With Some Time to Kill

For the first time today, Amelia looked surprised. "Oh, we actually have a slight change of plans. My Lady tells me that portions of the audience would like to know more about the harem members before voting. It must be some of the minor deities, since the Olympians already know your entire background."

The women bristled at the creepy fact while Hector looked around nervously. He didn't think insulting gods of any caliber was a good idea, but working for a powerful goddess must grant Amelia protection to throw around a mere slight.

Amelia continued, not seeming drained of any energy since Hector appeared in the room, while he was starting to get restless. "I have some questions for each of you, and we will go in reverse order this time. Veronica, what are you hoping to get out of this exciting experience?"

Veronica seemed perplexed and she shook her head a bit, getting some strands of hair in her face. "Uh...not having sex with my son? I can't believe that is something I even have to say."

Amelia's amused condescension returned. "Oh what a boring answer dear. I believe mortals call that a 'cop out'. What are you looking forward to DO, not looking forward to AVOID."

Veronica pursed her lips while trying to come up with a more interesting answer. "I suppose the rest of the time could be relaxing in a way. It seems like we won't have much responsibility most of the day, so it would be nice to unwind."

Amelia smiled brightly. "That is the spirit! What a wonderful answer. There are plenty of amenities around the mountain for you to enjoy. I bet a few of you would like to see the arena."

"Wait a minute," Michelle piped up. "What will happen with our work or lives in general back where we are from? I have a child to feed tonight and a class to teach tomorrow."

"Oh, no one on the moral plane will recognize you are gone while you are here on Olympus. Things will run perfectly smoothly as if you would not have been there in the first place. And please keep quiet, I can see you have a follow up, but I am the one asking questions at the moment. Now, Penelope, did you have any sense at all that you are descended from Aphrodite herself?"

The woman in question blew out some air through her lips like a horse. "No, I can't really believe it. Of course I know I'm pretty, but there are millions of pretty girls. Nothing about my life has ever seemed magical, and to be honest, neither has my brother's." Penelope hesitantly looked over at Hector for some kind of backup. He could only shrug with palms face up in agreement.

The host picked up the thread. "Hmm, life might not seem magical as a legacy, but there are magical remnants within you. And we might just bring them to the surface in the coming weeks. Now, Michelle, what is it about the theatre you find so compelling?"

The professor's eyes lit up in excitement again, eager to talk about one of her favorite subjects. Hector was curious about her answer, as he took her class more for the content then the medium. "Oh, gosh, theatre is...the truest embodiment of life that humans can express. Anything is possible on stage where the only distance between reality and fiction is our own mental understanding of it. Theatre wrestles with all kinds of big questions, and as Hector and Carla know (or should know), one of them is how to accept the fact there are great powers beyond your control."

Hector was impressed with that response, and evidently plenty of other people were, too. Much of the peanut gallery started clapping again, unprompted this time. Alexis, who hadn't really engaged with the ongoing conversation to this point, sized up Michelle with a new level of respect. Amelia, for her part, put her hand over her heart. "Wow, that is so beautiful. I am touched, and I bet Euripides would be, too. Moving along to someone else who appreciates a stage, Alexis: what do you plan to do if your band does not pan out?"

Alexis tilted her head down and gave the host a look of frustration, her lips thinning out. "We're gonna make it, don't doubt us!"

Amelia stood firm, as the group was becoming accustomed to seeing. "I never said I doubted. From a purely pragmatic perspective, what will you do if you're band does not break it big?"

Alexis let out a big sigh and looked down at the floor while shuffling her feet. "I haven't thought about it much. I suppose...I could teach guitar lessons, pass on what I know to a bunch of kids. Be my own Dewey Finn."

"That sounds wonderful! I bet those growing boys and girls would hang on your every word." Alexis seemed put off by that comment. It was becoming clear that either Amelia was bad at reading the room, or she simply didn't care about the emotions of the members. Hector suspected it was the latter. "Switching gears, Carla, have you ever been with a man before?"

The group collectively groaned at that question. Hector facepalmed just like Captain Picard. Carla looked downright offended but then calmed her facial features. She looked straight at Amelia while answering. "The answer to that should be obvious, but plenty of queer people over time have dated someone of the opposite sex . But I feel very comfortable with my own sexuality and am fortunate that most people around me are accepting of that. So no, I have not had sex with a guy before."

Amelia took the response in stride. "Tyche must be smiling upon you, but remember, there is a first time for everything. Speaking of firsts, we turn to Kristie. Why did you decide to take an American History class?"

Kristie looked surprise at the simple question. "Oh, that one is easy, I was expecting something more sensitive. Since I am new to the United States, I figured it was worth learning more about the country I live in now. It's not like it has anything to do with my Sports Management program."

Hector likely could have guessed that was the case. Sophie, already considering the game theory and competitive aspects of Harem Hotel, thought it was unwise for Kristie to share she thought that was a softball question. Amelia did not reveal anything to that extent, either. "I do like to see open minds on the show, and it looks like you will be a versatile member. Sophie, you are aware that politicians should be open minded. What is one time you changed your opinion about something?"

Sophie was amused by the question befitting a college application but managed to keep a neutral expression on her face. "Well, Amelia, when I started high school I thought it would be worthwhile to try and become friends with everyone. I learned within a few months that the effort is exhausting and simply not worthwhile. Being friendly is good, but no one can be friends with everyone since some people simply do not connect on the same wavelength, and that is okay. Now in college, I am happy to say I found a group of friends in my program, and we do not need to force conversation. It just flows naturally between us."

Amelia seemed a little put out for once but did not press the issue. "A diplomatic response if I ever heard one. And finally, we return to Molly. You are the only member here who got out of a relationship this year. How did that go down?"

Molly was dreading this question. She had a feeling Amelia would bring up her high school boyfriend and did not want to talk about it. Not that the answer was so juicy, she just didn't like talking about her personal life with others. "W-well it's pretty simple really. Chris and I only planned on staying together if we went to school somewhat near each other, but that didn't happen. He stayed home at Central Maryland, and you know I'm in California now. Or I was, before you brought me here."

Hector was trying not to get his hopes up, but it was hard not to when hearing that his best friend was single again. He assumed as much, but she never told him even though they hung out all the time during the summer. That hurt a bit, if he was being honest with himself.

Amelia, of course, decided to stir the pot. "Ooh, that is one obstacle out of the way for our lucky guy here!" She actually winked at him at this point. Hector was getting embarrassed but couldn't say he disagreed with the host's assessment. "Now, I hope our audience has found these brief interviews to be enlightening. We should start seeing more of those votes coming in right now!"