A Friend In Need - Teaser (p1)
Xena: Warrior Princess
Season 3 original episode
"A Friend In Need"
by
Tarl N. Telford
FADE IN:
EXT FOREST TRAIL
Gabrielle walks alongside Xena, who is riding argo. They seem to be in good spirits.
GABRIELLE
I'm so excited. I can hardly wait to see Thyatira.
XENA
There's really not much to see - a few houses, some pigs, and a horse or two.
GABRIELLE
That's not what you were saying yesterday. You were excited to be seeing your friends again.
XENA
I haven't seen her in over fifteen years. I don't know if she even remembers me.
GABRIELLE
Who could forget you? Xena, the Warrior Princess. Your name should be shouted from the rooftops.
XENA
It was, when I was a warlord. But that was a long time ago. It will be good to see Tara again.
GABRIELLE
What was she like? I mean, when you two were younger?
XENA
She was always competing with me. We would always have contests to see who was stronger or faster.
GABRIELLE
Who won?
Xena smiles mysteriously. She is not going to tell.
XENA
Let's just say it was a toss-up. Last I heard, she was collecting things for the poor.
CUT TO:
INT ATHENA'S TEMPLE
TARA, a striking woman, sneaks into the temple. Tara is vain and selfish. She spies the bow of athena on a pedestal.
TARA
This should bring a hefty price for poor little me.
Tara grabs the bow. Thunder booms outside the temple.
TARA
You don't scare me, Athena.
Thunder booms again, shaking the temple.
TARA
Tell it to someone who cares. I win this time.
Tara admires herself in the mirror.
TARA
You know, Tara, you look good. No, you look really good. Athena herself couldn't look better.
Thunder booms, louder than ever.
TARA
Ever. You hear me, Athena? I said I am more beautiful than you.
ATHENA (O.S.)
You have aroused my wrath, little mortal. Your vanity shall be your undoing.
Magical lighting zaps tara. Tara is engulfed in magical flame. She writhes in pain, and falls to the floor. The bow clatters to the floor. Even through her pain, Tara reaches out and grasps the bow.
CUT TO:
EXT FOREST CROSSROADS - DAY
Xena and Gabrielle look at the signs.
XENA
Thyatira is about two more miles, Gabrielle. You go ahead.
GABRIELLE
Where are you going?
XENA
I'm going to see if I can catch Tara at home. I need to speak with her in private.
GABRIELLE
So what am I supposed to do?
XENA
You'll find something. You usually do.
GABRIELLE
Where should I meet you?
XENA
I'll find you. Oh, and you might want to go to the market. I hear they have some good scrolls there.
GABRIELLE
So you think you can bribe me with scrolls?
XENA
I know it.
GABRIELLE
You're right. Don't be gone too long. I might run out of stories to tell.
XENA
That'll be the day.
CUT TO:
EXT THYATIRA - INN
Joxer stands in front of the inn, telling stories to a group of onlookers.
JOXER
So there I was, facing an army of hundreds, no, thousands. I heard someone say, "He has a face like stone. We can't scare him." They were right. I've got nerves of steel.
Gabrielle sneaks up behind joxer.
GABRIELLE
Joxer?
Joxer shrieks in terror.
JOXER
Aaah! Gabby! Um, hi. How are you? I was just...
GABRIELLE
Nerves of steel?
JOXER
Yeah. Sort of.
GABRIELLE
Xena's going to see a friend. What are you doing here?
JOXER
I heard that Thyatira needed a hero. And I thought, who better than Joxer the Magnificent?
GABRIELLE
Who indeed? Who told you that they needed a hero?
JOXER
I have a warrior's instinct. I just knew.
GABRIELLE
You ran out of money, didn't you?
JOXER
I'm shocked that you would make such an accusation.
Gabrielle cocks her eyebrow at Joxer.
JOXER
Yeah, I ran out of money. But I hear there's good jobs here in town. Why, I could slop pigs, or cut hay, or shovel-
Screams are heard up the road.
JOXER
Someone's screaming. They need our help!
Joxer trundles off toward the screams.
GABRIELLE
Joxer! No! Wait a minute!
Gabrielle runs after joxer.
Villagers are running toward Joxer and Gabrielle.
JOXER
Good people of Thyatira, I am Joxer the Magnificent. I am here to help you. I fear nothing.
Arrows fly toward the people. As the arrows strike the huts, they explode.
JOXER
I have underestimated my enemy. Time for plan two.
Joxer starts running back toward the village. He crashes into Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
What's going on?
JOXER
Gabrielle, those arrows are exploding! We've got to get under cover.
Joxer pulls gabrielle toward a hut. An arrow whizzes by them. the nearby hut is struck. It explodes, raining debris down on them. Joxer turns around to look for their assailant.
As he sees their attacker, his eyes grow wide. He turns to stone.
Gabrielle turns to run, and tugs on Joxer's hand.
GABRIELLE
Come on, Joxer.
She notices he has turned to stone.
GABRIELLE
Joxer?
She whirls around, and sees the tail of a large snake disappear behind a hut.
Off Gabrielle's shocked expression, we:
FADE OUT:
End teaser