Mediating for a Monster!

Kyros sat looking out of the window at his home in Crete, his gaze fixed on the blue-green ocean waves that tumbled towards the shore. His mind was wandering elsewhere, though. “Why doesn’t anyone want any publicity here?” he muttered softly to himself. “Everyone seems happy with a mediocre life!”

Kyros had just returned from the United States after a ten-year long career as a public relations specialist at some of US’ top companies. Public relations was all about building a good image for clients, and ensuring them good publicity.

He liked his job, because he could do what he did best: talk. He had the gift of the gab, and coupled with his charm, he could convince anyone about anything. Finally, he decided to set up his own public relations firm back home in Greece.

Unfortunately for him, Crete was a much quieter place. Though he advertised his services, he didn’t get a single client. His sister, Lana, was a marine biologist, but ran a small restaurant for tourists from their home. “This pays better”, she said. “And besides, who would have taken care of Grandpa? You just left everything to me and had a wonderful time in the US”, she would grumble.

“Well, you went to Australia too, to do your research on the eerie-cutting.. whatsoever that was”, he would point out. “Irukandji”, Lana would correct him angrily. “Maybe, but I came back when Grandpa fell ill. You didn’t!”
Kyros was still pondering over his predicament when Lana thrust an envelope under his nose.

“It’s for you”, she said, smiling. “Looks like you’re going to get some work!”Kyros took out the letter and started to read. “It’s an offer for me alright..but look at the sum they’re offering… Phewwwwwwwww!!” he whistled, his face red with excitement.

“How much is it? If it’s too less, don’t go”, said Lana.

“No Lana, it’s not too… less”, Kyros said. “In fact, it’s enough to let me spend my life in luxury.”

“Whom is it from?” asked Lana.

“Hmm… it says Medusa Gorgon”, said Kyros. “I’m supposed to go meet her.”

“What kind of a name is that? I think it’s a hoax”, said Lana, but Kyros set out immediately.

Kyros couldn’t help wondering about the sudden windfall. Could it be a hoax like Lana had said? Nevertheless, he found the house and rang the doorbell. A voice thundered in reply. “Who’s there?”

“This is Kyros here”, he answered, “Your publicity agent…”

The door swung open, and standing before him was a woman in old Greek robes, wearing on her head a strange paper bag, covering her face. A curious hissing noise was heard from the bag.

“Come in”, she said. A claw like hand emerged and caught his wrist with surprising strength. He found himself being dragged inside and shoved onto a sofa that was as hard as stone.

Kyros was startled but gathered his wits soon. He put on his most charming smile and started talking in the smooth tone that floored both his friends and opponents. “So charmed to meet you, Miss Medusa. Let me introduce myself. You must be …”

“Enough of the chatter”, the booming voice cut him off. “I know all about you. All I want to know is whether you can work for me. Do you know who I am?”

Kyros racked his brains for a few moments. Was there some famous politician or business tycoon called Medusa Gorgon?

The woman meanwhile handed him a mirror, and stood behind him.

“A mirror?” thought Kyros. “She must be a movie star!”

He cleared his throat and began his smooth talk again. “Why of course, I shall work for you, and yes, I know that you are Miss Medusa Gorgon, the famous mov… AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!”

Kyros screamed as he raised the mirror, for now he could see the woman in it! She had a terrible face, with greenish skin, fearsome red orbs for her eyes and most frightening of all, instead of hair, she had numerous tiny snakes hissing and coiling around each other on her head.

She was Medusa, the famous monster in Greek mythology! Kyros remained transfixed at the image, while his client coolly sat down.

“Miss Medusa Gorgon, the famous monster”, she said calmly, completing his sentence for him.

“But… but… you don’t really exist! Your place is in Greek myths and legends…”, said Kyros.

“Ha! That’s what everyone thinks! Medusa is just a silly story to frighten kids nowadays”, mocked the monster. “But no! I do exist, and I’m here to prove it!”

Kyros trembled in fear, while Medusa wore her paper bag again. “Now, you’re going to be my publicity agent”, she drawled. “You’re going to make sure that the world knows of my existence. I want to get back my fame as the most fearsome monster in the world!”

“I… I’ll try… but you know… people might not believe me… ”, stammered Kyros.

“I suppose you know you’ll turn to stone if you look into my eyes directly?” she asked, threateningly. “Well, that’s what will happen if you fail. If you succeed, well, you get your reward.”

A very shaken Kyros made his way back home. “Well, how did it go?” asked Lana.

Kyros told her the entire story. Lana laughed at him. “Someone’s made a real fool of you!”

But days passed, and Kyros wouldn’t come out of the shock. Mysterious letters started coming for him on a regular basis, and with each letter he opened, Kyros looked paler and more miserable. “I’m going to die”, he wailed. “She’ll kill me!”

Lana realised that Kyros hadn’t been lying when he had told her about Medusa. She thought of a way to save him. At last, she got an idea. “Take her with you to Australia”, she said, “to the place where I was working. And do as I say.”

“Go with a monster to Australia? Are you mad?” Kyros was hysterical.

“Well, if she’s going to kill you anyway, it’s worth a try”, said Lana.

At last, Kyros agreed. He went to see Medusa. “How many letters did it take to get some sense into you?” she snarled.

“I have been working on your case”, said Kyros, mustering all the courage he had, “ But there’s a problem.”
“What problem?” asked Medusa.

“There’s another set of monsters, also called Medusa, who’re terrorizing the world right now”, he said. “it’s difficult to steal away the limelight from them unless you eliminate them yourself.”

“Imposters? Who can surpass me? Impossible!”

“Come with me and I’ll show you myself”, said Kyros. Using Medusa’s magic, Kyros managed to reach the Australian shores with her easily. He pointed at the ocean. “They inhabit these waters”, he said. “Look!”

Millions of tiny creatures, with an umbrella shaped body and several long hanging tentacles, were swimming about in the ocean, each one looking like a miniature Medusa head.

Unknown to Medusa, they were the Irukandji jellyfish, the most venomous jellyfish in the world. “What? These tiny creatures? See how I destroy them now!”

Medusa waded into the waters, right into the midst of all the jellyfish. But her “gaze that could turn humans to stone” didn’t seem to work on the jellyfish, which didn’t have eyes!

Instead, their tentacles started stinging her. “Ah! Help” cried out the monster, who was slowly being stung to death. Kyros closed his eyes and turned away.

He silently thanked Lana for her presence of mind. He hadn’t got any money, but atleast, he was alive!

By: Sneha Verghese