ACT II

FADE IN:

10. INT. TOWN LIBRARY - DAY

Rows of scrolls and parchments line the shelves. Books lay scattered on a large table. Xena wanders around looking at the titles and thumbing the occasional parchment. Galen looks for a particular item amongst the clutter. Gabrielle is transfixed.

GABRIELLE

I never imagined so many scrolls and books in one place. You say you have one of mine? That’s unbelievable.

GALEN

Here it is. One Against An Army. I can not remember how many times this has been borrowed. To many to count. Not just this one, we have, A Day In The Life and Ulysses too.

Boredom descends on Xena, impatiently she walks to the door.

XENA

I’m going to the market to see how our friends are doing. It won’t be pretty if we end up as handmaids in Rome because of them.

GABRIELLE

Let’s not become handmaidens because of you either.

Xena strides out leaving Galen and Gabrielle analyzing scrolls.

CUT TO:

11. EXT. TOWN MARKET - DAY

Xena watches the movement of people through the market.

The Traders have set up their stalls, on all sides of the square.

Xena sees one trader putting out scrolls, quills and blank books on his table. She walks over to him and lifts one of the scrolls, smelling it and wrinkling her nose slightly.

XENA

(to herself)

I will never understand why Gabrielle likes the smell of these things so much.

(to the vendor)

How much?

The vendor holds up two fingers. Xena hands him enough money for three scrolls, a new quill and some ink. As he is about to accept the money, he recognizes her.

VENDOR

You are the warrior woman who helped me and my father yesterday… saved us from those murdering thieves! There’s no charge for you. We are in your debt.

XENA

(uncomfortable)

It was no big deal. We would have done it for anyone, who needed our help.

She tries to push the dinars into the young man’s hand but he puts his hands in the air.

VENDOR

No! No! My father would disown me if I took your dinars.

(laughs)

Please, take them as a token of our appreciation.

XENA

Thanks.

She smiles slightly to herself as she walks away from the stall.

Xena notices a man bartering loudly with another vendor a few stalls down. She recognizes him from his black eye. He is one of the men in the band of thieves, who attacked the caravan of traders. She approaches stealthily, and steals herself between two stalls and waits.

MAN

(shouting)

Ten tetra dinars not one less.

(leans forward)

And if you say anything to the Romans about yesterday, I’ll slit your throat.

The man completes the transaction and spits. Xena checks her anger and accidentally bumps him, and quickly delivers a pinch to his thigh and steps back into the shadows and disappears.

The man clutches his leg and falls to the ground moaning. Thirty dinars he’s just taken from the vendor, spills onto the floor and scatters.

MAN

Oh! My leg! I can't move my leg!

The people stare at him for a moment before two of them approach and help him up. They take him away.

XENA

(to herself)

That ought to keep you out of trouble for a while.

Xena walks back toward the Library. As she reaches the stables, she stops and ducks inside, placing the scrolls and quill safely in their saddle bag.

CUT TO:

12. INT. TOWN LIBRARY -DAY

Xena arrives back at the Library, at the same moment the children burst through the door running.

ATTICUS

(shouting)

Papa! Papa! There's a sick dog near our house.

SIGNE

(also shouting)

It's all foamy and it's biting the air.

GALEN

Children show me where it is and we will see if we can help it.

The Children lead Galen, Xena and Gabrielle out to the sick dog.

CUT TO:

13. EXT. TOWN STREET - DAY

A dog staggers and stands snapping the air in the street. It is covered in the froth that drips from its mouth. The neighbors flee inside and close their doors. The street is clear except for the dog. Galen disappears inside his house and returns with a Golden Gorytus. He hands it to Xena.

ATTICUS

He’s looking for a place to die.

XENA

He’s far from dead. He hasn’t even started yet.

Xena takes the bow case from Galen. Xena looks at Galen.

Galen shrugs.

GALEN

I haven’t shot that bow in thirty years, Xena. I think you should do it and do it now.

Xena accepts the bow and as she does, time slows to a crawl. In a fog, Gabrielle, Galen and the Children watch as Xena steps out into the middle of the street. Xena wipes her brow and pulls an arrow from the case. Down the street the dog makes two steps forward and raises his head. Xena raises the bow and nocks the arrow in one swift motion. The bow string cracks as the arrow finds its mark. The dog crumples in a heap on the dusty ground

Unseen a shadow melts from the dog and time seems to return to normal.

GALEN

Fine shot, Xena!

GABRIELLE

(to Xena quietly)

Is this it Xena, has she found us?

XENA

(quietly)

I don’t know, Gabrielle. But I think so.

The neighbors open their doors one by one as the street slowly returns to normal. The sound of marching feet stirs Xena. She hands the bow and case to Galen. Gabrielle looks up the street to see Roman Soldiers heading their way.

They come to a halt directly before Xena, Gabrielle, Galen and his children. The Centurion steps forward, holding a piece of parchment in his hand.

CENTURION

You are Xena of Amphipolis. Mother of Eve, a follower of Eli, once known as Livia, Champion of Rome?

XENA

(stepping forward)

Yes, I am. What of it.

CENTURION

Xena of Amphipolis you are hereby detained. By order of an outstanding warrant by the Empire.

(beat)

Five hundred dinars are required for your release.

Xena nods her head at the Roman Soldiers and allows them to lead her away.

CUT TO:

14. INT. ROMAN JAIL CELL -DAY

Xena sits in a cell musing about the warrant for her arrest. She has a series of flashbacks:

CUT TO:

Caesar: cruelly smiling.

Antony: plucking a kiss from Cleopatra’s lips.

Pompey: waving a dagger in anger.

Eve/Livia: in battle dress.

Caesar standing and watching with Alti, as nails are driven into Xena’s hands on a cross.

CUT TO:

A knowing look passes over Xena's face.

XENA

(to herself)

Yes, Alti.

(pause)

This is your doing. All it does is prolong the inevitable.

Xena gets up and paces, waiting for Gabrielle.

CUT TO:

15. INT. ROMAN JAIL OFFICE – MID MORNING

Galen and Gabrielle argue with the Roman Centurion. The Centurion is standing arms folded across his chest.

GALEN

This is not legal. No crime is listed on the warrant. Only names, relations and a fine. It is a bounty and you know it!

GABRIELLE

And where did this come from? There is no way that any of your men could have traveled to Rome and back since yesterday!

CENTURION

(stares down at Gabrielle defiantly)

There is a warrant. There is a fine. If your friend wants to leave five hundred dinars is the price.

Galen looks at Gabrielle. Gabrielle’s eyes pool with dejection. She turns and stares at the Centurion suspiciously.

GALEN

You promise that the warrant will be expunged if we pay. Will you put your mark on that?

CENTURION

Yes.

GABRIELLE

Can I talk to Xena?

CENTURION

Yes.

(to a guard nearby)

Guard, show her to her friend.

The guard escorts Gabrielle into a back room where the jail cells are.

CUT TO:

Gabrielle stands facing Xena who is within a jail cell before her. She looks her over to make sure she's all in one piece.

GABRIELLE

Xena, what's going on? Is she doing this?

XENA

Yes, she’s behind this. She must need to slow us down. We need to leave now. Can you get me out of here? Tell Galen nothing Gabrielle, he’s not a part of this.

Xena’s face betrays her urgency. Gabrielle reaches through the bars to squeeze Xena's hand and then hurries out.

CUT TO:

16. INT. GALEN’S HOME - AFTERNOON

Galen retrieves the Gorytus that Xena used earlier. The Children watch in awe.

GABRIELLE

It’s truly beautiful Galen. The gold on the case is worked like I’ve never seen before. Did you get it in Ch’in?

GALEN

Yes, I am sorry to say it was a trophy of a brutal fight. One I should have lost. It is worth Xena’s head price in more ways than one. I owe her.

GABRIELLE

Are you sure? Perhaps some of my scrolls in the library?

GALEN

Yes more now than ever. We should get back there before he changes his mind.

Galen packs the Gorytus in a silk wrap and prepares to go. Galen kisses and hugs his children.

GALEN

Atticus, watch over your sister until I return.

ATTICUS

Yes, papa. Will you be long?

GALEN

No. Only long enough to set Xena free.

He smiles and leaves with Gabrielle.

CUT TO:

17. INT. ROMAN JAIL OFFICE- DUSK

The Centurion is surprised when Galen and Gabrielle arrive. Galen unwraps the bow case for the Centurion to see, placing it on a table.

GALEN

This Gorytus is from a land far to the East. As you can see it is of the finest quality. It is worth more than five hundred dinars. Will you accept this as payment of Xena’s release?

GABRIELLE

I don’t have dinars, just scrolls. This is all we can offer.

The Centurion examines the bow and the golden case. He picks an arrow and examines it for its trueness.

CENTURION

This is an acceptable form of payment.

(turns to guard)

Release Xena of Amphipolis to the advocate.

(to Gabrielle)

You are both free to leave this town tonight if you wish.

The Centurion pulls a small folded parchment from a stack on the table. He melts wax over a flame and lets it drip on the parchment. The Centurion then pressed his ring into the wax.

CENTURION

This is your release, proof that your fine has been paid.

GALEN

Your mark is your word Centurion. Thank you.

A Roman Guard leads Xena into the outer office and releases her. Xena hugs Gabrielle. The Centurion hands Xena the parchment. Xena shakes her head and turns to leave.

CENTURION

Do you not want your weapons?

The Centurion is smiling. A Black Shadow flickering in the whites of his eyes.

FADE OUT.

END ACT II

ACT III