Free Home is the Hunter by Helen MacInnes Page A

smiling)
    It’s all a gamble, anyway. I told you that when we first came here.
    ERYX
    Then why don’t we throw dice and let them choose the winner?
    MELAS
(Angry, now, and shouting)
    Because none of us would have a fair chance if you got your hands on a set of dice.
    HOMER
    Gentlemen, gentlemen! Really, this could go on forever.
    CLIA
    It has been going on for three years.
    HOMER
    Frankly, I don’t think you’ll ever find a solution, for each wants to win and no one intends to be the loser. When you came here, no doubt you thought there was strength in numbers; but now, your numbers defeat you. Oh, happy band of brothers!
    ERYX
    You keep out of this!
    HOMER
    I wish I could. Oh, why didn’t you leave this morning, before I ever arrived!
    ERYX
(Very softly)
    You know, I almost forgot that... Penelope kept us here. I wonder why?...
(He and MELAS lower their weapons. ULYSSES straightens his back for a moment, and then bows his head to stare at the ground once more.)
    I don’t like this. Come on. We’ll both see Madame Penelope. Now.
(He and MELAS move purposely together toward the steps.)
    HOMER
    You did mention nine others, who seem to have a part-interest in this too. Shouldn’t you at least appear to consult them? Clia, will you step into the yard and inform—
    ERYX
(Speaking to CLIA as MELAS turns on HOMER )
    You’ll find them at the stables. Tell them that Penelope’s little comedy is over. Bring them here. We’ll make her choice for her.
    PENELOPE
(Suddenly appearing from her doorway. She pauses at the top of the steps, watching HOMER standing his ground as MELAS and ERYX advance on him. PENELOPE is carefully dressed in green, in a chiffon robe of flowing grace. There are jewels in her high-coiled hair. She has never looked more beautiful. But for one moment, too, she looks a little frightened. Then the goddess ATHENA emerges from the wall and stands on the dais near PENELOPE . PENELOPE recovers herself.)
    Will you, indeed? That was not the bargain we made.
    ERYX
(Swinging round, along with MELAS , to see PENELOPE on the dais)
    You broke the bargain.
    PENELOPE
    I? I broke my word?
    MELAS
    You ripped out that embroidery as fast as you stitched it.
    PENELOPE
    But—but—I never made any promise not to rip it out.
    ATHENA
(Relaxes and smiles)
    Not bad, not bad at all. But be careful, Penelope, careful!
( HOMER is laughing now; and ERYX and MELAS look at each other.)
    PENELOPE
    And haven’t you broken your promise to keep out of this Hall for two hours each afternoon, so that I can walk in peace?
( ERYX and MELAS exchange a second stare.)
    ERYX
    Look here—who’s questioning whom?
    PENELOPE
    Please don’t shout. After all, there is only one more day before I make my choice, so why annoy me?... You see, I admit you’ve won.
    HOMER
(Shocked)
    Penelope!
    MELAS
(Going toward her)
    In that case, why not choose now?
(His voice is gentle; his smile is charming.)
    PENELOPE
    A personal choice would be—invidious. Certainly difficult. Perhaps even a little dangerous. I’ve a better idea: I choose a contest in which you will all have an equal chance. That’s fair, isn’t it?
    ERYX
(Delighted)
    We’ll choose the contest.
    PENELOPE
(Sweetly)
    But can you? Can you agree on the choice of weapons?
(She watches ERYX and MELAS exchange looks.)
    Then that’s settled—I’ll announce the contest tomorrow night.
    ERYX
    You’ll do it now.
    MELAS
    Yes, now.
    ATHENA
    I told you to be careful... Oh, why don’t you look at the doorway?
    PENELOPE
(Coming down the steps)
    But I—I first must go to Athena’s altar, and offer her some flowers, and a prayer... You know how cross she can get, if things aren’t done properly.
    ATHENA
    Well, really!
    ERYX
    No more delays, Penelope. It’s now. Or never.
(He and MELAS take a quick step to intercept penelope as she hurries toward the door. She now can see the beggar, and halts suddenly. ATHENA folds her arms and leans against a wall. No one, of course, is aware of her physically. She