Wrapped Around Your Finger

Chris Anthony: And now, Adventures in Odyssey.
Eugene Meltsner: And there it is, Mr. Allen. Welcome to the National Antique Database System.
Jack Allen: Very impressive, Eugene.
Jack Allen: Come look, Joanne.
Joanne Allen: Coming.
Eugene Meltsner: All you have to do now is input your membership number and you'll have access to pricing, inventory, a search mode, and even a chat group. See?
Joanne Allen: That's amazing, Eugene.
Eugene Meltsner: And it's very easy to use as well.
Jack Allen: That's a relief. Thank you, Eugene.
Eugene Meltsner: Well, actually you should thank Katrina. She's the one who discovered the website on the internet.
Jack Allen: Then thank you, Katrina.
Joanne Allen: Well, where is she these days? Still studying in Chicago?
Eugene Meltsner: Yes, though she's here visiting for the next few days.
Joanne Allen: We didn't mean to take you away from her.
Eugene Meltsner: Oh, you didn't. She's out with some of her friends from Campbell College this afternoon. Her family is coming this weekend to visit as well. We thought we would celebrate Valentine's Day together.
Joanne Allen: Oh, how romantic. Do you get along with him? Her parents, I mean.
Eugene Meltsner: Oh, well, as long as I'm here and they're in Chicago, I do.
Joanne Allen: I have to say, Eugene, that it doesn't seem like you and Katrina are engaged. It must be hard living so far away from each other.
Eugene Meltsner: Well, you and Mr. Allen would understand better than most considering your long-distance engagement. Sometimes we have a difficult time believing in ourselves. We haven't even had time to choose a ring for her.
Joanne Allen: A ring? Oh, you have to have a ring. I could recommend a jeweler in Chicago if you're interested.
Jack Allen: Chicago? What's wrong with buying a ring right here in Odyssey? Or right here, as a matter of fact. Have you seen our jewelry selection, Eugene?
Eugene Meltsner: Well, actually no, I haven't.
Joanne Allen: They're over here.
Eugene Meltsner: You know, it never occurred to me to look at rings in an antique shop.
Jack Allen: Sometimes the oldest are the best. Or you'll find some beautiful designs no one makes anymore.
Joanne Allen: We try to keep a nice selection.
Eugene Meltsner: Very nice.
Joanne Allen: I think the problem is that you and Katrina haven't had a proper engagement party.
Eugene Meltsner: Engagement party?
Joanne Allen: You two got engaged and then word got around, but it's not like anybody threw you a party. I think it's time.
Eugene Meltsner: That's very thoughtful, but that is a beautiful ring. May I see it?
Joanne Allen: Of course. This one came from the Fremont estate. Apparently, it was Mrs. Fremont's engagement ring. She never wore it, though. I think it was too unassuming for her.
Eugene Meltsner: Unassuming? Is Is that a sapphire in the center?
Joanne Allen: Uh-huh. A Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 10 diamonds on a solid gold ring.
Eugene Meltsner: Huh. It's dazzling, but discreetly understated. I believe Katrina would love this ring. She loves sapphires and she always hoped her engagement ring would be more than just a diamond. Can you size it?
Jack Allen: We have the technology.
Eugene Meltsner: It's beautiful. Oh, I'd love to surprise her with it while she's still in town.
Jack Allen: Then consider it done.
Joanne Allen: That settles it. We'll have an engagement party for you this weekend.
Eugene Meltsner: This weekend?
Joanne Allen: Valentine's Day weekend. It's so appropriate.
Jack Allen: You could surprise her with the ring.
Eugene Meltsner: It's a wonderful idea. An excellent notion. A fantastic concept. But But isn't it rather short notice?
Joanne Allen: Are you kidding? Short notice is what we do best. Leave everything to me.
Eugene Meltsner: Well, if you're certain.
Joanne Allen: I'd be honored, Eugene. I want to give you and Katrina a party you'll never forget.
Guest (Male): What if everything you thought you knew about the epic battle between Dr. Regis Blackgaard and John Avery Whittaker was just the tip of the iceberg?
Guest (Male): Find the Blackgaard Chronicles book series at focusonthefamily.com/store.
Connie Kendall: So I had lunch with some friends from the college and stopped by here to meet Eugene.
Millie Shanks: Oh, well, we're glad you did, Katrina.
Connie Kendall: Thanks. Eugene told me that your parents are coming to visit this weekend.
Katrina Shanks: Yes. I suppose you could call it a family Valentine's Day get-together.
Tom Riley: Now, what do your parents really think of you, Mary and Eugene?
Eugene Meltsner: Now, you don't want to put her on the spot, Tom.
Tom Riley: Well, sure he does. That's why he's asked in front of everybody. Spill the beans, Katrina.
Connie Kendall: Yeah, I've been wondering myself. What do your parents think?
Katrina Shanks: Well, they think Eugene is very intelligent and sincere and probably the best person I could marry.
Tom Riley: Sounds like she's touting the company line to me. Just like I figured.
Connie Kendall: Why? What do all of you think about me marrying Eugene?
Katrina Shanks: Well, out with it.
Connie Kendall: Well, I'm all for it. I think you're made for each other.
Tom Riley: Well, the only thing that bothers me is that you two are so far away from each other. It just isn't right, I reckon. It's not healthy for the two of you to be apart so much. Now, I disagree. Any distance from Eugene is bound to help their relationship. You know what I'm saying. An engaged couple should be together. That's my vote.
Connie Kendall: And more affectionate. Since we're talking about it.
Katrina Shanks: What?
Connie Kendall: Affectionate. You know. Mushy gushy.
Tom Riley: Now, I'm going to be sick.
Connie Kendall: Mushy gushy? Well, you two are hopeless. You never hold hands or Okay, has anybody here ever seen Eugene kiss Katrina?
Tom Riley: Why would we want to?
Connie Kendall: Isn't it normal for engaged couples to kiss every once in a while?
Joanne Allen: Well, Connie, we are not the kind of people who enjoy overt public displays of affection.
Connie Kendall: Well, I don't mean you have to start drooling all over each other or anything, but like, you know, when you first see each other, isn't it normal to kiss hello?
Katrina Shanks: Well.
Eugene Meltsner: Greetings one and all. Hello, Katrina.
Connie Kendall: Hello.
Eugene Meltsner: What's wrong? You're all looking at me as if I've just grown a third nostril.
Connie Kendall: See?
Eugene Meltsner: See what? Have I grown a third nostril?
Connie Kendall: Eugene, Connie thinks a kiss hello would be appropriate behavior.
Eugene Meltsner: Connie wants me to kiss her hello?
Connie Kendall: No, me.
Eugene Meltsner: She wants you to kiss her hello?
Connie Kendall: No, Eugene.
Eugene Meltsner: We should all kiss hello one big sloppy smooch fest?
Tom Riley: Well, when you put it like that.
Eugene Meltsner: Kissing notwithstanding, I am glad you are all here because I would like to make an announcement.
Tom Riley: Don't tell me you're engaged again.
Eugene Meltsner: Very close, Mr. Riley. I am engaged, yes, but wish to announce a party to celebrate that fact.
Connie Kendall: An engagement party?
Tom Riley: Oh, that's a good idea.
Connie Kendall: Why didn't I think of that?
Katrina Shanks: An engagement party for us?
Eugene Meltsner: None other. Sponsored by Jack and Joanne Allen at their antique gallery this Saturday evening at 7:00.
Tom Riley: Oh, that's very nice.
Connie Kendall: Dreams by Constance would have done it much better.
Eugene Meltsner: Dreams by Constance did not offer. What do you think, Katrina?
Katrina Shanks: I think it's a marvelous idea and my parents will be here for it.
Eugene Meltsner: Precisely. We will eat, drink, and merrily commemorate our betrothal and there will be a surprise.
Katrina Shanks: A surprise? Oh, Eugene, an engagement party on Valentine's Day? That's wonderful. You're wonderful.
Tom Riley: Connie, you were saying about kissing.
Connie Kendall: Never mind.
Jack Allen: Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please. I think it's time for a toast.
Tom Riley: All right.
Jack Allen: First, I'd like to welcome Mr. and Mrs. Shanks to our little shindig.
Katrina Shanks: Thank you.
Armitage Shanks: It's a pleasure to be here for this occasion.
Jack Allen: Before our toast, though, I'd like to hand things over to Eugene for a special
Armitage Shanks: Mr. Allen, if you don't mind my interrupting before Eugene makes his speech, I have a little presentation of my own that I'd like to make.
Jack Allen: Oh, well, go right ahead.
Armitage Shanks: Thank you. I won't dilly-dally around with a long speech. I just want to say on behalf of my wife and myself how pleased we are about this engagement. It is a roller coaster ride getting to this point, but now that we're here, we couldn't be happier with Eugene's wise choice in a wife or Katrina's selection of a partner. As everybody knows, for one reason or another Katrina hasn't been given an engagement ring.
Jack Allen: Mr. Shanks, I
Armitage Shanks: No explanations are needed, Eugene, because Mr. Shanks and I were hoping you'd allow us to honor a timeless family tradition. To present Katrina with this. Katrina?
Connie Kendall: What are you up to, daddy?
Armitage Shanks: Katrina, this ring belonged to your great-grandmother Porcelain. It was given to her by her husband to be Swinden Shanks for their engagement. We want you to have it now as your engagement ring.
Connie Kendall: Oh, daddy, it's beautiful. Do you see, Eugene?
Eugene Meltsner: Oh, yes, I see. It's very nice.
Armitage Shanks: May it bring you lifelong happiness as it did your great-grandmother.
Connie Kendall: Thank you. Thank you, mom and dad.
Millie Shanks: You're welcome, dear.
Armitage Shanks: Eugene, I think you wanted to make a presentation.
Eugene Meltsner: Oh, well, I believe you've uh said all that can be said. All that's left to do is to raise a toast. Mr. Allen?
Jack Allen: A toast, right. Everyone, raise your glasses of punch to Eugene and Katrina on the occasion of their betrothal. May God bring you blessings and growth in your future together.
Armitage Shanks: Amen.
Eugene Meltsner: Yes. Our future together.
Jack Allen: Eugene, what are you doing here? The party's in the other room.
Eugene Meltsner: Oh, I thought I'd take a moment to check your computer.
Jack Allen: Uh-huh. Uh that was quite a surprise, Mr. Shanks bringing an engagement ring.
Eugene Meltsner: It certainly was. It was downright embarrassing.
Jack Allen: Yes. You hate to show up your future father-in-law in front of everybody like that.
Eugene Meltsner: Show him up. I beg to differ, Mr. Allen. My ring was a mere trifle compared to that ring. Is it too late to return my ring to you?
Jack Allen: No, no, I'll take it back. But do you really want to?
Eugene Meltsner: Well, there's no point in keeping it now.
Jack Allen: I don't agree. The ring you bought for Katrina has value because it's from you. It It It is from your heart. And I think you should give it to her.
Eugene Meltsner: Now? In front of everyone?
Jack Allen: No, no, give it to her later when you can explain what happened. Then the two of you can figure out the best way to handle her family.
Eugene Meltsner: Do you really think so?
Jack Allen: Yes, I think so. And I will.
Connie Kendall: Oh, that was delightful. I do so like your friends, Katrina.
Katrina Shanks: I'm glad, mom.
Armitage Shanks: Are you coming up?
Connie Kendall: I'll be up in a minute. I want to say good night to Eugene here.
Armitage Shanks: Uh of course. Thank you for a wonderful evening, Eugene.
Eugene Meltsner: My My pleasure, sir. Thank you for the uh surprise.
Armitage Shanks: Uh you're welcome. Good night. Push the button, Mary, fourth floor.
Connie Kendall: Oh, yes, of course, dear. There you go. Well.
Eugene Meltsner: Well.
Connie Kendall: Well, are you going to tell me what's wrong?
Eugene Meltsner: I beg your pardon?
Connie Kendall: Eugene, you've been acting strange ever since daddy gave me the ring. Do you want to tell me why?
Eugene Meltsner: Was it noticeable?
Connie Kendall: It was to me. So what's wrong?
Eugene Meltsner: Well, if I seem surprised and somewhat put off perhaps by your father's gesture, it's only because it took away from my own surprise. Not only took away from it, but obliterated it completely.
Connie Kendall: You mean my father's surprise wasn't the surprise you mentioned the other day?
Eugene Meltsner: No, not at all. I don't suppose it'll do any harm for you to see it now.
Connie Kendall: See what?
Eugene Meltsner: This.
Connie Kendall: Eugene, you bought me a ring? Eugene, it's It's perfect.
Eugene Meltsner: I thought you would think so.
Connie Kendall: Oh, I have to put it on right away. Here, hold daddy's ring. It fits. You had it sized.
Katrina Shanks: Of course.
Connie Kendall: Oh, Eugene, I love it. It's It's wonderful. It's magnificent. It's colossal.
Eugene Meltsner: I thought so too, which is why I took the proverbial wind out of my sails when your father suddenly came forward with a family ring.
Connie Kendall: I don't care about that, Eugene. I'll wear it on my other hand. This is my engagement ring.
Eugene Meltsner: Katrina, are you sure?
Connie Kendall: Eugene, you're the man I'm going to marry, right?
Eugene Meltsner: Right.
Connie Kendall: And you gave me this ring. Am I correct?
Eugene Meltsner: You are correct.
Connie Kendall: Well, then this is my engagement ring.
Eugene Meltsner: I'm pleased, Katrina. I I couldn't be more pleased, but But your family seem to have their hearts set on you wearing your great-grandmother's ring. What will they say about all this?
Connie Kendall: Well, let's go up to their room and find out.
Armitage Shanks: You want to wear that trinket from Eugene over a valuable family jewel?
Eugene Meltsner: Trinket?
Armitage Shanks: I'm sorry, Eugene, but we're men. Let's call a spade a spade.
Eugene Meltsner: Mr. Shanks, had I given Katrina a shovel, then yes, we could call a spade a spade. As it is, we're discussing rings.
Connie Kendall: And this isn't a trinket.
Millie Shanks: Well, it is compared to your great-grandmother's ring.
Connie Kendall: Oh, mother, don't be over dramatic. I simply want to wear the ring that my husband-to-be has given me. Why does it have to be a life-changing event?
Millie Shanks: Our only daughter is getting married and we're not supposed to think of it as life-changing. Pardon me. I need a handkerchief. I don't think I can discuss this any longer.
Eugene Meltsner: Mrs. Shanks, please.
Armitage Shanks: See what you've done. She'll be in there for hours and I'll have to use the bathroom in the lobby.
Connie Kendall: Daddy, daddy, why does this have to be so difficult?
Eugene Meltsner: Yes, I'm terribly sorry. I didn't mean to cause any
Armitage Shanks: I think it would be best if you left now, Eugene. This is a family matter.
Connie Kendall: He is family, daddy.
Armitage Shanks: This is not the time to quibble over semantics, Eugene.
Eugene Meltsner: Yes. I believe it would be best if I left.
Connie Kendall: All right. I'll talk to you in the morning at wit's end.
Eugene Meltsner: Yes. Good night, Katrina.
Connie Kendall: Good night.
Katrina Shanks: Now, daddy, let's be reasonable about this.
Armitage Shanks: Reasonable? We're being perfect.
Eugene Meltsner: The perfect end to a perfect evening.
Chris Anthony: Want to contact us about the episode you're hearing? Visit our website at adventuresinodyssey.com or talk to someone at Focus on the Family. Call 1-800-AFAMILY with a parent's permission, of course. We always love hearing from you.
Eugene Meltsner: Good morning, Eugene.
Connie Kendall: Hey, I didn't expect you to come in today. What are you doing here?
Eugene Meltsner: I'm eating Katrina, if you don't mind.
Connie Kendall: Why would I mind?
Tom Riley: Eugene, you you don't look very well. Are you coming down with something?
Eugene Meltsner: Possibly. I believe it's a condition related to problems with one's future in-laws.
Tom Riley: Oh.
Katrina Shanks: I thought the party was a success.
Eugene Meltsner: The party was, but the ring caused a slight problem.
Connie Kendall: Uh-oh.
Tom Riley: Well, Katrina seems thrilled with it.
Eugene Meltsner: Well, she was, but she was even more thrilled with the ring I gave to her later.
Connie Kendall: You gave her a ring? Oh, Eugene, you thought the idea up all by yourself?
Eugene Meltsner: Uh yes, all by myself. I'm not completely oblivious to the customs of betrothal, though Mr. and Mrs. Shanks would probably prefer that I were.
Tom Riley: Oh, I get it. The family ring versus your ring.
Connie Kendall: Ouch.
Katrina Shanks: Good morning.
Eugene Meltsner: Good morning, Katrina.
Connie Kendall: Hi.
Eugene Meltsner: Were you able to sleep?
Connie Kendall: Hm not much.
Eugene Meltsner: Uh well, if you two will excuse us, we have uh you know.
Connie Kendall: We do?
Eugene Meltsner: Come on, Connie.
Connie Kendall: Right.
Eugene Meltsner: Thank you, Mr. Whittaker.
Connie Kendall: So, Katrina, how did things go after I made my ignoble egress?
Katrina Shanks: Oh, Eugene, we fought late into the night and we didn't resolve a thing. It's a mess. I can't believe my parents are being so stubborn.
Eugene Meltsner: I knew that trait came from somewhere.
Connie Kendall: What? You You think I'm being stubborn?
Eugene Meltsner: Well, of course you are. Not that there's anything wrong with that in some cases.
Connie Kendall: Well, what do you think we should do?
Eugene Meltsner: Well, I thought about it most of the night and I've come to the conclusion that in the name of family peace, you should wear your great-grandmother's ring and I shall return to Jack the ring I bought.
Connie Kendall: Oh, Eugene.
Eugene Meltsner: Katrina, are you willing to allow this trinket as your father calls it to get in the way of your relationship with your parents?
Connie Kendall: Well, are they willing to let it get in the way of my relationship with you?
Eugene Meltsner: It won't if we don't let it. I would like to believe that our love is stronger than that. I didn't buy this ring to become a symbol of disunity, but of unity. Please, Katrina, reconcile with your parents. Let's take the ring back and you'll wear the family ring for our engagement.
Connie Kendall: Tell me from your heart, do you really want me to?
Eugene Meltsner: No. But it seems like it's the right thing to do.
Joanne Allen: I think it's terribly sad. The ring looked so good on you.
Connie Kendall: I agree, Mrs. Allen.
Eugene Meltsner: Please, this is hard enough as it is.
Jack Allen: Uh may I take a look at your father's ring, please?
Joanne Allen: Certainly.
Tom Riley: Hm Uh are you sure you want to return your ring, Eugene?
Eugene Meltsner: For the final time, yes. Uh why, Mr. Allen?
Jack Allen: Well, you know, I'm not one to play armchair advisor, but take a look at this printout from the antique database. Oh, here comes your father.
Armitage Shanks: Good morning, everybody. Katrina, Eugene, which said I'd find you here. Your mother is in the car. She didn't want to come in because her eyes were so red-ribbed from crying all night. We're ready to go home.
Connie Kendall: Well, you'll be happy to know that you got what you want, daddy. Tell mom to stop pouting. Eugene is returning our engagement ring.
Armitage Shanks: Really? Well, that's very wise of you, Eugene. Uh Eugene, it's rude to read when you're being spoken to.
Eugene Meltsner: Oh Yes, uh wise. Uh though I'm not returning it for the reasons you might think.
Armitage Shanks: Oh?
Eugene Meltsner: I'm returning it because I happen to believe that relationships are more important than objects.
Armitage Shanks: That's very noble of you.
Connie Kendall: Does that mean you agree, daddy? Your ring isn't more important than a relationship?
Armitage Shanks: I didn't say that. Admittedly, it would make your mother happy for you to continue a family tradition. For me, it's far more practical. I mean, look at your great-grandmother's ring. Isn't it beautiful? Now, compare it to the ring Eugene bought you. I mean, no offense, Eugene, but I have to make a point. There's no comparison. You can see the worth of one over the other.
Eugene Meltsner: Um actually, Mr. Shanks, you may be right. Uh Mr. Allen?
Tom Riley: Yes, Eugene. He is right.
Armitage Shanks: What do you mean?
Tom Riley: Eugene is holding a printout from the National Antique Database. You see, just for fun I did some checking on your ring.
Armitage Shanks: And?
Tom Riley: And your ring isn't worth more than Eugene's ring. In fact, it's worth a lot less according to the national standard.
Armitage Shanks: What? Impossible. It's over 100 years old. A genuine Rothchilds. It's a one-of-a-kind ring.
Tom Riley: Actually, it's not. Uh I wasn't certain until I examined the ring just now, but it's a Steinbeck of New York.
Armitage Shanks: Really? A Steinbeck?
Tom Riley: Yes, but do you know what a Steinbeck of New York was?
Armitage Shanks: A famous jeweler, huh?
Tom Riley: A famous costume jeweler. It was a company that specialized in using fake stones to mimic expensive designs.
Armitage Shanks: What?
Tom Riley: See the the gems in this ring aren't gems at all. And the ring's worth is only as a novelty, a collector's item. I'd give you maybe $100 for it, but but no more.
Connie Kendall: But what about Eugene's ring, Mr. Allen?
Tom Riley: It's a genuine Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 10 small diamonds on a gold ring. Its worth is probably 20 times more.
Armitage Shanks: Oh, you're only saying this because you want Eugene to keep his ring.
Eugene Meltsner: Mr. Shanks, the information is all here, complete with scanned photos.
Joanne Allen: Besides Mr. Shanks, it would be breaking the law for Jack to give you a false estimate of either ring's value.
Tom Riley: This has nothing to do with sentimental value. There are some things you can't put a price on, especially when they're given from the heart. Would you say that this ring is from the heart, Mr. Shanks?
Armitage Shanks: I don't believe it. It's junk jewelry. Our family ring ring, Katrina.
Connie Kendall: Here.
Armitage Shanks: Three generations have been passing this ring around and it's costume jewelry all this fuss over this ugly little
Connie Kendall: Ugly? You don't even like the ring, daddy?
Armitage Shanks: Not really. It's your mother who was always so keen on it. I only cared because I thought it was worth something, but now it's it's not worth
Connie Kendall: Wait, wait, wait. Does that mean you don't want me to wear it?
Armitage Shanks: And maybe it's time you two started a new family tradition. Wait until your mother finds out.
Eugene Meltsner: Uh are you sure you should tell her, sir? Uh won't she cry all the way home?
Armitage Shanks: Are you kidding? I'll be crying all the way home. Junk jewelry. I can't believe it.
Eugene Meltsner: So uh was that his goodbye?
Connie Kendall: Yes, I'm afraid so. His goodbye and probably his apology, too. You have to read between the lines with daddy sometimes.
Joanne Allen: Now, about this engagement ring, are you still going to return it?
Eugene Meltsner: Hm We've obviously gone from too many rings to not enough. Katrina?
Connie Kendall: Yes.
Eugene Meltsner: Will you accept this token as a symbol of our betrothal, knowing that my heart's desire is to make you my wife?
Connie Kendall: Oh, I will.
Eugene Meltsner: Thank you. Well, certainly glad everything settled.
Joanne Allen: Settled? I don't remember any announcement about when you're getting married. Have you decided on a date for the wedding?
Connie Kendall: Date for the wedding? I can't think about that now. If my parents act this crazy over an engagement ring, arranging a wedding is going to be a nightmare.
Eugene Meltsner: Well, we could always elope.
Connie Kendall: Elope?
Eugene Meltsner: No, you wouldn't. Would you?
Connie Kendall: That's not fair. Are you thinking of eloping?
Tom Riley: It's not polite to stand there smiling like that. Eugene? Katrina?
Chris Anthony: It's so easy to let little things get in the way of our relationships with other people. How often have you fought with a brother or sister or friend about something that really wasn't important? How many times have you nearly wrecked a relationship because you wanted to have your way over somebody else? If as Christians we're filled with the love of God, then we should remember Paul's description of love in 1 Corinthians 13. Do you remember it? In verse 4 he wrote that love is patient and kind. Love envies no one, is never boastful, is never conceited, never rude. Love is never selfish, never quick to take offense. Love keeps no score of wrongs, takes no pleasure in sins of others, but delights in the truth. There is nothing love cannot face. There is no limit to its faith, its hope, its endurance. Powerful words, huh? Maybe now is a good time to stop and think about those people you're not getting along with and set things right with them. After you do, why don't you write and tell me what happened. Just send your letter to Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995 or in Canada write to Box 9800, Vancouver, BC V6B 4G3. And when you write, ask about how you can get your own copy of today's episode. It's called Wrapped Around Your Finger. Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. Wrapped Around Your Finger was written by Paul McCusker and directed by Phil Lollar. Our production engineer was Dwayne Harms and I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.