Who's Gurkhan?
TEASER
Poteidaia.
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Xena, Gabrielle, Eve and Virgil enter Poteidaia.
GABRIELLE
Xena...it's thriving.
Xena, Eve and Virgil are smiling.
GABRIELLE
I'm gonna see if the old house is still standing.
Gabrielle runs off. The other three follow, walking.
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Gabrielle walks up the fence before her home and stops. The other three join her.
GABRIELLE
It looks so run down.
VIRGIL
Nothin' some paint couldn't cure.
Eve touches her arm.
EVE
All that matters is that the people inside are all right.
XENA
Go on.
Gabrielle steps through the gate and Xena closes it behind her. Gabrielle walks to the door.
GABRIELLE
Here goes.
As she is about to knock, the door opens. An older Lila stands there.
GABRIELLE
Lila.
LILA
Gabrielle?
They hug.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night. A storm has gathered outside. Lightning flashes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside. Virgil and Eve are at the table. Virgil is polishing Joxer's sword, Eve is peeling an orange. Xena puts another log on the fire and moves away. Gabrielle and Lila are sitting in front of the fire.
LILA
So, you - slept for twenty-five years. You weren't
really dead.
GABRIELLE
Not that time.
Lila sighs.
LILA
I wish Sarah were here to see you.
GABRIELLE
Who's Sarah?
LILA
My daughter.
GABRIELLE
You have a daughter? Xena, I have a niece.
She chuckles, then turns back to Lila.
GABRIELLE
Where is she?
Lila doesn't answer.
GABRIELLE
Lila, where are Mother and Father?
LILA
Eight years ago...Sarah was captured by the raider
Gurkhan. He took her to the walled city of Mogador.
Eve squishes the fruit in her hand, a look of shock on her face and everyone looks at her.
EVE
It's in North Africa.
LILA
A merchant told us she was in his harem. Father
sold most of the farm and he and Mother and my
husband Lecter went to try and buy her back.
GABRIELLE
What happened?
LILA
He beheaded all three of them.
Eve looks down at the table.
LILA
(sobbing) I don't know what happened to Sarah.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lightning flashes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle gets a look of rage on her face and leaves the house.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle steps outside and Xena follows.
XENA
Gabrielle! Gabrielle, wait.
Gabrielle stops and sighs as she puts her hands over her face. Xena joins her.
XENA
I'm sorry, Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Xena, my niece may still be in that harem.
XENA
We'll go after her first thing in the morning. If she's
there, we'll get her out.
GABRIELLE
Xena, this is not just a rescue mission.
XENA
What do you mean?
GABRIELLE
I want vengeance!
It starts to pour and lightning flashes.
XENA
It will have blood, Gabrielle. Blood will have blood.
GABRIELLE
Don't talk to me about consequences, Xena! That
man murdered my mother and father! Now I kill him!
She walks away, leaving Xena alone.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
A boat sails in the ocean.
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Xena talks to the captain. Gabrielle practices with her sais. Eve joins her.
EVE
Gabrielle? What's your plan?
Gabrielle continues to practice as she speaks to Eve, though she's not really focused on the conversation.
GABRIELLE
I get inside Mogador. I kill Gurkhan. And I bring
Sarah back.
EVE
That's your goal. What's your plan?
GABRIELLE
Haven't thought about it.
EVE
I visited Mogador once.
Gabrielle stops and faces her. Xena can hear the conversation.
GABRIELLE
I'm afraid to ask why.
EVE
You should be.
GABRIELLE
Tell me about Gurkhan.
EVE
I can't. I've never even seen him. No one has
outside of the palace. He keeps his identity a secret.
GABRIELLE
I will find him.
Gabrielle turns away and starts to practice again.
EVE
Perhaps. He'll be a tough man to kill, Gabrielle.
And if he should capture you...pray that the end
is quick.
GABRIELLE
If you're trying to scare me, Eve-
Eve sighs and moves away. Gabrielle stops and turns to look after her.
GABRIELLE
Why were you in Mogador?
EVE
I was selling slave girls.
Eve moves away and Xena joins Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Calm way your daughter talks about her past.
XENA
She knows what I know - there's nothing you
can do to change the past. You can only work to
make the future better. That's why she's so worried
what you might do once you're inside Mogador.
Gabrielle, you're not an assassin.
GABRIELLE
You're right, Xena. Today, I'm not an assassin.
Tomorrow...
Gabrielle runs to the side of the boat and vomits.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The boat travels.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle is looking ill.
EVE (voice-over)
She wants to kill Gurkhan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eve and Xena are sitting together looking at Gabrielle.
EVE
For you or me that, might have been an interesting
challenge once upon a time, but for her...
XENA
It's a suicide mission.
EVE
She doesn't have what it takes to kill in cold blood.
Do you think I inherited that talent from you, Mother?
Xena touches her hair.
XENA
You certainly had a gift.
EVE
Yeah. I did. So, what are you going to do?
XENA
Cure her seasickness.
Eve leans her head in closer to Xena's as they look at Gabrielle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle is still looking over the rail of the boat, an ill look on her face.
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Mogador.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eve is sitting next to an unconscious Gabrielle. Virgil tries to wake Gabrielle.
VIRGIL
Gabrielle. Hey! Gabrielle.
Xena enters.
XENA
I gave her something for her seasickness. She'll
be out awhile.
VIRGIL
I get it. You're goin' to Mogador without her.
XENA
That's right.
VIRGIL
She's not gonna like that.
XENA
She's going to like being beheaded even less.
You're coming with me.
VIRGIL
I can't. That would be a direct betrayal of her
trust and-
Xena grabs his mouth.
VIRGIL
Ooh! Good idea. Good idea.
Xena slaps his face gently. Eve sighs.
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Mogador. Men move about with slave girls.
EXTRA
The next wench has a wide variety of skills!
Xena and Virgil enter the scene. Virgil is dressed in the same clothes as the other men and Xena is hidden beneath white silk.
XENA
Make it look good.
VIRGIL
(whispering) All right. All right.
EXTRA
The bidding opens at ten gold ducats. To the
young gentlemen-
Virgil clears his throat as they step before the Auctioneer.
EXTRA
Do I hear fifteen?
AUCTIONEER
Yeah? What do you want?
VIRGIL
Forward, wench.
He shoves Xena.
XENA
(whispering) Not that good.
VIRGIL
The name's Superlious.
Virgil removes the veil hiding Xena's face. He grabs her face.
VIRGIL
And I have a choice specimen.
Xena growls.
EXTRA
Twenty! Twenty-five! Yes!
VIRGIL
I'd like to know how much I can get for her.
EXTRA
Hour after hour!
EXTRA
Thirteen! Yes!
The Auctioneer rises.
AUCTIONEER
Very nice. Very, very nice.
Virgil is chuckling. The Auctioneer tears off the cloth Xena is wearing. Virgil stands in shock at seeing a very naked Xena.
VIRGIL
Oh.
AUCTIONEER
Not only beautiful, but big and strong. She'll be
useful day and night. Yeah. We should do very
well with her.
VIRGIL
Uh-huh.
AUCTIONEER
I get fifty per cent.
VIRGIL
Sounds reasonable.
AUCTIONEER
I can tell you who'll end up with her. Gurkhan himself.
He's got great taste in women.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sun is starting to set.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena moves over to the other girls who are waiting to be sold.
EXTRA
And next up is a spirited vixen of mysterious origins.
MILDA
Uh-oh.
EXTRA
Feast your eyes, gentlemen-
MILDA
Competition.
LANA
Competition? For what? To see who gets sold
quickest to the biggest monster to do with as
he pleases?
MILDA
Yeah, you make it sound like a bad thing.
EXTRA
Me, too.
XENA
Isn't it?
EXTRA
Gentlemen!
Xena sits.
MILDA
Hey, in my village the choices were - marry a sober
poor man or a drunk poor man. It was a toss-up,
really. The sober men would be less likely to beat
you but the drunk men would be less likely to
keep you pregnant all the time.
LANA
At least you were around your family.
MILDA
My father is dead. And my mother is a whore. I
have no family. Now...I have a good shot at being
bought by Gurkhan the magnificent, the wealthiest
man in the continent.
VIRGIL
Girl! Girl! Come here.
Xena rises and moves over to Virgil.
EXTRA
We just wanna see a good one.
XENA
As soon as you figure out which one Gurkhan is,
get behind him. Try to overhear something useful.
(whispering) Get going.
Virgil leaves.
AUCTIONEER
Hey, hey! Come on! Come on!
Xena moves onto the stage. Virgil moves about the crowd.
AUCTIONEER
And now...for our premier selection - a woman
of such fire and beauty that a man - well, I mean,
you'd have to be crazy not to wanna take her home.
From Thrace, the blue-eyed goddess, magnificent
to the eyes as she undoubtedly will be to the touch.
Now...let's start the bidding at ten gold ducats. Come
along, gentlemen. Don't be shy.
The bidding begins with nose scratching and tassels waving.
AUCTIONEER
Belize of Ethiopia says ten. Ha-ha-ha-ha! Now
we're up and running. Milo of Malta takes us to
twenty. Gurkhan the Magnificent takes us up to thirty.
Virgil smiles and moves over the bidder.
AUCTIONEER
How about forty? A mere forty ducats for a priceless
treasure. Belize wants her for forty. Hey, let's not stop
there. Can I get fifty? Fifty for your very own goddess.
Virgil makes eye contact with Xena as he stands behind who he believes to be Gurkhan and mouths, "It's him." A man in the back raises his hand.
AUCTIONEER
Gurkhan goes to fifty. But surely, sixty gold ducats
is a small price for such a prize.
Virgil is confused. A tassel is flipped.
AUCTIONEER
Milo is prepared to go to sixty for this pleasurable
creature. Ha-ha-ha-ha. What would you give for
a lifetime of bliss, huh?
Virgil moves to stand over the second man who was identified as Gurkhan.
AUCTIONEER
A bargain still, at seventy gold ducats.
A third man who is identified as Gurkhan nods.
AUCTIONEER
Gurkhan the Magnificent takes us to seventy.
Xena and Virgil look at the men identified as Gurkhan, confused. The pace goes up and as the Auctioneer speaks at rapid speed, noses are scratched, tassels are waved, hands go up, and eyes blink as the bidding becomes fiercer.
AUCTIONEER
And Gurkhan goes to seventy. Now we're playing
the game. Do I hear five? Five? Five? Who'll give
me five? Who'll give me seventy-five? Who'll give
me seventy-five? Seventy-five!
Xena still surveys the scene.
AUCTIONEER
Who'll give me seventy-five? Belize takes me to
eighty. I've got eighty over here. Eighty in the back.
Virgil grabs his head in confusion.
AUCTIONEER
Eighty in the back. Eighty in the back. I've got eighty
in the back. In the back. I've got eighty in the back.
I wanna hear eighty-five. I wanna hear eighty-five.
And a half. I gotta half. I wanna half. I wanna hear
ninety. Are you bidding, sir, or are you just picking
your nose. Well, stop it! I've got a hundred over here
to Milo. One hundred to Milo. A hundred to Milo.
A hundred to Milo. A hundred to Milo. Who'll give
me one-ten? I'm lookin' for one-ten. I wanna hear
one-ten. I've got one-ten over here, Belize. One-ten
Belize. Belize. Belize. One hundred, Belize. One
hundred, Belize. One hundred, Belize. One hundred,
Belize. Do I hear one-twenty? One-twenty. Who'll
give me one-twenty? Work with me, here. I've got
one-I've got one-twenty on my right. I got one-twenty
on my right. I got one-twenty on my right. Do I hear
one-forty? Who'll give me one-forty? Give me one-forty.
Give me one-forty. Who'll give me-I've got one-forty.
I wanna hear fifty. Who'll give me fifty? I wanna
hear fifty, fifty, fifty. Who'll give me fifty? Who'll give
me fifty?
One of the 'Gurkhans' waves his hand and the bid jumps from one-fifty to two hundred and twenty.
AUCTIONEER
Sold to Gurkhan the Magnificent for two hundred
and twenty gold ducats. What a prize he's won
for himself.
MILDA
I wonder which one Gurkhan is.
XENA
Very clever.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
On the boat. Gabrielle wakes up.
EXTRA
I'm pretty well passed out.
Eve joins her.
EVE
Feeling better?
GABRIELLE
I gotta hand it to Xena. That brew she gave me
made me sleep like a baby.
Gabrielle rises and runs over to a flap, pulling it aside to see they are at Mogador. She turns to face Eve.
GABRIELLE
Where is she?
Eve smiles.
GABRIELLE
Eve, that peaceful smile is not gonna cut it. Where
is she?
EVE
I'm just as much to blame as she is.
Virgil returns.
VIRGIL
(singing) I sing of Superlious, pirate of the high
se-e-e-e-e-e-eas! I capture beautiful maidens and
ell them-
He sees Gabrielle.
VIRGIL
A-a-a-ah!
He drops a bag of gold.
VIRGIL
Hi, Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
No, no, no, no. Don't tell me. You're Superlious,
pirate of the high seas? You sold Xena to Gurkhan,
didn't you?
EVE
We did it because we love you.
VIRGIL
Well, I didn't. I mean - w--well. I mean--I mean--I
mean, I do--I do love you. What I'm trying to
say is that I didn't know about the potion until
you were already out.
GABRIELLE
Virgil, you went along with Xena after she did it.
VIRGIL
Well, she threatened me.
EVE
It's the truth.
EXTRA
Another piece up here-
GABRIELLE
Two can play at that game.
Gabrielle storms off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gurkhan's palace.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside. The harem women move about. One is being covered in oil. Some smoke opium. Milda moves over to join Xena as she walks about, surveying the place.
MILDA
How bad is this? My entire village isn't worth what
Gurkhan must have paid for a barrel of that perfumed oil.
Xena removes her cloth and steps into the pool.
XENA
Yes, very nice.
She sees Yo.
XENA
Where you from?
YO
A distant land you've never heard of - beyond
Chin. So far to the east, it's called The Land of
the Rising Sun.
XENA
What's your name?
YO
Yo.
XENA
Hi, Yo. I'm Sophia. Tell me...does Gurkhan have
another wife called Sarah?
YO
It's against the rules to talk of the other wives.
XENA
Just lookin' for a simple "Yes" or "No."
YO
Please. Gurkhan will punish us if we break the rules.
MILDA
Will he spank us?
YO
You'll be beaten, manacled, thrown in a dark
dungeon and left to die.
MILDA
Okay, th-that's all I need to know. Thanks.
Xena moves over to Lana.
XENA
Thinking about someone in particular?
LANA
Yeah. My fiancé - Leonardo.
XENA
Well, you just keep thinking about him. You think
about every moment. That's what's gonna get
you through.
LANA
I hope so. But then, sometimes I think I'd rather
be dead than in this place.
Sarah enters.
SARAH
Be careful of what you ask for.
XENA
Who are you?
Sarah reaches down and grabs Xena's hair.
SARAH
You dare to question the number-one wife?!
XENA
I'm sorry. I didn't know who you were.
Sarah lets her go and stands.
SARAH
Well, that's a good little dog. You learn from your
first beating. New girls?
She claps.
SARAH
Listen up. I am Gurkhan's number-one wife. And
you're all dirt.
Milda scoffs.
SARAH
I will one day carry his heir. Eventually, my son
will rule over Gurkhan's kingdom. Anyone who
comes between me and my lord will feel my wrath
Believe me. That is when you will truly wish you
were dead.
Gurkhan is behind a wooden devider that has holes so that he may see in, but you can't see his face. Xena looks over at him, and when Sarah sees, she kicks Xena in the face.
SARAH
Bad dog.
Xena looks down, pretending to be humble. Gurkhan is gone.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later. The four Gurkhans sit in the middle of an elaborate room as the women tend to them.
EXTRA
My Lord.
One of the Gurkhans is fed a nut. Two of the Gurkhans are smoking opium. Sarah leads in more wives, including Xena. Virgil enters dressed as Superlious with a covered Gabrielle.
VIRGIL
I bow before the might of Gurkhan the magnificent.
I am Superlious the pirate and I search the ends of
the Earth for the most beautiful and delicious maidens.
Xena is surprised and worried.
VIRGIL
I see vast potential for our mutual satisfactions.
For, in my stables, I have rare beauties from
every part of the world, just waiting to be plucked.
Take this one - an Amazon warrior queen from
Greece. Strong...savage...independent...and
untouched by the hands of man. The untold pleasures
that await the one who can tame a creature like
this stagger the imagination. And I offer her to you
for now - a gift. A token of my good faith.
He removes one of the veils draped around Gabrielle's body and her hips begin to slowly move.
VIRGIL
If it pleases the great one, the little flower would
like to dance in his honour.
Sarah looks to the four Gurkhans and one of them nods.
SARAH
Gurkhan approves...of your gift and would like to
see her dance.
Gabrielle removes the veil from her face and dances seductively with it. Xena doesn't move at all, not even looking at Gabrielle who is behind her. Gabrielle starts to dance down the stairs and over to the Gurkhans. Xena watches. Some of the other wives are playing the music. Virgil is dancing the music too as he watches Gabrielle. Virgil sees Xena who is glaring at him and stops, then clears his throat. Gabrielle continues to dance as everyone watches. Xena keeps an unhappy eye on Gabrielle. Gabrielle reaches behind her and Xena watches in surprise as Gabrielle grabs the handle of a danger hiding in the outfit she is wearing. Xena moves instantly and lunges at Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
(whispering) Xena!
XENA
(whispering) I got this under control.
Xena takes the dagger from out of Gabrielle's outfit. One of the Gurkhans motions to the guards who move in on Xena and Gabrielle.
XENA
Trust me.
She hits Gabrielle and knocks her out.
GABRIELLE
Uh!
Xena holds the dagger over Gabrielle. Virgil leaves.
XENA
She won't have Gurkhan before me.
The guards hit Xena, knocking her out.
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
Xena in unconscious on top of Gabrielle. The guards drag her away. Sarah watches as she's taken away.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside the palace. The sun is setting. An eagle calls.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The harem. Gabrielle enters and sits.
LANA
Were you able to reach her?
GABRIELLE
No. The place is swarming with guards.
LANA
I hope she makes it.
GABRIELLE
She'll make it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
An already severely beaten Xena is hit. She hits the floor hard. She is dirty and her clothing is torn.
EXTRA
Nobody misbehaves in Gurkhan's harem.
Xena pulls herself painfully along the floor. "The Gauntlet" music plays through the next few scenes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena is chained to the wall, blood pouring down her arm from her wrist, while in an overlapping scene the guards hold her up and beat her.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle sits and waits in the harem.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sun rises.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
An even more severely beaten Xena has cold water tossed on her and she falls to the floor, weak.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two guards hold Xena up while a third one beats her.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena sits chained in the dudgeon, her knees pulled up to her face. She is covered in bruises and blood.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena lies hardly conscious on the floor, her face swollen and bruised. Someone touches her face. She looks up to see a smiling Gabrielle, but then Gabrielle vanishes before her eyes. Xena looks about, confused.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena is tied upside down by her feet. She is being swung around as a guard beats her.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena lies on the floor of the dudgeon. One eye is now swollen shut. Her face is a swollen mess of bruises and bloody cuts. In an overlapping scene, Xena is tied upside down by her feet. Two guards beat her. A third overlapping scene is of the moon rising.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle waits in the harem. She has not moved.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena is swinging upside down, tied by her feet.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clouds roll.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena is still tied upside down by her feet. Blood pools below her. Gurkhan enters.
GURKHAN
Tell me, Sophia...why did you have a knife?
XENA
To make sure none of the other wives got a jump
on me.
GURKHAN
Are you here simply because you were taken as
a slave?
Xena once more envisions Gabrielle, who is dancing before her.
XENA
I want to be here.
GURKHAN
Really? And why is that?
Vision Gabrielle speaks.
GABRIELLE
Sarah.
XENA
I want to give myself to the great Gurkhan.
GURKHAN
Are you sure? No other agenda?
XENA
Yes - one.
GURKHAN
I'm listening.
XENA
I want to be number-one wife.
Gurkhan chuckles.
GURKHAN
Let's just start by calling you "Fatima."
Gurkhan leaves. Vision Gabrielle vanishes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harem. A guard enters. A second guard is heard.
EXTRA
Get in!
Xena stumbles to the doorway and gasps. Xena uses it to hold herself up. Xena stumbles into the room, barely able to stand as the other women look at her in shock. Gabrielle's face is one of horror and sadness. The guards leave. Xena collapses on some pillows. Lana moves over to her and Gabrielle races to Xena's side and holds her. Xena gasps.
LANA
How is she?
XENA
Peachy.
Gabrielle gently holds Xena.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clouds roll.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside of the palace.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The harem.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena and Gabrielle sit at the pool. A woman is tending to the wounds on Xena's arms.
XENA
Thinking about Sarah?
GABRIELLE
Yes. And Mother and Father. Didn't get a chance
to say good-bye to them, Xena. I don't think that
Sarah's here. I--I've asked-
XENA
She's here. Now leave it.
GABRIELLE
Do you think she's in another cell?
Xena inhales sharply.
XENA
Don't know.
Xena takes her arm from the other woman who moves away.
XENA
But I've got an idea how to flush her out. Gabrielle,
you can do it. You can kill Gurkhan.
GABRIELLE
(whispering) Thank you.
Xena stands.
XENA
Don't thank me. Just be ready.
Xena leaves. The woman who was attending to Xena looks after her.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later in the harem. Sarah enters.
SARAH
Wives of Gurkhan...on your faces.
They all lay on their stomachs.
SARAH
Look up...at your peril.
Gurkhan enters and points at Xena.
GURKHAN
That one - Fatima.
Gurkhan leaves.
SARAH
Tonight, you will dance.
Xena looks at Gabrielle. Her face has mostly cleared up.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle paints Xena's face. She touches Xena's cheek and the two of them share a look.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The moon rises. A wolf howls.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena's face is covered. She dances for the Gurkhan. Gabrielle is sitting with Gurkhan along with a few other wives. Gurkhan is smoking opium. Xena removes her veil and continues to dance. Gurkhan sits up, amazed by Xena. She dances behind him and then in front of him, using the veil. She continues to seductively dance. She kneels and dances. She crawls over to him and places one end of the veil in his mouth and the other in hers. Sarah watches. Xena dances again and pulls on the veil. She dances before Gurkhan. She uses the veil to be pulled over to him and ends nearly in his lap.
XENA
I have a request.
GURKHAN
Yes?
XENA
Sarah's head on a plate.
GURKHAN
Where did you hear that name?
Xena does not answer. Gurkhan chuckles.
GURKHAN
Very well. I'll give you Sarah's head.
He snaps his fingers.
SARAH
Gurkhan! How can you do this?!
Guards take Sarah away. Gabrielle is both shocked and horrified to learn who Sarah is.
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
Gurkhan and Xena enter his bedroom. She touches his face seductively.
XENA
I have an idea.
GURKHAN
What?
Xena whispers in his ear. He's intrigued.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gurkhan is on the bed, Xena straddling him. Gabrielle enters.
GURKHAN
Join us, little one.
He chuckles as Xena pushes him down.
GURKHAN
Mmmm.
He chuckles.
GURKHAN
Mmmm.
Xena puts the pinch on him.
XENA
Take that, ya dirty bastard.
Xena moves off of him and hands Gabrielle a dagger.
XENA
If you're going to do it...do it now.
Gabrielle takes the dagger and unsheathes it. She crawls onto the bed and holds the dagger against Gurkhan's throat.
GABRIELLE
(whispering) Are you afraid? Afraid like my mother?
My father? Like my sister's husband? Right before
you cut off their heads. If I kill you...you win. I become
like you.
She moves off of him and he grows calmer. Gabrielle leans in quickly, but without the dagger.
GABRIELLE
I hate you.
She pushes his head aside. He breaths in relief. Gabrielle starts to beat on him. Then she sits and sighs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle opens the door to the dudgeon. Sarah is sitting there. Her hair is no longer up, and she holds one of her silk cloths around her. Xena is behind Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Sarah.
SARAH
What do you want? Is this the ultimate humiliation?
Gurkhan's gonna let you two sever my head yourselves.
Gabrielle enters the dudgeon.
GABRIELLE
Sarah...I'm Gabrielle. This is Xena.
SARAH
Gabrielle and Xena? Well, that's not possible.
GABRIELLE
Your mother...Lila. My sister. She told us everything
that happened. We've come to take you home.
SARAH
Then you're-
Gabrielle moves beside her.
GABRIELLE
(whispering) It's okay.
SARAH
No.
GABRIELLE
(whispering) I'm your family.
SARAH
Don't touch me.
Gabrielle puts her arms around Sarah, who tries to pull away.
SARAH
Get away from me! No!
GABRIELLE
No.
SARAH
No!
GABRIELLE
Sh-h-h-h-h.
SARAH
Get away from me! Just get away! Get off of me!
Get away! Get away! Get away! Get a-
She sobs, but lets Gabrielle hug her as she sobs.
GABRIELLE
Nobody blames you, nobody! Everyone understands
you were just a child! (whispering) It's okay. It's
okay. It's okay. It's okay.
SARAH
I'm so ashamed.
Gabrielle looks at Xena who has a sad look on her face.
SARAH
He killed Father. And Grandma, a--and Grandpa.
GABRIELLE
(whispering) That must have been so terrible for you.
SARAH
I didn't know how to handle it. Life just seemed
so brutal. I thought the only way to survive was
to be more vicious than my competition. (whispering)
I'm so sorry.
GABRIELLE
(whispering) So am I, Sarah.
Gabrielle hugs her.
XENA
We should go.
SARAH
Oh, that's impossible. Gurkhan's security has
made this palace invincible.
Xena drags Gurkhan in, holding him by his neck.
XENA
There's a loophole in the system.
Sarah looks up, surprised.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harem. Xena enters.
XENA
All right, girls - we're going on a cruise. Anyone
care to come?
EXTRA
What are we waiting for?!
EXTRA
Wait for me!
They all follow Xena out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three guards enter the dudgeon to kill Sarah. They throw her to her knees and cut off her head, but when the head hits the floor, it's Gurkhan.
EXTRA
Gurkhan.
EXTRA
Hm-m?
The guards run away.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sun is high.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The boat moves through the water.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dolphins jump.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the boat. All the girls are on the boat. Sarah joins Gabrielle who is with Eve. Xena looks over at them.
GABRIELLE
Your mother will be so happy to see you.
SARAH
How could she ever love me again, after what
I've become?
EVE
You don't know mothers very well, do you?
SARAH
You don't understand - I've done terrible things.
How can I ever be forgiven?
GABRIELLE
Are you ever in the right company.
Gabrielle looks at Eve and they give each other small smiles. Gabrielle looks at Xena who gives her a big grin.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The boat moves through the water.
END OF ACT FOUR
STARRING
Lucy Lawless as Xena
Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
GUEST CAST
Adrienne Wilkinson as Eve
William Gregory Lee as Virgil
Willa O'Neill as Lila
Calvin Tuteao as Gurkhan
Tandi Wright as Sonata [this is Sarah, as she is refered to in this transcript]
Gina Varela as Milda
Michelle Langstone as Lana
Jo Lo as Yo
Stephen Hall as Auctioneer
Teleplay by: R.J. Stewart
Story by: Rob Tapert
Directed by: Michael Hurst
Disclaimer: Xena's uncanny ability to recover from devastating wounds was not harmed during the production of this motion picture.
