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Production
#V1007 - Episode 07 |
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DIRECTED BY PRODUCED
BY |
SCREENGRABS ARTWORK EPISODE
TITLE GRAPHIC |
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TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. DESERT HILLS - DAY
It is a bright sunny day. Too sunny, in fact. Across the hills, the heat rises from the desert floor in mirage-like fashion. The only vegetation in sight is a few bits of brown scrub. The wind whips across the terrain, lifting the sand in swirling dust devils.
Over the top of a hill, Xena and Gabrielle appear dressed in appropriate desert garb. They trudge slowly over the crest of the hill and down the other side, their high soft boots leaving deep prints in the sand behind them. Neither one appears very happy.
GABRIELLE Are you sure we turned the right way at the Dead Sea?
XENA Yeah, yeah, I'm sure.
XENA (cont’d, to herself) I think.
Gabrielle stops and spins around a few times, untangling the ends of her long tunic which has wrapped itself around her legs. She sighs in frustration and then spits.
GABRIELLE Pah! Bleck! I hate the taste of sand.
XENA Then keep your mouth closed.
Xena's eyes twinkle mischievously and she glances sideways at Gabrielle, who opens her mouth to protest just as another dust devil swirls between them, giving her another mouthful.
GABRIELLE Ugh!
She spits again and glares at Xena, who flashes her a cheeky grin.
XENA Told ya.
She walks on and Gabrielle shuffles to catch up with her.
GABRIELLE Yeah, well, my mouth isn't the only place full of sand. Think we might find a place to wash up a little?
XENA Getting a little edgy, my bard?
GABRIELLE (grumbling sarcastically) You know how fond I am of the desert.
XENA That makes two of us. But let me point out that I'm not the one who necessitated this little trip.
Gabrielle stops and places both hands on her hips.
GABRIELLE What is that supposed to mean? Huh?
She catches up again.
GABRIELLE (cont’d) You think this is my fault? Xena! There is no 'Gabrielle effect.' I swear.
XENA (drolly) Uh huh.
GABRIELLE Xena!
XENA I love it when you say my name.
Gabrielle gives her a close approximation of THE LOOK, and storms ahead of her. Xena laughs lightly and shakes her head, then lengthens her stride until they are even, and places a hand on her shoulder. Gabrielle shrugs her off.
XENA (cont’d, softly) Gabrielle, I'm sorry.
Gabrielle's eyes narrow as she considers the apology. Xena smiles and she can't help but smile back. She reaches out and Xena accepts the invitation, twining their fingers together as they continue to walk.
GABRIELLE Thank you. Xena, it's really not my fault the grail ended up in my pack.
XENA I know, but I'll be damned glad to be rid of it and the bad luck. Fire-breathing dragons. Ghosts. Minion-wannabes.
GABRIELLE (chuckling) Xena, that was no bad luck. Our life was like that before we came to possess the grail.
XENA True. All the same, it needs to go back where it belongs. Merlin's voice calling out from your bag in the middle of the night gives me the heebie-jeebies. Not to mention he has some lousy timing.
Gabrielle blushes.
GABRIELLE I wonder why Galahad wanted it so badly if it's supposed to be such bad luck?
XENA Beats me, but knowing Merlin, he put it in your bag knowing we'd do the responsible thing and return it to the temple they took it from.
She stops and sniffs the air, and smiles broadly.
XENA (cont’d) Come on, your bath awaits. There's water just over that next rise.
She sniffs again and frowns.
GABRIELLE What is it?
Xena doesn't answer, but leads them quickly to the top of the hill. Below them is a beautiful oasis with a sparkling blue pond, surrounded by lush green grass and several tall palm trees. On the other side of the pond is a herd of Arabian horses in various colors, some grazing and some lapping at the water.
GABRIELLE (cont’d) Oh. They're gorgeous.
Xena's face is pained and her answer is almost whispered.
XENA Yes, they are.
Gabrielle places a hand on her shoulder.
GABRIELLE You okay?
XENA Yeah. Just... I found Argo in a herd like that one. Not too far from here, as a matter of fact.
GABRIELLE Really? Xena, you never told me you'd been this way before we met.
XENA (sadly) Never came up.
Gabrielle places her arm around her waist.
GABRIELLE You wanna talk about it?
Xena manages a smile and returns the side-hug, nodding slightly.
XENA It was right after I met Hercules. Right before I met you. It was one of the loneliest times of my life.
GABRIELLE If you were so lonely, why didn't you go back to Hercules? He was your friend. He would've welcomed you, Xena. After what he did for you, wasn't he your hero?
XENA (quietly) Hero? No. Mentor, maybe, but I never though of him as my hero. Besides, I was too pig stubborn. I had to figure out a few things on my own.
Xena smiles down at Gabrielle, and ruffles her hair.
XENA (cont’d) Come on, let's go check out the water.
Gabrielle studies her intently and slowly nods in agreement, apparently accepting the change of subject. They walk hand-in-hand toward the pond as we....
FADE OUT. |
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END OF TEASER |