ACT THREE

FADE IN:

INT. ROMAN NOBLE'S CLASSY INN - PRIVATE ROOM

Gabrielle sits with her new friend. Several other Roman nobles have joined them. The room is large, but there are curtains over the windows, and a general air of secrecy about the chamber.

GABRIELLE

Wait a minute. Let me get this straight.
The fights are rigged?

BLUSTERING ROMAN

No! That would be cheating!

(beat)

That is to say, if we knew about
it, which we don't, right?

CROWD

Right.

An older man sits down right next to Gabrielle. He stares at her curiously. Gabrielle doesn't seem to notice.

BLUSTERING ROMAN

Ah! Here's Precenius! Let's go
find out the latest odds!

The crowd all clusters around a man who has just entered. Gabrielle remains where she is, her brow furrowed in thought.

GABRIELLE

This doesn't make sense.

The older man who sat next to her leans closer.

OLDER ROMAN

No more so than finding
you here, Gabrielle.

Gabrielle jumps, startled at being recognized. She studies the man carefully, but doesn't recognize him.

GABRIELLE

Who are you?

OLDER ROMAN

You don't remember me, but I remember you.
What is your game this time? Perhaps I
should make myself some extra drachmas by
telling the authorities who it is that sits in their parlor?

GABRIELLE

You're right. I don't remember you.

OLDER ROMAN

Many who saw the champion of Rome
brought down have left, moved to other
parts of the Empire. But I remained, and I
ask again, what is your business here?

Gabrielle realizes she's in big trouble.

GABRIELLE

It's personal this time. A friend of mine
was captured to become a gladiator.
I’m just trying to help him.

OLDER ROMAN

(smiling)

Of yours? Yours alone, Gabrielle?

The man looks expectantly at Gabrielle, as though he knows something and is just waiting for her to confirm it. Gabrielle thinks fast, and decides to go along.

GABRIELLE

Xena’s and mine.

OLDER ROMAN

I thought as much. That would be worth
many drachmas indeed. She is
remembered here, in certain circles.

Gabrielle looks around, but they are being ignored. She has a queasy feeling in her stomach that does not seem to be related to the conversation, and at once she is worried about Xena.

GABRIELLE

How many more drachmas would
you get if you just bet the right way?

OLDER ROMAN

(cautiously)

What do you mean?

GABRIELLE

Xena's in the pits. They don't know it.
You know her. You could bet on her, and.…

OLDER ROMAN

Ahh. She is a fine fighter.

GABRIELLE

Yes, she is... But they think
she's just a raw recruit. So....

OLDER ROMAN

That… could be a lucrative
bet, yes. Hmm.

Gabrielle gets up, feeling a sense of urgency.

GABRIELLE

Think about it. I'd love to stay
and wait, but I've got to go.

OLDER ROMAN

Don't be so hasty, Gabrielle.
We're not finished here...
I want to know more.

Gabrielle removes the man's hand from her arm.

GABRIELLE

I can't tell you more.

OLDER ROMAN

Then perhaps the authorities would
be interested in what you have said.

Somehow, Gabrielle knows she's out of time. There is some place else she needs to be. She faces the older man and her demeanor changes.

GABRIELLE

(sharply)

Then turn me in if you want. Turn us both in.
I’m sure the money will keep you in wine
for a quarter moon. But I have to go.

(beat)

NOW.

Gabrielle bolts from the room. The older man watches her leave, his face thoughtful.

OLDER ROMAN

So, Xena, Rome calls to you yet
again. Have you not learned YET?

CUT TO:

INT. GLADIATOR TRAINING PIT - NIGHT

On a pallet on the floor, near the back of one of the stalls lays a battered, beaten figure. It is Xena. Her eyes are closed, and there is a bruise across the side of her face. Blood is evident, leaking from her nose and ears.  One of the other trainees kneels next to her, cautiously dabbing at the blood with a bit of cloth.

Several other trainees stand by, watching. They whisper among themselves.

Footsteps ring out. Two people approach, and their voices grow louder as they do so.

GABRIELLE

(V.O.)

Look, just get out of my way. It's my
slave, and I've got every right to.…

Gabrielle appears in the doorway to the stall, and spots Xena. She stops speaking and gasps. Behind her is one of the guards.

ROMAN GUARD

I told you, lady.
Now wouldja get out of… ow!

Gabrielle turns and belts the guard in the chops violently and unexpectedly. The guard falls down.

GABRIELLE

Jerk. I told you to stay out of my way.

Gabrielle turns and rushes into the stall. The trainees back away from her in confusion.  Gabrielle drops to her knees beside Xena's unconscious form. Instinctively, she reaches for Xena, touching the bruises on her face.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

What happened?

No one wants to answer her. The trainee who was tending Xena sits back on his heels. Gabrielle grabs his arm.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

I asked you a question.

The trainee puts down the cloth he was using.

TRAINEE

She got too uppity. The guards
all ganged up on her.

GABRIELLE

Uppity?

Gabrielle picks up the cloth, and pulls a bucket of water closer to her.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

(under her breath)

My Xena… uppity? Never happen.

The trainee watches.

TRAINEE

She knocked a guard down. Just
like you just did. I think they'll beat
you up too, so you better hurry.

Gabrielle winces at the damage done to her partner.

GABRIELLE

They're not going to beat me up.

(looking around)

Why don't you all go find
something else to do?

TRAINEE

But there is nothing else to do.

GABRIELLE

(gritting teeth)

FIND SOMETHING.

Gabrielle stares at all of them. Muttering, the trainees all wander off, leaving Gabrielle alone with Xena.  Gabrielle makes a sound of dismay, as she cleans up Xena's wounds.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

I can't leave you alone for
a blasted minute, can I?

Behind Gabrielle, the guard crawls off into the darkness.

CUT TO:

INT. GLADIATOR TRAINING PIT - XENA'S STALL - NIGHT

It is later. It is very quiet in the pits, except for snoring. A few torches flutter nearby. Xena's injuries have been cared for, and Gabrielle sits in the straw next to the pallet, waiting.

Xena stirs. Gabrielle straightens up and looks intently at her.  Xena wakes up, and sees Gabrielle.

XENA

Hmm.… Now is *that* a sight for sore eyes.

Gabrielle is not amused.

GABRIELLE

Xena, what happened? Why did you
let them do this to you? You said you.…

XENA

Shh.

Xena takes hold of Gabrielle's hand.

XENA

(Cont’d)

(lowering voice)

I had to. They were convinced I was a
ringer, and I had to show them I wasn't.

GABRIELLE

(outraged)

Like this? Couldn't you
have just talked to them?

Xena pulls her a little closer.

XENA

No. Listen to me. I heard Beowulf's voice
behind that far wall. Some of the slaves
must have been separated and put there.

GABRIELLE

I know. It's a scam. They must have
put the good fighters with him. The
nobles are betting on those guys.

Xena puts her head back down on the pallet.

XENA

Ah. So that's the deal.

They both fall silent, as marching steps approach. Gabrielle ducks down, and a squad of soldiers marches past. They don't look into the stall. Xena and Gabrielle remain quiet until they disappear. Gabrielle leans closer.

GABRIELLE

Xena, one of the men recognized me.

XENA

Those men?

GABRIELLE

No. One of the nobles. I… he wanted
to turn me in for money. I told him
he'd make more betting on you.

XENA

He'd get more than money
for turning us both in.

GABRIELLE

I know. I think he knows that.

XENA

Great. He could blow this all any minute.

GABRIELLE

I'll stay here. It's too risky
going back to the inn.

Xena smiles.

XENA

You'll get your pretty robes dirty.

GABRIELLE

They've already got your
blood all over them. I'll cope.

Xena winces. She touches her head.

XENA

Ouch.

GABRIELLE

You look like Argo kicked you.

XENA

Argo would never kick me.

(beat)

Least it'll help my disguise.

Gabrielle peers over the stall divider. More guards are milling in the doorway.

GABRIELLE

How about next time you just
let  me draw a beard and
moustache on you, okay?

(beat)

What's the plan?
Can we get out of here now?

Xena hitches herself up on an elbow and looks around.

XENA

Not with Beowulf. Our best bet is to
create a distraction during the matches
tomorrow, and escape that way.

GABRIELLE

That doesn't sound promising.

XENA

Got a better idea?

Gabrielle doesn't. She picks up her cloth and washes Xena's face. Xena watches her with an affectionate expression.

GABRIELLE

What if that guy does turn us in?

XENA

We'll have to play it by ear.

GABRIELLE

I hate that.

XENA

I know. Can you get in to see Beowulf?
We could use some help tomorrow.

Gabrielle seems reluctant.

GABRIELLE

I guess I can. Will you promise
not to get uppity again?

Xena chuckles. It is not a nice sound.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

What should I tell him?

XENA

Just tell him to be ready.
We won't have much time.

GABRIELLE

All right. I'll go at dawn.

Gabrielle finishes her cleaning. She leans forward and kisses Xena on the lips.

CUT TO:

INT. GLADIATOR TRAINING PIT - MORNING

The trainees are herded into the center of the room. Xena stands near the back, as much in the shadows as possible. Her face is still covered in cuts and bruises.

ROMAN TRAINER

Well, well. Your training is over.

The trainees mutter among themselves.

TRAINEE

Over? We just started!

ROMAN TRAINER

Consider yourselves lucky. Today
you will die for the glory of Rome.

The sound of a gathering crowd is heard.

TRAINEE

What?

ROMAN TRAINER

Each one of you will be matched in
the arena today to the death.
Make yourselves ready.

The trainer leaves. The trainees mill around in panic. One of the guards pushes some of the trainees around and laughs.

ROMAN GUARD

Anyone wanna volunteer
to be the first to die?

Xena steps out of the shadows.

XENA

I do.

Everyone turns and looks at her. Xena smiles.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT THREE

ACT FOUR