𝔖𝔭𝔞𝔯𝔨𝔰 𝔉𝔩𝔶 | 𝔚𝔞𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔐𝔬𝔳𝔦𝔢𝔰

𝕋𝕎𝔼ℕ𝕋𝕐-ℕ𝕀ℕ𝔼

[Percy and Anthea are seen walking into Crusty's Waterbed Palace. Waterbeds line each side of the room, all of different colours and designs. They walk along the green carpet.]

Man: Welcome, weary travellers! Come on in and take a load off. These beds will change your...

[A man appears, walking between two beds, wearing a green suit with a red shirt.]

Man cont.: ...life. Well... hello there. [Anthea and Percy stop walking, standing a few beds away from the man.] Missing our mommy, are we?

Percy: We know who you are. You're Procrustes. Son of Poseidon, and murderer of travellers.

Procrustes: Crusty, please. [He walks towards Anthea and Percy] You've got Dad's eyes. Take a load off. Relax for a minute. [he waves his hand towards the many beds that line the wall.]

Anthea: The beds are a trap. That's how you do it, how you murder your guests.

Procrustes: I do?

Anthea: We know there's a secret passage to the Underworld here. We know you were left here to guard it. But I need you to let us through. Please?

Procrustes: In addition to being incredibly comfortable, these beds are great for your self-confidence. [Procrustes starts walking away from the two, them following before he stops, turns and points between Anthea and Percy.]

Percy: We're really not interested—

Procrustes: They show you how to fit. Fitting's not easy for guys like us, am I right? Our parents make it so hard. Stretching us and twisting us and hacking off pieces [he approaches the two before putting his hands on their shoulders.] to make us seem more like them. Anywho... [he walks away from the two demigod children] these beds take all that away. [he slaps one waterbed before it makes a sloshing sound.] With these beds, you just... fit. Try it. I think you'll feel much better.

"Is it me, or is this guy really creeping you out?" a third year asks, whispering to their friend sitting next to them.

Percy: You first. [Anthea pushes Procrustes backwards into the bed, him yelling. The bed sheet wraps around Procrustes before Annabeth pulls off her cap, revealing herself. Procrustes struggles to free himself.]

Annabeth: You okay?

Percy: Yeah, I'm fine.

Anthea: Peachy.

Procrustes: You won't save her. You won't be the first to try bringing someone back from the Underworld. You won't be the first to fail.

Annabeth: Hey. You're lucky we're letting you keep your head, dummy. Don't push it.

[The door opens once more, 'La Marseillaise' plays whilst Grover sticks his head inside the building.]

Grover: Is it over?