As Darkness Falls
Oh, glorious Hera. I must possess the beautiful
Penelope. Please, send me some sign. I will
do anything to win her. Anything.
Thank you, great Hera. Now you must show me,
who must I kill?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soldier! Where you headed?
TYRON
Nespa.
HERCULES
I'm going there, myself, to a wedding. Let me
give you a hand.
I'm not trying to steal your armour.
TYRON
Don't touch it.
HERCULES
I'm just trying to help.
TYRON
I don't want your help.
HERCULES
Two sets of armour. Your comrade's.
TYRON
He died because I was a coward. I'm taking his
armour back to his family.
HERCULES
You still have a long ways to go.
TYRON
It's the least I can do.
HERCULES
I understand. Good luck, my friend.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ha-ha! Beat that.
LYLA
Dead center.
Okay? Go!
Huh! Why do we bother practicing? Even if we
win an event, the groom gets the money.
DERIC
I take pride in knowing I'm as good as any of them.
CRAESUS
Then why aren't you-
LYLA
Yeah!
CRAESUS
-sitting at the main table instead of quarantined
half-way to the woods?
DERIC
Still, not many people would dare invite a Centaur
to a wedding.
CRAESUS
Ten years we worked for the bride's father.
And this is the thanks we get?! A table between
the children and where they tether their beasts?!
LYLA
Aww, are you denying the beast in you?
CRAESUS
You watch your tongue.
DERIC
Craesus is right, Lyla. You'd probably be a
bridesmaid if you didn't hang around with us.
LYLA
I choose my own friends.
Lyla!
Fill it with wine. And when the time is right,
add this!
Hera has given me the power to win the hand
of Penelope.
Penelope? She's the bride!
NEMIS
Now I can show her the error of her judgment.
And with this-
-I will avenge my brother's death! It's a club like
you've never seen.
This club will kill Hercules.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
Hercules?! Hey, Hercules! Wait up!
HERCULES
Not again.
SALMONEUS
Hercules! I thought it was you!
HERCULES
Salmoneus, good to see you.
SALMONEUS
Wo-o-o! You got quite a stride, there.
HERCULES
You should take better care of yourself. You're
looking a little warn down since the last time
I saw you.
SALMONEUS
Yeah-heah-heah. Hey, that's not funny, my friend.
It might be easy for a god to entertain fifty
nubile maidens - it almost killed me.
HERCULES
Almost, huh? Still selling togas?
SALMONEUS
Nah, I got out of that racket. The styles change
every year. Real estate! That's where the future
is. They're not making any more land, you know?
Which reminds me, hey, take a look at this.
Isn't that beautiful? I got a great deal on some
swampland in Macedonia.
HERCULES
Not interested.
SALMONEUS
No, I don't mean for you to buy! You could be my
partner, huh?! With your knack for moving mountains
and diverting rivers, we could make a killing just
subdividing by twenty extra lots.
HERCULES
Not interested.
SALMONEUS
Think about it! You don't have to decide now!
Hey, Hercules, where you going?!
HERCULES
You're going to Nespa, too?
SALMONEUS
Yeah! There's a wedding going on there. I figure
that newlyweds always need to get off on the
right foot. Buy a home, a little land. See, you got
your southern exposure, three kinds of natural-
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy?
PENELOPE
Mmmmm.
And you?
MARCUS
Mmm, very. But I still think it was a mistake
inviting Lyla and the Centaurs.
PENELOPE
Marcus, we've been over this. Lyla is one of my
oldest friends. And Craesus and Deric
have worked my father's farm for years.
It'd be an insult not to invite them.
MARCUS
Even at the risk of destroying the wedding ceremony?
PENELOPE
They'll be fine, at least as long as they stay
away from the wine.
MARCUS
Mmm. Who's gonna keep them away?
Hey Marcus!
EXTRA
It's too high.
SALMONEUS
Location, location, location. That's what it's all
about! See I've got some Thracian hills here
with views to die for.
HERCULES
Not interested.
SALMONEUS
No, you don't realize the potential. Whoa! Look
at all these prospects - ah, guests.
I can't believe your ability to turn anything
into a profit-making venture.
SALMONEUS
It's a gift.
HERCULES
Do me a favour? Keep the hustling and selling
to a minimum? They may be dressed for a
wedding, but these are not rich people.
SALMONEUS
You hurt me.
HERCULES
Don't tell me I've actually wounded your pride.
SALMONEUS
What pride?! You're cutting off my source of
revenue! I'm trying to earn a living, here!
PENELOPE
Hercules!
HERCULES
Penelope!
Oh, Penelope, look...look at you. You're all grown up.
PENELOPE
Look, I couldn't stay twelve forever, not even for you.
I'm so happy to see you. I wasn't sure you'd come.
HERCULES
What, miss the wedding of Myceum's sister?
PENELOPE
I wish he were here to see it.
HERCULES
I know, me too. This is a friend of mine, Salmoneus.
SALMONEUS
Congratulations. I'd like to talk to you about
your future.
HERCULES
Do you listen to a word I say?
SALMONEUS
Which word is that?
Come, you must be starving after your journey.
SALMONEUS
(to other guests) Hi! Uh, I'm Salmoneus...
PENELOPE
Now, tell me all about your adventures.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whoa!
EXTRA
Look at that!
EXTRA
Two hundred four paces!
CRAESUS
(to Hercules) Ever seen anyone throw that far?
HERCULES
Only once.
CRAESUS
Oh, how about that far, with accuracy?
HERCULES
Pick your target.
CRAESUS
The far stump.
EXTRA
The far stump?!
EXTRA
How can he reach that far tree?!
HERCULES
You're on.
SALMONEUS
Okay! I've got Hercules for twenty dinars! Twenty
dinars! Who'll take the Centaur?! Twenty dinars!
EXTRA
Bet against Hercules? Are you crazy?
SALMONEUS
I'll give two-to-one odds. Three-to-one. Five?
EXTRA
Five? Okay.
SALMONEUS
Okay, at five-to-one, that's, let me see, ten dinars
pays fifty, less...
HERCULES
Be my guest.
That'll be hard to beat.
HERCULES
Very hard.
It's a little light. Makes it harder to gauge the distance.
CRAESUS
Well, perhaps you'd rather-
Yes! Yeah!
EXTRA
It went clear through it!
EXTRA
He hit the Centaur's spear!
SALMONEUS
Okay! That's five for you! Nothing for you.
HERCULES
Lucky shot.
SALMONEUS
You can't lose with honest Salmoneus! Hey,
Hercules! You ever thought about getting
an agent?!
HERCULES
What's an agent?
SALMONEUS
You know, someone to find you work. Make sure
you get paid for all your toil and trouble?
HERCULES
It's not work to me, Salmoneus. I enjoy helping
people. And besides, payment is never part of
the deal.
SALMONEUS
See, that's why you need me! I could get you a
contract for big dinars!
HERCULES
Not interested.
SALMONEUS
I'm just thinking of your future. Suppose you
wanna get out of the hero business, you know,
open up a souvenir shop have - I know, not interested.
LYLA
I bet I know what interests you.
HERCULES
And what's that?
LYLA
Pretty things? Come, I'll show you the best view
in all of Nespa. Well, come on. I won't bite.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is everything ready?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did I lie?
HERCULES
No, it must be wonderful to wake up every morning
and see this.
LYLA
Hmm, I have never seen a man throw a javelin
so far.
HERCULES
Well, all it takes is a little practice.
What else have you practiced?
Can we slow this down?
LYLA
Well, don't tell me you like to fall in love with
someone before you go to bed with them. I'm
not a virgin, you know?
HERCULES
That's not the point.
I just don't want to go through life leaving a string
of fatherless children behind.
LYLA
Are you always so noble?
HERCULES
I try to be.
Well, a toast, to Hercules and nobility.
HERCULES
And to Lyla and beauty.
Are you sure I can't convince you otherwise?
HERCULES
Ah, I'm sorry.
LYLA
No?
Look, I can't do this.
LYLA
Well, you can't expect me to make it easy for you.
No offense.
HERCULES
Uh, none taken. Excuse me.
ACT TWO
Tell me, Salmoneus, do I look all right to you?
SALMONEUS
Uh, sure, I think you're very attractive. I mean, I
don't find you particularly attractive, but I'm sure
women do. I mean, I don't find you unattractive.
In fact, I consider you quite handsome. I don't
want you to get the wrong idea! I'm not
interested in you that way.
HERCULES
What I meant was; do I look like there's anything
wrong with me?
SALMONEUS
Come again?
HERCULES
I just don't, feel right. It's my eyes. Does the day
seem a bit overcast to you?
SALMONEUS
Not at all. Why do you ask?
HERCULES
Just...curious.
MOTHER (voice-over)
I think it's disgusting that they should ask-
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-those creatures to a wedding, no less!
EXTRA
Shh! He'll hear you.
EXTRA
Quiet down. Quiet down.
MOTHER
The gods, they're awful.
Funny, I thought the chicken was delicious. You
think it's the company?
HERCULES
It's possible. You see assigned seating can be
a problem.
Yes, uh, I've noticed the Centaurs have been
exiled to the far tables.
HERCULES
Well, some would claim that they offer a better
view of the ceremonies.
Well, in that case, perhaps you'd care to eat
with us.
HERCULES
I'd love to. It's been years since I've broken bread
with a Centaur.
DERIC
It's rumoured you were taught by one.
HERCULES
No rumour. Almost everything I know, I learned
from a Centaur named Ceridian.
DERIC
Including athletic skills?
HERCULES
Yes.
DERIC
Perhaps you oughtta test a student, see how
well he's learned.
HERCULES
Done.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two fingers, left of center!
EXTRA
Great shot, Deric! Hercules won't beat that!
Two fingers, right of center! A tie!
EXTRA
Two winners!
EXTRA
I want my money back!
EXTRA
Well done.
EXTRA
Yeah, give us our stakes back!
EXTRA
Okay. Okay.
SALMONEUS
Why not leave it with me, huh?! I'll give great
odds! I'll double the odds!
HERCULES (voice-over)
I'm not laying back.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Something is wrong with my eyes.
SALMONEUS
Yeah, right! You hit a bull's-eye two hundred
paces away, huh? You must be going blind, huh?!
Salmoneus, I'm telling you, I can't-
SALMONEUS
You know, whatever you're doing, keep it up! If
this keeps going, I get the odds down to three,
maybe even two-to-one, huh?! Ha-ha!
DERIC (voice-over)
You gave him the drink?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just like Nemis said.
DERIC
All of it?
LYLA
What do you think I am, stupid?!
DERIC
Anybody else would've been completely incapacitated.
LYLA
Nemis is too crazy to care.
CRAESUS
Huh! You'd be crazy too, if Hercules killed your twin.
LYLA
Nemis' twin tried to rape Hercules' wife.
He deserved to die.
CRAESUS
Too bad you wound up on the same side as
Nemis, huh? And the rest of us outcasts!
DERIC
Watch your mouth, Craesus!
LYLA
Cheris makes a beautiful maid of honour, doesn't
she? Pity she's spoken for.
HERCULES (voice-over)
Maybe I am losing-
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-my touch.
PENELOPE
Oh, but you didn't have any problems yesterday.
HERCULES
Penelope?
PENELOPE
Hmm?
HERCULES
How well do you know Lyla?
PENELOPE
Oh! The lovely Lyla! We used to be best friends.
When we were younger, we were inseparable.
She had a real crush on my brother before he
died at the siege of Corinth. And then she changed.
She got...wilder, started hanging around with Centaurs.
HERCULES
Well, it's not a crime.
PENELOPE
Oh, it is to some people around here. You
might have lost a few fans when you befriended
Deric, earlier.
HERCULES
I didn't befriend him, I was just being civil.
PENELOPE
Yeah, I try to be the same way. Centaurs are
like everyone else. Some are good, some are
bad. Oh, no speaking of bad.
Nemis.
EXTRA
Hey watch out! Watch where you're going?!
EXTRA
Take it easy, Centaur!
PENELOPE
You know him?
EXTRA
You clumsy lout!
HERCULES
His twin brother tried to abduct someone very
dear to me. I was forced to kill him. What's he
doing here?
PENELOPE
I suppose he invited himself. He used to work
our farm. We even played together when I was
younger. Then my father threw him off when he
started getting too familiar.
MARCUS
Your father had the right idea.
PENELOPE
Marcus, don't.
MARCUS
I don't want him here. He wasn't invited.
PENELOPE
Please? Don't make a scene.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Everyone ready?
DERIC
Nemis, are you sure you wanna go through
with this?
Have you chosen your prize?
CRAESUS
Oh, yes. I have.
Stop it. No, Marcus.
MARCUS
No, listen.
PENELOPE
No, come on, it's our wedding day, please?
MARCUS
Don't ask me to leave.
PENELOPE
Don't be afraid. He'll go before long.
NEMIS
Some day, Penelope will thank me for this.
Hey, look! It's Tyron!
BROTHER #2
It's our brother's armour.
BROTHER #1
Where is he, Tyron?
TYRON
He died in battle, at my side. It was my fault.
CHERIS
Tyron! Tyron, you're back!
TYRON
Please, Cheris. I don't deserve you, not anymore.
BROTHER #2
I'll second that!
BROTHER #1
Tell us how our brother died, war-hero!
TYRON
It was in the marshes at Thebes. We were
attacked by a larger force. I fell. I was about to
be killed. Taros turned his back to help. He
died saving me.
BROTHER #2
Did you avenge his death?!
TYRON
I tried, but the command to retreat was sounded!
BROTHER #2
So you ran?!
TYRON
I withdrew! A soldier follows orders!
Taros was already dead. There was nothing I
could do.
BROTHER #2
Then I'll avenge my brother, and you
shall join him!
CHERIS
No!
Hold on! Hold on.
BROTHER #1
It's not your business, Hercules!
HERCULES
Killing him won't bring your brother back.
BROTHER #2
But it'll make us feel better!
HERCULES
Why? Tyron has acted with honour. He's carried
your brother's armour from the battlefield to
your doorstep.
BROTHER #1
So, we'll return the favour! We will deliver his
armour to his family!
HERCULES
Then you'll have to go through me.
No!
Help!
Watch out!
It needs salt.
Not a bad payday. I'm surprised that first guy
caught you with a sucker-punch.
HERCULES
You could've warned me.
SALMONEUS
I thought you saw it coming.
HERCULES
I'm not seeing much of anything lately, Salmoneus.
SALMONEUS
The guy was as big as a house. I mean, how
could you miss him?
HERCULES
That's what I'm trying to tell you. I think I'm
going blind.
Salmoneus, what's going on?
EXTRA
Ah! Let me down!
The centaurs smashed the banquet table, and
they're beating up the guests!
Penelope!
SALMONEUS
Hey! They grabbed the bride they're heading
this way!
PENELOPE
Help! Somebody, help me!
All I can see is shadows.
PENELOPE
Let me go!
Watch out!
No! No!
DERIC
Lyla! Come on!
Let's go!
SALMONEUS
Hercules?
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
He's breathing.
Don't drown him! Oh, thank the gods he's alive!
What happened?
SALMONEUS
They took them; they're gone.
HERCULES
Who?
MARCUS
The Centaurs and that slut, Lyla!
HERCULES
No, who'd they take?
MARCUS
Penelope and Cheris.
HERCULES
Marcus, Tyron, you know the land. You lead the
way. Salmoneus, you're coming, too.
SALMONEUS
Hercules, you know I'm not much of a warrior.
HERCULES
Salmoneus, I need you to be my eyes.
SALMONEUS
All right, all right. I see what you mean.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lower your head.
Did you see who it was?
TYRON
Uh, I couldn't tell.
HERCULES
Let's move deeper into the bush. We'll be all
right if we don't give 'em a clear shot.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lyla! Some food for our guests.
PENELOPE
Don't do this, Nemis. It can only end badly for you.
NEMIS
It'll end badly, all right. But for Hercules, not me.
PENELOPE
He's done nothing to you!
NEMIS
He killed my brother! And a day doesn't pass
that I don't dream of revenge! Maybe--maybe
when he's dead by my hand, you'll see me in
a different light.
PENELOPE
You're fooling yourself. I could never care for
you, not that way.
NEMIS
You loved me once, long ago.
PENELOPE
You mistake a child's affection for something else.
NEMIS
You're the one that's mistaken and the dead
carcass of Hercules will prove it to you! Craesus.
CRAESUS
(to Cheris) We'll have our fun later.
CHERIS
Never...pig!
CRAESUS
Horse, my dear. Horse!
Lyla, how can you be a part of this? You were
my friend.
LYLA
Right, such a good friend that I'm not even part
of the bridal party.
PENELOPE
I didn't think you cared. You haven't spoken to
me in two years.
LYLA
So? I've made new friends.
PENELOPE
And I don't begrudge you that. But old friends
still talk.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is your vision any better?
HERCULES
I can barely distinguish between dark and light.
SALMONEUS
Maybe it's just temporary.
HERCULES
What if it isn't?! I've dedicated my life to helping
people. How do I do that if I'm the one that
needs help?
SALMONEUS
Maybe it's time to hang up the old sandals, hmm?
You've done a lot of good deeds. Time to slow
down and smell the roses. You only go around
once, you know? Well, maybe if you're immortal,
you get a chance to go round and round.
HERCULES
I am not immortal, at least, I don't think so.
SALMONEUS
I guess you'll find out sooner or later.
It's Marcus.
HERCULES
What did you find?
MARCUS
They've rejoined forces, headed toward higher ground.
HERCULES
No attempt to cover their tracks.
MARCUS
None it's--it's like they want us to find them.
TYRON
Hercules! Over here!
The Centaurs, they're out in the open, two
hundred paces up the hill by the caves.
HERCULES
The caves. What are they up to?
We seem to be just out of their range.
HERCULES
Not mine. Salmoneus! I'll need your help.
SALMONEUS
What if they get lucky?
HERCULES
Stay behind me. How far?
SALMONEUS
Two hundred and twenty paces.
MARCUS
What're you doing?!
SALMONEUS
He can't see! Now, where were we?
Is my direction right?
Yeah.
How did we do?
SALMONEUS
Ah, ten paces to the left and they've moved ten
paces to the right.
Ah-ah-ah-ah! Hercules! We better get out of here!
They're about to dislodge a boulder the size of
Mount Olympus!
Tell me how close my last arrow was, then run
for the woods.
SALMONEUS
It's heading straight for us!
HERCULES
How close?!
SALMONEUS
Three paces left!
Marcus, get back!
Who?
SALMONEUS
Tyron. He saved Marcus' life.
HERCULES
And mine.
MARCUS
Ah! My leg!
Centaurs?
SALMONEUS
One's dead and the others are gone!
HERCULES
Well, at least that cuts the odds. Marcus, you
can't do any good here. Salmoneus'll have to
take you back.
MARCUS
And leave you?! You can't fight them alone!
HERCULES
It will be dark in a few hours. Then we'll be on
equal ground.
SALMONEUS
It's suicide if you stay here! Come back
with us, we'll get more recruits!
HERCULES
No, I should've realized it before...this is between
Nemis and me.
MARCUS
Hercules, you can't!
HERCULES
This is my fight! But first I must give a
brave soldier a proper burial.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rest easy, Tyron. You were never a coward.
I know you're there, Nemis! What are you
waiting for?!
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
Deric stands before Hercules.
Show yourself, Nemis. Or are you afraid?
DERIC
I'm not afraid, nor am I Nemis.
HERCULES
So, he sent you to do his dirty work.
DERIC
Yes, but I'm refusing.
Why would you do that?
DERIC
You're not my enemy.
Even if you were, I wouldn't take advantage of
your blindness.
HERCULES
How do you know I'm blind?
LYLA
I told him. You'll be glad to know it's a temporary
condition, providing, of course, you can make
it through the next few days.
HERCULES
You won't fight against me. Will you fight with me?
DERIC
Not against Nemis. He raised me.
HERCULES
I respect that and your refusal to take sides.
But will Nemis?
LYLA
It doesn't matter. We're leaving this land. Maybe
the Athenians will be more hospitable.
DERIC
Hide Hercules, 'til your sight returns. You're no
match for him now.
HERCULES
I'm afraid there're two women who wouldn't
appreciate the wait.
DERIC
Forget them, and worry about yourself. Hera has
given Nemis a special club.
HERCULES
Hera. I should've guessed. The sounds of the
bats, they're from the cave.
DERIC
You're very perceptive. They'll return an hour
before dawn. Hercules? I'm sorry one of you
has to die. Nemis wasn't always bad. Life, death,
wore him down.
Nemis? Please?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let us go. And I promise, no harm will come to you.
NEMIS
Sweet Penelope, I think I'm the only one here
in position to make promises. And I promise
you by the end of the day, Hercules will be dead.
And you? Mmm, will start learning to like my stew.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
What am I doing here?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hercules.
Penelope, show me where you're tied.
PENELOPE
What's wrong? Can't you see?
HERCULES
No, hurry! There's no time to waste!
PENELOPE
Uh, uh, the--the key. It's on the beam, by Cheris.
Uh, six, maybe seven paces to the right.
Here, above my head.
Hurry, please!
Leaving so soon?
Let the women go, Nemis. It's me you want.
NEMIS
Wrong! I want you and Penelope.
Help! Quick! Undo the chains!
NEMIS
And I'm in no hurry. I want both pleasures to be
slow and gratifying.
Please!
HERCULES
What is that stench? Dog meat?
NEMIS
Why doesn't anyone like my cooking?!
Where are the keys?!
Look out!
I can't undo it!
It's opening! Pull! Get my ankle!
No fire, no light. Now you have the same
problem I do.
NEMIS
Except your darkness is about to become
permanent.
Leave me! Save yourself!
CHERIS
I'm not leaving without you!
PENELOPE
Hercules!
Please! (crying) No! No! Nemis?
You killed me.
Save me!
Go! Help Penelope! Help Penelope.
Hercules. I couldn't undo it! This one's jammed
too. Oh, Hercules, break it!
Run! Get out!
NEMIS
Go, save yourself! Go! Penelope!
Help me!
I was worried you wouldn't make it.
HERCULES
Salmoneus?
Ah!
HERCULES
You were the decoy.
I'm sending you my tailoring bill. When Marcus
wouldn't let me take him back I thought it was
the least I could do.
HERCULES
You did well. Everybody did. Even Nemis. He
really loved you, Penelope.
PENELOPE
I know. I'm just sorry love took him so far astray.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
When a soldier dies bravely, his sword becomes
the symbol of his courage. I know he'd want you
to have it.
Thank you.
MARCUS
Thank you, Hercules, for everything.
HERCULES
It turned out to be a very nice ceremony. I wish
you both the best.
PENELOPE
Please come back soon.
HERCULES
(to Salmoneus) You made out quite well, I understand.
SALMONEUS
Well, I don't wanna brag, but, uh, I got great odds
on you against the centaurs. Nobody had
faith in you like I did.
HERCULES
Hmm, may I see?
SALMONEUS
Um, okay? But, uh, don't drop anything.
Did I ever finish explaining about the custom
in these parts?
SALMONEUS
Uh, uh, uh, wha--wha--what custom is that?
HERCULES
The bride and groom collect all gambling winnings.
Hercules!
HERCULES
Come on, Salmoneus.
SALMONEUS
Th--that's my money back there!
HERCULES
Yes, that was very generous of you.
SALMONEUS
Generous?! Yeah, but that--but that--but that-
HERCULES
And smart, they'll never forget you.
SALMONEUS
Really? That's nice!
END OF ACT FOUR
STARRING
Kevin Sorbo as Hercules
GUEST CAST
Lucy Lawless as Lyla
Robert Trebor as Salmoneus
Cliff Curtis as Nemis
Jacqueline Collen as Penelope
Peter Muller as Deric
Mark Ferguson as Craesus
Matthew Humphrey as Marcus
Buzz Moller as Tyron
Fiona Mogridge as Cheris
Maya Dalziel as Mother
Jonathon Bell-Booth as Brother #1
Mervyn Whitley Jr. as Brother #2
Written by: Robert Bielak
Directed by: George Mendeluk
Disclaimer: No Centaurs were harmed during the production of this motion picture.
