“Apollo?” asked Jack, “Uh…no, that’s our friend, Carey.”
The old man glared at Jack accusingly, “The Delphic Oracle stated that Apollo was to come to us in mortal form, and that we would all recognize him by his stature and long flowing hair.”
“I told him he should get it cut,” muttered Clu.
Carey looked very confused by all of the commotion surrounding him. He turned his head back to glance helplessly at Molly, who stood a bit farther in the background. The older man who had been speaking to Jack gasped in surprise.
“Apollo?” he questioned, “Have you taken a bride?”
The old man walked over to Molly, his head still lowered in respect. He took Molly’s hand and led her over to Carey.
“See here,” said the man, “Apollo has chosen a wife!”
“Mom?” gasped Jack as Fi smacked his side.
“What?” he hissed.
“Jack,” she whispered, “Don’t be stupid. If these people find out that we’re her kids, Mom might get in trouble for being unfaithful to Apollo.”
“But it’s Carey!” he hissed back.
“Look,” she said, “I know that and you know that, but these people think he’s Apollo, so we have to play along.”
“Oh great Apollo, tell us of your bride,” said Fi loudly.
Carey and Molly stared at her as though she’d lost it. Fi gave them a look that clearly said it was in their best interest to play along.
“Uh…” began Carey, running his hand through his hair, “This is Molly.”
“To Molly!” roared the crowd.
The next bit all happened in a blur. Carey and Molly were thrust upon large chairs and showered with food and attention. Carey laughed, still slightly confused, and Molly looked practically sick. Fi and Clu had managed to sneak up to where the crowd of people surrounded “Apollo”, leaving Jack to deal with Annie.
When they got close enough Fi whispered something into Clu’s ear and he stood up.
“Oh, great Ca…Apollo. Uh, have you chosen temple attendants?”
“We have many attendants!” shouted the old man who had started all of this.
Carey’s eyes flashed with recognition.
“Uh, excuse me, Mister…”
“Ellinas, your most revered one, George Ellinas.”
“Well, uh…George, since I’m Apollo, don’t I get to choose my attendants?”
“Of course, most honored Apollo, forgive me for questioning your great judgment.”
“Cool,” said Carey, “Well then, I’ll use my, uh…mystical powers to select people whom I think would be uh…worthy.”
He then stood and began to walk through the crowd, grabbing Fi, Clu, Jack and Annie.
“These four will do nicely,” he said, “So why don’t you…” he pointed to George, “show them to the temple?”
George nodded eagerly and led away the kids as Carey went back over to Molly.
“Carey,” whispered Molly, “I’m really confused.”
“Me too,” admitted Carey, “But why not take advantage of it?”
He looked at Molly as he spoke those words, and she felt an uncomfortable warmth travel through her. She turned away from Carey, lowering her eyes.
“Why me?” she asked softly.
“I guess they thought you and I were together,” said Carey, “Don’t worry. Molly, we’ll all be able to figure out how to get out of this.”
But as Carey wrapped his arms around Molly in a comforting hug, she wasn’t sure she wanted to get out of this.