ACT 3
[fade out]
ACT 2
[fade in]
CAMP SITE - LATE MORNING
Xena and Gabrielle stow their gear in the cave behind the Falls, while Janis rests.
As they prepare to leave, Janis watches Xena slide her sword into the sheath on her back.
JANIS
(reluctantly)
Xena, it's 1941.
People don't carry swords.
Xena rolls her eyes and looks annoyed.
XENA
(low voice)
What about breast daggers?
JANIS
Not a problem.
I think your bullwhip and
chakram will be okay, too.
Xena holsters the choosen weapons.
XENA
Let's go.
They make their way up the side of the cliff and into the cave with glowing walls. Xena takes the lead, while Gabrielle and Janis follow behind, talking.
JANIS
Gabrielle, something is puzzling me.
GABRIELLE
What's that?
JANIS
When we were in the tomb last year,
we found Xena's chakram embedded in
the wall along with some of your scrolls,
but Xena has her chakram now.
How can that be?
GABRIELLE
When the remaining gods imprisoned Ares,
Aphrodite came to me and asked for something
of Xena's to put with him in the tomb.
(beat)
Xena had a yin and yang chakram, that could break
into two blades when she threw it.
(beat)
I split it apart and gave Aphrodite one half
while I kept the other. That's the one Xena has.
They journey through the cave for the better part of the day. Reaching the edge of the escarpment just before dusk, they make camp for the night.
[cut to]
ESCARPMENT CAMP SITE - EVENING
After they ate, Xena and Gabrielle lay down on their bedrolls and look up at the night sky while Janis remains seated by the fire.
GABRIELLE
I tell you, it's a bear,
even from this angle.
XENA
It's a fish.
End of discussion.
Janis looks up to the sky and then back at Xena and Gabrielle.
JANIS
What are you doing?
GABRIELLE
Star gazing.
JANIS
Star gazing?
(beat)
Oh yeah...Star gazing.
I haven't done that
since I was a kid.
Gabrielle locks her hands behind her head and nestles farther down into her blankets. Xena rolls over and closes her eyes, anticipating that a sensitive chat is about to take place.
GABRIELLE
Xena and I have been debating
the stars ever since we met.
(beat)
It's a great way to sooth the savage warrior.
Gabrielle leans over and pats Xena on the ribs. Xena growls.
JANIS
Lately, if it wasn't covered in dust
or buried in a tomb, I haven't had time for it.
GABRIELLE
I learned a long time ago that you have to
make time for the little things in life.
Janis gets up from the fire and lays down to get a better view of the sky.
JANIS
It's not a bear or a fish.
(beat)
It's a man.
GABRIELLE
That'll do.
JANIS
I think I could learn to like this.
Gabrielle and Janis stare silently at the stars for a short while.
GABRIELLE
Did you know that Xena once prevented the
North Star from going out? The story is in the
scroll I wrote called "Fins, Femmes and Gems."
JANIS
Haven't read any of the scrolls yet.
That's Melinda's department.
GABRIELLE
You know, you may have my looks,
but you sure have Xena's personality.
Gabrielle and Janis talk for a short while longer and then drift off to sleep.
[cut to]
ESCARPMENT CAMP SITE - NEXT MORNING
As usual, Xena is the first to rise just before dawn. She gets up and heads off to a wooded area in search of breakfast.
Later, she returns with a variety of nuts, berries and roots. As she approaches the campsite, she sees Janis collecting fire wood.
JANIS
Morning Xena.
Did you see that sunrise?
It was magnificent.
XENA
Every sunrise up here looks like that
and Gabrielle never lets me forget
to appreciate it.
JANIS
You know Xena. You and Gabrielle
are so different, but you go together
like your sword and sheath. I wish
I had a friend like that.
XENA
You do,
(beat)
Melinda.
Janis gives Xena a questioning look as she lights up a cigar.
XENA
(cont'd)
I could see a bond between the two
of you when you came to the Falls. And
look at the risks you took to find Gabrielle
and me, because she is in danger.
JANIS
You know, I never thought of it that way.
(beat)
Melinda is such a scatter brain most of
the time, but I have to admit that her
outlook on life has inspired me.
A contemplative look comes across Janis' face.
JANIS
(cont'd)
That cracked southern bell kind of
grows on you after a while.
As Xena listens to Janis, she thinks back to the first time she and Gabrielle met. Gabrielle was just a wide-eyed young kid and irritating more times than not. But her good heart, free spirit, and dynamic character influenced Xena in so many good ways. If it wasn't for Gabrielle, she knows that her life would have turned out very differently.
Suddenly, Xena stops dead in her thoughts, realizing that she has just participated in a sensitive chat.
JANIS
Xena, I'm worried about her.
XENA
Now Now...
We'll get her back safe and sound, I promise.
I've dealt with scum like this many times before.
[cut to]
CAMPSITE - SHORT TIME LATER
Gabrielle is awakened by a series of snaps. Seeing that Xena and Janis are gone, she gets up and starts walking toward the sounds. Gabrielle walks through a stand
of trees into a clearing where she finds Xena and Janis smoking cigars and taking turns knocking apples off a tree with their bullwhips.
GABRIELLE
Are you two having fun?
JANIS
Gabrielle, Good morning.
We were just killing time till
it gets brighter. I hope we
didn't wake you.
XENA
(kidding)
Oh no.. I've seen Gabrielle
sleep through warlord attacks
on several occasions.
Gabrielle smirks at Xena.
GABRIELLE
(appearing annoyed)
Very funny.
(beat)
If you two are finished playing, let's
get something to eat and then get moving.
Gabrielle turns around and walks back to the camp while Xena and Janis stand there like two kids that just got caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
XENA
Well, she's not much of a morning person.
[cut to]
THE GREAT VINE - MORNING
After breakfast, Xena, Gabrielle and Janis start their descent down the great vine. Xena again takes the lead, with Gabrielle and Janis following.
JANIS
Gabrielle, I'm sorry if we upset you this morning.
GABRIELLE
You didn't.
(beat)
It's rare to see Xena loosened up like that with
other people around, so I always have to take the
opportunity to jerk her chain a little, when it happens.
JANIS
I envy the friendship you two have.
(beat)
I've been consumed for so
long with ancient artifacts, like my
father before me, that I haven't had
time for anything else. But I think
an attitude adjustment is due.
GABRIELLE
Why the change of heart?
JANIS
Spending time with you, Xena and Melinda
has caused me to examine my priorities.
(beat)
It's my fault that Melinda is in danger and
if she gets hurt, I'll never forgive myself.
GABRIELLE
Don't worry. I promise, we'll
get her back safely.
JANIS
That's exactly what Xena said.
Gabrielle smiles.
GABRIELLE
I guess when two people go through
life and death and life and death
and life and death together,
they start to think alike.
Xena's voice in the distance.
XENA
Come on you two. Quit talking and
get moving. We're almost at the bottom.
A short while later Xena, Gabrielle and Janis reach the bottom of the great vine. They then start to walk down the dirt road toward the old shack.
[cut to commercial]
