Asclepius+5

=Money: A Man's Ruin =

media type="file" key="Asclepius5.mp3"  The Radio Program ** SCENE 1 **  1. NARRATOR: Asclepius, son of Apollo, grew up in Chiron’s cave. Raised with loving care by Chiron, he soon surpassed his foster father in his healing abilities. He would leave Chiron’s cave and go down from the mountain to help the people of Greece. Asclepius became the first great physician. 2. ASCLEPIUS: (Humbly) It is so satisfying to be able to help people who come from far and wide to seek my help. 3. NARRATOR: People came to Asclepius crippled, hardly being able to walk or stand, and would leave skipping and dancing. His patients adored him and showered many priceless treasures upon him. It wasn’t long before they worshipped him as a god.

4. ASCLEPIUS: (Happily, Gratefully) Thank you my people for building me these lovely temples. I will put beds in them and they will become my hospitals. Going from bed to bed, I will be able to heal more people more efficiently. 5. NARRATOR: Asclepius’ family followed in his footsteps and became healers. 6. ASCLEPIUS: It is gratifying that my family have become healers like myself. My sons are all assistant physicians and my daughters are all nurses. Talk about a family business. Hygeia, one of my daughters, washes her patients day and night with soap and water and they recover very quickly. Before my daughter thought of such a grand idea, most people thought that soap and water would kill you. __ 7. SOUND: SOAP BUBBLES. __ ** SCENE 2 **  1. NARRATOR: Asclepius started to become rich and famous because he even could bring the dead to life. Rumors spread all over the world about Asclepius and his great powers. Everyone was excited to hear the news, except for the gods. The three Fates were so furious that they complained to Zeus.  2. FATE 1: (SMALL HIGH VOICE) Oh mighty Zeus, Asclepius is bringing too many people to life. We have measured and clipped the threads of life in vain.  3. FATE 2: (NORMAL VOICE) I can’t cut my threads of yarn fast enough.  4. FATE 1: (DEEP VOICE) We have to stop him before the underworld gets deserted. Zeus, you must do something about Asclepius!  __ 5. SOUND: MUMUR OF APPROVAL. __  6. NARRATOR: The news also angered the god of the underworld. . . Hades.  __ 7. MUSIC: DEEP SEMI-SCARY (Beethoven’s 5th). 5 seconds then fade out. __  8. HADES: (LOUD ANGRY VOICE) Asclepius must perish! He is cheating me of my dead souls! Someone must stop him!  __ 9. SOUND: HORRIFYING DEAD SCREAMS. __  10. NARRATOR: Apollo, listening to the Fates’ news about his son, is angered and defends Asclepius.  __ 11. SOUND: BIRDS CHIRPING WHILE APOLLO IS TALKING. __  12. APOLLO: Look at the good that Asclepius is doing for mankind. Many children may now get to see their ancestors that they never got to meet. Look how happy the people are. My son is doing much good for mankind and you should be lenient with him.  ** SCENE 3 ** <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 1. NARRATOR: For a while Zeus listened to Apollo and was lenient. People would travel far and wide, willing to give anything for his healing powers. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 2. PEASANT: (WEARY VOICE) Oh great Asclepius. I have traveled a long distance for your help. I have crippled for months, only able to walk on crutches. Please, please, please help me to walk again. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 3. ASCLEPIUS: Lie down, you weary soul, and I shall give you some of my magic draught. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> __ 4. SOUND: MAGICAL CHIIMES. __ <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 5. NARRATOR: Asclepius’ draught puts the man to sleep and causes him to mutter out loud in his dreams. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 6. SOUND: PEASANT YAWNS. MUTTER NONSENSE. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> __ 7. SOUND: CUCKOO. __ <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 8. NARRATOR: His mutterings reveal to Asclepius the cause of his illness. Asclepius raises his staff entwined with sacred serpents and the peasant is healed. He throws away his crutches and gets up, skipping and dancing. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> __ 9. MUSIC: IRISH JIG. __ <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 10. PEASANT: Thank you, kind Asclepius. You are truly amazing. Please take my last gold coins as a token of my gratitude. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 11. ASCLEPIUS: Thank you for your tributes, kind sir. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> ** SCENE 4 ** <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 1. NARRATOR: Zeus, watching from above, is angered by Asclepius for accepting the gold from the man whom he had healed using his supernatural powers. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 2. ZEUS: How could Asclepius do such a thing? He should be a modest man who heals from the purity of his heart and for the sake of the people. He should not sell his services. No! No! No! He cannot do such a thing. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 3. ASCLEPIUS: I am extremely sorry mighty lord. I do not know what came over me when I accepted the gold and I know what I did was terribly wrong. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 4. ZEUS: We, as gods, do not accept wealth or any kind of pay for helping or healing someone. I am frustrated with you. You have pushed me to the limit and you must be punished now. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 5. ASCLEPIUS: No, please, no!!! I promise I will never do this again. It was all a terrible mistake. I am VERY sorry! <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 6. ZEUS: NO! That’s it! You have made me so angry. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> __ 7. MUSIC: JAWS. __ <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> __ 8. SOUND: THUNDER ROARS. MAN SCREAMING. __

9. NARRATOR: That was the last that anyone ever saw of Asclepius. Zeus had hurled a thunderbolt at him and all that remained was a small pile of ash. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> ** SCENE 5 ** <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 1. APOLLO: Zeus will pay for killing my amazing son, who has done so much to help Greece. I want revenge. It will be <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> difficult to do anything directly to my father. But I shall avenge the Cyclopes that created his thunderbolt. __ 2. SOUND: SWORD. __ <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 3. NARRATOR: Zeus is furious with Apollo when he finds out that his Cyclopes has been slain. He decides to revenge him. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 4. ZEUS: Son, how dare you slay my Cyclopes. You shall pay for what you have done. I sentence you to be a slave on Earth for one year. This will teach you not to cross your father. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 5. NARRATOR: Luckily, Apollo found a good master and suffered no hardship during his time on Earth. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> __ 6. SOUND: SIGH OF RELIEF. __ <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> ** SCENE 6 ** <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 1. NARRATOR: Apollo was very excited to return to Mount Olympus because he was eager to meet his family members and many other gods and goddesses after an entire year. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 2. APOLLO: I am so glad that my punishment is over. I have longed to see my sister, Artemis. Equally exciting would be meeting all of the other gods and goddesses. It is now time for me to return to where I rightfully belong, Mount Olympus. I will return using my magical powers. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> __ 3. SOUND: ALIEN LIKE. __ <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 4. NARRATOR: Apollo stretched his arms out, pointing in the direction of Mount Olympus as he took a slow deep breath. He muttered some words to activate his powers. As he finished reciting to himself softly, he suddenly leaped into the air, floating on a small bubble of air, and disappeared into space at lightspeed. Within seconds he was falling out of thin air onto the summit of Mount Olympus. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> __ 5. SOUND: WHISLING OF SOMETHING DROPPING. __ <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 6. APOLLO: I have finally arrived at my home where my family is, my sister, and all of the gods and goddesses that support me. It is so wonderful to return to the greetings of everyone. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> __ 7. SOUND: A COUPLE CHEERS. __ <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"> 8. NARRATOR: Apollo was delighted when he arrived at Mount Olympus after working for one year as a slave on Earth. He was welcomed and loved by all of his family members. He did in fact think and reflect on his one year as a slave on Earth. Apollo was glad to see everyone and that he was loved again. <span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif">