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ACT I
5. EXT. VILLAGE - DUSK
As they are led inland, Xena studies the perimeter and
defenses.
GABRIELLE
(beat - points up)
Look up there… some of the huts are in the trees with
footbridges spanned between them.
(beat)
Maybe they want to keep their food out of reach of
wild animals.
XENA
Just like that strange bear we saw at the river.
GABRIELLE
I'm still wondering about that…
Several deer are being roasted on spits and various
wooden bowls of fruit are being placed near campfires.
XENA
I really thought that we were going to be attacked.
GABRIELLE
With you around, none would be left standing.
(beat)
These warriors are lucky you've learned to restrain
yourself.
XENA
But now they'll go after that big bear we saw earlier.
GABRIELLE
I don't think that was a bear, Xena. It walked upright
like us.
(beat)
Did you notice the odor?
Xena makes a face in confirmation.
She stands alert as another native approaches, wearing
a supple leather garment and leggings. A few large eagle feathers [tip
down] are braided into his long hair.
Quite a few warriors escort him.
The Chief comes forward and everyone respectfully goes
quiet. He is limping and Xena takes note of that.
XENA
That must be their leader.
GABRIELLE
Let's hope he is friendlier than the other fellow.
The Chief approaches them and starts talking to a
warrior who rambles a report. Xena and Gabrielle wait patiently trying
to discern the language.
Xena concentrates on the Chief's features for a moment
trying to read his emotions.
The Chief approaches the boy, who comes to stand
proudly before him. The Chief places a hand gently on the boy’s
shoulder in affirmation.
The Chief then approaches Xena and Gabrielle. His
countenance is stern. Using his hands to form sign language, he points
to Xena, the river, and the boy standing close by his mother.
CHIEF
(faces Xena and bows head)
(signs)
The female warriors who travel our land honor us with
their presence.
(beat)
They have saved my youngest son, Little Feather, from
the mouth of the river.
(faces Xena and Gabrielle)
(signs)
What is your name?
Xena and Gabrielle exchange a quizzical look.
GABRIELLE
(shrugs)
I think he is saying the boy is his son.
XENA
Ya think?
The chief points to an eagle flying overhead then, at
a feather in his hair.
CHIEF
(signs)
My name is Eagle Feather.
GABRIELLE
I’m guessing that since he’s pointing to that eagle
and a feather, that his name is Eagle Feather.
(beat)
Of course I could be totally wrong, and he’s told me
he got his feathers from an eagle.
XENA
(grinning)
Very cute, Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
(smiling)
I have my moments.
Gabrielle extends her hand to the chief. Chief Eagle
Feather does not accept the unfamiliar gesture. Instead the Chief
gestures with raising his right hand to shoulder level, with the index
and middle fingers extended
upwards and held together, and with the other fingers closed.
CHIEF
Osigo!
[subtitles: Hello!]
Awkwardly, Gabrielle’s hand rises up to mimic the
Chief’s example. Gabrielle smiles, and looks at Xena.
GABRIELLE
I think I just learned how to say hello.
She turns to the chief.
GABRIELLE
(pointing to self, then Xena)
Osigo! I'm Gabrielle. This is Xena.
Chief Eagle Feather nods his understanding. Gabrielle
points to the young boy, still wet from his plunge into the river.
She kneels down and draws a series of pictures in the
dirt showing a tree, a river and a branch floating in the water.
She stands up and puts her palms together and makes a
diving motion. The Chief can't help but smile a little at the attempt
at make-shift sign-language.
XENA
Your son must've dived in or fallen.
GABRIELLE
(signing)
We saw a huge creature with your son…
(beat - indicates height)
…twice the size of a man. It carried your son out of
the river.
The people gasp in surprise.
The Chief motions to the Shaman.
CHIEF EAGLE FEATHER
(puzzled - signing)
Striking Eagle…?
STRIKING EAGLE
(annoyed – points to Gabrielle and places his fingers to his mouth and
wiggles two of them.)
Sun Woman lies.
(beat)
Sasquatch reside with the Great Mystery and none are
left in the land of the living.
GABRIELLE
I think he just called me a liar.
Xena becomes visibly angry at the insult, but
Gabrielle holds her back.
A teenage warrior carrying a large bow approaches
Chief Eagle Feather.
CHIEF EAGLE FEATHER
Hunting Elk. You have returned from scouting.
HUNTING ELK
Father, I believe the strangers speak the truth. I
found tracks that do not belong to a bear.
(beat)
If the Sasquatch have returned to us, it is our duty
to protect them.
Striking Eagle protests verbally.
STRIKING EAGLE
My Chief, it is clear that the Sasquatch tried to harm
your son…
(beat - points angrily to Xena)
And this Agiya [subtitles: Woman] works with the
Trickster to mock me.
The Chief slowly nods.
HUNTING ELK
Father… these warriors saved my brother, from the
river.
(beat)
You have heard the rumors from the nomads who visit us
for trade about strange warriors traveling our lands…
STRIKING EAGLE
(interrupting)
Lies! All lies. There is no truth to these rumors…
(beat)
Or that these strangers are the warriors of which the
tales speak.
The natives murmur agreement.
HUNTING ELK
Their pale skins and odd weapons speak for them. They
are the strangers.
Striking Eagle stands very close to Gabrielle…
STRIKING EAGLE
(signing)
You are the enemy of the people, Sun Woman.
Striking Eagle lashes out at Gabrielle.
Gabrielle's honed battle instincts react to the
attack, and she blocks the strike effortlessly. She traps his arm,
twists it onto his back and shoves him forward.
Striking Eagle stumbles forward and pulls a knife. Its
hilt has carvings of intricate designs and patterns.
Hunting Elk and Xena protect Gabrielle as Striking
Eagle approaches with a livid face, bent on vengeance. A few warriors
stand by Striking Eagle’s side.
Others join Xena and Hunting Elk in defensive poses.
CHIEF EAGLE FEATHER
STOP!
(beat)
Stand your ground, Striking Eagle. Even a Holy Man is
not above our laws.
Striking Eagle obeys and sheaths his ornate dagger. He
faces the Chief, his head bowed.
CHIEF EAGLE FEATHER
We will call a council of the Elders and announce our
decision in the morning.
(beat)
If the Sasquatch, friend of the Great Mystery, is back
amongst us, we must find out what it wants.
Chief Eagle Feather retreats with his youngest son and
several of his agiyas into his large hut. Others retreat as well,
murmuring.
HUNTING ELK
(signing to Xena)
I will provide accommodations for you and your
comrade.
Xena looks at Gabrielle for confirmation.
GABRIELLE
(signing)
Thank you, Hunting Elk.
CUT TO:
6. EXT. LONG HUT - EVENING
Hunting Elk escorts Gabrielle and Xena to a long hut.
XENA
(to Gabrielle)
Guess we’ll be spending the night here.
GABRIELLE
It’s not a bad thing. Nice fire, shelter from the
wind. It’s better than spending the night in the cold or in a dank,
dreary cave.
Gabrielle turns to Hunting Elk.
GABRIELLE
(signing)
You’ll let us know what happens with the Elders?
HUNTING ELK
(signing)
You will be told.
He exits the hut.
CUT TO:
7. INT. LONG HUT – EVENING
Xena and Gabrielle are seated around the fire. They
are eating roasted venison and corn that was brought to them.
XENA
After I eat, I’m going to collect our gear.
GABRIELLE
You think that’s a good idea with that creature out
there?
XENA
Somehow I’ve got the feeling that creature is
harmless. On the other hand, that shaman of theirs has some serious
problems.
GABRIELLE
I think you’re right. But what if they come to get us
while you’re gone?
XENA
Tell them I’m sick.
Xena gets up and arranges the blankets and furs to
make it appear as though a person is sleeping in them.
Looking around, Xena sees a fox mask and matching cape
hanging on one of the walls and takes it down.
GABRIELLE
What are you going to do with that?
Xena gives Gabrielle a mischievous grin and exits the
long hut.
CUT TO:
8. EXT. NIGHT
Xena, wearing the mask and cape is carrying their gear
back to the village.
She pauses and watches as men, also wearing animal
masks and capes like hers, walk past her toward a strangely lit hut.
One of the Elders says something to her. Unable to
understand, she merely nods and gives a low grunt.
Curious, she follows the Elder toward the hut.
Dropping the gear around the side of the hut, she follows him inside.
CUT TO:
9. INT. VILLAGE SWEAT HUT - NIGHT
Inside the hut the Elders sit. They all wear masks of
animals to hide their identity. An Elder dips a ladle in a bowl of
water and spills it over heated stones. Steam rises. He does this
several times.
The Elders seem to sing in low volume mantras as they
get themselves into a trance.
Xena mimics the sounds.
A bowl with a drinkable liquid is passed around. Xena
reluctantly takes a sip.
After a few minutes images begin to flow.
CUT TO:
10. EXT. VILLAGE SWEAT HUT - NIGHT
The door flap opens and Xena, still wearing the fox
cape and mask stumbles out and collides with Gabrielle who has been
walking around the village.
GABRIELLE
Xena? Is that you?
Xena removes her disguise and smiles at Gabrielle.
Then sees something looming behind her.
XENA
Watch out, Gabrielle! A big bear!
Xena pushes Gabrielle aside and stands ready to tackle
this new foe.
The bear image dissolves into the face of a Sasquatch.
It quickly disappears into the thicket.
GABRIELLE
Xena, what's the matter with you?
XENA
They must've slipped me something in the drink.
GABRIELLE
Let's get out of here before we get caught.
Supporting Xena with one arm, Gabrielle guides her
friend back to their hut. After several steps, Xena stops, giggles.
XENA
Our gear!
CUT TO:
11. INT. LONG HUT
Gear in hand, Gabrielle and Xena enter the hut.
Xena staggers over to the pile of furs and collapses.
Gabrielle puts their gear in a corner.
XENA
That was a waste of time. I couldn’t understand a word
they said.
GABRIELLE
(curiously)
What possessed you to go in there?
XENA
Well, one of the Elders invited me. How could I refuse?
Xena flings the fox mask toward the wall where it
lands on the hook she took it from earlier.
GABRIELLE
(smirking)
Another one of your many skills?
At that moment Hunting Elk enters the hut.
HUNTING ELK
(signing and speaking)
The Elders have made their decision.
Xena and Gabrielle turn to him expectantly.
HUNTING ELK
(signing and speaking)
The Elders have agreed, the Sasquatch has returned. We
are to capture the banished Sasquatch.
(beat)
You will join us so we may succeed.
(beat)
Rest now, for we rise before the sun.
As Hunting Elk is about to leave, Gabrielle speaks.
GABRIELLE
(curiously)
Hunting Elk... Can you tell us what this is all about.
I mean... who or what are these creatures? Why where they banished?
HUNTING ELK
In the beginning the Great Mystery came down from the
heavens and built a sanctuary in the mountains.
(beat)
It took the Great Mystery six days and six nights to
build. On the seventh day, the Great Mystery rested.
(beat)
The Great Mystery befriended the Sasquatch and our
ancestors who lived peacefully together in this land.
(beat)
The Great Mystery gave the sanctuary to the Sasquatch
and our ancestors so that they may have shelter for the winter.
(beat)
However, the Trickster was jealous of the Sasquatch
and vowed to curse their existence.
(beat)
At dawn, a Sasquatch was found holding a sacred Tumi
in his hands. One of our ancestors lay dead at his feet. The Great
Mystery was very saddened at this.
GABRIELLE
That's terrible.
HUNTING ELK
(nods solemnly)
The Sasquatch fled into the mountains. Occasionally we
saw traces of them but not for a long time now.
XENA
Until now, you mean...
HUNTING ELK
Our village is divided about the truth of this legend.
Striking Eagle believes this version for personal reasons. But I am
sure there is another version.
(beat)
Try to get some sleep.
FADE OUT:
12. EXT. VILLAGE - DAWN
The next morning Xena and Gabrielle arrive as the
hunting party is forming.
At first the shaman looks at Xena with disdain. Xena
gives him a warrior stare in return.
STRIKING EAGLE
(signing)
Agiya should stay in the village and leave the hunting
to the warriors.
XENA
(turning to Gabrielle)
Did he just insult me?
GABRIELLE
He called you an 'Agiya’...
(beat)
That's like a woman or wife...
Xena stands menacingly close to the Shaman, who in
turn puts his hand on the hilt of his knife.
STRIKING EAGLE
(signing)
Agiya should carry the offspring of brave warriors.
XENA
(hands on hips and scowling)
Now you listen here…
(beat)
First of all, I'm not an Agiya…
(beat - glowering)
Secondly, I've been through more battles than you can
count…
GABRIELLE
Xena, calm down.
A large native female approaches the squabbling Shaman
and Xena. The shaman looks a little nervous as she approaches.
NATIVE FEMALE
(signing)
Don't bother. He's not worth it.
GABRIELLE
(signing)
Who are you?
HUNTING ELK
She was his wife.
NATIVE FEMALE
(chuckles)
I divorced him. He's too full of himself.
XENA
(chuckles)
Tell me about it.
The ex-wife nods with a broad smile.
HUNTING ELK
They will come, Striking Eagle. The Council of Elders
so ruled.
(beat)
If the foe of our ancestors has returned, we can use
all the warriors we can muster. We need to work together.
Xena confirms with a nod.
Striking Eagle looks at the warriors gathered around.
STRIKING EAGLE
(signs and speaks)
I shall make a prediction that before sunset, we will
have captured the banished Sasquatch.
The warriors whoop their agreement. Gabrielle looks
despondent and Xena looks concernedly at her friend.
GABRIELLE
Xena, what if the Sasquatch saved Little Feather?
(beat)
It could be innocent.
Xena smiles encouragingly to Gabrielle.
XENA
That's why we're both going along to make sure nothing
happens to it.
DISSOLVE TO:
END ACT I
ACT II
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