Hercules and the Amazon Women


This transcript is dedicated to the memory of Anthony Quinn.


TEASER

Lethan, Pithus and Ilus move through the woods.

LETHAN
Pithus. Let's turn back.

PITHUS
No. Somebody's gotta make it through. Somebody's
gotta bring back help.

ILUS
But it's no use. Think of how many men our village
has sent and none of them has ever made it. I'm
with Lethan. We should go back.

PITHUS
Back to what? A life of fear? A life under siege?

LETHAN
At least we're living.

PITHUS
No, we're gonna make it through.

They carry on.

LETHAN
What was that?

ILUS
What was what?

LETHAN
I guess it was nothin'.

They move along and hear the sounds of many different animals.

LETHAN
What are you?! Show yourselves!

PITHUS
They're all around us.

Lethan is pulled into the bushes and killed. His body is then thrown back out.

PITHUS
Lethan! I think he's dead.

ILUS
No.

Ilus is grabbed and starts to get pulled underground.

ILUS
Pithus! Pithus! Pithus!

PITHUS
Come on, Ilus, kick! Come on, kick!

ILUS
Help!

PITHUS
Fight it!

ILUS
Help!

PITHUS
Fight it!

ILUS
Pithus! My legs! Run! Run!

Blood pours from Ilus' mouth.

ILUS
Run! Run! Go!

He is pulled under. Pithus runs and makes it out of the woods.

END OF TEASER



ACT ONE

In a village. A Village Mother washes her husband's feet. Some village boys play ball. They lose it and a Village Girl gets it.

EXTRA
Hey!

VILLAGE GIRL
Can I play?

VILLAGE BOY
You can't.

VILLAGE GIRL
Why not?

VILLAGE BOY
'Cause it's a boy's game. Now give us back our
ball and go play with a doll, or something.

VILLAGE MOTHER
He's right, Lilia. Now come and help me wash
your father's feet.

The Village Girl tosses the ball back. The boy turns, sees something and runs speeding through the village. He runs up to Iolaus.

VILLAGE BOY
You wanted to know when he got here, right? Well,
he's coming up the street right now!

Iolaus gets up from his seat and moves through the village. He waits in hiding.

EXTRA
Cheap!

EXTRA
One day only! One day only! It's not going to be forever.

EXTRA
Beautiful.

EXTRA
One day only! One day only!

EXTRA
Tomatoes, sweet and beautiful.

Hercules' point of view as he walks through the village. Iolaus waits for him, still in hiding. Iolaus attacks. Hercules beats him. Hercules grabs Iolaus and holds him over his head.

IOLAUS
Whoa! Hey, wait! Wait! Listen! It's bad luck for the
best man to kill the groom before the wedding!

HERCULES
All right. I'll wait 'til after the wedding.

Hercules puts down Iolaus and they laugh and hug.

IOLAUS
Ha-ha! Ah, it's good to see ya, Hercules. You
look great!

HERCULES
You too, Iolaus and congratulations.

IOLAUS
Come on. Come have a drink with me. Help
me celebrate.

HERCULES
Sorry. I have to be out to my mother's house. She'll
be worrying about me. Why don't you walk with me?
We can get caught up.

They laugh.

VILLAGE BOY
(to himself) Hercules.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
River and flowers.

HERCULES (voice-over)
It's been a while, my friend.

IOLAUS (voice-over)
I'm surprised you survived this last one without me
at your back.

Hercules laughs.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iolaus and Hercules walk along.

HERCULES
It's not the same without you.

IOLAUS
I'm glad you could make it home, Hercules. I
hope the rest of the world can get by without you
for a week or so.

HERCULES
Are you kidding? Nothing is gonna keep me from
your wedding. You know, when I got the news, I
couldn't believe it. Now, seeing you? I still can't
believe it.

Iolaus laughs and watches some women walk by.

IOLAUS
Hmmm.

HERCULES
You'll be giving up a lot, Iolaus. Have you thought
about that?

IOLAUS
You make it sound like I'm falling off the edge of
the Earth.

HERCULES
No, no, not at all. I mean, who knows? I'll probably
get a wife or two myself someday.

IOLAUS
Oh.

HERCULES
So, who is this girl? Is she pretty?

IOLAUS
Ania. Yeah, she's very pretty. I could sit and look
at her all day.

HERCULES
Look at her?

IOLAUS
Yeah. She's...you know? Beautiful.

HERCULES
Well, you'll eat better that's for sure once you have
a wife to cook for you.

IOLAUS
Well actually, Ania's not that much of a cook.

HERCULES
How bad?

IOLAUS
Oh, really bad.

HERCULES
Well, at least you'll have someone to look after
your livestock. You won't have to pay a foreman
who steals you blind.

IOLAUS
Well...

HERCULES
What? She's not good with animals, either?

IOLAUS
No, they're scared to death of her.

HERCULES
So, she can't cook. She's not good with animals.
Can she at least sew you some better clothes?

IOLAUS
Nope, can't sew a stitch. Don't even ask what I
paid for her.

HERCULES
What'd you pay for her?

IOLAUS
Seven cows, three goats, eleven chickens-

HERCULES
Eleven chickens!

Iolaus laughs.

IOLAUS
Yeah, I know. But she's got this little mole, right
here. It drives me crazy. What can I tell ya?

HERCULES
You can tell me what happened to the Iolaus I
used to know.

IOLAUS
Well, love happened to me, Hercules.

HERCULES
Ah.

IOLAUS
I don't expect you to understand it. I can hardly
understand it myself.

HERCULES
But are you really willing to give up your whole
life for a woman?

IOLAUS
Someday, Hercules, someday, you're gonna meet
a woman unlike any other. Then you'll know what
I'm talkin' about.

HERCULES
Me? Ha. Never. Iolaus, do you hear that?

There is the sound of a crying girl. Hercules and Iolaus walk up to the girl who is crying near a statue of a peacock. Bones litter the ground.

HERCULES
Hey, there. What's the matter? What are all these
tears about?

GIRL (HYDRA)
The monster killed my father. We were praying
to the goddess and the monster came and ate
him. And after he ate him, he spit out all his bones.

HERCULES
So, a monster did all this, huh? Why don't you tell
me about him?

GIRL (HYDRA)
He's big and ugly. And he eats you. And he's never
full. He's always hungry. No one can get by him.
I bet not even Hercules could get by him.

HERCULES
Well, Hercules has the heart of a rabbit compared
to me. Now where's this terrible monster?

She motions him closer.

GIRL (HYDRA)
I don't want it to hear me.

HERCULES
Oh, that's a good idea. See, monsters have
excellent hearing.

Her arm turns into a tentacle and it wraps around Hercules' neck. The girl laughs.

IOLAUS
Hercules.

The girl sinks into her clothes and releases Hercules.

IOLAUS
Are you all right? What is it? What's it doing?

HERCULES
I don't know. But I got a feelin' it's gonna be ugly.

A hydra erupts from the clothes, only supporting one head. It growls. Iolaus moves to get his sword.

HERCULES
Don't Iolaus. Don't provoke it.

The hydra brings its face to Hercules'.

IOLAUS
Hercules, what are you doing?

Iolaus draws his sword and it attacks.

HERCULES
Look out!

Iolaus loses his sword.

HERCULES
Come on.

Hercules grabs the sword and cuts off the hydra's head. The hydra falls to the ground.

HERCULES
Come on. Let's get outta here. This thing stinks.

IOLAUS
Yeah. What in the hell was that?

HERCULES
That's Ania, the day after you marry her.

IOLAUS
Hey!

The hydra gets up and grows two heads. Hercules cuts off one and two more grow from that. There are now three. Hercules sees a torch on the statue to Hera.

HERCULES
Iolaus! Grab that torch!

IOLAUS
But the gods! They'll be angry!

HERCULES
Just get it! Go!

Iolaus gets the torch. Hercules cuts off a head. Iolaus is bitten on the shoulder by another head.

IOLAUS
Whoa! They're after me!

Hercules cuts the head off. Hercules then throws the sword and pegs the two remaining heads to a tree.

HERCULES
Iolaus! The torch! Quick! Give it to me!

Hercules lights the hydra on fire and it burns to nothing in seconds.

IOLAUS
What was that?! If ya cut off its head, the thing
grows another one! And another one!

Where the sword held the hydra's neck, a peacock's feather is now there.

HERCULES
Hera. I should have known she was behind this.

IOLAUS
Ya think so?

HERCULES
I know so.

Hercules moves to the statue.

IOLAUS
Hercules, don't do it!

Hercules breaks the statue.

IOLAUS
Are you crazy?! She's the Queen of the Gods!

HERCULES
Take a lesson, Iolaus. She's a perfect example
of what happens when a woman gets too much power.

They leave and a peacock appears on the shrine.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hera's eyes appear in the sky.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alceme's.

IOLAUS
Well, here we are, Hercules. Some places never
change, huh?

HERCULES
You know, the one thing I never forget about my
mother's house is her flowers. I always thought
they smelled like her.

IOLAUS
Yeah, yeah.

They step inside.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hercules sneaks up behind Alcmene and picks her up. She screams. Hercules laughs.

ALCMENE
Hercules! Put me down! Oh-h-h-h. Oh, it's so good
to see you.

They laugh and hug.

ALCMENE
What happened? You're hurt.

HERCULES
No.

ALCMENE
Did you get in a fight?

HERCULES
I'm just in the door, and you're already worrying.

ALCMENE
I always worry about you, Hercules. It's a constant
sweet ache called motherhood. Congratulations,
Iolaus. I think marriage will be good for you.

IOLAUS
Thank you. I think so too.

ALCMENE
Ania's sure a beautiful girl.

IOLAUS
Yeah, she is. And I oughtta be getting back to her.
Oh, I almost forgot, Ania told me to invite you both
over tonight. She....wants to make dinner.

Alcmene laughs.

ALCMENE
Oh.

HERCULES
Mmmm.

ALCMENE
A dinner would be lovely.

IOLAUS
Good. Then I'll see you both tonight.

ALCMENE
Uh-huh.

Iolaus leaves.

ALCMENE
Sit down. Let me wash your feet.

HERCULES
I brought something for you.

ALCMENE
Oh? What is it?

HERCULES
A present. Spices from Alturia. I thought you might
like them for your cooking.

ALCMENE
Oh, how very sweet. So are you gonna tell me
how you got that cut, or not?

HERCULES
I met a kid on the road. She turned into a thing.
It was completely unprovoked.

ALCMENE
Another one of Hera's creations, no doubt.

HERCULES
Hmm.

ALCMENE
That bitch.

HERCULES
I wish my father would find a way to do something
about her. Has he been around much?

ALCMENE
Who? Zeus?

HERCULES
Yeah.

ALCMENE
From time to time.

HERCULES
Mother, if he ever starts talking about moving in
here with you...

ALCMENE
Hercules, he gave me a son, the son of a god. I'm
happy with that. Doesn't bother me that he was
never around. In fact, it probably was better that
way. As long as you're sitting still, why don't I see
what I can do for that wound?

Alcmene leaves and Zeus appears.

ZEUS
She's always saying those things. Ha-ha. But
deep inside, she's still crazy about me.

HERCULES
I should have known you'd show up now. Where
were you when I was battling that beast of Hera's
a little while ago. We barely came through it.

ZEUS
Aah, but you did and you always do.

HERCULES
I thought you were gonna talk to her, you know?
Get her off my back. After all, she is your wife.

ZEUS
I tried, but, Hera's a woman. And there's no changing
a woman that doesn't wanna be changed. I've
found it best to stay out of her way and find my
amusements elsewhere.

HERCULES
Is that what you're here for? To give me advice
about women?

ZEUS
No, I'm here to see how my favourite son is doing.

HERCULES
Well, I'm doing great. Thank you for asking, especially
now that I'm back home.

ZEUS
I've got to tell ya. I'm very proud of you. You know,
you're name's become a legend. Everywhere I go,
people are talking about you. I have to admit, I
haven't been a very good father. But you're a wonderful
son. Uh, wh--where's your mother?

HERCULES
Oh, no. No, no. You--you leave her alone.

ZEUS
Oh, come on. What are you talking about?

HERCULES
You know <>i>exactly what I'm talking about!

ZEUS
Look, I just wanna see-

HERCULES
She's not one-

ZEUS
I just wanna say hello.

HERCULES
-of your amusements, anymore, all right? She's
my mother.

Alcmene enters.

ZEUS
How are you? You--you look wonderful.

ALCMENE
You haven't changed, either.

Zeus laughs.

ZEUS
Oh, come on, I'm...

ALCMENE
Uh, would you care to join us for a meal?

ZEUS
Um...no, I don't think I can. I have an appointment,
and I just came by to see how my--my boy was
doing. He's doing fine. And you're as beautiful
as ever.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the village. Pithus bumps into a pot.

PITHUS
Ooh!

VILLAGE HECKLER
Hey, there, pretty one, why don't you stick around,
huh? Come on, hey!

The Village Heckler's friend laughs and the Girl Being Heckled leaves.

EXTRA
She's too young for you, anyway.

VILLAGE HECKLER
Don't worry about it.

Pithus bumps into the Girl Being Heckled.

PITHUS
Ooh. Oh, I'm sorry. I--I--I just...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iolaus and Ania's kitchen.

ANIA
I hope they're gonna like it, because this is one
of my best recipes.

IOLAUS
Sure it'll be great.

They kiss.

ANIA
Try it.

Iolaus does.

IOLAUS
And even if it's not, that's okay.

ANIA
But I want them to like me.

IOLAUS
They're gonna like you. They're gonna love you.
I know I do.

ANIA
It's nice to know I'm marrying a smart man.

IOLAUS
You forgot, good-looking.

ANIA
No, I didn't.

Ania laughs and Alcmene enters.

ALCMENE
What's this? A man in the kitchen? Go on, get
out of here. Go on!

IOLAUS
All right, all right.

Iolaus leaves and walks into the dinning room.

IOLAUS
So, Hercules, what do you think?

HERCULES
I think there's a weird smell coming from the kitchen.

IOLAUS
No. About Ania. Isn't she great?

HERCULES
She's very pretty. I bet she'll give you some
good-looking sons.

Ania and Alcmene enter.

ANIA
Hercules, I made extra for you. I hope you're hungry.

Hercules tries the stew. He doesn't like it.

HERCULES
Mmm, this is, um, this is great.

Pithus moves by the window and Ania gasps.

IOLAUS
Ania, what is it?

ANIA
I saw somebody looking in the window.

They all get up. Hercules opens the door and his Pithus who is standing in front of it. Hercules picks up Pithus by the collar.

HERCULES
Who are you?

PITHUS
I'm sorry. My name is Pithus. I--I'm here to look
for Hercules.

Hercules puts Pithus down.

HERCULES
I'm Hercules.

PITHUS
Thank the gods. I searched the whole town looking
for you.

HERCULES
Well, now that you found me...

PITHUS
It's my home, Gargerensia. We're under attack.
Ya have to help us.

HERCULES
What kind of attack?

PITHUS
Beasts. Ferocious beasts that live in the forest
surrounding our village. They come in the night
attacking us as we sleep. They steal our livestock,
destroy our crops.

HERCULES
Can't your men fight them?

PITHUS
We tried. We sent out our best warriors and hunters
into the woods. They never returned.

IOLAUS
They were all killed?

Pithus nods.

PITHUS
We're just simple men left, now, farmers and
fishermen. The beasts have turned us into prisoners
in our own village.

HERCULES
Well, how is it you were able to get out and come here?

PITHUS
Only by the luck of the gods. Two others left with
me. They're dead now. Please, Hercules, they're
about to attack again, soon. I wouldn't ask this
of you, but well, I don't know if my people can
survive this time.

HERCULES
How far is it to Gargerensia?

PITHUS
Two day's travel.

HERCULES
Get yourself some food and some rest. We'll leave
tomorrow at first light.

PITHUS
Thank you, Hercules. May the gods smile on you.

Pithus leaves.

HERCULES
Better they just stay out of my life.

IOLAUS
Sounds pretty bad. I wonder what we're up against.

HERCULES
"We're" not up against anything. Your adventure
days are over. You're getting married, remember?

IOLAUS
That's a week away. This'll be two days out, kill
a few horrible beasts, two days back.

HERCULES
Still, I don't think...

IOLAUS
Come on. It's our last chance together. Best friends,
fighting back-to-back. It'll make a great wedding
present, Hercules.

Hercules laughs.

HERCULES
All right. Best friends, back-to-back. But what are
you gonna tell Ania?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning. Iolaus holds Ania.

IOLAUS
Well, Hercules really wants me to go. You know,
he gave me this whole speech about best of
friend, last time, all of that.

ANIA
So, you don't wanna go. It's Hercules?

IOLAUS
Yeah. He practically begged me.

Alcmene and Hercules stand a little ways away.

ALCMENE
I really wish you weren't going. I was hoping
we'd have more time this visit.

HERCULES
I know. I don't expect you to understand, but these
people need me. If I don't go, it could mean their lives.

ALCMENE
I do understand. Just promise me you'll be careful.

HERCULES
Always.

They hug. Alcmene looks at Iolaus and Ania.

ALCMENE
Oh, they look so wonderful together.

HERCULES
Yeah, but she's changed him so much.

Alcmene laughs.

ALCMENE
Someday, Hercules, you'll find a woman who'll
do the same to you.

Hercules laughs.

HERCULES
You sound just like Iolaus.

Iolaus and Ania.

ANIA
I'm gonna miss you.

IOLAUS
It's only for a few days. Besides, after next week,
you're gonna be stuck with me forever.

ANIA
Well, that is, of course, unless I marry somebody
else while you're gone.

IOLAUS
You'd do that, would you?

ANIA
I might.

IOLAUS
Well, you'll be settling for second best. You're
never gonna find anyone that loves you as much
as I do.

They kiss. Hercules walks over.

HERCULES
Are we going, or are we just hanging around,
kissing the women?

ANIA
Hercules, I'm counting on you to make sure he
gets back to marry me.

HERCULES
Oh, I'll have him back in plenty of time. Don't you worry.

IOLAUS
Bye, Ania.

They kiss again and Hercules and Iolaus leave.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hercules, Iolaus and Pithus walk along several landscapes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
In a field.

PITHUS
Gargerensia is just beyond those mountains.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Several more landscapes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the mountain.

IOLAUS
Hey, Hercules, I got a surprise for ya.

HERCULES
What is it?

IOLAUS
Ania made us some food for the road, in case
we got hungry.

IOLAUS and HERCULES
Pithus, did you eat yet?

They laugh.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
River.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tiber pushes a pig. Pithus crosses the bridge, followed by Hercules and Iolaus.

EXTRA
Down on the other side. Down by the river.

TIBER
It's Pithus. Hey, everyone! Pithus is back!

PITHUS
Hey, everybody, I'm back!

KURION
By the gods, I was sure he was dead.

PITHUS
This is Hercules! I brought him back to save Gargerensia!

EXTRA
Let's go.

PITHUS
Everybody, come on out!

EXTRA
Welcome back.

EXTRA
Yeah.

EXTRA
Look at that.

PITHUS
Come on out, everyone!

EXTRA
Everybody come on.

PITHUS
It's Hercules, everybody! He's come to help us!

EXTRA
That's great.

EXTRA
That's wonderful.

EXTRA
Wonderful.

PITHUS
Where's Franco? Is Franco here?

FRANCO
Father! You made it!

Franco runs and hugs his father. Pithus picks him up.

PITHUS
Franco!

He laughs.

PITHUS
Look, I brought Hercules to help us.

FRANCO
Uh, I've heard of you, Hercules. You're the strongest
and bravest. Let me be your guide. I'll lead you
to them.

PITHUS
Franco, I don't think so. Now, Hercules already
has a partner.

IOLAUS
You know? There's something missing in this town.

HERCULES
Pithus? Where are the women?

PITHUS
Well, um, they-

HECTOR
Well, they-

PITHUS
-they were stolen by the beasts.

HECTOR
Yeah, years and years ago.

Babies cry.

HERCULES
But he can't be more than a year old.

PITHUS
Sometimes, babies are left on the riverbank.

HERCULES
You mean, they're abandoned? Whose are they?

PITHUS
They belong to us.

HERCULES
But whose were they?

PITHUS
We raise them as our own.

HERCULES
But, where do they come from?

PITHUS
I told you. They're left on the riverbank.

IOLAUS
Why do I get the feeling we're not getting the whole story?

HERCULES
'Cause we're not. Look, have any of you ever seen
the beasts?

PITHUS
Mm-hmm.

The men nod.

HERCULES
What do they look like?

PITHUS
Well, the one I saw looked like a wolf.

TIBER
The one I saw had the face of a bear.

HECTOR
The one I saw looked more like a hawk.

Hercules and Iolaus move away.

IOLAUS
What do you think?

HERCULES
I don't know. But I have a feeling we'll find out as
soon as we meet these creatures face-to-face.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hercules and Iolaus head out.

FRANCO
Goodbye, Hercules! Good luck!

EXTRA
Hercules!

EXTRA
Goodbye, now.

EXTRA
Goodbye!

EXTRA
Good speed!

IOLAUS
Well, one thing's for sure. Those men are scared
out of their minds, every one of 'em.

HERCULES
What about you?

IOLAUS
Me? What have I gotta be scared of?

HERCULES
I don't know; whatever's out there in those woods.

IOLAUS
Oh, come on. There's nothing anywhere that can
frighten me.

HERCULES
Unless, of course, it's more of Ania's cooking.

IOLAUS
Hey!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hercules and Iolaus walk along.

IOLAUS
So, Hercules, how come, in all the years I've
known you, I've never seen you carry a weapon.

HERCULES
What do I need a weapon for?

IOLAUS
Because, maybe the other guy has one.

Iolaus attacks Hercules with his sword. Hercules takes it away.

HERCULES
So, let him carry it.

He throws sword back to Iolaus.

IOLAUS
I let you do that.

He laughs.

IOLAUS
So, what do you think of Iolaus, Jr.?

HERCULES
"Iolaus, Jr."?

IOLAUS
Yeah, my firstborn.

HERCULES
Well, what if it's a girl?

IOLAUS
Ah, no girls. Ania and I agreed; five sons.

HERCULES
All named Iolaus.

IOLAUS
Yeah, I gotta remember 'em all, don't I?

They laugh.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the woods.

IOLAUS
So, where are these beasts? I hope we haven't
come all this way for nothing.

HERCULES
Be patient. We'll find them soon enough.

IOLAUS
Yeah, yeah.

They see Lethan's and Ilus' dead bodies hanging.

IOLAUS
Hey, what do you think? Some kind of warning?

HERCULES
Maybe it's just the way these beasts have fun.

Something roars.

IOLAUS
Over there.

Hercules breaks a branch off a tree.

HERCULES
Keep your eyes open, Iolaus.

IOLAUS
They're watchin' us right now. I can feel it.

HERCULES
Me too.

The beasts leap down from the trees.

HERCULES
Well, Iolaus, you wanted an adventure.

The beasts attack. They fight for a bit and then run off into the trees. Iolaus and Hercules move along, watching. Two hands grab Iolaus from the ground, and trip him. He drops his sword and another hand pulls it under the ground.

IOLAUS
Where'd my sword go?

HERCULES
Who needs a sword? Forget it.

IOLAUS
Yeah, thanks.

HERCULES
Hold on.

Hercules reaches into the ground, pulls out a beast and tosses it. More beasts arrive. Hercules and Iolaus stand back-to-back. Iolaus gets a weapon from one of the attacking beasts.

HERCULES
Be careful, Iolaus.

IOLAUS
No, be reckless. Careful dies, reckless kills. Fantastic,
aren't they?!

Iolaus is cut under the eye by one of the beasts.

IOLAUS
Ow!

Iolaus chases the beast as it runs off.

HERCULES
No, Iolaus! Stay at my back!

Iolaus fights the beast and slams it into a tree. He removes the mask to reveal Ilia. The beasts are Amazons.

IOLAUS
Hercules! It's a woman!

Ilia stabs Iolaus.

HERCULES
Iolaus!

Hercules runs to Iolaus' side and holds him.

IOLAUS
Uh! We fought well, you and me, didn't we?

HERCULES
You're not gonna die, Iolaus. You can't. We said we'd
go out together, remember? Back-to-back heroes.

IOLAUS
I can't...wait...Hercules.

HERCULES
Iolaus, no.

IOLAUS
Tell Ania how much I wanted to be her husband.
Good-bye, my friend.

Iolaus dies. Hercules is surrounded by the Amazons. Several more Amazons enter on horseback. Lysia removes her mask.

LYSIA
No, stop. The queen will wanna kill him.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hercules is tied up and gagged and lead into the Amazon village. Women go about their business and young girls are trained.

CHILLA
The enemy may look insurmountable, but he is
just flesh and blood. Use his strength to destroy
him, to defeat him. His strength will be his weakness.
His pride, his downfall. We fight because we have
to fight. We fight for our way of life. The day we
do not fight for who we are and what we can be,
is the day they take it away from us, again, as they
always have before.

OLD AMAZON WOMAN
Now, that's a good one, Lysia. I'll give ya three
goats and a wagon a'hay for him.

LYSIA
Not for sale. This one's going to the queen.

OLD AMAZON WOMAN
Not the man, the horse!

Megara sharpens a carving knife.

MEGARA
My father used to chase my mother with one of
these. No one chases me.

LYSIA
If you're looking for men, you won't find any. Not
in the city of Amazons. You're the only one and I
don't think you'll last very long.

Lysia unties Hercules from what he was being pulled on, though his arms are tied to a long board behind his back. Lysia pulls him into the Queen's home.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside.

LYSIA
I'm sure you're used to having your way with women.
I bet they just fall at your feet, wherever you go. Well,
not here. Here, you fall at our feet.

She kicks him in the crotch, which drops him to his knees. Hippolyta enters.

HIPPOLYTA
So, this is the great Hercules come to destroy us.

A bowl of water is placed before Hercules and Hippolyta puts her foot on it.

LYSIA
Wash her feet.

Hercules sends the bowl flying with the board he is tied to.

HIPPOLYTA
You'd rather die than assume the role of a woman,
wouldn't you? (to Amazons) Women of Amazon,
this is Hercules, champion of men. He's the best
the enemy has to offer, and you've put him in
chains. Be proud of yourselves. (to Hercules) You
don't quite know what to make of us, do you,
champion? You've never been defeated before,
certainly not by a band of women.

She draws a dagger.

HIPPOLYTA
If you only knew how much pleasure this gives me.

She cuts off his gag.

HERCULES
Pleasure is the last thing I'd give you, you murdering bitch!

Hippolyta laughs.

HIPPOLYTA
It's not a question of you giving it, only whether
or not I want to take it.

HERCULES
Did you take pleasure in killing Iolaus?

HIPPOLYTA
I'm sorry about your friend, but we have every
right to defend ourselves. After all, you came to
destroy us.

HERCULES
That's not true.

HIPPOLYTA
Well then, what is? You were lost? Two lost lambs,
wandering in the woods?

HERCULES
We were sent by the men across the river.

HIPPOLYTA
And they sent you to destroy us?

HERCULES
They sent us to destroy a beast. We didn't know
the beast was you.

Hippolyta laughs.

HIPPOLYTA
They told you we were beasts? Still so stuffed
with male pride, they had to lie to you.

HERCULES
From what I've seen, it wasn't a lie.

HIPPOLYTA
We're not beasts, Hercules. We are women.

HERCULES
Hardly.

HIPPOLYTA
Just because, we're not the kind of women you
would like us to be. Make no mistake, these are
women. Women who will not be controlled by men,
not beaten down, not bought and sold like oxen.
Men will never dominate these women.

HERCULES
We don't dominate you, we protect you.

The Amazons laugh.

HIPPOLYTA
Oh, I see, you protect us!

HERCULES
Because you're weaker.

HIPPOLYTA
Am I? I don't think so.

HERCULES
You've got an advantage, at the moment.

HIPPOLYTA
Yes, I suppose I do. What are you looking at,
Hercules? Do you find me attractive? My legs?
My breasts? My lips? Your friend is dead, I've got
you in chains. You hate me. And yet, you still desire
me. You're pathetic. There's no point in talking to
you anymore. You'll never understand what makes
a woman.

HERCULES
You'll never understand what makes a man. You
don't know anything about me.

HIPPOLYTA
Oh, but I do.

LYSIA
Come.

Lysia and the other Amazons leave the room.

HIPPOLYTA
I'll show you. I'll show you exactly what it is that
makes a man.

She picks up a lighted blue candle.

HIPPOLYTA
Go back. Go back and live your life again. Let's
see who you really are.

She blows out the candle and Hercules turns into a baby.

END OF ACT ONE



ACT TWO

HIPPOLYTA
Now we'll see who you really are, Hercules.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alcmene puts baby Hercules in his crib.

ALCMENE
Now be a good boy, while I bathe.

She leaves and Zeus enters.

ZEUS
My look at who I see!

He laughs.

ZEUS
How has this big, wide world been treating you?
It's all out there for you, son, more than you can
imagine. Yours is gonna be such a wonderful life.
And women, let me tell you, there's nothing like a
beautiful woman. Believe me, women are the sweetest
journey you will ever take. But don't be afraid. Take
a lot of them.

He laughs.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Present.

HIPPOLYTA
Did you see, Hercules? That's who you are...the
son of your father. Women mean nothing to him,
nor to you. They're just play toys to be used and
then thrown away. Your father, all fathers, teach
this to their sons on the day that they're born.
And it doesn't change as you grow older.

She looks at Hercules who is now a teenager.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Young Hercules and Young Iolaus wrestle.

EXTRA
Get him! Get him!

EXTRA
Come on!

EXTRA
Yeah!

Young Hercules gets Young Iolaus in a headlock.

YOUNG IOLAUS
What, whaddya--whaddya say we call it a draw?

ECHEITUS
Good match Hercules, Iolaus. You should be
proud'a yourselves. You've become the best fighters
in the class. (to all) You've all come a long way.
You're ready to graduate. You'll be leaving here,
soon. You'll take with you the truths you've learned.
When you fight, fight to the death. Cultivate hardness
'cause a man is stone. If ya have any emotions
left, grind them to the dust. Emotions, are for the
weak. The girls. Most of all, remember, you'll be
known by the enemies you make. So make good
ones. Hey!

EXTRAS
Hey!

YOUNG HERCULES
You and me, Iolaus, we'll fight back-to-back and
die together! Battlefield heroes!

YOUNG IOLAUS
We die together? A promise?

They clasps arms.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Present.

HIPPOLYTA
There again, women are nothing in your world.
They're weak, polluted with emotion. But what great
thing is it to be a man? Hammered into killing tools?
No feelings except for enemies? No strengths
but those to destroy? Tell me, when has a man
brought life into the world? When does a man
deliver anything but death?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clips from earlier.

HERCULES
Be careful, Iolaus.

IOLAUS
No, be reckless. Careful dies, reckless kills. Ow!

HERCULES
No, Iolaus! Stay at my back!

HIPPOLYTA (voice-over)
You have no idea what women are, but you've had
your first lesson today.

IOLAUS
Hercules! It's a woman!

HERCULES
Iolaus!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hercules holds his pants over himself as he cries.

HIPPOLYTA
It's not my intention that you should suffer needlessly.
It's not a female trait. You loved Iolaus. I believe that.

HERCULES
(crying) He was my best friend. We went through
a lot together. I should have never let him come along.

HIPPOLYTA
You surprise me. Seems, somehow, that a spark
of humanity has survived inside you. Could you
love a woman as you loved Iolaus?

HERCULES
It's different with women.

HIPPOLYTA
Why? Women need respect and loyalty just as
much as you do. But you'll never understand that.

HERCULES
What if I tried to change?

HIPPOLYTA
You can't change. You're a man.

HERCULES
But if I learned to be the way I am, I can learn to
be another way.

HIPPOLYTA
Why should I believe you?

HERCULES
You shouldn't. But something tells me you're
strong enough to take the chance.

HIPPOLYTA
No. Men can learn nothing except how to deceive
and dominate and kill.

HERCULES
So show me another way!

HIPPOLYTA
No.

HERCULES
I don't think you could even if you wanted to.

HIPPOLYTA
And why to you say that?

HERCULES
Because you don't know any other way. You've
become exactly like the men you hate.

HIPPOLYTA
I've had enough of this conversation with you.

She pulls a rope and brings a cage down on him.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amazon village.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night. A young Amazon pokes Hercules with a stick. Her and two Amazon women stand outside his cage.

HERCULES
What are you doing?

He stands.

HERCULES
Who's the little girl? Why you looking at me like that?

ILIA
She's never seen a man before.

HERCULES
And you?

ILIA
Yes, I've just never talked to one.

HERCULES
So is that what you want? To talk?

ILIA
Sort of.

HERCULES
What do you mean, "Sort of"?

ILIA
I wanna know something.

HERCULES
Like what?

ILIA
At night, sometimes, I've heard the older women
speaking. They don't know I can hear them. Is it
true, in other places men and women live together?

HERCULES
Why do you ask me? Doesn't Hippolyta teach you
everything you need to know?

ILIA
Well, of course she does! It's just that, sometimes,
I get these feelings inside and...and I wonder
what the enemy's all about.

HERCULES
Yeah. Well, that makes three of us. (to Megara)
What about you? Is that what you've come here for?

MEGARA
You--you came from Gargerensia. Did you see
a little boy there?

HERCULES
Well, there are many little boys.

MEGARA
Yeah, well, he--he--he'd be ten, fair-haired, with
a, uh, with a freckle on his right cheek?

HERCULES
You mean Franco.

MEGARA
Franco. How is he?

HERCULES
He's fine. I mean, he's...you're his mother, aren't you?

MEGARA
No. Why--why, no, no. What-

Lysia enters.

LYSIA
What are you doing in here? No one is to talk to
this dog. Get out!

The others leave. Lysia steps up to the cage and hits Hercules' hand with a stick.

LYSIA
If it were up to me, you wouldn't be caged, you'd
be buried.

She leaves. Zeus appears.

ZEUS
You know, normally, I like to see a woman with
a little fire in her eyes. Ha, but this one is all fire.

HERCULES
What are you doing here?

ZEUS
I just came to see if I could help you.

HERCULES
Help from you.

He laughs.

HERCULES
That's a new one.

ZEUS
Come on! Give me a little credit! You don't see
the other gods dropping in on their kids, do you?
What can I do?

HERCULES
You can tell me how to understand women.

ZEUS
Oh, understand women, who can understand
them?! They're full of feelings and instincts and
they can always outguess you. But, uh, uh, tell
me, what are you doing here? I mean, this cage
can't hold the strongest man in the world.

HERCULES
It's not the cage that's keeping me here. It's...it's
Hippolyta, all right? There's something about her.

ZEUS
Well, she's very beautiful.

HERCULES
It's not that. She's...different somehow. She's
got strength and power.

ZEUS
You know, I fell for strength and power. And what
did I wind up with? Hera?

HERCULES
I've just got to get her to change her mind.

ZEUS
Women don't do that! At least not when you want
'em to. Son, just think back about all the things I
taught you about women.

HERCULES
I have been. I'm thinking, maybe you were wrong.

ZEUS
Oh, huh. Well, maybe I was. But remember, these
Amazons are Hera's favourites. You mess around
with 'em, you're gonna make her very unhappy.

HERCULES
Since when have either of us ever cared about
Hera's happiness?

ZEUS
Well, I warned you.

Zeus disappears.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hippolyta enters a room with a small shrine in her home. She kneels before it.

HIPPOLYTA
Hera.

HERA (voice-over)
You've done well, Hippolyta. You've made me
proud with the capture of Hercules.

HIPPOLYTA
It's only with the strength that you have given
us that we were able to defeat him. We owe our
victory to you.

HERA (voice-over)
Tell me-

She appears in a mirror.

HERA
-why is it he's still alive?

HIPPOLYTA
I didn't see the need to kill him. I'm not so sure
he's the enemy.

HERA
All men are the enemy. Haven't I told you that?

HIPPOLYTA
But Hercules seems...different. He doesn't
seem as bad as-

HERA
Don't be a fool. Hercules is the worst of them. He
wants to control you, to control everything. You
have to kill him now, while you can.

HIPPOLYTA
But I have spoken with him and-

HERA
Are you refusing to obey me?

HIPPOLYTA
No, of course not. I would never.

HERA
Then do as I say. Kill him.

HIPPOLYTA
Yes, Hera.

HERA
And the moment he'd dead, I want you to carry
ut the attack on the Gargerensians.

HIPPOLYTA
It will be done.

She turns away from the mirror and pulls a rope, which rings a gong. Lysia enters.

HIPPOLYTA
Lysia, spread the word among the women. We attack the Gargerensian men tonight.

LYSIA
My warriors will be ready and at your call.

HIPPOLYTA
Good. Now, go. There's something I've got to do.

Lysia leaves. Hercules breaks the lock and escapes. Hippolyta gets a sword and walks over to Hercules' cage, but he's is gone.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Landscape.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The men line up for stew.

EXTRA
No, he's still eating.

EXTRA
Bring your bowls here.

Hercules enters.

TIBER
Hey, it's Hercules. He's back.

PITHUS
Hercules, we thought you were dead.

HERCULES
There's no time to explain. The women are coming
to attack. Gather your weapons. Get ready to
defend yourselves.

TIBER
But--but I don't have a weapon.

HECTOR
Neither do I. I'm just a farmer.

PITHUS
Hercules, I told you, we're not warriors. We
don't know how to fight them.

HERCULES
Would you rather die? Are you gonna let them
slaughter you? Your sons?

PITHUS
Hercules, there's something more we need to
tell you about their attack.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moon rises.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Amazons prepare and dance. They put on armour, put daggers in their boots and oils on their skin.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hippolyta walks amoung the Amazons.

HIPPOLYTA
We ride tonight, with the strength that Hera has
given us and the strength that we have earned for
ourselves! Take what you need, but be quick.
Stay only until the sound of horn. The moment
you hear it, we ride away. Now...to your horses!

The Amazons yell and they all mount and ride away.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gargerensia.

HECTOR
Hercules, they're coming.

HERCULES
All right, now, go. But remember to do everything
exactly as I told you.

PITHUS
What about the horn?

HERCULES
Don't worry about that. I'll take care of it. Now,
get going.

The men leave.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The women ride in.

HIPPOLYTA
Go, but be careful. There's no telling what kind
of trap Hercules has laid for us. And remember,
you have only until the sound of the horn.

The Amazons dismount and spread out.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chilla enters Hector's home.

CHILLA
Don't keep me waiting. You know what I'm here
for. What's all this?

HECTOR
I thought maybe we could talk, first.

CHILLA
Talk? About what?

HECTOR
You. Who you are. I want to know all about you.

CHILLA
There's no time for that. Now, take your clothes off.
HECTOR
There's plenty of time. Please?

He pours her a drink. They click glasses and drink.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ilia enters Tiber's home.

ILIA
Quickly! Take your clothes off. Take your clothes off.

TIBER
I will i--if you tell me your name.

ILIA
No names. We're in a hurry.

TIBER
But you must tell me.

He picks up a lyre.

TIBER
You see? I've written you a love song and without
your name, it has no title.

He starts to play.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Megara enters Pithus' home, her mask on. Franco is there.

MEGARA
Franco. What's he doing here? He's not supposed
to be here.

FRANCO
Are you my mother? I sometimes dream of you,
but I can't remember your face. Please let me
see your face.

She takes off her mask.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lysia enters a hut to find Zeus.

ZEUS
I beg you to please, be gentle with me. Or, if you
wish...rough.

LYSIA
A moment is all I need. When the horn sounds,
you'll never see me again.

ZEUS
Oh. Oh, uh, after an attack like that, I--I suppose
you're hungry?

LYSIA
The rules are, "No small talk, just sex."

ZEUS
Ah, I see. Well-

He laughs and lies down.

ZEUS
-as you wish.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside, Hippolyta brushes her horse. Hercules walks over to her.

HERCULES
So, this is the big attack of the night that they
told me about.

HIPPOLYTA
Stay clear of me, Hercules. You're lucky to be
alive as it is.

HERCULES
I thought your women didn't need men.

HIPPOLYTA
We don't. But we do need what they have. It's the
only way to be sure there'll be daughters to take
over from us when we're gone.

HERCULES
And if the babies are male, you abandon them
on the riverbank.

HIPPOLYTA
We have no use for them.

HERCULES
Seems like an insane way of living you've developed.

HIPPOLYTA
Hera's happy. That's good enough.

HERCULES
Is it?

HIPPOLYTA
Yes, it is.

HERCULES
I thought you didn't wanna be controlled.

HIPPOLYTA
No one controls us.

HERCULES
Oh, Hera does. You obey her every word.

HIPPOLYTA
Not every word, she ordered me to kill you.

HERCULES
Then why haven't you?

HIPPOLYTA
Maybe I will.

Hercules pulls out Hippolyta's dagger, hands it to her and puts it at his throat.

HERCULES
Then do it now.

Hippolyta moves away and grabs the horn.

HERCULES
Why are you in such a hurry to separate them?
Why don't you give them a chance just to talk?

HIPPOLYTA
Talk isn't what we came for.

HERCULES
Are you afraid they're gonna find out they don't
have to hate each other?

HIPPOLYTA
I'm protecting them from the lies those men will
tell them if given half a chance.

HERCULES
Those people down there belong together. The
Gargerensians need your women.

HIPPOLYTA
My women don't need them.

HERCULES
Yes, they do. They told me themselves. They feel
an emptiness they can't explain.

HIPPOLYTA
Don't lie to me.

HERCULES
You know I'm not lying. You feel that same
emptiness, don't you?

HIPPOLYTA
Stop it. No man is going to make me want him.
I won't be that weak.

HERCULES
It's not weak to admit what you're feeling. It takes
strength and courage. Don't be afraid.

HIPPOLYTA
I'm not afraid of anything.

HERCULES
No? Then you're not afraid of this.

He holds her.

HERCULES
And you're not afraid of this.

She puts her hands on his chest.

HERCULES
And you're not afraid...of this.

He kisses her.

HIPPOLYTA
I told you, I'm not afraid of anything.

They kiss.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning. A roaster crows.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chilla and Hector are in bed together.

HECTOR
Do you have any children?

CHILLA
I have a little girl. She's four.

HECTOR
She must be a cute little thing.

CHILLA
She is and she has your silly smile.

HECTOR
Silly smile? Silly smile?

They laugh.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Pithus' tent. Franco sleeps beside Megara and Pithus.

MEGARA
He's such a beautiful boy.

PITHUS
Yeah.

MEGARA
You've done well with him.

PITHUS
I do my best. But what he really needs is a mother.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zeus moves his lips over Lysia's neck.

LYSIA
This feels like heaven.

ZEUS
Oh, darling, heaven was never like this.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hercules and Hippolyta are in the stable together. Hippolyta gets up.

HERCULES
What's the matter?

HIPPOLYTA
This has gone on long enough.

She blows the horn.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later, the men talk.

HECTOR
Her name's Chilla. Every moment with her was
fantastic. We talked about her. We talked about
me. We talked about everything. And to think up
until now, I was always afraid of her.

TIBER
I know what ya mean. You should've seen Ilea.
When she took her mask off, I nearly cried, she
was so beautiful!

They all laugh.

TIBER
Her hair glowed in the moonlight. I'm still a little
afraid I was having some kind of vision.

They all laugh.

PITHUS
Well, if it was a vision...we had one, too!

They all laugh again.

FRANCO
And I met my mother.

Hercules enters.

FRANCO
Hey!

HECTOR
Hercules, you've given our village life again. We
owe everything to you.

PITHUS
Thank you, Hercules. Things are gonna be so
much better, now the women are coming back.

HERCULES
That's if the women come back.

KURION
Whaddya mean? Of course they're gonna come
back. They're gonna want more. I mean, what
woman wouldn't?

They laugh.

TIBER
Yeah, they'll be back and think how much better
it'll be. Our clothes will be mended. We'll eat better.

HECTOR
It'll be back to the way it should be!

ALL
Yeah!

PITHUS
Right.

HERCULES
What's wrong with you? Those attitudes are exactly
what got you in all this trouble in the first place. The
women aren't the ones who have to work around
here. It's you men, all of you.

PITHUS
Hercules is right. Things went the way they did
last night because we talked to them, we listened
to them.

HERCULES
That's right, you did. If you wanna keep Gargerensia
from being torn apart again, it's the only way.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amazon village. Hippolyta listens.

CHILLA
Hector and I talked for hours.

ILIA
Tiber and I did, too. You know? He even sang
me a song.

They laugh.

MEGARA
You should have seen my son, Franco, he's such
a beautiful boy. I can't wait to see him again, the
both of them. And what about you, Lysia? Did
you get to know the man you met?

LYSIA
We, um, we didn't get 'round to a lot of talking.

They laugh and Hippolyta walks away.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hippolyta goes to the shrine for Hera.

HERA (voice-over)
You returned successful?

HIPPOLYTA
Yes, Hera.

HERA (voice-over)
Did the attack go as planned?

HIPPOLYTA
Hera, we owe you for everything that we have.
Our strength, our freedom. You've brought us such
a long way, and we're grateful, but maybe we've
gone too far. Maybe all men aren't the enemy.

Hera appears in the mirror.

HERA
I ordered you to kill him!

HIPPOLYTA
But he doesn't deserve to die. He's different.
He's changed!

HERA
You poor child. Hercules only pretended to change.
Everything he did, everything he said was only
to prevent you from sounding the horn. Don't you
see? He tricked you!

HIPPOLYTA
No, that's not true. He-

HERA
Do you really think you could change Hercules?
He's the son of Zeus. Why, they probably planned
all this together. And while he was having his
way with you, his men were wrapping their lies
around your women. You've lost control of them.

HIPPOLYTA
No!

HERA
Yes! Now you feel betrayed, as I felt. He was
sent to destroy you, and he succeeded!

HIPPOLYTA
No, you're wrong. I know you're wrong. He said that-

HERA
What? Did he say, he loved you? That he needed
you? Did he tell you there was no one in the world
quite like you? You must act now, before everything
is gone. Assemble your troops and destroy him.
Destroy all of them! Ride into Gargerensia and
let no man stand alive! It's the only hope of saving
what you've worked for. What we've worked for.

HIPPOLYTA
No, Hera. There'll be no more attacks.

HERA
Obey me. I'm warning you.

HIPPOLYTA
We've obeyed you for long enough. We've been
controlled by your hate, by the blackness in
your heart.

HERA
Hercules has to die. The Gargerensians have
to die. I command you!

HIPPOLYTA
No! There'll be no more commands!

The glass shatters and hits Hippolyta. Hera takes over her body.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Amazons laugh. Hera steps outside in Hippolyta's body. Lysia walks up to her.

LYSIA
The women wanted me to thank you.

HERA
Thank me?

LYSIA
Yeah, look at them. I've never seen them so happy.
And to tell you the truth, I'm feeling the same way.

HERA
That's nice.

LYSIA
We wanna know when we can go back, when we
can see the men again.

HERA
How about, right now? (to all) Mount up! Full battle
gear. Battle arms. We attack Gargerensia again.
This time, no man to be left alive.

LYSIA But, Hippolyta, wasn't what happened last night-
HERA
You'll obey my orders or have you turned against me?

LYSIA
No, my queen, never. Never. (to Amazons) We
ride immediately! This time we fight!

She starts to walk. The others stand still. Lysia pushes through them.

LYSIA
Move!

END OF ACT TWO



ACT THREE

The Amazons ride.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tiber runs across the bridge. He trips on a pig, but keeps going.

TIBER
They're coming. They're coming!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Amazons ride.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The men stand in a line, fussing with clothes, teeth and odor. They all have flowers.

EXTRA
You ready?

EXTRA
Hurry.

EXTRA
Stand up. Stand up.

The Amazons ride in. The men stand straight, but when blades are drawn, they run.

TIBER
We're through!

EXTRA
Run! Run!

EXTRA
Come on!

EXTRA
Run!

EXTRA
Watch out!

EXTRA
Watch out!

The Amazons attack.

EXTRA
Come on!

EXTRA
Come on!

EXTRA
Whoa!

HERA
Burn everything to the ground! Kill every living soul!

PITHUS
Megara! Megara, where are you?! It's me!

HERA
Lysia, kill that man, right now.

Lysia dismounts and draws her blade. She moves to kill Pithus.

MEGARA
No!

Lysia looks at her.

HERA
Lysia, kill him.

Lysia doesn't.

HERA
Then I'll kill him myself. I'll kill all of them!

Hera dismounts and takes the blade, pushing Lysia aside. Hera raises the blade. Hercules enters.

HERCULES
Hippolyta! What's going on?! What are you doing?!

HERA
I'm saving my women.

HERCULES
But they don't need to be saved. Look at them!
Their war against these men is over.

HERA
The war against men is never over, Hercules.

HERCULES
With these men it is. You've won. You've got their
respect. They're ready to treat you the way you
deserve to be treated.

HERA
And why should we believe your lies?

HERCULES
They're not lies. On my love for you, they are
not lies.

HERA
Your father made promises on his love. They
didn't last a day.

The peacock feathers appear in Hippolyta's eyes. Hera speaks with her own voice.

HERA (voice-over)
They didn't last a day.

HERCULES
Hera.

Hera uses Hippolyta's voice again and laughs.

HERA
That's right, Hercules. You may have stolen
Hippolyta's heart and her mind, but I--I control her
body. I'm going to enjoy killing you. You and every
one of these men.

Hera attack Hercules, but he takes the blade and holds it on Hera. He can't kill Hippolyta.

HIPPOLYTA
Hercules.

Hercules mounts a horse and rides off.

HERA
There's nowhere to run, Hercules.

Hera mounts another and follows.

MEGARA
Why is he running?

PITHUS
He's trying to save us.

FRANCO
But who's gonna save Hercules?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hercules rides.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hera rides.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hercules dismounts and runs into the woods.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hera rides.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hercules moves through the woods. Zeus appears.

ZEUS
If I were you, I'd get back on that horse and keep
on riding.

HERCULES
And let Hera control those women? I don't think so.

ZEUS
Oh so, now they're yours?

HERCULES
No, they're not anybody's. They're free to make
up their own minds on what they wanna do. If
they choose to be with those men, I'm not gonna
let Hera stop them.

ZEUS
Son, it's best just to get out of her way and head
back when it's over. It really works for me.

HERCULES
Yeah? It doesn't work for me. I don't suppose I
can count on you for any help.

ZEUS
Oh, I'd really love to, but you know how it is.

He disappears.

HERCULES
Yeah, I know how it is.

Hercules picks up a stick.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hercules moves along. Hera yells after him.

HERA
Don't bother hiding, Hercules! I'll hunt you 'til your
head's in my hands.

HERCULES
I'm not hiding, Hera.

Hera swings down from the trees and kicks Hercules.

HERA
You think you're ready for me. Let's see what kind
of legend you really are.

HERCULES
I won't fight you.

HERA
Come on, Hercules. I know you want to kill me.
This is your big chance.

HERCULES
No. It's all over, Hera. Those women aren't yours,
anymore. Hippolyta and all of them, they belong
to themselves.

HERA
No. They belong to me.

Hera beats on Hercules.

HERCULES
Hippolyta, you're too strong to be conquered. Listen
to me!

HERA
It won't work, Hercules. She can't fight this battle.
Only you can.

She beats him up some more and cuts him.

HERA
Oh, good, the bleeding has begun.

HERCULES
Hippolyta, please, don't let her do this. If you love
me, fight her.

HERA
Save your breath to scream, Hercules.

She attacks him again. She kicks him down and holds the blade on him.

HERA
You know, for the champion of men you were a
big disappointment.

She moves to kill him when Pithus runs in.

HERCULES
No, Pithus!

Hera hits Pithus and pushes him against a tree, holding a dagger to his throat.

HERCULES
No, Hera, he doesn't have to die.

HERA
You don't get it, do you? They all have to die.

Hera slits Pithus' throat.

HERCULES
No!

Hercules fights Hera and holds up his stick, ready to slam it into Hera's face. Hera laughs.

HERA
What are you waiting for? Kill me. You know you
want to.

HERCULES
No. You can't make me hurt her.

Hercules leaves and Hera laughs, following.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hercules moves onto a broken bridge above a waterfall. Hera joins him. Hercules has no where to go.

HERA
Seems you have no choice, now. It's either fight
or die.

HERCULES
I told you, I won't hurt her.

HERA
I won't allow both of you to live.

Hercules drops his sticks and holds out his arms.

HERCULES
Then kill me.

HERA
What?

HERCULES
If one of us has to die, it's gonna be me.

Hera laughs.

HERA
Who would've thought that of all things, it would
be love that kills the great Hercules?

HERCULES
I could never stand the pain of living without her.

HERA
Then live without her.

Hera runs past him and jumps off the bridge. Hippolyta screams as she falls. Hera laughs.

HERCULES
No! No-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!

Hera's eyes appear in the water.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image of Hippolyta's and Hercules' faces as the sun sets.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Amazons and the men bury the dead. Hercules enters carrying Hippolyta's body. The Amazons take her and Hector moves to help. Ilia holds him back.

HECTOR
Please?

EXTRA
Right here.

They let him help.

EXTRA
I can't believe this is happening.

Lysia, Ilia, Chilla, Hector and Tiber carry Hippolyta's body away.

EXTRA
Why? Why?

Franco moves to Hercules.

FRANCO
Where's my dad? What's happened to him?

HERCULES
Your father was a good man, Franco.

FRANCO
But I want him back! I want him to be here!

Megara hugs him.

MEGARA
Oh, Franco, sometimes, we lose the people we
love and there's nothing we can do to bring them back.

HERCULES
Don't be so sure.

Hercules leaves.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night. Hercules moves through the now empty Amazon village.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hercules moves into Hippolyta's place, picks up the blue candle and lights it. Zeus appears.

ZEUS
Hercules, it's not going to work. What's past is
past. Let it go. What you're thinking about is impossible.

HERCULES
Wait a second.

Hercules gets a water pack and holds the candle before Zeus.

HERCULES
Now, do it.

ZEUS
No.

HERCULES
Do it!

ZEUS
Look, it's not gonna change things. This candle
can only show your past. It's not gonna take you
back there. That's not the way it works.

HERCULES
But you could make it work that way. You do
have the power.

ZEUS
Yes, I have. But that is not the problem. Son, I love
you. And I understand your pain. But I can't just go
around reversing time, and changing the course
of events! If you only knew how complicated it gets
with the stars, the planets and all. Not to mention,
the other gods. I mean, they--they would go insaneif
I started messing around with things. Son, you
can't imagine the headaches this would cause.

HERCULES
You don't understand how important this is. Three
lives, three good people have died. Please, father,
do this for me.

ZEUS
God, have you any idea how angry Hera would be?
I couldn't go back home.

HERCULES
You never do, anyway.

Zeus blows out the candle.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time rewinds. Hercules walks out of the Amazon village. Hercules walks back with Hippolyta's body. Hippolyta comes flying up, screaming.

HERCULES
No-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o! No!

Hippolyta lands on the bridge.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The candle smoke moves around Hercules.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Amazons ride back. Pithus' neck is un-slashed.

HERA
They all have to die.

The Amazons ride backward.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The candle smoke moves around Hercules.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The men are not killed. Hercules and Hippolyta kiss.

HIPPOLYTA
I'm not afraid of anything.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The candle smoke moves around Hercules.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Amazons ride backwards. Hercules lies naked in Hippolyta's home. The Amazons ride backwards. Hercules and Iolaus fight the Amazons.

IOLAUS
It's a woman!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The candle smoke moves around Hercules.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hercules and Iolaus fight the Amazons. Hercules and Iolaus fight the hydra.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The candle smoke moves around Hercules.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hercules sits at the table at Iolaus' place. Ania puts a bowl of stew in front of him.

ANIA
Hercules, I made extra for you. I hope you're hungry.

IOLAUS
Hercules? Are you all right?

Hercules is silent and then looks at Iolaus.

HERCULES
Iolaus, it's so damn good to see you!

IOLAUS
Yeah, you, too. Listen, if you don't wanna eat Ania's
stew, it's okay.

HERCULES
No, no, it's all right. I'll--I'll eat it.

Hercules eats the stew.

HERCULES
Mmm, this is great. It's the best I've ever had! Iolaus,
I know you two are gonna have a long and happy
life together.

IOLAUS
Well, thank you, Hercules.

Pithus moves by the window and Ania gasps.

HERCULES
Oh, no, it's--it's--it's all right. It's only, it's only Pithus.

Iolaus tastes the stew and doesn't like it.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hercules opens the door, but doesn't hit Pithus with it this time.

HERCULES
It's all right, Pithus. It's me, Hercules.

PITHUS
How do you know my name?

HERCULES
It's too long a story. But I know why you're here,
and I know how to help you.

PITHUS
Then you'll come back with me. You'll come back
to Garerensia.

HERCULES
You don't need me. You can solve your problem,
yourselves. Look, the next time your enemy attacks,
don't treat them as the enemy. Instead of fearing
them, respect them. I mean, in your hearts, you
know who they are, so talk to them. Just give them
what they want.

PITHUS
But we can't do it on our own. You've gotta come
back with me.

HERCULES
I can't, Pithus. If I go back with you, people will
die; good people.

PITHUS
But, then how do we-

HERCULES
Just do as I told you.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clips from earlier.

HERCULES (voice-over)
Make your enemy your friend. I mean, in your hearts,
you know who they are, so talk to them. Welcome
them into your homes, share yourselves, and find
out who they are.

ILIA
Take your clothes off!

HERCULES (voice-over)
Even if you don't know how, try. If you make an
effort, it'll change everything. But you have to take
the first step.

TIBER
I've written you a love song.

HERCULES (voice-over)
More than everything, open yourselves up to them.
Show them what matters to you, what you care
about. Believe me, it'll put an end to all this hatred.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pithus looks at Hercules.

HERCULES
And, uh, it wouldn't hurt if you washed their feet
every once in a while, either.

PITHUS
Are you sure it's gonna work?

HERCULES
I know it'll work.

He hands Pithus a horn.

HERCULES
Keep that for yourself.

Pithus leaves and Hercules steps inside.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside.

IOLAUS
What was that all about?

HERCULES
Oh, just an old friend. He needed my help.

IOLAUS
Sounds like an adventure.

HERCULES
You're getting married this week. That's adventure
enough for all of us. Now get back over there and
help that beautiful woman of yours.

Iolaus moves to Ania and Alcmene moves to Hercules.

ALCMENE
Those two belong together, don't they?

HERCULES
They sure do.

ALCMENE
What about you, Hercules? You think there's a
woman out there who can make you that happy?

HERCULES
Yeah. She's out there, somewhere.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hippolyta.

END OF ACT THREE


STARRING
Kevin Sorbo as Hercules
Anthony Quinn as Zeus
Michael Hurst as Iolaus
Roma Downey as Hippolyta
Roma Downey as Hera
Lucy Lawless as Lysia
Lloyd Scott as Pithus

GUEST CAST - In Order of Appearance
Christopher Brougham as Lethan
Tim Lee as Ilus
Maggie Tarver as Village Mother
John Steemson as Village Boy
Helen Steemson as Village Girl
Rose Molier as Girl (Hydra)
Kim Michalis as Alcmene
Nick Kemplen as Village Heckler
Heidi Anderson as Girl Being Heckled
Jill Sayre as Ania
Murray Keane as Tiber
Andrew Thurtell as Kurion
Mick Rose as Hector
David Taylor as Franco
Nina Sosanya as Chilla
Vicky Burrett as Old Amazon Woman
Margaret-Mary Hollins as Megara
Kristin Darragh and Tamara Waugh as Lugina
Fiana Mogride as Ilia
Jacques Dupeyroux as Baby Hercules
Pater Malloch as Young Hercules
Daniel James as Young Iolaus
Jeff Boyd as Echeitus
Simone Kessell as Jana
Joy Watson as Hera (uncredited)

Written by: Jule Selbo, Andrew Dettmann and Daniel Truly
Directed by: Bill L. Norton