ACT THREE

FADE IN:

INT. HEDELON CITY MAIN TEMPLE - EVE'S CHAMBERS - CONTINUOUS

Eve jumps up and faces Xena.

EVE

Mother....

Eve and Xena look at each other briefly, then Eve advances and they clasp hands.

XENA

(quietly)

Hello, Eve.

Eve seems a bit nervous.

EVE

Gabrielle was here.

She told me you were....

XENA

Here with her?

That surprises you?

EVE

Alive.

Xena looks away briefly, then back at Eve's face.

XENA

I guess you heard.

Eve releases Xena's hands and steps back, then walks slowly over to her washing table and stands, her back to Xena.

EVE

It was all over the Far East.

I couldn't help but hear.

She turns again, and faces Xena.

EVE

(cont’d)

I was on the road and I got

taken... in... by some traveling

monks. They told me.

XENA

Ah.

EVE

As a matter of fact, being

your daughter got me out of

a bad situation with them.

(looking down)

Funny how things turn out.

They admired your sacrifice.

She looks directly at Xena.

EVE

(cont’d)

So did I.

Xena stares at her.

XENA

There was nothing to admire.

EVE

I realize that now.

You tricked them.

(beat)

Why?

CUT TO:

INT. HEDELON CITY TEMPLE HOSPICE - LATE AFTERNOON

Gabrielle is just getting up from the stool next to Evan’s bedside. The patients on the surrounding pallets are all turned on their beds to listen to her, and there are many smiles as she waves goodbye.

EVAN

That was a great story!

One of the healers has also been listening. He comes up to Gabrielle.

HEALER

It was indeed. You're new here,

aren't you? I saw you speaking

with the Enlightened One.

GABRIELLE

That's right. So you like stories?

HEALER

Very much so. We don't get that many,

and cherish the ones that we do hear.

Gabrielle and the healer slowly walk down the rows of pallets.

GABRIELLE

Well, I know that sometimes when

you're trying to teach a new way,

that old stories aren't that welcome.

HEALER

(laughing)

That must be some other way, then,

storyteller.  Our way is one of love and

acceptance of others and curiosity

about the world. We love hearing

tales of other people and places.

Gabrielle looks very thoughtful.

GABRIELLE

That's good to know.

HEALER

Will you be staying, then? I saw you

have healing skills as well.  We

certainly need all who wish to serve.

Gabrielle clasps the man on the shoulder.

GABRIELLE

I don't know. But if I can

come back to help, I will.

The healer walks Gabrielle to the door and watches her leave. Another older healer comes up beside him and they stand together.

CUT TO:

INT. HEDELON CITY MAIN TEMPLE - EVE'S CHAMBERS -

LATE AFTERNOON - CONTINUOUS

Xena and Eve are squared off, facing each other across Eve's small sleeping room.

XENA

I didn't trick anyone.

EVE

Someone tricked someone.

They think you died, mother.

XENA

I did.

Eve stares at Xena.

XENA

(cont’d)

But that's a lot of accusations

coming from someone who's

fleecing everyone in sight.

EVE

What?

A soft knock sounds at the door. Eve glances at the door, but ignores it.

EVE

(cont’d)

I don't know what you're talking about.

I've spent the last few years thinking you

were dead, and now you show up here....

Another knock.

EVE

(cont’d)

(loudly)

Leave me!

XENA

(same time)

Come!

The door opens and Gabrielle's head appears, followed by the rest of her. She looks at Xena, looks at Eve, and sighs.

GABRIELLE

(to Xena)

Thought I heard your voice in here.

(pausing)

Am I interrupting something?

EVE

Yes.

GABRIELLE

Good. Xena, can I talk to you for a

minute, before this gets out of hand?

XENA

Nothing's out of hand. I just

spent the last few hours

checking out the holy dungeons.

EVE

What?

GABRIELLE

And I've spent a few hours

working in Eve's hospice.

She looks Xena in the eye.

GABRIELLE

(cont’d)

We're getting a very

mixed message here.

Xena searches Gabrielle's face, then she looks over at Eve.

XENA

Maybe we are. Or maybe Eve can

explain why her soldiers are forcing

men to work because they

can't afford her taxes.

Eve's jaw actually drops.

EVE

My WHAT? Mother, you've gone insane.

That's really what happened in Japa, isn't

it? You didn't die. You just went mad.

Gabrielle turns and faces Eve.

GABRIELLE

No.

(sighing)

She died.

There is a small period of silence.

GABRIELLE

(cont’d)

And she's not crazy, Eve.

Eve slowly sits down.

EVE

Then maybe I am. If she died, maybe

you're both a hallucination. I've

had a few of those lately.

Xena and Gabrielle exchange looks.

GABRIELLE

Maybe we should start

from the beginning.

Xena sits down on the ground with her back to the wall. She crosses her ankles and folds her arms. Her expression is somewhat dour.

Gabrielle looks at her in question. After a moment of silence from Xena, Gabrielle sighs again.

GABRIELLE

(cont’d)

Maybe I should start at

the beginning. You need to

understand why we're here.

Eve looks at her. She folds her hands together in an attitude of waiting.

CUT TO:

EXT. HEDELON CITY DOCKYARDS - EARLY EVENING

Several guards stand outside the prison. Four men with robes stand next to them. The guards are pretty beaten up... they sport bandages everywhere, and one is using a crutch.

LEAD MAN IN ROBE

Now, are you sure of what you saw?

CRIPPLED GUARD

Sir, like I said. It was one woman.

But boy, was it a woman!

SECOND GUARD

That's right, and the scum in

the lockdown she was standing

at swore she said she was

the speaker woman's mother.

LEAD MAN IN ROBE

This could be trouble, if it's true.

Let's go talk to that prisoner.

The crippled guard leads them off towards the prison.

CUT TO:

INT. HEDELON CITY MAIN TEMPLE - EVE'S CHAMBERS

Gabrielle is now sitting on the ground next to Xena. Eve is seated across from them, also on the ground.

EVE

(shaking head)

I just can't believe it.

GABRIELLE

Well....

XENA

Can't believe what

we saw exists?

Eve gets up and paces.

EVE

I can't believe it has anything

to do with me. With

what I'm doing here.

Xena also gets up.

XENA

Then come with me.

I’ll show you.

EVE

I don't have to see. I know

the people around me.

They're not like that.

Eve and Xena face off again.

XENA

That's what you

want to believe.

EVE

(hotly)

They aren't! Gabrielle, you

saw them. Do you think they're

criminals and scam artists?

Gabrielle is still seated against the wall. She has wrapped her arms around her knees and is simply watching mother and daughter.

GABRIELLE

No.

Xena gives Gabrielle an outraged look.

GABRIELLE

(cont’d)

But I know what I saw in that

town, and it was just as real.

EVE

(yelling)

Those people weren't

a part of this!

XENA

(sarcastically)

So they coincidentally ran

here to your city and use

your symbol because...?

Eve is frustrated. Xena is frustrated. Gabrielle appears mostly tired.

GABRIELLE

Eve!

Both Eve and Xena stare at Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE

(cont’d)

I know what Xena

saw was real too.

EVE

(angrily)

I don't believe it! It's not real! You're

making it all up, mother! Just

because this isn't your way of....

Gabrielle gets up and joins Xena.

GABRIELLE

(yelling back)

Eve, your mother has the

imagination of a warthog!!!!

She pauses, ignores Xena's glare.

GABRIELLE

(cont’d)

She didn't make it up. I didn't make

it up. You need to see the truth.

Eve stares at them.

EVE

All right. Fine. I'll go, but I'm

telling you, you're wrong.

XENA

Good. Prove me wrong.

Let's go.

Xena starts for the door.

EVE

I have a service I

have to be at....

XENA

Gabrielle'll cover for you.

C'mon. The sooner we

get this done the better.

Gabrielle puts her hands on her hips.

GABRIELLE

Wait a minute. I don't know

what to do in that thing….

XENA

(drolly)

You're the one with the

imagination. Use it.

(to Eve)

Coming?

Eve hesitates. She looks at Gabrielle, who smiles, shrugs, and nods.  With visible reluctance, Eve follows Xena out of the room.

CUT TO:

INT. HEDELON CITY MAIN TEMPLE - INNER CHAMBER - EVENING

Eve's acolytes are all gathered together, speaking softly. They look up as the door opens, somewhat surprised and disappointed not to see Eve entering.

Gabrielle slips in and walks over to the group.

GABRIELLE

Hi.

The little blond girl Gabrielle first met stands up.

GIRL

What have you done with

the Enlightened One?

GABRIELLE

I haven't done anything with her.

She's... meditating right now.

She asked me to sit in for her.

The group looks at Gabrielle with deep, deep suspicion.

GIRL

(indignantly)

You're new here. How do

you know anything about

what the message is?

Gabrielle settles on the floor next to them.

GABRIELLE

Well, funny you should ask me

that. See, I've known Eve for

a really long time, and I know

where she got her message from.

(pausing)

Want to hear the story?

Everyone is still very suspicious, but they are also intrigued. Slowly, they gather around Gabrielle.

CUT TO:

EXT. HEDELON CITY DOCKYARDS ROOFTOPS - NIGHT

Xena and Eve creep along the rooftop. They settle on the edge, peering over to see the prison gate.

There are at least six guards on the gate now, and more scattered over the walls. They are now armed with swords and crossbows instead of poles.

Eve looks at the prison.

EVE

Anyone can copy that symbol.

It doesn't mean anything.

Xena gives her a sideways look, then settles down to watch. A wagon rolls up to the gates and is admitted.

XENA

That's probably to take

the prisoner's work

projects to market.

Eve crawls up next to Xena and they lie shoulder to shoulder. Xena watches the gates, Eve watches Xena.

EVE

Did you really die?

XENA

Yes.

Eve reflects on this briefly, looking out across the open space before she looks back at Xena.

EVE

To put those souls at rest?

XENA

Yes.

Eve nods to herself.

EVE

So, what changed?

The monks told me you...

Xena looks over at Eve.

XENA

Being dead bored

the hell out of me.

Xena looks back at the gates. Eve shakes her head and falls silent.  After a few minutes, the gates open and the wagon rolls out, filled with crates. The symbol is very visible in the torchlight. Xena looks at Eve. Eve looks uncomfortable.

EVE

It's still just a symbol.

Xena rolls her eyes.

XENA

All right. Let's wait for the gates to close,

then we'll get in there. You wanna

see first hand? No problem.

Xena and Eve creep over to the far side of the roof, and climb down the wall to the road. They are hidden by the shadows.

XENA

(cont’d)

When that next wagon

comes up, jump on.

Eve remains silent, waiting at Xena's shoulder. The next wagon appears at the top of the street and heads for the gates. Xena tenses as it comes closer. Eve gathers her robes and prepares to jump also. At the last moment before the wagon comes up to them, Xena turns her head.

XENA

(cont’d)

I left my heart and half my soul

behind, and I had to come back for it.

The wagon comes even with them, and Xena bolts for it. Eve is caught speechless for a second, then runs after her. They catch up to the wagon and swing themselves onboard just as it reaches the gates.

The gates open, and the wagon rolls inside. The gates slam shut after it.

FADE OUT.
 

END OF ACT THREE

ACT FOUR