a set of caves while searching for her big score. She checks what appears to be a treasure map, looking between the two entrances. SEPH Hm... so it’s gotta be one of these. Suddenly she spots a figure moving in the darkness of one of the caves. Assuming it’s another person, she decides to walk toward them. SEPH Hey there! Can you help me? I wanted to see the underground palace I’d heard about, but I’m a little turned-around. The figure doesn’t respond, they just sway and groan ominously. Seph continues to walk inside the cave, trying to get in front of the figure to get their attention. SEPH Uh, hello? I could use some help here. As she steps around them, it becomes apparent she is face-to-face with a GHOUL. Undaunted, she confronts them. SEPH Hey! Listen, I’ve come too far to turn back empty-handed! I know there’s a mountain of gold down there, so just tell me where it is! GHOUL (Groan - question) The Ghoul holds up two gold coins of their own. SEPH Yes! Exactly! Where can I find it? GHOUL (Groan - statement) (CONTINUED)
the shore of the River Styx. From what Seph can tell, there’s someone collecting coins from other ghouls, placing them into a pouch. SEPH Well, that’s a start! Thanks so much! She takes off down the cavern, waving to the Ghoul. The Ghoul then realizes their gold coins are gone, stolen by Seph. GHOUL (Groan - exclamation, confusion) INT. SHORE OF THE STYX CHARON, the chipper ferryman of the River Styx, is transporting recently-departed souls through the Underworld. However, this is not your typical doom-and-gloom afterlife, as the boat ride is more like a Disney attraction. Seph sneaks on, and is the only mortal on the boat. CHARON Welcome aboard, folks! I’ll be your skipper for today’s trip across the River Styx, and I hope to lift your spirits! Now, are there any questions or requests before we start the tour? Seph raises her hand. CHARON Ah! Yes, the mortal in the back? SEPH Is it true a really rich guy lives around here? CHARON We have many wealthy residents here in the Underworld! Seph does her best to hide her excitement, speaking in a hushed tone to herself. SEPH Heh. Soon to be a bunch of suckers... (CONTINUED)
what? Underworld? CHARON I know you must be anxious to get started-- everyone’s always dying to get in here-- so let’s not waste another breath! Onward, to the rest of your afterlife! SEPH Oh, crud. INT. THE UNDERWORLD - CAVERNS As Charon merrily paddles the ferryboat, they spout off questions and facts for their dead audience, to no response. They seem used to it, though. Seph, on the other hand, is getting increasingly anxious. CHARON To kill us off, can anyone tell me the name of the god currently overseeing the Underworld? Again, Seph raises a hand. CHARON Yes, mortal? SEPH Hi, sorry, but I think there’s been a mistake? I am not dead. So if you could go back to the shore for me, really quick-- CHARON That’s a no-can-do! This is a one-way trip with no detours or dead-stops. Seph scrambles to the side of the boat. SEPH Well, if you were to get just a little bit closer to the edge, I’m sure I could climb-- ow! Charon smacks her outstretched hand with their oar. (CONTINUED)
essence within the boat at all times! As Seph nurses her hand, she continues to look around for a way to escape the ferry. Suddenly, she spots a long stalactite hanging from the ceiling in the boat’s path. She waits for the right opportunity, then grabs onto it and allows the boat to pass underneath her. Charon’s voice continues to echo down the cavern, with little reception. CHARON I didn’t mean to sound so grim back there, folks... now, who wants to pet Cerberus? INT. THE UNDERWORLD - ALONG THE RIVER Without any other options, Seph swings off the stalactite and follows along the riverbank in the opposite direction. Behind her, she can hear Cerberus growl in the distance. Fortunately, she spots a door and makes a beeline for it. SEPH Please be an exit! She grabs the doorknob and steps through, only to find... INT. BREAK ROOM Inside, the space looks like a typical office break room, complete with fridge and coffee machine. The only difference is that the space is adorned with gold and other precious metals. SEPH Huh. Or... not. But, hey! This might not be a total bust! She looks around for clues on how to escape, swiping shiny trinkets here and there. SEPH There’s gotta be a map of this place or something... Feeling peckish, she grabs a split-open pomegranate from an ornate bowl on the table. But just as she’s about to take a bite, a voice startles her from out of frame and she drops the fruit. (CONTINUED)
Seph whirls around and sees HADES in the doorway, however she doesn’t recognize him as the God of the Underworld. All she knows is that she doesn’t want to get thrown back onto that boat, so she quickly comes up with an excuse for being there. SEPH Uh... finally! Someone I can have a word with! I’ve come to file a complaint. HADES That’s not how things work around here. Not wanting to back down from her bluff, Seph doubles-down, hoping to get the man to leave so she can slip out. SEPH Well, then I’d like to speak to your manager. Suddenly, the lights begin to flicker and dim. Hades leans in uncomfortably close, looming over Seph. Just as his eyes begin to glow, he speaks. HADES I’m Hades... I am the manager. SEPH Oops. Hades’ eyes stop glowing and he casually crosses the room to open the fridge. Seph is scared stiff. HADES I ought to toss you into Tartarus, sneaking into my domain... SEPH H-hey, you know what? I think we can both agree I’ve overstayed my welcome. So if you would be so kind as to point me to the exit, I’d be more than happy to get out of your hair. (CONTINUED)
turning to face Seph. HADES Alright, I’ll escort you out... on one condition. Leave the gold. Seph feigns confusion. SEPH Whaaat? What gold? HADES The gold you’ve been filling your pockets with since finding this room. Having been caught, Seph makes a show of emptying her pockets. SEPH Aw, but what about my refund? HADES You’re lucky you’re walking out of here with your soul. Now come along, and don’t fall behind. Hades walks out the door, expecting Seph to follow. After grabbing the forgotten pomegranate, Seph manages to snatch one gold trinket off the table and slip it into her back pocket before heading out. She cheekily offers Hades the fruit, to his exasperation. SEPH Aye aye, captain! Want some? HADES Don’t eat that. FADE OUT. THE END
katiecoart
katarinadahlin
seathinner
baasie
mojombo
cassininazir
carmenintech
keavy
marktimemedia
danielanewman
marcoroth
