An Actor's Life for Me

## Technical Information

### Description

Athens' finest actor, Thespis, was nowhere to be found. If Aristophanes wanted his next play to succeed in its critique of Kleon, he needed the talent of this man. Kassandra swore to find him.

## Historical information

### Date

424 BCE

**An Actor's Life for Me** was a virtual representation of one of Kassandra's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.

## Description

Kassandra sought to help Aristophanes to look for his actor, Thespis, who was needed in his play which critiques Kleon.

## Dialogue

Kassandra spoke to Aristophanes in Perikles' Residence.

* **Aristophanes:** *It'll be a disaster, a disaster I tell you!*
* **Kassandra:** *Calm down. What are you talking about?*
* **Aristophanes:** *My masterpiece! it will change everything—amuse, astound, titillate, and open people's eyes to Kleon's machinations! But I need you.*
* **Kassandra:** *I'm not actor or poet, Aristophanes.*
* **Aristophanes:** *By the gods, no! it's Thespis. My leading man is missing! A play with no star is no play at all.*

(If players asked "What happened?")

* **Kassandra:** *How do you know he's missing?*
* **Aristophanes:** *He never misses a rehearsal... unless he's drunk, or with a woman... or a man.*
* **Kassandra:** *Could be anything, then?*
* **Aristophanes:** *No, he knows how important this is. He wouldn't let me down... Something must be wrong!*

(If players asked "Why is Thespis special?")

* **Kassandra:** *You could just get another actor.*
* **Aristophanes:** *Oh, no. Thespis always draws a huge crowd for his performances.*
* **Aristophanes:** *The more people who experience my blistering indictment of Kleon, the better.*

(If players chose "Tell me where you think Thespis is.")

* **Kassandra:** *So where would I find him?*
* **Aristophanes:** *Thespis usually doesn't go far from his home. You'd best start there.*

(Accept – "I'll fetch Thespis.")

* **Kassandra:** *This shouldn't take long. Prepare the show, and I'll be back as soon as I find him.*

Kassandra travelled to the Agora of Athens. Ikaros helped her identify the actor's house.

* **Kassandra:** *This must be Thespis' house.*

She approached the house but only found an Athenian soldier. She overheard him as he rifled through Thespis' belongings.

* **Athenian Guard:** *Come on, come on. It's got to be here!*

Kassandra stepped inside, quickly disarmed the soldier, and held him at spearpoint.

* **Kassandra:** *You don't look like an actor, unless you're playing an Athenian guard.*
* **Athenian Guard:** *I—I...*
* **Kassandra:** *Hush. I'm going to ask some questions, and you're going to answer.*
* **Athenian Guard:** *But Commander Rhexenor...*
* **Kassandra:** *What's your name?*
* **Athenian Guard:** *Bulis.*
* **Kassandra:** *Well Bulis, it's your choice whether you walk out of here. Do you understand?*
* **Athenian Guard:** *Yes.*

(If players asked "What are you doing?")

* **Kassandra:** *Tell me, what are you looking for?*
* **Athenian Guard:** *Some stupid play. They don't tell me anything.*
* **Kassandra:** *Play?*
* **Athenian Guard:** *I just do what I'm told, and they told me to destroy the manuscript.*

(If players asked "Where's Thespis?")

* **Kassandra:** *What have you done with Thespis?*
* **Athenian Guard:** *Some of the boys are meant to keep him drunk in the tavern down the street.*

(If players chose "You must know more.")

* **Kassandra:** *You'd better be telling me everything.*
* **Athenian Guard:** *All I know is they wanted to keep this actor busy. See for yourself—he's at the tavern.*
* **Kassandra:** *You're sure that's all?*
* **Athenian Guard:** *I just follow the Commander's orders. I don't ask questions.*

(If players chose "You should die.")

* **Kassandra:** *I'm sorry, but you can't be trusted to live.*

Kassandra fought and slew Bulis.

(If players chose "Join me.")

* **Kassandra:** *Do something worthwhile and join my crew. You're loyal, and you follow orders.*
* **Athenian Guard:** *You'd take me?*
* **Kassandra:** *What do you say?*
* **Athenian Guard:** *To get away from Athens... Thank you, thank you.*

Bulis promptly left and later joined the crew of the *Adrestia.*

(If players chose "Don't let me see you again.")

* **Kassandra:** *Get out of here, and count yourself lucky.*
* **Athenian Guard:** *Thank you, thank you...*

Bulis ran off

Kassandra travelled to the tavern, finding a drunk Thespis surrounded by a group of Athenian guards.

* **Thespis:** *...And then I saids to him, if this is your wife, why did she charge me?!*
* **Thespis:** *I'd loves to stay, but my cup's drained, and I'm to perform tomorrow.*

The brute leading the soldiers bid him to stay, as per his orders.

* **Andras:** *Another drink! Come, one more tale. The night is young...*

Kassandra approached them.

* **Kassandra:** *I think he's had enough.*
* **Andras:** *And what business is it of yours,*friend*?*
* **Thespis:** *Yeah, was business... Oh, look at you!*
* **Andras:** *You'd best be leaving.*

(If players chose "Not without Thespis.")

* **Kassandra:** *I'm here for his employer, Aristophanes.*
* **Andras:** *So? He's not working now.*
* **Thespis:** *Yes! I's not working... I like him though. Aristophanes, funny man... buts opinions. Told him it's dangerous.*
* **Andras:** *That it is.*
* **Kassandra:** *I need him sober and rested.*

(If players chose "I don't want any trouble.")

* **Kassandra:** *I'm just here for Thespis. He's drunk, and I need to get him home.*
* **Andras:** *What are you, his mater?*
* **Kassandra:** *Let's say extended family.*

Athenian soldiers gathered behind Andras.

* **Andras:** *I don't think you understand the situation. Commander Rhexenor's orders are he's not to leave.*
* **Thespis:** *I saids I'd stay... Don't want trouble.*

(If players chose "Threaten - Go back to your goat pen.")

* **Kassandra:** *Go take your boys somewhere else.*

Kassandra punched Andras, knocking him back, but his men caught him and uprighted him. He cracked his knuckles menacingly.

* **Andras:** *You'll regret that.*
* **Kassandra:** *Get going—from your smell, you already know where the goat pens are. I'm sure they miss you.*

Andras and his guards began to walk away.

* **Kassandra:** *(Maaa!)*

Andras snapped and turned back to attack Kassandra with his guards. She slew them and returned her attention to Thespis.

(If players chose "Get out of here!")

* **Kassandra:** *If you don't want to leave with your heads stuffed up your asses, you'll go now.*

Andras stood up.

* **Andras:** *We'll be seeing you, misthios. The Commander's not a man to be messed with.*

Andras and his guards left, vowing to return later.

(If players then chose "I'd mess yours up, but...")

* **Kassandra:** *No need for jealousy, just because your mother was a goat. Like mother, like kid.*
* **Andras:** *You need to die!*

Kassandra eliminated Andras and the soldiers.

* **Kassandra:** *I sometimes wonder if leaving Kephallonia was a good idea.*

(If players chose "Let's make a deal.")

* **Kassandra:** *Give me Thespis, and I'll give you something in return. I'm sure we can come to an arrangement.*

(If players then chose "I'll pay you a lot. [600]")

Kassandra took out a pouch of drachmae and threw it on the table.

* **Kassandra:** *Here, for your troubles. I'll look after him now.*

Andras picked up the pouch and weighed it satisfactorily.

* **Andras:** *Huh, a fool and his drachmae... Very well, you won't see us again.*

Andras and his guards left.

(If players then chose "I'll pay you a little. [300]")

Kassandra took out a pouch of drachmae and threw it on the table.

* **Kassandra:** *Take this and get out of my sight.*

Andras was offended at the paltry sum and stood up.

* **Andras:** *Do you think we're farmers that can be bought for beans? Take your money and stick it up your ass.*
* **Andras:** *We'll be seeing you, misthios. The Commander's not a man to be messed with.*

Andras and his guards left, vowing to return later.

Thespis got up from his seat and promptly collapsed on the ground.

* **Thespis:** *I's not feeling too good...*

Kassandra carried Thespis on her back, travelling to his home.

* **Thespis:** *He said you're behind a mask—you'll be perfectly safe, he saids...*
* **Thespis:** *You's sooo strong, Aikaterine.*
* **Thespis:** *Wheee, giddy ups!*
* **Thespis:** *My parents said you'll be either an actor or a drunk... Ha, fooled them. I becames both!*
* **Thespis:** *Told him, Kleon will kill us all. It's more assaults than satire!*
* **Thespis:** *The sausage seller was*my*idea!*
* **Thespis:** *Then I will... I will... gather my... what was it again? Oh yes... sausages!*
* **Thespis:** *Mmm... sausages...*
* **Thespis:** *Let me tell you a secret... It's a good one... I uh... I forget.*
* **Thespis:** *Listen to me... I love you. I do.*

Kassandra reached Thespis' home, putting him on the ground.

* **Thespis:** *Thank you, but you can go no further... For I know true love!*
* **Kassandra:** *I just need you ready to perform tomorrow.*
* **Thespis:** *Of course, and I just need my muse... My love! I can't, I*won't*perform without her.*

(If players asked "Why won't you perform?")

* **Kassandra:** *You will perform.*
* **Thespis:** *Uh-uh, not with out Aikaterine, a divine name for a divine body... I mean being.*

(If players asked "Who were those men?")

* **Kassandra:** *Those men in the tavern... Who were they?*
* **Thespis:** *Oh, the admirers. Harmless really... And I do like a man in uniform.*

(Leave – "Pull yourself together.")

* **Kassandra:** *You need to sober up. This play's important.*
* **Thespis:** *So's Aikaterine! I need my muse.*
* **Thespis:** *Please? She's just west of here at the House of Aphrodite.*
* **Kassandra:** *If it means you'll do the play, I'll find your muse.*

(If Andras was not fought and defeated at the tavern)
Kassandra left the house to find Andras and his men surrounding her.
* **Andras:** *Going to enjoy this. I'll mess that pretty face right up.*

(If players chose "I'd mess yours up, but...)

* **Kassandra:** *No need for jealousy, just because your mother was a goat. Like mother, like kid.*
* **Andras:** *You need to die!*

Andras and his men attacked Kassandra, but she defeated them easily.
Regardless, Kassandra reflected on her situation and the outcome of her most recent activities.

* **Kassandra:** *I sometimes wonder if leaving Kephallonia was a good idea.*

## Outcome

Kassandra helped Aristophanes to locate his actor, Thespis. She accepted Thespis' request to help look for his muse.

## Gallery

Aristophanes speaking to KassandraKassandra interrogating BulisKassandra finding Thespis and a few Athenian soldiersA drunken Thespis lying on mats in his home