My mind set about this very story the moment I finished listening to such a masterpiece of a show.

The ambiguous, mysteriously meta nature of the narrative and the show Hadestown is fascinating. Hermes as the omniscient narrator in particular. And it's gotten me wondering:

If this is a sad song, sung over and over in hope for something better…

What if "something better" actually comes? What if Mr. Hermes finds a way to get his boy Orpheus out of Hadestown with his true love? What happens when our players only have to "sing it again", one last time?

What happens when doubt doesn't come in?

Now, just a heads up, this script/story will repeat a couple of scenes from the musical, beat for beat, until points when it doesn't.

When it goes "off script".

Enjoy, friends!

(It's morning. Morning, for the first time in who knows how long in this dark and awful place.

Orpheus and Eurydice wait, hand in hand. For the threat of another riot, perhaps. Or dread Hades' last judgment. Moved as he and his wife were by Orpheus's song, he is the boss.

And what the boss says goes.

The poor singer winces, touching his still-bruised forehead. Eurydice notices his pain, resting his head on her shoulder.

Whatever happens, whatever comes next, she won't let her lover face it alone.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, she sees him. Hermes. Messenger of the gods. Eurydice taps Orpheus's shoulder gently, letting him see his mentor's approach.

Orpheus's swelled lips part in a pained smile.)

ORPHEUS

"What is it?"

(Hermes' foot taps anxiously. He takes a deep breath before answering.)

HERMES

"Well, the good news is he said you can go."

(In unison, Orpheus and Eurydice light up.)

ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE

"He did?"

THE WORKERS

"He did?"

(The crowd of workers ripples in excitement, echoing their words.

Hermes grins despite himself, but in the blink of an eye the look disappears.)

HERMES

"He did.

There's bad news though."

EURYDICE

"What is it?"

(Again, Hermes appears to ponder his answer.)

HERMES

"You can walk, but it won't be like you planned."

ORPHEUS

"What do you mean?"

EURYDICE

"Why not?"

HERMES

"Well, you won't be hand in hand.

You won't be arm in arm.

Side by side and all of that.

He said you have to walk in front.

And she has to walk in back."

(Orpheus slumps in dismay.)

ORPHEUS

"Why?"

(Hermes continues, without missing a beat, and points at Eurydice.)

HERMES

"And if you turn around to make sure she's coming too?

Then she goes back to Hadestown.

And there ain't nothing you can do."

EURYDICE

"But why?"

HERMES

"Why build walls? Make folks walk single file?

Divide and conquer's what it's called."

ORPHEUS

"It's a trap!"

(Something in Hermes's face gives way to worry.

His finger raises higher, demanding the youth's attention.)

HERMES

"It's a trial.

Do you trust each other? Do you trust yourselves?"

ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE

"We do."

(It appears Hermes expected this answer.

Then, as if by the spur of the moment, Hermes beckons Orpheus to come closer.)

HERMES

"Allow me a moment with the boy, dear.

It won't be long, I promise."

(Eurydice glances at Orpheus, who gives her hand a comforting squeeze to tell her everything will be alright. But he doesn't know that. Neither of them does.

He walks to meet Hermes, meeting him face to face. At first, the old god appears to have done something even he didn't expect. When in the middle of a lesson, Hermes isn't one for spontaneity.

But now regards the boy as a teacher does his prized pupil, as if he is simply imparting another lesson. As he has done many times before and will again many times after.)

HERMES

"Well, listen brother.

You wanna walk out of here? You wanna take her home?"

ORPHEUS

"More than anything."

HERMES

"Then prove it."

ORPHEUS

"I will...

But what if I can't, Mr. Hermes?"

HERMES

"Well gee, with that attitude..."

(Hermes's head falls. His foot stomps in frustration.)

HERMES

"Boy, you still don't listen, do you?

In days long gone I'd sometimes wonder, how to get through to you?"

ORPHEUS

"I'm sorry."

HERMES

"Don't apologize to me!

I'm not the one who has to follow you out of here. That's Eurydice."

ORPHEUS

"Then what can I do?"

(The music in the background dims.)

HERMES

"Gonna give you three tips, Orpheus.

Just three, that's all.

Can't stick my nose where it don't belong.

This is your story, from opening to curtain call."

ORPHEUS

"Mr. Hermes, I'm scared.

If I slip up for a moment, I'll lose her again."

HERMES

"And here's tip one, it's alright to be afraid.

You can't have courage without being a little scared first.

Trying to shut those thoughts out won't work.

You try to ignore it, it'll all come back much worse."

ORPHEUS

"Then?"

(A drumbeat starts to pick up)

HERMES

"Tip two…

You might find yourself feeling cold, alone.

Remember what kept your fire going all along?

What was your dream, the treasure you were to share with her?"

ORPHEUS

"A song."

HERMES

"That's right, sing a song!"

ORPHEUS

"And then?"

HERMES

"Eurydice remembered you.

Whatever he tried, Hades couldn't break her.

She watched you rally this weary town, now they believe in you.

Of that you can be damn sure."

ORPHEUS

"So?

What do you mean?"

(The drums fade again)

HERMES

"So, here's tip three.

You can do the same, brother.

Please, Orpheus…

Wait for her."

(Please. Hermes sounds almost desperate. Like he knows Orpheus wouldn't do this unless he practically begged him.

He puts his hands on Orpheus's shoulders.)

HERMES

"You think you can do that?"

ORPHEUS

"I think I can try."

HERMES

"Well, I guess that's good enough."

(Orpheus's mouth is half-open, ready to ask more questions.

Then Hermes draws himself together and clears his throat. He wants to say more, it's clear he does, but there's no more time. His demeanor turns to solemn resignation.

The lesson is over. It's up to Orpheus now.

The drums come back, louder this time.)

HERMES

"Aight.

Time to go!"

(Hermes walks off, and Orpheus reaches out to him.)

ORPHEUS

"Mr. Hermes…"

(His teacher looks back, waiting expectantly for what he says next.)

HERMES

"Yes?"

ORPHEUS

"…Thank you."

(Hermes remains still watching Orpheus, his features blank and indecipherable.

Then he straightens up, and beams with pride.)

HERMES

"Thank me on the other side.

There's a lot left for you to do."

(With Persephone by his side, Hades watches the lovers set off on their journey.

The workers of his town clap them on their shoulders or hold lanterns up to light their way.

"Show the way," they chant.

The master of Hadestown is placid. Unmoving. The new spring in Orpheus's step has him questioning things. This Orpheus gave him no small amount of trouble yet a part of Hades is almost sad to see him leave. He was not so different from this poor boy, once.

But that was a long time ago.

A very long time ago.)

PERSEPHONE

"Think they'll make it?"

HADES

"Maybe, I don't know."

PERSEPHONE

"Hades, you let them go."

HADES

"…I let them try."

(Persephone takes his hands.)

PERSEPHONE

"And how about you and I?

Are we gonna try again?"

(Facing Persephone, Hades looks her in the eye. No side glances, no sneers this time.

Only a man and a woman in love.)

HADES

"It's time for spring. We'll try again next fall."

PERSEPHONE

"Wait for me?"

HADES

"I will."

(The King of the Underworld and the Goddess of Spring share a kiss, and she departs.

Leaving Hades to watch Orpheus and Eurydice leave.

"Wait for me," he hears the crowd sing.

Hades pours a drink for himself, one usually meant for special occasions. He watches the doors to Hadestown close behind Orpheus and Eurydice, wondering what will become of them.

Wondering how their journey ends now.)

Author's Note:

First time delving into poetry and rhyming scheme as a writer. Hope I pulled it off so far.

Let me know what you think, and I'll be back with the second and final chapter. An original number of my own making.

"Waiting for You"