Production #V803 - Episode 03
 

WRITTEN BY
TNovan

DIRECTED BY
Denise Byrd

PRODUCED BY
Carol Stephens

SCREENGRABS
Judi Mair

ARTWORK
Lucia

EPISODE TITLE GRAPHIC
Linda (Calli)

TEASER

FADE IN:

EXT. SHIP DECK - DAY

Xena is leaning on the rail of the ship grinning from ear to ear as Gabrielle watches the land grow closer and closer.

XENA

You're excited.

Gabrielle pulls back a little and starts to deny it, and then she just wobbles her head back and forth and smiles.

GABRIELLE

Okay, I admit it. I'm excited. I mean

c'mon Xena, not EVERYONE gets

an invitation to go see Sappho.

Xena chuckles and rubs her partner's back as she turns to watch the land growing closer.

XENA

I wouldn't call a request

for help an invitation.

GABRIELLE

Semantics. You say ladle.

I say bear.

XENA

Right.

GABRIELLE

This is going to totally make up

for missing her on my birthday.

XENA

That wasn't my fault.

GABRIELLE

You should have check....

Xena holds up her hand and cuts Gabrielle off.

XENA

I don't need that lecture again.

Besides, I got you the poem.

Gabrielle slides over and into Xena's arms.

GABRIELLE

Yes, you did. Thank you.

Xena wraps her arms around Gabrielle and kisses the top of her head.

XENA

You already thanked me.

(beat)

Thoroughly.

Gabrielle pokes Xena in the ribs as she laughs.

GABRIELLE

Be good.

Xena leans in and whispers in Gabrielle's ear.

XENA

I'm always good.

Gabrielle can only shiver from the chills that Xena's breath on her ear cause. Xena chuckles and holds her even tighter.

GABRIELLE

So why do you think

she wants to see us?

XENA

I have no idea. The letter she

sent didn't say. She just asked

that we come and help her.

GABRIELLE

You've met her, right?

XENA

Nope.

GABRIELLE

But the poem....

XENA

I had a little help from Aphrodite on

that one. We were busy with our little

virgin friend at the time. Remember?

GABRIELLE

Gotcha.

Xena looks down at Gabrielle and smiles.

XENA

You are really excited, aren't you?

GABRIELLE

Yes! Xena, to a bard... to any creative

person, Sappho is an example of the

best. We all strive to be like her.

Xena bursts out laughing so hard that she takes a step back. Gabrielle turns to face her, confusion clearly written across her face.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

What?

XENA

Let's just say that you may

be more alike than you know.

GABRIELLE

What's that supposed to mean?

XENA

Well, you're both writers and let's

say, from what I've heard about

her, Sappho has rather

(beat)

eclectic tastes in 'companionship'.

Gabrielle looks confused for a moment then the realization of Xena's words hit home.

GABRIELLE

Oh. Okay, I gotcha.

Xena just gives her a knowing wink then proceeds to embrace her again.

XENA

Maybe if everything goes well we can

spend a few extra days and take a

little break. We've been pushing it

pretty hard these last few weeks.

GABRIELLE

Such is the life of a hero. People

to rescue, villages to save....

XENA

I wouldn't call my last adventure of

sticking my arm up that cow’s....

GABRIELLE

(cutting her off)

Don't say it. It was gross enough.

I don't need a reminder.

XENA

Well, I wouldn't call it exactly heroic.

GABRIELLE

Hey, you saved that little calf's life.

And that farmer was so grateful he

paid you with that lovely chicken.

XENA

True, but it takes something out of

the gesture when I was the one

who had to chase it down.

GABRIELLE

Yeah, but it was good. It had

been a long time since we

had a nice chicken dinner.

Above them, the Captain of the ship starts giving orders to the crew to prepare for docking.

XENA

C'mon, let's get our gear.

FADE OUT.

END OF TEASER

 ACT ONE