ACT ONE FADE IN Shots of the town. It is crowded, with everyone enjoying themselves. Xena, Gabrielle and Eve enter the tavern. There is a brief shot of a warrior sitting in the corner, in a subtly Roman style outfit. He has a very gruff demeanor and has several scars on his face. As Eve enters, he gets up, leaves some money on the table for his drink and leaves. Xena, Gabrielle and Eve sit down; each now has a drink. Virgil enters. VIRGIL (coming over to where the other three are sitting): XENA: She smiles warmly as Virgil and Gabrielle exchange a hug, before standing up and hugging him herself. Eve stays seated but Virgil hugs her quickly as well; it is obvious that while he doesn't hate her anymore, he is still a little uncomfortable with her. Eve smiles tentatively. GABRIELLE: VIRGIL: GABRIELLE (calling, so as to be heard above the noise in the tavern): VIRGIL: GABRIELLE (pleased): Barkeeper comes with Virgil's ale. VIRGIL: EVE: VIRGIL: Eve nods. Suddenly, the same warrior we saw earlier, plus about ten others all in Roman clothing comes in and heads straight for Xena and the others. All four stand up, Xena, Gabrielle and Virgil drawing their respective weapons. Eve just stands there, obviously recognizing the stranger. WARRIOR: EVE: She walks over to him, ignoring Xena's outstretched hand. XENA: EVE: DIDUS (cuts Eve off): Zoom in on Xena's shocked face. XENA: EVE (looks down): DIDUS: XENA: DIDUS (rolls his eyes): An unresisting Eve is dragged out of the way by two other warriors, as the rest attack Xena, Gabrielle and Virgil. Didus stays back, keeping an eye on Eve. The other people in the tavern get out of the way as best as they can as Xena grabs a torch, takes a gulp of her drink and blows a huge flame onto two of the soldiers. Gabrielle is fighting two off--one with each sai--and Virgil is fighting one. Xena flips over Gabrielle and Virgil to punch out another man before leaping into the air and kicking one leg out to each side to knock out two more. Gabrielle manages to finish off her man before coming up behind the last one standing, whom Virgil is fighting and slamming her hand, braced by her sai, against his head. Xena tries to pull Eve away from her guards. EVE: DIDUS: XENA: DIDUS: XENA: EVE (interrupts): DIDUS: Xena starts to speak, but Eve again interrupts. Gabrielle and Virgil are still standing, making sure that none of the soldiers get up again. EVE: DIDUS: EVE: DIDUS (not happy at all): FADE OUT END OF ACT ONE |