XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
Spec Script
© 1999, WGAw Registered
XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
"Leap of Faith"
Written by: S. M. Mears
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
INT. THE EXECUTION ROOM - DAY
In the cage, Gabrielle prepares to attack "Guard #1,"
sword in hand. Everyone waits with anticipation.
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"ARTEMIS"
Come on Pumpkin... KILL! |
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Gabrielle takes a deep breath and charges. She lacks the "Executioner's" hurricane speed, but she is ferocious-looking, none the less. So much so, that "Guard #1" freezes, which Gabrielle doesn't expect. She has to pull back at the last minute in order to keep from giving a fatal blow.
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GABRIELLE
(whispering to him)
Defend yourself.
"GUARD #1"
What?!
GABRIELLE
Fight me! |
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He does. They both fight with desperate force.
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VELASCA
(noticing)
What?... NO! |
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"Guard #1" plants a fierce kick on Gabrielle's midsection, sending her flying into the bars of the cage, and landing in a heap on the floor. "Artemis" jumps up from her seat.
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"ARTEMIS" (horrified)
PUMPKIN! |
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She rushes down to the cage. On her way to Gabrielle, she shoots a power bolt at "Guard #1," killing him instantly. Gabrielle looks at "Artemis" in a daze.
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"ARTEMIS"
Pumpkin, are you hurt?
VELASCA (furious)
Wrong choice, pet!
(raising her hand)
Say good-bye to your precious Xena! |
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She sends a power blot towards a petrified "Xena," that is deflected by another bolt from "Artemis."
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"ARTEMIS"
No, no, darling. That one belongs to me. HECUBA! |
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"Hecuba" comes in through the gate in the cage. Gabrielle looks at her in confusion, as she helps Gabrielle up and takes her away.
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"ARTEMIS"
(to Gabrielle)
I'll be right with you, sweetie. |
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She goes to "Xena" and pulls down her gag.
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"ARTEMIS"
(continuing)
As for you, you naughty girl. First you steal some of my hind's blood and give it to that maniacal Sovereign, causing me major head-aches... and then you disappear.
"XENA"
(in her high pitched, nasal voice)
I was frightened.
"ARTEMIS" (sweetly)
Of what?
(puts a hand on her cheek)
Of me?
("Xena" nods her head)
Well... you should be. |
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"Artemis" punches "Xena" in the stomach.
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"ARTEMIS"
(to "Guard")
Take her to the Inventor.
"XENA"
Oh, please! Not the Inventor!
"ARTEMIS"
Oh, yes! Then you'll think twice before you run away from me again.
(to "Guard #2")
Bring her to me when he's done with her. |
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She walks past a fuming Velasca, as she heads towards the Throne Room door.
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VELASCA
That's it? That's her punishment?
"ARTEMIS"
What do you suggest? An execution? |
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She gives her a discouraging look and leaves.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE COURT YARD - DAY
Gabrielle is in the fountain and "Hecuba" is dunking her head under, repeatedly. After a few times...
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GABRIELLE
(gasping for air)
What are you trying to do? Drown me?
("Hecuba" backs away)
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you. I'm just not who you think I am. I mean... I am, but... not. I'm not going to hurt you.
"HECUBA"
Who are you?
GABRIELLE
I'm Gabrielle. Just not your Gabrielle.
"HECUBA"
My Gabrielle? What do you mean?
GABRIELLE
(getting out of the fountain)
You know... Your daughter.
"HECUBA" (confused)
My daughter's name is Lila.
GABRIELLE
No. Your other daughter.
"HECUBA"
Look. I don't know who you are, but I have one daughter. Lila.
(proudly)
The best prostitute in Thessaly.
GABRIELLE
Lila's a... By the gods!
"HECUBA"
Just tell me where you've put the Executioner, and--
GABRIELLE
She's your daughter, too. Don't you remember?
"HECUBA"
I'm calling the guards!
GABRIELLE
(stopping her)
No! Wait. Please. Artemis must have done something to... Oh, what a mess!
"HECUBA"
The Goddess has been very good to us.
GABRIELLE
Us. Daddy's here, too?
"HECUBA" (anxiously)
That's it. Guar--!
GABRIELLE
(covering her mouth)
No. Please. I'm sorry. I... Where is your husband?
"HECUBA"
I'm not telling you.
GABRIELLE
But he is here in the palace. He works here, like you?
"HECUBA"
Yes. He's the Inventor.
GABRIELLE
The Inventor?
"HECUBA"
He invents the devices of torture Artemis uses to punish her slaves.
(a little too proud)
He's quite brilliant.
GABRIELLE
(trying to ignore the last remark)
Does Velasca know you two are here? What am I saying? Of course she does.
(grabbing "Hecuba's" hand)
Come on. We have to get you out of here.
"HECUBA" (resisting)
I'm not going anywhere.
GABRIELLE
You're in danger.
"HECUBA"
From you, maybe.
GABRIELLE
No... you don't understand. Velasca will kill you.
"HECUBA"
Why? I do my job.
GABRIELLE
Because, you're my-- Trust me.
"HECUBA" (insistent)
No. You tell me where the real Executioner is or I call a guard.
GABRIELLE
(beat)
I don't know. Velasca took her.
"HECUBA"
Why would she do that?
GABRIELLE
Because she wants to kill Artemis, so she needs the hind's blood.
"HECUBA"
I don't believe you.
GABRIELLE (frustrated)
Why would I lie to you?
"HECUBA"
(trying to stay above it all)
I don't know. I don't know you.
GABRIELLE
Look... Velasca switched me with the other... me, so I could find the hind's blood for her.
"HECUBA"
And you think Artemis will tell you?
GABRIELLE
I hope so. The sooner I find it, the sooner we can get out of this place. |
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A guard comes into the yard.
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"GUARD #3"
The Executioner's presence is requested in the throne room. |
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CUT TO:
INT. THE PALACE - TORTURE CHAMBER - SAME TIME
"Xena" is hooked up to a HIDEOUS CONTRAPTION -- terrified. Think The Princess Bride or Frankenstein, but the machine should be vertical. There are strange MECHANICAL NOISES coming from the back of it. Suddenly, "HERODOTUS" pops out from behind the machine.
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"HERODOTUS"
There. That should do it.
"XENA" (seductively)
You know... Hero baby. I could make it worth your while if you let me out of this thing.
"HERODOTUS"
No thanks. I love my job.
"XENA"
I love my job, too, that's why I'd rather stay in one piece. |
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He pulls a lever, and bolts of electricity shoot through "Xena." After a moment, he turns it off.
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"HERODOTUS"
Finding new means of torture... Seeing the different physical effects I can create... There's nothing better!
"XENA"
(still buzzing)
What's this one called?
"HERODOTUS" (with pride)
The Sizzler.
"XENA"
Descriptive |
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He pulls the lever again. But this time there is a ZINGING noise, as:
THE CHAKRAM ricochets off several surfaces, finishing with the lever, turning off the machine. "Xena" and "Herodotus" turn to see:
XENA catch the chakram.
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XENA
Sorry to interrupt, but she and I have an appointment.
"HERODOTUS"
Not until I'm finished with her.
XENA
Plans change. Get over it. |
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On her way to release "Xena," "Herodotus" tries to intervene, but Xena knocks him out with a swift punch to the jaw.
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XENA
Sorry.
"XENA"
Who are you?
XENA
I'm you. In another life.
"XENA"
(looking her over)
Well... Good for me! |
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CUT TO:
EXT. A NEAR-BY VILLAGE - EVENING
Velasca's soldiers are capturing "recruits" from the villagers. A LIEUTENANT shouts above the chaos.
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"LIEUTENANT"
We must all join the Savior. For only she can bring peace to this cruel and vicious land. |
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"Joxer" and his men come upon the skirmish.
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"JOXER"
Well, fellas. Looks like we have a little detour. |
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They start fighting the soldiers, allowing captured villagers to flee.
CUT TO:
INT. THE PALACE - A HALLWAY - NIGHT
The two Xena's rush down the hall, then stop at an intersection. Xena cautiously looks in all directions.
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"XENA"
Where are we going?
XENA
I'm hoping you'll tell me.
"XENA"
Tell you what?
XENA
Where the hind's blood is.
"XENA"
How would I know? |
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Xena grabs her by the throat.
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XENA
It won't take long to revive the Inventor. I'm sure he'd love to finish--
"XENA"
OK! Ok. But why do you think I know where it is?
XENA
You stole some, didn't you?
("Xena" sheepishly nods her head)
So where is it?
"XENA"
The blood I stole? Gone.
(Xena tightens her grip)
OK! I'll take you to it. But it won't be easy.
XENA
I'm sure you'll manage. |
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They head down the intersecting corridor.
CUT TO:
INT. THE THRONE ROOM - NIGHT
"Artemis" sits on the throne and Gabrielle sits at her feet. "Artemis'" skimpily clad companions lounge about the torch-lit room.
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"ARTEMIS"
(to Gabrielle)
I realize that we all have our off days now and then, so I won't say another word.
(whispers in Gabrielle's ear)
But don't you ever embarrass me like that again! Do you hear?
(for all to hear)
But enough said. We'll forget it ever happened.
(the crowd applauds; to Gabrielle)
Only... when I think of all I've done for you.
(lost in memory)
I've loved you, protected you... given you a purpose in life... and what do you do? |
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The crowd reacts with agreeing sympathy. "Artemis" strokes Gabrielle's head.
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"ARTEMIS"
(continuing)
A mother gets no respect. None. Now, you listen to me, my pet. You learn from your mistakes.
(leaning over, so her face is close to Gabrielle)
Cause we wouldn't want anything to happen to my little Pumpkin. Now would we? Hmmm? |
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Gabrielle is overwhelmed by the insanity surrounding her.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT III
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