| ACT II
12. EXT. ON BOARD THE HYDRA. - MORNING
FADE IN:
The warrior wakes the next morning with a dull aching in her back
and legs. She has sat up all night so that she did not disturb her friend. She spies a
piece of sailcloth next to the rope coil and leaning over, grabs the edge, pulling it over
to where she is sitting. She makes a pillow out of it and gently eases Gabrielle’s
head on to it, rises stiffly and goes off to get breakfast, muttering about getting old.
On her return Gabrielle is awake and stretching luxuriously.
XENA
Morning, Gabrielle. I got you some breakfast. You sleep well?
GABRIELLE
Why thank you. Yeah I did. I dreamed I had this most wonderful
pillow, so soft and comfortable, after I’d plumped it up a bit. You sleep okay?
XENA
Sure. We were a bit cramped but you looked so peaceful I didn’t
want to wake you. Sorry about sleeping on deck. This was the first ship to Crete, a
merchantman with no passenger cabins.
GABRIELLE
That’s Okay, Xena.
Gabrielle regards the warrior with a smile, taking her in from head
to foot. It is at times like these that she really wishes others could see the caring side
of the ex warlord. A side she still rarely showed to anyone else.
Xena squirms under the scrutiny and quickly pulls the front of her
skirt down before shoving the plate she carries into Gabrielle’s face.
GABRIELLE
What is this?
Gabrielle wrinkles her nose. Xena stares at the plate of bread, goat
cheese and fruit as if it has sprouted wings and is about to fly away.
XENA
Why, breakfast of course! After what I saw you eating yesterday, and
what it did to my stomach, this was the best I could do.
Gabrielle notes the crestfallen look on her friend’s face.
GABRIELLE
Never mind, it’s fine. I’m sure you’ll
try harder come lunchtime.
CUT TO:
13. EXT. THE HYDRA – MID-DAY
Lunchtime sees Xena arrive with another plate of ordinary, boring
food. She is determined Gabrielle will eat sensibly. Gabrielle is not impressed and gives
her a face that politely tells her what she can do with it. She already has a big plate of
squid.
GABRIELLE
Xena, you are such a killjoy.
XENA
Gabrielle, that stuff you eat can’t be good for
your insides. Think about it; ya don’t even know what half of it is! Where’d ya
get the squid anyway?
GABRIELLE
Oh, I persuaded one of the crew to catch it.
Xena spins around.
XENA
Where! Which one! I’ll kill him!
GABRIELLE
Calm down, Xena.
She dangles a piece of squid in the air.
GABRIELLE
You really should try this. It’s very good.
XENA
No! Thank you.
CUT TO:
14. EXT. THE HYDRA – AFTERNOON
That afternoon the friends stand at the bow rail. Gabrielle looks
out to sea watching dolphins bow riding in front of the speeding ship. Xena, arms folded,
leans her back against the rail and scans the deck watchdog fashion.
Gabrielle is humming a tune when her sharp eyes spot sea gulls
wheeling above.
GABRIELLE
Look at the gulls, Xena.
Xena doesn’t move.
XENA
Yeah, very nice.
GABRIELLE
That’s an odd looking gull… Why’s it
flapping so much?
Xena stirs, her brows pucker. She turns and looks out to sea.
XENA
Where!
Gabrielle points. Xena stares intently at the fast receding bird.
XENA
That’s no gull!
CUT TO:
15. EXT. THE HYDRA – LATE AFTERNOON
Gabrielle can be seen standing in the background watching as Xena
speaks with the Captain.
XENA
…and are you sure they’ve already started?
CAPTAIN
That’s what I heard back in Piraeus. The festivities were due
to start a few days ago. I delivered food for the feast just last week. I thought you
should know.
Xena glances over her shoulder at Gabrielle who is now hanging over
the rail and notices a group of crewmen standing behind her, nudging each other.
CUT TO:
16. EXT. THE HYDRA – LATE AFTERNOON
Gabrielle glances up at Xena and sees her staring at her. She gives
a weak smile in her direction the leans over the rail again.
GABRIELLE
I have survived this before…
A tap on her shoulder makes her jump. She turns to find one of the
crew standing behind her.
SAILOR
Sorry! Hi.
GABRIELLE
Um, hello.
She turns back toward the sea, another bout of nausea taking over.
SAILOR
You remind me of my niece.
She turns back to him, jabbing at her wrist.
GABRIELLE
Huh?
SAILOR
So, what’s a girl like you doing on a ship like this?
GABRIELLE
Excuse me?
He stops short as Xena come into view behind Gabrielle, staring him
down.
XENA
What’s going on?
She gives the sailor a false smile. He looks nervously around.
SAILOR
Nothing… I was just…
He points over his shoulder nervously and makes a quick exit.
Gabrielle, seeing Xena, puts out a hand to steady herself against her.
GABRIELLE
What was that about?
XENA
(concerned)
You alright?
GABRIELLE
(glancing at the rail)
Uh, yeah. I am now.
Xena nods in the direction of the crew.
XENA
Looks like another one has a crush.
Gabrielle gives her a ‘you’ve got to be joking’ look.
GABRIELLE
No, no, no. You’ve got it all wrong. He was just telling me how
I reminded him… oh.
Xena gives her friend a smile and turns to look out at the sea.
CUT TO:
17. INT. THE HYDRA GALLEY – EARLY EVENING
Gabrielle stands inspecting the food on a table. The cook, a large
man with tattoos of mermaids and anchors on his arms, is tenderizing fish while he talks
with Gabrielle. Xena is leaning against the table, picking at a piece of bread and looking
slightly queasy.
GABRIELLE
What’s this?
She points to a barrel of what looks like small red beads.
COOK
That’s caviar.
GABRIELLE
Caviar?
COOK
Yeah. Fish eggs.
GABRIELLE
Are they good?
Xena puts the bread down on the table.
XENA
(mutters)
Here we go again……
COOK
They’re considered a delicacy. Special order for a banquet.
GABRIELLE
Can I try some?
XENA
Gabrielle… why don’t you have some…
(Xena glances desperately around the table)
…bread? Or fish? Or…
Gabrielle ignores Xena and points to a bowl of what resembles pureed
liver.
GABRIELLE
And this?
XENA
I think I’ll wait outside………
Looking a bit pale, she makes a hasty exit onto the deck.
FADE TO:
18. EXT. THE HYDRA – MORNING
Xena and Gabrielle have spent a second night on deck. Xena awakens
early, stiff and grumpy. She cushions Gabrielle’s head again and examines the new
bruises she’s been dealt in the night, before going off to find breakfast.
CUT TO:
Gabrielle sits on a barrel, writing a scroll when she is approached
by two of the ship’s crew. The one from the day before and another.
SAILOR 1
Hey, where’s the warrior woman?
Gabrielle snickers.
GABRIELLE
Gone to get breakfast, why?
SAILOR 1
Oh, just wanted to chat.
GABRIELLE
Better not let her catch you.
The sailors glance nervously at each other.
SAILOR 2
She your mother or something?
Gabrielle Guffaws.
GABRIELLE
Oh……that’s a good one!
SAILOR 1
You mean she’s not!?
Gabrielle laughs again.
GABRIELLE
No, Xena is my friend, my best friend. I’ve known
her for a very long time. So, you wanted to chat, huh?
SAILOR 1
So long as we’re not keeping you from your work.
SAILOR 2
And your friend doesn’t come back any time soon.
Gabrielle puts the scroll down.
GABRIELLE
No, it’s not important but……ummm…… maybe
you could tell me something.
SAILOR 1
If we can……
GABRIELLE
Do you know anything about The Minotaur of Crete?
CUT TO:
Xena returns to find Gabrielle speaking with the two sailors. She
can just overhear the conversation.
SAILOR 1
… it supposedly tears the flesh off with its bare teeth and
gores them with its horns and pounds them to a pulp with its hooves.
SAILOR 2
And it’s supposed to have glowing red eyes.
The first sailor, noticing Xena, nudges his crewmate and they both
disappear. Gabrielle turns to see Xena.
GABRIELLE
Did you get me something interesting this morning?
She sees Xena glance at the plate in her hand.
GABRIELLE
(continued)
Please tell me you didn’t get more bread and cheese.
XENA
You eat bread and cheese all the time…
GABRIELLE
Yes, Xena, but now we have a chance to try something different. We
should take advantage of that.
XENA
(raising an eyebrow)
Squid is different?
GABRIELLE
You know what I mean. They pick up recipes from all over the known
world. We could try things from countries we may never visit…
XENA
Try this.
She hands Gabrielle a plate that contains nothing but bread, cheese,
and fresh fruit. Gabrielle considers for a moment.
GABRIELLE
No thanks. I think I’ll pass.
XENA
You’ll eat fish eggs but you won’t eat bread? Gabrielle,
every time we get on a boat you eat all sorts of muck and you know
you pay for it later. Why won’t you just listen to me for a change?
Xena tugs at her skirt. Gabrielle follows the motion with her eyes
and takes the opportunity to change the subject.
GABRIELLE
Xena, what’s that mark on your leg?
Xena pulls at her skirt down again.
XENA
Oh……ummm, eat your breakfast Gabrielle, there are things
to do before we land.
GABRIELLE
Oh yeah! Like what?
XENA
Like……well like……things!
A lame effort and she knows it.
GABRIELLE
Xena, stop changing the subject. You were tugging at your skirt the
whole of yesterday. Why this sudden coyness about showing your legs huh?
Xena looks uncomfortable.
XENA
Gabrielle, just drop it will ya!
GABRIELLE
(Smugly)
Well, I don’t know about you but I’ve
nothing to do today except eat and ask questions until you give me a
straight answer.
XENA
Okay, Okay… I must have rubbed against some muck on the ships
railings……
Gabrielle plants a hand on her hip and taps a foot impatiently. Xena
knows when she is beaten. She flips a hand in the air.
XENA
Oh what the heck. You know that soft, comfortable pillow you told me
about.
Gabrielle nods.
XENA
Well…
She raises a brow and points at her skirt.
XENA
…you gave it quite a beating.
GABRIELLE
No! oh Xena, I’m so sorry. Let me see…
Gabrielle thrusts her plate at the warrior, drops to her knees,
ready to inspect the damage she had unwittingly inflicted. Xena glances around
uncomfortably.
XENA
Gabrielle! Not here……I
mean……I……I……Oh Hades, forget it!
Shoving the plate back at Gabrielle, Xena turns and stomps off
leaving the bard with a grin that spreads from ear to ear.
CUT TO:
19. EXT. THE HYDRA – MID-DAY
Gabrielle has found something more to her taste and is leaning
against the rail with a bowl of stew that contains unidentified pieces of meat. She
scrapes out the last bits with relish. Xena leans against the rail some distance away,
close enough to ward off any unwelcome suitors, but far enough away that she doesn’t
have to see or smell what Gabrielle is eating.
Suddenly Gabrielle points out to the horizon.
GABRIELLE
That must be Crete. Oh, thank the Gods.
Xena comes over and leans against the rail beside her.
XENA
I thought you were enjoying our journey.
GABRIELLE
Gods no! It’s all I’ve been able to do to keep from
getting seasick. I can’t wait to be on dry land again.
Xena glances at Gabrielle’s empty bowl.
XENA
Well it’s no wonder with what you’ve been putting away for
the last two days.
She watches Crete draw closer.
XENA
(to herself)
I just hope we’re not too late.
FADE OUT.
END ACT II
ACT
III
|
