Episode Guide | Teaser | Act 1 | Act 2 | Act 3 | Act 4 |
Production
#V1006 - Episode 06 |
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WRITTEN
BY
DIRECTED BY PRODUCED
BY |
SCREENGRABS ARTWORK EPISODE
TITLE GRAPHIC |
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TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. CAMPSITE - NIGHT
Xena and Gabrielle are lying side by side on their bed roll, staring up at a night sky filled with brilliant stars. A meteor streaks across the sky.
GABRIELLE Thirty-one. That one must have come from Artemis’ bow.
Two more streak by in tandem.
XENA Thirty-two and three. And those were from Athena’s.
Another meteor crosses the sky but is the biggest and brightest one yet.
GABRIELLE By the gods... that one was... was....
Xena rolls over and faces Gabrielle.
XENA Thirty-four. And probably from Ares.
Gabrielle turns her head to face Xena and gives her a brilliant smile.
GABRIELLE If you were up in the night sky, yours would be the best!
XENA Ah, now that smile, my bard, outshines all the stars in the heavens.
Even in the pale glow of the campfire, Xena sees Gabrielle blush. Xena moves closer toward Gabrielle’s lips while Gabrielle begins to reach up with her hands toward Xena’s face.
XENA (cont’d, whispering) Ready?
Gabrielle’s nod is barely perceptible. In skillful fluid motions, both women reach for their weapons and spring to their feet, sais and sword at the ready.
GABRIELLE You better come out now....
A bush at the far end of the campsite begins to shake violently.
GABRIELLE (cont’d) … before you get hurt.
The leaves of the bush begin to part and a young teen steps out with fear on his face as he holds out a shaking hand holding a scroll. He speaks in a quivering voice.
YOUNG TEEN Please... I’m just bringing a message from my mother. My name is Ersep.
Gabrielle and Xena relax their stances as the youngster steps into the firelight. Gabrielle replaces her sais into their boot sheaths and steps forward indicating to the youngster to come closer.
GABRIELLE Who is your mother?
ERSEP Tara. She said you would remember her.
Gabrielle’s eyebrows hike up in surprise and she looks back at Xena who is shaking her head as she replaces her sword by their bed roll. Ersep watches Xena closely and takes a step backward in a move crossed between fear and shyness.
XENA Well c’mon and sit down.
Ersep takes a long minute to decide, then slowly moves toward the campfire and the log Xena is indicating for him to sit on. Xena is now sitting on the bed roll back propped up on another log with her legs stretched out and crossed. Her hands folded across her chest as she stares at the youngster.
ERSEP My mother... we live in the next town to the north. She heard you were near and sent me to find you and give you this message.
He hands Gabrielle the scroll as she steps toward him. While Gabrielle reads the message, Xena observes the youngster who seems too timid and shy to be the child of the Tara they know.
Watching as Xena gives him the once over, Ersep unconsciously slides down the log, further away from Xena.
GABRIELLE Xena, Tara would like us to come see her. She says she needs our help in a family matter. Seems there is trouble in paradise.
Xena rolls her eyes and shakes her head.
XENA (muttering under her breath) I don’t do marriage counseling.
ERSEP It’s only a half day journey. I know she would be honored for you to visit.
Gabrielle looks hopefully at Xena who gives in, knowing that Gabrielle would pester her until she agreed, so she nods approval to Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE We’ll come. Now, are you hungry? We have some fish left.
ERSEP No, thank you. I must go... home... now.
He stands and backs away again with that mixture of fear and timidity. He looks over his shoulder at them.
ERSEP (cont’d) I’ll just head home now, and tell mother you will be coming.
He turns and begins to trot away.
Gabrielle calls after the fleeting youngster.
GABRIELLE You’re welcome to spend the night with us.
Ersep’s voice fades as he runs back into the brush.
ERSEP No... thanks....
GABRIELLE Hmm, he certainly doesn’t take after Tara.
XENA Nope.
Xena slides down off the log, resuming her previous position. She pats the bed roll and winks at Gabrielle.
XENA (cont’d) Now... where were we?
Gabrielle walks toward the bed roll, drops the scroll to the side, then kneels down and gives Xena a mischievous grin as we....
FADE OUT. |
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END OF TEASER |