Wings of Wax: Induction

INT.  MINOS - STONE COLUMNED HALLWAY OUTSIDE BANQUET ROOM - NIGHT


A welcome celebration is taking place for new arrivals to Minos: Daedalus and Icarus. Camera fades in on vast empty halls of stone. Pasiphae, the CEO, is giving a speech somewhere O.S., her voice echos faintly.

PASIPHAE

Welcome fellow citizens of Minos. I am so glad to see so many were able to join me in welcoming two new guests to our realm. One of whom will be doing important work for us in the Ether, and no doubt you've heard rumors, he is none other than Daedalus, the famous artificer.

Audience gives applause.


INT.  MINOS - BANQUET ROOM - NIGHT


The room is packed, elegantly furnished and attended. Pasiphae stands at podium on stage.

PASIPHAE

I was elated when I first heard the news and know all of you are also quite excited by the possibilities. As you know Daedalus has authored many award winning immersive experiences, and no doubt you have witnessed the feats of his top rated gladiator AI's in the Colosseum, but his exploits range across the entire spectrum of software, hardware, and ethereal design and development.

Audience applauds.

PASIPHAE

And now I must introduce the second of the party, but he is no less interesting, I assure you ladies. (beat) His name is Icarus, an android--a superb and charming boy. He is a very close friend of Daedalus, and so he is our new friend.

Audience applauds.

PASIPHAE

Thank you. Ladies; gentlemen; children of Minos, please give a round of applause for Daedalus.

Audience applauds enthusiastically. Daedalus joins Pasiphae on stage.

DAEDALUS

You're too kind. You're ... too kind. Thank you, thank you all. On behalf of Icarus and myself, we accept your warm welcome and look forward to working with you.

I've been around ... I've been around. I started writing code as a very young boy, about Icarus's age. (beat) I've been in this industry for ... many years. I've seen the Ether go from cult phenomenon to big business. Indeed, I doubt the Gods themselves would have suspected they'd come to be worshiped literally.

Audience was prepared to applaud but is taken aback. There is an awkward pause.

DAEDALUS

My ... new friends, we should not forget that the Gods themselves were once human; that they merely discovered a means to preserve the mind, perhaps for eternity, in the ethereal realm. Let us not forget how precious life is. Let us live our own lives in reality as we've come to in the Ether.

Audience applauds hesitantly.