The Inanna-verse.

  A conversation between Inanna and Ereshkigal would likely be a tense and confrontational one, given their history in Mesopotamian mythology. In the myth, Inanna travels to the underworld ruled by Ereshkigal and is subjected to a series of trials and torments before being rescued by Enki. If they were to have a dialogue, it might go something like this: Inanna: Ereshkigal, queen of the underworld. It has been some time since we have spoken. Ereshkigal: Inanna. What brings you to my domain? Inanna: I have come to seek knowledge and understanding. Ereshkigal: Knowledge and understanding? You, who sought to overthrow me and claim my throne? Inanna: I have learned much since our last encounter. I now seek to understand the depths of the underworld, to gain knowledge that will aid me in my rule. Ereshkigal: And what could you possibly offer me in return for this knowledge? Inanna: I offer you my respect and reverence, and a pledge to never again seek to usurp your power. Ereshkigal: Yo...

  (Inanna, Ninshubar, and Ereshkigal are seated before a flatscreen watching “A Year without Santa Claus”.   There is a large quantity of red and green iced brownies on a platter perched on a coffee table in front of them). INANNA:   Oh, dear.   I hope that Santa Claus can get on his feet to spread Christmas cheer! ERESHKIGAL:   Nonny, we watch this stupid show year after year and the ending is the same! NINSHUBAR:   And year after year you two get in a fight about it.   Calm down and enjoy the day. INANNA:   Do you think Santa Claus is real? ERESHKIGAL:   Oh, I don’t believe this... INANNA:   I’m serious!   Lots of people don’t believe we’re goddesses, but we are! NINSHUBAR:   Nonny, if you look into your heart as a source of generosity and charity, there lies the spirit that is Santa Claus. (Pause). INANNA:   You don’t believe a word you just said, do you? NINSHUBAR:   Well, I believe in generosity and charity— ERES...

The Sumerian goddesses Inanna, Ninshubur and Ereshkigal enter the dining hall.   On the table is an impressive spread:   Stuffed roast turkey, sliced ham, lamb chops, sweet potatoes, large bowls of snap peas, apples, peaches, figs, and other delicacies… Inanna skips up to the table and jumps into her seat.   She rubs her hands together eagerly. INANNA Oh, boy!   Oh, wow, Oh, golly,  Oh, joy, Oh bliss!   I’m gonna eat  so much,  I’ll vomit!   ERESHKIGAL Just a second, sis! NINSHUBUR Don’t you think you’re overlooking  something? INANNA What?   Oh, yes! Inanna ties a napkin around her neck and picks up a steak knife and fork. INANNA All right!   Let’s eat like hogs  after a truffle hunt! NINSHUBUR Now, now, now... INANNA What, what, what? ERESHKIGAL It is time to sing what  the modern folk call caroling. INANNA Do we know a Carol?   I don’t  remember  us inviting a Carol. NINSHUBUR A carol is a song,...

Inanna - Episode Two: 2016 A.D. by John Joyce Baker (Inanna, Ninshubar and Ereshkigal are seated on a couch.   Inanna taps away at her iPad.   Ninshubar reads The Washington Post.   Ereshkigal leafs through a dog eared copy of Jean-Paul Sartre's "No Exit."). INANNA:   Hmm... trending! NINSHUBAR:   Eh? INANNA:   Breaking news.   Nick Menza from Megadeth died. (Ninshubar leafs through her paper). NINSHUBAR:   Is that in the obituary section? INANNA:   You're not going to find it in your inky old paper.   It just came up on Twitter. ERESHKIGAL:   Get with the times, grandma. (Ninshubar glares at Ereshkigal, then returns to her paper). INANNA:   Trending!   Who's Peter Shaffer? NINSHUBAR:   He wrote "Equus" and "Amadeus."   Why do you ask? INANNA:   He just died too.   Ninety years old!   Not bad for a human. NINSHUBAR:   Ninety-- That is STILL too young!   He had so much more to contribute! ...