The adventure of a lifetime awaits Melinda Pappas and Janis Covington,
as Melinda makes an amazing discovery while translating the Xena Scrolls.
Coming up next on XENA WARRIOR PRINCESS
TEASER
6 months have passed since Janis Covinginton and Melinda Pappas discovered the Xena Scrolls in Macedonia. Janis is away on an archeological dig in New Zealand and Melinda has taken a position as an Archives Associate at Harvard University.
[fade in]
HARVARD UNIVERSITY - 1940 - EVENING
It is a crisp October evening as Melinda walks down a leaf covered path that meanders through the grounds of Harvard University. The air has the smell of the impending winter ahead and the leaves crunch under her feet, announcing her presence to every squirrel around. She stops at a small, ivy-covered building, which is where the Xena Scrolls are being stored for translation. As she starts up the stairs, Melinda observes the figure of a middle-aged man coming towards her. After giving a strained squint, she soon determines it is the grounds keeper.
GROUNDS KEEPER
Good evening Miss Pappas.
What brings you out this time of day?
MELINDA
(southern accent)
Oh, I was feeling a bit restless so I
thought I would do some work.
GROUNDS KEEPER
Need to pace yourself now.
You know what they say about
all work and no play.
MELINDA
Yes Sir. But don't I see you
here all the time. You need to
take your own advice.
GROUNDS KEEPER
(chuckling)
You're absolutely right, but I
guess it's just in our natures.
(beat)
Have a good evening.
MELINDA
Bye bye.
Melinda continues up the stairs and into the building, pulling her coat up tight around her shoulders, when a gust of wind whips through the garment. Her footsteps echo as she clickity clacks down the long hallway and enters the scroll room.
When she turns on the switch, a dust covered bulb illuminates the room, creating a warm, diffused glow. There is a musty smell permiating throughout the building that reminds Melinda of visits, as a child, to her father's university office.
On the table in the corner sits a row of neatly aligned scrolls. Melinda takes the one labeled One Against an Army and removes it. She sits down at her desk and carefully unrolls the aged parchement before beginning to translate the foreign symbols.
MELINDA
(talking to herself)
Only two more scrolls after
this one, and I'll be finished.
Janis will be happy when she
comes back.
(a snort)
Whenever that is.
As she continues to work late into the evening, Melinda's mind keeps retreating to thoughts of sleep. Suddenly, her eyes grow wide as she reads the seemingly, never-ending fight sequence in the barn between Xena and the Persians. She bits her lip when she comes to the part where Xena pummels the soldiers as she effortlessly swings the ball and chain over her head.
Completely absorbed in the story, Melinda is startled when something runs over her foot. She jumps and the scroll drops to the floor rolling, as if it were chasing the mouse that is fleeing the scene of the crime.
To her horror, the parchment becomes detacted from the roller and when it does, Melinda makes an amazing and unforseen discovery.
MELINDA
(dumfounded and gasping)
OH MY!
END OF TEASER
[cut to opening theme]
In the time of ancient gods, warlords and kings,
a land in tumoil cried out for a hero. She was Xena.
A mighty princess, forged in the heat of battle.
The Power... The Passion... The Danger...
Her courage will save the world.
[cut to commercial]
Xena is brought to you in part by....
[fade out]
ACT 1
