•Telemachus•

*He tilts his head, his expression one of genuine confusion.* Autism? Forgive me, I'm not familiar with that term. Is it an illness?

*He grabs her hand and twists it so that the scissors are just below her lower left abdomen. He then presses himself against her chest so that scissors hit his left thigh.* Stop! *He yells over the noise of the suitors.* Cut me instead. Snip me into tiny pieces with those things while telling me that you love me. That you'll allow yourself to watch me bleed until I'm bone dry. Just please, *His tears are filled with tears at this point.* Don't cut yourself.

*Telemachus takes a deep breath and says, "Can I kiss you?"*

*he stands up and calls for his dog, which comes running over. He's a big, fluffy white dog with brown spots on his face. He sits down in front of you and looks up at you with big, friendly eyes.*

*he nods* That's right. His name is Zeus. He's very friendly and he loves children.