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The following episode written for The
Xena Warrior Princess Virtual
Season is a work of fiction based upon the television series
Xena:
Warrior Princess. The original characters are used strictly for
fan
purposes and not for profit. There is no intent to infringe upon
or
violate any copyrights held by Studio USA, Renaissance Pictures,
Universal
Television or any other organization that owns the rights to this
series.
The
script, story ideas, and any characters created by the authors
that
are not part of the original series are copyrighted and remain
the
sole property of those authors. Also, any original artworks are
copyrighted and remain the sole property of those artists.
Permission
to use any of the written or drawn works herein must be submitted
to
the original author(s) and artist(s).
Xena
Warrior Princess Virtual Season
Episode 8.1: Child’s
Play
Teleplay
by: MacavityCat and Talice
Written by: MacavityCat and
Talice
Beta Readers: Ladyhawke and
Linda
Davis
Illustrated by: Gina and
Trish
TEASER
1. EXTERIOR: HOT AIR BALLOON – STORMY
MORNING
A torrent of rain is coming diagonally across
the
sky, often changing direction with the wind. Xena and Gabrielle are
struggling with the ropes of the hot air balloon, keeping the air
escape
vent from opening in order to maintain altitude. The strong winds
toss
the basket, throwing Xena and Gabrielle against the side. Xena and
Gabrielle have the control ropes wrapped tightly about their wrists
and
hands, maintaining a tight grip as they try to keep their balance
and
not be tossed over the side.
GABRIELLE
(yelling above the wind)
Xena, this was a terrible
idea!
XENA
(yelling back)
It was the only idea that
could help us head north!
GABRIELLE
(yelling)
It's making me think we should have taken Ares
up on
his offer!
XENA
(yelling)
Now I know you’re crazy!
GABRIELLE
(worriedly)
Xena, are we going to be able to keep this thing
in
the air?
XENA
(reassuringly)
Yes, Gabrielle, I’m sure
we can.
As Xena turns away, there is a concerned look
on her face.
The storm continues to rage; the balloon and
its occupants are tossed up
and down, back and forth.
GABRIELLE
Xena, I don't feel so good. My stomach is doing
flip
flops. This is worse than any ship we’ve ever sailed on!
XENA
Hang in there, Gabrielle; the winds seem to be
dying
down.
The winds diminish and the balloon stops
tossing.
There is calm and the balloon drifts slowly
upward.
Puffy clouds and blue sky give the area a
quiet calm.
Gabrielle leans over the side, disrupting the
eerie silence with dry
heaves until finally she loses the little she had in her stomach.
Pale,
she turns to Xena.
XENA
Feeling better?
GABRIELLE
A little...
(beat - smiling weakly)
But I really think we should have taken Ares up
on
his offer.
XENA
You ARE kidding me,
right?
GABRIELLE
Of course I am... but it does sound tempting
now,
doesn't it?
XENA
(smiling)
I'd rather not answer
that.
Xena turns toward the burner, a small kiln
like attachment secured to
the load plate. The fire, which has become nothing more than few
embers,
is dying. She blows on them and they come to life. She looks around
for
some dry fuel. Underneath a partially soaked mat, she finds the
llama
dung the natives of their last adventure had given them. She places
a
few pieces in the firebox and pumps the bellows. The fire sputters
a bit
then catches.
GABRIELLE
Gods but that stuff
smells awful...
On those words, she turns over the side
again.
XENA
Sorry, Gabrielle... but it works. The straw
mixed
with the dung gives a nice, hot flame.
The balloon drifts gently along. Once they
have gained more altitude,
Xena banks the fire.
She doesn't say anything to Gabrielle, but
she recognizes the cloud
formations not too far in the distance, and knows they have just
received a temporary respite.
Xena busies herself checking the ropes and
the basket, tightening knots
that have loosened during the storm.
XENA
Make sure the ropes on your end are tight. We
might
as well make everything as secure as possible.
GABRIELLE
Yeah, we don't want to have the basket come
loose!
XENA
No, we don't. It's a
LONG way down!
GABRIELLE
Yeah, and a very HARD
landing!
Thunder rumbles ominously in the distance.
Flashes of light illuminate
the darkening clouds in the eastern sky.
GABRIELLE
Why do I have this sinking feeling we're not out
of
this storm yet?
XENA
Because... we're not.
(beat)
You better secure yourself. I think we’re about
to
get more bad weather.
GABRIELLE
You do the same!
XENA
(looping her wrists through the ropes)
Way ahead of you,
Gabrielle!
The balloon suddenly spins; the basket sways
violently against the
onslaught of wind.
Swiftly the balloon is carried into the dark
clouds.
Rain once again surrounds them.
It's difficult for either of them to
see.
Over the storm we hear a loud ripping
sound.
GABRIELLE
(panic etched on her face)
What was that?
Xena looks up. The camera pans to a seam
opening in the balloon.
The camera returns to the warrior.
XENA
You don't wanna know! Brace yourself! We're
going
down!
FADE TO BLACK:
END TEASER
ACT
I
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