Author: lisa
Subject: "It’s All Greek" a HBX March challenge story and HarmyBoard discussion response

I never came up with a story inspiration to fit the March challenge, but two days too late I came up with this short, very silly piece. This is in response to the discussion on the HarmyBoard main page regarding the episode “Pas de Deux”. It’s just a quick piece that I jotted down this afternoon when I was supposed to be working. All mistakes are mine.

This is different than what is typically posted on the HarmyBoard Extras. I hope this characterization is allowed.

It’s All Greek
~ by lisa

Late winter/early spring 2003

Evening was turning into night and still he sat hunched over his keyboard working. The office was nearly empty except for faithful Harriet who had stayed to assist him as he finalized the last document, tweaking words here and there, adding a finishing touch before his deadline. It may be arrogant to think so, but he fancied himself quite the wordsmith. He thought back to the days when this work was new and fresh and brought a sense of joy and fulfillment, but somewhere along the line, although he wouldn’t admit it to himself, it had become drudgery.

He sighed as he finished proofing the closing paragraph, ready to hand it over to Harriet for copying. He knew what he held in his hands would cause pain to the lives of many, but it seemed he had become so cynical he didn’t even care.

Hitting the intercom he called for Harriet, but received no response. Instead he heard the sudden slamming of a door and felt a rush of cold air. Glancing around his wood-paneled office he gasped when without warning the power failed and he was left in near total darkness - only the glow from the emergency lighting in the hallway offered some illumination. Venturing out into the hallway he called for Harriet.

Sensing the presence of someone behind him he whirled around. His eyes widened as he saw the image of three women. While their form was not frightening, he was struck with a sudden sense of foreboding. Backing away he stammered, “Who are you and what do you want?”

The three merely looked at him - an ethereal glow surrounding them. Their eyes seems filled with the wisdom of the ages and the knowing sadness of their expressions filled him with a feeling of guilt for some odd reason.

One of the three captured his gaze with a look that seemed to pierce right to his soul and answered his question with one of her one. “What are you afraid of?”

He scoffed, “Afraid? I’m not afraid of anything. My years in the military taught me courage and to conquer my fear.”

She only smiled and shook her head. “You are afraid. You are afraid to admit you have real feelings. You have hidden them so deep that all you reveal is snideness and cynicism. You have broken a trust and through your hardness of heart and over inflated ego you have hurt many who are dependent upon what you do for their happiness and peace of mind. You antagonize those who have placed their hope and faith in you.”

The conviction with which she spoke pricked what little of his conscience that remained and he turned to flee before they could bring further conviction. Before he could escape he was restrained by a blue feather boa encircling him and keeping him in place. He sullenly demanded, “Let go of me! I order you to release me instantly! Harriet, come and help me get away from these loonies!”

The one that seemed to be the spokesperson replied, “You will be released, but not before you are given a message. You have turned away from love and kindness for so long that you have lost the ability for expressions of romance and true love. However, you can’t run away all your life. You will eventually be humbled and will acknowledge the grief you have caused so many.”

He scoffed, “I don’t know what you are talking about - love and romance - it’s all greek to me.” Not ready to listen, he again demanded, “Who are you three?”

“We are the three Muses. We have gifted you with abilities that were meant to be used for goodness and happiness. In years past you have sometimes used the gifts entrusted to you honorably, however in recent years you have not done so. You have used them to cause heartache and despair.”

Reaching for the document he had just finished and still clutched in his hand, the first Muse continued. “Case in point, Donald! ‘Pas de Deux’ - this writing belongs in the trash! You have taken something intended for good and used it for evil. And what you are currently working on, ‘A Tangled Webb’, is just as hateful. Those who call themselves ‘shippers’ have placed their hope in you for years and you have mocked them and their trust. You may have the power Donald, but the gifts we the Muses have given you will now been removed. You no longer will catch glimpses of glory and goodness, but you will be fraught with sadness and despair. The angst you took such pleasure in producing will now be all you will know. In addition, the gifts we Muses had bestowed on you will now be granted to countless other faithful ones with names such as Manette and Theresa and Pixie and Aerogirl. Mkim, and Gibson and doc and Vivienne and Sooz and so many others who will bring joy where you have brought despair.”

Immediately the feathered restraints fell away and the image of the Muses faded away. Donald sank to the floor where Harriet found him. “Harriet, I just had the strangest experience.”

“I did too, Donald! I saw these zookeepers in stilettos and feather boas hunting for a 500 pound gorilla ...”

The End