| ACT I
FADE IN:
5. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY
A man and two children stand in a parched grain field.
The man is teaching the children how to shoot arrows from a bow. A
stuffed sack serves as a target. The sack bristles with arrows.
MAN
I know you want to shoot animals and birds, but remember not to
shoot any larks. They were your mother’s favorite
The Man looks up and notices a squad of Roman Soldiers escorting a
large group of people to town; there are several scruffy looking men, behind them,
merchants with their wagons and two women leading a horse. Soldiers completely surround
the flank and rear.
MAN
Come Atticus, Signe… we will finish our lesson tomorrow. I must
get back to work. I think business is about to pick up.
ATTICUS
(whining)
But Papa… We’ve only been here a little while.
SIGNE
Atticus is right Papa we’ll never learn to shoot the arrows
properly, if we don’t practice.
MAN
There will be plenty of time tomorrow. I promise. Come along... In
these difficult times, business must come first.
ATTICUS
But Papa…
MAN
I’ll hear no more of this, now let’s get going…
The man and the children pack up and hurry back to town.
CUT TO:
6. EXT. AT THE TOWN GATES – LATE AFTERNOON
At the town gates, the Roman Centurion pulls back on the reins,
bringing his horse to a halt. His soldiers surround the combatants as the Centurion
addresses them again.
CENTURION
(shouting)
Listen up! You are all charged with fighting within the limits of
this town. You are all fined ten dinars.
(beat)
You will also surrender your weapons. When you leave, you can have
them back.
The squad moves to collect the fines and weapons from the thieves.
THIEF LEADER
If we had ten dinars, would we have tried to rob the merchants?
CENTURION
(over hearing comment)
So, you admit to being a thief! So be it. Guards, take this fool and
his men away!
Four of the guards quickly take the band of scruffy looking men into
custody, shoving them at sword point, toward a stone building just inside the town gates.
The others remain with the rest of the group and their commander.
Gabrielle is tending to the wounds of an older man, as the Centurion
brings his steed closer. He singles out Xena and Gabrielle. Both women try to avoid the
Centurion’s gaze.
CENTURION
You two, tell me who you are. You are not thieves.
XENA
We just happened to be traveling in the same direction. When we saw
what was happening, we tried to help.
GABRIELLE
We couldn’t just pass them by. Just look the other way while
those thieve slaughtered them. I mean, look at them… They’re mostly old men and
young boys… They hardly had any weapons to defend themselves.
CENTURION
I asked you, who are you? Or would you like to wait in my
jail while I find for out myself.
A visibly angered warrior princess is about to unsheathe her
"passport" when Gabrielle steps forward.
GABRIELLE
We don’t want any trouble. I’m Gabrielle of Potediea. This
is my friend Xena of Amphipolis. We’re Greeks.
CENTURION
That’s good.
(beat)
You were fighting. Therefore you are fined.
The centurion moves to collect Xena’s sword and
Gabrielle’s sais. He then steps back staring down at the chakram hanging on the
warrior’s belt. He kicks his horse forward a couple of paces as he removes his short
sword. Gabrielle steps forward and is shoved back by one of the guards. The Centurion
lifts the chakram slightly.
CENTURION
What’s this?
Gabrielle, smiling winningly at the soldier, grabs a cloth headdress
from the head of the man whose wound she was tending and reaches for the chakram.
Removing it from Xena’s belt, she proceeds to wrap the cloth around it.
GABRIELLE
Actually, it’s going to be the rim of a hat… I just
haven’t found the right material yet.
The Centurion grunts and sheathes his sword, looking quite impressed
with Xena’s sword and Gabrielle’s sais. He guides the horse by the reins,
backing it up, his hand still steady on the hilt of his short sword.
CENTURION
(shouting)
Listen up! You are all guests of Rome while you stay in my town. If
any one of you breaks my peace, you will all be barged to Rome and sold as
slaves. Am I clear?
The small group of men and boys mumble their agreement and nod. The
Roman soldiers fall in and head in through the gates jingling their easily won ransom.
Xena pokes Gabrielle, smiling wickedly.
XENA
Quick thinking…
GABRIELLE
(grinning)
I figured if it worked in Xerxe’s dungeon, it would work here.
One of the merchants approaches the two women.
MERCHANT
Thank you for coming to our rescue. If there is any way that we can
repay you…
GABRIELLE
Glad we could help.
XENA
Come on, Gabrielle. We’ve still got things we’ve got to
do.
GABRIELLE
Good luck!
Xena and Gabrielle head into the town going the opposite direction
of the Roman soldiers and the merchants.
XENA
It’s getting dark. We’d better get our horse bedded down
at a stable, and find ourselves lodging for the night.
GABRIELLE
Look at it this way Xena, we can sure use some rest. A hot bath and
a descent bed couldn’t hurt. Something tells me we’re going to need all our
strength for what we might have to face…
Xena nods in agreement.
CUT TO:
7. EXT. TOWN SQUARE - DUSK
The two women make their way across town to find an inn. A man walks
toward Xena and Gabrielle. He is tall and closes the gap quickly with his stride.
MAN
Xena! I never thought I would see you again in a Centaur’s
lifetime! What are you doing here?
The warrior and Gabrielle both turn at the sound of her name being
called.
MAN
By the gods! I’d heard the stories but I didn’t believe
them. You have scarcely aged ten years since I saw you in Ch’in.
A perplexed Xena doesn’t recognize the man. Gabrielle is just
as surprised.
XENA
And you are?
MAN
Well I guess Centaurs do live a long time. Galen Pergamus foot
soldier of your army in Ch’in.
CUT TO:
8. EXT. TOWN SQUARE - INN - NIGHT
Xena and Gabrielle have a drink with Galen. He is in his fifties.
Distinguished gray streaking his hair.
GABRIELLE
Tell me Galen, how is it that you came to be in Xena’s army?
GALEN
I was sixteen when the army headed east. I lied to get in and I was
strong so they took me. What an adventure.
XENA
If you want to call that killing rampage an adventure. How did you
get away from them when I left? Is that why you have a Roman name now?
With a thoughtful look Galen mulls his answer. He looks at Xena and
then Gabrielle, weighing his memories against what he sees now.
GALEN
Yes, Xena it was bloody, and I grew up fast in a world that seemed to
have no other direction. When the army got back to Greece and you were gone I just walked
away. As for my Roman name, I am an Advocate of Roman Law in this town. It impresses my
clients.
Gabrielle yawns and looks embarrassed. Xena smiles and downs the
last swallow of her drink.
XENA
It’s late. We need to find a room.
(beat)
It was nice seeing you but we have to go.
GALEN
You can stay with me. I have room and my children would love to meet
you.
GABRIELLE
That’s very nice of you Galen.
(beat)
Xena, rooms are probably scarce now at this time of night.
They all get up and prepare to leave. Xena is nervous.
XENA
You know I’m not a Warlord anymore.
GALEN
Yes, Xena.
(beat)
Did I tell you that I also run a Library?
CUT TO:
9. INT. GALEN’S HOME - NIGHT
Xena and Gabrielle walk through the door. Galen enters and closes it behind them. His two children run to greet their father.
GALEN
Xena, Gabrielle, these are my children, Atticus and Signe.
GABRIELLE
Hello. I’m Gabrielle and this is my friend, Xena.
Xena just smiles and surveys the room. Gabrielle smiles knowingly
and watches Xena’s discomfort. Galen breaks the awkward silence.
GALEN
Children, these ladies have had great adventures. They have traveled
in many lands and faced great dangers.
The children sit down at the kitchen table. Galen, Xena and
Gabrielle join them. A hush of anticipation falls over the Children.
GALEN
Do you remember the scrolls I read to you at bedtime? Gabrielle is
the person who wrote them.
(to Signe)
Do you remember your favorite scroll, Signe?
SIGNE
Yes, Papa. It is One Against An Army. Xena took on the whole
Persian...
Signe’s voice trails off. A look of stunned recognition washes
over her face as she puts two and two together.
SIGNE
You - You're Xena and you're Gabrielle!
Gabrielle beams in the glow of recognition. Galen is smiling proudly
at his children. Xena is fidgeting.
GALEN
Children, we must not wear out our guests. It is time for you to go
to bed. I am sure that Gabrielle would tell you a story tomorrow if you ask her nicely.
Run along and I will tuck you in before the Gorgon comes to bite.
Atticus and Signe run to their room chattering all the way. Galen
looks around the room and sighs.
GALEN
Their mother was taken by a fever eight years ago. Atticus remembers
her a little bit but for Signe, she is just a dream. They love your stories Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
I’m amazed my scrolls have made it here.
GALEN
Gabrielle, your scrolls are read in the Library of Alexandria!
Xena looks at Gabrielle and smiles broadly.
XENA
That’s quite an accomplishment Gabrielle, congratulations. Just
don’t forget who’s broken bones, and sore feet helped you get there.
They all laugh.
GALEN
In the morning I will show you our library. You need to sleep now.
You can use the guestroom down the hall. It is small, but no morning noises should disturb
you. Goodnight and thank you again, for being my guests.
Gabrielle stands and leads Xena down the hall. Galen watches them go
and smiles to himself.
FADE OUT.
END ACT I
ACT
II
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