ACT ONE

FADE IN:

EXT. TOWN - DAY

Xena and Gabrielle disembark from the ship, walking down the gangplank into the bustling shore town. Xena stops and reaches into the pack she is carrying. Retrieving a piece of parchment she reads it over again then puts it back in the sack.

XENA

We're supposed to find a man

named Delivin. He owns the local

stables. Sappho said she has

arranged a carriage for us.

GABRIELLE

A carriage? You mean we get to

travel like royalty instead of

getting blisters on our butts?

XENA

I don't get blisters on my

butt any more. It's too tough.

Gabrielle smiles and looks at the area in question.

GABRIELLE

Not the last time I checked.

XENA

(slightly embarrassed)

Be good.

Gabrielle moves toe to toe with her partner and gives her a very silly grin.

GABRIELLE

In the words of a very wise friend

of mine, 'I'm always good'.

XENA

Then there are days like today

when you're an evil little tease.

GABRIELLE

(blinking innocently)

Who me?

XENA

Yeah, you.

Xena smiles and gives Gabrielle's nose a little tweak.

XENA

(Cont’d)

Let's get going. I'd like to be there

before dark. Her letter says her place

is on the other side of the island.

They turn and make their way through the streets, looking for any sign of the stables. Xena begins to notice that most people are taking notice of them. Her senses heighten, but she feels like there's no trouble afoot. She watches as people step to the side and talk to each other in whispers, giving them quick glances as they continue on. Gabrielle gives Xena a little nudge and addresses her out of the side of her mouth.

GABRIELLE

Why are they looking at us like that? Do

we have something they haven't seen before?

XENA

You got me. Maybe they're not accustomed

to warriors coming through here. I wouldn't

think this would be the kind of

place they'd take a vacation.

GABRIELLE

Makes sense. Maybe you should take

your sword off. We don't want them

to think we're here to start trouble.

XENA

Over my dead body.

Gabrielle gives Xena a look that shows her dislike for that particular phrase.

XENA

(Cont’d)

Sorry, wrong choice of words.

Xena finally decides to take the matter at hand and moves to one of the locals.

XENA

(Cont’d)

Excuse me?

The MAN turns, he looks at them both and then back to Gabrielle, his face breaks into a huge smile.

MAN

My dear, you look wonderful. I like

what you've done with your hair.

But the outfit is definitely NOT you.

Xena and Gabrielle look to each other, seriously confused. Gabrielle clears her throat and smiles.

GABRIELLE

Thanks.

(beat)

I think.

Xena steps forward towards him and gets his attention again.

XENA

Could you tell us where

the stables are?

The man looks between them, also seriously confused, but he shrugs it off and points down the street.

MAN

Just down that way then

turn left. You can't miss it.

XENA

Thanks so much.

C'mon, Gabrielle.

As they walk away a WOMAN joins the man. She watches the duo walk away, and then turns to her husband.

WOMAN

It looks like Sappho has

found another one.

MAN

And something's up. The

warrior called her Gabrielle.

WOMAN

I don't even think I want to know why.

She's a strange, strange woman.

CUT TO:

EXT. TOWN - DAY

After managing to find the stables, Xena knocks on the door as she sticks her head in to see if anyone is around.

XENA

Hello?

Delivin, the young man who is the local holster, comes out of the back, wiping his hand on a rag. He's not looking at them as he moves to the front of the stables. He tucks the rag in his pocket and looks up.

DELIVIN

Oh it's you! I've got your carriage fixed.

It's ready to go whenever you are.

XENA

What?

He looks to Xena then shyly points at Gabrielle.

DELIVIN

Her carriage. It's fixed.

Xena is beginning to wonder if everyone here is just a little nuts.

XENA

Riiiiiiiight. Thanks.

DELIVIN

Give me just time to hitch up the

team and you can be on your way.

Delivin exits the building, leaving Xena and Gabrielle looking at each other in disbelief.

GABRIELLE

Now I know why she sent for us.

XENA

Why?

GABRIELLE

Because she wants us to

get her off this crazy island.

XENA

I wonder what kind of things

they grow around here.

GABRIELLE

What? You lost me.

XENA

I think they're all putting a little

extra henbane in the nutbread.

Gabrielle laughs, but it's cut short with the return of Delivin.

DELIVIN

You're all set. Should be a beautiful

evening for a drive. Have fun.

XENA

We will. You want to tell

us which way to go?

Delivin looks to Gabrielle and shrugs his confusion, gesturing aimlessly.

DELIVIN

You know how to get there.

Follow the south road until

you reach the gates.

Gabrielle smiles at him, giving him the kind of smile one gives when they don't want to upset a lunatic and then takes Xena's arm.

GABRIELLE

Thank you. C'mon,

Xena, let's get going.

Gabrielle practically drags Xena out of the building to the waiting carriage. After a brief hesitation on Xena's part, they climb into the very comfortable little buggy and head down the southern road.

CUT TO:

EXT. DAY – SOUTHERN ROAD

Xena reins the team, stopping them just outside a set of gates. The gates are attached to tall stone walls that seem to go on forever in either direction.

GABRIELLE

See I was right.  She's

afraid of those people.

Xena climbs out of the carriage, and then assists Gabrielle out. She walks up to the gates and looks at the large bell hanging from the wall.

XENA

Huh, look at this. It's a

door and a bell. Does

that make it a doorbell?

Gabrielle rolls her eyes at the very bad joke.

GABRIELLE

Just ring the thing.

Xena grabs the rope and gives the bell a pull. A moment later the gates are opened. An extremely handsome young man greets them. His jaw drops open when he sees Gabrielle, and he looks back and forth between the estate beyond the gates and Gabrielle.

YOUNG MAN

How did you get out here?

Gabrielle puts a hand on her hip.

GABRIELLE

I rode in this carriage.

YOUNG MAN

But....

XENA

(cutting him off)

Look, we're here to see Sappho.

YOUNG MAN

Wha...?  I don't....

Xena cuts him off again.

XENA

Is she here or not?

YOUNG MAN

Obviously.

GABRIELLE

(mumbling)

To you, maybe.

XENA

Just let us in.

The young man steps back and waves them in.

YOUNG MAN

(stammering)

Yes, of course I'm so sorry.

XENA

Finally.

They walk in past him. He grabs the reins for the horse and leads them behind the gates, which he then orders closed. He tosses the reins to another man standing near him and then scuttles to catch up with Xena and Gabrielle.

YOUNG MAN

(to Gabrielle)

Please forgive me. I didn't mean

to upset you. It was just such a

shock to see you standing there.

GABRIELLE

We've been getting a lot of that

today. I'd really just like to go

somewhere and rest for a few minutes.

YOUNG MAN

Of course. Of course.

The young man practically runs a few paces ahead of them, leading them into the main house. He leads them down a long hall then stops and turns, bowing to them.

YOUNG MAN

(Cont’d)

I'll see to dinner.

And bring it to your room.

Before either of them can say a word he dashes back down the hall the way they came and is gone. They watch him go then slowly turn and look down the long hall with a half dozen doors on either side.

GABRIELLE

Care to guess which one is ours?

XENA

Like I care. Pick one.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE

 ACT TWO