TEASER

FADE IN

Under the hot, midday sun, heat seems to rise from the ground inside the stone walls of Athens. Flies are buzzing all around landing on fruit and meat that lie on the ground, rotting in the heat. The streets are almost empty, and the people who walk around are dressed in tattered, dingy clothes that look like they haven't been washed for some time. There are dead bodies lying on the ground, as well as sick people who have collapsed and are too weak to walk. The sound of moaning from the sick is heard all over the city.

In the center of the city, there is a large, palatial stone building--it's the hall of the city government. A healthy looking man in a white toga walks toward the building's wooden doors and opens them. He walks into a large room, continues down a long hall and then climbs a winding stairway before entering another room. The walls of the room he enters has scattered candles in the walls and no windows. Several women servants hover around a bed that sits in the center of the room.

MAN (clears throat):
     Ahem.

The women look at the man in white. He ushers for them to leave and they bow instantly, obeying. The women leave the room and the man walks up to the bed. On it lays a middle-aged man with a long beard. He looks deathly ill with red spots all over his skin and sweat dripping from his forehead.

The man in white looks down at him and the man in bed slowly turns his head to look at the man above him.

MAN:
     You sent for me, Pericles?

PERICLES (weakly and shallow breaths):
     Yes. As you can see...I'm dying.

The man goes to speak but Pericles raises his hand, stopping him.

PERICLES:
     There's nothing you can do to help me. My illness is too severe.

MAN:
     What have you called me here for?

PERICLES:
     The people of Athens are dying. (coughs) I won't...be here much longer to guide...the armies of Athens against Sparta. If Sparta wins this battle, Athens will fall. We need someone to lead...Athens.

Pericles reaches to a table next to the bed and retrieves a rolled up scroll. He hands it to the man who looks at him curiously.

PERICLES:
     Have you heard of Xena?

MAN:
     Yes. Everyone in Athens knows the Warrior Princess.

PERICLES (breaths become scattered, wheezing):
     Take this to Xena. She...is the only one who... (begins a coughing fit)

The man puts his hand on Pericles' chest, finally quieting down.

PERICLES:
     Find Xena before...all Athens is lost.

Pericles convulses, finally falling limp. He's dead. The man pulls the sheets of the bed over Pericles' head, stuffs the scroll in his toga and walks out of the room as we:

FADE OUT

END OF TEASER