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Pandora’s Box

December 20, 2016 by Winter Contest 47 Comments

This story is by Pauline Yates and was part of our 2016 Winter Writing Contest. You can find all the Winter Writing Contest stories here.

‘A New World Awaits’, the travel brochure reads. Mike leans against the counter of the baggage check area, soaks up the pictures of the Greek Isles and dreams of sailing the Aegean Sea on a yacht. What he would give to be whisked away from his job as an airport security guard and be one of the many tourists that send their travel bags through the X-ray machine while clutching a flight ticket in hand. He’s always hoped to travel and see the world, but unless he receives a pay-rise or a promotion, hope is all he can afford. But hope won’t buy him a ticket.

Dragging his thoughts from a sun-kissed beach in Greece, he pockets the brochure and returns to his visual inspection of the people who wait to file through the security checkpoint. Except for a tall woman cradling an ornate clay jar, the departing passengers look as normal as any passengers Mike has seen today. Teenagers snap photographs, retirees fish through handbags for keys or metal objects that will set off the alarm, mothers clutch the hands of excited children—everyday passengers taking everyday flights to destinations around the world. He foresees no security breaches from this crowd, except perhaps from the woman. Is it the silvery gown that hugs her alluring figure, or the jar that exudes mystique, that pinches his attention?

Intrigued by both, he watches her place the jar in a basket on the conveyor belt, but when she glances warily at the X-ray machine, his attention shifts to the jar. It’s the size of a cookie jar, with intricate patterns carved into the side, and a sealed lid. A family heirloom? Or a vessel harbouring a dangerous substance? With the safety of fellow passengers in mind, Mike seizes the jar as it emerges from the X-ray machine and motions the woman to his counter.

“Is there anything inside this jar you need to declare?” he asks.

The woman rolls back her shoulders, making her gown ripple like water flowing over pebbles in a stream. “It is not a jar. It is a box. But only due to foolish mistranslation must I refer to it as a box.”

Mike raises an eyebrow. “I think I know the difference between a jar and a box, Miss…?”

“Pandora. And the contents are never to be seen.”

Mike squares his jaw. “Miss Pandora, you are at a secure checkpoint of the international airport. It is my duty to inform you that travelling with undeclared or dangerous goods is prosecutable by law and may result in a cancellation of your flight and seizure of your passport. So I will ask you again, is there anything inside this jar you wish to declare, or should I open the lid and find out for myself?”

“Pandora. No Miss. And I must warn you, for the safety of all mankind, it is imperative the seal of this box is not broken.”

Drugs. He’ll bet his last dollar on it. Not wanting to cause a scene which could upset the other passengers, he smiles and speaks in a pleasant tone. “May I see your passport, please?”

He takes the passport she plucks from the breast of her gown and flicks through the pages. “State your full name, address and reason for travelling today.”

The woman sweeps her raven black hair from her shoulder. “I am Pandora, created by the gods, and the first woman to walk the earth. I was bestowed with many gifts from the gods—beauty and charm, persuasion and curiosity—but, unbeknown to me, curiosity was laced with treachery. For with curiosity came a box containing secret gifts I was told never to see. Seduced by curiosity’s power, I opened the box and released Zeus’ wrath on mankind. All I caught was hope, but while Zeus retreated to his throne to laugh at the plight of men, I searched the earth and collected the ills I was tricked into releasing. Today, I return the evils of men to their rightful home.”

Mesmerised by her thick European accent, Mike struggles to focus on his job. “And where, exactly, is home?”

“Where your world ends, and the god’s world begins.” Her eyes narrow. “I see your heart. You, also, hope to travel the waters that lap the stairway to the gods.”

How is it she knows of his dream to visit Greece? Did she see him reading the travel brochure? That being a more rational explanation than the one she offers, he forces himself to ignore her charms. “The last time I checked, there was only one world.”

“No. Two worlds,” she says. “Our world. And the world of the gods.”

Mike simpers. “Miss Pandora, if you were blessed by the gods, as you claim, why do you fly by aeroplane? Why not ask the gods for the power of ethereal travel?”

“The veil of deception is pulled well over your eyes. You honour the gods when you should despise them.” She leans forward and traces a manicured finger around the lid of the jar. “I ask the gods for nothing so Zeus remains unaware I intend to return these gifts. This is my revenge on him for using a woman to deliver what he was too weak to deliver himself. No longer will I be blamed for the woes of mankind.”

With her gaze shifted from him to the jar, Mike’s duty to his responsibility strengthens. “Miss Pandora,” he says, sliding the jar from beneath her finger and placing his hand over the lid. “I don’t know who Zeus is, but if you cooperate and reveal the contents of this jar, you may be granted immunity from prosecution if it can be proved you were coerced under the threat of harm to transport illicit drugs out of our country.”

She grabs the jar from beneath his hand and clutches it to her breast. “I have told you. It is a box. My job is to see it returned.”

“And my job is to check the contents.” He reaches across the counter and takes back the jar, but something in the woman’s almond-shaped eyes makes him hesitate. What if she’s telling the truth? The jar passed through the X-ray machine without setting off the alarm, and he’s never met a woman of such unworldly beauty. But if he screws up a simple security check, not only will he put the other passengers at risk, he’ll kiss his job goodbye and lose any hope of saving for a holiday. Gods were myths—stories to frighten men from behaving badly. And some women were born liars.

He starts to pry open the lid, but the woman snatches at the jar. As they grapple for possession, the jar slips between their hands and smashes on the floor. Thick black vapour with a sickly-sweet stench fills the room. Gagging, Mike staggers backwards and watches in disbelief as the vapour swirls through the airport corridors. The waiting passengers scream and scramble for the exits. The group of teenagers shout obscenities. Two retirees, oblivious to the chaos around them, bicker about forgotten passports. Children complain of feeling sick.

“Lock down the airport,” Pandora says, crouching to rake her fingers through pieces of broken clay. “If the gifts reach the runway, plagues, war and famine will spread to the ends of the earth. The peace I’ve restored by removing these evils will be destroyed.”

Mike grabs his radio but before he can issue an alert, he sees, through a window overlooking the runway, an aeroplane departing the terminal. As it taxies down the tarmac, a trail of black vapour creeps into the aeroplane through an open hatch near the wheels.

Dropping his radio, he turns to Pandora. “You must collect the gifts. That plane is about to take off.”

“It’s too late,” she says, nodding to the remains of the jar. “The box is empty. Without hope, all is lost.”

Desperate to protect the passengers, he clutches her arm. “You said my heart was filled with hope. Use mine.”

“Yours?” Pandora frowns then stands and takes his hand. “Come. We must journey to the stronghold of Prometheus and mould a new box, one to hold your hope. Then, together, we shall collect the ills that torment mankind and restore peace to the world.”

Mike gulps. “Um…where’s Prometheus?”

“He resides on a secluded island bathed by the shimmering waters of the Aegean Sea. He will be honoured to help the spawn of man he so proudly created.”

“But, I’m no match for the gods. I’m only a security guard.”

“Your desire to protect is strong.” With a wave of her hand, a flight ticket materialises from thin air. “Consider yourself promoted,” she says, handing him the ticket. “You are now the guardian of all mankind.”

Mike stares at the ticket. “I don’t suppose there’s a yacht waiting for us, is there?”

Pandora shares her most seductive smile. “Yes, Mike. You have an abundance of hope.”

END

Filed Under: 2016 Winter Writing Contest

About Winter Contest

This story was entered in our Winter Writing Contest. You can read all the stories from the contest here.

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Comments

  1. Chryselle Amber says

    December 21, 2016 at 8:16 pm

    What a fantastic read! This had me from the start,it was a great take on the myth of Pandora’s box, with a wonderful modern spin and an engaging plot line. Well done!

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      December 23, 2016 at 5:20 pm

      Thanks for reading.

      Reply
  2. Pen Puppy says

    December 21, 2016 at 9:08 pm

    Lovely use of metaphor and theme.

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      December 23, 2016 at 5:20 pm

      Thanks for reading.

      Reply
  3. Deb Moore says

    December 22, 2016 at 12:39 am

    Excellent read. I always enjoy a good Pauline Yates story. I like the contrast of two tales becoming one destination. Well done.

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      December 23, 2016 at 5:19 pm

      Thanks for reading Deb.

      Reply
  4. Jane Boyd says

    December 22, 2016 at 12:41 am

    Very interesting to read. Thank you

    Reply
  5. Ryan Marr says

    December 22, 2016 at 12:43 am

    Good theme and protagonist.

    Reply
  6. Dan McAuliffe says

    December 22, 2016 at 3:31 am

    Entertaining read with surprise twist at the end.Well done.

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      December 23, 2016 at 5:19 pm

      Thanks for reading.

      Reply
  7. Lyn Jensen says

    December 22, 2016 at 3:35 am

    Fantastic take on the Pandora myth. It drew me right in, had a good pace and a delightful ending. Well done, Pauline Yates!

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      December 23, 2016 at 5:18 pm

      Thanks Lyn. Your comments are always inspiring.

      Reply
  8. Sabrina Beretta says

    December 22, 2016 at 6:46 am

    Such an excellent reading! Love your writing, the idea and how you developed it!

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      December 23, 2016 at 5:18 pm

      Thanks for reading.

      Reply
  9. Tracy Maxwell says

    December 22, 2016 at 7:54 am

    Wonderful read! Gripping from the beginning and delightful all the way through. Another gem.

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      December 23, 2016 at 5:17 pm

      Thanks Tracy.

      Reply
  10. Sue Weems says

    December 22, 2016 at 9:35 am

    Loved this concept, Pauline. Congrats.

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      December 23, 2016 at 5:17 pm

      Thanks. I had a lot of fun writing this.

      Reply
  11. Cheryl Murphy says

    December 22, 2016 at 8:12 pm

    Very nice spin on Greek Mythology. Congratulations Pauline.

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      December 23, 2016 at 5:11 pm

      Thanks.

      Reply
  12. Kay Affleck says

    December 23, 2016 at 8:07 am

    Great story Pauline, I really enjoyed this.

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      December 23, 2016 at 5:11 pm

      Thanks for reading, Kay.

      Reply
  13. Karen Vernon says

    December 23, 2016 at 7:13 pm

    Brilliant interpretation of the theme and wonderful use of the Greek myth. Great story,, delightfully and evocatively told. Excellent work Pauline!

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      December 23, 2016 at 8:23 pm

      Thanks Karen. I had a lot fun working on this.

      Reply
  14. Alec Adsett says

    December 23, 2016 at 8:45 pm

    Pauline. What a great read. I loved the combined concepts of Greek mythology mixed with the twenty first century. I especially liked the idea hope can conquer all.

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      December 23, 2016 at 9:52 pm

      Thanks Alec. I’m also hoping I might get over the line with this story.

      Reply
  15. john notley says

    December 26, 2016 at 12:59 am

    Very interesting take on Greek mythology. Makes me wish I had read a bit more about Pandora’s box. Good story.

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      December 26, 2016 at 3:17 pm

      Thanks John. I knew nothing about Pandora before writing this. That’s the best part about writing to prompts. I always learn something new.

      Reply
  16. Diane Krause says

    December 26, 2016 at 1:04 am

    Gripping story with a very clever plot. Well done Pauline

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      December 26, 2016 at 3:18 pm

      Thanks for reading, Diane.

      Reply
  17. Donna mcauliffe says

    December 26, 2016 at 4:35 pm

    Great read. Love this story.

    Reply
  18. Donna mcauliffe says

    December 26, 2016 at 4:35 pm

    Great little story.

    Reply
  19. Sheila Lischwe says

    December 27, 2016 at 7:01 am

    Having just returned from the airport, the security procedures drew me in right away. Pandora’s presence in line turned the story away from the expected in a very effective way. Beautiful writing!

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      December 28, 2016 at 8:05 pm

      Thanks Sheila.

      Reply
  20. Annmarie Lockhart says

    December 28, 2016 at 2:14 am

    Wonderful update of the myth! With a plot that makes sense, Pandora’s attempt at resolution, which must be thwarted so we humans can know pain and darkness in this world. Loved this!

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      December 28, 2016 at 8:06 pm

      Thanks for reading Annemarie.

      Reply
  21. Christy Brown says

    December 28, 2016 at 7:00 pm

    I love how you mixed the old mythology with the new world and technology. Great job setting the scene. I could completely picture this in my head. Wonderful story!

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      December 28, 2016 at 8:06 pm

      Thanks Christy

      Reply
  22. Georgina Ballantine says

    December 30, 2016 at 4:36 pm

    Hi Pauline
    Great story and very well-written! I love Greek mythology so the theme had instant appeal for me. The clever intertwining of the guard’s story and Pandora’s had me hooked and I’d love to see a longer story that explored the ideas of Pandora and the guard working together, and how the gods tried to thwart them. Just one minor thought: if Pandora has successfully collected all the ills of mankind, then wouldn’t everyone be happy/life perfect, etc.? There would be no need for security guards and no-one would be carrying/selling drugs?
    That’ s just a very minor point that occurred to me, but I still loved the story and am keen to read more.
    Thanks for sharing and good luck in the contest!
    Georgina x

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      December 30, 2016 at 5:47 pm

      Hey Georgina, Thanks for reading. Yes, I agree if all the ills of man were collected then life would be peaceful. I tried to illustrate that through the other passengers – the happy teenagers verses teenagers shouting obsenities, excited children verses children feeling sick, etc. Will it be a sticking point? Too late now to worry about it.

      Reply
      • Georgina Ballantine says

        January 1, 2017 at 7:36 am

        Hi Pauline, I doubt it will be a sticking point. It’s a great story. Good luck!

        Reply
  23. Teresa (Tess) Karlinski says

    December 31, 2016 at 10:42 am

    A fascinating braiding of two stories where an unexpected win-win occurs. The twist at the end is a bonus. Loved reading this.

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      December 31, 2016 at 5:13 pm

      Thanks for reading Teresa. I like the ending too.

      Reply
  24. Kylie Hough says

    December 31, 2016 at 5:21 pm

    Hi Pauline,
    Congratulations on your story – it was an exciting and intriguing read with well-developed characters and a plot driven forward by the excellent characterisation.
    All the best,
    Kylie 🙂

    Reply
    • Pauline Yates says

      January 1, 2017 at 12:06 am

      Thanks Kylie. What an awesome contest. I doubt I would have polished this as well as I did without the workshop and nit-picking.

      Reply
  25. Sean. O says

    January 2, 2017 at 10:27 pm

    Adored the abstract and bizarre themes within the tale. As a reader, I was carried along and felt very present in the waiting que.

    Outstanding work Pauline – this is my favourite story from four I have read.

    Reply
  26. Renette Steele says

    January 4, 2017 at 1:27 am

    Enjoyed reading this again.

    I liked the changes you made.

    Best wishes with the contest.

    Reply

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