Poseidon’s grim forecast for the Seattle seawall; Waller’s proposal to fight climate change through social media; Veronica’s jealous rage over Clifford; Aphrodite hits the bottle. . .
Week Twelve:
September 12th through 18th, 2025
Monday, September 15, Clifford Essex is bummed in Seattle. None of his ideas for strengthening the Elliot Bay seawall (that protects the underground commuter tunnel) are panning out! Though Veronica expects him back at Olympus, Inc., headquarters to do quarterly admin work, he sends his assistant, Heinrich, instead. Clifford, alone, unhappily ruminates aboard research vessel Ms. Zeta, but receives a surprise visit from Poseidon who wants to dive once more to examine the seawall. Menacing and mysterious seismic activity that neither of them can explain persists. To Poseidon, it feels like the earth is stretching. Perplexed, they adjourn to a nearby oyster bar for calamari, martinis and the sports channel. Poseidon talks about his legendary sexual caprices- -not Clifford’s cup of tea, but he appreciates being treated more like a colleague than an annoyance.
Meanwhile, at Olympus, Inc., headquarters, Hermes is DONE with watching security monitors trained on The Power’s prison cell! Time wasted as Earth is dying out from under them, forecast to end in two hundred years or less! He orders his assistant Waller to get rid of the monitors, then invites him to brainstorm on climate change. Waller believes changing mortal behavior is the key. He proposes an immortal-led lifestyle program to inspire the mortal rank-and-file to dramatically lower their fossil fuel consumption, plant trees, etc. Waller’s method: playing on the mortal passion to see themselves onscreen. He would create an attractive social media platform that is sure to go viral! Stumped in all his previous efforts to turn back climate change, Hermes authorizes Waller to draw up a proposal. What could it hurt?
At home in her penthouse condo Tuesday, September 16, Hera receives a surprise visit from Veronica, red-faced and trembling with rage. She’s furious that Clifford sent Heinrich to do the quarterly structureling review instead of coming back to do it himself. He’s never done this before! They have symphony tickets for later that week, and, to top it off, he’s getting chummy with Poseidon! Hera pours generous goblets of chardonnay while she reminds Veronica that Clifford, as a departmental manager, has the authority to make those kinds of decisions, as well as the judgment to decide if he, personally, needs to remain in Seattle on the seawall project. Bottom line: Veronica believes that, since they got engaged, Clifford doesn’t love her as much! Patiently listening to her daughter’s rant, Hera, Goddess of Marriage, is pretty sure it has more to do with hormones.
Construction noises vibrate through Aphrodite’s mansion Thursday, September 18. Half of her counseling rooms, each keyed to a different fantasy theme, are being repurposed to a factory for the manufacture of erotic costumes. The noise and chaos causes her mascara wand to slip, leaving a smudge under her eye. With a hearty roar of “Tartarus” she throws the mascara wand at the wall and opens a bottle of Scotch she liberated from the long-disused Highland Room. She takes a big slug. Then another. Nothing matters anymore, since it no longer makes sense to taunt Hera about David’s mortal father. Are they even still enemies, now that Love, Inc., is prospering in the Department of Marriage joint venture? What fun is life without revenge? Somehow, the bottle is half empty. Failure, Aphrodite realizes, was exciting: success is nothing but a trap!
Clifford- -awash with unsolvable engineering problems, a fraught engagement, and endless tales of Poseidon’s sexual prowess!
Hermes- -giving in to social media’s promise to curb climate change!
Hera- -tempering her boss-daughter’s romantic rage with wine and wisdom!
Aphrodite- -a failure through success!!
Heaven and Earth, these folks are in agony! Will it never end? You can find out here:
https://www.susandmatley.com/beyond-big-g-city/
