Lesson 2 - Assignment - Screenplay Speak

EXT. DENSE FORESTS ON MT. OLYMPUS --

INT. SNOW DRIPPING FROM THE LEAVES OF THE FOREST TREES
-- EARLY MORNING FOG IN THE BACKGROUND
-- TWO GUYS RUSHING UP MT. OLYMPUS.

One of them is wearing a silver coloured robe and has flowy, blonde hair. He is alternatively rubbing his hands and cupping it around his mouth and blowing air to warm them. He is PROMETHIUS. He looks a little anxious. Knowing that he is a master of forethought and a seer to boot, it isn't unexpected. However, he is known to embrace the future with both hands. He dreams of the future and hopes to be remembered through eternity for his achievements rather than the circumstances of his birth, his lineage or the pleasures he indulged in.

The other guy is wearing a green-coloured robe and has chestnut-coloured hair. He seems to be humming a cheerful song and walking without a care in the world. He is EPIMETHIUS. He looks relaxed and lost in happy thoughts. He has been known to have premonitions after the event and hence, named aptly after afterthought.

INT. THE ENTRANCE TO ZEUS' CASTLE --

The two brothers are stopped by the CASTLE GUARDS. The GUARDS look like, well, guards; heavily-built, with a poker-face, who could scare even the most daring of knights with a mere glance.

PROMETHIUS and EPIMETHIUS look regal in their robes and adornments of gems and gold. They look the guards in the eye and stand confidently like they mean business and brook no arguments.

The GUARDS ask PROMETHIUS AND EPIMETHIUS their introduction and then the purpose of their visit, to which PROMETHIUS replies thus, "Oh GUARDS of the castle of ZEUS! I am PROMETHIUS and he is EPIMETHIUS. We are the demi-God sons of Iapetus, the Titan and Clymene, the daughter of Oceanus. We received summons from the great ZEUS today. We are here to meet him." Hearing this, the GUARDS let them enter the castle. One of the GUARDS further escorts them towards ZEUS' assembly hall.

INT. INSIDE THE CASTLE --

They roll their eyes as they watch the many GODS indulging themselves in Ambrosia in the corridors and doing what they do, without sparing even a passing glance in their direction. The corridors and the hall are all decked up with varieties of flowers, their fragrance lending a divine peace to their surrounding. They are rivaled only by the chandeliers, candles and torches that are competing with each other to light up the castle. They hear faint, lively music coming from a far corner of the castle.

INT. INSIDE ZEUS' ASSEMBLY HALL A.K.A COURT --

ZEUS is seated on his throne as usual exuding authority. He is wearing a golden robe. In his right hand is a lightning bolt and in his left, a cup of Ambrosia. His beautiful daughter, ATHENA, is sitting next to him. She looks angelic in a silky blue cloak.

The GUARD presents PROMETHIUS and EPIMETHIUS to ZEUS and ATHENA and takes their leave. PROMETHIUS and EPIMETHIUS bow before ZEUS and offer salutations, which ZEUS acknowledges with a curt nod.

ATHENA smiles and welcomes them. ATHENA further states the purpose of their summons, "Oh PROMETHIUS, my father, the GREAT ZEUS, wants you to make creatures to inhabit the Earth. With the help of Gods, you are to create man while your brother, EPIMETHIUS, is tasked with the creation of animals. These creatures are to abide by the laws set forth by the Gods and worship them."

PROMETHIUS, with eyes wide open, looks shocked. However he recovers soon and with a determined nod, asks ZEUS, "How am I to accomplish this daunting task?" To this ZEUS replies in his booming voice, "Go ahead, PROMETHIUS and EPIMETHIUS, make man and animals out of clay, water and fire. ATHENA will breathe air and souls into them in the form of butterflies so that they may live and abide by the Gods. All the Gods will gift these creatures a quality or two that may help them to live on earth."