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XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS Spec Script © 1999, WGAw Registered "Leap of Faith" Written by: S. M. Mears ACT TWO FADE IN: INT. THE PALACE - THRONE ROOM - NIGHT It is lavishly decorated with cushions and draperies. A large throne sits at one end, opposite the main, double door entrance. Single doors are on either side of the steps, leading to the throne. The room is vacant when Velasca drags Gabrielle in through the double doors. Gabrielle doesn't answer until Velasca tugs her arm. They walk towards one of the single doors. But just as they reach it: Velasca and Gabrielle turn to face: "ARTEMIS" at the opposite door. Not surprisingly, she looks like Phyllida, only made-up and dressed rather eccentrically. Her appearance isn't the only thing eccentric about her. She saunters over to them. She wonders off through the main doors. She pushes Gabrielle into: INT. THE EXECUTION ROOM Gabrielle stops short upon entering. Velasca shuts the door behind them. There is a large cage at the opposite end of the room, and a semicircle of bleachers surrounding it. Inside the cage is Gabrielle's other self - the "EXECUTIONER." CUT TO: INT. A LARGE PRISON CELL - NIGHT Xena and "Joxer," in chains, are brought in by two guards.
The guards take them over to a trap door in the floor. One of them opens it. The other pushes "Joxer" over to the edge. He looks down. He pushes "Joxer" into the pit. His YELL is heard. She, too, is pushed into the hole - also YELLING as she descends into: INT. THE PIT It is a cramped, dark space. There is a moment of silence, as they both listen. Then there is the sound of RUNNING WATER. He points to A GRATE in the floor, through which water starts flooding the pit. CUT TO: INT. THE EXECUTION ROOM - NIGHT Gabrielle watches in horror as Velasca aggravates the beastly "Executioner" with a whip, inside the cage.
She opens a gate in the wall and a scared villager is pushed into the cage from an adjoining room. Velasca whispers into the "Executioner's" ear. The "Executioner," drooling with anticipation, fiercely attacks the villager. Gabrielle can't bare to watch, while Velasca laughs wildly. CUT TO: EXT. THE PALACE - A COURT YARD - MORNING A woman ("HECUBA") finishes washing some laundry in the fountain on the side wall. She leaves. A moment later Xena and "Joxer" emerge from under the water, gasping for air.
He dives back under the water, and she heads off into the palace. CUT TO: INT. THE THRONE ROOM - LATER Velasca back-hands "Guard #1" in the face, as he kneels at her feet. "Guard #2" stands by at attention.
He leaves, as "Artemis" comes in from her private chamber - a bare-chested, male slave in tow. CUT TO: INT. THE EXECUTION ROOM - LATER "Artemis" sits on the cushioned bleachers, surrounded by her entourage (all male.) She claps her hands. The gate inside the cage is opened and "Guard #1" is pushed into the cage. The "Executioner" is squatting down next to the bars, looking uneasy - it's Gabrielle. Velasca comes up to the bars, from the outside, grabs Gabrielle's hair, and whispers into her ear.
Velasca gives a signal, and a guard pushes a section of wall around, revealing "Xena" hanging there, gagged and chained. But this "Xena" has short hair and wears silk instead of leather.
Gabrielle's confidence is deflated. She looks at: "ARTEMIS", who is eagerly awaiting the entertainment; "GUARD #1", who stands ready to fight, though scared witless, and "XENA", who now has a sword at her throat. Gabrielle slowly stands and prepares to attack. FADE OUT: |