ACT II

FADE IN:

6. POSEIDON'S FORTUNES: ENTRANCE

A translucent Aphrodite stands in the entrance. Autolycus, Jay and Talia walk through her.

I love it when they walk through you!

That tingly feeling can be SUCH a rush!

Aphrodite turns and watches the three of them.

Tsk... tsk...

That is sooo not right. How about if I do a little zap here and a zing there to add a little flavor.

Aphrodite takes aim at two beautiful women sitting at the bar. Two sparkling streaks of magic whiz through Autolycus, and settle on the two women. We see them turn and smile the moment they see Autolycus. They get up from their bar stools and approach him.

Autolycus smiles wickedly as they approach.

The two women push Jay and Talia out of the way, towards one another, and loop their arms around Autolycus'.

Aphrodite looks on with a huge grin.

Mu-u-uch better!

She turns her attentions from a job well done to an even greater accomplishment located next to the casino: The Palace of Love. Her contribution to the wager to ensure she wins the bet.

With the steady traffic of singles and twosomes - and sometimes moresomes - coming and going from the establishment, the goddess of love beams proudly.

I am, like, a total genius! This bet of Ares' is so in the bag! I mean, how could it not be with so much love in the air!

Suddenly Cupid appears.

That's NOT love, Mother, that's lust.

Love. Lust. Who cares, it's so working!

Cupid shakes his head disapprovingly.

Don't you get it? You're lowering the moral standards of man with this brothel. There's nothing without love. Once the lust is over, there's nothing for them to need each other for.

Huh?

That's not liberating the will of mortals, Mother - it's only making it harder for them to fall in love on their own.

But...I thought...

You're only helping Ares prove that man's morals and ideals are nothing but an illusion to suit the whims of the Gods. You show mortals the easy way out and they take it.

Aphrodite's smile fades. Her fingers touch her lips as realization hits her.

What have I done?

Sighing with an air of defeat, Cupid stands at his mother's side in silence, shaking his head.

Let's just hope it's not too late to undo the damage.

Cupid disappears in a flash of sparkling light.

Aphrodite's face lights up.

Maybe this calls for a little outside help.

Grinning, the Goddess of Love strikes a pose and vanishes in a flash of pink light.

CUT TO:

Along a dusty road, just visible through the greenery, is a clear bubbling stream. It is certainly a welcomed sight to two weary travelers preparing to wind down after a day of journeying. They still face almost a week of traveling to the village of Sephius, known for its soothing hot springs.

Okay, another clue. Hmm, let me think.

With her finger on her chin, Gabrielle thinks of the perfect clue to offer that will give just enough to make it interesting as they play their age-old game "Who Am I". Smiling, she comes up with her clue.

I sometimes like to be milked.

Xena can't help but roll her eyes at her friend's obvious teasing.

Knowing the answer, the warrior pauses dramatically before speaking.

Hmm,

Let me guess... whoever could you be?

With a hint of mischief in her eye, she glances at Gabrielle.

You wouldn't be a certain blonde bard who's gonna end up in the river if she doesn't drop the goat thing already!?

A snort of laughter escapes as the bard strategically moves away from her friend, not willing to test the sincerity of Xena's threat.

I'm sorry Xena, I couldn't help it.

Ya, sure. Just like I can't help what I'm about to do to you!

With lightning speed, Xena grabs Gabrielle and throws her over her shoulder. She races to the edge of the stream.

Xena! No! Don't you DARE! XENA! Put me down! Don't you dare throw me in the water!

Xena happily ignores Gabrielle's protests.

She is about to drop her into the water, when she stops and cocks her head.

Looking up, Gabrielle sees what has grabbed her friend's attention and subsequently saved her from an impromptu bath. She slaps Xena's thigh indignantly.

Uh... Xena, how about putting me down. We've got company.

Hiya warrior babes! Hope I'm not...

...interrupting anything..?

Not at all. We can make bard-dunking a spectator sport.

Xena, no. I was just joking! You don't want to do this, believe me!

Oh, I believe you Gabrielle!

But you're wrong. I so want to do this!

The warrior lifts Gabrielle and throws her...

Gabrielle lands bottom first in the cool flowing water.

Xena, with a mischievous grin on her face, briskly brushes her hands together then turns to Aphrodite.

Gabrielle sits indignantly for a moment, sputtering water.

What'd you do THIS time Aphrodite?

Taken back by the warrior's bluntness, Aphrodite finds herself blushing and stammering in an effort to keep her false air of calm.

That is like, so unfair of you Xena. Can't I just pop in and check on my two favorite mortals? I mean, when was the last time I was in trouble and needed your help?

Hauling her drenched self out of the stream, Gabrielle sloshes up to Xena and gives her a calculating look.

You don't really want us to answer that do you?

Aphrodite's face suddenly falls in shame as she looks down to her sandaled feet and kicks some dust around.

Okay, so maybe I do need a little bit of help.

Xena crosses her arms and gives Aphrodite a stern look. Then she turns to Gabrielle, who is smiling as she wrings cold water onto Xena's boots.

Xena raises a brow.

Gabrielle smiles sweetly.

Xena turns to Aphrodite.

Gabrielle shakes her head, sprinkling Xena with more water.

The warrior ignores her.

Spill it Aphrodite.

Aphrodite takes a deep breath.

We were playing poker when Odin came for a visit and Fortuna wanted to teach him the game and then Ares got bored and wanted to wager on human nature and we all agreed and I totally messed things up and ended up helping Ares instead... and now everything's gone wrong and I need your help to fix it.

So...

will you help?

Gabrielle's eyes open wide in disbelief. Xena stands unmoving, her arms still locked across her chest. She glares coldly down at the goddess.

The gods - YOU - are suppose to be more responsible with the lives of mortals. Aphrodite, don't you know by now that mankind is NOT a toy for the gods to play with? How could you be so irresponsible?

I never meant any harm, really!

Who is it?

What?

Whose life are you ruining this time?

Aphrodite hangs her head in shame.

Well... actually... it's more like an entire city.

Oh 'Dite, tell me you didn't!

It's true. We picked the city of Vega because the people there were all so goody-two-shoes and socially balanced; seemed more interesting than just a single mortal. Pretty much ripe for the pickings after a whispered suggestion here and touch of greed there. We figured things were bound to be interesting. Just didn't expect them to be THIS interesting.

How was I supposed to know the people would change so much? It seems Ares may have been right. The people are self-absorbed, care for little beside themselves, and their moral values have totally been thrown out the window.

What exactly do you expect us to do?

Yeah, we were on our way to start our vacation and maybe catch a hot spring or two. Give me one good reason why we should give that up to clean up your mess?

Gabrielle raises one eyebrow at Xena, but says nothing.

This is WAY bad! I really didn't mean for anything like this to happen. Please, you've got to help me!

Xena looks unconvinced.

I promise no more gambling with mortals' lives for me!

We both know that won't happen Aphrodite. It's just who you are. But at least you're willing to own up to it and try to make amends.

Eve is there.

Vega is on the other side of Greece.

Xena states this matter-of-factly, and the love goddess smiles triumphantly.

No problem! You kids get some rest for tomorrow. You'll be within a couple of candle marks away from Vega in the morning.

She gives Xena and Gabrielle a little wink.

Wouldn't want the other gods to know I brought some help.

With a snap of her fingers, the trio disappears in a shimmering flash of sparkles.

Aphrodite...

CUT TO:

8. INT. - POSEIDON'S FORTUNES - EARLY EVENING

Upon entering the extravagant casino, Autolycus' eyes linger momentarily on the gaming tables, but are soon drawn to the very large fish tank displayed prominently in the center of the gaming area.

Swimming seductively around her spacious tank with long flowing seaweed-colored hair swirling about her naked torso, is a mermaid. Even with light green tinted skin and hair, her beauty is mesmerizing.

Beautiful isn't she?

Breaking his gaze from the mermaid, Autolycus turns to look at the owner of the deep voice. He jumps with a start at seeing the familiar-looking young man.

Draco? You too? What have you guys got going here? Some kind of fountain of youth or something?

You knew my father.

Um, something like that.

Suddenly Sal materializes and gathers up his two star performers.

There you two are!

Sal pushes Talia and Jay towards the back of the casino.

Hustle, pick up those dancing feet; money waits for no one and we have a full house tonight.

Autolycus cocks his head sideways in contemplation, watching with a crooked grin as Sal disappears with his two dancers.

And his father has to be good old Salmoneus! That old dog never told me he had a son! He sure is a chip off the old block.

Autolycus looks at Sal thoughtfully, with a hint of sadness.

His father left him this place - well the theater part of it, anyway. Then he ran into tough times, gambled and lost to the current owner of the casino. I was brought in as the new manager and thought I could use some help with the theater and kept Sal on.

Tough break. Who's the new owner?

Don't really know. No one's ever seen him.

Not even Sal?

Nope. According to him, the owner came into the game of poker cloaked, and left the same way with the deed to Sal's theater under his arm.

Hmm, well, it was nice talking to you. These two ladies are just oozing with luck for me to try out.

Good luck then.

Autolycus, with his two female companions, gets up and leaves. As he wanders through the gambling area, he looks at the diversified aquatic life contained in numerous fish tanks. His eyes, however, keep finding their way back to the beautiful mermaid.

He grabs two drinks from a passing waitress and hands one to each of his ladies. As the waitress leaves, he grabs one for himself.

As they pass various gaming tables, he watches with a skilled eye.

They stop at a table where men are placing bets on who can beat the dealer. He watches the dealer's hand, and studies the cards. After several plays, he feels confident.

Hey, how 'bout dealing me in on this one.

The dealer complies.

Autolycus places his wages on the table. The women coo around him, one on each side. One of his lovely ladies plays with his silver hair, and the other caresses his ear.

Now, now ladies... plenty of time for that later...

Gimme another card.

The dealer places a card on Autolycus' pile and lays one out on his own.

And the silver fox wins.

After a short time of playing and winning, Autolycus' quick eyes catch the dealers cheating some of the casino's patrons.

Looking more closely at the dealer's tactics, Autolycus notices that the mermaid is part of the perfect distraction for the dealers to take advantage of. His eyes lock with her glittering stare for a split second, long enough to send a chill down his spine. He then plays his next hand, which he quickly loses along with a large amount of his winnings.

He looks back at the mermaid, narrowing his eyes suspiciously as a 'gut feeling' gnaws at him and he notices her watching his every move. He decides it's time to leave the gambling table and his two women companions behind.

Hey Auto, where are you going?

Yeah, come back. We can always find a new game to play if you're bored with this one.

As tempting as that sounds, my dears, I'm going to have to decline your generous offer.

He lifts their hands to his lips and offers a final charming kiss to each, then turns away.

It's been fun.

... but duty calls.

Using his unique skills, the King of Thieves blends in quickly with the crowd and becomes inconspicuous as he starts snooping around the less public areas of the casino. He's not exactly sure what he's looking for, but he just knows something smells a little fishy.

After a short search, Autolycus' efforts are rewarded; kneeling low, his fingers find a hidden door in the wall of the casino manager's office.

Hell-o, what do we have here?

Draco suddenly appears. He doesn't look pleased.

What're you doing in here?

Autolycus' fingers pause as his posture stiffens. He turns and sees Draco and two darkly dressed women with pale faces and long, straight black hair.

You mean this isn't the way to the men's room? You know, you have quite the comedians for staff.

I'm going to have to ask you to come with me.

Autolycus laughs as he walks up to Draco and the two women. He gives Draco a hearty slap on the back.

If it's all the same to you, I'd rather be on my merry way.

I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to insist.

The pale woman closest to Autolycus glares heatedly at him. Her eyes glow bright green. Her face contorts to bare fangs.

HISssssssssss....

Whoa Nelly! I think you need to get those checked!

With a vigorous shove, Autolycus sends the first Bacchae woman into her companions.

All three tumble to the floor.

Autolycus makes his escape.

Racing through the hallways in the back of the casino, Autolycus' nimble feet expertly avoid small obstacles in his path as he rolls over the back of a man bending over to pick something up off of the floor.

Excuse me.

He misses a woman stepping out of an adjacent hallway. She lets out a quick scream of surprise.

Pardon me.

He runs through a fluff of feathers used as a prop for one of the stage shows.

Whoops!

His arms flail about with wild abandon trying to wipe away as many feathers as he can while running for his life.

He throws a quick glance over his shoulders.

The Bacchae are still in hot pursuit.

Boy they're fast! What I wouldn't give to be twenty-five right about now!

He turns a corner and re-enters the gaming area. Still running, his eyes scan the layout quickly for the exit. Spotting it, he runs through the crowd and out into the street.

The sun has set.

Oh this isn't good.

Autolycus spots several barrels and makes his way toward them. Quickly he jumps inside and pulls the lid over his head. There he hides and waits till the coast is clear.

Minutes go by and nothing. Finally he lifts his head up, pushing the barrel cover away. His eyes reach the top edge and he steals a look around.

No Bacchae anywhere.

Feeling confident, he climbs out of the barrel and dusts himself off.

Whew, that was close, but the King of Thieves makes yet another daunting escape.

As he leaves, a curious sight catches his attention.

He sees men removing cartloads of goods in wheel barrels from a very small, dilapidated building.

He edges his way closer to get a better look.

Everything from jewelry and clothing to food and furniture is exiting the unlikely warehouse.

Once inside, a sly smile touches Autolycus' face as he sees a small challenge to his skills in the disorganized room of crates in various stages of dilapidation.

A quick search along the crate lined wall and Autolycus finds the large door hidden behind.

Bingo.

Leaning his ear to the door, he carefully pulls the door back. He gives a quick glance around the room to ensure he's alone. He reaches for the rope handle and slides the door sideways.

He pokes his head through the doorway. There is a dimly lit tunnel. Slowly and carefully he makes his way down the passageway.

The air is getting warmer. He wipes his brow.

The faint sounds of muffled voices can be heard.

As he makes his way further down the passageway, the voices grow louder and clearer.

He hears the sound of a snapping whip and a vaguely feminine, harsh voice.

You there! I said hurry it up! Quit your slacking!

The crack of the whip is heard again.

Reaching the end of the tunnel, Autolycus peeks around a corner to look into the room facing him.

His eyes go wide.

Sitting at tables, completing various tasks ranging from fashioning clothing to making pottery and artifacts, are dozens upon dozens of children of all ages in raggedy clothing.

Autolycus sees the fatigue in the children's sunken eyes and undernourished bodies; pale-faced, leather-clad bacchae women are guarding the room and wielding whips.

A firm determination to help the children settles on the face of the King of Thieves.

An iron clad grip grabs him by the neck and lifts him off the ground.

His head is slammed into something hard.

He slides to the ground in a heap.

Oh goody... (groan)...I like it rough.

FADE OUT:

END ACT II

ACT III