A Good Day
Keep moving!
ROMAN SCAVENGER/MESSENGER
Nothing. No food or supplies. This village is empty.
DEIRIMUS
Empty? Caesar doesn't want to hear empty.
His army needs food.
NOGOLIN
Pompey's soldiers came and took everything. We
had no choice. We don't even have enough to
feed ourselves.
ROMAN SCAVENGER/MESSENGER
They've been dealing with Pompey, our
enemy, the enemy of Caesar!
NOGOLIN
No! My husband serves with Caesar's army.
ROMAN SCAVENGER/MESSENGER
A Greek mercenary?
NOGOLIN
Yes.
DEIRIMUS
Your husband's a good soldier. He knows the
penalty for dealing with the enemy. Javelins!
Hold, centurion!
DEIRIMUS
Who are you?
PHLANAGUS
Phlanagus. Amanda. Greek harp lights. Legion
of Darian.
NOGOLIN
Phlanagus.
PHLANAGUS
These people are under my protection!
DEIRIMUS
You're supposed to be at Corinth with the other
Greek mercenaries. Now, stand aside.
PHLANAGUS
I outrank you, centurion.
DEIRIMUS
No Greek outranks me. Now, stand aside. We
have a lesson to teach.
PHLANAGUS
I will not allow you to kill these people.
DEIRIMUS
Javelins!
Stand down! That is an order. Stand down!
DEIRIMUS
Ready?!
Xena. Hello.
PHLANAGUS
Phlanagus. Thanks.
DEIRIMUS
Attack!
Women and children! Get behind me! Quick!
Get back!
Back, men. Back! Fall back!
EXTRA
You heard him!
EXTRA
All right.
EXTRA
Leave!
EXTRA
Go!
EXTRA
Come on!
EXTRA
Move it!
EXTRA
Run!
EXTRA
Come on!
EXTRA
I've got him!
Daddy! Daddy!
PHLANAGUS
Aremus!
By the gods, we missed you.
So, that's why you fought so hard.
PHLANAGUS
Thanks.
XENA
I understand Caesar and Pompey have moved
their armies here. They've brought their filthy
civil war from Rome to Greece, into our land.
PHLANAGUS
That's right. And with respect to your legendary
abilities, Xena, there's nothing you can do to stop
this war from happening.
XENA
Stop it? On the contrary, I'm here to guarantee
that it happens.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
Did you make that? It's beautiful. Good work.
Phlanagus, we need to talk.
I haven't seen my family in two years. I was hoping
to make enough money in Caesar's army to buy
a fishing pole, move to the sea. Well-
-that's all over, now. So, let me get this straight,
you want Caesar and Pompey to fight.
XENA
If their armies entrench themselves here, they'll
be here for years. And your people will be enslaved,
forced to feed an army of occupation. No, I want
them to waste their forces so quickly, they
have to take this all the way back to Rome.
PHLANAGUS
And what about my family, these people? Pompey
already has the paths through the cliffs guarded.
There's no way out for them.
XENA
We'll have to deal with that.
PHLANAGUS
Why is it men always think war is a simple solution?
XENA
Those are interesting words coming from a
soldier of Rome.
PHLANAGUS
Oh, I know you don't like me. Maybe it's the uniform,
hmm? A Greek, going off to serve in Caesar's
legions? I am not a traitor. I would never kill a
Greek in Caesar's war.
Xena, you were right. This valley is crisscrossed
with caverns. I talked to a few of the miners. They're
willing to make up a map for you.
XENA
Good. You know, if we're gonna pull this off, we
need all the help we can get.
NOGOLIN
(to son) Oh, come here.
A long time ago, I...I promised my wife that when
I returned I would never speak of war. I didn't want
my son to know about it. I wanted his life to be peaceful.
You've got your man.
XENA
You're right, it was the uniform. Don't get rid of it.
It'll come in handy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Go to all the surrounding villages. Gather anybody
who's willing to fight, and tell them Xena needs
them here, now.
EXTRA
Come on!
Hurry!
EXTRA
Hyah! Hyah!
I heard you're looking for people to volunteer.
GABRIELLE
What's your name?
TEMECULA
Temecula.
GABRIELLE
Temecula, this is war. I've seen it. You don't
wanna jump into this.
TEMECULA
I--I know and I'm afraid. I've never shot anybody before.
GABRIELLE
Let's keep it that way, okay?
TEMECULA
Look, this is my home. My family's lived here for
generations. This is all I've known.
GABRIELLE
We need someone to send back signals. Are
you any good with that?
That'll do.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
We'll have to stretch our lines thin to match
Pompey. He's got more men than we do, and
less ground to cover.
CAESAR
Stretch them. Pompey's being cautious. He knows
my men are superior, so he's content to let a siege
happen. Have the countryside combed for more
supplies. If a village is within Pompey's reach,
burn it.
BRUTUS
What of the small hill next to the western line?
CAESAR
Ignore it. It's worthless, too many trees to use as
either observation or artillery. This time I have
him. If I have to destroy his army and this country
piece by piece.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not bad. From a distance, Caesar won't know if
these belong to his army or Pompey's.
Xena, news.
XENA
How many legions does Caesar have?
PHLANAGUS
Fifteen.
XENA
That means his entire army's on the line.
PHLANAGUS
I've managed to recruit some miners. Well, they're
not soldiers, but they're big and willing to fight.
XENA
We better get on with it, then. Everyone, gather 'round!
It's Xena.
XENA
Most of you are already packed, and the rest of
you need to hurry. It's time for you to go beyond
the mountains. You'll be safe there until this
is all over. I need to ask you to do something.
You must destroy your village.
Destroy the village?
XENA
Burn it, raze it to the ground! Kill all the
cattle and poison the meat. We must leave nothing
for the Romans to use. This land must be worthless
to them. I know this is not an easy thing to do. It's
where you grew up, it's your home. Where you
married, where you raised your families. But it
is the only way. You can rebuild when you
come back. It is the only way.
Are you sure about this?
XENA
Yes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
How long before they notice?
XENA
They got spies all over the place. Not long.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Make way! Message for Pompey! Stand clear!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
But that hill is useless! Why would Caesar weaken
his line to send troops up there?
POMPEY MESSENGER/SPY
I don't know, Lord Pompey Magnus. They took
the hill and planted Caesar's banner. That's
all I saw.
Caesar doesn't make mistakes. There must be
a reason. What troops do we have near that hill?
CARMINUS
The detachments guarding the catapults at the
cliff pass are the closest.
POMPEY
Send them up there. If Caesar wants that hill,
I want that hill.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
It worked. Pompey has dispatched the men from
the cliff pass. They're coming down the south ridge.
XENA
Caesar should be here at any moment. Pull
our men out.
PHLANAGUS
Let's move out.
It's deserted.
No. There they are. Pompey's men. For Imperial
Rome! For Caesar! Charge! Yah!
Xena.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
We got the villagers through the pass. What now?
EXTRA
Steady!
XENA
First, we get these catapults into hiding, and then
we give Caesar and Pompey exactly what
they want -- that one spark, that one great,
glorious battle. They just won't be there to see it.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
Diversion?! That hill was a diversion?!
ARTILLERY MAN
I'm sorry, Lord Pompey Magnus. We tried to defend
the catapults. There were only a handful of them.
And this woman-
POMPEY
Woman?
ARTILLERY MAN
Tall woman. She was incredible. I barely got away.
EXTRA
Up there, now!
POMPEY
Caesar didn't steal our artillery. It was Xena.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hurry! We need more branches!
EXTRA
Okay.
EXTRA
Hand it up!
EXTRA
Up on top!
EXTRA
Cover it all!
EXTRA
Good, very good. Now, back in the forest. Hurry up,
men. Hurry up.
This is the spot. Pace it out. We wanna make sure
those catapults are exactly on their marks.
OLIVAS
All right.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Take that over to the right.
You've done this before.
GABRIELLE
A couple of times.
NOGOLIN
I've never been in a war. I've only wondered what
it was like and I'd think of Phlanagus out there,
fighting. Sometimes the thoughts were too
much to bear.
GABRIELLE
I know what you mean.
NOGOLIN
I could tell that he hated it. He wrote to me,
telling me there was no glory, no honour, just a
monster that needed to be fed.
And now I finally have him back, the monster's
followed him home.
Is Phlanagus gonna be okay?
GABRIELLE
Yeah. He's with Xena.
TEMECULA
It's just I've known him all my life. He's like a father
to me. Somehow, the idea that he's a soldier
and he's--he's killing people, I wonder what that's
like. To kill someone.
GABRIELLE
It changes everything.
EXTRA
To the horses.
GABRIELLE
Everything.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pull the fourteenth-
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-back from that hill and continue the
excavations towards the river.
Caesar-
CAESAR
I don't want an-
BRUTUS
-there's a problem.
CAESAR
Excuse us.
There are no problems in front of my men,
Brutus. One advantage I have over Pompey's
numbers is morale. I'd like to keep it that way.
BRUTUS
Yes, I apologize.
CAESAR
Now, tell me, what have you discovered? She's
here, isn't she?
BRUTUS
Yes. Our spies report that Pompey is making
overtures to her, maybe offering an alliance.
CAESAR
Of course. Fetch Agrilius to my tent immediately.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Come on. (to soldiers) Prisoner for Caesar.
(to Xena) Come on. Move it.
We made it this far.
XENA
(whispers) Okay, stay outta sight. The regular
soldiers won't bother you, but avoid the officers.
We have an intangible element on the field right
now and there's no telling what she might do.
Agrilius, take the fifteenth to this valley out west.
I plan to use your men as a reserve. No matter
what happens on the line, you'll be able to sweep
through these woods and flank Pompey.
(to Brutus) There's another part of my plan, that
I'd like you to put into action, something even
Xena won't expect.
PATROL CENTURION
Caesar.
We've caught a traitor. He fits the description of
a Greek who deserted from the legion of Darian.
CAESAR
And you bother me with this?! Execute him!
ACT THREE
On your knees!
War's a bitch.
PHLANAGUS
I'm sorry about that. He was heading around the
tent. I figured it was better he caught me than you.
XENA
I can take care of myself. Thank you.
PHLANAGUS
Did you find out what you needed to know?
XENA
Only half of it. That's what worries me. Come on.
Phlanagus, what happened?
PHLANAGUS
I'm all right.
NOGOLIN
Are you okay?
PHLANAGUS
It's a little blood, that's all.
GABRIELLE
How'd it go?
XENA
Mixed bag. Did we hear from Pompey?
TEMECULA
Uh, yeah, we told his messenger just what you
wanted. He'll be there.
XENA
Excellent. Olivas, are the catapults ready?
OLIVAS
They're getting 'em ready, now.
PHLANAGUS
Good. I'll go give the men a hand.
Find a kettle.
XENA
Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Huh?
XENA
Come with me?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Look at that. When I was listening to Caesar, I
heard him mention a reserve detachment. When
the battle starts, they'll be coming from the woods.
I think I know how I can stop them.
GABRIELLE
And still keep Caesar and Pompey from taking
control of their armies?
XENA
It won't be easy, but there's something else,
another part of Caesar's plan.
GABRIELLE
What is it?
XENA
I don't know. I won't be here when everything breaks
loose. Whatever Caesar appears to do, it's always
part of a design. I'm afraid that Phlanagus won't
see that. But you know Caesar and you know
how I think.
GABRIELLE
I can't give the command. I cannot lead
these men to their deaths.
XENA
I'll tell Phlanagus.
You're sure she got my message?
CARMINUS
She was told to come alone. But just in case, I
have two men in the woods who-
Go back to command. Wait for me there.
CARMINUS
But, sir-
POMPEY
Go.
Just a precaution. There were only two guards.
XENA
I know. Otherwise, I woulda had more helmets.
Xena, you don't know how pleased I am to see
you. After what you did to Caesar in Rome. In
Rome...incredible.
XENA
I wasn't there after Caesar.
POMPEY
Yes, I know, Vercinix. But still, without Crassus,
Caesar was weakened. The people are still
behind him, but, well, they will soon see Pompey
the Magnus as their emperor. Hmm. I haven't
decided whether to invite you to the coronation.
You're a little...hard to control.
XENA
I'm not here to try on party hats. You wanna talk
or not?
POMPEY
And they say all the good women are taken. Very
well, let's talk.
Talk, talk, talk. Is that all there is to do around here?
Thank you, Xena. You've managed to solve both
my problems in one stroke. (to Pompey) Rome
is mine.
POMPEY
You made a deal with Caesar?
CAESAR
Oh, no, she's much too smart for that, Pompey.
In fact, she's much too smart for you.
XENA
And I don't care what anyone else says, Caesar,
you're not so stupid, yourself.
CAESAR
That's what I admire about you, Xena, even
when you've lost, you just can't allow someone
else the satisfaction of knowing it.
POMPEY
Hmm.
XENA
Oh, I haven't lost. I wanted you to come. Now!
There it is! Fire!
Fire!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fire!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fire!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACT FOUR
It's almost daylight. The attack begins at dawn.
I should boil some more of these bandages.
It's over! The battle! It's over!
GABRIELLE
What?
TEMECULA
Caesar's pulling back. They're retreating.
NOGOLIN
Oh, thank the gods!
GABRIELLE
Wait, it can't be. It's a trap.
TEMECULA
What do you mean? We don't have to fight, now.
Phlanagus is already bringing our men back.
GABRIELLE
No. No, this is the trap that Xena was talking about.
We can't pull back!
Phlanagus!
PHLANAGUS
Gabrielle! They're pulling back! Caesar's legions
are in retreat! We've won.
GABRIELLE
Phlanagus, listen to me. Caesar will not retreat.
He's too arrogant. If we don't finish what Xena
started, Caesar will win. I am positive.
PHLANAGUS
Okay, listen up! Before she left, Xena told me to
listen to Gabrielle. Xena wanted us to trust her!
(to Gabrielle) You're in command.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clever, Xena. You've taken us both off the field.
POMPEY
My army can still fight.
That's the plan, isn't it, Xena?!
Why not just kill us both?
XENA
All in good time, but not here and not while you
still have armies in the field.
Take the war!
Counterattack! All along the line! Every legion is
to attack Caesar now!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cancel those orders and attack all along the line.
And give the order to Agrilius to begin his attack.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's started! We gotta get outta here!
GABRIELLE
Temecula! Temecula! The signal! Now!
There's the signal!
Get ready to pull back! When the catapults hit!
Fall back! Disengage!
GABRIELLE
We can't let 'em fall back!
PHLANAGUS
Come back! Forward!
This battle's over, Xena. Even if it's fought, I've
outsmarted you.
XENA
You mean, your reserve troops? I know about
them. And I'm goin' after 'em!
Pathetic!
CAESAR And what about your troops, Xena? Right
about now, the center of my line's pulling back,
like a retreat. And when your troops follow,
like you told them-
XENA
You'll trap them.
CAESAR
I'll destroy them. So, whatever your plan was,
tell me it's going to work now.
We'll hit 'em fast and hard! No prisoners! For Caesar!
Gabrielle! Gabrielle!
Now! Come on!
Gabrielle!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Come on!
EXTRA
Fire!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabriel-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-e!
Look out!
No-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!
Phlanagus!
This can't go on forever.
Listen.
POMPEY
The battle, it's over.
CAESAR
What we do here doesn't matter, anymore.
Rome has won.
No.
By the gods.
CAESAR
Well, back to Rome. Back to the drawing board.
POMPEY
It doesn't matter where you go, Caesar. I'll
follow you.
CAESAR
Follow with what? We lost, Pompey. We
were played and we lost.
This is just...a minor setback, Xena. You can't
change my destiny.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
I have the--the men looking for the wounded.
I'm not really sure how many there are, b-
XENA
Gabrielle, stop.
It took a little while for the armies to start fighting,
but they did.
EXTRA
I need a hand over here!
GABRIELLE
Everything...everything worked out just like you
said. Almost everything.
Thank you.
XENA
Your husband gave his life for peace so that your
son could live without fear.
NOGOLIN
When he asks me what his daddy used to do,
I'm gonna tell him he was a simple fisherman.
That's what he was to me.
I could have saved him. How do I get over that?
XENA
I can't answer that question, maybe 'cause there's
nothing I can say that can take away that feeling
you have. You wanna know that what you did was
for all the right reasons, but with that pain in your
gut and the weight on your shoulders, the best
you can come up with is that it was a good day
of fighting. I've seen so many changes in you,
things I could never have expected, but as
hard as the changes have been, you've gotta
know that it's for a reason. All this is for a
reason. Otherwise, what's the point? I was asking
myself that same question when I first met you.
I should talk to Temecula. I should tell him
that--that what he did was for the greater good,
and there is a reason for it. It was a good
day of fighting.
STARRING
Lucy Lawless as Xena
Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
GUEST CAST
Karl Urban as Caesar
Stephen Lovatt as Phlanagus
Jeremy Callaghan as Pompey
Darren Young as Brutus
Stephen Butterworth as Carminus
Caleb Ross as Temecula
Caitlin McDougall as Nogolin
Tyler Read as Deirimus
Steve Matthews as Olivas
Nigel Harbrow as Patrol Centurion
John Loof as Roman Scavenger/Messenger
Peter Ford as Artillery Man
Lance Dunne as Pompey Messenger/Spy
Roydon Muir as Agrilius
Written by: Steven L. Sears
Directed by: Rick Jacobson
Disclaimer: No Permanent Battle Scars were inflicted during the production of this motion picture.
