The Alpha, The Beta and The Gamma↔Omega -- first mini-scene
Node LinkNext[ Recent Note: I now believe this split (inspired by this blog post and this one ) was a false lead and I'm planning future characters to be mostly Alphas. I'm keeping it here only as a plot element. ]
[ Athena takes some wooden cards from her possessions, shuffles them, and puts them on the table. ]
Athena: Hey Josephus, let me read you your fortune.
Josephus: Sorry, Athena, but such witchcraft is explicitly forbidden by the Torah .
Athena: Well, it’s more rational than traditional witchcraft. See, I give my own associations based on the cards, and instead of telling what I think they mean, I ask you what they mean.
Josephus: Sounds relatively innocent. Well, I have sinned enough since I wrote the scroll, and if God has mercy on my soul, maybe I’ll still live long enough.
Athena: Yes. OK, let’s start. [ Puts a card. ] I’ll call this card “The Alpha” - what does it mean to you?
Josephus: the Alpha… I’m reminded of some philosophers who studied biology who discussed the herds of some animals, where there was an alpha male who mates with all the females. But…
Athena: Who is he among humans?
Alexis: Or she… [ she continues to throw the knife. ]
Josephus: An alpha female? Yes! The most coveted female… Phoebe … a rule breaker… keeps challenging social norms… the “bad girl”… gets into a lot of trouble, but usually not remotely in danger - she can get out of it.
Josephus: Yes, in stories or plays she, is usually the antagonist.
Athena: OK, next. This card is “The beta”.
Josephus: The beta female? Hmmm… Let me think…
Josephus: Yes! The “protagonist”, the good girl, solid, “responsible adult”. She’s more respected than the Alpha female, and some men find her more attractive. She’s featured in conversations less, and people assume there’s a rivalry between her and the Alpha female.
Josephus: In Damascus’ case, it is the princess. She’s already engaged, and her marriage may make her the Beta female emerita, but only time can tell. She and I flirted a few times since I published “Qoheleth”. And she did hint that Phoebe wants me.
[ Note: challenge accepted, and won! Bar Refaeli is now happily married and still coveted and featured in conversations. ]
Athena: OK, fair enough. Now next. Hmm… it’s a card of complete consumption, so seems like it will be “The Gamma all the way to the Omega”. Who is she?
Josephus: Gamma-to-Omega? Hmmm… yes! The Gamma↔Omega female— the one who is sheepish, always gets herself and everyone else into trouble, pitiful. The true villainess.