Episode 43: The Wager

Season 1

Apr 24

Editors: Bekah Caden and Annie LaHue

Released: 23 December 2018

Hades internally panics about Persephone’s application. He adamantly refuses, saying the Underworld is a dangerous place for her. He says he’ll talk to Hera to find other arrangements, but Persephone worries that Hera would think less of her for not being able to handle this situation herself.

She insists she needs to do this internship, but Hades says he’ll pay her the salary and just tell Hera she did the internship. Persephone pleads that she can’t not do the work, but Hades gets frustrated and remains firm.

“Little goddess, I said no. The Underworld is not an appropriate place for one such as yourself.”
Hades

Persephone sees his chessboard and offers him a wager: they would play a game of chess and the loser would respect the outcome. If Persephone wins, she gets the job and if Hades wins, she’ll take no for an answer. Hades reminds her he doesn’t need to negotiate but agrees when he sees her tremble.

Hades is skeptical that Persephone understands the risk she is taking as he plays chess, a lot. She plays down her own knowledge of the game.

As they play, Hades and Persephone discuss her status as Demeter’s daughter and her desire to stand on her own. She surprises him with a checkmate and he realizes that she hustled him. He promised to accept the outcome and has no choice but to give her a job.

“I don’t want to be known as Demeter’s daughter. I want to be Persephone.”
Persephone

Persephone sees snow outside the window for the first time in her life and asks to go outside. Hades, annoyed, asks her if she’s in a perpetual state of wanting things that are bad for her, but he agrees to briefly let her onto the roof. As he watches her enjoy the snow, he understands that he’s in trouble.

Read Episode 43