INT. THE THRONE ROOM OF POSEIDON - TEMPLE OF POSEIDON - UNDER THE SEA - THAT EVENING
The throne room of Poseidon is a white-washed room encircled with an inner colonnade. The columns are embedded with green and blue sea gems. There is a shallow pool of water in front of Poseidon's throne, which rests on a raised platform.
Poseidon is sitting on his abalone throne. He is drinking and watching a real-living chess-like game in the shallow pool. Young, healthy MERMAIDS and MERMEN stand in the pool on the underwater board. They slide to different squares when Poseidon directs them with his trident. He controls both teams, for he is playing alone.
Amphitrite ascends the platform and sits at the feet of Poseidon.
AMPHITRITE
Who's winning?
POSEIDON
I am.
Poseidon waves his trident at a sexy Mermaid, who slides to another square.
Demeter has entered the room and stands beside a column. She is completely soaked from her journey under the sea. Water drips everywhere.
AMPHITRITE
(seeing Demeter)
It's your sister.
Using his trident, Poseidon, signals her over. To approach, she must walk past the board game with the Merpeople.
DEMETER
(r.e. his trident)
Don't use that thing on me!
POSEIDON
You don't want to play?
DEMETER
No, I do not want to play!
(addressing Amphitrite)
Hello, poor dear. I pity your nuptial bed.
Demeter wipes off the water dripping down her face.
DEMETER
Listen to me, Poseidon! Damn you if you are responsible for the abduction of my only daughter, Persephone! The only flower from my garden. She is gone and I seek information - or a confession! - from you.
POSEIDON
My dear sweet sister-
DEMETER
The sweet sister you don't deserve!
(remembering her recent encounter with him)
God of great equestrian skill.
POSEIDON
Demeter, it was not I. Your prized blossom is not here. My word.
Demeter sits down on the platform, exhausted. Amphitrite hands her a glass of wine.
DEMETER
(defeated)
I am lost without her. Where is she, brother? Which evil god or doomed man must I hunt down and destroy with my black torch. Help me lay barren his own seeds in deserved repentance.
POSEIDON
August sister of our Mother Earth, you will know the truth, for I do know of your grief.
AMPHITRITE
Go on. Tell her.
POSEIDON
No mortal man is at fault. In truth, it was a god. The Cloud-gatherer Zeus--
DEMETER
Zeus?! Zeus took my love?
POSEIDON
(continuing)
The Cloud-gatherer Zeus has decreed the rape you so seek to avenge.
DEMETER
His bolts. Your tridents.
POSEIDON
The Olympian Father has given his consent to his own brother Hades to take Persephone, she with the lovely ankles, as his underground bride. She has been seized and carried off, sealed away in the gloomy depths of the Land of the Dead.
Demeter throws her glass across the room.
POSEIDON
But desist in your great anger, goddess, and control that impetuous fury.
Demeter picks up a nearby pitcher and drinks from it.
POSEIDON
Indeed, Hades is a fit husband for your daughter. He is your own Olympian brother. As he is mine. Born with the same ichor blood that flows through our divine bodies. And as for divinity, does he not rule over the populated lands of kings, heroes, and athletes? Can he not give Persephone the honorable title of Queen?
DEMETER
Queen of the Dead? No! I will not have it!
POSEIDON
But you must have it. She is his now, Demeter. Our lonely brother Hades now has the bride needed to propagate his own kingdom.
DEMETER
Zeus, the loud-thundering tyrant. And Hades, so deep in the earth. How will I go after both?
POSEIDON
Desist, Demeter. Let the course of events the Fates have spun even for us gods unravel. Your comely daughter has been chosen for great things.
Demeter turns to contemplate the Merpeople in the water.
DEMETER
Those there are great things. Beauty, strength, youth. Prized ideals. Not death, darkness, and decay.
AMPHITRITE
Come, Demeter. Let me comfort you.
Demeter takes one last swig and exits with Amphitrite.
POSEIDON
There goes an undiluted dame.
Poseidon directs a Mermaid to another square.
POSEIDON
Right there, sweetheart.
