Opposite of Adults

Act IV Scene I

Narrator: For the next few days, the lower level of the inn was melancholically quiet. In the days that passed, the group had convinced Saturn to ally with them and stay in the lower level with them. They had also reestablished the groups; most were the same, but Elias and Byron were no longer together: Elias was with Seraphina and Byron was with Saturn.

The few conversations that were still had in those morose days were hushed. Few dared to speak of Julian after the day of his funeral, which had been held two days after he died. Hudson and Jupiter still were greatly shaken by his death, so the rest of the group, especially Kadence and Saturn, tried to help the two.

(Hudson is sitting at the desk in the inn's lobby. Saturn comes up from the stairs to talk to her. He is crouched when he walks, as he is trying to play with Hudson. He walks up to the desk out of view of Hudson.)

Saturn: (Whispering) Hud. Hudson. Hudson Friar.

Hudson: (Exasperatedly) Yes?

Saturn: Guess who it is.

Hudson: (Smiling and giggling slightly) Is it Byron?

Saturn: Nope.

Hudson: What about Elias?

Saturn: Not him either.

Hudson: Is it Beckett?

Saturn: (Standing up, acting as Beckett) Oh, why yes it is. You don't happen to know where Kadence is, do you?

Hudson: (Playfully, almost sarcastically) Last I saw her, she went to a bar with...wait, you're not the real Beckett!

Saturn: (Flailing about as if he's been shot) Oh no! My secret, it's been revealed! (Seriously, ceasing flailing, leaning against the desk) So, you doing any better?

Hudson: I guess. It's just so weird. I mean, Julian is...he's dead. He's dead and it's all because of Walker.

Saturn: Don't get so worked up over that old bastard. We'll get him one day, and when we do, we'll kill him twice as dead.

Hudson: I love your enthusiasm sometimes, Saturn.

Saturn: If I'm not enthused about killing him, who will be?

Hudson: Good point.

(Elias and Seraphina come up the stairs into the lobby.)

Saturn: Morning, Seraphina. (Contemptuously) Elias.

Elias: (Contemptuously) Saturn.

Hudson: So, what are you two doing up so early?

Seraphina: Well, Elias and I were going down to Elias's parents' home to pick up some things for selling at the market.

Saturn: Still selling cabbages, I see?

Elias: That and then some. How's the fieldwork doing, Saturn?

Saturn: Wouldn't know; I've been helping out at the Sleeping Hound for my job lately.

Elias: I see.

(There is a somewhat awkward silence.)

Seraphina: Well, our walk is a bit long, so we'll be on our way now. (Tugging at Elias's arm) Come on, Elias; let's go.

(Elias and Seraphina exit out the door and offstage.)

Hudson: What happened between you and Elias? You two used to be so in love, now you hate each other.

Saturn: I don't wish to speak that much of it, but he always seemed distracted whenever we were together. He just didn't seem to have eyes for me.

Hudson: Aw, I'm sorry.

Saturn: No, it's fine. He was a chore to put up with anyway. He was always such a diva, more so than any other person I've ever met.

Hudson: (Giggling) Really?

Saturn: Yes! He cared more about his hair than he cared about me!

Hudson: (Laughing hysterically) That's hilarious! I mean, it's awful, but it's hilarious.

Saturn: (Scoffing) Well, at least one of us can laugh about it. I'm gonna go back downstairs, see if anyone needs some help with things.

Hudson: (Still laughing but not as hysterically) Okay, Saturn. I'll see you later.

(Saturn promptly goes down the stairs and offstage.)