UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA Edmond, Oklahoma Dr. Joe C. Jackson College of Graduate Studies All The World's My Stage A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE FACULTY in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS IN CREATIVE WRITING By Linda Kim Treadway Edmond, Oklahoma 2015 All The World's My Stage A THESIS APPROVED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH April 23, 2015 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Above all, I would like to thank God, my creator, for ordering my steps, never forsaking me, teaching me the true meaning of love, and providing redemption through his son Jesus Christ, my rock and my salvation; A heartfelt thank you to my sister, Cindy Treadway, for her unfailing love, support, and encouragement in pursuing my dreams; I love you sis; Thank you to all the teachers during my primary school years, who encouraged and helped me develop basic writing skills, sparked my imagination, and always made the learning process fun; Thank you to Stacey Paugh, my English professor at Oklahoma City Community College for reminding me of my lifelong love of writing during a time when I was lost and searching for my life's purpose; Thank you to all my creative writing and literature professors at University of Central Oklahoma: Jeri Van Cook, Dr. James Daro, Dr. Adam Davies, Dr. Kit Givan, Dr. Kurt Hochenauer, Dr. Gladys Lewis, Dr. David Macey, Jr., Dr. Allen Rice, Dr. Susan Spencer, Dr. John Springer, Dr. Constance Squires, Dr. Linda Steele, Dr. Wayne Stein, and Dr. Pamela Washington, for providing professional guidance, encouraging me to grow as a person and writer, and inspiring me to take my life's journey to the next level; I will always be grateful for your advice, support, and friendship; Finally, I'd like to thank all my critique partners, who at times made me laugh, cry, and travelled with me to unexplored worlds of the human mind; you know who you are. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT OF THESIS . v All The World's My Stage .. 1 PROLOGUE . 2 CHAPTER 1 . 7 CHAPTER 2 . 15 CHAPTER 3 . 26 CHAPTER 4 . 30 CHAPTER 5 . 39 CHAPTER 6 . 50 CHAPTER 7 . 54 CHAPTER 8 . 60 CHAPTER 9 . 73 CHAPTER 10. 77 CHAPTER 11. 79 CHAPTER 12. 88 CHAPTER 13. 95 CHAPTER 14. 101 CHAPTER 15. 108 CHAPTER 16. 124 CHAPTER 17. 126 CHAPTER 18. 131 CHAPTER 19. 135 CHAPTER 20. 147 CHAPTER 21. 162 CHAPTER 22. 170 CHAPTER 23. 181 CHAPTER 24. 189 CHAPTER 25. 198 CHAPTER 26. 204 CHAPTER 27. 217 CHAPTER 28. 226 CHAPTER 29. 235 CHAPTER 30. 244 CHAPTER 31. 253 CHAPTER 32. 262 v ABTRACT OF THESIS AUTHOR: Linda Kim Treadway TITLE: All The World's My Stage DIRECTOR OF THESIS: James Daro, M.F.A. PAGES: 265 All The World's My Stage is the action-filled comedy of Kimberly Peterson’s woefully isolated and loveless life. Middle-aged and single, her most recent love affair only exists in her dreams with her favorite movie star. While searching for inspiration for her next romance novel, she happens across the goddess Bali, trapped in a cheap statue in the local antique shop. In exchange for freedom from her tawdry prison, Bali promises to help Kim find true love. Life on the run from Bali's evil twin sister and her mafia of Mau priestesses sure makes Kim's life more exciting. Things heat up when she partners with Gregorian Laydon, the super-sexy love god, who joins Kim's quest to rescue Bali from her enemies. Between vengeful deities and everyone concealing personal secrets, Kim's emotions go on a rollercoaster ride, making it hard to know which way is up. However, Kim courageously faces these challenges head on to: solve the puzzle of her past, save Bali, and win Greg's love, despite all obstacles. All The World's My Stage shows the importance of self-reliance in a world that relies so heavily on partnerships. Kim’s independence is the reason she can survive in this chaotic world of gods, warriors, and clairvoyance, as well as, finally allowing herself to fall in love. This is the story of strong will versus immortal gods, and the virtues that humanity holds over omnipotence. Love, we see, really does conquer all. All The World's My Stage Prologue Egypt, Summer Palace, 305 BC “Apollo, please, I didn’t have any choice,” Bali pleaded. As a goddess, she never found it necessary to explain her actions to anyone, but the look of utter hatred on his face demanded she do so now. A moment ago, deep in thought, she'd felt a tingle of magic, calling her attention to Apollo's presence. Startled at first, then curious as to how he had found her, she became painfully aware of her isolation in this part of the garden. Only Ishe and she met here, making this bower feel safe, secure, theirs alone. She had loved this place for that very reason. Now, it seemed not only disquieting, but like a violation somehow. Ishe had followed her here, he only fifteen to her sixteen, where he had first declared his love. After that, it became their special place, one that no one else knew about but them. Now that private connection felt violated, like this sanctum had been polluted by an outsider. Located at the center of an elaborate maze, this courtyard, one of many in the royal gardens, remained deserted this time of day due to its distance from the palace. Most people rarely ventured this far. “It doesn’t matter. You have interfered in my affairs for the last time.” He waved his hand and a golden statue, about a foot in height, in the form of an Egyptian Mau cat, materialized on the grey slate stones. “Your mother’s symbol I believe,” he said with a sneer. It wasn’t a question. Her mother was well known to both pantheons. The cat represented her mother's worship symbol, the predatory symbol of a great warrior lioness. She stared at the statue, mouth agape. “What are you going to do?” 2 “For your impertinence, I’m going to get rid of you once and for all,” he said, studying his finger tips, then fixing his intent gaze on her. She took one step back and stopped. If she tried to run, he would catch her. His powers legendary, far surpassed her own. There was nowhere to run. Bali looked around the courtyard. If she stood a chance of surviving this encounter, she'd need to do some fast talking. Taking a deep breath, she plunged in. "You cannot mean to banish me. That is not justice and you know it.” “I am a god. I can do as I wish,” he goaded. He smirked, making his usually sun kissed, blond good looks seem cruel and menacing. “Listen, I can explain.” She held up her hands in supplication. “It is really quite simple. I saw Shatiri in the street as she passed by. You know I am a love-goddess and cannot help but bring together those who are destined to be united.” He crossed his arms, not looking convinced. She continued in her defense, hoping his silence symbolic of a good omen, “Shatiri and Ashran are meant to be together. I had no choice. You cannot deny destiny.” Apollo held up a hand, interrupting her. “I am a god, I can do as I like. Damn destiny.” She shuddered. His blasphemy of the Fates only invited trouble. The three sisters didn’t take such talk lightly. She would never speak so. But then, Apollo had been a reckless god since time began. It amazed her that he had gotten away with so much for so long without retribution from some pantheon or another, let alone the Fates themselves. Her Egyptian House and his Greek House observed an uneasy truce. It wouldn't take much to upset the peace and throw them back into a warring state. This conflict could very well do just that. 3 “I have heard enough.” He turned and paced a few steps, throwing one arm out to cut off anything else she might have to say. “Your words do not absolve you. You should have checked before uniting those two. For your audacity in this matter, you will not be the only one to suffer, I assure you.” “But…” she tried again. “Enough!" he said, throwing his hand out once more as he turned back to her. "Shatiri was my favorite concubine and you stole her away. She was my property. Now she will have nothing of me for the love she now bears Ashran.” She tried to speak but discovered her voice stolen. She clutched at her throat in horror, her eyes widened in disbelief. She looked around the courtyard, but saw no one who might offer help in her defense. Then she glimpsed a shifting, deep in the shadows behind one of the columns of the gazebo nearby. Were her eyes playing tricks on her? No, no one there to step forward and offer aid. Apollo's booming voice rang out. Oh, no. Here it comes, the verdict. “I have heard all I need to hear. Bali of the Egyptian pantheon, daughter of the love goddess, Bastet, I sentence you to eternity inside this golden statue. Your punishment shall be to watch as the world passes by without your intervention, without your interference. Your powers are taken from you and given into the hands of my House.” His words resonated inside her head like a gong.