ACT I

FADE IN:

3. EXT. GARDEN OF LEONTES'S PALACE - DAY

Leontes's look is still fixed on Polixenes and Hermione. He is grinding his teeth. Xena looks at Gabrielle, who nods, and approaches Leontes.

Is everything okay, Leontes?

Leontes is playing with his beard, still staring at Polixenes and Hermione.

Don't you find it is strange that I, who am like a brother to Polixenes, have tried, to no avail, to persuade him to stay, while my wife only had to say a few words and instantly he agreed?

He hasn't agreed yet.

Oh, but he will. Mark my words.

Now Xena looks in the direction of Hermione and Polixenes, who have stopped by a bush. Polixenes has picked a flower and is now handing it to Hermione. Hermione smiles and takes it from his hand.

If he does, it will only be because you have already softened him up for her.

Leontes grunts distractedly, his eyes still fixed on Hermione and Polixenes.

Xena examines Leontes's face. She is visibly unhappy with what she sees. She draws Gabrielle aside.

Gabrielle, I'm going to talk to Hermione, see if she can help me make sense of Leontes's behavior.

You do that.

Gabrielle remains standing next to Leontes, while Xena goes to Polixenes and Hermione. Leontes watches her go, his expression grim.

Mamillius suddenly appears on the path. He runs to Leontes. Leontes's expression softens as he embraces his son.

My boy!

You are my boy, aren't you?

Father?

They say you have my nose.

Mamillius, staring at his father, puts his hand to his nose, as if to check it is there.

He does have my nose, doesn't he?

An exact copy.

Go play, boy!

Mamillius starts running, then turns around and looks at Leontes, as if in need of approval. Leontes waves at him. Mamillius turns around and runs off.

Go play, like your mother.

Gabrielle examines Leontes's face. He turns to her abruptly.

What do you suppose they'll think?

Who? About what?

The people. My people. How will they understand Polixenes's decision to stay?

As a friendly response to your request, what else?

You're either blind or are a fool.

Gabrielle is irritated by his last comment, but is trying very hard to contain herself.

Or worse, a liar.

A liar? Why do you say that?

Do you honestly expect me to believe for one moment that you haven't heard?

Heard what?

The whispering.

What whispering?

Don't play innocent with me. You know. You all know. Everyone knows. Everyone but me.

The husband is always the last to know.

Gabrielle finally understands. She turns to go to Xena, but turns back when she hears Leontes's voice.

Well? Aren't you going to say anything?

Gabrielle shakes her head, turns once more and starts going toward Xena, who has already started walking in her direction. They meet halfway.

Xena...

Nothing. Hermione couldn't think of anything.

Gabrielle puts her hand on Xena's arm and bends forward.

He thinks Hermione's cheating on him.

What?

The heads of Leontes, Mamillius and a few lords turn.

No, Gabrielle. You must have gotten it wrong.

No, Xena. I wish I had. Leontes is certain she's cheating on him with Polixenes.

Come on. That's absurd.

He doesn't seem to think so.

Xena also turns to look at Leontes, who is walking around the garden, talking to himself.

I'll talk some sense into him.

Xena, I don't think...

Xena turns to look at Gabrielle.

Never mind. You try.

Xena approaches Leontes. Gabrielle quickly follows her.

Leontes, what is it I'm hearing?

So you've heard it too.

You see?

Hermione would never do such a thing, you know that.

I know nothing.

Leontes...

Don't you see how they whisper in each other's ears? How they laugh? How they sigh? How their feet touch, as if by accident? How they look into each other's eyes as if there was no one else in the whole world?

Leontes.

Say it! Say it if you dare!

Xena tries to place her hand on Leontes's shoulder, but he distances himself from her.

Leontes, you're being unreasonable. Please, let's talk.

No! I'm done talking.

Leontes rushes away. Xena turns to Gabrielle, looking very worried.

What do you suppose he'll do now?

Something incredibly foolish.

CUT TO:

4. INT. A BEDROOM INSIDE THE PALACE - NIGHT

Camillo, one of Leontes's lords, comes into the room. He is a short and rather thin man in his late twenties. He takes off his coat and throws it on the bed. As he is about to take off his shoes he is suddenly startled. He draws out a sword.

Wh.. what are you doing here?

Xena is standing in front of him, her hand on her chakram.

Relax. I'm not here to hurt you.

Then why are you here?

I need some information.

Camillo seems baffled.

You're pretty close with the king.

Yes?

I need to know what he's planning.

Planning? With regard to what?

I think you know.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Xena walks over and stands in front of him.

Your loyalty is commendable, but you know as well as I do that the king is not thinking clearly. You have to help me stop him.

Camillo is battling with himself. Xena notices this inner struggle.

You're a good man, Camillo. You don't want a murder on your conscience.

Camillo becomes uneasy when Xena says the word 'murder,' but he soon recovers.

What does it matter what I want? I'm in no position to do what I want anyway.

He looks at the unimpressed Xena.

Give me one example of a man who stood against his king and lived to tell merry tales about it and I would gladly follow my conscience.

Xena does not respond. Camillo looks at her half triumphantly, half sadly.

Until you find one, please let me do what I have to do.

Xena stares at him for a minute. Then she turns to walk away.

Fine.

Camillo seems confused but relieved.

Xena steps as close to him as she can on her way out of the room.

But I'll do what I have to do.

Xena reaches the door, but before she exits, she hears Camillo's voice.

Wait!

Xena turns around.

What do you want me to do?

CUT TO:

5. INT. XENA'S ROOM - NIGHT

Xena and Gabrielle are standing next to the bed, talking. Camillo is sitting not very far from them. He is pale and agitated. Suddenly there is a soft knock on the door.

Xena walks to the door and opens it. In sneaks Polixenes.

I got your message. What was so urgent? And why are we meeting here?

Xena places her hand on his arm.

Polixens, you are in great danger.

What kind of danger?

Leontes is planning to kill you.

Polixenes draws away from her, laughing.

Good old Xena. For a moment there you almost had me.

Xena puts her hand on his shoulder and makes him look at her.

I'm not joking, Polixenes. This is serious. Tell him, Camillo.

It's true. The king has ordered me to poison you.

Polixenes looks at Xena in disbelief.

No. This is insane. Why would Leontes want to poison me?

I'm afraid that somehow he got it into his head that you and Hermione are... that you...

Hermione and me? But that's ridiculous.

Polixenes looks from Camillo to Xena and Gabrielle to see if they believe him.

I don't deny that I find her charming. She's an extraordinary woman. But she's a loving and devoted wife, and has never been anything but. The fact that he could suspect her... why, it's even more absurd than his suspicion of me.

He hasn't been himself lately.

He's insane.

All eyes turn on Camillo.

His jealousy must have driven him mad.

Which is why you have to get away from here, as soon as possible.

Get away?

You were planning on leaving shortly anyway.

But if I flee, wouldn't it look as if he was correct in his suspicions?

Maybe, but you can't risk staying. And neither can you, Camillo. You must both leave tonight.

Polixenes nods. Camillo closes his eyes and bows his head. Polixenes turns to leave but then remembers something and turns back.

Hermione? What will happen to her?

She'll be fine.

How can you be so sure? You said yourself that the king is mad.

She is pregnant with his child. Given that, he might be persuaded to give her a second chance, regardless of what he thinks happened between you two.

I don't know. Maybe I should stay, see that he doesn't harm her.

No. You must flee tonight.

Polixenes is not convinced.

Go, or he might try to kill her too.

Polixenes still hesitates.

I promise we'll take good care of her.

Polixenes looks from Gabrielle to Xena.

All right. I'll go.

Good. Now go get your ship ready and meet me at the docks. You too, Camillo.

Polixenes and Camillo nod, and each of them sneaks out of Xena's room.

CUT TO:

6. EXT. DOCKS - NIGHT

Xena lurks among the shadows, her eyes searching. The docks are empty. Xena looks at Polixenes's ship, which is still docking. She suddenly notices something. Quickly she turns around, her sword in her hand. A group of half a dozen soldiers surrounds her.

Seize her!

FADE OUT:

END ACT I

ACT II