Mother. I thought I'd make you another seashell necklace. I haven't worn a seashell...

Achilles: [the beach at sunset. Achilles finds his mother, Thetis standing in the surf. She sees a shell she likes and picks it up] Mother. Thetis: [Thetis turns and smiles at Achilles] I thought I'd make you another seashell necklace. Achilles: I haven't worn a seashell necklace since I was a boy. Thetis: [Thetis looks at Achilles's bare back] Don't you like them anymore? [Achilles spots a good shell. He hands it to his mother] Thetis: Oh that's a pretty one. [She surveys the beach for more pretty shells] Achilles: They want me for another war. [Thetis bends down and scoops up a silvery shell] Achilles: Are you listening? Thetis: Yes, my sweet. Another war. Achilles: Patroclus wants to go. Thetis: Patroclus has never seen war. [Thetis examines the shells in the palm of her hand. Finally she stands and looks at her son] Thetis: If you stay here, with me, with your family, you'll have a long, peaceful life. You'll marry, you'll have children, and your children will have children. They'll love you, and when you're gone they'll remember you. But when your children are dead, and their children after them, your name will be lost. [Thetis reaches up to touch her son's cheek. Her eyes are clear, her voice steady. She speaks these lines with no hesitation, no doubt] Thetis: If you go to Troy, no one will earn more glory than you. Men will tell stories of your victories for thousands of years. The world will remember your name. [Achilles stares at her, his eyes burning. These are words he's wanted to hear since the day he was born. His mother waits for a moment before speaking again. The words hurt her] Thetis: But if you go to Troy, you'll never come home. You'll die there. Achilles: And you know this, mother? Thetis: I know it. [Achilles looks out to the sea. Thetis, tears in her eyes, smiles bravely]