 |
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 7.4: Arabian Nights
Written by Hadley Langosy & Heather Creely
Directed by Laura
TEASER
1. EXT. - DESERT - DAY
A thief falls to the ground, raising dust as his head hits the sand.
CUT TO:
Another thief crashes into the sand with an audible
"oomph" as he lands.
CUT TO:
A third goes reeling backwards, trying to catch his balance, and
finally stumbling over his own feet.
CUT TO:
Xena and Gabrielle are standing in the midst of many unconscious
thieves scattered about the ground. They stand wrapped in light, cream colored silken
robes that protect them from the desert heat and Gabrielle can be seen replacing one of
her sais into the holder on her boot. Xena dusts the sand from her hands, indicating a job
well done.
XENA
(to the thieves)
When I said that you wouldn’t be taking our money, I meant it.
GABRIELLE
Xena, some people just don’t listen.
The two continue their journey through the desert, making sure to
step over the bodies as they climb the sand dune, leaving the thieves groaning where they
fell.
CUT TO:
2. EXT. - EDGE OF THE DESERT - DAY
Xena and Gabrielle reach the top of a dune and a city, Makkah, can
be seen in the distance. It shimmers in the afternoon sun, its multi-colored, gold leafed
turrets catching the rays of the sun and reflecting it back like mirrors. Small figures
can be seen coming and going through the main gates. A man can be seen herding a group of
camels, a few children and dogs running around him.
The heat on the sand makes the air before the gates waver.
GABRIELLE
It's so beautiful.
(beat)
I wish Eve had come along. I bet she would have enjoyed this.
XENA
Yeah, a break would have been good for her. But she is so dedicated
to spreading Eli’s message. She wouldn’t hear of any delay.
(beat)
She can be so stubborn sometimes.
GABRIELLE
(smiling)
Hmmmm, I wonder where she gets that from.
(beat)
You know, I will be glad to finally get out of this desert though.
I’m slowly beginning to grow tired of all this sand.
She shakes her wrap, sending sand flying everywhere.
XENA
I know. You get it in your boots, in your clothes, and it never
wants to come out.
GABRIELLE
(pondering)
When you think about it, the world is so different. Greece and Chin
are loaded with lush green fields, high mountains, waterfalls, and trees. Then in between
the two countries is this land that is so desolate, arid, mountainous and full of sand
that shifts from place to place.
She turns to glance behind them and out into the wind swept desert
where their footsteps are already being erased. Xena follows her gaze and then looks back
at Makkah.
XENA
(smiling)
Yes, it certainly is different... Gabrielle, what do you think of us
taking a few extra days rest here in Arabia? After everything we have been through, a
little relaxing might not be a bad idea.
GABRIELLE
Sounds good to me. I mean, there is no rush for us to get to Egypt
anyway.
They head down towards the city, leaving yet another track in their
wake.
CUT TO:
3. EXT. - OUTSIDE MAKKAH - DAY
Xena and Gabrielle continue down the other side of the dune, and
onwards toward the city. As they approach the outer city wall, they see a somewhat
distraught man running towards them. He pushes his way through the throng of children and
stumbles to a halt before Gabrielle.
MAN
Is it you?
(beat)
Is one of you, Scheherazade?
Xena and Gabrielle glance at one another in confusion for a moment.
GABRIELLE
Why are you looking for her?
MAJEED
I am Majeed, a royal servant to King Schahriar.
He pauses for a moment to fully catch his breath and seems to be
determining if he should continue. Then, seemingly having come to a decision in his head,
he continues.
MAJEED
(continued)
You see, his royal highness has been marrying a new bride each day,
and the following morning he kills her and marries again. Scheherazade is his next bride,
travelling from Ar Riyad.
XENA
(taken aback)
Why would he do this?
MAJEED
He was betrayed by a woman, he is taking his revenge on all women
for he feels that they are all the same. The king is not an evil man, but his heart has
been hardened by this betrayal.
He leans in towards Gabrielle, as if he is about to divulge a
secret. Xena leans in to hear what he has to say.
MAJEED
(whispers)
Scheherazade said that she had a plan to end all of this, so that is
why it is important for me to find her. I fear that one day my own daughter may suffer the
same fate. The King does not care about class or status. So, I must find Scheherazade. If
she can stop this massacre, it would be a great relief.
He pauses again, eyeing Gabrielle for a moment.
MAJEED
(cautiously)
Although, I fear that she may have been killed by a band of thieves
that are known to be nearby.
He glances out nervously at the desert as the children run past him
again, dogs nipping at their heels.
XENA
Well, I don’t think that the thieves will be a problem.
GABRIELLE
No, they were no problem. For you see, I am Scheherazade, and this
is my slave girl, Amira.
FADE TO BLACK.
END TEASER
ACT I
|
 |
