ACT TWO

FADE IN

A large temple building with marble stairs, columns and burning torches in front of massive double doors. The doors are guarded by two solemn-faced priests. Half a dozen people are standing in a group near the stairs, listening to a gray-haired woman dressed like a priestess. The camera moves closer and we see that Gabrielle is among the listeners.

PRIESTESS:
     ...and the pillars in front of you are part of a group of sixteen ionic columns, which extends into the temple towards the altar inside and circumscribes a single Corinthian column behind it.

ELDERLY MAN NEAR GABRIELLE:
     Could we enter the temple, Priestess, to observe its splendor for ourselves?

The man is draped in sheets of brown, tattered cloth. He has a long, white beard and holds a cane in one hand. The priestess looks slightly put out by his interruption.

PRIESTESS:
     Unfortunately, that's not possible. Athena's temple is only open to the public on feast days. At any other time, you must bring an offering to enter.

The priestess resumes her monologue.

The elderly man turns to a younger man beside him, presumably his son. The young man has curly red hair and an open, freckled face. He wears a dark green garment draped around him in a similar style to his father's.

ELDERLY MAN:
     Let us head back, Theias, we can do nothing here until we find the Warrior Princess.

Hearing this, Gabrielle turns around.

GABRIELLE (to the elderly man):
     The Warrior Princess? Xena?

YOUNG MAN:
     Yes. Do you know where we can find her?

GABRIELLE (laughs):
     Sure. Just look for the monster outside the city.

The young man grins. The elderly man taps his cane on the ground impatiently.

ELDERLY MAN:
     This is no laughing matter!

The priestess falls silent at this outburst and glares at Gabrielle and the two men.

PRIESTESS (pointedly):
     Those who are still interested in the fascinating history of this temple may follow me to the northern wing of the building.

Gabrielle and the young man look embarrassed, the old man completely ignores the group as they walk past and disappear around the corner of the building.

When they are gone, the elderly man turns back to Gabrielle. His eyes never focus on her, obviously completely blind.

ELDERLY MAN:
     I am Polyeidus, and this-- (indicates with cane) --is my son, Theias. We must find the Warrior Princess--it is a matter of some urgency. I expect you can lead us to her?

GABRIELLE:
     Well, I'm supposed to be meeting her very shortly. I'm her friend, Gabrielle. But maybe I can help you if you tell me why you want to see her.

POLYEIDUS (curtly):
     I don't think so, young woman. What I have to say is for Xena's ears alone.

THEIAS:
     Please excuse my father, Gabrielle--he is tired after our journey. It's been many days since he first had his vision....

POLYEIDUS (interrupting):
     Be silent, Theias. (to Gabrielle) Take us to Xena. Quickly, please, we have no time to waste.

GABRIELLE (smiles sweetly):
     Well, I'm not sure about that. Dealing with a fire-breathing monster and talking to you might be a bit too much for her to tackle in one afternoon.

POLYEIDUS (almost chokes in disbelief):
     Impertinence! (raps his cane again) Come along, son--

THEIAS (puts a hand on his arm trying to calm him down):
     Come on, father...we really don't have anything to lose by being friendly. (to Gabrielle, smiling) We do appreciate your help. Xena's not an easy woman to track.

GABRIELLE:
     You got that right.

THEIAS:
     My father has seen a vision--your friend is on a dangerous mission...

GABRIELLE (laughs):
     When is Xena not on a dangerous mission? You don't have to be a seer to know that!

POLYEIDUS:
     Nevertheless, a seer is what I am, and I can see the future even though, in my old age, my eyes have failed me. (reluctantly) I know that Xena is here to battle the Chimaera. But the monster is almost impossible to slay. I can tell her something that will show her the way to do it.

CUT TO

The stables at the inn. Xena is standing beside Argo, rubbing her down. Argo's harness lies on the ground nearby.

XENA (brushing Argo's flank):
     Hey, girl... Guess Gabrielle had it right all along, huh? No one's perfect. (she jerks the brush with far more vigor than necessary) Can't win 'em all.

Argo neighs in protest. Xena drops the brush and strokes the horse's flank.

XENA:
     Sorry 'bout that. Not your fault those merchants had more greed than common sense...

Argo nuzzles Xena's hand.

XENA:
     Yeah, yeah, I know. Not my fault, either. (she strokes Argo's mane) Only we can't afford to make mistakes in our line of work, you and I. If we hadn't taken so long getting here, those people might still be alive...

She frowns, then gets an apple from a pack and feeds it to Argo, who accepts it gratefully.

XENA (decisively):
     We're going to go out there and get that monster. And that's all there is to it. Right?

Argo munches the apple, oblivious. Xena smiles slightly.

XENA:
     Right.

A sudden noise makes her turn around with a start. Gabrielle walks briskly into the stable, followed by Poleyeidus and Theias who stay a little behind.

GABRIELLE (relieved):
     Xena! There you are. The manager of the inn told us we'd find you in the stables... (she notices the grim look on Xena's face) Is everything all right?

XENA:
     No. (sneers bitterly) Not if you're one of the dozen people who made it to the Chimaera's barbecue today.

GABRIELLE (gasps a little):
     You were there when it happened?

XENA (anguished):
     I saw it, Gabrielle...I couldn't get to those people because the monster blocked my path. I heard them screaming... (she shudders)

GABRIELLE (puts a comforting hand on her arm):
     Xena, you probably couldn't have saved them even if you had been able to reach them... I'm sure you did everything you could.

XENA:
     It still wasn't enough.

GABRIELLE:
     Sometimes, it isn't.

XENA (suddenly notices Polyeidus and Theias):
     Who are they?

GABRIELLE:
     This is Polyeidus--he's a seer--and this is Theias, his son. (she smiles encouragingly at Theias) They've come a long way to tell you something that Polyeidus thinks can help you in the fight against the Chimaera.

XENA (gives them a long stare):
     All right.

POLYEIDUS:
     Listen to me, Xena. The Chimaera is one of the most powerful monsters ever to plague this earth...it is very difficult to destroy.

XENA (curtly):
     Tell me something I don't know.

POLYEIDUS:
     It is impossible to attack the monster from the ground. (Xena cocks her head, wondering what he's getting at) There is only one way that you could destroy it--an attack from the sky.

XENA:
      So all I have to do is learn how to fly. Great.

POLYEIDUS:
     You must capture and tame Pegasus.

XENA:
     What's Pegasus?

POLYEIDUS:
     A winged horse; a most magnificent animal. Do you know the story of Perseus?

GABRIELLE:
     Perseus, the hero who saved Princess Andromeda from the sea monster? Who beheaded Medusa, the hideous gorgon with snakes in her hair and the power to turn people into stone just by looking at them? That Perseus?

POLYEIDUS (dryly):
     Yes. The tale of his heroic deeds is widely known, Xena, but there is something else that is known only to a few. From the blood of the Gorgon sprang a beautiful winged horse, Pegasus. It is said that he was later tamed by the goddess Athena, yet there is not a mortal he will follow or obey. The goddess appeared to me in a vision and told me to seek you out. But she alone can tell you how to capture him and tame him, for this wisdom she would not reveal to me. To learn this, you must spend one night in Athena's temple. It is the only way.

Xena's face twitches a little; Theias notices this and gives her a slightly puzzled look.

XENA (under her breath):
     Athena... (louder) Thank you for your help, Polyeidus. We'll go to the temple right away--it's getting dark already.

POLYEIDUS:
     Have you an offering for the goddess?

XENA (coldly):
     Polyeidus, I haven't given offerings to the gods in a long time and I'm not about to start now.

POLYEIDUS (impatiently):
     Warrior Princess, this is no time to be arrogant. (Gabrielle grins a little and shakes her head, obviously struck by the irony of Polyeidus admonishing anyone against being arrogant; then, she catches Theias' eyes on her, and looks down, embarrassed) Without an offering, the priests will not allow you into the temple. (he pauses, his voice softening a little) If you are going to be stubborn, I will make the offering for you. But I need something to offer.

Xena looks at him a little hesitantly, then obviously gets an idea.

XENA (to Polyeidus and Theias):
     You two wait for me outside. Come on, Gabrielle--I think I know where we can get what we need.

CUT TO

The inside of the inn. Xena and Gabrielle come into the dining area, where the survivors of the Chimaera's attack are sitting around a table having a meal.

XENA (approaches Male Merchant #1 and points to a bundle lying next to him on the floor):
     You have some merchandise left in there, don't you?

MALE MERCHANT #1 (looks up at her, slightly startled):
     Uh--yes. (almost incredulous) Did you want to buy something?

XENA:
     Maybe. Show me what you've got.

The merchant unties the bundle and takes out a necklace, then a pair of candlesticks. Xena shakes her head at each. Then, he takes out a silver bowl with intricate carvings, and she looks at it with interest.

XENA:
     How much for this one?

MALE MERCHANT #1:
     Fifty dinars. (she glares at him.) Well...considering that you helped us back to town...I suppose I could knock it down to forty.

XENA (continues to glare):
     And considering that I'm trying to kill the monster that attacked you?

MALE MERCHANT #1 (squirms):
     Okay...thirty? (she still glares at him) Uh...twenty-five.

Xena counts out the money and takes the bowl. Then, she and Gabrielle head toward the door.

XENA:
     I sure hope Athena likes silver.

GABRIELLE (digesting her words, slightly shocked):
     You are going make an offering to a goddess.

XENA (softly, looking a little embarrassed):
     We've already established that I'm not perfect. So maybe I do need to be a little less stubborn. Come on.

She puts her hand around Gabrielle's shoulders, smiling, and they head toward the exit.

CUT TO

Xena, Gabrielle, Polyeidus, and Theias are walking up the steps of Athena's temple. It is now night; the moon is full. As they near the door, a priest bars their way.

PRIEST:
     If you wish to enter the temple of Athena, you must first have an offering to give the great goddess.

XENA (shows him the silver bowl):
     Will this do?

PRIEST (looks over the bowl critically):
     Well...this should be enough for two people...but there are four of you. Only two may enter.

GABRIELLE:
     What do you mean? You can't know whether it's enough to satisfy Athena just by looking at it!

The priest ignores her.

PRIEST:
     Which of you wishes to make the offering?

Gabrielle opens her mouth to protest again, but Polyeidus pre-empts her. He releases his son's hand and takes Xena's wrist instead.

POLYEIDUS:
     I am Polyeidus, Athena's favored seer--and this is Xena, the Warrior Princess.

Xena looks uncomfortable in her new role as the blind man's guide, but decides to let him finish.

POLYEIDUS:
     We will be keeping vigil by the altar tonight.

PRIEST:
     I'm sure that won't be necessary. Our priests are quite capable of...

POLYEIDUS (interrupts):
     Until you get to my age, young man, do not presume to know what is necessary and what is not. (he holds out his free hand to show a large gold ring on his withered finger)

PRIEST (gasps):
     The seal of Athena! (with newfound courtesy) Please, enter.

The priest opens the doors.

GABRIELLE:
     Wait! What about us?

POLYEIDUS (over his shoulder):
     Theias, see that Xena's young friend gets back to the inn safely.

Xena releases the old man's hand and turns to Gabrielle apologetically.

XENA:
     Gabrielle--this isn't fair on you... But we need Athena if we're going to help these people.

GABRIELLE:
     I know. I'm going to stay out here, in case you need me.

XENA:
     Thanks.

GABRIELLE:
     Don't mention it--but next time, I get to deal with the monster.

XENA (grins):
     Athena's not that bad.

Gabrielle rolls her eyes.

GABRIELLE:
     Take care.

Xena nods goodbye to Gabrielle and Theias and rejoins Polyeidus. The priest shows them inside.

Gabrielle and Theias watch as the door closes, then look at each other.

GABRIELLE and THEIAS (at the same time):
     The gardens.

CUT TO

The gardens of Athena's temple. A wall is almost entirely concealed by vines, except for a small window high up. Flickering torchlight spills from it, illuminating a marble bench where Gabrielle and Theias are sitting.

GABRIELLE:
     I hope everything's all right in there.

She shivers with cold. Theias unwinds one of his drapes and puts it around her shoulders. Gabrielle smiles her thanks, drawing it closer.

THEIAS:
     Xena looks like she can take care of herself pretty well. Why do you worry so, Gabrielle?

GABRIELLE:
     With gods, anything can happen...

THEIAS (hesitantly):
     Tell me, Gabrielle, does Xena have some kind of--problem with Athena? She looked so odd when my father mentioned the goddess...

GABRIELLE (surprised):
     You don't know anything about the Twilight of the Gods?

THEIAS:
     I've heard a few things about it.... My father told me, some four years ago, that a great turbulence had come upon the world and that the great goddess Athena was gone. Then, two months ago, he said that she was back. I don't know much more than that... Father doesn't like me listening to other people's gossip. (puzzled) Did Xena have something to do with... ?

GABRIELLE (sighs):
     It's a long story, Theias... (clearly anxious to change the subject) What about your father, anyway? Don't you worry about him?

THEIAS:
     My father has seen his own future in visions since he was a boy. He says he has nothing to fear, and I believe him... He marches through life as if nothing can hurt him.

GABRIELLE (picking up on the wistful tone):
     You envy him?

THEIAS (surprised):
     Envy? No. I have no desire to know what every coming day holds. I like surprises. I just...wish my father didn't pity me.

GABRIELLE:
     Why should he pity you?

THEIAS (sighs):
     He had great hopes for me, once. I wasn't just the seer's boy, I was the seer's heir. Even my name betrays my father's ambitions for me--

GABRIELLE:
     Theias... "Seer"?

THEIAS:
     Indeed. He wants to pass on all his knowledge to me--but no matter how he tries, there isn't anything he can do about the simple fact that I don't have the Sight. I have no more prophetic gift than any other mortal, and truth be told, I'm glad. But not so my father.

GABRIELLE:
     I know the feeling. My family had all but disowned me when I decided that the future they'd mapped out for me wasn't going to make me happy. But it's your future, Theias. You make it happen.

THEIAS:
     Your family nearly disowned you? Whatever for?

GABRIELLE:
     For following my heart. I wanted to be a bard, a writer. And I wanted adventures, so I'd have something to write about.

THEIAS (somewhat embarrassed):
     Then it is you I envy, Gabrielle. I can't even read, let alone write.

GABRIELLE:
     You can't read?!

THEIAS:
     My father is convinced that reading interferes with the Sight. Creates false visions. (chuckles bitterly) And so, I have neither the gift of prophecy, nor the skill to read. The worst of both worlds.

GABRIELLE:
     Well, I can't help with the Sight--but I can certainly teach you to read, if you like...

Theias' freckled face lights up with delight.

THEIAS:
     Would you, really?

GABRIELLE:
     Sure. You'll be reading before the night is out.

She picks up a long stick and starts forming letters in the dust. Theias looks over, curiously.

GABRIELLE:
     See--this one's "alpha"...

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO