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Production
#V901 - Episode 01 |
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WRITTEN
BY
DIRECTED BY
PRODUCED
BY |
SCREENGRABS
ARTWORK
EPISODE
TITLE GRAPHIC |
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FADE IN:
EXT. SMALL BACKWATER VILLAGE - LATE AFTERNOON
In another of a very long series of small, nondescript villages, a tiny festival is in session. The villagers are gathered around in a central area, listening to three musicians play some tunes.
Nearby, the tavern keeper has set up a table, and is selling cups of ale and pita sandwiches including an indeterminate meat species and a greenish sauce equally anonymous.
The musicians are surprisingly good. The crowd starts clapping in more or less rhythm and some of them dance.
Xena and Gabrielle wander in from down the road, entering the village behind the crowd and stopping to listen.
They are wearing heavier clothing. Xena has a cloak on, and Gabrielle has found her coat of many colors she stashed away in some magical tree bole because she ran out of room in her bag, and is wearing that.
They appear a little travel weary, a little ragged around the edges. Xena has a bandage wrapped around one hand, and Gabrielle seems to be limping slightly - using her staff to lean on.
XENA Catchy.
Gabrielle nods in agreement. She walks over to the tavern keeper's table, while Xena stands and listens.
GABRIELLE How much?
TAVERN KEEPER Well, it's a very good year this year....
Gabrielle raps her staff against the barrel of ale, making a sharp bang. The tavern keeper jumps. Xena watches in amusement.
GABRIELLE Buster, I'm thirsty, she's thirsty, and we're both in a bad mood. How much?
TAVERN KEEPER A q-q-q-q-q-quarter dinar.
Gabrielle slaps two coins on the table.
GABRIELLE Two cups.
TAVERN KEEPER Want a sandwich?
Gabrielle looks at the sandwiches, then at the man. Then she looks down at the sandwiches quickly as one appears to possibly be moving.
GABRIELLE No thanks.
The man gives Gabrielle two cups of ale. Gabrielle takes them over and hands one to Xena. The musicians continue to play, the villagers continue to dance. Xena and Gabrielle sip their ale together in silence briefly.
XENA I like your new bargaining style.
Gabrielle hitches herself up onto a barrel and sits there.
GABRIELLE My knee's killing me. I just wasn't in the mood to dicker with him.
XENA Ah. Is that a subtle hint you want to stay at the inn tonight?
GABRIELLE (grumpily) I'm not hinting. We're staying here.
Xena gives Gabrielle a look. Gabrielle just watches the musicians.
CUT TO:
EXT. SMALL BACKWATER VILLAGE - A LITTLE LATER
The musicians finish playing, and take their bows. The villagers applaud, and congratulate the performers as they moved through the crowd.
The tavern keeper hustles over to offer them drinks. They accept, appearing a little surprised but very grateful.
LEAD MUSICIAN Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
TAVERN KEEPER Great stuff! You folks staying long? Glad to put you up in my inn.
WOMAN MUSICIAN Wow. Sure. That'd be great, but....
The tavern keeper wipes his hands on his apron and starts to head off.
TAVERN KEEPER No trouble! No trouble.... Glad to have you.
The musicians watch the tavern keeper go, then look at each other.
LEAD MUSICIAN Boy, that's different.
WOMAN MUSICIAN You can say that again. Not like the last place. We were lucky we got out of there when we did.
LEAD MUSICIAN Good thing is right. Making their own rules like that.... Ought to be a law.
WOMAN MUSICIAN Yeah? Who'd enforce it? Those guys were mean, and they sure didn't like our stuff.
Gabrielle has been listening.
GABRIELLE Why? What was the problem? Your music is really good.
The musicians look at Xena and Gabrielle. The lead musician walks over to where they are sitting.
LEAD MUSICIAN Hi. I can see you're fellow travelers. My name's Gorat, and these are my mates Ela and Dano.
GABRIELLE Yes we are. My name's Gabrielle, and this is Xena.
The musicians all stare at them.
GORAT You don't mean....
GABRIELLE Yes.
ELA Are you...?
GABRIELLE Yes.
DANO But are you the real…?
GABRIELLE We're the only ones we know.
GORAT Wow. Ah... uh.... We didn't mean to sound like we were complaining....
ELA Or bother you.... Ah....
Thunder rumbles overhead. Xena looks up.
XENA Can we take the awe inside? I’m over getting rained on.
GORAT I... inside?
XENA Inside.
Xena points. Everyone starts walking where she points, even Gabrielle. This seems to surprise Xena just a little.
XENA (cont’d) (under breath) Hmph. Just like in the good old warlord days.
Gabrielle turns and looks at Xena, both eyebrows raised. Xena smiles at her and joins her as they walk on towards the inn.
GABRIELLE You think it's trouble?
XENA (wryly) You and I are here. What do you think?
It starts to rain. Gabrielle looks up at the rain, looks over at Xena, and just shakes her head.
FADE
OUT. |
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END OF TEASER |
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