Spring 2025 · Torch: U.S. · ZEUS V. APOLLO
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ZEUS
APOLLO
ZEUS
APOLLO
Whereupon, at the 12th hour on the water clock, on the 11th of Skirophorion, 2500 BCE, honorable Pallas Athene presided over the following:
PROCEEDINGS - CONT.
ATHENE: We are reconvening in the matter of Phoebus Apollo v. Almighty Zeus, regarding the alleged wrongful death of Asclepius. Counsel, proceed with closing statements.
APOLLO: Once as a young god the fair blooms of love-
ATHENE: Apollo, we’ve been over this, this is not poetry recitation.
APOLLO: Fine. Coronis. Love. Infidelity. Raven. Feathers. White to black. Rage. Arrow. Behold, a baby!
ATHENE: Apollo.
APOLLO: Fine. I saved the baby, Asclepius, while Coronis was dying, and placed him in the care of noble Chiron. He grew to be a gifted physician and discovered a way to raise the dead, accomplishing feats that befit the son of a god. This angered my uncle Hades – as if he doesn't already have enough souls to manage – who then complained to my father. Zeus in turn without hesitation hurled a thunderbolt down at my son and murdered him in cold blood. Thus I charge him with murder of the 1st-degree.
ATHENE: [mumbles] Wrongful death. Thank you, I suppose. Would the defendant please present their closing statement?
ZEUS: First and foremost, this entire trial is a mockery and I am only here because Athene told me to and she is my favorite child. Second, I am the king and I do as I wish. I did kill the boy; so? I kill a lot of people, why does this one matter? Third, Hades is my brother, and when he has a complaint it has to be dealt with–
APOLLO: Ah, wretched me! Zephyrus murdered my beloved Hyacinth, Daphne is still a
tree, and now my son is dead and there will be no justice for it! Oh Fates, why must you plague
me with your cruelty!
ATHENE: [banging gavel] Apollo, you do not have the floor and this is entirely
irrelevant.
APOLLO: You only say that because you're father’s favorite!
[IRIS approaches the stand with a letter]
ATHENE: The court has just received information that Apollo, in a fit of rage after the
death of his son, killed the Cyclopes – Brontes, Steropes, and Arges.
ZEUS: APOLLO!! [thunder crashes]
ATHENE: No lightning bolts in the courtroom.
APOLLO: Considering that there is no one to make them for you now, you might want to
conserve them.
ATHENE: In light of this new evidence the court has heard enough to present a ruling.
ATHENE: The Court finds Zeus liable for the wrongful death of Asclepius, and as
restitution, the court orders that Asclepius be deified as the god of medicine.
APOLLO: AHA! Even the king of the gods must answer to justice!
ZEUS: YOU UNGRATEFUL CHILD!!
ATHENE: Let me finish. The court has determined that Apollo is likewise responsible for
the triple homicide of the Cyclopes and is therefore sentenced to a year of labor for the noble
King Admetus of Pherae. Court adjourned.
APOLLO: I...
ATHENE: Court adjourned!
Screenplay by Calista Kayatta
St. Mary's Hall, TX