| ACT II
11. INT. TEMPLE BACK WALL - NOON
Xena and Gabrielle lay unconscious in front of the painted mural. A few moments later, both begin to stir, moving slowly and carefully. Gabrielle sits up, and leans her head back against the mural wall. She uses her fingers to massage her temples.
GABRIELLE
(to Xena)
Did you see where that herd of centaurs went…
(beat)
you know, the ones that trampled on my head.
Xena begins to stand, her legs slightly wobbly at first, then she stretches out her body with an audible 'pop' coming from her neck.
XENA
Much better.
GABRIELLE
(to Kaafi and Toktam)
What happened?
TOKTAM
(confused)
It was the strangest thing…
(beat)
You were both standing there looking at the statues, and wham…
(beat)
out cold on the ground.
XENA
(softly)
The statues…
In one swift motion, Xena grabs Kaafi by the neck, and slams him against the wall.
XENA
Okay, priest…
(beat)
This happened in your temple… what did you do?
KAAFI
(gasping)
Noth… nothing… I…
Xena releases her hold, and delivers a blow with her knee right into his mid-section causing the priest to crumple to the floor.
XENA
(angry)
What… happened!
Kaafi looks up into Xena's eyes and sees the rage burning behind them. He quickly lowers his gaze to the floor.
KAAFI
(quietly)
I don't know…
Xena raises her arm and goes to backhand the man, but as her hand is about to strike his face, the blow is interrupted by Gabrielle's hold on her wrist. Xena turns sharply and stares at Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Xena, what are you doing?
XENA
Getting information.
GABRIELLE
By killing him…
(beat)
We're not going to get any answers from a dead man.
(beat)
Plus, maybe you should try talking to him with your mouth instead of your fist.
Xena jerks her arm free from Gabrielle's hold.
XENA
I've never had a problem with this method before…
(beat - sarcastic)
but if you think you can do better… by all means go ahead.
GABRIELLE
I just think this way…
XENA
(interrupting)
Fine.
(beat)
I need some air.
Xena storms out of the temple, and leaves three confused people behind.
CUT TO:
12. EXT. TEMPLE - AFTERNOON
Xena emerges from the rundown temple and into the afternoon heat. As she walks, she begins kicking the rocks in her path, sending them flying in the direction of the village.
XENA
(mocking)
Try talking with your mouth not your fists…
(beat)
like she knows what she's doing!
Xena suddenly stops walking, standing motionless on the dirt path.
XENA
What are you doing here?
In a flash of light, Ares appears behind Xena. He walks up behind her, standing close enough to whisper in her ear.
ARES
Xena, Xena, Xena…
(beat)
don't you know that you and I have a special bond…
(beat - smiling)
I can always find you.
Xena's only reaction is a simple raised eyebrow. Ares then continues his stroll around Xena, now standing in front of her with his arms crossed over his chest.
ARES
So, you and blondie having a little tiff?
XENA
No…
(beat - under her breath)
but she can be so…
ARES
Irritating.
Xena just glares at him.
ARES
You know, Xena, the two of you have very different…
(beat)
styles.
(beat)
We both know you can't always play nice.
XENA
Your point?
ARES
That maybe its time for a change.
XENA
What? With you?
ARES
Why not…
(beat)
We understand each other so well.
Xena just stares silently at Ares for a moment, thinking over what he's said. She shakes her head quickly, and takes a step closer to Ares, getting right up in his face.
XENA
(beat)
Ares, this is getting old… get over it.
(beat)
I'm not coming back.
Xena pushes past the God of War, and continues to walk towards the village.
ARES
(rubbing his goatee)
Hmmm… maybe too direct.
(beat)
I'll just have to try a different approach.
CUT TO:
13. INT. TEMPLE - EARLY EVENING
Gabrielle, Kaafi and Toktam are seated on mats on the floor in a small room adjoining the main room of the temple. Torches on the wall illuminate the room. The three are engaged in an intense discussion as Xena enters.
GABRIELLE
Xena, where have you been?
XENA
Out scouting.
(beat)
It seems that the boys are being held in a building next to the field.
Xena plops down on a mat in a corner of the room and puts her arms behind her head while crossing her legs over.
XENA
Are the boys sacrificed right after the game?
TOKTAM
As I was trying to explain to Gabrielle,
(beat)
the Mayans always find a way to win. Their priests are in charge of overseeing the game, and I think they must find a way to change the rules in their favor.
(beat)
After the game, the boys are taken off the field and right into the temple.
(beat - sigh)
No chance for good-byes or anything.
XENA
I think the best thing to do is get them out of there now and avoid the game altogether.
GABRIELLE
I was thinking the same thing.
XENA
Good.
(beat)
Let's go.
GABRIELLE
Wait… Xena, we can't march in there with swords blazing.
XENA
And why not?!
GABRIELLE
We need a plan…
(beat)
an organized idea to make sure no innocent people get hurt.
XENA
Okay… you and I go into the jail, take out the guards, and get the boys.
(beat)
All set? Let's go.
GABRIELLE
No, we can't just go running in there all wild with the attack first approach.
(beat)
Toktam and Kaafi have been telling me about the layout around the field and I think I have an idea.
XENA
(crossing her arms over her chest)
Fine… let's hear it.
CUT TO:
14. INT. TEMPLE - TWO HOURS LATER
Xena is lying on her stomach on the mat using her arm and hand to support the weight of her head. She's doing her best not to fall asleep, but she keeps nodding off listening to the details of Gabrielle's plan. Losing the battle, Xena's head slips off her hand and smacks on the mat covered floor with a loud thud.
GABRIELLE
(annoyed - to Xena)
Have you been paying attention at all?
XENA
(rubbing her forehead)
Gabrielle, you've been going on for hours.
(beat)
I could have had everyone home by now,
(beat)
and still had time to go fishing.
GABRIELLE
It's important to be thorough.
XENA
Well, that you are…
(beat)
too bad that the boys will either be old men or dead before we actually go rescue them.
GABRIELLE
Hey, I thought you liked my way of planning things.
XENA
Usually…
(beat)
I just can't remember them being so long-winded and boring.
Gabrielle just stares at her for a moment in disbelief.
GARIELLE
Fine… then I'll gather some supplies and we'll go.
(beat - sarcastic)
Would that make you happy?
XENA
(grumpy)
Yes.
Gabrielle leaves the room and Xena reclines back against a wall, her arms crossed behind her head and her feet crossed over at the other end. Toktam and Kaafi glance at one another, a look of confusion on their faces.
CUT TO:
15. EXT. OLMEC VILLAGE - EVENING
Gabrielle approaches the marketplace of the small village. The streets are starting to empty with people heading home for the evening.
GABRIELLE
(angry)
Boring… how can she say it’s boring…
(beat)
and I am not long-winded!
Gabrielle stops for a moment to calm herself.
GABRIELLE
Okay… take a deep breath… count to 10…
(beat)
1…2…3…4…
(beat)
AHH! She always has to have things her way.
ARES
Frustrating, isn't it?
Gabrielle turns to her right to see Ares standing at the side of the road, leaning against a tree.
GABRIELLE
What are you doing here?
ARES
(smiling)
Oh, we gods get around…
(beat)
besides, it was time for a vacation.
(beat)
But enough about me, I see you're having a little problem.
GABRIELLE
Everything's fine.
ARES
And by 'fine' you mean that Xena's telling you what to do,
(beat)
as always.
GABRIELLE
And she never offers to clean up… anything.
(beat - annoyed)
Just because she goes out and hunts doesn't mean that she can't do anything else.
(mumbling to herself - imitating Xena)
Don't use my chakram to cut fish Gabrielle…
ARES
All right… ah-ha.
He walks over and puts his arm around Gabrielle.
ARES
(continues)
You know Gabrielle, if you were back with the Amazons, you wouldn't have any of these problems. There they look-up to you, respect you,
(beat)
and no dishes to do.
GABRIELLE
(resolute - proud)
I am an Amazon Queen!
ARES
That you are, and a good one too. You deserve better than this.
GABRIELLE
Maybe… I don't…
Gabrielle stops and realizes her current situation. She slips out of Ares' grasp and turns to look at him.
GABRIELLE
Ares, what do you want?
ARES
(hurt)
What?
(beat)
I can't just show-up to help a friend?
GABRIELLE
No.
ARES
I'm hurt Gabrielle, I really am.
(beat)
I'm just trying to offer some light on your situation, and what do I get in return… suspicion.
GABRIELLE
I know you better than that… always something hidden.
ARES
Fine, be that way.
(beat)
I'll just take my thoughts and go.
Ares disappears in a puff of smoke and a flash.
GABRIELLE
Life is just too strange…
(beat - sighing)
I wonder how many other people have to deal with the gods always popping in to lend their two dinars worth.
CUT TO:
16. EXT. JUNGLE - NIGHT
Gabrielle and Xena are crouching behind a few bushes about fifty meters away from the jail where the Olmecs are being held captive. The area in front of them is fairly wide open, leaving little cover to make their move from their jungle spot to the jail. Both women study the area intently while getting ready to move.
GABRIELLE
Hmmm…
(beat)
I thought there would be more trees for cover.
XENA
(mumbling)
Maybe I could go plant a few,
(beat)
wouldn't want to spoil the plan.
GABRIELLE
I heard that, Xena.
(beat)
What's your problem?
XENA
You're driving me nuts with all these plans…
(beat)
We've been dragging our feet all day.
GABRIELLE
And your 'kill'em all' idea is much better?
XENA
Yes.
(beat)
At least we see some action,
(beat)
And another thing about this plan…
Xena begins her rant about the plan, when Gabrielle interrupts her mid-sentence by applying the Pinch.
GABRIELLE
By the gods… you never listen..
(beat)
I bet you have no idea what the plan is.
Xena sits there in shock for a few seconds, and then releases herself from it.
XENA
(angry)
I can't believe you did that!
(beat)
What the hell is wrong with you?!
GABRIELLE
With me?
(beat)
Well, your fight crazy attitude is…
Xena cuts her off with a pinch of her own.
XENA
(smug)
There… how do you like it?
Gabrielle releases the pinch and glares at Xena.
GABRIELLE
Real nice, Xena.
(beat)
Always want to one-up me.
Gabrielle in turn applies the pinch again to Xena.
GABRIELLE
At least you don't complain while you're like this…
(beat)
or constantly sharpening your sword…
Xena releases the pinch once again.
XENA
Gabrielle, don't do that again.
GABRIELLE
(laughing - applying the pinch)
What? This?
Xena takes off the pinch and immediately applies it to Gabrielle. A 'Pinch' war ensues with the two constantly releasing and applying the pinch to each other. While all of this continues, the two prankster gods sit nearby observing the scene.
CUT TO:
XBALANQUE
Brother, I have to give Ares credit.
(beat)
This is too fun.
HUN-HUNAHPHU
I must agree.
Xbalanque and Hun-Hunahphu start poking each other in imitation of what Xena and Gabrielle are doing.
XBALANQUE
(laughing)
I got you…
HUN-HUNAHPHU
I got you back…
XBALANQUE
(mocking Gabrielle)
Quit touching me…
(beat - mocking Xena)
You started this.
Hun-Hunahphu grabs his stomach and starts rolling on the ground in laughter.
CUT TO:
Xena is just about to jab Gabrielle in the neck once again, when she freezes. Gabrielle looks at her with a puzzled expression. They have been going non-stop with this little battle for quite some time.
GABRIELLE
(out of breath)
What?
XENA
Did you hear something?
GABRIELLE
Well, it's kind of hard to concentrate with you constantly cutting off the flow of blood to my brain.
(beat)
What did it sound like?
XENA
Like…
A large group of Mayan soldiers appear from all around Xena and Gabrielle. Their spears are pointed right at the pair.
GABRIELLE
Like we're being surrounded by a bunch of soldiers.
XENA
Exactly.
CUT TO:
END ACT II
ACT
III
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