forget.

Begone idiot and never importune

My lady with such trash again.

The Messenger exits.

AEROPE: I am the daughter of the King of the great

Island Empire. I was raised in the Palace

Of the Blue Dolphins. My father sent for

Plisthenes, son of Atreus, to come learn the bull dancing.

He was so beautiful. He vaulted off the bulls

With the grace of a god. We married. I bore him

Two sons; Agamemnon and Menelaus.

The second birth was difficult. I lay unseeing

Many days. When at last I raised my head

What did I see? My husband dead.

His father claiming me as bride. I hated him.

I always had. But soon he bent me to his will.

Still now I hear his thoughts before he says them.

I see as fact his deeds as yet undone.

My body feels the swelling of his plans

As clearly as a baby's kick, that pounds

The staggered womb of Time.

CLIOPEA: Aerope,

Don’t let this missive make you mope.

Some people pull the wings off butterflies

And others don’t. That’s life. Buck up.

You promised me you'd take me on the gliding ships

To see the Palace of the Blue Dolphins.

AEROPE: You must see it.

CLIOPEA: The painted walls.

AEROPE: The woven scenes,

The doors of hammered gold

CLIOPEA: The dancing

The music, the gowns, the food..

AEROPE: alone

Is worth the trip. Oh... we have to go.

CLIOPEA: You're done here now. Four sons you've borne.

A more successful woman can't be dreamt of.

The last birth, now just six months past..

AEROPE: My last I think.

CLIOPEA: It's true. Come friend

Be like the sun who daily toils

To pull the clouds from underneath

His chariot wheels and let his rays

Reveal the glory of our world.

Throw off this shroud so dims you. Just as

Atreus, ten years ago, you cast aside.

Scene Change - The Reception Room of the palace. The Golden Ram is hung on the Life Tree. A basket under the tree is full of golden wool. The Daughters of the Queen, Anaxacractus and Monaphibia and Lysurgicus stand enter. Calista is one of the Daughters. Thyestes, Aerope,Staevinus and Cliopea enter.

STAEVINUS: Ladies and Gentlemen, visitors. I am.

Staevinus, Captain of the Guard. Welcome.

Tonight, before we start, let us join

With our famed battalion, the gracious Daughters

Of the Queen. Come forward. Let us pray.

DAUGHTERS: Oh Golden Ram, oh Golden Ram.

We come to you. We come to you.

Alive in death, in death alive.

We take your wool. It grows again.

We spend it out. It springs anew.

We comb the fleece and spin the thread

Eternal Golden Wool for all

Flowing forever no matter with only one

Caution - that we must continue to harvest.

Harvest and spin, harvest and spin

And give unto each one his share. Golden Ram!

A DAUGHTER: Look sisters how the basket is full.

When only this morning we emptied it. Wonderful.

CALISTA: Be not amazed. The stern instruction

Of the God has been fulfilled.

Except, the blood that should have fed

The Goddess never flowed into

The Earth, as should have been. I fear

Each day will bring the judgment of

The bargain unfulfilled. I tremble

To think of the evil poised to devour us.

Beseech the future to unfold

In justice!

CLIOPEA: Lovely Daughters, sink not

Into gloom. The King approaches

And would speak. Arise with joy!

THYESTES: My beloved people, Royal counselors,

Regional Chiefs and Envoys, Foreign

Diplomats and every noble member

Of our State; I here salute you.

Listen to what I have to say.

These modern times bring complications

Unimagined to our rustic forebears.

You find the leeks and lamb chops, bread

And linen, firewood, water, wine

And oil in your houses every day.

You walk through cities paved with marble.

Fountains, music, temples, restaurants and

Transportation wait for you at every step.

This is no accident. It didn't just happen.

For every leek a thousand minds

Have labored to solve mysteries, tear down obstacles.

Locusts, wars, hail stones, drought,

Plague, fire, famine militate

Against our lives. We are ingenious.

We work together, pool our talents

To support a world our tribal kin

Could only dream of in their squalid huts.

But dream they did. Now they are us.

Those dreams are real. Don’t be misled.

We need each other. We must cohere.

Behold my people. The Golden Wool

Is daily doled to each and every

Such that want and hunger never

Darken our doors. The roads are safe.

The cities clean. The schools are famous.

The sciences, the crafts, the arts abound

Our tables groan beneath the pomp of plenty.

Every crumb of talent gets a chance

To flourish, grow, perhaps enhance

The common lot. And yet! Complaints!

I hear complaints. It’s not enough

That you should live like kings. No!

More! You clamour for it. Greedy dogs,

Insatiable demons. See what you have become.

Take heed! Not only food and cities

Comfort, growth and culture - Liberty!

Does that ring a bell? All sexual

And moral freedom, usually suppressed,

I am sworn to guard. You can’t imagine

What your lives would be without it.

Yet you still complain. So let's hear it.

Citizen Anaxacractus! Stand and

Come before us now.

Anaxacractus and Monaphibia step forward.

ANAX: Oh powerful and great

Thyestes, be not displeased. It’s just that

We can’t get the plumbers to come to our house.

We send and wait. They don’t arrive.

A room is flooded. The floor is ruined.

They just don’t need to work. That’s it.

They have the Golden Wool. Why bother

To get up, go out and ply their trade?

It’s true that we are wealthy, that our

Drafty mansion needs a staff

Of sixty just to run it. We’ll pay.

We’re glad to. But they’ve got to come.

You must revoke the plumbers’ rations.

Only poverty and fear will make them work

And they’re not the only ones. Listen to my wife,

Monaphibia, if you want to know the truth.

MONAPHIBIA: Oh you can’t get anything done.

Oh my. Oh no. Not a thing.

Not one single thing is ever right.

I spend my days in constant pain

The pain of worn and spotty tunics,

Of insolent and glacial service,

Of dust in corners under chairs,

Of heirlooms chipped beyond repair,

And, and, and oh just everything.

ANAX: Like, for example, the dinner tonight ....

MONAPHIBIA: My point exactly. Outside, the lamb

Was overcooked but inside raw.

The lentils salty, the sauces bland.

The leeks gritty, the wine sour.

The service cheeky, the music loud.

The apples mealy, the honey cloying.

The cheeses smelly, the wheat cakes dry.

ANAX: And the room..

MONA: Let me finish! .. was cluttered and dark.

Oh it’s too much to bear when I think

How it was back when Atreus reigned. Perfection

Is too faint a term to describe how expertly

Each detail was handled. The servants were silent

They knew that their lives were at stake. A wrong move

And off with their heads. I’m sorry.. It works.

Nothing polishes silver better than blood.

ANAX: What she means is there was more respect.

Don’t you dear? And further, now

There are too many rules. Just try to get started

In business. You can’t. You can’t afford workers.

They’re rich. You can’t fire workers. They have rights!

Rights! Who ever heard of rights?

In my day, we had alarm clocks, not rights. Back then

We had floggings and stonings and worse. Not rights!.

You had to look sharp then. Or else!

THYESTES: Yes... yes.

This argument is old as time and just

As tired. It simply isn’t, wasn’t, true.

ANAX: Well that may be, I’m sure you’re right

My Lord but sexual freedom can’t be

Tolerated. It’s too disgusting. Just..

MONAPHIBIA: Oh dear... oh no... you can’t imagine

How disgusting. They put things in places

I can’t say it. They smear.... oh no ... I can’t.

I lay awake all night obsessing

On the architecture of perversion. I get no sleep.

Where beams should fit in grooves, and bolts

Should snugly slide in holes that hold

The roof of life aloft, there’s a

Chaos of mismatchings such that soon

The sky will fall. What’s next. Young men

Will marry pigs, and cows will father

Monsters on our daughters.

THYESTES: Enough! We get the picture.

Now for another friend, Lysurgicus.

What say you now sir? What new theories?

Anaxacractus and Monaphibia stand aside. Lysurgicus steps forward.

LYSURGICUS: All is well my lord. But for the rich.

They must be stopped. They must be curbed.

In fact, here's a new theory. We take the rich

Out of their drafty mansions, shave their heads,

Cut out their tongues. Then we could either

Cut off their hands or gouge out their eyes.

I can't decide which would be better. Clearly

To do both would be excessive, tyrannical. Moderation

Is key. We must be moderate. We enslave them

Then be sure that every single person

Has exactly the same amount of golden wool.

Exactly the same number of leeks.

Exactly the same number of lentils.

And so forth. But this is not all. We must stifle

Every whiff of luxury. These costly gowns

And jeweled robes must be taken from people's homes

And burned. And then say, for example,

The theater. Oh dear no. All these plays with

Gods and queens in fancy palaces

Must be forbidden. Only plays about....

Underserved people arguing - say - at the kitchen sink -

Getting drunk and screaming at each other,

And looking back in anger, and so on,

Will ever be allowed. That's what theater

Should be.

THYESTES: But theater is a festive art.

LYSURGICUS: What's there to be festive about? There's only misery.

Maybe when the rich are all slaughtered..

THYESTES: Neither

Fair friend. Neither wealth nor poverty

Can find the Golden Middle, the lenient way.

Let's go home and get some sleep. And don’t complain!

All exit. Scene change - a hallway in the palace where people stop for conversations. Aerope enters with Calista.

AEROPE: Sweet Calista, you want to speak

Alone with me? How now? Your mother’s well.

She writes me often. Let me look at you.

I hate to say it, but you’ve gained some weight.

All these banquets are hard. Eat salads.

CALISTA: Oh madam, speak not of my mother.

Shame no salad made could cure

Has come upon me. I no longer

Have the right to bear the proud

And ancient name my father gave me.

I ‘m not fat. I’m pregnant.

AEROPE: I should say,

“Don’t worry - we have ways to make it look like

Nothing - the wealthy uncle in a distant province

Calls you to his deathbed; the black-lipped sibyl

Speaks, demanding pilgrimage to snow-bound

Shrines.” - I can’t because I know

What’s coming. I can’t assure you nothing

Will prevent this youth who shamed you being

Called to order, to honor, to a proper

Marriage hastily announced because

I know what’s coming. I know he’s not

A youth, your lover. Oh yes. I know.

I’ve heard this tale too many times.

Don’t say it. Just retreat into the dark.

CALISTA: The king, my Lord Thyestes, is the father.

In dark passageways he awaited my coming.

Brushed my back with feather fingers.

Breathed his King-breath hot on my neck.

His tawny chest a magic stallion

Urging me to mount and fly

To heaven.

AEROPE: Then he kindly dropped you,

On the journey back, in hell. How thoughtful

And how kingly. Now his enemies,

Who watch his every step, have more

And we have less, in each our fashion.

You, a reputation destroyed. And me -

Why should I care? There’ve been so many.

They come from all over the world now, the bold ones.

They throw themselves at his feet, hoping for a bracelet,

A villa. He takes them and gives them nothing in return

Except a bastard now and then. It's starting to reek

Of scandal. The matrons of the court make no effort

To suppress their waves of disapproval. But with you

It will be far more serious.

CALISTA: I heard the stories living

In the women’s quarters, whispered, giggled,

Whipped some nights to near hysterics

Defused by girlish pillow fights.

I swore inside I’d never stoop

To such a wanton, shallow, fleeting,

Lawless love. And then.. I did.

I’m so susceptible. A pin drop hits me

Like a hammer. A glance becomes a long romance.

A stranger’s smile, a tiny breeze, a hint of rage,

A shadow or a fly can send me into spasms

Of emotion. I can’t control myself. I’m weak.

He touched me and my stern resolve, like a flock

Of swallows scattering in the blue sky

At the sound of a window opening, vanished.

Obsession swirled its veils into my mind.

All night I quivered, picturing his hands.

His face, his shoulders, travelled with me everywhere.

All day long my body ached.

When at last he came to take me I was

Ready, primed, a pastry freshly baked.

The tasty morsel, for him, a hasty

Snack. Now swollen, changed and choked,

I vomit my remorse into the cold morning.

AEROPE: Don’t cry. Thyestes has uncommon power.

Like all uncommon powers, you see,

The power itself desires to be

Deployed. It is a gift. He uses it to get all things,

My hand, the Ram, the land. He forged

A path whose every step was charged

With sex. But now that charge that rode him

Up, will ride him down. He’s strapped to it,

A wagon rolling, masterless, down roads

That end in cliffs concealing rocks below.

I'll arrange a room for you at the Temple by the Sea.

Leave quietly at dawn tomorrow. I’ll invent

Some story. Poor thing. You musn’t shiver so.

CALISTA: You touch me and I feel a dread. Oh Madam,

Please be careful. Some presentiment has shaken me.

Ahead lie dangers. Many dead.

AEROPE: I know.

Calista and Aerope exit. Enter Staevinus with a single Secret Serviceman.

STAEVINUS: I don’t like it. The night is thick with intrigue.

Service men should stand shoulder to shoulder,

Stiff, aware, alive to all their number.

Here, tonight, half are missing.

The king holds court. The guard is called.

Explain the situation. What's going on?

SERVICEMAN: Uh .. can’t be sure.. My Lord Staevinus.

I'll go check. Nothing serious

I’m sure they’ve simply got confused.

Exit Serviceman, enter Polypanthus, son of Staevinus.

STAEVINUS: Ah Polypanthus. My son. Did you hear?

Come close, my son, I’ll whisper. Go at once

To uncle Persus. It's a long ride. I have a horse for you.

Tell him now the secret guard is needed.

He’ll know. Speak to no one, especially

Not to Agamemnon. He’s your friend, I understand.

But to his father Atreus he is true. Beware.

Avoid him. Don’t test his loyalty. Now go!

Exit Staevinus and Polypanthus. Polypanthus runs back in.

POLYPANTHUS: Now has Agamemnon seen me. What now?

To run and hide is just our game

That every day we play. I run.

He chases. I hide. He finds me. We play.

But today, for games, if games they are,

I dare not stop. I know my father’s need,

I think. But Agamemnon always does delay me.

This time I must really hide. When hiding

Is a game, I just pretend. I leave a clue,

A trailing tunic, sandle strap, a snapping twig .

What fun is hiding if you are not found?

Polypanthus exits. Agamemnon enters.

AGAMEMNON: Where is that Polypanthus? Father wants him.

Why? He seems to not approve of my

Love for him. We have sworn devotion.

Why should he deny me pleasures sacred

To youth? What could he possibly want

With such a young colt other than to break him?

Break him for what? Each day I grow alert

More clearly to my father’s passions. I’m prevented

From speaking to my mother. The palace is full of

Whispers. I can’t abide it. Give me

The open air. Polypanthus must not be trapped.

I will protect him. Warn him. Polypanthus!

Agamemnon exits. Staevinus and Thyestes enter.

STAEVINUS: A word my king Thyestes. Atreus, I'm sure

Will attack tonight. I’ve called the secret guard.

Stand to! Evacuate the palace. Send away

The Golden Ram. Your life and fortune,

And hence, the good of all, hang tough

Tonight.

THYESTES: Whoa! At ease soldier.

Shall we count? Ten or fifteen times,

Is it, you’ve sounded this alarm, proved falser

By every incident? Enough! Stand down.

He can’t prevail. He’s cornered. Home

Is jail for him. We’ve seen to that.

Our guards will foil his little coup.

They always do.

STAEVINUS: Not this time. Many families

Back him. Sons and brothers in the Secret Service,

Tradesmen, several key landowners.

These things add up. But nothing rivals

His new philosophy which lately he has put abroad.

He gives rallies. He's hired "economists"

Who spin the simple facts of daily life

Into fantastic magic carpets flying

Like migrating geese on currents of lies.

Vanity blinds his adherents to reality.

They pant for doom. They will ruin us all

Blowing kisses the while.

THYESTES: The Goat Droppings

Theory! I’ve heard of it. But no one

Surely swallows it?

STEAVINUS: “Goat Droppings”.

As far as I can understand it ..

He’ll lock away the Golden Ram.

Then he'll hold a fearsome contest

In which, through bloody combat, carnage

Horrible to witness, one family

Will claw their way to the oaken chest

And have access to the Golden Wool forever.

Slowly rises then a ruling class,

While, enslaved, the rest of us must serve them.

As goats eat grass and so leave droppings

The peasants gather to spread on their crops,

The new-made rich will drip and drop

Their plenty here and there to be snapped up

By enterprising slaves who, if ruthless enough,

One day will themselves, through slaughter, rule.

And further, not an inch of Golden Wool

Will go to build the public realm.

The schools will close, all research stop.

The roads and ports will fall to ruin.

The status of women will change. No longer

Will they be able to sell property

Or own slaves. They must obtain

Written permission from their husbands to leave

The house and so forth.

THYESTES: Yes, yes.

I know all this but still I can’t

Believe he’d made it stick. The people

Need two plans, one far and vast.

One close and small. I see the far

But not the close. The warp but not the weft.

STAEVINUS: You. You are the homespun thread

They pull. Your crimes - you stole his wife, his Ram.

Your appetites are cocktail olives. Comics

Joke you like a worried bone. Your lusts

Consume the daughters, sisters, wives

Of families high and low. It's a crisis.

You could have been more careful, Sir.

THYESTES: Staevinus! I will not be criticized by you.

STAEVINUS: A rumor has reached my ears. I can't be true.

THYESTES: What rumor?

STEAVINUS: No. It's impossible to believe.

THYESTES: Tell me. I command you.

STEAVINUS: It is said Calista

Beloved daughter of Count Drakofraxus

Is pregnant with your child. The Drakofraxi

Hold vast estates, incalculable power.

As well you know, should they side with Atreus..

But then, it can't be true.

THYESTES: My wife,

Aerope is planning a trip to visit her father

At the Dolphin Palace. She has chosen Calista

As one of the favorites of our court to accompany her.

Some of the other girls may be jealous. It's only natural.

STAEVINUS: I see. That explains it. I will however

Take extra precautions tonight.

THYESTES: As you wish. (exits)

STAEVINUS: He was shaken. He's lying. Oh Thyestes,

Why? Why take such a risk? They say

Everybody lies about sex. When they're having it

They say they aren't. When they're not having it

They swear they are. Polypanthus, dear son,

I pray you've ridden like a winter wind

For our farthest fears are now here confirmed.

Scene change - The bedroom of the palace. Cliopea holds two swaddled babies. Enter Aerope and Thyestes.

AEROPE: More children? What need? Two sons newborn

Sleep sweetly here. Pelops and Plianthus

Though babes today, will grow in time

To strapping men on thrones with wives

And sons enough. Enough! So far

You've been careful to confine your conquests

To adventuresses, shop girls, widows, actresses.

But Calista! Her suitors can't be counted.

Even the Pharoah has sent his son to court her.

She's worshipped. If it comes out that she is not

A virgin, her father, the Count, will demand...

Who knows what?

THYESTES: It won't come out.

AEROPE: And how is that? The deed is done. The girl is raving.

THYESTES: Because you will make sure it doesn't. With your usual

Flair and taste you will arrange things such that

The child is safe and Calistia is quietly

Married to a friend who will splash chicken blood

On the wedding sheets with no one the wiser.

It's common.

AEROPE: And why should I do that?

THYESTES: Because I ask you.

Because I rescued you from a horrible marriage

You never wanted with my brother.

AEROPE: You

Rescued me! It was I, Mr. Chicken Blood,

Who rescued you.

THYESTES: Ridiculous!

AEROPE: You've forgotten

About the key.

THYESTES: (mystified) The key? What key?

AEROPE: The key that opened the oaken chest.

The key that gave you the Golden Ram.

The key was every way involved in what we did.

Before I left the Dolphin Palace

My mother said to me "Aerope, we must speak.

To Plisthenes you are married . But the father, Atreus

Will be your great concern, for he is king.

The oracle decrees that Atreus will speak

And say, "I need an oaken chest."

And you will answer, "It is here, my Lord."

And show him thus." And here she showed me,

In an alcove hung with stiff embroidered

Crimson veils, the oaken chest.

From out a jeweled box she took a key.

"This key reveals your wedding right.

This key unlocks this chest. From today

This key is yours. No power in the universe

Can take it from you. You cannot loose it.

It will stick to you. Beware the power that it gives you.

Act with honor, for the future of your choices

You cannot foresee. More, I do not know

Or knowing, cannot speak. Now go."

And so it came to pass that Atreus

Bearing on his back the stolen, strangled

Ram, came storming in demanding that I

Find an oaken chest. "It is here,

My Lord." I said and showed him thus.

Breathing heavily from his effort, he stuffed

The Ram into the chest and slammed it shut.

"Give me the key." He shouted. I tried

But nothing would avail. When he inserted it

The key went soft and, bending, would not

Turn the lock. But I had but to touch it

And the chest sprang open. Oh, the rage

He fell to then. For years he needed me.

I opened up the chest, fetched Wool and Blood.

I waited on his tantrums daily. But then

As suddenly as he had stormed, he stopped. Nothing.

The silence was deafening. I became aware

He had a way of opening up the chest

Himself. I noticed too he had it moved.

Secretly. Erratically. The key would know.

It would itch and swell and burn. I'd hold it

In my hand and, without knowing how, I'd find myself

In some remote, unfurnished wing I'd never seen.

Walking trance-like down dark passageways,

I'd come upon a fast-locked door, which,

With one touch, would spring open to reveal,

As though a sleeping, searched-for, family

Dog, the oaken chest.

THYESTES: Oh really?

It was then in dark passageways I waited?

When I would see you, as I often did,

Drop whatever you were doing, turn

And trance-like walk from wing to wing,

It was a signal I should follow. Now you’re saying

What? You didn’t know what you were doing?

AEROPE: It wasn't me. It was the key. The key

Was with me when you slid your feather fingers

Down my back. It seemed to whisper

"This is what your mother meant, Aerope.

You have the right to choose. Sovereignty

Is yours to give. So ponder. Is this man

The kingly man?"

THYESTES: Oh come off it.

You wanted me.

AEROPE: I was mad for you, but not

The key. The key would have me wait,

At last that night I saw your gaze intent,

Not on your desires, but on the realm,

The whole of life, the future. I believed you.

THYESTES: This is too much, Aerope. It wasn't

Flying open locks or magic keys

That swelled and heated in your hand when in a trance

At twenty-one you wandered in the dark,

But this, the key between my thighs

That opened up the chest and flew you

To a better life and freed the world.

AEROPE: To be the king you must have the Ram.

To have the Ram you must open the chest.

To open the chest you must have the key.

To have the key you must come to me.

To come to me you must be the king.

THYESTES: How can you believe such nonsense? I hated

Atreus. Everybody did. He was a tyrant.

I could have smashed the chest and seized the Ram

And made myself king..

AEROPE: The chest is magic.

It cannot be smashed.

THYESTES: There’s no such thing

As a magic chest or a magic key or a magic anything.

AEROPE: I could take the Golden Ram myself.

I could go down there right now and reclaim it.

I could wear rubies and make myself queen,

A dragon queen who hoards the Golden Wool,

And men must seek my hand or die.

THYESTES: You threaten me? You’d throw me from the throne

Because.... I slip up now and then?

AEROPE: Slip up? You mean like a spelling mistake,

Or a parking ticket, you went off your diet

Just this once. I promoted you, Mister.

You were a second son. Do you understand

How low you stood? I have said nothing

As you have flitted from bed to bed,

Though it has pained me it hasn't threatened my position.

Now your follies make my wisdom, my inspired choice,

A crime. I become simply the adulteress.

My past, which sparkles like a monument,

A touchstone for the righteous, for the just, becomes...

THYESTES: Aerope! There are things I have never told you.

AEROPE: What things? Things that make you need more children?

THYESTES: You say I am a younger son. I am.

But only by eleven hours.

AEROPE: Twins!

THYESTES: Yes twins. Atreus came screaming forth

A bulldog babe. When I appeared half dead

The midwife says that tiny bruises, handprints

On my neck attested to a murderous intent.

He would kill me to ensure he was the firstborn.

I grabbed for nurse, a starveling for affection.

So Fate had stamped us in the womb. Two men

One murderous, one amorous began their lives.

AEROPE: (ironic) What a shocker. That explains everything.

THYESTES: Wait. How can I explain? Before you came

The Golden Ram could not be tamed.

It came and went. Atreus could not be crowned.

The day you stepped off the gliding ship

The Ram came meekly to the palace fields.

I realized then that Plisthenes had never been a

Son of Atreus. He had suddenly appeared.

"Raised in the mountains by a she-goat.", Atreus said.

Lies! He knew that we needed an alliance

With the Dolphin Palace. He hired a handsome

Goatherd skilled at the bull dancing, for rumor had it

That Aerope, the great king's daughter, had eyes only

For the most beautiful of men.

AEROPE: Oh, so now I'm the slut.

Typical. I had Plissy's children.

THYESTES: Were relations between you and Plisthenes

Perfectly normal?

AEROPE: Normal? Of course.

I mean "normal" is a wide word. But yes.

THYESTES: Did the soldier stand erect, salute,

And march into the seabird's cave?

AEROPE: Of course!

I mean the soldier stood erect... but he wanted to

Play outside at the entrance to the seabird's cave.

It was wonderful. It went on for weeks. But finally

I whispered, "Maybe you should go inside the cave

To find the priceless pearl." But, well..

THYESTES: Did he or did he not march

Into the seabird's cave? Tell me!

AEROPE: He said he had a problem.

THYESTES: What problem?

AEROPE: You're so arrogant. The guy was raised by a she-goat.

I mean, there's got to be some sort of problem with that.

THESTES: What she-goat? There was no she-goat!

AEROPE: There certainly was. I met her. In fact,

I had a long talk with her.

THYESTES: You met her! Where?

AEROPE: At the ceremony. Ah! (gasps)

THYESTES: What ceremony? Answer me.

AEROPE: I took a vow of silence.

THYESTES: As king and husband

And spiritual leader of this nation I release you

From this vow.

AEROPE: Well. The only way he could do it, he said,

Was to perform this special ceremony handed down

By the goats. We had to drink a delicious

Spiced wine and there was cheese and incense

And of course the long talk with the she-goat.

I would always fall asleep during that, goats are

Terribly boring. I'd wake up the next day

Feeling great. Although I was always a bit banged up.

Must have been some sort of goatish frenzy.

Anyway, we had two sons and we would have had

More if poor Plisthenes hadn't died.

THYESTES: He didn't die. He was murdered. Atreus killed him.

And Atreus is the father of those children.

AEROPE: (long pause) I know that.

I'm teasing you. Although, that is how it happened

Except I was able to save Plissy. I had him smuggled out

Before my confinement. My spies supplied a body

From the morgue. Atreus never guessed.

I will always stay a step ahead of him.

THYESTES: You mean Plisthenes still lives? You have three husbands

Running around? Have you seen him? Is he..

AEROPE: Every year I make a pilgrimage to the Mountain Shrine.

Sometimes we have lunch.

THYESTES: You've been cheating on me!

AEROPE: Cheating on you! I wouldn't touch that with a Thracian

Spear. And you still haven't answered my question. Why

Do you need a child with Calista?

THYESTES: Because

We have powers, my brother and I. When I desire anyone

I always succeed in seducing them. When Atreus

Desires to kill someone, he always kills them.

He wants to kill you. How long will you stay

A step ahead? I will protect you

But I fear in my heart that your days are numbered.

Aerope, I need more children who may someday

Take me in if fleeing, lost,

Alone I stumble to their door. Will you do as I ask?

Hide Calista away, make sure the baby is safe?

AEROPE: Yes. Twins. I see them now, his handprints here. (touches his neck)

Oh Thyestes, hold me, for I am filled with fear.

Thyestes and Aerope get into bed. Cliopea rocks the babies.

CLIOPEA: The babes are sleeping. So too our leaders.

The realm is sound. The King is good.

Justice has unfolded under his regime

Like summer wheat. Sleep long and deep

That swore the public trust to keep.

That grip the stern instruction of the God

In steady hands and steer the tribes

In fruitful paths. Oh good and wise,

Don’t dream of conflict, though the cause

Arise, but greet the sun each day,

The darling child of heaven. We’ll

Awaken all together, laugh and

Stretch to touch the healing rays.

Silent Action scene - Lights go down on the bedroom and up on the golden ram. The Secret Servicemen enter. They bring in a chest. They pull the ram down, stuff it into the chest and lock it. Atreus enters. He tries to open the chest. He mimes cursing the Servicemen, then rushes them out. The lights go down and come up in the bedroom again. Thyestes jumps out of bed.

THYESTES: Oh. Oh.. Oh. . My chest.

I’m struck. My wind is knocked. My head...

I see a figure falling slowly.

He falls and falls through velvet air

I want to stop him, reach for him, but lo,

My hands are frozen elsewhere. Floating

Far above, I see the figure

Fall, his foolish face a portrait of a

Hollow pride, now shattered. Nothing

Holds him up.

AEROPE; He's got the Ram!

But how?..

Staevinus enters.

STAEVINUS: Wake up! Prepare to flee!

Oh blood that should have soaked the Earth,

Oh wealth that stains the hearts of men,

The Ram is took. The army never come.

You both must flee. Take up your sons

And go. A speedy transport waits below.

The Northern Woods, the forest dark

The exile of tradition is your only safety.

If you are gone he won’t pursue. If you are caught

He’ll have excuse to jail you while the trial’s prepared.

Fear that above all else. Come now.

Begone! No this way. That way’s blocked.

They’re coming. Quick!

Thyestes and Aerope exit. Cliopea follows them with the babies. Atreus enters with the Secret Servicemen. Staevinus hides.

ATREUS: Wake up my swinish

Brother. Unstick you from that whore, my wife.

Escaped? I want them. After them. What’s wrong?

You stand and stare.

SERVICEMEN: We’ve talked it over Lord

And settled on a plan to ratify your power.

We think a peaceful seeming transfer

Serves you better than a bloody coup.

We like your plan of savage struggle,

We like the new rules for women. They deserve it.

But we will administrate, hide and soften

Your unruly whims. We’ve called the people.

To assemble in the courtyard. You will read this to them.

It says; "I banish Thyestes for the crime of theft

And Aerope for the crime of adultery, to the dark forest..."

ATREUS: What? She fornicated with my brother. If a woman

Is adulterous we stone her to death. If she sins

With her husband's younger brother, it becomes

A crime of larger scale. If she helps this brother

Steal the throne, the scale of crime

Doubles, triples, so that designing a punishment

Becomes a matter of state. I hear

She goes about uttering high-minded nonsense

About having the right to confer the crown

And the Ram. She thinks she is saving the city,

The world. This is perhaps her worst crime.

A simple exile is too soft a punishment...

SERVICEMEN: Yes, yes. Whatever. Listen up.

ATREUS: I decree..

SERVICEMEN: You'll decree what we tell you

To decree.

Enter Cliopea.

ATREUS: Here comes that cow, Cliopea.

CLIOPEA: Lord Atreus. Hail. King and Master,

Ruler, Majesty. In honor of your return

I take myself and a small cadre

Of devout women and girls from the court

To swear strict vows and serve

For all our days the God at his abode,

The Temple by the Sea. We leave at once.

We will fast and pray for your success.

We will slaughter lambs and pour precious

Oils and wine into the thirsty Earth.

We will send up burnt offerings to the God.

He will hear us. He will shower you with blessings.

He awaits us. Time to go. What’s this?

Enter Agamemnon with the body of Polypanthus. Staevinus rushes from his hiding place.

AGAMEMNON: Oh cruel father. You have sent

Against me seven men, fierce

In bronze-forged armor. They held me back,

Then struck my friend a thousand cruel blows.

They violated him, and played at soldier’s

Tortures until at last he died.

You planned this. You ordained it so.

ATREUS: Never kill a bird when two will just as

Neatly fall with one swift arrow.

STAEVINUS: But what is this? My son! Oh Polypanthus.

You never reached your uncle. Never

Passed the word that would have saved

The king. You leave me nothing doubled.

Your beauty crushed, my country lost.

Oh mouth, torn wide in silent scream

That, though I heard it not, will never

Cease to dream of. Don’t leave me!

ATREUS: Seize him. Traitorous dog. You’ll not dream

Long my busy friend. Was no doubt

You who warned Thyestes. To jail...

SERVICEMEN: Ah no. It seems, my Lord Staevinus

Has decided also to take vows. Yes.

Generously, he has agreed to escort

The ladies safely to The Temple by the Sea.

We think it best to let them go.

CLIOPEA: Yes. That’s right. Staevinus come.

We must be off ‘ere break of day.

We’ll take this body with us, shall we? Come away.

Cliopea exits with Staevinus, Agamemnon and the body of Polypanthus.

SERVICEMEN: We leave you Sire to prepare.

We will not be put off. Beware.

Exit Servicemen, Atreus. Scene change – The reception room of the palace with the Ram in the chest. Atreus enters.

ATREUS: "We'll tell you."

"We've decided." They’ve thought of everything.

They're going to administrate me! Atreus.

Look at this! They've even packed away the Ram.

They think I chose the crime of strangling the Ram?

They think I cheated, I betrayed divine commandments?

What? I learned the rules. I heard

From nurse’s lips the stern instructions.

That I, the destined King, should not have mastered

Every detail of tradition could not possibly

Have happened. I was brilliant, earnest, perfect.

I knew the prayers, the texts, the comments, the rituals.

I strode into the royal field

To cut the golden throat, to pour

The blood into the earth. I knew

My role. Or thought I did. The knife,

The golden sickle, in my right

I gripped. I grabbed the horns and bared

The throat. He seemed compliant, helpful

Ready to submit to death, a noble,

Tragic beast. And then.. oh then

He turned to me and seemed to smile

And spoke: “Atreus! Son of Pelops!

A secret teaching just for you

The royal heir, the destined king

Exactly on this day alone

Upon this field I now bespeak.

You have a choice. You cut my throat

And pour my blood into the earth

And place my fleece upon the life-tree

Golden Wool for all Mankind

Blood to honor the Goddess Earth.

Or - you strangle me. No blood you spill

But lock me in an oaken chest

And I will grant you power in extreme

Degree. This other way, unknown

To you until today, must be your

Choice only if you are worthy.

If you, young Atreus, are worthy

Then all mankind for all of time

Will benefit in ways that can’t be matched.

But.. if you are not, a curse

Of terrible dimension will descend

Upon your family, and the future of the world

Will be dismayed in ways that can’t

Begin to be described. You choose.

My wool, when shared by all, will benefit

By just the faintest shadow less

Than if you take it for yourself and

You are worthy. You must be worthy.

If perchance my fleece should fall into

Another’s hands, although he’ll take the Wool,

My Blood will never flow for him

For you were born the first, as well

You know. Quick! Decide! Atreus!

The choice is yours. I have bespoke.”

He bowed his head and waited. I dropped the sickle.

No thought or feeling stopped me. I gripped the

Throat and choked the beast. He fell.

I heaved him on my shoulders, strode

Unseeing to the palace, locked

The door and roared at heaven to

Endorse me. Oh those early days.

At first I grabbed the golden wool -

So lustrous, so amazing, so abundant.

I dreamed of being just and kind.

I painted scenes of mercy, pictured

Cities sane and ordered. But then,

But then, one day, I drank the blood.

At first I needed Aerope, my wife

To come and open up the chest. She had the key.

That was a problem. That key. There's always

A catch, a clause you didn't see. But I

Outwitted her. I studied to contact

The Ram. I learned to clap my hands just so.

The oaken chest would open thus

Without the key. I hope I haven't

Lost the knack. Aerope has got away.

I'd hate to have to drag her back.

I'd clap four times, the chest would open.

The ram would lift his neck and offer up

A single ruby drop of blood.

With every drop the hope of being

Worthy softened, waned. That I were

Evil, good, productive, cruel,

Instructive, mean, a blessing or a curse

For all mankind, became an itch,

A slight annoyance, nothing more.

Alas, it softened too my guard.

I dimly knew Aerope could turn against me.

Now and then I'd move The Ram to safety

But she always found it. How, I'll never know.

I also knew Thyestes prowled about. Somehow

I never put the two together. Two

Is such a hateful number. But there was more.

Oh, what you never told me, Golden Ram,

Was that agony awaits the moment that you cease

To drink your blood. I shook with pain

Delirious, insane for two whole months.

In time, the pain subsided and with it

Also all uncertainty. I knew

At last the truth. I am unworthy.

Gloriously, magnificently, eternally unworthy.

And now it seems dear Ram, though dead

You've brokered me, against all protocol

And precedence, a break, a second chance.

Of course I ought to place your fleece

Upon the tree - eternal Golden

Wool for all mankind, pour out

The Blood at last to feed the Goddess

Earth. And I could do it too,

If, being worthy, which I’m not, I never

Sucked another drop of blood.

But that can never be. For he

Who’s worthy is not me. I hurl him

From this throne. I’ll keep it now.

No queen or female thing can wrench it

From me. Now Ram, I'll tell you what.

I'll let these men administer my rule.

I'll share the blood with some few trusted

Families and listen to advice. I'll form a

Council so that maybe all together

We will make a plural worthiness

To rule the state. Is that a plan?

Will you let your old friend Atreus,

The destined king, the heir, have access

To you now? Please. I'll be good.

You'll see. I'll study goodness. Give me

Just ten years. Thyestes and that fiend

Aerope will then return and she can

Take you back if I've been bad.

I promise. Here I go. I'm clapping.

Atreus claps his hands four times. After some hesitation the lid of the chest opens magically. The Golden Ram s rises, pricks his wrist and drops some blood into a silver chalice. He hands the chalice to Atreus who drinks. Atreus seems to grow taller. The sound of the crowd awaiting him is heard. He exits to the balcony

Curtain

ACT TWO

A city street. The Chorus of the Homeless come in.

HOMELESS: The rain will come, and cold. How

Could we have entrusted Atreus with anything?

Let alone our homes, our old age -

Sick, helpless, weak, the stiff

Joints, pains from all directions.

No more will legs and fingers fly

To weave or plow, to lift or hunt,

To run or trudge for miles. The eyes

No longer catch details of importance.

We can’t be working now. Now

We should be listened to, respected, cared-for.

But who would listen to us? Wisdom

Slipped through our fingers. We threw it away.

Not one day, one hour, passes,

That we don’t replay the day Thyestes

Fled. Atreus struck so fast.

Our homes, our property taken. Turned out

Into the streets we huddled. Waiting.

Then came the combats - man against man.

Blood flowed like a river through the lovely

Marble streets Thyestes had built.

The stains are still there. Go look! Horrible

Horrible! But we had all supported

The idea. Each one of us had secretly

Been sure that he would win. He felt

His arm and flexed the bulging muscle

With a glance, cold as a fish, to his neighbor

Thinking "It is I who have what it takes.

Now, finally, I can smash the faces

And cut the throats of those bastards who laughed at me

Last year when my pig was run over.

Now I won't have to endure their insults

And petty slights at work. They'll have to

Work for me and then they'll find out

What an insult is. You can be sure of that!

And no more scolding from the wife.

She'll have to hide upstairs and wait for me

To decide on her punishment, while I cavort

With the slave girls! There's not a man for miles

Who can stand up to me." But there was. It turned out.

We had been tricked into thinking such thoughts

Only to find there were levels of violence

Contained in the state we didn’t even know how

To imagine. How could we have been so foolish? We lived

Like kings and didn't know it. But look – there.

The garbage! People come running. Be quick!

Hurry! Maybe something’s there

To eat! Maybe someone’s heard

A word of poor Thyestes. What?

You didn’t know? You didn’t count?

The ten years are up today. Yes!

He should be back. But is he alive?

We hear such rumors. No one knows.

Look, the master scavengers approach.

Enter Anaxacractus and Monaphibia, now in rags, they seem to hide something they found in the garbage.

ANAX: Sh! Don’t tell them. Greetings friends

The times are hard and few of you

Could ever grasp the pain of losing

All we’ve lost. A drafty mansion

Think of it! A fortune gone and

All we did for Atreus. Ingrate!

My wife will tell you.

MONAPHIBIA: Oh! Nothing!

We have nothing. Not one single

Thing is ours. We lectured, lobbied,

Gave expensive dinner parties.

Just for Atreus. Look at our reward.

No home, no food, no place to wash.

Unspeakable. Our only choice was work.

We worked, but for that beast Lysurgicus.

HOMELESS: Oh him. We heard he was rich, and powerful too.

After all his speeches on sharing every apple!

It doesn't take long for some people to decide

That sharing a single lentil with a friend

Will diminish their fortune by a ruinous amount.

ANAX: Indeed. He hired us to wait upon his table

But soon we saw he wanted us to teach him

How to be rich. He didn't know what to do.

MONAPHIBIA: Oh! We were certainly the best teachers

Anyone could hope for. Who but us

Could show him to shop all day, to send things back,

To find fault, to sniff out the telltale signs

Of haste, of inattention, to carp, withdraw support,

To sneer at the cheap imitations of the ambitious?

He should have been overcome with gratitude

And settled us in a little cottage by the lake. But no!

As soon as he had sucked us dry like melons

Out into the street he threw us. With nothing!

ANAX: His place was up near the forest where Thyestes

Has been held prisoner for so long. Far away.

We had to come back on foot. An impossible trip.

HOMELESS: But this is wonderful. You must have news.

How goes Thyestes? Today's the day

We call for Atreus to retire and put Thyestes

Back on the throne. Long live... (they are interrupted)

MONAPHIBIA: Thyestes?

Oh him. He’s dead. Dead as wood.

I saw his board-stiff corpse come bobbing

Down the river, bumping, rolling,

Like a cedar log. That bridge

Is burned. Not much is what we can expect

From him. I’m pretty sure he’s dead.

HOMELESS: You saw him dead? You’re pretty sure?

Which is it? Such reports we’ve heard

For months, not one from a source we can count on.

The time has come. The hour is upon us.

We must act. The people are united

Wanting a restoration, wanting Atreus

To step down. But look! Someone approaches.

High priestess Cliopea and her maidens.

Come far they have, from the Temple by the Sea.

They bring food, wine! Let us hasten

To witness and listen to the strong-spoken words

Of the God-speaker, the venerable priestess.

Scene change - A central square. Cliopea enters.

CLIOPEA: Blessed be. Nakuru arapenthis,

Imre sagcramealo tumi tumi no

Farnello. Magnarchi tuketis pi fumi

Lafargistratum. Surrender to the God.

My people strong-suffering in doom-shadow dwelling,

Your cries have reached the God. He turns

His face to you. The story of your plight

Has reached him. He knows. Prosperity few

Have tasted. Bitter the many shut out

From comfort. We have prayed for you daily. Secretly

We have worked to ensure Thyestes and Aerope

Will come safely home today to claim their

Rightful places in the capital. Know

The laws. This is a stern command.

The law requires that exiles in the forest

Cannot be fed or served or healed

Or spoken to or helped in any way. When their time is up

They must set out on foot with no horses, no goats.

They must travel the many miles through mountain rock

And baking dessert alone, unaided,

This journey is very dangerous. They cannot

Leave the road. They must find food.

Even water they must find or carry.

The miles are lined with soldiers. Atreus

Hews close to the letter of the law. Our monks

Labored to divert fresh streams onto the road,

To leave fresh game and fruits and bread.

But many were shot. It’s been a war, in fact

To get them back. But the God was watching

Always. He sent thick fog to hide our monks,

Rain for fresh water, animals who stopped

And gave themselves as food right in the road.

The Sun, too, has taken special care.

He delayed his rising when they needed to sleep.

You know how he is. It’s been a miracle each day.

Surrender to the God. But look! I see them.

They make their way to Atreus’ palace.

He greets them on the porch. They kiss the hem of his robe.

He performs the ritual ablution. They are cleansed

Of crime. My friend Staevinus guides

Them now. They come. Prepare the feast.

HOMELESS: Hail Thyestes! Thyestes for king!

Down with Atreus. Death to the tyrant!

Enter Staevinus, Thyestes, Aerope, Pelops and Plianthus,Calista. A feast is served.

PELOPS: Father look! Food! Wine!

What is this? And this? I can’t

Believe this stuff.

AEROPE: This is bread.

The staff of life.

THYESTES: Yes, it was hard.

Especially at first. We almost starved. But then

These little varmints learned to kill.

They had us roasting pheasant and boar..

AEROPE: I haven’t tasted

Wine.. so long.. it’s good.

PLIANTHUS: Remember Dad

The beaver? Tell them about the beaver.

PELOPS: I jumped from the tree. I landed on his house.

AEROPE: His lodge. Beavers live in lodges. Boys

You must calm down. Eat slowly. You are princes

On display before your people. Remember! Tomorrow

Is too late to forge a reputation.

THYESTES: Eat. And don’t let them tell tales about miracles

On the long walk here. A half dead hare

Collapsed..

BOYS: A rat! It was a rat! Dad!

A scurvy, mangy rat...

AEROPE: Boys!

THYESTES: Whatever it was we couldn’t eat it.

Some miracle. These lamb chops are a miracle.

I'll have another. Pass the lamb chops Pelops..

Calista screams and lurches at the table, dashing Thyestes’ plate to the ground.

CALISTA: Flying Destiny yet will wait.

The deed will come but Curse not Fate.

Let no morsel pass his lips

Until upon the throne he sits.

THYESTES: But what...? This is.. Calista. We know her well.

STAEVINUS: Behold. The God has spoken. She

The black-lipped sibyl. Soon after our arrival

At the temple, the old pythia died

And the God made clear at once his choice.

She fell into a trance, her lips turned black.

Never, ever has she been wrong. Recall her words.

She said...

CLIOPEA: She said "no morsel must

Thyestes eat until he sits upon the throne."

How could that be? It could take months.

Or was it ‘mortal press his lips?’

That could make sense, given his history.

STAEVINUS: No...no! She said ‘morsel’.

AEROPE: There was something else, a curse? A deed?

Fated or not? I tremble to think

What this implies. Something I know..

I remember hearing my mother mutter

Years ago..

CLIOPEA: No....no! I think

Her words meant not to curse Fate.

Such a common mistake ..

STAEVINUS: I beg

To differ, your holiness. No. She clearly

Spoke of a "Curse" that was not yet "Fate"

Meaning, not yet sure to happen..

CLIOPEA: No...no! She definitely said

"Curse not fate" which is simply

"Not curse fate" reversed

The "Do" of "Do not curse" implied.

AEROPE: No..no! I feel the true meaning

Pull at me.. A Curse!

THYESTES: Enough of this!

No miracles. No oracles, prophecies or omens

Have a place in power’s hallowed

Precinct. A king must follow facts

And lives and wars and solid enterprise.

HOMELESS: Thyestes for king! Death to the tyrant.

CLIOPEA: Come. We are requested to attend upon the king.

He says your house has not been quite prepared

And begs to have us in his palace for the week.

Scene change - The Throne Room of Atreus. Upstage, right of center, is a opening to a chapel.. Atreus enters.

ATREUS: I’ve had ten years to think of something but

I’ve thought of nothing. My mind is blank!

I always thought the answer would come.

My brain would offer up the blueprints

To a perfect crime – simple, elegant.

Simplicity and elegance, it seems, are harder

To achieve than one would ever have imagined.

I've thought for days but brains that should have worked

For years find merely days a shortchange.

Of course, I never dreamed they'd make it back

Alive. I saw them clearly, starving.

They cry in pain, entreat, implore.

At last unable to endure, they drop

Under the baking sun and gasp

Their anguished last. I willed it so.

But no. They're back in squirrel-skin caps

And shoes of bark. They lean on gnarled

Chestnut sticks while round them frisk

Their dogs and boys with sun-burned faces

Proud as any princes at a village festival.

How? And now, I have to bless and kiss

And pay for dinners and further find myself caught short

With nothing planned at this eleventh hour.

From offstage the Homeless cry out. Lysurgicus, now decked with gold, comes in.

HOMELESS Thyestes for king! Long live

Thyestes. Death to Atreus the tyrant.

ATREUS: Now what? Lysurgicus! Go shut them up. Look to it.

LYSURGICUS: That wouldn't be wise, Highness. You must address them.

ATREUS: Don't tell me what I must do. I'll have you....

LYSURGICUS: You'll have nothing at all if you don't think fast.

You're the king. You were supposed to take care of this.

I've had plenty of ideas. Every day

I think of a brilliant new solution to this game.

I've sent you letters, begged for audience.

But no. You won't accept my help.

ATREUS: You call that help? You worse than useless slob.

Every day you think of a new way to torture them

A slow death, a fast death, a secret death. I can't

Kill him. If I do I lose everything.

You can't see that because you are not an aristocrat.

I was trained from birth to know the rules of power.

Do I not command the Golden Ram? Every day

He opens up to me and gives us Blood and Wool.

Does it not please you to receive these gifts?

Do you think you could so easily step into my place?

LYSURGICUS: I've grown accustomed to the Blood, Sire. I was meant..

ATREUS: You were meant to serve me and you'd better get busy.

Couldn't we start a war? Wars are very distracting.

LYSURGICUS: We could have had a perfect one with the Dorians last year

But no, no. You had to impede Thyestes.

ATREUS: That was Plan A. So it failed. We move on

To Plan B.

LYSURGICUS: Which is? (waits) Why don't you just

Step down? Retire. Go to Egypt. See the Pyramids.

ATREUS: What? What about my rich friends? Like you!

Thyestes would execute you. I couldn't possibly

Let you down so.

LYSURGICUS: He probably wouldn't.

He's stupid enough to be merciful.

ATREUS: Not any more. The exile

Has hardened him. I saw it in his face, his manner.

HOMELESS Thyestes for king! Long live

Thyestes. Death to Atreus the tyrant.

ATREUS: But you have given me an idea. I'll say

I'm stepping down. Come. Watch.

Atreus addresses the crowd.

Oh my people, I hear your cries.

I share your pain. I'm so sorry you're homeless.

But what could I do about the Law of Supply

And Demand? It was out of my hands. However,

I know you desire a kinder, gentler

King. So I will step down and let my brother,

Thyestes rule. It will take some time though.

Please be patient. Go back to your homes.

I mean your street corners or little caves.

I misspoke. I didn't mean to say "homes" I just meant

Somewhere that isn't screaming under my window.

I can't hear myself think! Go on then. Move on.

Move on. (aside) That's what they say to the homeless. Move on.

LYSURGICUS: Now what?

ATREUS: What what? Don't rush me.

I’ll get this black-lipped sibyl, whose pronouncements

Fly with fame across the land to intone a clue.

Here they come. Do you think they heard me

Announce that I would soon be stepping down?

LYSURGICUS: If they didn't, they soon will.

If they believe it..

ATREUS: So help me, Lysurgicus!

The Sun enters and the action freezes for a monent.

THE SUN: Well. That's over, thank heavens.

I was getting tired of beaming down

On rotting corpses, I can tell you.

This should go smoothly now. Thyestes

Will take up the reins once more and order

Will be restored. I'm going to take a moment

To run a few errands in another galaxy.

I'll be back to set up the dawn tomorrow.

There shouldn't be any problems, but could you sort of

Keep an eye on things 'till I get back?

You've been so kind and helpful. Thank you.

Ding Dong the Witch is dead.....

The Sun exits. Enter Thyestes, Aerope, Pelops, Plianthus, Cliopea, Calista, Staevinus.

THYESTES: Greetings brother. My wife and I accept

Your hospitality.

ATREUS: Thank you. Welcome.

I'm sorry that your house is not quite ready. We.. umm

Couldn't be sure of the timing. But you're here.

That's the main thing. And just in time.

I declare today a Happy-Celebration Feast Day

I will give a sacrificial banquet here tonight.

But in the antique style. Men only.

The women, as is the custom, will assemble

In the gallery and watch. A noble custom.

Perhaps you will remember how our father loved it.

He was Pelops too. (to the boys)

Pelops and Plianthus fall asleep on a pillow.

AEROPE: Boys! Wake up!

ATREUS: Oh leave them. They do not disturb.

They’ll wake up in an hour wild

As wolves and twice as hungry. Isn’t

That the way with boys? We’ll feed them

While you sleep. You’re rooms are ready.

Off you go.

AEROPE: (aside) Cliopea, don't let the boys

Out of your sight. Bring them to my chamber

When they wake.

CLIOPEA: Go sleep. Fear not.

I'll stay.

Thyestes and Aerope exit.

ATREUS: Now, High Priestess,

Is it? Tell me how to make this

Sibyl speak.

CLIOPEA: My lord Atreus.

Surrender to the God. Sit upon the throne.

Hold this crystal. Think the burning question.

Prepare to drink the words of the God.

ATREUS: How simple, even elegant. I must

Be on the trail of something here.

Calista goes into a trance.

CALISTA: Pay attention. See the most.

Time is not a gracious host.

What you seek is in this room.

Look no farther for your doom.

Exit Calista and Staevinus. Cliopea slips into the chapel. Enter Secret Servicemen. Anaxacractus and Monaphibia trail after them.

ATREUS: What! That’s all? Shouldn't it be "no further"?

Further.. farther? Bring them back. Make them explain.

SERVICEMEN: Oh, let them go. They’re tired from their journey.

Let’s not have a fuss today. Shall we give that a try? Why not?

ATREUS: But she said time was precious or not

Gracious. Could that mean I’m late? Late for what?

And “doom”? Who said anything about doom?

I just want to keep my job. Is that too much to ask?

I just want to stay living in my house

With my same bed and my same schedule

And my same staff. Can’t a man have some

Security these days? Is that a huge

Problem? How can you live if you’re always

Worried about whether you have a job or not?

I just want a life. Where’s the doom in that?

SERVICEMEN: I’m sure we don’t know your Highness. How could we?

You mustn't take on so. And please pay attention

We must hold court. Look at all these papers.

We have reports, and subjects seeking audience

Await...

ATREUS: Reports? Reports of what?

SERVICEMEN: Let’s see... A ship has foundered

On the western coast. Hoping for a haven

The survivors send this spacious basket

With fresh-baked bread covered in a precious cloth.

A gift to honor you.

ATREUS: Enslave them in the mines.

But give me that basket. What a pretty basket!

And look how wide it is. One never sees that.

Throw out this bread. I wonder what I could put in it?

SERVICEMEN: A scout from far into the highlands has startling news.

A group of goats has fallen to a madness.

Mad goat disease, they call it.

It seems the ranchers, poor and lazy,

Fed the goats on goat. Disguised

In some foul mash they put the parts

And flesh of dead goat. Cannibals

The goats became.

ATREUS: Kill them all. The goats

The ranchers, all the townsfolk, anybody you can think of. Kill them.

SERVICEMEN: That will not be necessary. The humans

Have contracted through ingestion, the goat madness

And have died in agony unsightly. (aside) Before.

Before our people discovered how to plant

The wheat from the seed, when the game ran out

They sometimes ate each other. Then this madness

Arose. Now we know. Our laws forbid

The eating of human flesh. Banishment

Is the price the evil cannibal must pay.

ATREUS: (aside) Disgusting. What a thought. Get Thyestes to eat ..

But who?

SERVICEMEN: Now, some old courtiers to see you.

ATREUS: And who is this? Anaxacractus and his lovely wife

Monaphibia. So long I haven’t seen you. How

Are you?

MONA: Not so well, my lord..

ANAX: Hush wife! My Lord, we bring

A secret document we found discarded in the garbage.

It tells of a conspiracy and names the leaders.

Now, for a modest price, we are prepared....

ATREUS: Leave us! All of you. I would speak alone

With my old friends. (aside) A bold idea

Has popped into my head. Somehow these two...

The cannibals, the basket, the feast. She’s right.

What I needed was right here. Except..

SERVICEMEN: We'll wake these sleeping boys I guess and

Take them to their rooms.

ATREUS: Please do.

I detest children. They're always so .... adorable.

On second thought. Leave them. I wouldn't dream of

Disturbing them. Poor little dears. All

Tuckered out. Get out. You heard me!

Wait for my instructions by the stair. Go!

Exit Chorus of Secret Servicemen.

Now Anaxacractus, Monaphibia

How would you like to have your house

Restored to you, refurbished and refurnished

With, say, couches and tables carved

Of solid gold.. twenty thousand slaves,

A swimming pool?

MONA: Oh yes, my lord.

And right away I’ll tell you what I want.

The drapes must be of finest silk

Embroidered like this with a silver vine.

The males slaves gorgeous, but the females

Ugly. Don’t throw fresh meat

At hungry dogs. A seaside villa,

A lodge...

ANAX: Silence woman! What my lord

Could ever bring such happiness to light

Upon our sorry lots?

ATREUS: A simple

Favor, somewhat grim perhaps,

But nothing too unpleasant. Break

Some eggs to make... you know. Just kill

These sleeping children with this knife.

Behead them. Cook their bodies in a

Stew in the presribed ritual fashion -

The choice cuts roasted and the rest

Boiled in a bronze kettle hung from a tripod.

Save the heads and feet. Nestle them

In this lovely basket, just so. Isn’t it pretty?

And just the perfect size. And look at this precious cloth.

What workmanship! Really, I owe this basket a debt.

Bring me this basket within the hour

Charged with its culinary cargo

And your house will be restored. If you should

Fail, I can’t be sure you’ll leave this

Room alive.

Atreus exits

ANAX: So much for your idea!

We’d better leave. It just so happens

That I used to know a secret door.

It was over here behind this urn...

MONAPHIBIA: Be still old man. Have you gone mad?

A simple thing like this? It takes a month

Or two to stop a twinge of guilt.

No more. I will not let you ruin

Our lives again. He smelled your weakness

Years ago. A stew indeed. Our luck

Has turned. He needs us now. Think!

He cannot do this deed himself

Without pollution, which in us he can excuse,

But would render him unfit to rule.

And so the throne would pass to Agamemnon

Who can’t be so easily disposed of. No

Our old friend Atreus is up against the wall.

He can’t delay. You heard the Sibyl.

Time is short. The God has not decided.

The move is his to make tonight

Or all the forces will converge to sweep

Thyestes and Aerope back on the throne.

They never loved us. We’ll be forced

To get in line for Golden Wool.

To take our share. Share! I don't

Want to share anything with anybody ever.

Give me that knife. I'll do it.

ANAX: But think

What you would do. These princes are of

Royal blood that stretches back

Ten thousand years. Our race,

Our people, long believe the God imbues them

With a sacred power. Spill their blood

And you will not recover. Even in death

You will find no relief. You'll wander in Hell

A hungry ghost, eternally greedy,

A yawning never-sated mouth.

MONAPHIBIA: What childrens' fables twist

Your puny brain into a knot? Look at me.

I’ve never offered up a single prayer

To their musty old God and look how luck

Has smiled on me. Henceforth Fortune

Is the only Goddess I adore.

If the little mouse prefers to cower in the corner

While Mama carves these puppies up,

So be it. Hmmm... A stew? I have it!

That one with chicken, anchovies and wine,

Onions, garlic, a hint of thyme.

A complex blend of flavors served

With slivered nuts on toasted millet.

It was, I think, my dear, your favorite.

She lunges at the sleeping children. They wake up and run screaming.

ANAXACRACTUS: They throw themselves upon the Altar of the God.

They seek asylum. We dare not touch them.

To break such an ancient taboo is unthinkable.

I'll find that secret door.

MONAPHIBIA: Silence.

This is what altars are made for. Sacrifice!

Monaphibia lunges at the children. Anaxacractus stumbles after her. A curtain falls over the opening to the chapel as we hear the terrible screams. From offstage.

MONAPHIBIA: I wish we had a saw. I can't cut through this neck.

ANAXACRACTUS: Let me. It breaks like a stick. Here hold this.

I'll get the other one.

MONAPHIBIA: Now get the foot.

No here, idiot. They have to fit in the basket.

We need a sack.

ANAXACRACTUS: Tear down that curtain.

We can use that. Don't get blood on this cloth.

They emerge from behind the curtain dragging a cloth with the bodies and carrying the basket.

MONAPHIBIA: Oh dear. Look at these scrawny

Creatures. How can I make a meal of them?

There's not one ounce of fat. Sinew

On bone. Raised in the forest on acorns.

That's it! We can't even use the cheeks

For a few ounces of baby fat. "Save the heads"

Disaster. Husband, quick. Run out

And snatch one of those nice fat rich

Children. Don't argue. Our lives depend on it.

I'll wait for you in the kitchen. Take the knife.

They exit. The Golden Ram rises up and lets out a scream. Cliopea enters.

CLIOPEA: Falling deep into a meditation I sat

On the cold stone floor of the Royal Chapel.

I heard the voices rise and fall, but far away,

My thoughts upon the God. Now atrocity

Has blackened the very face of the sun. I stagger.

I cannot breath. Oh horror. What a fool I am.

"Don't worry about a thing. Fear not."

"Some people pull the wings off butterflies."

I used to say. How bitterly I now repent

The facile fixes I once so proudly preached.

We must be ready at every moment

To flee the pitiless demons of cruelty

Who darken every doorway. I can't cry out.

They'll kill me too. I must find Aerope.

But how tell her? Her fears have all come true.

Cliopea staggers out, forcing herself not to sob.

Scene change - The tower room of the palace.

AEROPE: I hear screaming. This house was always

Full of screams. I shouldn't have slept.

But weariness so deep cannot be bargained with.

And this room! I haven't seen it for twenty years.

The ancient carvings, the royal bed.

This the only room so high, with views so clear,

No spy or soldier could approach without my knowing.

Yet, today I can’t be too aware.

Those screams like beacons on the sea remind me

There's no harbor here. Thyestes comes.

Thyestes enters.

THYESTES: Ah, this takes me back, this room.

But now the stairs take more of my wind.

AEROPE: Did you sleep?

THYESTES: Yes, but fitfully. Dreams

Of filthy streets, coffins...

AEROPE: Entering

The city through miles of shantytowns.

THYESTES: Open sewers,

The stench, the hunger.

AEROPE: I had no idea. The misery.

THYESTES: The suffering. How could I have known my failings

Would lead to this?

AEROPE: I tried to tell you.

But even I could not conceive so great

A change. Remember the marble streets

We built, the sculptured fountains, the theaters,

The public baths of such magnificance?

THYESTES: I tremble to think of it. And still we can't be sure.

Agamemnon is coming. He wants to offer us assistance.

Should we take it?

AEROPE: Yes! We need support.

The army loves him. He is strong and young.

There was something else I wanted to tell you. Something

Strange. I can’t remember. Oh. I think

Somehow Atreus drinks the Blood, the Golden

Ram’s blood. I would take him drops. I guess I thought he

Fed them to the Earth. But now I think he drank them.

He needs the Blood. He’ll stop at nothing.

You should kill him.

THYESTES: I know. But he's the killer.

I'm the lover. I’ve been thinking about the Blood too.

Where did it go? Why couldn't I drink it when I was king?

AEROPE: I don't know. I have only certain parts of the puzzle.

But you must take heed of the Sibyl's warning.

THYESTES: She said "no morsel" not "no drop".

I’m free to drink but will inform my brother

That a fast has been imposed. He’ll hate it.

But there’s nothing he can do.

Enter Agamemnon with a soldier

AGAM: Mother. Uncle.

Have you not heard the news?

AEROPE: What news?

AGAM: The king, my father, has declared he will step down.

He will cede the throne to you. Isn't it

Fantastic? I was ready to offer you backing.

I have the army. The Secret Service men are split.

Your victory would not have been clear. But now -

No need. Atreus is old. He's tired.

This move makes sense in so many ways

It gives me a kind of faith in him again.

AEROPE: And you believe him?

AGAM: Well. I guess I do.

THYESTES: Did he mention the Golden Ram?

AGAM: No.

But really, this ram business is an old

Wives' tale. Let him keep the silly ram

If he wants.

AEROPE: He will never give it up.

He doesn't need me any more. I've lost

My power over the beast, over the key. But you

My son, my firstborn, please listen to me.

Do you remember your friend Polypanthus

So brutally murdered?

AGAM: Every day.

But I can see now how my father had to do

What he did.

AEROPE: He could have jailed the boy

For a night. Same outcome. You must beware.

Atreus has no intention of stepping down.

THYESTES: Without the ram I cannot be king.

AGAM: He will never give it up. Never. Never.

But you should have more confidence. You don't need

Some smelly old ram to give you permission. Just rule.

THYESTES: I was like you once. I laughed at the emptiness

Of tradition. But now I know more. Much more.

AGAM: Very well. We proceed with my original plan.

The army camp will be the only place

Safe for you tonight. You must, of course,

Attend the banquet but we’ll never leave you side.

We’ll escort you in and out. Bring your things.

Let’s go.

AEROPE: We’ve nothing but our boys. Thyestes

Get them from your room.

THYESTES: They’re not

In my room. I thought you had them here.

AEROPE: They must be sleeping still beside

The throne.

AGAM: The throne room? No. I just

Was there. I saw no sleeping boys.

AEROPE: Oh no! (runs to window) No, no. Look! Cliopea.

She crosses the courtyard. She knows. She has taken

Care of them and comes to tell me.

AGAM: We must hurry.

AEROPE: Thyestes go with him.

Leave me your guard. I’ll get the boys

We'll follow right behind.

THYESTES: Come quickly.

If some awful thing has happened don’t be tempted

To delay.

AGAM: My guard will wait outside

The door.

AEROPE: Don’t worry. Go.

Exit Agamemnon, Thyestes. The Guard goes out through the door. He indicates that he will wait just outside.

What is

The woman doing? Slinking from shadow

To shadow - furtive backward looks.

She’s trying to hide but couldn’t be more

Obvious. What does she know? What will

She say? She glances up to me. She sees me here.

She hastens now. She comes. I hear her on the stairs.

But no... (waits) Now what? Cliopea......

Aerope crosses to the door and opens it. The bodies of the guard and Cliopea fall into the room.

AEROPE: She gestures large, as ever. She tries

To tell me what she knows, what horror

She has witnessed but the disconnected lips frame words

No sense or sound can find. Farewell

Dear prattling friend. I loved you.

I’d mourn long for you but can’t because,

You’ll understand, I’m sure, I have to

Join you right away. Yes. (crosses to the window)

Atreus approaches slowly in the twilight.

He planted his assassin in the stairway hours ago.

He saunters, stooping there to smell a rose.

He knows I will be watching. What a fool.

I will always stay a step ahead.

Those boys are dead. I heard them scream.

I know it now. I take my life with poison

Quick and deadly. Ancient lore

Insists that every palace is a tomb. I always

Carry, in this vial , enough Elixir of the Night

To end my life in case the need

Arise. Arise it has - the need to steal

From Atreus again, to steal the victim

He has longed for so. I rob him of this pleasure

Panted-after with a single sip. (she drinks) I die

Cursing the violence of men. Oh look,

How sad it would be to die at night. I’m glad

To die while looking at the fading light.

The lemon trees, the olives, hanging grapes

Above the silent pool – sky,

Lemons, olives, water, swallows,

Light. Life is built of beauty. Oh,

Please let Death be built of beauty too.

She dies as Atreus rushes into the room then speaks to his assassin outside.

ATREUS: What's this? She’s dead! But how? Who?

You killed her? No. But these two? Yes?

So this one, running up the stairs, had news?

Yes.. she said the boys were killed, to run warn

Thyestes.. she would tell Aerope. How? (finds vial)

I see now. Poison. How sad. Wait for me. (closes door)

I didn’t plan for this. What’s wrong with me?

This is happening too fast. Spark-shot

Action flies far on hurrying feet.

She was to watch my brother eat. (holds up Aerope)

With Thyestes banished, she'd have been helpless.

In a beautiful torchlight procession to the sea-cliffs

Where, hurled from high, alive, dashed to pieces

On the clanging-rocks, her death would have appeased

The Gods of Rage. Alas, I am cheated. (drops her, paces)

Aerope would have known from this woman's murder

That she knew things I wanted to hide.

It had to be bad. Her suspicions were aroused.

But she guessed only that her children were lost.

She did not guess the truth. The truth

Is too horrible for anyone to guess. Why would they?

Had she lived, at the banquet, she might have guessed.

Yes, she might have. She might have stopped him from eating.

I didn't think of that. People commit suicide

Only minutes before they could have saved the world.

This is what usually happens. Lucky for me. (laughs)

But she must appear at the dinner or Thyestes will guess.

But how? Think fast. Don’t loose the moment’s gift.

I’ll strap them sitting in chairs. (calls assassin) Help me.

Before they stiffen. Yes. Like so.

We will sculpt them thus. Draped in veils

They’ll join the dressed-up ladies in the gallery

To gossip, witness and enjoy the feast

I’ve taken so much care to host.

Spared no expense, no corner cut.

The best alone for me and mine.

Come, brother dear. It’s dinnertime!

Scene change: The Banquet Hall. Upstage right is the Ladies gallery behind a scrim. Enter Atreus and The Chorus of Rich Cronies which is divided into Ladies and Gents. Anaxacractus and Monaphibia mix anxiously with the Cronies.

ATREUS: You got that?

CRONIES: Yes. Ha. Ha. Ha.

You’re just so clever, Lord. Two board-stiff

Corpses tied to chairs. You think you’ve

Seen everything and then, surprise,

A genius move like that just knocks you

Flat.

LADIES: Yes, we’ll pretend to talk to them.

We’ll nod their heads, adjust their veils.

We’ll cluster ‘round as though we think

She’ll soon be crowned our queen.

GENTS: And we

The men, will stand about in such

A way they’ll never get a view

To catch an eye, or share a nod.

But tell us Lord the hour is late....

ATREUS: The custom with such summer dinners

Is to start at almost midnight. It's hot.

Patience.

GENTS: We know that sir but we were

Thinking that the hour to drink our drop

Of blood has come and gone and so

We’re feeling kind of low.

LADIES: Exactly.

Low is how we feel. I just don’t

Know how well we can perform

This farce.. without a little re-

Enforcement.

ATREUS: You’ll do it better sober.

You must pay attention. I would

Have you desperate until the deed

Is done. But look! They come. Act natural.

Enter Thyestes, Staevinus, Agamemnon.

STAEVINUS: I see them there. Aerope and Cliopea

Sit already in the ladies section.

I’ll slip over and have a word.

They seem composed. The surly messenger

They sent assured us that they needed

Time to get their costumes properly

Arranged. They’re draped in veils. It’s hard

To tell. How vain these women are.

You make a military plan. They nod,

Agree to follow quickly, do their part,

Then take a break of seven hours

To get dressed. You’re ready to attack. You mobilize

A legion then the messenger arrives.

Relax. Oh look! They nodded to us. I’ll just go

And have a word. Not now. He comes.

ATREUS: Greetings friends. The ancient custom

Of a state banquet calls for separate

Tables. Each man has his own domain.

His women meekly watch him eat.

There’s something to it, don’t you think?

Come. Sit. The hour grows late.

Your stomach’s growling. I can hear it.

I’ll show you to your tables. This way.

The Chorus of Gents bring the food. Thyestes does no eat.

ATREUS: You do not eat my brother. You

Refuse my hospitality?

THYESTES: I’m fasting.

Ancient custom rules that fasting

Be respected. The faster shouldn’t

Make a fuss, but also never

Should the host be angry or put out

In any way. Tradition’s very

Clear upon this issue. No

Offense intended.

ATREUS: And none taken.

(aside) Oh Atreus, you didn't think of this.

Everything has fallen into place so perfectly.

Now he's fasting. Someone told him.

But who? Oh this is too cruel. I'm so close.

Now, if he doesn't eat, the truth

Will out and I'll be banished sure.

Look, he's motioning them to take

Away his food and plate. They hesitate.

I have to think of something. (to Thyestes) Brother

How sad. I did so want to treat you to a

Special, rare and potent thrill.

Tonight, in splendor, I had hoped

To give you, not to eat, but just

A drop of liquid. A ruby drop

Of Blood taken from the Golden Ram.

Your fast can surely bend a trifle

For this fabulous initiation into something

Far beyond imagination.

Something so exquisite, something

Only I have access to.

But then, some other time perhaps.

THYESTES: (aside) I feel a pounding in my chest, a rush

Like wind or ocean in my ears. The Golden

Ram is calling me. I must partake.

(to Atreus) All right. Just the one drop. (drinks) I never knew.

I never felt like this. I see it now.

I see the wisdom of your ways. Of course

The Golden Wool should be locked up.

How could I have ever thought...? I see it.

Yes, I see it brother. You were older

Wiser all along and I was

Blind. We’ll work together now.

I see it. It’s better this way. Not

By much. But just enough to make

A difference and that difference makes

All the difference. You know what I mean?

By the God, I’m famished. A hellish hunger

Grabs me like a fiend. A tiny bite

Is all I need. (they serve him) Delicious. What a stew.

The meat is moist not dry, and succulent.

It’s chicken yes? So often overcooked.

But this is perfect. There.. Enough.

I’m back to fasting..

ATREUS: The ancient custom

Asks that every diner bless

The heads and feet of animals they eat.

They gave their lives that we could live.

This basket here, behold. The heads and feet

Of those two chickens, tender, plump,

Compliant. We seldom do this anymore

But since we’re following the ancient protocol...

The Gents bring the basket to Thyestes’ table.

THYESTES: I know. I know. I’ve seen it done

But not for many years. I stand

I pull back thus the precious cloth and (screams and knocks over the table)

What crime is this? What have you done?

My sons! My sons! Dear faces I have

Kissed. Dear eyes who’s salty tears

I’ve tasted little guessing them a

Foretaste, an aperitif,

To gorging on their tender flesh.

I am unclean. My horrifying

Body turns against me. Monster

Get away! Release me! I’ll tear, I’ll rip

My belly open, scrub out this stain

Before the stink is published to the gossiping

Earth. Wife! Have you complicity in this?

Has he convinced you to return?

Fickle, weak and spineless woman

You warned me you could change your mind.

Is this your plotted moment? Why?

The violence of women knows no curb.

No loathsome act is out of their range.

No crime repulses them. No stench can stop them.

Is this your doing evil witch?

Come - kiss the boys goodnight.

They’re crying for their mama. Bitch

Of Hell, they’re screaming for your lips!

(realizes they are dead)

What is this? I’m lost. Confused.

Dead! Stiff! Beloved wife! Forgive me

Cold and lifeless goddess, better,

Stronger far than I. (aside) But look!

I see your lips contorted. I see the blackness

Here. You took the poison. Yes

I’m sure. I know the signs. We often

Spoke of it. Elixir of the Night..

Great Queen, who made me King,

I see your triumph now. You cheated him.

You stole from him again. You stole

Your death, the panted-after prize. You said

"I'll always stay a step ahead."

Thyestes falls sobbing. The Chorus turns on Anaxacractus and Monaphibia, dragging them forward and throwing them to the floor, stopping their mouths.

LADIES: Look! This ugly woman hides

The knife I’m sure carved up the boys

I saw her sneaking earlier. I’m sure

She did it. Look she cannot hide

The blood stains.

GENTS: Look here! Her husband

Old coot. He helped her. I saw him

Dragging bodies to the kitchen. I didn’t

Want to interfere then, but now,

It all comes clear.

ATREUS: I’ve heard that savages

In huts in jungles sometimes eat

Their young to gather power for a

Battle. Thyestes must have met such

Creatures in the forest and

Became enamored of their lore.

He must have hired these assassins

To slaughter his innocent children. Some

People will do anything to get to the top.

Oh, Thyestes you disappoint me.

And look. These two have killed your wife

And her old friend into the bargain.

They were probably just protecting the children

When these fawning fiends attacked.

How sad. How sickening. How pathetic.

Cut their throats at once to stop them

Speaking some ungodly spell that might

Let loose the demons who control them

Who would foul our garments with their

Pussy, putrid, slime-dripped fangs.

The Chorus falls on Anaxacractus and Monaphibia and slit their throats.

GENTS: Well! That takes care of that.

ATREUS: Now you Thyestes, your

Comeuppance we will not delay.

Criminal. Begone from here. You have

Contaminated yourself. Careless, sloppy,

Stupid, disgusting, filthy dog

Who eats his own children. What?

You couldn’t get enough to eat?

Glutton. Pig. Insect. Rodent.

The ancient law is clear on cannibals!

I banish you forever from this state.

Be gone by sunrise or be forfeit.

All have witnessed your excesses.

All have seen you are unclean.

Human beings will forever shun you.

Mothers will hide their children in terror

Whenever you pass. Lowest monster

Possible. Get you gone. The sun

Will rise in minutes. Go or die.

STAEVINUS: Come away. The Temple of the God

Will take you in. You will be cleansed.

Pelopia, your daughter by Calista,

You’ve never met is waiting for you.

We must away. Away... away..

THYESTES: No wait. I call a curse on you

And on your house, unworthy Atreus.

The blood brings clarity. I see it all.

The powers rise around me. The air

Is thick with spirits offended, furious.

Who curse you. And over them are gods,

Offended, furious. Who curse you, unworthy

Atreus. You believe your treason unseen,

Hidden, lost. By the letter of the law,

By technicality, by sophistry that can’t be

Argued, you have won your hollow

Throne. You think the Sun will rise

And set upon your days in tranquil

Progress. Behold the oozing discharge

Of the wound your crimes create will permeate

The cosmos and bleed forward into

Time to future generations,

To the last man standing, who will fall

Because of you, Atreus, the ruler

Who should not have ruled. Unworthy

Atreus, I call a curse on you.

A curse on you and all your issue.

Crime to crime and blood to blood

Will breed in all your generations.

Hunger for revenge and thirst for hate

Will dog their days. So be it by the God!

AGAM: Enough! Stop, Uncle. I fear

This curse. I fear this land. I’ll ride

Away with you. My army will escort you

Far from here. I go to other

Lands. I’ll not return. This curse

Will never find me. Come, let us bear

Our dead away in silence. My mother,

Your wife, and the honored priestess in grave

And mournful ceremony will we bury

In the earth.

STAEVINUS: Come. Away. Away.

Thyestes, Staevinus and Agamemnon exit with the bodies.

CRONIES: Well that was uncalled for. A curse. Really.

How feeble is that? I hope you’re happy

Just this once. Your plan went off

Without a hitch. The whole big mess

Is done and over not a moment too soon

If you ask me. Look, the sun

Is up. He rubs the sleep from his eyes.

He mounts his golden chariot. His warm

Infectious smile I feel already

On my arms. But guess what?

I’m still feeling a little low.

I haven’t had my drop of Blood.

I think it’s time your highness...

ATREUS: No more

Blood for anyone. Get lost you pathetic

Morons. You’ll get nothing from me. Nothing!

I’ll have no more councils. No agreements.

Guards! Run them off. Burn their houses.

The Chorus runs away amid cries and screams. A loud knocking is heard.

Who’s that? Is that Terror? Have you waited

For me just out of sight in dark passageways?

Have you waited for years to brush my back

With your feather fingers, to breathe your stink-breath

Hot on my neck? Waited with your plot

Laid down by Gods and talking sheep

Who gave me - what? - six or seven

Seconds to make world-altering choices?

Waited to come back with contracts full of

Clauses, caveats and codicils that should be

Cancelled, deemed old-fashioned, rendered

Obsolete? Why now? Why me? So what?

A brother’s curse? What’s that? Hot air!

What horror could a future generation do

We haven’t done? We never change.

It’s always been this way. It’s always the same struggle.

We fight for territory. We defend our turf.

The worst that happens is we lose.

I won. You hate that. That’s what drives you

Crazy, Terror. Isn’t it? Don’t touch me.

Yes. I’m the winner. It all came out so

Perfectly too. I’ve never been so on.

Every detail like a gift from the God.

How about that basket? A sinking feeling..

What does Sinking want with me who rises?

The Blood! I’m overdue. I need a

Ruby drop to pick me up.

Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.

Open! No. No. Open!

It won’t open! Oh please. Oh Golden Ram.

Please open for me. It’s Atreus. Remember

How we spoke when I, the destined heir,

Alone upon the field.. remember.. made choices.

And then you gave me.. oh.. I know a second chance.

I’m sorry now. I’ve changed. Just one more...

I’ll hang the fleece upon the life-tree.

I’ll pour the blood into the starving Earth.

Oh please, oh Golden Ram.. please I can’t.

I can’t go through the pain again.

The burning in my throat.. I start to feel it.

I can’t pry open this trunk. Help me!

Where are the guards? Bring hammers, crowbars...

Wait. There was a key. Somebody had a key.

My wife! Aerope! Bring her to me at once.

Aerope is dead. They carried her. It could have dropped.

Over here! It’s not here! I must retrace my steps.

But steps retraced lead only to her face

Who knew the truth - that keys belong

To Others. Others who, discarded,

Killed, imprisoned, can't be trusted to turn up

When Terror comes to call.

The oaken chest changes into a rock and starts to sink into the floor.

But what is this?

The chest ... no hinges, no top or bottom.

No lock, no crack ...it’s changing ...turning into

Stone... it’s sinking, merging with the earth.

The Blood! The Wool!

Atreus scratches at the ground, desperate. He falls silent. The Sun is busy unfurling his rays when he notices the box with the two heads in it. He stops and turns to look at Atreus, examines the rock where the ram was.

THE SUN: Atreus? Atreus?

What have you done? Didn't you know?

The Golden Ram is lost forever.

From this day forward men will claw

Through solid rock to find the gold. The insulted

Earth has drawn it deep into Her bowels.

Her fury has melted it to a metal mixed with

Blood. This metal, incorruptible,

Will stain the whole of human history.

And me. Did you think I wouldn’t see?

Did you think I wouldn’t know

You cooked your brother’s sons and fed them

To him at your dinner table? It’s horrible!

My life is ruined. My joy is finished.

You think what? The universe is just some

Dead thing swinging out here

In space? You think space is dead?

You think you’re the only thing alive

In all creation and you can just do

Whatever pops into your head?

You think you’re free to mutilate and murder,

Rape and plunder, cheat and lie and

Break every law imaginable? Do you

Think your actions aren’t connected

To the future and the past?

Fine. Be that way. But you know what?

That’s it! No more help from me.

I am through with you. All of you!

No more Mister Sun Guy. From now on

I just do my job. No less. No more.

Sure, I’ll show up every day

But that’s it! No more help. You want

Droughts and dustbowls? Floods and famines?

You want deserts, badlands? You got it!

No problem. And I’ll tell you something else.

A day will come, a day is churning

Up to meet you, when a thing

Will happen - a thing so unforetold,

So strange, you won’t believe it. Then

You’re going to need my help. And I

Will not be there for you. I’m deaf

To human suffering from this moment.

You’ll beg me to relent - retreat.

My rays will burn your tender skin.

The seas will rise and bury your

Insane, unpleasant cities full of

Poverty, disease, injustice, filth.

And I will not be there to help

Because of Atreus. Unworthy Atreus,

Who stole his throne through crime

And came to rule when he should not have.

And just to mark this day, the darkest

Day in Time, I will not travel

Through the sky. This day is dark.

Light will not be yours to look on.

I’m returning to my room to cry

Into my cloud-puff pillow. When I rise

Tomorrow all my innocence will stay

In salty stains upon that bed

And nevermore will all of life

Be quite as great as, up until

Today, it was before.

the end