Act 17: Psyche
Psyche stood at the edge of apartment complex, clutching a small metal box in her hand. "The last one," she said to herself.
Ever since she had become Aphrodite's servant, the goddess had put task after task on her shoulders. Psyche was forced to live a cramped, run down loft, with a bare mattress and pillow her only pieces of furniture. Each time Psyche completed a task, the Aphrodite angrily fed her black bread and a bottle of water.
Aphrodite accused Psyche of making other people do the work for her. "There's no way a simple mortal woman like you could complete my orders so quickly!" Aphrodite had said to Psyche. "That son of mine must be helping you!" But Psyche hadn't seen Eros in over three weeks.
Psyche didn't know how to explain it herself. It was the help of little black ants that had allowed her finished sorting all the grains before Demeter and Aphrodite. And a compassionate river god had given her advice on how to collect the gold fleece that Aphrodite wanted. Psyche had never asked for the help, but gratefully accepted it.
Psyche stepped closer to the edge of her apartment complex. Aphrodite told Psyche that this would be the last task she had to complete. "Go to the Underworld," Aphrodite ordered as she handed Psyche the box. "Give this to Persephone and ask her to fill this box with some of her beauty. Taking care of my sick son has drained me of some of my own beauty. How can I continue to be a top model when I look like this!? If this keeps up, I'll be as ugly as you!"
Psyche let the comment go. Aphrodite constantly reminded Psyche of her less than attractive state. Psyche was used to the insults. "How am I supposed to get to the Underworld?" she asked.
"You figure it out," said Aphrodite. "Just make sure I get the box back before the sun goes down."
Psyche knew of the scary tales of the Underworld, and was very apprehensive about this final errand. The Underworld means death for me, thought Psyche. Wow Aphrodite must really, really hate me! She laughed at the unfunny thought.
Psyche sighed. I've tried my hardest to please Aphrodite, she thought. But it looks like this is the day all my efforts come to an end.
"STOP!" a voice boomed "What are you doing?"
"I-I'm jumping," said the startled Psyche. "I need to get to the Underworld retrieve something from the goddess Aphrodite." Psyche spun around. The voice seemed to be all around her, but there wasn't anyone in sight.
"There is an easier way to the Underworld," said the voice, sounding much calmer than before. "There is a cave that leads to the river Styx. The boatman Charon will take you across the river and bring you back if you pay him a fee of a gold coin each way. The gates of the Underworld are guarded by the pet of Hades. Use your charms and food to coax the animal into letting you pass."
Psyche stared at the box in her hands, taking in the advice. "But I don't have any more food or money," she objected.
"Everything you need will be at the cave," the voice said. "When you reach the Underworld, avoid sitting in the chairs or eating. Or else, you won't return. And one more, very important thing. Don't open that box once it's filled. Now you'd better hurry. You don't have that much time."
Psyche nodded. "Thank you," she said to her invisible advisor. That's right, she thought. I'm supposed to return to Aphrodite by sundown. This is my last chance to prove to her time I'm the perfect wife for Eros.
Random Note: K, I know I just kinda passed over Psyche's other tasks. I tried to write a fleece scene, but it just wasn't going right at all. L I'll probably give it a shot later on, but for now, I'm just going on with the story.
