[INTRO MUSIC PLAYING]
Hi! This episode has a content warning for on-screen medical emergency. Now, it’s time to put your headphones on, sit back and enjoy the divine drama of season 2 episode 10, Age of the Hunters.
[ECHO’S THEME PLAYING TO END]
INT. OLYMPUS RECORDS – DAY
ALEX: Hey Perse. I have producer notes for you.
[PAPERS ARE PLACED ON THE TABLE]
PERSEPHONE: Oh, awesome… I have no idea what none of these mean.
[PERSEPHONE STARTS LOOKING THROUGH THE PAGES]
ALEX (earnest): It’s okay. I’ll help you.
PERSEPHONE: You know a lot about music?
ALEX: Duh. Here, I can help you break it down. [TURNS THE PAGE]
ALEX: He wants to add a drum breakdown in the bridge, he’s modulating the harmony in this verse, and obviously, lyric changes are in red.
PERSEPHONE: I know you work here and everything but I didn’t realize you were this knowledgeable and passionate about music. Why aren’t you an artist?
ALEX: Ugh. That’s a long story. Tell you never!
PERSEPHONE: I don’t know Alex… you’ve just shown me a whole new side of you. I might just have to keep you around just a little longer.
[ALEX CHUCKLES]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACH]
EURYDICE (hesitant): Hey, Persephone?
PERSEPHONE: Hey Eur—
[EURYDICE LETS OUT A SHAKY SIGH]
PERSEPHONE: what happened?
ALEX: Oh my God.
EURYDICE (slurring): I… I really don’t feel good.
PERSEPHONE: Come here. How long have you been feeling like this?
EURYDICE: I… I don’t know. The producer is on a break right now…
PERSEPHONE: Don’t tell me you’re still recording.
EURYDICE: I… was asked to do some backing vocals for your track. And after I’m doing a verse for someone else. I don’t remember who… It’s just singing. (small, weak chuckle)
PERSEPHONE: Are you okay to go back into the booth?
EURYDICE: I… don’t know. I’m just tired I think. Mr. Olympus told me I can’t cry anymore or I’ll wreck my voice. (another small weak chuckle)
PERSEPHONE: That rat bastard. Alex, hand me that water.
[WATER IN A BOTTLE SHAKING]
ALEX: Here.
PERSEPHONE: You need to drink, babes.
EURYDICE: Hm… No. I don’t want to. I just wanna sleep… oof, for a while…
[FOOTSTEPS MOVING AWAY]
[EURYDICE FALLS OVER]
ALEX: Oh- wow!
PERSEPHONE: Wow! I got her. I got her. She’s in really bad shape.
ALEX: What do I do? Do I call, like, 911?
PERSEPHONE: No. Too much attention. Get Hades.
ALEX (almost ironically): I don’t think that’s a good idea.
PERSEPHONE: Ambulances bring press—which means this will be in every podcast and magazine tomorrow, especially Echobox. That’s bad for her already, without Zeus coming down even harder on her.
ALEX: So instead of Zeus, I’m going to Hades?
PERSEPHONE: Just bring him here. I’ve got Eurydice.
ALEX: Fine!
[ALEX WALKS AWAY]
ALEX (walking): Fuck. Fuck. (deep breath) Where- the fuck- C’mon!
[SLIDING DOOR OPENS]
ALEX: Hecate! Oh. Fuck. I need Mr. Olympus. Now.
[ELEVATOR DINGS]
[ELEVATOR STOPS ON THE FLOOR]
HECATE: He’s out of the office meeting with Zeus today…
[ELEVATOR DOOR OPENS]
HADES: Alexandra. You needed me.
ALEX: It’s Persephone.
HECATE: WHAT? You couldn’t have LEAD with that?
ALEX: NO. Not like that. Well, sort of like that. She needs to see you.
HADES: Show me.
ALEX: (deep sigh) C’mon.
[THREE PAIRS OF FOOTSTEPS MOVE AWAY]
HECATE: My sister isn’t dead right?
ALEX: No. She’s with Eurydice.
[FOOTSTEPS SLOW DOWN]
ALEX: She’s not doing too well.
PERSEPHONE: Hades. Hecate. Help me.
HECATE: Oh my God. Here, let’s- let’s put her on the couch.
PERSEPHONE: (sounds of effort) She came out for water, all pale like that. Her eyes all red. And her words were slurred and then… and then she just collapsed.
HECATE (exasperated): And you didn’t call an ambulance?
PERSEPHONE: You know how Zeus is with her. Draw any attention and it will make it worse. That’s how these men work. That’s why I called you, Hades.
HADES: You were right to call me. But I don’t think there’s much I can do. She’s contractually obligated to stay. She already used up all her days off.
PERSEPHONE: She’s out cold on the floor, Hades. She’s clearly on some kind of drug and I think it’s an allergic reaction or something. Not to mention she’s not eating, drinking or sleeping.
[EURYDICE STARTS TO SHAKE]
ALEX: She’s… she’s shaking.
HECATE: She’s having a seizure. Everyone, step away.
PERSEPHONE: How do we help her?
HADES: I… I don’t know.
PERSEPHONE: Call your brother. Do something!
[EURYDICE IS HAVING A SEIZURE]
HADES: I can’t. He’s already angry with me about interfering with Ares and letting this Narcissus thing get picked up by Echobox. There’s nothing I can do. We need to keep her up here until she feels better.
PERSEPHONE: She’s having a fucking seizure! How can you say that?
[SEIZURE INTENSIFIES]
HADES: Because I run this business and I will not let some trashy, clearly drug addicted B-Listed celebrity ruin this for me. I don’t make exceptions, Persephone. For anyone.
PERSEPHONE: Alex. Dial 911.
ALEX: Uh- Okay?
[PHONE DIALING]
PERSEPHONE: Hecate, escort Hades out of the room please.
HECATE: Umm… sir?
Off screen, muffled.
ALEX (on the phone): Hello? I have a co-worker here. She’s- she’s out cold.
HADES: Persephone, you don’t know what he’s like. You didn’t grow up and watch him turn into a monster. He won’t like this. Zeus won’t like this at all. You have to understand.
ALEX: We’re in the Olympus Records building.
HECATE: You gotta give them the address.
ALEX: How don’t they know the address? It’s the Olympus Records building!
[ALEX AND HECATE CONTINUE BICKERING ON THE BACKGROUND]
PERSEPHONE: The only monster is the one I see before me. A coward without a fucking backbone.
ALEX: Fine!
HECATE: We walked in on her having a… a seizure. She was passed out…
HADES: Persephone, stop.
PERSEPHONE (angry): Get. out. of the room. Hades.
[HADES WALK AWAY]
ALEX (almost too happy for the occasion): Holy shit!
PERSEPHONE: Is the ambulance almost on their way?
ALEX: I… I think so. They put the call in. I passed it to Hecate.
PERSEPHONE (voice breaking): Good. Good. Okay.
[SCENE TRANSITION DRONE MUSIC PLAYING]
ALEX: Are you ready?
PERSEPHONE: (deep sigh) As ready as I’ll ever be.
[PERSEPHONE WALKS OFF]
[DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES]
HECATE: What is she doing?
ALEX: Terminating her contract.
HECATE: She’s what?
ALEX: Don’t you talk to your sister?
HECATE: Don’t. test me.
ALEX: She’s not like us, Hecate. She can’t just- stand by and watch what’s happening to Eurydice.
HECATE: And profit off it, uh?
ALEX (lower): Echobox isn’t bringing any profit.
HECATE: Well, at this point, neither is Euryd-
[DOOR OPENS]
[PERSEPHONE STORMS OUT]
HADES: Persephone-
PERSEPHONE: Leave me alone, Hades.
HADES: Don’t leave. Let’s talk this out.
[PERSEPHONE STOPS WALKING]
PERSEPHONE: Oh, you want to talk this out? Let’s talk this out.
HADES: Uh- right here?
PERSEPHONE: Yes. Right here.
HADES: (clear throat) I’m sorry for whatever I have done to upset you, darling.
PERSEPHONE: You can’t even say it? Are you serious? You are- ruining that girl’s life and for what? So you’re not embarrassed in front of your baby brother? (louder) This is not- (breathes deeply, calms down) This isn’t like you, Hades.
HADES: It is not because of Zeus. I am not just willing to lose such a big investment such as-
PERSEPHONE (louder): She’s a person, Hades! Not something you can parade around town like a trophy.
HADES (halfheartedly): I know that, Persephone. But she has a contract with Olympus Records, she owns her career to us-
PERSEPHONE: You either truly believe this… or you’re just repeating what your brother wants you to say because you have no backbone. I don’t know which one is worse.
HADES (begging): Persephone. (brief pause) Please.
PERSEPHONE: Talk to my lawyer, asshole.
PERSEPHONE: Are you coming with me?
HECATE and ALEX: Me?
PERSEPHONE (softer): Not you, Cat. You need to talk to your boss. Alex?
ALEX: …Sure. Cover for me?
HECATE (not happy about it): Of course.
[PERSEPHONE WALKS OFF]
HECATE: Uh. Take care of her.
ALEX: (chuckles) Okay, for starters, if you had let me actually take care of her before, this would never have happened. And, we’re going for a drive. It’s going to be fine.
HECATE: Fine. (deep breath) I’ll go- talk to Hades then, I guess.
[SCENE TRANSITION DRONE MUSIC PLAYING]
INT – ALEX’S CAR
[CAR DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES]
[SEATBELT CLICKS]
ALEX: So… that went well?
PERSEPHONE: (sniffle) Shut up, Alex.
ALEX: Sorry, sorry. I’m not that good at this… comforting part of friendship. What do you want to do? Key his car? Set fire to something?
[LIGHTER CLICKS OPEN]
[PERSEPHONE CHUCKLES]
[LIGHTER CLICKS CLOSED]
PERSEPHONE (voice breaking): I- Might have torn up my contract.
ALEX: Well, that was the plan, wasn’t in?
PERSEPHONE: I don’t have a label anymore, Alex! It was stupid! I should apologize to him and-
ALEX: Wowowow. No. No apologizing to a powerful older man that you shouldn’t even have begun to date in the first place.
PERSEPHONE: He’s not that much older than me-
ALEX: Point is, what you did was pretty badass.
[CAR TURNS ON AND THEY DRIVE OFF]
PERSEPHONE: or pretty stupid.
ALEX: And I happen to know someone who’s into badass women.
[SCENE TRANSITION DRONE MUSIC PLAYING]
EXT – Path to the Hunters’ headquarters
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[SOFT FOOTSTEPS, CRUNCHING LEAVES]
PERSEPHONE: I didn’t know the Hunters building was so…. secluded.
ALEX: Well… Artemis likes her trees.
PERSEPHONE: Oh, it’s a- house.
ALEX: Yep. It’s an old house which was probably owned by a hermit before Artemis bought it. She turned it into a studio. Pretty different from Olympus Records, uh?
PERSEPHONE (hopeful): It’s… wow. Yeah. Definitely different.
PERSEPHONE: Are you sure this is a good idea?
ALEX: Yes. It’s a perfect idea. No vampires sucking the life out of you, creative liberty, all the good stuff.
PERSEPHONE: Alright. Yeah, I can do it.
[DOORBELL DINGS]
ARTEMIS: Hi, Alex! And… Persephone?
ALEX: Persephone said fuck it to the big man today. I mean, to Hades, but almost the same thing.
ARTEMIS: You terminated your contract?
PERSEPHONE: Uh- does tearing up my contract and tossing it on Hades’ face count?
ARTEMIS: Seems pretty on par with what I did. Come on, I’ll make us tea.
[SCENE TRANSITION DRONE MUSIC PLAYING]
INT. ARTEMIS OFFICE – THE HUNTERS BUILDING
[ARTEMIS HANDS PERSEPHONE A CUP]
PERSEPHONE: After I saw how he was with Eurydice, and how he changes when he’s with his… I just couldn’t support- that anymore. So I left.
ARTEMIS: Dad and Uncle Hades have… a complicated relationship.
PERSEPHONE: Please don’t call him Uncle Hades.
ARTEMIS: Why?
PERSEPHONE: Hades and I are… were… We were-
ALEX: They were fucking.
PERSEPHONE: Alex!
ALEX: What? It’s true.
PERSEPHONE: No need to be so crude about it.
ARTEMIS: Oh, god. Alright. Hm. Well- that is- definitely news. Oof. That makes things more complicated.
PERSEPHONE: (moan) Tell me about it. Maybe I should have just stuck to youtube covers.
ALEX: Perse, c’mon! That’s why I brought you here. Olympus Records isn’t the only way to get music out there.
ARTEMIS: She’s right, Persephone. I can help you out. If you want.
PERSEPHONE: Won’t your family be mad?
ARTEMIS: My dad might thunder a bit, but that’s his problem. He’ll get over it.
PERSEPHONE: But… What about Hades?
ALEX: (groan) Fuck Hades! He’s a man.
ARTEMIS: (soft chuckle) I do agree with that but… well. I’m not so close to him, but I’m sure that, if he truly cares about you, he would want what’s best for you. Even if that wasn’t Olympus Records. And if he doesn’t… then, yeah. Fuck him.
PERSEPHONE: I guess you’re right. I just- I thought he could be different.
ARTEMIS: Maybe he is.
ALEX: Artemis! Whose side are you on?
ARTEMIS: It’s true, Alex. Maybe he is different, but he has to be brave enough to show it.
PERSEPHONE: …Like you.
ARTEMIS: And like you. Standing up to Hades takes courage. Even if he is… your boyfriend.
[PERSEPHONE SIGHS AND TAKES A DRINK OF HER TEA]
PERSEPHONE: How come you are younger than me and so much wiser?
ALEX: Thanks.
PERSEPHONE: Not you, gremlin, you’re a bit of a dumpster fire.
ALEX (not really offended): Hey!
[LAUGHTER]
[SCENE TRANSITION DRONE MUSIC PLAYING]
INT. THE HUNTERS’ KITCHEN
[TAP TURNS ON, WATER RUNNING]
ARTEMIS: Hey…
[WATER SHUTS OFF]
ALEX: Hey. How was the talk with Persephone?
ARTEMIS: Full of bureaucratic stuff, which I hate. I let Orion take part of that.
ALEX: How- is she feeling?
ARTEMIS (jokingly): Alexandra, are you asking after someone’s feelings?
ALEX: (halfhearted chuckle) I’m not… such a monster.
ARTEMIS (earnest): I don’t think you’re a monster.
ALEX: Maybe you don’t know me as well.
ARTEMIS: I… like to think I know you pretty well.
ALEX: (snorts) I’m as bad as Zeus.
ARTEMIS: C’mon, what’s this about? You just- follow his orders. You work for him. It’s not your fault.
ALEX: You worked for him too and left. You weren’t a bystander to- all of this.
ARTEMIS: Yeah, because I didn’t need the paychecks to pay my bills. I didn’t even have bills. I’m aware that walking away is a privilege.
ALEX: (sniffle) Why do you have to be so aware and smart?
ARTEMIS: (chuckles) I’m not. But I mean it though, Alex. You’re a good person.
ALEX: What if you’re wrong?
ARTEMIS: I’m not. Not on this one.
ALEX: Artemis, I-
[ARTEMIS KISSES ALEX]
[ALEX SHIFTS CLOSER AS THEY KISS]
[THEY PULL AWAY]
[ALEX GIVES OUT A HAPPY SIGH]
ARTEMIS: So… about that date?
ALEX: In the middle of this- mess?
ARTEMIS: (chuckle) C’mon, are you going to make me beg?
ALEX: Thought you enjoyed the hunt. Ugh. God. Nevermind. I heard it, heard it.
[ARTEMIS GIVES A BELLY LAUGH]
ALEX: Please, don’t…. Regret kissing me.
ARTEMIS (laughing): I don’t!
ALEX (relaxing, laughing too): It… it was terrible.
ARTEMIS: It was good!
[KISSING SOUNDS]
[SCENE TRANSITION DRONE MUSIC PLAYING]
INT. ALEX’S APARTMENT – NIGHT
ACHILLES (on the phone): Well, the sexual tension could fill up a room.
[ALEX IS CLIMBING UP THE STAIRS]
ALEX: Creep.
[ACHILLES CHUCKLES]
ALEX: We didn’t- do that. We just kissed. It was nice.
ACHILLES: How… wholesome.
ALEX: It was. So good. And she kissed me! Twice! Achilles, this means she likes me.
ACHILLES: Well, yes. You’re pretty hot, honey.
ALEX: I mean my personality.
ACHILLES: Oh, Alex. (disgusted noise) You’re really in too deep right now, talking about personality and stuff. (gags) Gross.
ALEX: I know. Ugh. Anyway, I’m almost home. I gotta shower and forget the gay butterflies so I can sit down and record the episode for this week.
ACHILLES: Hm. What are you talking about in this one?
ALEX: I’m putting Zeus against the wall.
ACHILLES: Hot!
ALEX: Gross! I gotta go. I mean- Uhm… How are you?
ACHILLES: Alex, (starts laughing) are you asking me about myself? Aw, I’m so flattered!
ALEX: C’mon, throw me a bone here, man.
ACHILLES: (chuckles) I’m doing splendidly. Pat has bought this new thing from a sex shop that-
ALEX: Oh, God, no, shut up, forget I asked.
ACHILLES: (laughs) Such a prude.
ALEX: Ugh. You’re impossible. Do you want to go to brunch on the weekend? And talk about you, and your life? Not your sex life. Just life.
ACHILLES (surprised): I… wouldn’t miss that for the world.
ALEX (smiling): Okay. Good. I’ll pick you up. Bye, bye.
ACHILLES: Bye, babes.
[ALEX HANGS UP]
[KEY OPENING DOOR]
DAPHNE: ALEX! You’re home!
[KEYS DROPPING ON TABLE]
ALEX: Why are you so happy?
DAPHNE: Guess! Guess!
ALEX: The new season of your tv show just dropped?
DAPHNE: Better!
ALEX: You… ordered pizza? With your own money?
DAPHNE: No, but I will soon be doing so because…
ALEX: Hm…?
DAPHNE: I got a JOB!
ALEX (actually happy): Oh, that is actually great news. Congrats.
DAPHNE: We are going to be coworkers.
ALEX: Wait. What?
DAPHNE: I got a job at Olympus Records! I’m taking care of the stars’ longue and making sure they have everything they n-
ALEX: Daphne, you can’t work there.
DAPHNE (annoyed): Are we really doing this? Again? You work there too!
ALEX: Yeah, and I hate it. They will eat you alive, you know how these people are!
DAPHNE: Why can’t you just be happy for me for once?
ALEX: Daphne, it’s not that, but you’re-
DAPHNE: Dumb?
ALEX: … I… I was going to say naive.
DAPHNE: That’s the SAME THING!
ALEX: No, it’s not.
DAPHNE: I’m not going to be eaten alive. I’m not dumb or naive or whatever else you think I am. You know I want to make it big and I need to know the right people for that. I won’t be like you and stuck as Zeus’ PA for years.
ALEX (offended): I am not stuck–
DAPHNE (voice breaking): Whatever! I don’t care! I just thought my sister would be happy for me but I forgot you’re such a goddamn bitch.
[FOOTSTEPS AS DAPHNE WALKS AWAY]
ALEX: Where the hell are you going?
DAPHNE: OUT!
[DAPHNE PICKS UP THE KEYS]
[DOOR SLAMS]
ALEX: [through gritted teeth] Well. It’s Echobox time.
[ECHOBOX INTRO PLAYING]
I’m not one to dedicate episodes to people, but… first time for everything. I dedicate this to Eurydice. I hope she’s doing well, wherever she is.
I know you probably saw the tweets, or the TMZ photos, or the official statement written and distributed by Olympus Records, but Eurydice was admitted to the hospital last night.
She is… not doing well. I don’t want to scare anyone or say something that would be even more detrimental to her mental health or reputation, but she’s not well. And the Olympians right now are straight-up refusing to help them. This is inexcusable neglect and, (soft chuckle), at this point, purely a display of control on their part.
How many kids need to fall into drugs, depression, and suicide before they get help or are dropped by Olympus Records entirely? How many? Because it’s been too many already.
And I know… I know that I did… play a part in some people falling into these patterns. Apollo, (short pause) Perseus, Andromeda… I didn’t… advocate for them. Eurydice, Persephone…
Persephone, if you’re listening, I’m sorry? You are so much more than just another woman, a notch in an Olympian belt or bedpost—you are who we should be looking up to. Listeners, if you can do one thing, please listen to her. Root for her. Rally for her music.
To those who haven’t heard, Persephone officially broke things off with Hades yesterday too. I’m happy for her, I mean, she deserves someone who has a backbone and a moral compass. She deserves someone actually her age! But really, she deserves the love and support of everyone who has ever overlooked and undermined her, and I fully include myself in that statement.
Hades, you had one of the most talented, kind, and inventive people in the industry— maybe the world, and you let her go. I hope you know she trusted you and you betrayed that trust. You must have watched Zeus pick apart and destroy every single Olympian and rising star at Olympus Records and… you didn’t do anything. You disgust me. You are just as much at fault for this as your two brothers.
Look at Artemis. She’s started her own independent record label that supports artists financially and emotionally. Don’t say change in the industry is impossible because it’s happening. But for change to truly take root, we need companies, we need big corporations like Olympus Records, to start doing the same.
Zeus, I won’t plead with you. We both know I won’t get very far and I would rather die than get on my knees in front of you—but listen. You can’t keep running a business the way you always have. I, personally, won’t let you.
You think you can map me out, pinpoint who I am, and get rid of me? You think I can be silenced? I can’t. Echobox is more than just me now. I am Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, Tumblr, TikTok. I am everywhere you look.
Instead of trying to root me out and suffocate me, why not try listening for once? This can either go two ways: change or die. You can support your artists, or we stop buying, listening, and giving you space in the conversation.
(soft chuckle) Don’t believe me…? How many people are listening to this right now? How many tweets are populating on our hashtag? How much are your sales dropping?
How many of your artists are dying?
[OUTRO MUSIC STARTS PLAYING]
I’m waiting Zeus. We’re all waiting…
[END RECORDING]
[OUTRO MUSIC PLAYS FULL VOLUME]
This episode stars, in order of appearance Isabella Sales as Alex/Echo, Lindsay Zana as Persephone, Angela Yih as Eurydice, Lauren Tucker as Hecate, Frank Lopes as Hades, Juliana Gutiérrez Arango as Artemis, Emma K Blakeslee as Achilles and Tal Minear as Daphne. It was written by Isabella Sales and Corienne Swanson, and produced by Corienne Swanson. The Echobox theme song was made by Meg McKellar.
Audio and sound design by Georgia Triantafyllopoulou and Meg McKellar. Logo design by Lucas Eduardo Bueno and website by Andy Cerdan.
You can find the episode transcript at our website at www.echoboxpod.com
Echobox is created out of love for storytelling and provided at no profit to us, but we deeply appreciate the hard work our cast and crew puts into the show. If you want to help us pay them for their work, support us on patreon at patreon.com/echoboxpod.
If you liked the episode, don’t forget to share it with a friend and spread the word of Echo! It really helps us grow. And if you listened up to this point – thank you so much for following along to season 2 of Echobox! If you supported us in your crowdfunding campaign, be sure we are hard at work in getting the rewards promised your way. I can’t wait to see you next time we open the Echobox.