Orpheus+5

 Deadly Curiosity

media type="file" key="orph5.mp3" The Radio Play

SCENE 1 [AT ORPHEUS’ HOUSE] __SOUND: DOOR CREAKING OPEN. DOOR SLAMMING CLOSED. SOFT LIGHT STEPS.__

NARRATOR: A long time ago in ancient Greece, there lived Orpheus, the son of Calliope, the Muse of Epic Tales and Poems. He traveled far and wide, playing his lyre wherever he went.

ORPHEUS: (SHOUTING) Mother! I am home!

CALLIOPE: (WORRIED) What took so long? I have been worried sick!

__SOUND: BIRDS SINGING CHIRPILY. GRASS RUSTLING.__

ORPHEUS: (POWERFUL VOICE) Mother, I have some news. Today, I met Euridice in the wood behind our cabin. We stood and talked, and thought that it was time we marry.

CALLIOPE: (ASTONISHED) What?

ORPHEUS: (REASURINGLY) Mother, we really do love each other…and I would visit often.

__SOUND: A TIRED OUT SIGH.__

CALLIOPE: (SIGH) Well, if this is what you want, I am happy for you and Euridice.

NARRATOR: So a date was set and all was well. [IN THE MEADOW]

__MUSIC: WEDDING BELLS RINGING.__

__SOUND: BUSTLING OF PEOPLE.__

EURIDICE: (HURRIED AND ECSTATIC) Oh, and I do hope this all goes according to plan

BRIDESMAID: (REASURINGLY) It will be fine dear!

EURIDICE: (CONFIDENTLY) OK. SCENE 2

[IN THE MEADOWS]

NARRATOR: Orpheus and Euridice are in the meadows. The meadows are surrounded with tall grass, lots of various wild plants, and colorful flowers. The birds and butterflies are flying and sniffing the plants and flowers.

__SOUND: BIRDS TWITTERING LIGHTLY. GRASS RUSTLING.__

__MUSIC: GIRL SINGING SONG.__

EURIDICE: Oh, Orpheus this is the best day for our wedding. I have never been happier in my life. I will love you forever.

ORPHEUS: I feel the same. I will love you forever, too. When we get married today, we will make a perfect match. We belong together as husband and wife.

EURIDICE: Let’s hold hands and take a walk in the meadow.

NARRATOR: While Euridice and Orpheus were walking hand in hand through the meadow, Euridice came upon a venomous snake.

EURIDICE: Oh! (VOICE FADING)

ORPHEUS: Euridice, why did you fall, my dear? Are you hurt? Did the ugly snake bite you? Oh no, not my sweet maiden. She is dead. My love is dead. NARRATOR: There is total silence. Orpheus is looking around as he tries to find the entrance to Hades. SCENE 3

[ORPHEUS ON THE EDGE] NARRATOR: Orpheus is crying on the edge of the North Wood for his long lost lover, Eurdice.

ORPHEUS: (IN A SORROWFUL TONE) Oh, my Euridice, my beautiful Euridice. How could you die at such a time as this? Our wedding day, what do the gods want with my poor, humble soul! Oh, Euridice, my Euridice! WHY, WHY ME OH MIGHTY ZEUS, WHY!!?

NARRATOR: A witch nymph named Nymphera was walking through the woods one morning and heard Orpheus's sad songs. So Nymphera decided quickly to help him.

__SOUND: SOFT FOOTSTEPS. INAUDIBLE WHISPERS.__

__MUSIC: MUSIC STOPS UBRUPTLY RIGHT AFTER NYMPHERA STARTS TALKING__

NYMPHERA: (IN A HIGH SARCASTIC WITCHLIKE TONE) Would you please hush your insipid wailing and think for a few seconds? How are you to get your lover back? How are you to find her? How are you to persuade a certain god to give her back? Have you given any of these questions a thought over? NO, I bet! Well, you’re in luck! Today, I’m only charging half price for my services, if you sing for me.

ORPHEUS: (IN A SUSPICIOUS TONE) What exactly will you be charging me for? And, how do I know I can trust you? Rumor has it that trusting you is a bad idea.

NYMPHERA: (IN A MOCK SURPRISED VOICE) You have never heard of the magnificent, the wonderful, the magical one and only Nymphera? Did you not know that I can plant swell ideas into your sawdust head for only 50 drachmas today? That is, of course, if you sing for me.

ORPHEUS: (IN A SURPRISED UPBEAT TONE) Um, okay, I have no choice, but to sing to you. Here it goes: Oh my darling, oh my darling. Oh my darling, Euridice. Come back home to me. For that is my only wish.

NYMPHERA: (IN A BLOWN AWAY TOUCHED TONE) That was the most beautiful piece of music I have heard in a very long time! (SNIFFLING CRYING NOISES) I have never been so touched!

ORPHEUS: (IN A HURRIED, EXCITED TONE) Okay, whatever, do you have any ideas for me!

NYMPHERA: (HOPEFUL VOICE) Where is the 50 drachmas? Orpheus, you don’t have it to pay me, do you? Okay, don’t give me that look. I’ll do it for free. With that beautiful voice, I think you have a chance to get back your love, Euridice, from Hades.

ORPHEUS: (IN AN EXCITED TONE) That’s perfect, but only one thing. I don’t have the slightest idea where Hades is! I beg you to help me.

NYMPHERA: (IN A SYMPATHETIC TONE) Sorry kid, you are on your own. But, don’t worry. Just sing your way to Hades and you will eventually find it.

NARRATOR: Then Orpheus went to a nearby town where he rounded up a hearty band of village men. Orpheus asked each one of them for information about Hades. Only one old man, Grieus, according to the men, knew a little something about Hades.

ORPHEUS: (RUNNING, PANTING, AND SHOUTING IN AN EXASPERATED TONE) Ah, there you are, Grieus. I have been looking for you for a very long tine. Please tell me all you know about Hades, and I will be eternally grateful to you, for my lovely wife awaits me there.

GRIEUS: (IN A FORGETFUL, CUTE, WEAK OLD PERSON TONE) Oh, my dear son. You don’t need an old buffer like me. Just sing your heart out and you shall find your treasure, your beloved wife. Waste no more time. Go! ORPHEUS: (IN A SURPRISED DISBELIEVING TONE) Um, okay dear old man. I will listen because the villagers say you are wise, and I am desperate.

NARRATOR: Orpheus went outside and sang the most beautiful sad love song in the world, and The Gates of Hades dragged themselves to him. Then, Orpheus began his decent into the underworld. SCENE 4

NARRATOR: After the death of his beloved Euridice he wandered weeping and grieving in the forest and was even more sad that he had become a husband and a widow in the same day.

ORPHEUS: Oh my poor Euridice. I will travel as far as it takes to find you. I will travel down to the gates of hell. I will fight the Cerberus, hell-hound, centaurs, and all of the titans to rescue you.

NARRATOR: As he said he w. He traveled to the gates of hell and on his way he made lots of creatures cry with is song of sorrow and grief.

ORPHEUS: I'm so sorry for making all you trees, roots, flowers, rocks, and animals cry. It’s not my fault that you are captive to my songs. If you want me to stop so much help me find my poor Euridice. Lead me to the Iron Gate.

NARRATOR: They all said the same thing.

CREATURES: Please oh please Orpheus stop with your songs of sadness and sorrow.

NARRATOR: Orpheus proceeded to the gate.

CERBEROUS: Awwwooo. Ruff, Ruff.

__SOUND: FLAMETHROWER.__

ORPHEUS: Down dog!!! Stop with the flames. This is not barbecue let me pass. I must retrieve my wife, you stupid dog.

NARRATOR: Orpheus used the music from his lyre to soothe the beast. With the power of music he got the River Styx Ferry to come to him and take him to Hades palace. The sound of his music made Hades, the lord of the dead, one of the powerful three and his wife Persephone cry. SCENE 5

__SOUND: FOOTSTEPS. WAILING OF DEAD SOULS.__

NARRATOR: Orpheus strolls onto the threshold of the Palace of Hades. The place is guarded with skeleton guards with spears.

SKELETON GUARD: (IN AN ANGRY, ARMY LIKE VOICE) Who goes there wretch?

ORPHEUS: It is I, Orpheus of the Muse of Heroic Poetry. Shall I sing you a song? (HEAD NOD FROM THE GUARD) Okay here it goes: O, say can you see My dear Euridice.

SKELETON GUARD: (IN A SURPRISED TOUCHED TONE, OPPOSITE TO HIS PREVIOUS ONE) That was the most beautiful piece of music I have ever heard! I must have my master hear this! (TO HIMSELF) Oh how he will reward me for finding him such a singer as this! (OUT LOUD AGAIN, IN HIS CRISP MILITARY TONE) Please proceed through this door.

ORPHEUS: (IN A HAPPY, EXCITED TONE) Well thank you very much.

__SOUND: LOCKS CLICKING. DOOR OPENING WITH FOOTSTEPS.__

HADES: (IN A COLD, LOW, DARK, EVIL, AND SLIGHTLY TIRED OUT VOICE) Who dares to enter my domain.

ORPHEUS: (IN A SCARED INTIMIDATED VOICE) It is I Orpheus. I have come here to retrieve my love, Euridice. She died on our wedding day due to snakebite. And, I miss her terribly and I need her back.

HADES: (IN A COLD PITILESS TONE) I’m sorry but it’s clearly stated in the rule book, I can’t give back any soul I’ve already taken, they call it Givebacks, which I can’t do. Sorry.

ORPHEUS: (DESPERATELY) Please, please, I came so far. I moved the Gates of Hades for Pete’s sake! Please, I’m begging you. Wait maybe I could sing for you, listen: Euridice my darling, Euridice my love How I adore you oh so much You look just like a dove.

PERSHONE: (SOBBING AND CRYING) That was so beautiful, please Hades let the poor, poor man’s love go back. It’s only going to help the world, not hurt it by bringing back one tortured soul’s love. PLEASE, PLEASE, HADES!!!

HADES: (DEFEATEDLY) Oh all right my love, just this once. Never again will I do this.

ORPHEUS: (SURPRISED) You’re really going to let me get my love back. (HEAD NOD FROM HADES) Oh how absolutely wonderful, how marvelous. (LAUGHTER) This is amazing.

HADES: (COLD, ANGRY, A TAD CINICLE) Hate to bust your bubble but I do have a condition. You may bring your love back if you promise not to look back at her on the way to the surface. Do you agree?

ORPHEUS: (IN A MORE SERIOUS TONE) Yes, I agree. SCENE 6 __SOUND: FOOTSTEPS.__

2. ORPHEUS: (EXCITED) Oh, Euridice, I am glad to have you back. Now we can finally live our lives like we always dreamed we would!

__SOUND: FOOTSTEPS.__

ORPHEUS: I was so depressed. I spent all my time grieving and mourning. I couldn’t bring myself to play even one joyous note on my lyre. I just had to have you back!

__SOUND: FOOTSTEPS__

ORPHEUS: (CONFUSED AND SLIGHTLY WORRIED) My love, what is wrong? I just rescued you from the underworld and you won’t breathe a word?

__SOUND: FOOTSTEPS__

ORPHEUS: (TALKING TO HIMSELF) Maybe, Hades deceived me. What if she is not behind me after all?

__SOUND FOOTSTEPS__

ORPHEUS: (ANNOYED) Hades must have made it so that you couldn’t talk, that’s all.

NARRATOR: Still, Orpheus began to doubt himself and Hades. He began to get angry.

ORPHEUS: (ANGRY AND HURT) Why won’t you talk to me. I thought you would be happy to see me?

__SOUND: FOOTSTEPS.__

ORPHEUS: Fine! If you want to go back to the Underworld, be my guest. I will go back to the world above and find another pretty girl who wants to marry me. I am sure that there are other girls who would love to be the husband of the greatest mortal musician there ever was.

NARRATOR: Orpheus grew more and more agitated. He wanted to look and see if his love was really there. But remembering the deal, he tried his best to restrain himself, but he thought if he stole just one tiny glance.

__SOUND: GASP.__

ORPHEUS: (SHOCKED) You’re really there! Noooooooo! SCENE 7 NYMPHS: Young lad, join us!
 * 1) NARRATOR: Orpheus never again found joy on earth. He went wandering in the wilderness to weep in solitude. He sang, but his songs were not cheerful but mournful, so mournful that tears trickled from the cheeks of the wild beasts and the willows wept. They desired him to dance along with them, however he did not have the feelings and heart for their revelry, and in a rush of madness they bounced themselves over him.
 * 1) __SOUND: ORPHEUS WEEPING.__
 * 1) __MUSIC: MOURNFUL MUSIC.__
 * 1) NARRATOR: A band of wild nymphs stormed through the woods shouting to Orpheus to join them.

NARRATOR: They romped around so wildly that they were not able to listen to the silvery voice. Therefore, they were not affected by its magic. Since the nymphs had no feelings in a rush of madness they bounced themselves over Orpheus and he fell into a river. SCENE 8

NARRATOR: Orpheus was extremely upset after he had blown it and looked at Euridice on the way back up to the real world. ORPHEUS: (In a really fast and sob like tone.) I'm so stupid. I should have listen to Hades. I know he is the god of death and all but I have to trust in my music to soothe him, to make him tell me the truth and do as he said he would. I blew my chance now what do I do?

 NARRATOR: If you think that his music was sad before you have not seen nothing yet. His music was so sad that it even made gods and other creatures kill themselves.

ORPHEUS: I'm sorry. I live to sing and with my poor Euridice gone I can only play sad music.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">NARRATOR: This gave some of the Nymphs a plan. Idea if you will.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">NYMPHS: Fine. If Orpheus wants to be reunited with Euridice so much and only lives to play music, how do we get him to stop?

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">NYMPHS: We kill him.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">NARRATOR: It was not going to be easy. Orpheus was a god thus forth he was immortal. They came up with a way they could kill Orpheus. They decided to cut him up into a million pieces and threw him off of a cliff. And to this day you came still hear the sad song of Orpheus if you really listen closely.