(Odysseus has just settled down and told his story after dinner to his family. Penelope and her servants leave. Laertes also leaves sleepy, with the help of Athena.

 

Odysseus: So, it is getting late, Telemachus. You might as well go to sleep, especially, since we have such an important day tomorrow. We have to be ready, just in case, there is a revolt after the deaths of the suitors. (yawns) We have plenty of time to speak from now on.

 

Telemachus: Okay, whatever you say, Father. (Gets up and then abruptly sits back down. Odysseus stares after being startled.) Wait, I forgot to ask you something. I was just wondering…

 

Odysseus: (interrupts) Yes, I am your father. Athena told me to remind you that you…

 

Telemachus: (interrupts with a beaming smile) Yes, I believe that now, but actually what I was going to say was, that I began calculating the events you told, and the time you spent does not add up. So, my question is, what happened between those events that made your absence longer?

 

Odysseus: (looks around the room) I guess you will keep asking until I tell you. (sighs) The truth is I did meet more immortals than I said I had. Let’s just say that these immortals were unlike Zeus and more like who he would gladly spend his time talking to. (Telemachus looks puzzled.) Really? Not even a guess? (cough) They were female. (cough) Telemachus, before you over-analyze anything, I did what I had to do to rescue my crew. The witch, Circe, was going around turning my crew into swine, I had to do something. So, after Hermes told me how to defend myself, I defeated Circe. It is not my fault she may have seen how truly heroic I am, and so, one thing led to another. (Telemachus looks puzzled again. Odysseus sighs.) Don’t worry. (Aside to himself) You would have understood if I had been here with you. (To Telemachus) You will understand eventually. Anyway, so she became truly generous with my crew, so we decided to stay there with…

 

Telemachus (after Hermes, disguised as a red butterfly, whispers to his ear): Wait, did you mean that you…with Circe? (stares in disbelief) But, my mom was faithful to you all these years!

 

Odysseus (flushed and angry): You can’t judge someone who was believed to be dead and was being robbed of his belongings by the most godforsaken men in Ithaca. Besides, you all did not exactly play the perfect family either, I did not hear about any Ithacan boats searching for me.

 

Telemachus (blushing crimson after Athena takes Hermes back): You are right. Sorry, Father. Besides, at least Circe prophesied about the rest of your journey which truly aided your return, right, Father?

 

Odysseus (relaxed): Yes, she allowed me to regain my spirits, and my men looked well after a year of being in her island. Eventually, the time came for us to leave her island, and well, here I am, safe and sound.

 

Telemachus (yawning): Yes, and thanks to the gods and goddesses! Well, I am tired and might as well go and rest peacefully for the first time. Good night, Father. (Gets up and is exiting the room. Pauses at the door.) Well, at least, Circe knows you are faithful to my mother and will never do something (cough) heroic like that again.

 

Odysseus (smiles): Of course, now this was our first father-to-son conversation, right, son? (Telemachus nods.) Okay, may you have nice dreams. (Telemachus exits.) Thank Zeus, I did not tell him about the ten years with Calypso! (Odysseus exits to his room and is greeted by his wife.)