ACT II

FADE IN:

8. EVE'S DREAMSCAPE - DESERT

Eve is surrounded by Good Callisto, Evil Callisto, and Livia.

If I fight them, they fight me, so I fight back some more and the cycle never ends. If I don't fight back, then the cycle of violence has stopped.

Is that what you think?

It only stops for you because you're dead at that point. That doesn't mean that the person who killed you will stop killing.

In order to stop the killing the killers must be stopped.

By any means necessary.

But I don't want to kill anyone!

Who said you had to?

If you can subdue them, you can take them to jail.

And hope the jailer isn't corrupt.

Regardless, you've done the right thing by everyone -

And you haven't killed anyone.

But what if I do?

If you killed them to protect yourself or another person, who cares?

What she means is that if it was done for the right reasons, self-defense and the defense of others, then you are justified.

Murder is murder...there would still be blood on my hands.

But the blood is clean.

What if the person I'm saving is evil? Or turns out to be evil?.

You can't predict what a person is like...you can only act on your sense of the Greater Good and hope it leads you correctly.

Eli will guide you.

But that's just it! Everything you have been saying to me goes against the way of Eli.

It's never against the will of Eli to follow your heart.

Good Callisto takes a good look at Eve.

You have so much of your mother in you... the same fire, the same passion. Too bad you don't have the same sense. They knew better than to let someone else dictate what they could and could not do.

Xena realized how evil she was and set about doing something more productive about it. If you had been approached by a weaponless Xena and she had told you about peace and love, would you have listened?

No... you wouldn't have.

Gabrielle has gone through so much, but she always remained true to her heart and her heart is good. It beats FOR the Greater Good.

And that is what you have to remember...

No one could look at the Destroyer of Nations and see the future peacekeeper inside of her.

What if my sense of the Greater Good is off? What if, because of my past, my view is tainted and what I think is good for someone actually isn't? What if -

Your instincts will guide you... if you let them.

I'm so afraid that I'll lose control.

Livia is watching intently.

It's a possibility, but you've controlled her this long and through everything that's happened. I'm sure she won't pose much of a problem.

Okay, you know what? I'm sick of this.

Livia rushes forward, her cape billowing behind her. She draws her sword and raises it to strike.

Eve falls to her knees and closes her eyes.

Livia slashes down, but is stopped by Evil Callisto's sword.

Eve opens her eyes at the sound of steel on steel and is surprised to find Evil Callisto protecting her.

What are you trying to prove, Livia?

This...

Livia sheathes her sword and kneels to be eye level with Eve.

Sometimes, I need to be shown.

Do you see now?

Eve nods, afraid.

Good.

Livia slaps Eve, then springs backwards, a smile on her face.

Oh, that felt SO good. I've been wanting to do that for a long time now.

Evil Callisto stares Livia down and of course the Bitch of Rome wilts under her gaze.

Good Callisto then helps Eve to her feet.

Why are YOU so afraid of HER?!

Evil Callisto turns toward Eve and fixes her with a piercing gaze...the type that would kill someone at a hundred paces.

Because I'm the one they made the word "bitch" to describe...

Stop beating yourself up...both of you. The only way this is going to work is if the two of you work together.

What about you?

We're already working together, but since I am you, Livia -

And I you, Eve -

The arrangement can't work until you two do.

Oh, but look at her! She's so whiney! And weak... and those rags.

What about her? Bloodthirsty and wicked! Uncontrollable and evil.

You have to learn how to work together, the light and the dark, in order to work for the Greater Good.

CUT TO:

9. CARAVAN

Darren is sitting in his corner, his eyes still blazing. He rocks back and forth to release some of the energy his pent up anger. There is a wide space around him made by the other Elijians.

CUT TO:

10. ANGLE ON DARIUS

Darius is riding along at the head of the caravan, a pleased-with-himself smile on his face. His fellow praetorian, Gregor, looks at him.

By your leave, Darius, may I ask you something?

Yes.

They're sufficiently cowed in my opinion, sir, but there's one among them that -

I'm aware of all that. What is your question?

Aren't you afraid he'll stir up trouble?

He may try all he wants, but the Elijans are very stubborn people. Very few will agree with him, fewer still will take up arms. It's not a problem.

Yes sir, but what if Eve wakes up?

LIVIA, Gregor. And she has made herself impotent and inconsequential by blindly following a spectre. I can assure you that Mars is very angry with her.

Relax, Gregor. You are a praetorian surrounded by Roman soldiers. Should anything like that happen, the very idea of which I find hilarious, you are well protected.

CUT TO:

11. ANGLE ON DARREN

The young blonde from before is sitting relatively close to Darren. She looks him over. His muscles are tense. His fists clench and unclench and he works his jaw muscles as he scowls at the Romans.

Darren... are you okay?

No, Amanda... I'm not. My family, friends and I are in a cage being taken to Rome to be fed to the lions... I'm far from okay and as far as I see it -

- it's HER fault.

Darren, please.

What?! Do you think this is really what Eli intended for His followers? To be locked up and carted away like so much sheep just because of what we believe? That you shouldn't fight to keep yourself safe? I'm sorry, but I don't think I can take this anymore! I want peace, but not at the cost of the ones I love.

Darren moves closer and looks deep within Amanda's eyes.

I can't let you die.

We pull far, far back and see Livia, Eve and the Callistos watching the caravan pass.

Oh, Darren, no... don't give in.

Why shouldn't he? He, his beloved, and every person in that cage are being taken to Jerusalem to be put in the games. No one is going to save them. At least we know how to fight and will be given a chance. All of those people, on the other hand, don't... and you know what will happen to them.

No. Eli will save us.

Sweetie, Eli can't be everywhere at once.

There are bigger problems looming on the horizon.

What do you mean?

She just means that we're nothing in the grand scheme of things. That any saving will have to be done by us. Eli's got other things on his mind.

What is it that you're not telling me?

Livia and the Callistos look at each other.

Look, now is not the time to reveal what's happening... although what you decide will shape the times to come.

I don't think I can handle that kind of responsibility...

You'd better figure out how to because events are already in motion...

They've been in motion for a long time now.

So the future depends on whether I fight or I remain on Eli's path?

Yes...

Then which is the better path?

Only your heart can tell you that.

I don't think I can do this...Eli, help me make the right decision...

No. This one is for you to make...by yourself.

Stunned, Eve sits.

FADE TO BLACK:

END ACT II

ACT III