Act 18: Psyche
Psyche sat on the cold cement floor, wringing her hands. She was sitting beside a large wooden table laden with various meats, fruits, breads, and desserts. She wondered what would happen if she'd leaned against the table. I know I can't eat or sit in the chair, she thought, but can I lean on the table leg? I'm so exhausted!
"Are you sure you don't want a chair Psyche?" Persephone asked. "They're more comfortable in the floor. There's also a lovely feast prepared if you're a little hungry."
Psyche firmly shook her hand. "No thank you," she said. "I can't stay very long anyway. Aphrodite asked to fill her request by sundown."
"Okay," said Persephone, glancing down at the metal box in her hands. "You just sit there until while I take care of the box. It shouldn't take too long."
Psyche wiped her eyes. It had been such a long day for the young girl. She had immediately set out to the cave after her strange, yet insightful conversation at the apartment complex. Her emotions were a mix of determination and fear when she had to approach Cerberus, the three headed dog of Hades'. She had never been so close to such a ferocious beast. Using a soft voice and a piece of pound cake, she was able to persuade the animal into letting her pass by in order to get to the river Styx. There, Charon grudgingly took the coin from Psyche's mouth and took her across the river. Psyche was so worn out, she nearly fell asleep on the trip. She had pinched herself a few times to force her eyes to stay open.
Psyche had been greeted by Persephone when she finally reached the dark castle Persephone shared with her husband Hades. Psyche was amazed at how a woman who looked and acted so much like a younger version of Demeter could stand to live in such a dismal place. Just the gloomy atmosphere of the Underworld had sucked the joy and life out of Psyche when she'd set foot in the castle.
Psyche eyed the table. It had been quite a while since she'd last eaten. Can I ate least eat a grape? Psyche thought, picking herself up from the floor. She leaned over the table to get a closer look at the spread. Everything smelled so delicious, and Psyche wanted to answer the growls of hunger from her stomach.
"What's wrong with me!" Psyche moving away the table. "I'm too close to seeing Eros again to mess up by being stuck here."
"What did you say?" asked Persephone, stepping back into the room.
"I was just talking to myself," Psyche said quickly. Persephone stared at her, bemused. Psyche smiled. "Umm…I saw your mother not too long ago. She's really a nice woman."
Persephone nodded. "It's been pretty hard on here to be alone, I think," she said, walking over to Psyche. "I understand that she spends time with Aphrodite though. It will be a while before I can return to her."
"She gave me some good advice on how to get on Aphrodite's good side. I really appreciated her help."
"Why exactly are you Aphrodite's servant? I mean, I know that she has had many servants, but this is the first time anyone has ever come here to do any bidding for her."
"Um, it's a really long story. I'm sorry that I can't discuss it now, but I'm really in a hurry."
"Oh. Okay." Psyche felt a twinge of guilt. Persephone's eager face dropped when Psyche told her she had to leave. Persephone must get lonely too, she thought. This place is really depressing.
"When you leave the Underworld," said Psyche as she took the box from Persephone, "Let's hang out, and I'll tell you the whole story."
Persephone smiled. "That would be great," she said. "I'll show you to the door. Please be careful on your way back."
"Thanks," said Psyche. The two headed out the room.
