FADE IN

Gabrielle and Eve walking back to Gabrielle's hut. It is dark and the only source of illumination is the torches lighting the path. They walk quietly side by side, almost as if in mourning. Finally, Gabrielle shakes her head.

GABRIELLE:
     Darion has already lost so much. How can I send him away?

Eve says nothing and Gabrielle thinks a moment.

GABRIELLE:
     Then again--as queen, how can I even consider relinquishing my duty and responsibility to my own people?

EVE:
     It would still have to be put before the council. Not everyone would vote against you.

GABRIELLE (smiles mirthlessly):
     I know I can count on you and Cyane. But I'm not so sure about the rest of them. (she sighs and shakes her head.) Some of these women still resent me for getting them involved in a war with Sabina.

EVE (frowns and shakes her head):
     This is all such a mess. (sighs) I wish my mother were here.

GABRIELLE (snorts):
     Join the club!

CUT TO

A stately room in a government building, with the bust of the emperor on a pedestal. The city magistrate, Gaius Fufius, a portly man in a purple toga, sits behind a desk. Xena walks in, followed by Agrippina.

FUFIUS (with grudging respect):
     The famous Xena. To what do I owe the-- (fumbles for words)

XENA (wryly):
     --surprise?

FUFIUS (nods uncomfortably):
     You can certainly say that.

Xena walks toward the desk, while Agrippina stays behind.

XENA (leans on the desk, staring at him):
     You have a big problem on your hands.

FUFIUS (leans back, clearly intimidated):
     You mean, besides you being in town?

XENA:
     Besides me being in town. That mountain out there could blow up at any minute.

FUFIUS (reflects for a moment):
     I've heard that you were a woman of many talents, Xena, but I didn't know that among other things you were an expert on volcanoes.

XENA (straightens up):
     I'm not. She is. (points at Agrippina)

FUFIUS:
     And who's she? Your servant, sidekick... (lifts his eyebrows suggestively) ...companion?

XENA:
     Try none of the above. You know her as Lavinia Flora.

Fufius' face changes and he rises from his chair, clearly agitated.

FUFIUS (to Agrippina, his face reddening):
      You! I've been warned about you--you're some kind of big troublemaker and that's why you were exiled from Rome. (plaintively) Why do they have to dump their problems in my back yard?

AGRIPPINA (approaches him, unperturbed):
     Gaius Fufius, whatever else I am, I am also a student of the sciences, and I'm telling you that the volcano could start erupting any day. Try walking the streets sometime, if you're willing to step out of your litter long enough...

FUFIUS (clenches his fists):
     Impertinence!

AGRIPPINA (continues):
     Those ashes coming down from the skies are falling more and more steadily. It means that a disaster is at hand.

XENA:
     If you don't give orders to evacuate the city, thousands could die.

FUFIUS:
     Nonsense. I have it on good authority that the city is perfectly safe.

XENA (frowns):
     Whose authority?

WOMAN'S VOICE (off-camera, accompanied by the sound of a door opening):
     Mine.

The camera pans over to a woman who comes in through a side door. She is wearing a scarlet robe with long sleeves and a bright yellow belt, and a gold medallion on a massive chain. Her brown hair is arranged in an elaborate hairstyle that looks like a tower.

XENA:
     And who are you?

WOMAN:
     Camilla, priestess to the goddess Pellonia, she who protects from peril. I am skilled in divination, and my goddess gives me visions and signs.

XENA (under her breath):
     She obviously doesn't give you fashion tips.

CAMILLA (glares at her):
     What?

XENA (rolls her eyes):
     Nothing. Go on.

CAMILLA:
     No harm will come to the city from the volcano. I know it from the signs my goddess has given me.

XENA (doubtfully):
     What kinds of signs?

CAMILLA (in a condescending tone):
     The signs have to be properly interpreted. Even if I told you, you wouldn't understand.

XENA:
     Try me.

CAMILLA (importantly):
     Just three days ago, two magpies landed at the exact same time in each palm of the great statue of my lady Pellonia in the portico of the temple.

XENA (shaking her head, through clenched teeth):
     You're right. I wouldn't understand.

CAMILLA:
     If you're interested, you can receive all the necessary documentation from the College of Augurs in Rome.

AGRIPPINA:
     People should rely on their own judgment, not visions that priests tell us are supposedly sent by the gods!

Xena gives her a quick, understanding look.

CAMILLA:
     Blasphemy!

FUFIUS (his face reddening again):
     I knew it! They told me you were a troublemaker!

On the word "told," he forcefully slams his palm down on the head of the Emperor's bust. At first he winces in pain; then, as he realizes that his inadvertent gesture could be taken as a sign of disrespect to the Emperor, the flush in his face gives way to pallor. He looks fearfully from Agrippina to Xena to Camilla, who sternly shakes her head in disapproval.

FUFIUS (recovering from shock):
     Out! Out, both of you! Or I'll call in the guard to get you out!

Xena and Agrippina exchange defeated looks, sigh, and head toward the door.

XENA:
     Obviously, he wasn't impressed.

CUT TO

The street in front of the majestic city hall building, with columns and gold decorations. People are coming in and out of the wide-open front doors, with an armed guard standing on each side. Xena and Agrippina emerge from the doors and come down the marble steps, brushing past Roman men and women who are going up the stairs toward the door. They stop by a bronze statue of a Roman general. A bird sitting on the statue's hand flies up, leaving a fresh dropping behind.

XENA (glances at the statue's hand):
     I wonder what sort of sign that is...

AGRIPPINA:
     Maybe we could try a different way. Go to the leading citizens of this town and try to talk to them--if we persuade them to leave, then maybe the other people will follow.

XENA (looks at her curiously):
     Why don't you just save yourself?

AGRIPPINA (gives her a proud look):
     I am not one to run from danger, Xena. Not when I know I can save people's lives. As long as I think I can do something, I am staying here.

XENA (looks at her with grudging admiration):
     All right. Why don't you go home for now. There's something I need to do on my own.

CUT TO

A deserted back street. Xena comes out from behind a corner, looks around to make sure there are no people nearby, and stops.

XENA (in a businesslike tone):
     Ares!

ARES (appears in a flash of blue light):
     Don't tell me you need my help.

XENA:
     No, just some information. What do you know about a goddess Pellonia?

ARES:
     There's nothing to know.

XENA:
     What do you mean? She's supposed to be some sort of protector from danger--

ARES:
     There's no such goddess, Xena. The Romans made her up.

XENA (lifts her eyebrows):
     Made her up?

ARES:
     You know those greedy Romans. They can never have enough of anything, including gods.

XENA:
     So they have priests serving a goddess who doesn't exist.

ARES (shrugs):
     Keeps them employed. Did you know that the Romans have a god of doors, a god of thresholds, and a god of hinges?

XENA (teasing):
     Makes sense. Most of the gods I know wouldn't have the brains to handle all three.

ARES:
     And let me tell you about--

XENA (spots some flakes of ash on his gauntlet and suddenly turns businesslike):
     Forget about those fake gods. What do you know about this volcano?

ARES (shakes his head):
     Not my specialty.

The ashes start falling more quickly; now, they look almost like a light grey rain. Xena looks up at the mountain and narrows her eyes, flicking the ashes off her hair.

ARES:
     Now, let me tell you about the Roman gods of sex--

Even as he speaks, Xena rushes off without another word.

ARES:
     Was it something I said?

CUT TO

Xena knocking frantically on Agrippina's door. Smyrna, the servant, opens. Xena rushes inside. Agrippina, standing by the window, turns around.

XENA:
     It's coming down faster and faster--look! (she points to the ash on her hair, face, and armor and leathers)

AGRIPPINA:
     Yes, I know. There's no time to waste--we have to warn the people now. In another day, there will be no escape.

XENA:
     Somehow, we have to get the message to a lot of people at the same time... (she suddenly stops, her face lighting up) Wait--I've got an idea!

CUT TO

The street outside the amphitheater of Pompeii. Throngs of people are flocking into the amphitheater, casually brushing off the ashes that continue to fall. Some are carrying parasols. A woman in a white dress with a red sash cries out an announcement.

WOMAN:
     One day only! Come and see the great Ostorius fight in the arena! He has never been defeated!

The camera pans over to Xena and Agrippina, who are coming up in the crowd.

XENA:
     Just stay behind me until I call you out.

CUT TO

The arena. As spectators cheer in the stands, Ostorius, a tall, broad-shouldered man with curly blond hair, in leather armor that showcases his magnificent physique, is parading around the arena brandishing his swords in the air. The camera pans over to an entrance to the arena, where Ostorius' first opponent waits nervously, and then over to Fufius, the magistrate, who sits in the central box across from the entrance. Ostorius turns to Fufius, takes a bow and gives a salute.

FUFIUS (rises to his feet and raises his hand):
     Let the games begin!

The camera pans to the entrance to the arena, where the manager prods Ostorius' first opponent in the back.

MANAGER:
     You're on.

XENA (behind him):
     Not yet.

MANAGER (turns to her with a shocked look):
     Who are you? Hey--stop her!

Xena pushes her way past the guards and runs out into the arena.

XENA (at the top of her voice):
     People of Pompeii!

The camera pans to Fufius' shocked face.

FUFIUS:
     Not her again!

XENA:
     I have something to tell you--

A chorus of boos rises in the stands. The camera pans over the booing spectators.

MAN #1:
     Get her out of here!

XENA (struggles to shout over the boos):
     --that could save your lives--

WOMAN#1 (in the stands):
     We're here for a fight, not a public service announcement!

OLD MAN:
     We want the fight!

Three guards run out into the arena and attempt to grab Xena. She head-butts one of them, knocking him out, and then downs the two others with well-aimed kicks. The crowd bursts into applause and cheers.

WOMAN#2:
     Let her fight Ostorius!

A chorus of cheers and cries of "Yeah! Yeah!" goes up in the stands. Xena looks around, frustrated. Finally, gritting her teeth, she grabs her sword. The camera pans quickly to Ostorius' scheduled opponent, who breathes a sigh of relief and wipes his forehead.

OSTORIUS (sneers):
     You want to fight me?

XENA:
     No, I don't. But it looks like I have to.

She charges him. He parries her blow with such force that she staggers back for a moment, but quickly regains control. As Ostorius attacks, Xena flips in the air, avoiding his blow, and kicks him in the chest, leaving him momentarily shaken. Rallying, he advances on Xena, and they circle each other for a while, each making fake sword thrusts, before Ostorius slashes at Xena's thigh. She ducks out of the way but the tip of his sword slashes at her skin. The crowd erupts in cheers. Xena strikes back, her sword clashing with Ostorius'. They battle until she leaps in the air and lands behind him, slamming her boots into his back. He staggers and lurches forward, nearly dropping his sword. With another leap, Xena lands in front of him, spins around and knocks the sword out of his hand, then knocks him down and plants a foot on his chest, the tip of her sword at his throat. The crowd erupts in deafening applause. The camera pans over to Fufius, who looks extremely nervous, sweat rolling down his face. Finally he gets up, raises his hand and holds his thumb up, signaling that Ostorius should be spared.

Xena steps aside and Ostorius rises, panting and grunting. The look on his face is one of disbelief as he lumbers toward an exit from the arena.

XENA (raises her sword in the air, trying to shout over the applause and cheers):
     Listen to me!

The noise quiets down a little.

MAN #2:
     Let her speak!

XENA:
     Listen! I don't want a reward for fighting Ostorius. All I ask is for you to hear out-- (she looks over at Agrippina, who is waiting at the entrance to the arena, and hesitates for a moment) --my friend.

A chorus of cheers goes up. Xena motions to Agrippina, and the manager reluctantly lets her through into the arena. A quick close-up of Fufius clutching his head in dismay.

Agrippina walks to the center of the arena and stands confidently next to Xena.

AGRIPPINA:
     People of Pompeii! Citizens! Some of you have heard of me as Lavinia Flora. (A murmur runs through the crowd) My real name is Agrippina. I am the Empress of Rome, exiled on false charges because I spoke up for the people.

There are loud gasps and cries. Fufius bends low in his box and covers his face with his toga, as if trying to become invisible. After the noise abates somewhat, Agrippina continues.

AGRIPPINA:
     I am not here to seek your sympathy or your support for my cause, but to entreat you to save yourselves. Listen to me carefully and do not panic. Leave this theater calmly and safely and go home, then take your families and possessions and get out of the city.

A murmur goes up again.

WOMAN #2:
     What's happening?

AGRIPPINA:
     Vesuvius, the volcano. (she points to the mountain looming over the city) Any day, it will erupt and destroy the city.

MAN #1:
     We've been told that the city is safe--there have been signs from the gods!

AGRIPPINA:
     Never mind the signs from the gods. (she points to the falling ashes) These are all the signs you need--a sign sent by nature that the volcano is about to erupt.

There is confusion as some people start running toward the exits in a panic, others try to walk calmly, and still others try to hold back those about to leave, obviously trying to persuade them that there is no danger. More and more people are getting up and leaving.

AGRIPPINA:
     Well, we did it.

XENA:
     If there's a stampede, a lot of people could die.

AGRIPPINA:
     Even more would have died if they stayed in the city. We had no other way. (looks appraisingly at Xena, who seems slightly taken aback by her cold attitude) You were very brave.

XENA:
     So were you.

The two women clasp hands. Then, Xena looks up at the mountain. A close-up of the pinnacle of Vesuvius, with a small flame shooting out of it, is followed by a wide shot of the amphitheater, where the crowd is exiting more and more hurriedly, and the arena where the two women are standing as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT THREE