Atalanta and the great race

*Drum roll*

1. Host: People of this kingdom, we are gathered here to witness a great race! The greatest race you will
ever witness.

2. Narrator: The greatest hunter, and the only daughter of the king, Princess Atalanta, will be racing with
any man who volunteers themselves. Win against her majesty, and be wed to her now and forever.
Lose, then unspeakable consequences await.

3. Host: BEGIN! Does anyone wish to challenge her majesty?

*Crickets or birds chirping*

*Crowd mumbling noises*

4. Man 1: (hesitantly) I-I do... I challenge you, Princess Atalanta!

5. Atalanta: Looks not like a challenge to me... Come on then, step forth!

6. Host: A challenger! Let's not delay everything. On your marks, let the race, COMMENCE!

7. Narrator: And they did start the race.

*Drum roll along with crowd cheering*

*Running footsteps noises, crowd’s gasp comes afterwards*

8. Atalanta: Not even a challenge, hmph. *Crowds cheering*

9. Narrator: That man stood no chance against her majesty’s prowess!

10. Host: Alas! Are we all surprised that our Princess Atalanta won? No! I feel sorry for that man,
though.

11. Atalanta: Enough with nonsense! Does anyone wish to challenge me? Or does that race from before
is enough to prove that I am the better hunter from you all?

12. Man 2: Wh-what!? The nerve! I challenge you, Princess Atalanta. I wholeheartedly swear that I am
indeed capable to beat a lowly woman like you!

13. Narrator: Does this man’s pride will finally be able to defeat her majesty in this race of life and
death?

*Crowd cheering*

14. Atalanta: I said enough with nonsense!

15. Host: Right, right! Let the race, COMMENCE!

*Drum roll along with crowd cheering*

16. Man 2: I’ll show this weakling the REAL way of hunting by beating her in this race.
*Running footsteps noises, a little longer than the previous one*

17. Host: What in the world did just happened!?

18. Man 2: H-How is that possible!? So fast!

19. Host: Once again, her majesty, Princess Atalanta won this round!

20. Narrator: With ease!

21. Atalanta: Men do always have the audacity to judge women based on their appearance. YOU are not
even worth the tease.

22. Man 2: Please, forgive me! I demand a rematch! No!

*Crowd boos, while Man 2 gets taken away by the guards*

23. Narrator: Outside the venue of the great race is where Hippomenes let his imagination fly off. A
handsome and kind citizen, he has his hopes to win the great race against Atalanta and marry her,
although he is aware that his own skills is nowhere near Atalanta’s.

24. Hippomenes: This is my chance to be with her! Princess Atalanta is so beautiful, smart, and kind. Not
to mention her skills on hunting too! I MUST be with her forever once and for all. But how? She is so
skilled in her field, no one have beat her to that pointless race. Oh, gods and goddesses, hear my cry!

*Divine chimes and ambiance play*

25. Hippomenes: A-Aphrodite!

26. Aphrodite: Child, I hear you. You are handsome, kind, and smart too. But what I liked about you the
most is your desire and passion to be with the one you love.

27.Hippomenes: Thank you, goddess of love and marriage!

28. Aphrodite: Atalanta, hmm. Yes, you two are meant for each other, and I must not let this
opportunity go to waste.

29. Hippomenes: What do you m-mean?

30. Aphrodite: I have a plan. Take these golden apples with you and challenge Princess Atalanta in that
race. You are running out of time.

31. Hippomenes: Not to question your divinity but, are you out of your mind!? My capabilities are
nowhere near Princess Atalanta, and if I lose, I will die!

32. Aphrodite: You will NOT lose with those golden apples I gave you. While you are in the race with
Princess Atalanta, constantly drop those toward her. Those golden apples are too beautiful and delicious
to ignore. It is guaranteed that Atalanta will constantly stop to pick them up during your race, securing
your win.

33. Hippomenes: But what if she does not stop to pick these golden apples? What if I lose against her?
34. Aphrodite: The divine goddess of love will never betray the living who genuinely and passionately
loves no matter what the circumstances. I wish you all the best luck.

35. Hippomenes: Thank you for hearing my earthly wish, Aphrodite. I will not disappoint!

36. Narrator: Hippomenes rushed inside the venue right before Atalanta leaves due to the lack of
challengers. He is determined to win against Atalanta as he walked the corridors to the actual venue.

37. Host: Does anyone wish to challenge her majesty, Princess Atalanta, in this race? Remember, this is
a life or death experience!

*Crowd mumbling noises*

38. Host: No one? None dare to face her majesty’s greatness head on?

39. Narrator: Everyone is too scared to challenge Princess Atalanta. Even the mightiest of men are
defeated on that race.

40. Atalanta: If that is the case, I shall take my leave. Guards! Let’s move.

*Crowd mumbling noises*

41. Hippomenes: (from distance) Wait! I challenge you Princess Atalanta in this race! *Crowd gasps*

42. Atalanta: I am sorry, but I must decline.

43. Host: B-but why, your majesty? I thought you are up for everyone’s challenge today?

44. Atalanta: I mean, look at him! He is too handsome and kind to be punished severely. He does have
my mercy because of his naive nature. Men from earlier races are the toughest of the tough. What
makes you think that such pretty guy can beat me from this race?

45. Hippomenes: But YOU did say something about judging someone based on their appearance earlier,
yes? Despite my rather innocent appearance and my incapable running, I assure you that I can defeat
you, Princess Atalanta.

46. Atalanta: Well, I would still reject the challenge but since you are persevering enough to convince
me, I accept your challenge. What is your name?

47. Hippomenes: Call me Hippomenes, your majesty.

48. Host: Now that a challenger emerges, let the race, CONTINUE!

49. Atalanta: Well then, Hippomenes. Step forth and challenge me. Be reminded of the possible
consequences that might happen to you if you lose in our race at this moment.

50. Hippomenes: Ready to learn, Princess Atalanta. *Crowd cheers*

*Running footsteps noises*

51. Narrator: Alas! The great race between Atalanta and Hippomenes have started. They sprinted their
hearts out as Atalanta usually take the lead.

52. Hippomenes: Princess Atalanta is really fast! I trust in you, Goddess Aphrodite!
53. Narrator: Dear Hippomenes dropped and tossed the golden apples like how Aphrodite instructed
and to his surprise, Atalanta really stopped to pick them up!

54. Host: Huh, what is happening!? Princess Atalanta... stopped!?

55. Atalanta: Apples? Huh, they look so pretty and mesmerizing. (Takes bite) And these are also the best
apples I have tasted! Hey, wait...!

56. Hippomenes: It’s working! It’s working!

57. Narrator: Atalanta quickly got back to her senses and noticed that Hippomenes successfully gained
the lead at the race. Hippomenes also noticed Atalanta’s speed as she tries to keep up. He remembered
Aphrodite’s plan and kept on dropping apples on the ground.

58. Host: Our challenger, Hippomenes, is doing that tactic again! Will he be able to beat our princess
once and for all!?

59. Atalanta: These apples, are incredibly gorgeous! I do not know why, but I am so compelled to pick
these up. They are beautiful and not to mention their mouth-watering taste! What are these apples?

60. Hippomenes: There is the finish line! Thank you, Goddess Aphrodite!

*Drum roll succeeded by crowd cheers*

61. Host: Aaaaaaand that is IT! Our dear challenger Hippomenes won this round of the great race with
his strange yet effective tactic to delay Princess Atalanta’s movement.

*Triumphant music*

62. Narrator: The king—Atalanta’s father—let out a huge sigh of relief and joy knowing that his only
daughter is going to get married. Atalanta smiled at Hippomenes as she also reached the finish line right
after Hippomenes did.

*Divine music and chimes*

63. Aphrodite: My work here is done. May all of you live the best life filled with love and satisfaction
accompanied by your partners!

*Divine music fades*

64. Host: Blessed by Aphrodite’s appearance here, we hereby declare Hippomenes as the winner! That
concludes the greatest race where we witnessed many bizarre events!

*Crowd cheers*

65. Atalanta: So, it is Aphrodite’s plan. I would have never guessed. And, I am surprised too.

66. Hippomenes: As you promised, Princess Atalanta, will you marry me?

67. Atalanta: Yes, my dear Hippomenes. I do. I will marry you.

*Crowd cheers*