Early afternoon. The royal hall of Ithaca. At rise, the hall is empty. A single structure stands bare at centre. The palace and steps rising through Ithaca are suggested to one side of the stage; the harbour on the other.
PENELOPE enters from the palace side with MEDON, the elder attendant and herald, and IASOS, the page. Household ATTENDANTS follow.
She directs the preparation of the hall, working alongside the ATTENDANTS. IASOS brings in a broad cloth, and together they spread it over the bare structure. Cups, platters, and provisions follow; the structure gradually becomes the banquet table. Their work continues throughout the opening exchange.
MENTOR and TIMARETE, the loyal elder and his wife, enter from the palace side. PENELOPE receives them.
PENELOPE
You are early, my friends. We are almost set.
TIMARETE
Penelope, it’s been too long.
She gives her a hug.
MENTOR
The last time must have been your son’s wedding.
TIMARETE
Mentor means the royal hall. You haven’t thrown a banquet here in ages.
PENELOPE
Well, fifteen years was much too long ago.
TIMARETE
That’s right. It was when Telemachus and Polycaste finally showed off their tiny prince. Remember all the gifts?
MENTOR
Oh I remember, Timarete.
He pulls his pockets inside out and shrugs at PENELOPE. She smiles.
PENELOPE
Five years already.
MENTOR
So what brings us here tonight?
TIMARETE
Whatever it is, we wouldn’t miss it. But a day’s notice isn’t like you, Penelope.
PENELOPE
Oh, it wasn’t my idea this time.
MENTOR
No?
TIMARETE
Polycaste?
PENELOPE
Still in Pylos with Persepolis.
TIMARETE
Not Telemachus?
PENELOPE
Nope.
MENTOR
Who?
Beat.
TIMARETE
You ought to get that husband of yours out of the palace more often.
PENELOPE
That’s Ulysses for you. He calls Telemachus home from Pylos, just so they can run off into the woods and hunt for a month. Then he sends word that I should have the cobwebs cleaned off the hearth when they return.
TIMARETE
Oh, so you invite half of Ithaca to help clear cobwebs?
ATTENDANTS hand PENELOPE more items then exit. She shrugs and smiles, then continues to set the table.
MENTOR
A month! How the king still keeps so young.
He places his hand on his lower back and arches, stretching his aged body.
Where are they now? I’d like to see my old friend.
LYKOS, a nobleman, enters harbour-side and interrupts the conversation, a pair of dead meagre pheasants in hand.
LYKOS
Old? Best to call him ancient, Mentor.
MENTOR
Aren’t we all getting up there?
LYKOS
But if you saw our king, you’d think he was your elder.
He drops the pheasants on an empty platter on the banquet table, then helps himself to a bottle of wine.
PHAON the courtier enters palace-side, ahead of the other GUESTS. PENELOPE moves to greet in the background, but remains attentive to the entire hall. TIMARETE goes with her.
PHAON
Is that you, Lykos?
LYKOS
The one and only Lykos.
He holds a passing ATTENDANT by the arm, snatches two cups from him and hands one to PHAON.
PHAON
Strong and capable as ever.
LYKOS
And brave. Cheers, Phaon.
PHAON
What news of the hunt?
LYKOS
The royal party dawdles. I came ahead with the best of their game—got a stag at the gate.
Hey you there—help haul it in.
He walks over to MEDON who is busy taking direction from Penelope. She looks decisively at LYKOS.
PENELOPE
No, Medon can’t do it. Iasos will help you.
LYKOS
A boy? For a man’s job?
PENELOPE
Yes. A boy.
IASOS looks to her hesitantly. She nods to him.
LYKOS
You heard her, boy. Get to it.
She speaks quietly to IASOS, walking him partway towards the harbour-side exit. He continues out alone; she returns to her work with MEDON.
PHAON
Tell me, Lykos, are the rumours true?
LYKOS
The city women are like fine dining, but Ithaca’s country girls are—
PHAON
An acquired taste?
He sips his wine.
Not those rumours.
LYKOS
Then which ones?
PHAON
The king, of course.
MENTOR
What of our king?
LYKOS
I told you, Mentor, he grew old out there. He just watched while his boy directed the hunt. Who do you think killed that stag?
PHAON
Not you?
LYKOS
Well—no, but I brought it in. And those two birds on the table there.
MENTOR
Then say who.
LYKOS
Telemachus.
PHAON
Ohh, the prince.
MENTOR
Then Telemachus led well. The king does not grow lesser when his son is ready to command.
PHAON
Now there’s a man that can work.
LYKOS
And that bow Ithaca sings about—the one no other man can string? Ulysses never drew it once.
He spits.
PHAON
Then let’s toast.
MENTOR
To what?
PHAON
If Ulysses can’t keep the bow up, then let’s toast to youth and the next generation who can.
LYKOS
I’ll drink to that.
MENTOR doesn’t raise his cup. PENELOPE finishes her work and joins them, bringing the platter with the pheasants.
PENELOPE
And to whoever brought us this wonderful bounty. It’s yours, isn’t it, Lykos?
LYKOS
Yes, ma’am. I worked very hard for those kills.
PENELOPE
It shows. Look at this neck. Oh, and these feet. Not much meat on the bones, but it should feed Iasos.
LYKOS
Where is that boy by the way? He ought to pluck them after he finishes working the stag.
PENELOPE
You mean the work that’s only fit for a man?
LYKOS
Of course.
PENELOPE
A strong, capable, brave man?
LYKOS
Yes.
PENELOPE
Someone like my son?
PHAON and LYKOS together
Yes.
PENELOPE
Well he’s not here yet. What about you, Lykos?
She brushes up beside him and looks up, holding his gaze.
LYKOS
I am.
PENELOPE
Good. I’m glad that’s settled. Now haul in the stag yourself.
She plops the platter in his hands.
And let Iasos know he can stop gathering firewood.
MENTOR
Ha! Timarete, come here.
Speechless, LYKOS exits harbour-side.
PENELOPE
Phaon, will you lend me your advice? We’re running late now and I have to finish the preparations.
PHAON
I am but a loyal servant of the royal house, Your Majesty.
PENELOPE
Then look here. We usually have four, but Polycaste is still in Pylos with little Persepolis. So tonight it’s just us three.
She indicates the empty chair at the head of the table.
PHAON
Ah, that gap says it all.
PENELOPE
Says what?
PHAON
Trouble for Telemachus and Polycaste.
PENELOPE
Then I’ll remove it.
She tries to pull away the chair.
PHAON
No! You can’t do that, Your Majesty.
PENELOPE
No?
PHAON
It would be sacrilege.
She hesitates then pulls the chair to the palace-side.
PHAON
Not there either.
PENELOPE
Oh my…help me.
He bows low then moves Polycaste’s seat to the harbour-side, arranging the places as he speaks.
PHAON
There. The magnificent prince, you, Ulysses then Polycaste.
PENELOPE
Are we safe yet?
PHAON
The Fates may leave Pylos and Ithaca in peace.
PENELOPE
Forget fate—what about the court?
PHAON
Serve her dinner. Pour her wine. She’ll dine with us in spirit.
PENELOPE
All they will see is an empty chair.
PHAON
You are right. When the hall toasts your house, have your servant raise her cup. Her praise for Telemachus will still rise highest in all the Ithacan court.
PENELOPE
As should his wife.
She sighs.
Twenty years without Ulysses, and not one courtier half as loyal as you.
He stands up straight and clears his throat.
PHAON
Some stars must dim, that younger lights may riseTo take their place and light our common sky.
Pause.
PENELOPE
Then let me reward such loyalty.
She places a fifth seat at the corner beside Polycaste’s.
PENELOPE
Your place is with us tonight, Phaon.
MENTOR
Penelope!?
PHAON bows very low.
PHAON
Surely a simple courtier should not intrude upon the family table.
PENELOPE
Simple!? After your counsel?
MENTOR
Penelope. No.
PHAON
A man of your standing, Mentor, understands not to refuse an honour bestowed by the Queen.
MENTOR
I’d have you know when not to accept one.
PHAON
There are honours enough in Ithaca for all of us.
MENTOR
I don’t want your chair.
PHAON
Nor would I presume to take it—had Her Majesty not placed me there.
TIMARETE
Come, dear. Let’s enjoy the party.
She yanks MENTOR along with her. As they move away, he grumbles loudly.
MENTOR
Why would she ever let that thing near them?
LYKOS enters harbour-side looking dishevelled, with grime on his hands and clothes. He helps himself to an appetizer and tries to join the party.
PHAON
Ah, Lykos, where have you been? I’ve just been granted a seat at the royal table.
LYKOS
By who?
PHAON
He looks filthy, Your Majesty.
PENELOPE
You are right, Phaon. This is a dinner party, Lykos. Go and wash up.
PHAON
I’ll tell you all about it.
PHAON trails behind LYKOS towards the palace-side exit. LYKOS turns back to speak.
LYKOS
When is dinner by the way?
PENELOPE
When the men get in.
TELEMACHUS enters from the harbour-side, directing the returning hunting party. ATTENDANTS, including IASOS, follow with game and stores.
TELEMACHUS (to the hunting party)
Drop off your weapons and gear at the armoury, then wash up. We’ll sort out the mess after the banquet.
(to the ATTENDANTS)
Bring the game around back to the butcher and cooks. The stores to the kitchen and cellar.
And my father’s bow—bring it here to rest on the mantel again. It doesn’t belong with the rest.
IASOS
Yes, sire.
TELEMACHUS
Hello, Mother.
PENELOPE
Telemachus, you’re finally home.
TELEMACHUS
It’s only been a month.
PENELOPE
And a month before that in Pylos. You left as soon as you landed in Ithaca.
Where is your father? We will take our places once he arrives.
TELEMACHUS
He’ll be in. I rushed up to direct the men and left him at the gate.
MEDON approaches and bows courteously to TELEMACHUS, then speaks to PENELOPE.
MEDON
Your Majesty, we are ready. The king is here.
PENELOPE
Places, everyone!
PENELOPE grabs TELEMACHUS by the hand and pulls him off palace-side, while MEDON takes centre stage. Trumpets blare and the room goes quiet.
MEDON
Esteemed guests and citizens of Ithaca. The royal family.
The hall applauds as PENELOPE and TELEMACHUS appear from the palace-side and stand by their seats. ULYSSES appears harbour-side, walking slowly toward his seat. She gestures them to remain standing.
PHAON enters, pulls out Polycaste’s seat and stands behind his own. ULYSSES stares hard at him. The applause stalls and the crowd begins to murmur. They sit.
MENTOR (to TIMARETE)
I still don’t know why she should elevate that vain man.
TIMARETE (chuckling)
Oh I think she knows what she’s doing.
PENELOPE
This hall has gone quiet for many years. Thank you all for filling it again with your laughter. Feast and meet and keep each other’s company tonight—and for new nights to come.
She holds up her cup.
From our family to yours.
One by one, the hall joins her in the toast. Seeing Polycaste’s cup remain on the table, PHAON takes it and raises it beside his own.
FIRST GUEST
Phaon?
ELDER
Whose family is he?
SECOND GUEST
Why is he holding Polycaste’s cup?
Pockets of laughter break through the murmuring.
SECOND GUEST
Does Polycaste approve?
The hall erupts in laughter, gossip, incredulity and protest. PHAON hesitates and looks around the room. His smile dies as he looks to PENELOPE who has stepped away to mind the party.
MENTOR
Oh!
He looks at TIMARETE, who is already laughing, and joins in as they approach the table.
MENTOR
Ulysses! How are you, old friend?
ULYSSES
I am well, Mentor. Hello, Timarete.
TIMARETE
Ulysses. Your Penelope is just brilliant.
ULYSSES
She is.
TIMARETE
Lykos barged in boasting about the stag—
MENTOR
Which Telemachus killed.
TIMARETE
—then Penelope lent him Iasos to help bring it in.
MENTOR
Then he whined. Said a boy couldn’t do a man’s job.
ULYSSES
So she made him do it.
TIMARETE
How did you guess?
ULYSSES looks off to PENELOPE across the room.
ULYSSES
Because that’s her.
He looks back to them and points at PHAON.
ULYSSES
That explains him.
GUEST
Speech! Speech!
The guests echo the call as it spreads through the hall. PHAON lifts his cup and begins to rise.
ULYSSES
Sit.
ANOTHER GUEST
Speech!
MENTOR
They call for you, Ulysses.
TELEMACHUS leans forward and looks to ULYSSES who hasn’t moved.
TELEMACHUS
Father?
ANOTHER GUEST
Speech, Telemachus!
GUESTS
Telemachus! Telemachus!
ULYSSES does not move. Pause. TELEMACHUS rises and walks forward.
TELEMACHUS
Good people, citizens and honoured guestsOf this great isle—I welcome you, my friends.Tonight we dine together once again,And fill the hall with all of Ithaca.Let’s pause and recognize the many hands,Without whose labour we’d not feast today,Nor ever feast: attendants, butchers, cooks;My party who followed through rain-brushed dusk,Whose arrows found their mark beside my own;My mother who brought us all together,Who knows each one by face, by name, by voice;And you who answer her now with your presence,What purpose has this hall without its guests?But lastly, to my father, without whomThere’d be no hunt, no feast. He called, I answered—And glad to trek these hills beside him now,When as a boy I wandered them alone.
All hail, to the king!
GUESTS
Hail!
ELDER
King Ulysses!
MENTOR (to ULYSSES)
He reminds me of you.
The crowd applauds. TELEMACHUS remains standing to greet guests approaching from all sides.
FIRST GUEST
Prince Telemachus, don’t leave for Pylos again. We want you here.
TELEMACHUS
Ithaca is my home.
SECOND GUEST
May I speak to you about purchasing game from the royal hunt?
TELEMACHUS
Why, when it goes to feeding Ithaca for nights to come?
THIRD GUEST
I need your counsel on a claim against my house, Telemachus.
TELEMACHUS
In the morning at court. For now, have a drink with me.
TIMARETE approaches PENELOPE who is off to the side admiring her son as he commands the room.
TIMARETE
You must be proud of him.
PENELOPE
Very much.
IASOS walks up to TELEMACHUS and hands him ULYSSES’s bow.
IASOS
Sire, where on the mantel would you like it?
TELEMACHUS
Right—Father’s bow.
TELEMACHUS takes it and walks to the mantel, unaware the room has stilled and all eyes follow him.
TIMARETE (to PENELOPE)
Watch this.
(Calling across the hall)
String the bow, Telemachus!
A GUEST
The bow!
The room echoes approval and joins in chanting his name. TELEMACHUS turns around confused, then looks at ULYSSES, who says nothing and makes no gesture to proceed. MENTOR looks to ULYSSES. TIMARETE looks to PENELOPE.
GUESTS
Telemachus! Telemachus!
TELEMACHUS strings it with ease and raises the bow for all to see. The room erupts in wild applause.
MENTOR
He is his father’s son.
ULYSSES
He is his own man.
TIMARETE
He looks so much like Ulysses, doesn’t he?
PENELOPE
My Telemachus is all grown up.
ANOTHER GUEST
Now the king!
GUESTS
Ulysses!
MENTOR
Come on, Ulysses. Show them you still have it. They can’t sing of Troy and the Cyclops forever.
MENTOR backs up and leaves them in the spotlight. The room continues cheering. TELEMACHUS unstrings the bow and offers it to ULYSSES.
TIMARETE
Will he?
PENELOPE
Of course he will. Would you ever doubt that man?
TIMARETE grips PENELOPE’s arm in anticipation, while PENELOPE straightens. ULYSSES rises and looks down at the bow, then around at the room still animated.
He does not take it.
PENELOPE
Oh…
Silence. Then whispers break through the hall. He speaks quietly, only Telemachus within earshot.
ULYSSES (softly)
I am become a name.
TELEMACHUS
Father?
ULYSSES
Herald.
MEDON
My king?
ULYSSES
It is time. Send word through the city. Tomorrow, Telemachus will be king.
ULYSSES exits harbour-side and leaves TELEMACHUS still holding out the bow.
MENTOR
Ulysses?
TELEMACHUS
Father?
The hall remains stunned in silence. PHAON stands and raises his cup to TELEMACHUS.
PHAON
To the King.
GUESTS
To Telemachus.
The royal hall cheers and erupts in applause. TELEMACHUS holds the room until it quiets down.
TELEMACHUS
Thank you all. I was not expecting this. I must retire for tomorrow’s ceremony. I thank you again for coming to the banquet tonight.
He walks palace-side and sees the guests out one by one, receiving congratulations, praise, gifts, hugs and kisses.
ELDER
You are ready, my boy. Congratulations.
FIRST GUEST
We were told only Ulysses could string the bow…to see it done in person, instead of hearing it in song…
SECOND GUEST
And by his son!
TIMARETE
Penelope, dear, are you alright?
PENELOPE
I’m okay…
TIMARETE
Look, he really is all grown up: the people at his call, a wife and child of his own, now the crown waiting for him. Your son is ready.
PENELOPE
Yes…
TIMARETE
Why else would he call Telemachus home? This must have been Ulysses’s plan all along.
PENELOPE
You’re right…
TIMARETE
I think it’s good. Now he is only a husband.
PENELOPE
Yes, only…
MENTOR
There you are, Timarete. Where have you been hiding?
TIMARETE
Just here with Penelope.
MENTOR
Shall we go?
TIMARETE
Yes, it’s late. We’ll see you at the coronation, Penelope.
MENTOR
Good night.
TIMARETE and MENTOR exit. ATTENDANTS work in the background to clear the banquet items from the central structure. TELEMACHUS exits palace-side with the last of the guests. PENELOPE is left alone.
End Scene One