Intimate Stranger
This transcript is dedicated to the memory of Kevin Smith.
She's over here.
GABRIELLE
Are those men with Theodorus?
XENA
Yes, they're sure to be heading back to him.
You okay?
GABRIELLE
Yeah, just anything to do with Callisto.
XENA
I understand. That's why he has to be brought
to justice, all of Callisto's men. Think you can find
your way back to Argo in the dark?
GABRIELLE
Yeah.
Daughter.
Mother.
CYRENE
Welcome home, Xena.
XENA
What are you doing here?
CYRENE
You're on your way to Amphipolis. I came out to
meet you.
XENA
But, I'm not. This is dangerous. You shouldn't
be here.
CYRENE
But you are coming home, back where you're
loved and needed. Back where you belong.
Who are you?
Ares.
What do you want?
ARES
Want? Well, I told you. I just wanted to welcome
you back into my fold.
XENA
I have no idea what you're talking about.
ARES
I'm talking about your execution of Callisto.
XENA
That's not what happened.
ARES
No? Didn't you serve as judge, jury, and executioner?
Or am I missing something? A young girl was
before you. She had committed...unspeakable
crimes...but, just like you. You were given a chance
to reform...a chance you never gave Callisto.
Xena, help me, please. Don't let me die. You
can't let me die. I am you.
XENA
No.
CALLISTO
Who are you to judge the things I've done? I can
change, Xena. I can change.
You did. I can. Please help me. Hurry, help me!
I'm scared, Xena. Please, please.
XENA
No, Ares. No!
CALLISTO
Help me.
Gabrielle, wake up. Gabrielle, wake up.
Xena, come on. You can't go on like this.
XENA
Gabrielle, do you think I executed Callisto?
GABRIELLE
No, I think that you did what you had to do.
XENA
These dreams, they're all about her. Ares taunting
me, saying that I murdered her. That I never gave
her a chance to change.
GABRIELLE
Callisto chose her own path, not you. I'm sure
that, maybe, there was some goodness that could
be mined, but, it wasn't your responsibility. Just
because you didn't try to change her, just because
you didn't show her the mercy that other people
have shown you, doesn't make you a murderer.
XENA
What are you saying?
GABRIELLE
I'm saying that if Hercules had treated you, the
way that you treated Callisto, you'd be dead now.
And you deserve it more than her.
After all, she didn't create you.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACT ONE
Gabrielle, do you dream?
GABRIELLE
Yeah. I used to have the most vivid dreams. You
know, my best stories came from them. I haven't
dreamt once since Perdicus died. The stories
just aren't there, anymore.
What's the matter? Are we on the right trail?
XENA
Yes. Looks like they're headed toward that deserted
village over the river. But someone else is following
Theodorus, and that someone's gonna get himself killed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why were you following me?!
JOXER
To bring you to justice! The same way Xena and
I brought Callisto to justice.
THEODORUS
Callisto? All she could ever think about was Xena!
And it got her killed.
JOXER
Oh.
What do you say, boys? Shall we see what the
mighty Joxer is made of...from the inside?!
JOXER
Oh, no, no! No, wait--wait--wait a minute! You
don't, you don't want to kill me! You're gonna need
a hostage for the Athenian army.
That's Xena!
JOXER
And the entire Athenian army!
THEODORUS
Regroup, into the woods, now!
Yeah, I'm really getting mad, now! That's right,
'cause you're dealing with Joxer, the Magnificent!
Don't worry I cleared the place out for you.
XENA
They're gone.
GABRIELLE
Are we going after him?
XENA
No, not in the darkness.
JOXER
Right behind you.
XENA
They won't get far. We'll camp here.
GABRIELLE
I'll get the blankets.
XENA
Mmm.
JOXER
Hello. Hello!
XENA
Calm down, Joxer. We saw ya.
JOXER
Great! Well, you think you can cut me down, without
dropping me flat on my face?
XENA
No.
I let her die, Gabrielle. At the time, I thought it was
justice, but, I don't know now.
GABRIELLE
This is such a mess. You wish you hadn't killed
her, Joxer wishes he had killed her, and I wish
she had never been born. I guess Callisto won
after all.
Xena.
Hello, Xena. Oh, how I've missed you. Do you
know how boring Tartarus can be? Same old
torture every day, every day. Makes me appreciate
what we had.
XENA
This is a dream.
CALLISTO
Oh, you're only half right. Dreams are the fine line
between the real world and the Underworld. And
with a little help...well, that line can just disappear.
XENA
What kind of help?
ARES
Help from a god, perhaps.
What are you doing, Ares? What's your plan?
ARES
My plan? My plan is what it's always been. To find
that one special warrior who'll lead the world into
peace and prosperity.
XENA
Me.
ARES
Uh-h-h-h, no. Not anymore. Funny, I never really
got to know Callisto, until after you killed her. She
has potential.
XENA
I didn't kill her, Ares.
CALLISTO
Oh, keep telling yourself that, dear, and maybe,
someday, you'll believe it. See, you let me sink
into the quicksand. What's the difference?
ARES
Personally, I always preferred an up-front,
face-to-face killing, worthy of a warrior. Simply
allowing someone to die doesn't soften it. You
murdered her, and it's time you admitted it.
XENA
All right! I am guilty of murder.
CALLISTO
I've been waiting for you to say that.
Gabrielle, wake up. I understand, now. Callisto
is free. Somehow, she's back, and she's working
with Ares.
GABRIELLE
What are we gonna do? If Ares-
CALLISTO
We have to go to Amphipolis. I can't explain it,
but that's where she's headed. She wants revenge.
I think she's going to kill my mother.
No. Joxer will only get himself killed. Gather up
our things.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome back, Callisto.
CALLISTO
Ah. I wonder how Xena's enjoying her new surroundings.
Callisto!
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
Come on. Come on, girl.
CALLISTO
Callisto's going back to get her army. But I'm
going to beat her to it. If I can remove Theodorus
from power, then, maybe they'll be just stupid
enough to follow me.
What's the matter, girl? Something's wrong with
Argo. I think you should take her reins.
CALLISTO
No, no, you hold her. She's picking up on my
feelings. She was like this the last time I went up
against Callisto. Gabrielle, I have something
important to tell you. You should've killed Callisto.
GABRIELLE
What?
CALLISTO
I was wrong. You had every right to, not me. For
me, it was murder. And the guilt is going to destroy
me. I don't think I can do it again.
GABRIELLE
It's up to me? Is that what you're saying?
CALLISTO
No, Gabrielle, but she's going to try and kill my mother.
GABRIELLE
She has to be stopped.
CALLISTO
Well, I can do that, but, what then? I've never felt
so...helpless.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is ridiculous. What you're saying is impossible,
and it's exactly what I'd expect of you, Callisto.
XENA
She got to me through my dreams, Hades, through
my guilt. And Ares is helping her.
HADES
Guilt. That is possible. The dead can invade the
dreams of the guilty. Oh, you're smart, so smart.
No wonder Xena had to kill you. No, Callisto,
Tartarus is your eternity.
XENA
I was down here with Marcus, remember?
HADES
That's no secret. You'll have to do better than that.
XENA
I stabbed Marcus in the heart because I love him.
You saw it. How many people would know that
but you?
HADES
No one, except Marcus, and he wouldn't tell anyone.
I can't believe Ares would do this. He's really
overstepped the bounds this time.
XENA
If you help me, we can defeat him.
HADES
You? Your guilt allowed her to escape, Xena.
You're not totally innocent here. I will give you
one full day. After that, someone goes back to
Tartarus. Take it or leave it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Again! Again!
Come on, Gabrielle, focus on your enemy.
GABRIELLE
This is new for me, okay?
CALLISTO
It is not new; it's just buried. You had that fire when
you went up against Callisto the first time, remember?
GABRIELLE
Yes, I remember! I don't want to go there, again.
I can't do this, Xena. Killing...it...the idea-
CALLISTO
That is not what we're talking about. Callisto is
already dead. We need to send her back to Tartarus.
Now, come on. This is your weapon, and this is
your enemy. Now strike!
Come on, Gabrielle. Brace with your back foot
and lunge with your whole body.
All right, Gabrielle. I'm Callisto, right here in front
of you. I just look like Xena, but really, I'm Callisto.
So, kill me.
I said, kill me, little girl! Come on, right here in
the chest. Put me out of my misery!
You are pathetic! Remember, I killed your love.
I took my sword and stuck it through him, and I
felt his warm blood on my hand. You can't even
avenge his death.
Very good, Gabrielle!
I'm sorry I had to do that-
-but you had to face it, and, well you weren't going
to get there without it, were you?
GABRIELLE
I think I'm gonna be sick. For a moment there, I
thought you were Callisto and I--I hated you.
Well, hatred's not something to be feared. It's a
part of all of us. And for some of us, it's all we
ever really know. I know that was hard, and I'm
very proud of you.
Now, you stay here and wait, rest a while, while
I deal with the scum who's been following us.
Oh, very good, my sweet.
Oh, you're gonna be so good once I finish training
you. What are you doing with that girl?
CALLISTO
That's my business. I have plans for her.
ARES
Stop thinking of revenge. Xena has already escaped
the Underworld. Don't you even think of taking
her on.
Don't even think of stopping me.
Oh. Hades has given Xena one day. After that,
she'll take your place in Tartarus for eternity. You're
only to avoid her until then. Now, kill the girl, and
move on.
CALLISTO
First things first, Ares. I promised you my allegiance.
I promised you an army to rule the world. You
promised me satisfaction!
I did, didn't I?
Who was following us?
CALLISTO
Oh, just one of Theodorus' men. Don't worry, I
scared him off. We have to get moving.
GABRIELLE
Right. I'll get Argo.
CALLISTO
No. No, Argo has to stay here. She hasn't been
herself. I don't want her getting hurt because of me.
GABRIELLE
Are you sure? I mean, she's been a little skittish.
I just-
CALLISTO
Gabrielle, let's get moving along. I have to get
Argo's bridle off and, and hide the saddle. You
go on. I'll catch up.
You can't figure it out, can you? I look like Xena,
I even smell like Xena. But, something tells you
I'm not.
Poor, dumb animal. You don't know what's going
on. You don't know whether to run or stay. Well...
...you should've run.
ACT THREE
Argo.
It's gonna be okay, girl, it is. I'm so sorry. What
did she do to you? Hold still, hold still. Easy, girl.
Okay. It's okay. I know what she was trying to do.
But, it's not gonna work.
Joxer.
JOXER
Stay back. I mean it. That's Xena's horse and I
don't know what you did to her, but I'm not gonna
give you the chance to finish the job.
XENA
Joxer, put your sword down and I'll explain.
JOXER
Over my dead body...maybe.
Okay, girl, this is gonna hurt a bit. But I have to
put this against your lung.
Oooh!
XENA
Joxer, listen to me, and listen good! I am not Callisto!
It's me, Xena. Callisto's working with Ares. I only
have one day. Less now.
JOXER
Prove to me then that you're Xena.
XENA
Have you ever seen Callisto use pressure points?
JOXER
No.
Okay! Okay! You're Xena. Release it! Release it!
Okay, okay. Okay. You're...Xena, then. So did--did
you, I mean, Callisto...whoever, try to kill Argo?
XENA
No, she knew it would be more painful if I had
to put Argo down. But I know a few things she
doesn't. Argo won't die. Thank you...for trying to
protect her. Only someone with a brave heart
would stand up to Callisto for a horse.
JOXER
Well, um, it's okay, 'cause, you know, I do have a
brave heart, and I'm, you know, um, a pretty big
guy, and everything, and, you're welcome.
It's Xena!
No, don't give her a reason. Put the swords away.
She's no threat if we're no threat.
Is that what you think of me?
THEODORUS
Oh, yes, Xena. You only kill when threatened.
Some sort of code you have. Callisto gave you
an excuse to kill her, but not me. So we talk.
CALLISTO
Talk. I don't really feel like talking.
THEODORUS
Then, get out of here, or just kill me in cold blood.
Yeah, Xena, kill him!
Oops! Gressius-
-who will you follow, now?
GRESSIUS
You, Xena, Warrior Princess.
CALLISTO
Well?
EXTRAS
Xena! Xena! Xena! Xena! Xena!
CALLISTO
Enough! Take my army to Amphipolis. Capture
the town, and bring everyone here. Don't forget
a soul, understand? And don't kill anyone.
GRESSIUS
Yes, Xena.
What? What is it?
XENA
I don't know. I can't tell yet in this body. But I think
someone's-
Joxer-
-take a nap.
Ah-ah-ah-ah. I'll just catch it and throw it back.
Where's Gabrielle?
Gabrielle? Gabrielle? Oh, well, I'm Xena now,
so she's my little friend. Of course, if anything
ever happened to Gabrielle, pretty Xena would be
crushed, wouldn't I? Maybe something has already
happened to Gabrielle. Maybe I've already killed
her, and hung her up from that tree.
Ooh, I like that move.
Callisto!
Go on. You can take her out with the dagger, or
you can let her kill you. Looks like someone's
going to die, and either way, I win.
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
Kill her, Gabrielle, hurry!
XENA
Gabrielle, wait! Listen to me. I'm going to tell you
the impossible! I'm Xena!
CALLISTO
She's up to something, Gabrielle. Don't trust her.
XENA
Callisto tricked me with my guilt! She's working
with Ares.
CALLISTO
Remember Perdicus.
GABRIELLE
You killed Perdicus!
XENA
Ask her if she knows your dreams, Gabrielle!
Remember? You told me all you could dream
about since Perdicus died was what? Ask her!
GABRIELLE
What was it? What was I dreaming?
CALLISTO
She's trying to trick you.
GABRIELLE
What was it?!
CALLISTO
You've been dreaming of this moment, the moment
you finally get to avenge his death.
XENA
No, Callisto. Gabrielle hasn't dreamt anything
since you killed Perdicus.
GABRIELLE
Xena?
Xena?
Are you really Xena?
Yeah.
GABRIELLE
But, how could she-
XENA
I'll explain later.
GABRIELLE
I almost killed you.
Oh, ow! Ah!
It's me, Joxer.
JOXER
Just a reflex. Callisto, she got away from me again,
didn't she?
XENA
We have to hurry. I don't have much time before
Hades calls me back to Tartarus.
GABRIELLE
Xena, Callisto has your village. She's taking them
to a--a cave.
JOXER
To use 'em as hostages?
XENA
No, she wants my village to die the same way
hers did. By fire. And she wants me there to see it.
JOXER
So, what's the plan?
XENA
We have to get some things first. Callisto used
my guilt to betray me. I have to turn that back on her.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get in there!
EXTRA
Get in the cage!
EXTRA
Get in there!
EXTRA
Get going!
CALLISTO
Is this everyone?
GRESSIUS
Everyone we could find.
CALLISTO
Get the torches ready and stand by. Xe - Callisto
is coming. And when she gets here, we'll burn
them all. Understand?
GRESSIUS
No, but it will be done.
CYRENE
Xena? Xena. What are you doing? Please, let
us go.
CALLISTO
Look into my eyes, old woman. Xena's not home.
CYRENE
Who are you?
Just another loving daughter. (to Gressius) That
woman, make sure the first torch lands at her feet.
Come on, Xena. You don't have much time. Come
to me, Xena.
Oh, it's you.
ARES
What do you think you're doing? If you can just
wait, you'll have it all. In a short time-
CALLISTO
In a short time, Xena will be back in the Underworld,
and I won't have my satisfaction.
ARES
You think you know her, but you don't. I do, and
you are giving her ever opportunity to beat you!
Now I forbid this!
CALLISTO
You?! Forbid me?! No one, god or man, forbids
me from doing anything. All my anger, all my
hatred, it's for Xena alone. When I'm done with
her, you can have what's left. I won't care.
ARES
This...was not my plan.
CALLISTO
Funny, it was always mine. Yes, I used you. But
you can still claim victory if you let me finish what
I came here for.
ARES
You're on your own, then.
It's oil! Put out your torches!
Stand your ground! I said, stand your ground!
GRESSIUS
We'll be burned alive! Let's get out of here!
EXTRA
Where?
EXTRA
To the river!
EXTRA
Come on!
EXTRA
Run!
EXTRA
Waste no time!
EXTRA
We'll all be killed!
EXTRA
Away!
EXTRA
All right!
CALLISTO
Xena, time's not on your side. Show yourself.
It's happening, Callisto.
CALLISTO
No, I still get my revenge. If Hades takes you down
to the Underworld, you'll still know that I killed her.
Xena, you put me to sleep. This is a dream.
You're only half right, Callisto. As you said, the
dream is the border between the real world and
the Underworld.
CALLISTO
It makes no difference. I can still wake up from
this nightmare. And I will have no guilt to make
my dreams restless.
XENA
Don't you?
Mm-um. However evil you think I am, Xena, my
soul is clean, because it's all...on...you. You
started this when you killed my family.
XENA
Are you thinking of your family now? Because
when you think of the dead-
ARLEIA
The dead can hear you.
Mama? Look at her, Xena. You look at my mother!
She's here to remind you of your past.
ARLEIA
No, I'm not here because of Xena. I've come
because of you.
CALLISTO
Me?
ARLEIA
Yes. Every time you killed, you were killing me.
XENA
How many of your victims had faces, Callisto?
How many had families? Sons and daughters
who loved their parents. How many were just like
your mother when they died at your hand?
CALLISTO
No. No, you can't make me feel guilty.
XENA
You're right. Only you can do that.
I've got my own past to deal with. But I'm not taking
the weight of your crimes anymore.
ARLEIA
Look around you. These people didn't need to die.
CALLISTO
No. No, you go away! I didn't do anything! She
did it! Not me!
You can't shut it out. It's like a crashing wave.
Once it starts, there's no stopping it.
ARLEIA
I love you, Callisto. You'll always be my daughter,
but you have to face your crimes.
CALLISTO
No! No!
Hold it! Don't move. Who are you?
XENA
It's me, Gabrielle. Xena.
GABRIELLE
How do I know that?
XENA
A long time ago, you told me the cycle of hate
has to end, and the only way to end it is through
love. It's a hard lesson to learn. Callisto couldn't
possibly know or understand that.
GABRIELLE
Xena.
It's great, 'cause it's, hey, remember, thee um,
you guys? Oh, I helped.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
You'll be okay, Argo. No, no, don't bother thanking
me. I was just risking my life for you, is all. You
know, when Xena was Callisto. I mean, when
Callisto was Xena. And-
XENA
Joxer.
JOXER
Yeah? Ah!
XENA
It's me, Joxer.
JOXER
Right. I was just testing.
XENA
Get used to it. I'm in her body.
JOXER
Right! Of course you are!
Again, I want to thank you for protecting Argo.
You were very heroic.
JOXER
Well, you know? Us heroes got to stick together,
'cause, when I come in, it's two swords blazing,
and then, and-
Yeah? Ah!
GABRIELLE
Calm down.
JOXER
I'm calm. See, nerves of steel.
I'm sorry it took so long. I didn't want to get out
of bed. Did you sleep?
XENA
Yeah. We better get going.
GABRIELLE
Wait. So, this is it? I mean, you're just, in there,
to stay?
XENA
Looks like it. Gabrielle, this can't be easy for you.
If you don't want to come with me, I understand.
GABRIELLE
No, it-it's gonna take some getting used to. I mean
of all the bodies to be stuck in, why did it have to
be Callisto?
XENA
Try not to think of the hatred you have for this body,
for Callisto. Try and think of the love that you have
for Perdicus.
GABRIELLE
I'll try. I dreamt a wonderful story last night. Do
you want to hear it?
XENA
I'd love to.
"I sing the song of Perdicus, the boy I knew, the
man I loved."
END OF ACT FOUR
STARRING
Lucy Lawless as Xena
Lucy Lawless as Callisto
Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
GUEST CAST
Hudson Leick as Callisto
Hudson Leick as Xena
Kevin Smith as Ares
Ted Raimi as Joxer
Darien Takle as Cyrene
Erik Thomson as Hades
David Te Rare as Theodorus
Lee-Jane Foreman as Arleia
Michael Cooper as Gressius
Written by: Steven L. Sears
Directed by: Gary Jones
Disclaimer: Argo was not harmed during the production of this motion picture. However, she is undergoing intensive psychotherapy to help her work through her resentment and feelings of distrust toward Xena.
