ACT ONE
FADE IN
It is morning and the storm has cleared up. Sunlight shines through the broken shutters over a sleeping Xena and Ares. Xena stirs, and the camera closes in on Xena's face as she opens her eyes. She slowly turns her head towards Ares and finds him looking back at her.
ARES:
Did you have nice dreams?
XENA (with a warm chuckle):
You could say that. You?
ARES (smiles back as he briefly kisses her):
I'll let you know when I wake up.
Xena smiles as she sits up in the bed and bends to pick up her clothes from the floor. With a snap of his fingers, Ares dresses himself instantly and stands up.
XENA (grins):
I guess godhood does have its advantages.
ARES:
I keep telling you.
He waves an arm, and Xena finds herself fully dressed. She looks herself over wryly.
XENA:
The mortal way is more fun.
ARES:
We'll have to try that sometime.
He comes up and takes her in his arms. They kiss tenderly. Off-camera, a door is heard opening and closing, and there are footsteps, followed by a knock on the door.
GABRIELLE (off-camera):
Xena? Are you awake yet?
ARES:
I think that's my cue to leave. See you soon?
XENA (nods):
See you soon.
Ares disappears in his trademark blue light.
XENA (raises her voice):
Come on in.
The door opens and Gabrielle enters.
XENA:
Morning.
GABRIELLE (gives her a puzzled look):
I thought I heard voices.
Xena looks away slightly embarrassed.
GABRIELLE (understanding starts to dawn on her):
Oh! Did you sleep well?
XENA:
You could say that. (quickly changes the subject) You look pretty well-rested--you're up early this morning.
GABRIELLE (makes a face):
Only because I had a wake-up call from a mouse. By the way, the roof leaks too.
XENA (shrugs):
Well, nothing's perfect.
GABRIELLE (looks around):
Oh yeah...even this magnificent dwelling has a few tiny flaws. (grins) I'm going to make us some breakfast.
XENA:
I'll feed the horses. We should be getting back on the road before too long.
CUT TO
An army camp. King Nicosias rides up to a large tent, dismounts and enters. Inside, two men, their backs turned to the camera and to the entrance of the tent, are looking at a map on the table. One of them, judging by his rich crimson cloak and his gold-decorated armor, is a commander of high rank.
NICOSIAS (a faint note of defiance in his voice):
I bring back a message from the Athenians, Mardonius.
The high-ranking man, Mardonius, answers without looking up.
MARDONIUS:
What did they say?
NICOSIAS (with a touch of pride):
They refuse to surrender--they have chosen to fight against you.
MARDONIUS (looks up and turns around):
Fools. Now, they will have a chance to see what happens when they oppose Mardonius--or did you tell them already?
Nicosias remains silent, staring down sullenly.
MARDONIUS:
Care to hear about your wife and children?
Nicosias clenches his fists but still holds his silence.
MARDONIUS (chortles):
Not to worry. Since you have performed your task well, they won't be harmed. (to his second in command) We head out first thing tomorrow morning.
CUT TO
Xena and Gabrielle are atop their mounts riding down a dirt road. Xena is lost in thought. She momentarily closes her eyes.
Dissolve to a quick flashback from that morning--Xena wakes up and sees Ares looking at her tenderly.
A close-up of the dreamy, absent expression on Xena's face as she and Gabrielle continue to ride.
|
[FLASHBACK] Clip from "Past Imperfect":
XENA: KALIEPUS: Xena sheds a tear. CUT TO Xena walking back along a dark wooded path, still shaken by what happened. She hears a sudden noise in the trees and stops, drawing her sword. XENA: A dark figure emerges from the trees, its face invisible; it is a man in black attire, carrying a big sword. The man and Xena stand facing each other for a moment, then he attacks. They fight ferociously, their swords clashing. In a short time, the man succeeds in knocking Xena's sword out of her hand. It flies high in the air, flipping over several times as it falls, and the man catches it. A close-up on Xena's face--her look is one of helpless, feral rage. The tip of the man's sword is at her throat. MAN'S VOICE (off-camera): XENA (growls): MAN (suavely): Xena flinches slightly, expecting the death blow. The camera pulls back to show the man lowering his sword and handing Xena's sword back to her. XENA (shocked): MAN: [END OF FLASHBACK] |
GABRIELLE:
Xena. (Xena doesn't hear her, lost in her memories) Xena? (she flaps a hand in front of Xena's face) Are you there?
Xena flinches and snaps out of her trance.
XENA (stares back at Gabrielle):
What?
GABRIELLE:
You think there's any truth to those rumors of the Persian army getting ready to invade Greece again?
XENA (her face darkens):
We'll find out when we get to Athens.
CUT TO
Xena and Gabrielle riding in through the Athenian city gates. It is broad daylight but everything is very quiet, with only a few dogs barking in the distance. It is the same one from before. Xena frowns as they ride further and see the streets deserted.
GABRIELLE (confused):
Did we get to the right place? Is this Athens?
XENA:
Either that or an exact copy.
GABRIELLE:
There isn't a soul in sight. What could have happened to all those people?
XENA:
We're going to have to find out.
They continue to ride through the streets, looking around in bewilderment, and finally reach a square.
VOICE (off-camera):
Hello? Hello?
Xena and Gabrielle look up, startled but pleased to find some signs of human life. There is a man in the distance, running toward them. He approaches and slows down. His clothes indicate him to be a common townsman, perhaps an artisan.
MAN:
Oh, thank the gods--someone is here! (looks at the women in surprise) You're not from around here, are you?
GABRIELLE:
This is Xena, Warrior Princess. I'm Gabrielle.
MAN (nods, too anxious to be really impressed):
I've heard of you. Can you tell me what happened?
XENA (sighs):
We were hoping to ask you the same question.
MAN (disappointed):
I have no idea. I was attending my cousin's wedding in Corinth and just returned. My wife and daughters aren't in the house...it looks like they left in a hurry. I can't find anyone anywhere. (he looks around, wild-eyed) I'm going to go look for my brother--maybe he's home.
GABRIELLE (shouts after him as he takes off running):
No, don't, there's no use! I think the whole city is deserted--
Without listening to her, the man runs off.
XENA (sighs):
Well, that explained a lot.
GABRIELLE:
You think we should look for more people?
XENA:
No, let's head back to the city gates.
As they ride through the streets, a distant rumbling is heard off-camera. Xena listens intently.
GABRIELLE (turns to Xena):
Do you hear that?
XENA (grimly):
I do.
The rumbling gets louder, until it seems that the ground is shaking. Xena and Gabrielle look at each other, alarmed. Approaching the city gates, they look out and see an army headed towards the hills on which the city stands.
GABRIELLE:
Maybe it's the Athenian army, coming back?
Xena looks closer and sees the banner they are carrying.
XENA:
No, Gabrielle. It's the Persian army.
A close-up of Mardonius galloping at the head of the Persian troops as we:
FADE OUT
END OF ACT ONE