"Given to him, Sire. He acknowledges that his payment has,
indeed, been delayed. But, another matter might interest you. A
terrible battle ensued between Poseidon and Oceanus. The waters
of the oceansea thundered upon ship and shore. Islands
disappeared haplessly into the depths. Still they fought in ever
more desperate anger.
They labored for a day, and only with nightfall did Poseidon
finally dominate. 'Twas on the golf course of the Golden Isles,
and as result of his win Poseidon retains mastery of the seas.
Oceanus had the lead, then developed a nasty slice as they
neared the 15th hole."
"Oh, yes, it really was a nasty slice. Ball flew right off the
course."
"Golf, Poseidon, Oceanus? Who rules the watery domains as they
while away their time at such diversions?"
"I, your majesty. Great fun. Some minor problems. Washed away
the rock of Gibraltar, which Poseidon kindly replaced. And,
Sire, Poseidon invites you a golf match at your earliest
convenience, where he would negotiate with you over the bill you
submitted. I'd be more than pleased to run Olympus in your
absence."
"Yes, I understand." Zeus weighed the club in his hands, took a
hefty swing. "I'll surely join him. I doubt he knows that
Proteus gave me lessons years ago. 'Twill be a most enjoyable
game!"
He paused for a moment, eyes wide, as though watching a major
catastrophe. "You . . . in my absence!" With a frown he walked
toward the throne. "Where is my flagon of nectar. Good day, my
lad!"
The river Lethe flows dark and deep in the nether kingdom.
Strange stories of the power of those waters spread among
mankind.
One story was true.
Who drinks of those waters remembers no more.
Lost loves, friends, family - their vision fades away.
Hate, enemies, wars, catastrophes - all are gone.
Happiness, joy, taste of rare wines, flavor of good foods - all
fade.
Victories, defeats. Catastrophes, triumphs. Gone, all gone.
A blessing or a curse?
To each new dweller in Hades offers Pluto a goblet. In that
goblet the limpid water of Lethe. The only kindness offered in
the kingdom of the damned.
One bathed in those limpid waters, drank deep, and found no
peace.
Pluto.
Master of the evil domain. Keeper of the Portals of Hell.
Cursed to minister to the punishment of the damned, forever.
And cursed yet more with a heart that bled for the poor fools
whose actions had brought them to such sorry end.
The most damned of all souls in purgatory.
Pluto, master of that dread domain.
He had hoped with Persephone to escape in her arms the
ever-present misery.
Her sorrow brought misery the more.
"I can give to others the waters of Lethe. Only to others. As
for me, I must know all past evil deeds - and even more, must
know the evil yet to come."
The waters of Lethe failed him.