The Black Wolf
This transcript is dedicated to the memory of Alan Jay Glueckman.
Silver. And not even good silver.
FATHER
How can I feed my family, when your taxes drain
me dry?
CHIEF GUARD
Moonlight, take a second job. Or send your wife
and daughter out on the streets to make you money.
Give this to Xerxes, from the Black Wolf.
EXTRA
Sir, I believe this money belongs to you.
At first, I thought it was humorous, the audacity
of the Black Wolf and his Wolf Pack daring to
challenge my authority. Well it isn't funny, anymore.
Give up the Black Wolf or my guards will level
your village. You'll be sent to work in the mines.
DIOMEDES
I'm the Black Wolf.
EXTRA
No, it's me!
EXTRA
No, I am!
EXTRA
I'm the Black Wolf.
FLORA
I'm the Black Wolf!
EXTRA
I'm the Black Wolf!
XERXES
Arrest them all. You've got seven days to give me
the Black Wolf, or I'll skin you all, pelt by pelt.
EXTRA
Let's go.
Argo. You've been needing new shoes since we
left Corinth. Hey. That makes two of us. Come on.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please, please. Let a mother see her only daughter.
She's not like the rest of them. She was well
brought up.
CHIEF GUARD
So well, she wound up in Xerxes' dungeon.
Yes, ma'am. Thank you.
HERMIA
Please, I beg you. She needs her mother.
CHIEF GUARD
She should have thought of that before she joined
the Black Wolf!
You like shoving women around so much? Try me.
CHIEF GUARD
Take her!
Hey. It's all right.
HERMIA
Thank you.
He sees who it is.
Xena.
XENA
Hermia.
HERMIA
The gods! It must be ten years since I saw
you last.
XENA
Come over here. What are you doing here?
Where's your family?
HERMIA
Persix and Eteocles inhabit the other side, thanks
to that murdering tyrant, Xerxes. And now he's
thrown Flora in his dungeon.
XENA
Flora? Little Flora? She's in prison?
HERMIA
She's not little anymore. She's all grown up and
madly in love with one of the Black Wolves. Diomedes
brought her under the spell of these rebels. He
had her thinking they could bring down Xerxes.
And now...Flora's all I have left in the world.
Why must she die for a lost cause?
XENA
Causes are only lost when people give up. Maybe
Flora knows that. I'll get Flora back for you.
HERMIA
No one's ever escaped from Xerxes' dungeon
before, except through the grave.
XENA
I will get Flora back for you.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
I am-
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-being mocked by children! You should've
brought me the Black Wolf. Remind me why
I haven't had you flogged by now!
KOULOS
These rebels are incredibly disciplined. The usual
techniques don't work.
XERXES
The feast of Zeus is five days from now. I want
the execution of the Black Wolf to be the main
entertainment. Or I could execute my minister
of security. And that would be you!
KOULOS
I'll find him. A true leader can't hide his identity
forever. Or, we could just pick one, and say it's
the Black Wolf. Who'd know?
The Black Wolf would know.
KOULOS
Guards!
XENA
Oh, don't bother the dears.
They're sleeping.
If you kill the wrong man, word will get out and
the Black Wolf will have a martyr to hold up in
front of the people.
KOULOS
Then we'll kill them all.
XENA
Good idea, make martyrs of them all. No, Xerxes,
you're right. It's the Black Wolf you want. Cut off the
head of the serpent, and the body withers and dies.
XERXES
Who are you? What is your interest in all this?
XENA
My name is Xena. I'm a problem-solver. I can
solve your problem for ten thousand dinars.
KOULOS
This is outrageous. I refuse to listen to this.
XENA
Stage my arrest in the center of town, in front of
Black Wolf sympathizers. Once I'm inside your
prison, I'll expose the Black Wolf, and hand him
over to you.
KOULOS
Why should we believe you could succeed?
XENA
Ask Mezentius of Tracus about me?
XERXES
Mezentirus is dead?
XENA
Yes, he is. Ten thousand dinars and a new
pair of boots.
But fail and you will join them on the block, that's
my offer. Take it, or leave it.
XENA
I'll take it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry, Lord Koulos, she was too quick.
KOULOS
If I have to rely on you and your guards, they'll be
tossing my head around on the feast of Zeus.
Thank the gods I have my own man on the inside.
And tomorrow, I'll show you how a real soldier
handles this woman.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would you need my helmet, Lord Koulos?
You'll go to the dungeon for this, traitor you and
this Black Wolf sympathizer!
XENA
Come and get me.
KOULOS
With pleasure, traitor!
(to Xena) You're making this harder than it
needs to be.
XENA
(to Koulos) Well, you want it to look believable,
don't you? Don't worry. You'll make a comeback...in
the end.
Don't just stand there, get her. Take her away
and that traitor, too.
(to Koulos) Didn't I tell you you'd win in the end?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Argo. (to Blacksmith) Where's the owner of this horse?
BLACKSMITH
Are you the one she said would pay me for the
horseshoes? Give me the money and I'll tell you.
GABRIELLE
What happened?
BLACKSMITH
Fifteen dinars for the shoes, five for the feed.
Horse has a healthy appetite.
She said you should pick up her gear and meet
her at the tavern.
GABRIELLE
Well, that doesn't tell me where she is.
BLACKSMITH
Xerxes' dungeon.
GABRIELLE
Oh. How can I see her?
BLACKSMITH
Anyone that wants to see someone in the dungeon,
has to get sent there. It's not a nice place to be.
EXTRA
Excuse me young lady.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Go on!
My rock. You like my rock?
XENA
No.
Looking for the man of your dreams, darling?
XENA
Yep.
You're not him.
Listen, you have a choice. Either you let me pass
right now, or you nurse a broken leg.
DIOMEDES
And who would you be?
BLACK WOLF SYMPATHIZER
It's okay, Diomedes. She's on our side. She was
trying to protect me when Koulos arrested her.
DIOMEDES
That means nothing. Anyone who's not one of
us is a threat.
FLORA
Xena, it's been a long time.
DIOMEDES
Xena. This is Xena.
XENA
You've grown up.
FLORA
You've grown legendary.
XENA
I'm different, now.
FLORA
So I've heard. (to others) Would you believe, Xena
taught me to swing a sword and embroider linen
for my wedding chest?
DIOMEDES
(to Xena) You...embroider?
XENA
I have many skills. (to Flora) I need to talk to
you, alone.
Your mother is worried sick about you. I promised
her I'd get you out.
FLORA
I'm sure I caused her a lot of pain. I regret that.
It doesn't matter. There's no way out of here.
XENA
I'm sure Xerxes believes that. I don't. That airshaft,
we can get up there. You'll have to hold onto my
back, but-
FLORA
Can you carry twelve people on your back? I'm
not leaving without the rest of the Wolf Pack.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello, little friend! Looking for some Black Wolf
merchandise?! Shh! Shh! Not too loud. Not just
because of Xerxes' guards, but because these
are incredible bargains!
GABRIELLE
I don't have time for this!
SALMONEUS
Time?! Who doesn't have time for a great deal?
Trust Salmoneus. He only has the customers'
interests at heart. Ask anybody...later. Take a
look at this, huh? This is a nice pouch. You put
this on your back. You can put a vegetable in
there, a scroll. Take a look. Look, here's the Black
Wolf seal. I call it my Black Wolf Pack. Wolf. Pack.
Get it?! You like that? Huh?
GABRIELLE
That's good, yeah. That's nice. I need my tomato.
SALMONEUS
How about a purse? This is a nice Black Wolf
purse. You put it around your waste. You can
put change in there, keep whatever you like. Huh?
Wh--wh...
Hey!
SALMONEUS
Not a good idea!
GABRIELLE
Ha!
ARRESTING GUARD
You think that's funny, do you? How about some
time in the dungeon?
Hey! It wasn't me! It was her!
GABRIELLE
No! I threw the tomato!
SALMONEUS
Yeah, she threw it!
ARRESTING GUARD
As if.
GABRIELLE
I did! I did!
SALMONEUS
Yeah! What're you doing?!
ARRESTING GUARD
Figure it out!
SALMONEUS
Please!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
In here.
EXTRA
Move it.
EXTRA
Hurry it up!
EXTRA
Move, quickly!
EXTRA
Faster.
EXTRA
Now, you'll see.
EXTRA
That's it.
EXTRA
Get in there!
KOULOS I'm not gonna waste any words with you people.
I want the Black Wolf, and you're gonna give him
to me. (to Xena) You! Come here!
Look down. What do you see?
What's your point?
KOULOS
My point is this.
(to Xena) Don't worry. You'll make a comeback...in
the end.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
Uh, where did she go?
EXTRA
She can't stay under long?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Find her?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I want the Black Wolf.
ARRESTING GUARD
Move along. Come on.
It's a misunderstanding! I'm just a businessman!
EXTRA
Everyone out.
SALMONEUS
Ow! Uh! Ooh! Wait a minute.
ARRESTING GUARD
Come on. Go on.
Those boots...that leather...those legs. Xena!
XENA
Salmoneus. I've got a job for you.
SALMONEUS
Ah.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here she comes.
XENA
Flora, you won't leave without your friends. Very
well. I can get us all out of here.
DIOMEDES
Oh really?
XENA
Yes. And believe me, my plan will work. Your
tunnel won't.
FLORA
What tunnel?
Whoa!
How did she know?
XENA
This one.
EXTRA
Who is she?
XENA
This boulder's been shifted too may times not
to show wear. And next time, learn to hide your
excess dirt a little better. Even the guards
will notice this soon. So, what's it gonna be?
Are you in the mood to listen?
DIOMEDES
I vote against it. The idea that Xena, the Warrior
Princess, could be captured and thrown in
prison, sure smells like a set-up to me. If I was
Xerxes, I couldn't think of any better way to get
to the Black Wolf than by sending you in here.
XENA
You're a smart man, Diomedes. And you're half
right. I allowed myself to get captured to get Flora
out. She won't leave without all of you, so I have
a plan. But I need everyone's help, all the prisoners.
DIOMEDES
It's not just my decision to make. Talk. We'll listen.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
What do you want my belt for?!
SALMONEUS
To be perfectly honest, I have no idea. I just need
it and as many as we can get.
BRIGAND (OX)
What if my drawers drop?!
SALMONEUS
I don't think that's likely to happen. Uh, it's a
perfect fit. It's like you were poured into that outfit.
That belt really ruins the line of the ensemble.
Mm-hmm?
BRIGAND (OX)
Whatever.
Ah.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
We need some help with the netting.
FLORA
What's the problem?
XENA
Your fellow Wolves don't seem enthusiastic.
DIOMEDES
I'll take care of it.
XENA
You might wanna have someone keep an eye
on the other prisoners. We don't need anyone
talking to the guards about this.
Those knots will never hold any weight.
FLORA
I know what I'm doing, Xena. I'm not a little girl anymore.
XENA
No, you're not. So, what are you doing in here,
fighting a tyrant?
FLORA
"The times change people."
XENA
"And people change the times." You remembered.
FLORA
I can hardly forget. You used to say it a lot when
our village was being attacked.
XENA
I just didn't want people thinking that they had
no choice.
FLORA
Even back then, you could read people. I could
never figure that out. You always had this knack
for understanding what someone needed,
without asking. That's only one of the things I
liked about you.
XENA
Remember that oak tree by the river?
FLORA
I tried to forget it. You and all those other kids
would climb up into it. And I would be left on the
ground. Then, you'd reach down your hand, and
you'd say, "You gotta have faith, you got to." And
I'd reach up and you'd pull your hand away. I fell
for that every time. I couldn't understand why
someone I admired so much could treat me
like that. Can you tell me why?
XENA
I can tell you that you were the closest thing I've
ever had to a sister. That was important to me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
My rock.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
We're just about done, assuming the guards
don't do another contraband sweep. They usually
toss us some food up around midnight.
All right, I got fifteen belts, four robes and three
proposals. This is disgusting work. Still, for
the greater glory of the Black Wolf, huh? A wolf,
who'd be much more widely known, if he had an
agent to promote his image, I might add.
EXTRA
Who is this guy?
XENA
All right, you've added. Now go.
Who is he, anyway?
EXTRA
Crazy little friend of Xena's.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
What do you think?
SALMONEUS
You're asking me? Hey, for a fly-by-night operation,
I think it's incredible! These Wolf-people really
know how to organize, you know? Listen, when
you find out who the Black Wolf is, you gotta let
me know. Not just because I'm running a "Guess
Who the Black Wolf is" pool, Diomedes is the
favourite, by the way, but I've got my signature
line of revolutionary Black Wolf Ware
ready to go. I even have a slogan. "Just cry Wolf!"
You like it?! Okay, anyway, I gotta talk to this wolf
person; he's got the power-of-attorney here.
XENA
Diomedes, are you ready?
DIOMEDES
Let's get on with it.
EXTRA
Here we go. Everyone in position.
XENA
One, two, three.
Rock, parchment, dagger.
CHIEF GUARD
All right.
EXTRA
-two, three.
CHIEF GUARD
Time to feed the animals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
They've escaped!
EXTRA
Search the area!
EXTRA
Where are they?!
EXTRA
Here!
EXTRA
They've dug a tunnel!
XENA
Now.
Wait! Wait. This is no time to celebrate. Let's go.
FLORA
What's wrong?
This was too easy.
SALMONEUS
Easy?! This was easy?! Huh?!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halt!
SALMONEUS
Xena? Is this the plan?!
KOULOS
(to Xena) What took you so long? I've been waiting
for you. (to soldier) Round up the others and
take them back.
EXTRA
Yes, sir! Let's go.
KOULOS
(to Xena) Xerxes wants to speak to you.
EXTRA
Let's go.
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
At the very least she failed. At the most, she
betrayed you. Once she was in my dungeon,
she began working against you, Lord Xerxes.
She continually harassed my men. She bonded
with the Wolf Pack and led them in an escape.
If she just betrayed me, I could deal with that.
But I cannot tolerate the fact that someone would
try to humiliate you.
Well, Xena, you've said little.
XENA
I haven't had to say much. Koulos said it all. And
he's right. I bonded with the Wolf Pack, and I led
them in an escape. And because of all that,
I was about to become one of them. And then
I would have found out who the Black Wolf is.
XERXES
Well, Koulos, you seem to have set my plans
back a bit.
KOULOS
Respectfully, sir, if this woman had told me of
her plan, I could have guided her efforts. And we
would have the vermin by now. Her silence
is what hurt us.
XENA
Really? Apparently, you weren't completely
surprised. Who's your man on the inside? How
did you know to be waiting for us?
KOULOS
I knew, because I'm good at what I do.
XENA
Oh, yes, I can see that. Even the Black Wolf can
see that, whoever he is. (to Koulos) Send me back in.
KOULOS
They'll kill you.
XENA
I still have some ideas left. And who knows,
maybe I can turn this to my advantage.
Well if they do kill you, I won't have to worry about
doing it. And if you succeed, there may be a job
waiting for you when you get out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xerxes commands that you give up the Black Wolf
by the time the sun hits this staff.
EXTRA
Never.
CHIEF GUARD
Or you all die.
Ow!
BRIGAND (OX)
I found him! The little rat! He was hiding
in the latrine!
SALMONEUS
Please, you're making a big mistake. I hardly
know the woman.
BRIGAND (OX)
Any friend of that traitor, Xena, is an enemy of mine.
SALMONEUS
Friend, you see, that's not the right usage of
the word. At best, it was purely a business relationship.
If you've got a problem with me, take it up with me.
BRIGAND (OX)
I got no problem.
XENA
I know I'm not the most popular person right now
but I'm not the one who betrayed you. Why would
I arrange an escape just to tell the guards about it?
DIOMEDES
It makes perfect sense to me. Especially if
you're intent on breaking our spirit. If the escape
fails, and we become demoralized, or the escape
succeeds, and we begin to trust you. No. No,
not anymore.
Diomedes, you don't wanna do this. You really
don't wanna do this.
Stop it!
There are two people in this dungeon who know
I'm telling the truth. One is me...
...and one's a traitor.
She could'a killed you but she didn't.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
You get fifteen dinars a day. Take him over there.
All right?
It's really nice of you to walk me down here personally.
Excuse me?
PARNASSUS
Do you like my rock?
GABRIELLE
Have you seen Xena?
She--she's tall. She's beautiful. She...piercing blue
eyes. Swings a mean right hook.
It looks like she might have swung it already.
XENA
What in the gods' names are you doing here?
GABRIELLE
Xena. You get yourself thrown into a dungeon,
and you expect me to do nothing? You should
know me better by now.
XENA
I should.
GABRIELLE
I figure two things. One, if you're here, it's
because you want to be, which means that you
have a plan to get out; and two, you're gonna
need my help. You couldn't ask for it, of course,
that's not you. But you knew I'd get down here,
and I'd bring you this.
My chakram.
GABRIELLE
Ah and this.
You! That's the Little Miss Innocent who had
me thrown in here in the first place!
XENA
She's my friend.
SALMONEUS
She's your friend. She's your friend? You have
a friend? What is she, a warrior, huh?
Hey, hey! Back off! You know, you wouldn't be
in here in the first place if you had kept your hands
off my tomatoes.
I can explain that!
GABRIELLE
So, why are you in here, Xena? And, why does
everybody hate you?
XENA
It's a long story. Salmoneus will be glad to tell
you. I've gotta go talk to someone.
GABRIELLE
Okay, tell me.
SALMONEUS
It all started when this little blonde and her tomatoes
had me thrown into a dungeon...
Hi.
FLORA
I've been thinking, about you, and me, how
much we've changed. I realized something.
XENA
What's that?
FLORA
Why you never gave me your hand to climb the
tree. You told me to have faith and I always thought
you meant to have faith in you. But it was me
you were talking about, wasn't it?
XENA
You have to have faith in yourself, Flora, otherwise,
you spend the rest of your life waiting for other
people to offer their hand to you.
FLORA
I told Diomedes the story about the tree. He
doesn't understand it.
XENA
Diomedes is in love with you, you know.
FLORA
Yes and I love him. I'd do anything for him.
XENA
And he'd do anything for the Black Wolf? Yes, I
know who the Black Wolf is.
FLORA
The others thought you could be fooled. I knew
it was just a matter of time. So, now what?
XENA
My plan hasn't changed. I'm still gonna get you
out of here.
No. No. No. I am not gonna do it. It sounds
too dangerous.
GABRIELLE
Shh!
SALMONEUS
Shh!
GABRIELLE
What's dangerous? Look, Xena wants us to collect
as many shirts as we can, wet them, use them as
air bladders and escape through the underwater river.
Hah!
GABRIELLE
It's a great plan.
SALMONEUS
Yeah, great plan!
GABRIELLE
Shh.
SALMONEUS
If you're a fish, which I'm not.
GABRIELLE
Then you can just stay.
SALMONEUS
The hard decisions always become Salmoneus'.
PARNASSUS
Rock.
SALMONEUS
Okay, how many shorts do you want?
GABRIELLE
I said shirts. Shirts, not shorts.
SALMONEUS
Shirts, shorts, whatever.
PARNASSUS
My rock.
Sometimes, the best place to hide is out in the
open, huh?
"Rebels escaping through underground river."
SALMONEUS
Not nice to listen to other people's conversations.
GABRIELLE
Not polite.
XENA
So, you're the traitor.
PARNASSUS
I'm a spy, there's a difference. They know! I'm
coming out!
You're a defiant bunch, I'll give you that. I've
threatened all of you Black Wolves, individually
and in groups. And it makes no difference. Each
one of you is willing to die for him. Then it
occurred to me, you Wolves consider yourselves
to be the saviours of the little people. If that's the
case, then my threats have been misdirected.
SALMONEUS
Hmm?
KOULOS
Guards! Take the old guy!
SALMONEUS
Hey! Wait a minute! What are you doing?!
Hey!
KOULOS
Let's see how you react to the death of someone
who isn't a Black Wolf.
SALMONEUS
But, I am! I am the Black Wolf!
Oh, no, please! Somebody help me, please! I'm
just a traveling salesman! Someone, someone!
XENA
(to Flora) Flora, do you have faith?
Koulos, get him out. I'll give you what you want.
What is it I want?
XENA
The Black Wolf.
It's her.
DIOMEDES
No! I'm the Black Wolf!
FLORA
Stop! She's right. I'm the Black Wolf.
KOULOS
Excellent.
EXTRA
Let's go.
ACT FOUR
This is wonderful and just in time for the feast.
So you're planning to execute the Black Wolf in
the town square.
XERXES
Of course. I didn't root her out just to have her
buried in a private ceremony. This will be quite
a spectacle.
XENA
Glad I could help. I'll be even happier when I can
get my payment.
XERXES
Ah, yes, the ten thousand, it's yours. And the boots.
But keep in mind, I wasn't joking when I mentioned
the possible position here.
XENA
What about Koulos?
XERXES
Ah, yes, Koulos. It should be interesting to see
how you deal with him. Well, are you staying,
or leaving?
XENA
And miss the execution of the Black Wolf? I
think not.
XERXES
I would be honoured if you would accompany me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
You've got to listen to me.
DIOMEDES
There's nothing you could say to me which would
make me think anything good about Xena.
GABRIELLE
Have you thought that this might be part of the
plan to get you out of here?
EXTRA
Get them lined up!
EXTRA
You'll have to torture us as well.
GABRIELLE
She said if you don't believe me, that I'm to mention
an oak tree that she and Flora used to play in.
DIOMEDES
Talk to me.
GABRIELLE
She said...
Come on!
SALMONEUS
Like this. Hold them high.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
What if the plan works? I'm a salesman, not a
warrior. What do I know about fighting?
GABRIELLE
See the pointy ends of those swordie-things
the guards are carrying?
SALMONEUS
Yeah?
GABRIELLE
Stay away from them.
SALMONEUS
Great advice. Thank you so much.
KOULOS
All hail, Xerxes, Lord Emperor of the land.
Citizens of Argos, we have come to a glorious day,
a day when we can restore the order of law to
our land. When law-abiding citizens no longer
have to live in fear of their lives from rebellious
acts of terror. Carry out the execution.
KOULOS
The prisoner, the villainess Black Wolf. Bring
the prisoner forward.
She's the Black Wolf? She's a young girl.
Xena!
Now!
We're free!
EXTRA
Come on, let's get them!
Stop them! Kill them all!
I owe Koulos an apology, one I will give him,
after I kill you!
This time, no holding back.
That must've hurt.
We already have some people in the government,
so it won't be difficult to turn things around.
DIOMEDES
But we could've of never have gotten this far
without your help. I was wrong about you.
XENA
No you weren't, Diomedes. You knew what I was
there for. To get the Black Wolf. Only I didn't know
at that time it was Flora.
FLORA
How did you figure it out?
XENA
When Diomedes didn't wanna hear my plan, he
kept looking at you. A lot of the Wolves were
doing that. It didn't take long to notice that that
was the procedure. No decision was made
without a glance to the Black Wolf.
SALMONEUS
That's the old school. Writing is gonna be big
one of these days, believe me. So, what do
you think? I envision a series of scrolls called
'The Black Wolf Chronicles.' I'll draw up the paperwork,
and all the Wolves will sign releases. Hmm?
XENA
Flora, I think there's someone there who wants
to talk to you.
Pretty touching, isn't it?
SALMONEUS
This is what the public wants. This alone'll make
us a fortune!
END OF ACT FOUR
STARRING
Lucy Lawless as Xena
Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
GUEST CAST
Robert Trebor as Salmoneus
Emma Turner as Flora
Kevin J. Wilson as Xerxes
Nigel Harbrow as Koulos
Ian Hughes as Diomedes
Maggie Tarver as Hermia
Ross Duncan as Parnassus
John Dybvig as Brigand (Ox)
Jonathan Bell-Booth as Chief Guard
John Pemberton as Arresting Guard
Tim Hosking as Blacksmith
Colin Francis as The Grump
Adam Middleton as Black Wolf Sympathizer
Jimmy Rawdon as Father
Written by: Alan Jay Glueckman
Directed by: Mario Di Leo
