ACT TWO

FADE IN:

10 EXT. VILLAGE #2 - DAY (CONTINUOUS)

Xena stares at Callisto for a moment, then her face cracks into a raging snarl. She leaps onto Argo and charges Callisto.

THE FIRST PASS

Xena and Callisto slash at each other with their swords as they pass. Callisto wears a buckler on her left arm which she uses to skillfully block Xena's blows while she takes a swing at her with her broadsword.

ON MELAS

He appears in the village and watches the entire confrontation.

THE SECOND PASS

The two warriors turn their horses around and charge again. Once again Callisto blocks Xena's blow and this time manages to nick Xena's arm, drawing blood. Xena eyes her slight wound and then glares at Callisto.

CALLISTO
I'm good. Maybe as good as you. And
why not? You made me.

She spurs her horse for another charge.

THE THIRD PASS

Callisto doesn't strike towards Xena's body this time but lands a blow on her sword hand. Xena whips her sword around and knocks Callisto's sword from her hand. Callisto, who seems unphased by this, reins her horse around and grins at Xena. Xena eyes her carefully.

XENA
It was you who shot me with the
poisoned dart.

CALLISTO
Yes. I made the dose just strong enough to
keep you out of action for a while. It left
me free to revive your reputation as a wanton
killer of women and children.

XENA
I never killed women and children.

CALLISTO
Well, you have now.

THE FOURTH PASS

Callisto charges, unarmed. Xena charges, too. As she gallops toward Xena, Callisto leans over and picks up a staff that lies by a fallen warrior. Carrying it under her arm like a medieval knight would his lance, Callisto charges Xena. She lands the tip of the lance full in Xena's chest, sending Xena flying off her horse. As she flies back, Xena grabs hold of the lance and tears it out of Callisto's hands. Xena lands on her feet and uses the lance to club Callisto off her horse.

ON XENA

She watches as Callisto scrambles to her feet and pulls a dagger. Xena picks up her sword. They face-off on foot.

XENA
What did you mean when you said I made
you?

CALLISTO
Do you remember Cirra?

Xena's face grows dark and troubled.

Callisto lets out a bloodcurdling screech, nothing like Xena's yell, more like the cry of a banshee. She charges Xena. Xena plants herself for the onslaught.

ON CALLISTO

Just as she reaches Xena, she does a somersault in the air, flies over Xena's head and lands on her horse. She then gallops away.

MELAS

tries to stop her, but Callisto rides past him.

XENA

is about to give chase when the sound of combat brings her attention to:

GABRIELLE AND THEODORUS

fighting. Gabrielle is holding her own with her staff but Theodorus is backing her up. One vicious blow by him knocks Gabrielle's staff from her hand. He's about to kill off our sidekick when Xena appears behind him and does the "pinch." He keels over as Xena stalks around him.

XENA
I've just blocked off the flow of blood to your brain.
(MORE)
You'll be dead in seconds unless I
release you. Who is that woman?

Theodorus tries desperately to move his limbs.

XENA
Don't bother. It's hopeless. Now sing
like the nightingale you are.

THEODORUS
Her name is Callisto.

XENA
What did she have to do with Cirra?

THEODORUS
Her family died there.

Xena flinches as if hit with a slap.

XENA
What does Callisto want?

Theodorus once again struggles to get up.

XENA
You've got only seconds to live unless
you answer my questions.

THEODORUS
She wants the world to see you as a demon.
Then she wants to kill you in combat.

XENA
Where's she headed now? Answer quick.
You're almost out of time.

THEODORUS
Delphi. She plans to murder the Oracle
and blame it on you.

XENA
When?

THEODORUS
At tomorrow's Apollo sacrifice.

Xena leans down and releases the pinch on Theodorus.

XENA
Tell her this. She's right, I made
her. So I'll have to destroy her.

He scrambles to his feet and runs off. The sound of footsteps turns Xena's attention to:

MELAS

approaching.

XENA
(pointing a warning finger at him)
Be careful. I'm in a bad mood.

MELAS
I saw everything. I know now it wasn't you
who killed my son. I'm sorry. I--

XENA
Save your breath. I don't want
your apology.

MELAS
Let me travel with you. I'll do
anything to help you kill her.

XENA
I don't need help.

MELAS
Look, I'm gonna go after her
anyway. Why not work with me?

XENA
(thinking for a moment)
I suppose I could keep you from getting killed.
(beat)
Alright. Just remember this. When we catch
up with her, don't try anything on your own.
She'll eat you alive.

Off Melas' nod, we:

CUT TO:

11 INT. CALLISTO'S STRONGHOLD DAY

A barracks type of building with multi-leveled sleeping quarters for her men. A multitude of ladders connect the different levels.

CLOSE ON CALLISTO'S FEET

They're balanced on a thin beam. Suddenly, a staff whips into frame directed at her feet.

WIDER TO SHOW CALLISTO

standing on the beam. Two of her warriors hold staffs and are trying to knock her off the beam. She dances gingerly over the blows, honing her skills. Another staff lashes at her feet. Then another. She's a woman on a mission. She's determined to be the best.

ON THEODORUS

He enters and watches Callisto fight the warriors. He walks toward her. She spots him.

CALLISTO
Alright, enough for today.

She jumps off the beam and faces Theodorus.

CALLISTO
Did she put her "touch" on you?

THEODORUS
Right away.

CALLISTO
And you told her everything?

THEODORUS
Everything. Just as you wanted.

CALLISTO
You didn't make it too obvious, I hope.

THEODORUS
I was so convincing I almost died.

CALLISTO
Good. And then she let you go with a message.
Something heroic about stopping me.

THEODORUS
Yes. You were right about everything.

CALLISTO
(to the air)
Xena, I can call your every move.
I've made quite A study of you.

There's a mad glint in her eyes. This isn't the first time she's talked to somebody who isn't there.

A commotion brings their attention to the entrance.

JOXER

is being dragged in by a FAT WARRIOR. He's thrown down at Callisto's feet.

FAT WARRIOR
We found this scum hiding in a supply wagon
we stole from the last village. He says he has
something valuable to offer you.

JOXER
Warrior Queen, forgive my intrusion.

CALLISTO
(savoring the words)
Warrior Queen. I like that.

JOXER
It's so much better than Warrior
Princess.

CALLISTO
Yes, it is. Now what is it you have to
offer me?

JOXER
My services.

CALLISTO
Really? What is it you do?

JOXER
I'm a warrior.

CALLISTO
You're a warrior? You look like an
idiot to me.

JOXER
I cultivate that look. It makes me less threatening.
People don't fear worthless idiots so it's easy for me
to get the drop on them. For instance, are you afraid
of me right now?

CALLISTO
Not in the least.

JOXER
You see. It works.

Callisto chuckles.

CALLISTO
So you want to do something to prove
yourself to me?

JOXER
Anything. Please.

CALLISTO
You know who Xena is, don't you?

Joxer nods.

CALLISTO
She travels with someone.

JOXER
An irritating little blonde, I know.

CALLISTO
Her name's Gabrielle. Bring her to me and
you can join my legion as a warrior.

JOXER
Consider the deed done, My Queen.

He exits.

CALLISTO
(off Theodorus' questioning look)
Who knows? He might actually be able to capture
the girl. But even if he doesn't, every distraction
for Xena will help us carry out our plan. It's close
to completion, Theodorus. Tomorrow, Xena will be seen
at Delphi when her weapon is buried in the Oracle's skull..

She pulls out the chakram and hurls it

ON THE CHAKRAM

as it ricochets off several objects and then collides with:

A MELON

sitting on a table. The chakram sticks in the melon.

CUT TO:

Melas sits staring at the fire, nursing his hatred. Gabrielle is feeding kindling to the fire. She glances up at Melas' exhausted face.

GABRIELLE
Melas, when was the last time you got
some sleep?

MELAS
The night before I buried my son.

GABRIELLE
Why don't you lay down and close your
eyes? You might just drift off.

MELAS
Drift off? You don't get it, do you?
I don't want to drift off. I'm not trying
to run away from the pain. I want to satisfy it.
The only way I can do that is with Callisto's blood.
You'd feel the same way if YOU lost what I did.

GABRIELLE
(sadly)
Maybe.

She stands up and walks over to Xena who sits moving her arm around, working her shoulder. Gabrielle gives her a sympathetic look.

GABRIELLE
Did you hurt your shoulder when she
knocked you off Argo?

XENA
A little.

Gabrielle starts massaging her shoulder. As she does, Xena looks off into the night with a troubled stare. Gabrielle notices.

GABRIELLE
Do you want to talk about it?

XENA
What?

GABRIELLE
Cirra.

Xena sighs and nods as Gabrielle continues her massage.

XENA
It was just another town to conquor. Nothing
out of the ordinary. Somehow a fire broke out.
I don't know if it was one of my men or an accident
but there was a strong wind and the flames swept
through the town like a wave of death. The people
were all huddled inside their homes because they
were afraid of my army.
(pausing as the memory ravages her soul)
You could smell burning flesh for
miles. It was the only time my army
was responsible for the death of women
and children. There was only a handful.
of survivors. Obviously, Callisto was
one of them.

GABRIELLE
And now she'll do anything for revenge.

XENA
Can't blame her.

GABRIELLE
(a little indignant)
I can. Where will it end? Look at poor Melas.
I can tell he's a nice man. But this hatred has
put him on the way to becoming an obsessed killer.
If everyone continues the cycle of blood and hate,
it'll go on forever. Someone has to say no to the
lust for revenge.

XENA
That's a hard thing to do.

GABRIELLE
You did it. After your village was attacked
you were infected with the bloodlust. But
you overcame it.

XENA
I was lucky. I saw what I'd become,
and was able to turn it around. But
if something happened to my mother, or
Hercules ... or you ... Who knows? I might do the same thing.

GABRIELLE
No. Promise me you won't turn into a monster if
something happens to me. There's only one way to
break the cycle of hatred. Through forgiveness and love.

XENA
(touched)
I hope this world never changes you, Gabrielle.
I like you just the way you are.
(beat)
Get some sleep.

GABRIELLE
No! Not until you promise me!

Xena stares into Gabrielle's passionate face.

XENA
I promise.

CUT TO:

13 EXT. DELPHI VILLAGE DAY

Xena, Gabrielle and Melas approach the temple where a crowd has already assembled to listen to the Oracle's prophecy. The temple is on the outskirts of a small village.

GABRIELLE
The Oracle should be arriving soon to
give her prophecy.

XENA
Alright, let's spread out and look for Callisto.
Give a yell as soon as you see her.

They spread out and start moving through the crowd.

WE FOLLOW GABRIELLE

as she studies the crowd carefully. She moves down an alley to check out an alcove that would be a good hiding place.

ON JOXER

as he follows her down the alley. He's holding a net.

ON GABRIELLE

She peers into the alcove carefully. As she does, Joxer hurls the net over her and drags her out of sight inside the dark alcove. We hold for a dramatic moment as if this is the act break. Then we hear A LOUD THWACK! Joxer stumbles, out of the alcove holding is ear. Gabrielle comes out of the alcove, taking off the net and holding her staff in a defensive posture.

JOXER
You want a fight, huh. Fine with me.

Joxer draws his broadsword which is bigger than he is and attacks. Gabrielle slams her staff into his stomach, pops him under the chin and slams his sword hand. Joxer drops his sword.

JOXER
You've made me mad now, little girl.

He pulls his dagger and charges Gabrielle. Gabrielle slams her staff against his throat and stomps on his toe. He drops the dagger and staggers back.

JOXER
You've just made a serious mistake.

He takes his crossbow off his back and levels it at Gabrielle. He fires. Gabrielle ducks. The arrow flies harmlessly over her head. She charges and strikes the crossbow with her staff.

JOXER
(eyeing his crossbow)
You broke my crossbow.
(with a snarl)
That did it! Now I'm gonna tear you
apart with my bare hands.

He charges with a roar. As Gabrielle lands a vicious whack to his forehead, we go to:

14 EXT. DELPHI STREET - DAY

THE ORACLE moves down the street, surrounded by priests. The Oracle is a BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMAN

ON XENA

as she carefully examines the faces in the crowd.

ON MELAS

He stalks through the crowd with his eyes burning for vengeance.

EXT. ALLEY - DAY 15

Gabrielle is pummeling Joxer with her staff. He goes down in a heap. He struggles to get up.

GABRIELLE
What are you doing? Stay down.

JOXER
Oh, you'd love that, wouldn't you? You know I
got you just where I want you.

He pulls himself up and charges, only to receive a whack on his shin. He hobbles on one foot. Gabrielle gives him a good konk on the head and he goes down again.

GABRIELLE
Now, please, stay down. There's something I've got to do.

She walks out of the alley.

JOXER
(flat on his back)
Go ahead, run, you coward.

16 EXT. TEMPLE - DAY

The Oracle is climbing the steps.

ON XENA

She scans the crowd.

XENA'S POV - THE CROWD

We pan the crowd from Xena's POV. She passes over a CRIPPLED OLD WOMAN and moves on. Suddenly, we PAN back to the old woman. She's taking the chakram out of a waist pack.

ON XENA

She charges Callisto.

ON THEODORUS AND ANOTHER MAN

Dressed as peasants they leap into Xena's path. Xena knocks them aside but not before:

CALLISTO

throws the chakram toward the Oracle.

ON XENA

The chakram whizzes over her head toward the Oracle. It's
past her. How will she stop it?

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO

Xenaphile | Callisto Act 1 | Callisto Act 2 | Callisto Act 3 | Callisto Act 4