ACT II

13. INT. CAVE - LATE NIGHT

Xena, Eve and Gabrielle toss and turn in a fitful sleep.

Xena's face is set. Her lips are in a tight line.

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14. DREAMSCAPE: BEACH

The air is chilled as she is forced onto a wooden cross by Caesar's soldiers. She struggles to free herself to no avail while Caesar looks on and gloats.

The soldiers hoist the cross in place.

She spits down on him.

He sneers and turns to leave.

Break her legs.

The pain in her legs is replaced by the searing pain in her palms. The darkness of night is gone, replaced by a cold, snowy day on a hillside.

Beside her, on a cross, is Gabrielle.

Gabrielle...

I love you, Xena...

A white light engulfs her. A familiar voice can be heard.

Michael???

Help me... Xena...

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15. CLOSE UP OF GABRIELLE

Her face is contorted in pain as she tosses and turns.

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16. DREAMSCAPE: COURTYARD

A sword in her hand, she strikes viciously at the Roman soldiers who try to take a wounded Xena. Her anguish is surpassed only by her determination to protect her fallen companion.

The dreamscape changes. She finds herself hanging from a cross beside a dying Warrior Princess.

Gabrielle...

Where you go, I go... I love you, Xena...

The dreamscape changes once again. Darkness has fallen. She is confronted by the demon Callisto.

I love you, Xena! Where you go, I go!

A bright light blinds her and a familiar voice is heard.

Michael?

A heavy mist seems to rise from the Earth. Gabrielle peers through the thickening fog to find the Archangel. The wind changes, and as it does, she is confronted by three crosses on a hill.

Help my master...

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17. CLOSE UP OF EVE

Eve is also tossing and turning. Beads of perspiration dot her forehead.

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18. DREAMSCAPE: TOMB

Images of Eli haunt her dreams.

Michael is there, as is the angel Callisto. Before her stands Xena, newly resurrected from the dead. Callisto places a hand on Xena's belly.

I can think of no better mother...

The dreamscape changes. The sound of swords can be heard as a mist rises from nowhere, surrounding her. The screams and cackling voices of demons, call out a name that was once her own.

Callistooo... Callistooo... you abandoned us... you left us... you were supposed to defeat Xena...

No! Go away! Leave me! That was another time! Another life!

The face of Barabbas looms before her. His countenance is filled with despair.

It is replaced by the battered and bruised face of the archangel Michael.

A battle of angels against demons suddenly surrounds them.

Michael's sword is tainted with blood.

Suddenly he turns to her and points up to a man on a cross. It's the Nazarene she'd seen on the hill giving a sermon; he looms before her, a crown of thorns on his forehead.

You are the Messenger...

Help my servant...

Michael is surrounded by demons who are beating him.

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19. GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE - NIGHT

Jesus of Nazareth is kneeling in the garden, his head bowed. His dark hair partially covers his face, like a curtain. A tear falls, glistening silver in the moonlight as it descends to the earth. He sighs, but otherwise does not move.

Entering the garden, Judas arrives with Roman soldiers and members of the Sanhedrin.

Judas stands back with several members of the Sanhedrin and Caiaphas. Judas watches the proceedings with mounting dread.

Are all those men and weapons really necessary? He is a man of peace, not a murderer...

Everything we do is necessary, Judas...

Caiaphas smiles as he watches the men descend on Jesus of Nazareth who does not put up a fight. As he's led away, Jesus looks at Judas, looks right through him and into his soul.

Judas is visibly shaken by the look. He grabs Caiaphas' arm and jerks him around so he can look him in the eyes.

Caiaphas looks down at Judas' hand, then jerks his arm away. He does not meet Judas' eyes.

Remember your promise, Caiaphas... he will be treated well...

You have nothing to fear, Judas ben Simon. Jesus will be well taken care of.

Let's get this over with...

As the Nazarene is led away, Caiaphas takes Judas' hand and places a small pouch of coins in it.

For your help.

DISSOLVE TO:

20. HOME OF THE HIGH PRIEST - NIGHT

Jesus of Nazareth stands before some members of the Sanhedrin, his head slightly bowed and his hands clasped in front of him.

Seated in the center of the room on a wooden stool, a young woman fiercely testifies against him.

I heard that he could restore my son's eyesight if I gave him a few shekels because HE was the Son of God. So I found him, preaching to a few of the street women like Mary Magdalene, and gave him what shekels I had after the taxes... he told me to gather my son and bring him to the river and he would do what he could. He didn't even show up! No one knew where he was and I was still with a blind son and poorer than before...

The woman, feeling a bit awkward, pointedly ignores Jesus of Nazareth, her expression unsure.

Caiaphas smiles and leans forward in his seat, a hint of red crosses his dark eyes. He waves a hand dismissively, and Malchus leads the woman from the room. A few moments later he returns with an elderly man.

What testimony do you bring forth this night against this man?

He claimed that he would bring down the walls of the Temple and rebuild them within three days. But ...

Caiaphas cuts him off.

That will be all.

Take him away.

Another man is brought into the room and is led to the wooden stool. He sits. By his demeanor we can see that he is nervous.

It is said you have heard him proclaim himself the Son of God and King of the Jews. Is this true?

He did. I was there when he said these things.

Caiaphas nods and the man is led from the room.

What have you to say in your defense, Jesus of Nazareth?

The Nazarene looks up at the High Priest but says nothing.

Have you nothing to say for yourself?

Did you or did you not make these claims?

You DO know what's at stake, do you not?

The Nazarene remains quiet. Caiaphas narrows his eyes at the man who stands humbly before him.

Are you the Messiah foretold in the scriptures?

Jesus of Nazareth looks up at Caiaphas. His face is a mask of sadness. His smile is slight, yet knowing.

I am.

DISSOLVE TO:

21. HELL - TIMELESS

Lucifer is bent over his cauldron, watching the proceedings with glee. Behind him, Michael is unconscious. His body is covered with various cuts, and burns inflicted by the Tempter. Blood mixed with sweat glistens red in the Hellish fires.

Gloatingly, Lucifer turns towards Michael.

That Caiaphas... what a vassal. Willing to do anything and everything I want... I have but to ask. So much for the strength and fortitude of the pious man... filled to the brim with pride in his place in the echelon and the power he thinks he wields.

He saunters over to Michael and shakes the archangel's head, waking him up. Michael coughs and mumbles.

Pride comes before the fall, Lucifer. As you well know.

Lucifer backhands the archangel.

As much as I hate to admit it, this time, brother-mine, you are right. You and your gloating brethren, so proud of your God and your gleaming armor, your place by His side, will soon fall and all of those whom you've tossed aside like so much garbage will rule the earth.

You could always cut your suffering short, Michael.

Join with me... Together, you and I could rule over those squabbling mortals, the archangels, the hierarchy of holier-than-thou angels like those insipid seraphim... I never liked them. The cherubim, however... would make good pets.

I will not join with you, Lucifer, and you will never win. There is still hope left for all of us.

What... The Nazarene? He is done for. Forget about him, brother.

As for Xena, Gabrielle and the Messenger, I have special plans for them. Everything is moving along like I planned... I love being me!

Lucifer grabs Michael's head and slams it back against the rock wall, then laughs as he walks off.

Gabrielle... Xena... help me...

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22. BARABBAS' HIDEOUT - LATE NIGHT

Xena, Gabrielle and Eve bolt upright from their fitful sleep. Beads of perspiration trickle down their necks into their heaving chests. They sit in their bedrolls, breathing heavily. The bard looks at Xena.

I dreamt about... when I... killed... all those Romans to protect you. Then we were crucified, and then the demon Callisto was in my dream, taunting me. And then I heard Michael... when I saw him ... he was hurt.

Xena, he was shackled. He's in trouble. I KNOW it. I can't explain how I know, I just do.

Xena nods.

I know what you mean... I saw him, too. But before that was our crucifixion...

Xena and Gabrielle look at Eve expectantly, waiting for her to speak.

Eli was in my dream... It was my conception.

Then the man on the mount, the one who was giving the sermon to the people... was on a cross... and he told me I was the messenger...

He told me to help his servant... Michael.

If Michael's in trouble, what can we do to help him?

Right now, nothing. We have to save Barabbas first. And as much as Michael and I have had our differences, I still owe him.

We'll try to find a way to help him.

Xena... What if we're not supposed to be helping Barabbas... I know there had to be more to the dream than that...

Like what?

Lucifer. Maybe he's behind this?

Probably... but then how do our crucifixion and your conception tie into any of what we dreamt?

Come ON, Mother! Barabbas is due to be crucified tomorrow... and if what they're saying is true and he's the Messiah, then my dream about Eli would almost guarantee that he IS!

I see what you're getting at, but I don't see Barabbas as a Messiah of anything, much less the freedom of these people. Besides, how does Michael's need for our help tie into Barabbas' fate?

He needs the Messiah alive, to give him power against Lucifer.

I dunno... I guess it's possible, but something's wrong. I can't place my finger on it, but I can feel it.

I get that feeling, too, but there's nothing more we can do right now. Let's just get some sleep and we'll figure it out in the morning. Lucien is holding up his part of the bargain right now, so we do ours, and THEN we save Michael...

Puzzled, and not fully convinced of anything, the three women lay down and try to sleep.

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23. EXT. GATE OF FORTRESS OF ANTONIA - NIGHT

Two soldiers stand guard outside the main gate.

Lucien cautiously approaches, holding his hands out.

Please, sir... give alms to a poor man. I can no longer work and my family is starving...

One guard starts to laugh, then grabs his spear and pushes Lucien aside. The other guard steps forward.

I'm gonna check the perimeter... have fun, Perinius.

Once he's out of sight, Lucien straightens up.

I'm sorry about him, but thank you for thinking about how it would look if you were talking to me.

Don't worry, Perinius. I'd rather take the abuse then lose your friendship to my people.

How can I help you?

There is a man, Barabbas... He was taken prisoner today. I would like him to be one of the two prisoners brought before the procurator tomorrow. Can you take care of that for me?

Lucien hands Perinius a sack full of coins. Perinius looks around and takes the sack, placing it inside his tunic.

Consider it done, Lucien.

Pleasure doing business with you, Perinius.

Perinius nods. He spots the other guard returning. He leans in close.

Forgive me for this, Lucien...

Get out of here, you dirty, lazy, drunken beggar.

The guard takes up his spot next to Perinius and laughs at Lucien as he stumbles away.

Just get a job, it's not that hard!

Perinius smiles and pats the sack through his robe.

Yeah.

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24. EXT. HEROD'S PALACE - NIGHT

Two Roman soldiers and two temple priests escorting the Nazarene arrive at the front gate of Herod's palace. The guards standing there look menacingly at the five men.

State your business.

We were told by Caiaphas of the Sanhedrin to bring Jesus of Nazareth before Herod. It is a matter of utmost importance. This man claims to be King of the Jews.

Have King Herod awakened.

The other guard runs to do as he ordered. The remaining guard and the priests and soldiers stare at each other. The Nazarene is quiet.

Minutes later, the other guard returns.

His Majesty, King Herod, bids you enter.

The guard stands aside to let the priests, the Roman soldiers and their prisoner into the Palace. They are led through the great halls to a lavish receiving room.

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25. INT. HEROD'S PALACE: NIGHT

On the walls hang tapestries depicting scenes from the Old Testament. The floors are decorated with colorful mosaic tiles. The ceiling is sculpted in swirling designs and highlighted in gold.

On a dais, at the opposite end of the room, sits a disturbed Herod, dressed in night clothes over which he has thrown an elaborately decorated robe. Various attendants and guards are close by.

Herod, brows furrowed, leans forward to examine the Nazarene as the guards shove him to within a few feet of the dais.

Herod scowls in disbelief.

This man is the SUPPOSED Messiah?

THIS pathetic excuse for a man? It cannot be.

Herod stands and approaches the Nazarene. The soldiers back away. Herod circles the man twice.

Perhaps you are John the Baptist, returned to torment my house.

The Nazarene is silent.

Come, Nazarene. Prove to me that you are the Messiah. Change this cup of water to wine.

Jesus looks at the goblet presented to him, and then his deep blue eyes solemnly look up at Herod. But he says nothing.

No? Then will you plea for your life?

My fate rests with a higher power.

Jesus of Nazareth looks deeply into Herod's eyes.

After a few moments, Herod harrumphs. He reaches for a red robe that lays on his throne. He grabs it and circles the Nazarene.

They claim you have said you are the King of the Jews.

With disgust he drapes the red robe around Jesus' shoulders.

A King deserves a fine robe.

Take him away. Let Pilate deal with this matter.

The Roman soldiers grab Jesus and drag him away.

DISSOLVE TO:

26. INT. ROMAN JAIL - NIGHT

Barabbas, covered in bruises courtesy of the Roman guards, is led past a row of cells, some occupied by his own followers. He is tossed into a cell next to one occupied by two unfamiliar faces.

He is weak from the beating he's received, but manages a nod to the two men who sit against the wall in the next cell.

I'm Mathias, this is Behram. What're you in for?

Defending my people. What about you?

I'm just a thief, not a revolutionary or a murderer, like Behram here.

It was self-defense, Mathias.

Sure it was...fifteen stab wounds is absolutely necessary.

Shut up, you moron. What would you know?

Hey, you, what's your name?

Barabbas.

Oh...you're DEFINITELY not getting out of here.

Getting out of here?

Yeah, you know, one of us will be freed tomorrow because of Pesach. The Romans let one prisoner go.

Doubt it will be you. Not if what I heard is true...

What have you heard?

That you tried to assassinate Pilate.

Did you really think you would get away with it?

At least he tried. Not like all those that talk and do nothing.

For what it's worth, Barabbas, I hope you're chosen tomorrow.

Behram lies down and makes himself comfortable.

Yeah... me, too... but I think it's going to be me.

Mathias lies down and places the palms of his hands under his head.

Shut up, Mathias.

FADE OUT:

END ACT II

ACT III