WARNING!: This piece of Fan Fic, being a PG tele-play written as the 2nd season aired, is an Uber Janice and Mel story so expect the usual. A little Action, Adventure, Chases, Fist fights, Escapes, Germans, Trap laden Temples, Thugs, Soldiers, a Volcano and the Xena Scrolls.
XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
JANICE COVINGTON AND THE
SECRET OF THE SCROLLS
TEASER
FADE IN
INT.
BANQUET HALL - NIGHT
Cigar
smoke fills the air as an audience of well dressed,
gray
haired, MEN look toward a podium.
FADE IN TITLE: 'AMERICA 1945'
JANICE
COVINGTON, radiant in a full length evening gown,
stands
at the podium. She nervously looks over the audience.
Beside Janice stands a display covered in a velvet cloth.
JANICE
I know some of you gentlemen
still find it hard to believe.
I know at times I do.
A ripple of laughter passes through the audience.
JANICE(CON'T)
But... they are fact. No
more a part of myth or legend.
(beat) These scrolls my father
and I have spent our lives
searching for... they are
a reality.
Applause
erupts from the audience. A handsome MAN winks
at
Janice. She smiles and holds a hand up, calling for
silence.
JANICE
Thank you. Before we go on
I must once again apologize
for tonight's absence of my
partner, Miss Melinda Pappas.
(beat) Without her... I know
I could have never come this
far.
Janice
fidgets with her speech papers. She blushes as a
murmur
passes through the audience.
JANICE
So gentlemen without further
delay, I present you with...
The Xena Scrolls.
Janice
pulls the cover from the display. Wild applause
breaks
out in the audience.
Janice
looks over the beautifully decorated XENA SCROLL
which
sits in a small glass display case.
The
crowd stand and continue their applause. Some push forward
toward
the display. Janice steps away from the podium.
A
suited dignitary, HARWOOD, comes toward Janice offering
his
hand, which she takes.
HARWOOD
Well done. Harry would be
proud.
MAN(OS)
That he most certainly
would.
Janice
and Harwood turn toward the deep voice. A tall, muscular,
well
dressed MAN, walks toward them slowly clapping.
JANICE
Alex Benton. And I thought
the invitations were for
honored and distinguished
guest's.
ALEX BENTON plays with his mustache then smiles at Janice.
BENTON
That being the case, I would
ask the same of you Miss
Covington. (beat) So tell
me, how does it feel to
finally have your so cherished
credibility?
JANICE
Certainly a whole lot better
than having the reputation
of someone like yourself.
Wouldn't you agree?
Janice gives Alex a smile.
BENTON
In days past I would not
think to hesitate. But, I'm
now happy to say, those days
are far behind me.... as
they are your father.
JANICE
(coolly)
Don't you ever... ever speak
of my father.
BENTON
Come, come Miss Covington,
surely you're not still
holding a grudge?
JANICE
As sure as I know you aren't
here to offer your congratulations...
or condolences.
BENTON
Unfortunately no. Though
if they ever manage to be
authenticated by a scholar
of some standing, my
congratulations will be
forwarded to both you and
Miss Pappas. (beat) My
congratulations and my
respect
JANICE
Your respect, I can't imagine
anyone wanting such an odious
thing. Now if you please, I
have to be leaving, the scrolls
await my attention.
Janice
and Harwood walk past Benton. He turns and watches
Janice,
smiling to himself.
INT.
UNIVERSITY BUILDING - STUDY HALL - NIGHT
A
single lamp casts a dim light over the large tables, books,
maps,
world globes and equipment strewn throughout the room.
MELINDA
PAPPAS looks over a dirty, dusty SCROLL, which sits
atop
a table. Her gloved hands very carefully unravel the
scroll.
MELINDA
Oh yes... yes this will do
nicely.
A
young assistant, BARRY, walks into the room, his arms
full
of equipment.
BARRY
(excitedly)
You've found something?
Mel traces a finger across the scroll.
MELINDA
Another one mentioning Xena.
Here, see.
Barry
looks around for somewhere to put down his equipment.
He
gives up and looks over Mel's shoulder.
MELINDA
There. Do you see it?
A loud knock sounds at the door.
MELINDA
That'll be Janice. Can ya
get it?
BARRY
Ah... sure.
Barry
again looks around for somewhere to put his equipment.
He
gives up and heads from the room as Mel intently continues
looking
over the scroll.
MELINDA
What's this?
Again
Mel runs her finger along the scroll as the sound of
the
door slamming echoes throughout the room.
MELINDA
Quickly Barry, come look
at this. I think this could
be the one!
MAN(OS)
The one what madam?
Mel
turns around. Two MEN, one thick set, somewhat resembling
a
weasel, WOLFGANG, the other a rotund fellow, EICHINGER,
enter
the room.
MELINDA
Barry?
WOLFGANG
Will not be joining us I'm
afraid. He has no business
here.
MELINDA
Who are you? What do you
want?
WOLFGANG
Yes introductions of course,
how rude of me. I am business
man. A representative to
be truthful.
MELINDA
A representative of who?
WOLFGANG
Not a who, a what. I represent
those who dearly wish to
obtain the scrolls. Ms Sasha
Verlieh and other interested
parties.
Wolfgang looks over the messy room.
WOLFGANG
The scrolls you have them
here... yes?
MELINDA
No, there is nothing for you
here.
Wolfgang takes a step toward Mel and smiles.
WOLFGANG
Please, do not play the fool
Miss Pappas. You have something
that, to my clients, are of
the up most importance. (beat)
For the scrolls, I have been
given license to offer more
than you can possibly refuse.
MELINDA
The scrolls aren't... they're
not for sale.
WOLFGANG
Forgive me, you mis-understand
Miss Pappas. Let me explain
this clearly, so you know
exactly what is at stake. It
is not money I offer you.
MELINDA
Then... what?
WOLFGANG
Your life.
EXT.
UNIVERSITY BUILDING - NIGHT
Janice
exits a cab and walks toward a large university
building.
INT.
UNIVERSITY BUILDING - CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Janice
uncomfortably makes her way along the dimly lit
corridor.
She stops before a large door.
Janice
looks around the corridor then lifts the hem of her
dress.
She fetches a small purse from the elastic of her
suspenders.
Janice opens and goes through her purse.
JANICE
Damm keys, where are you?
Janice
pulls a set of keys from her purse. She puts them
into
the door lock. The door swings open.
JANICE
Melinda?
INT.
UNIVERSITY BUILDING - STUDY HALL - NIGHT
Janice
looks over the overturned tables, chairs, book cases...
until
her gaze finds Melinda, spread out on the floor, blood
running
from her head.
JANICE
Mel!
Janice
drops her keys, moves to Mel and cradles her head
in
her arms.
JANICE
Oh god please let her wake
up... Mel!
Melinda slowly opens her eyes.
MELINDA
(weakly)
Janice.
JANICE
Mel what happened? Who...
who did this to you?
Mel brings a hand to her head feeling her wound.
MELINDA
Men Janice.
JANICE
Men? What men?
FADE OUT
END TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN
INT.
CAR - NIGHT
Janice,
in khaki pants and leather jacket, Melinda in a
distinguished
dress, a small bandage upon her forehead, sit
in
the back of the speeding car.
Harwood,
holding a small rectangular wooden box, sits beside
the
driver.
JANICE
I won't let them! I've,
we've worked to hard!
MELINDA
But Janice doing this
could cost us our grant.
HARWOOD
Yes, let them proper
authorities handle it
Janice.
JANICE
They were never able to
handle Verlieh and her
associates before. What
makes you think they can
now?
Janice turns to Mel.
JANICE(CON'T)
And without the scrolls we
have no grant. I have nothing.
A
look of quiet shock comes over Mel as Harwood reluctantly
holds
before Janice the small wooden box.
HARWOOD
Just be careful Janice. These
scrolls, they have a power
over people... like none
I've seen before.
JANICE
I know what I'm doing.
HARWOOD
Janice, you saw the result
this obsession had on your
father. (beat) Don't let
yourself go.
An
uncomfortable silence comes over the group as Janice
takes
the box.
MELINDA
And how are we going to find
her? For all ya know they
could have taken the scrolls
to china.
JANICE
No, Verlieh only does business
where the money is, namely
Europe. (beat) Germany to
be precise.
MELINDA
She works for the Nazi's?
(beat) You... you want us to
go strolling into the lion's
den!?
JANICE
Only as a last resort. We
won't have to, at least not
while we have this.
Janice
flips open the lid on the wooden box. A single scroll
sits
in the case. They all look over the scroll.
JANICE(CON'T)
We'll start where it's a
little safer, I've got a few
connections and where this
might arouse some interest.
Janice
snaps the lid shut. She glances past Melinda out
of
the window. Melinda and Harwood follow her glance.
They all watch a plane land on a distant air strip.
EXT.
AIRPORT - NIGHT
The
car comes to a halt. A door opens and Janice swings
a
foot out above the tarmac.
EXT.
GREECE - TRAIN STATION - DAY
Janice
sets it down on a platform. She walks from a train
carriage
into blazing sunshine.
Janice puts on her Fedora as Mel emerges from the train.
A
wiry PORTER drops two suitcases at their feet, Janice
flips
the porter a coin. He catches it and hurries off.
Janice
and Mel pick up their cases and walk along the
platform.
JANICE
(playfully)
Greece. You know Mel, I can't
put my finger on it, but for
some strange reason this place
always seems to remind me of...
MELINDA
(interrupting)
Home?
(playfully)
I know, I quite often get that
same feeling. (beat) So what
does this contact of yours
look like?
Janice smiles wryly to herself.
JANICE
I guess like any other
assistant museum curator.
Who did do you expect...
Valentino?
MELINDA
Anyone except another old,
tweed suited, bespectacled
fool. Janice ya just know
how I hate their...
Janice
and Melinda pass a large group of soldiers. One wolf
whistles
at Melinda.
MELINDA
(flatly)
Their attention.
Janice turns and gives the soldiers an icy glare.
JANICE
She's with me boys.
A WOMAN'S laugh is heard OS.
WOMAN(OS)
Janice Covington?
JANICE
Who wants to know?
Janice
and Melinda turn and look over a tall athletic,
blond,
WOMAN, dressed in a skirt and blouse.
WOMAN
Your contact miss Covington.
I'm Helena Redman. Nice to
meet you.
(playfully)
I see your still attracting
all the wrong type of attention.
Melinda moves to Janice's side.
JANICE
(wryly)
But for all the right reasons.
Helena looks over Melinda.
HELENA
Then I take it you are Melinda
Pappas. Helena Redman. You
had a pleasant journey?
MELINDA
Pleasant is hardly the word
I'd use. I've lost count the
number of times we were
stopped for inspections and
what not.
HELENA
I'm sorry to hear that. Things,
as you can imagine, have been
quite disorganized around here.
If you'd like to follow me, I
have a car waiting and I think
you'll find your room more
than adequate.
Janice and Melinda pick up their cases and walk with Helena.
JANICE
So Helena, how have things
been in your part of the
world? The museum getting
back on track?
HELENA
Believe me I'd like to say
yes. We seem to have had
about about as interesting
a time as you.
MELINDA
Why what ever do you mean?
HELENA
That you aren't the only ones
with ancient Greek artifacts
going missing.
Janice
and Melinda give Helena a sideways glance as they
walk
from the platform.
INT.
TRAIN STATION - DAY
People,
soldiers, station assistants mill throughout the
stations
checking area.
A
TELEPHONE RECEIVER is picked up by a dirty HAND. A coin
is
inserted into the pay phone as in the BG Janice, Melinda
and
Helena walk through the crowd.
The
wiry Porter lifts the receiver to his ear and intently
watches
Janice, Melinda and Helena exit the train station.
PORTER
Yes operator, get me the
following number.
INT.
CHATEAU - BALLROOM - DAY
A
HAND places a phone receiver down.
Wolfgang
walks throughout the huge room that is littered
with
old books, stone tablets and paintings. He stops before
a
large table on which is spread out The Xena Scrolls.
Some
overlap each other, others are placed together, somewhat
looking
like a giant scroll. Wolfgang eyes the empty scroll
sized
space in the center of the table.
WOLFGANG
She's here, just as I said
she would.
He
looks up to the back of a tall, muscular, well dressed
MAN,
who stands before a huge map of Greece.
Red lines, circles and X's mark the map.
MAN
You have someone following
her?
WOLFGANG
That and more. You needn't
worry. The scrolls... 'all'
of the scrolls will be yours.
The
man slashes a line through one of the red circles drawn
on
the map.
MAN
(angrily)
Was exactly what you said
when I inquired whether
you were capable of doing
this job.
WOLFGANG
And we still are. (beat)
Ms Verlieh has now taken
a personal interest in
their acquisition. There
will be no more mistakes.
MAN
I hope so. My superior is
an impatient man. He will
put up with no more delays.
(beat) I need all the scrolls.
Without even one the rest
are useless!
Wolfgang starts toward the door.
MAN(CON'T)
Which just so happens to be
the fate that will befall
your legs... should you fail
again.
Wolfgang momentarily halts... then continues from the room.
EXT.
PLAZA - DAY
Janice,
holding the scroll case, Melinda and Helena walk
through
a crowded plaza that is filled with soldiers, people
and
a restaurant which has an open air table arrangement.
HELENA
The museum isn't much further.
As for the last time I saw
the parchment, that was three
days ago.
JANICE
(to Melinda)
About the time the scrolls
were taken.
HELENA
We've had it in our possession
for years now... but never
experienced anything like
this, even while under
occupation.
JANICE
Do you have any idea why
anyone would want it?
MELINDA
And who would want it.
Ancient Greek isn't exactly
the easiest language to
translate.
HELENA
I'm afraid I have no answers
for you on both accounts. All
we ever knew of it was the
parchment was of an ancient
Greek origin that came from
a ruin somewhere in...
JANICE
Macedonia?
HELENA
Yes, come to think of it,
that was it.
JANICE
Now why doesn't that exactly
surprise me.
Helena leads Janice and Melinda into the museum.
INT.
MUSEUM - DISPLAY ROOM - DAY
Helena
leads Janice and Melinda through a display room that
is
filled with beautiful artifacts of various periods and
designs.
They
stop before a large display. An empty pew stands within
a
Greek exhibit that consists of old pots, dinars and a few
items
of clothing, including an odd looking faded green BGSB.
Melinda points to the BGSB.
MELINDA
Just look at that thing. Can
ya imagine the type of the
person that wore that. It's
so...
HELENA
Small?
MELINDA
Green. No fashion sense what
so ever.
JANICE
Doesn't look that bad to me.
MELINDA
To someone with a taste in
khaki and leather it wouldn't.
Melinda looks down on Janice.
JANICE
(to Helena)
This is where you kept it?
HELENA
That's right. It was moved,
but only on the very rarest
of occasions.
Helena gives Janice and Melinda a few dog eared B&W PHOTOS.
HELENA
This is, partly, what it
looked like. These photos
are unfortunately nearly
all the reference material
we now have.
Janice shakes her head in disappointment.
JANICE
These are just bits and
pieces. Fragments.
HELENA
It is baffling. For the life
of me I still can't understand
why anyone would want it.
JANICE
These mean nothing.
Janice slaps the photo's on top of a glass display case.
MELINDA
Or everything!
HELENA
You've got something?
MELINDA
Just a little. They're hard
to read but I can make out
a few lines in this one.
Melinda adjusts her glasses.
MELINDA
And the scrolls shall reveal
the way. Let all come to the
temple and feast upon desire.
For beyond the mortal shell
is all that we seek. To step
beyond the shadow of life
with the power to create, shape
and... and destroy the destiny
of all.
All three stare intently stare at the photo.
EXT.
STREET - DAY
Two
CARS hurriedly stop. Wolfgang and four large MEN step
from
the vehicles and make their way through the plaza.
INT.
MUSEUM - GREEK EXHIBIT - DAY
Janice
and Helena look over the scroll which sits in its
case.
Melinda
lays her photos upon a glass top cabinet, together
with
the others.
HELENA
A Xena scroll?
MELINDA
The last Xena scroll.
JANICE
Mel, you're sure you've
never come across anything
like this before?
MELINDA
Absolutely. Though...
JANICE
What?
MELINDA
There are so many that
still need translation. So
far all I've come across
are Gabrielle's stories, and
so many of those mention
temples. (beat) Perhaps
there is more to the Xena
scrolls than we realize.
HELENA
I'd say most definitely.
JANICE
Helena, you said the parchment
was only moved on special
occasions.
HELENA
Yes, that's right.
JANICE
Would any of those occasions
have been to study it?
HELENA
Several times if I recall.
MELINDA
Someone was translating it?
HELENA
Trying to. Gave up not long
after he started. I don't
think he ever got very far.
Janice
snaps shut the scroll case as Melinda starts piecing
the
photos together, somewhat like a jigsaw puzzle.
MELINDA
He?
Melinda doesn't look up from the photos.
HELENA
Yes... a professor of some
renown... I think?
JANICE
Do you remember his name?
HELENA
Not off the top of my head,
though I'm sure it's in our
files. Would you like it?
JANICE
Please. Anything this professor
learned may come in handy.
Helena
and Janice start to walk from the room as Melinda
intently
continues her photo reconstruction.
JANICE
(to Melinda)
Coming?
Melinda's
concentration is broken. She looks around the
room,
her gaze finally coming to Janice.
MELINDA
Yes, yes of course. Just
give me a minute.
Helena
and Janice exit the room as Melinda continues
playing
with the photos
EXT.
MUSEUM - DAY
Wolfgang
and the four MEN make there way into the museum.
INT.
MUSEUM - OFFICE - DAY
Janice
looks out the window into the plaza as Helena pulls
a
file from a cabinet.
HELENA
Here we are.
Helena opens and goes through the file.
HELENA
I believe a Professor Benton
was his name.
Janice turns on Helena.
JANICE
Alex Benton!?
HELENA
That was him, yes. Ring a
bell does he?
Janice
places the scroll case upon a desk as Helena hands
her
the file.
JANICE
Unfortunately more than that.
I... we, my father and me...
we had more than a few
unpleasant encounters with
him.
HELENA
Why would he have any interest
in our Greek parchment?
JANICE
I don't know. What bothers
me even more is that research
was 'never' his way of doing
things.
INT.
MUSEUM - GREEK EXHIBIT - DAY
Melinda
looks over the assembled photos which now vaguely
resemble
the parchment whole.
MELINDA
Oh my! Janice take a look
at this.
A shadow falls over Melinda.
MELINDA
Janice?
Melinda
spins around. WOLFGANG and two heavy set men
stand
over her.
Melinda
glances at the two men which stand at the rooms
exit
then at Wolfgang.
WOLFGANG
We will have to stop meeting
like this madam Pappas.
FADE OUT
END ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN
INT.
MUSEUM - GREEK EXHIBIT - DAY
Melinda
looks around. She starts left, then right, no
where
to go.
WOLFGANG
Bring her to me.
Melinda
backs toward the Greek exhibit. The MEN close in
as
Melinda is stopped by the exhibits rope barrier.
One
of the MEN draws a small rubber batten from his jacket
as
Melinda looks around in despair.
THUD.
Melinda's glasses hit the floor. A lens cracks. Her
limp
body is dragged from the room by the four men, Wolfgang
leading
the way.
INT.
MUSEUM - OFFICE - DAY
Janice
hands Helena the file. She proceeds to put it away.
JANICE
(worriedly)
I tell you she should have
been right behind me.
Helena closes and locks the file.
HELENA
Don't worry she probably
has just gotten lost. It's
a big place this. You head
back to the exhibit and
see if she's there. I'll
have a look around. Don't
worry she won't have gotten
far.
JANICE
(sarcastically)
Who's worried.
Janice
leaves the room. Helena moves to window and watches
as
Melinda is dragged from the museum by Wolfgang and his
cohorts.
Helena
smiles to herself as she looks over the scroll
case
sitting on the desk.
INT.
MUSEUM - GREEK EXHIBIT - DAY
Janice
kneels down and picks up Mel's glasses.
JANICE
Mel?
Janice
stands and looks over the glasses as Helena enters
the
room.
HELENA
Well she isn't in...
Helena notices Melinda's cracked glasses.
HELENA
What... what happened here?
Janice
glances at the glasses then the Greek exhibit. A
look
of surprise comes over Janice.
JANICE
Oh no... not again! It
couldn't have!?
Janice,
pocket's the glasses, spins on her heels and runs
from
the room.
HELENA
Again, what again?
EXT.
PLAZA - DAY
Janice
and Helena run from the museum into the plaza.
Janice
frantically looks over the people milling throughout
the
plaza.
HELENA
What are you doing!?
JANICE
Looking for Xena. I, I mean
Melinda.
HELENA
Xena?
Janice looks at Helena.
JANICE
It's a long story.
HELENA
And a complicated one, I'll
bet.
Janice looks over the plaza.
JANICE
I'll go this way. If you
find her she may seem a
little out of sorts, not
herself. Just stay out of
her way, please.
Helena
casts Janice a confused look as she runs into
the
plaza.
EXT.
PLAZA - DAY
Janice
half running, half walking through the people,
looks
in all directions at once.
JANICE
Melinda! (beat) Xena?
Janice
does a 360 looking in all directions at once. The
people
in the plaza cast strange glances her way.
JANICE
Melinda Pappas!
Janice
moves further on through the plaza. She stops
before
the restaurant.
JANICE
Oh Mel where are you?!
WOLFGANG(OS)
She is safe.
Janice
turns around. Seated before her at a restaurant
table
is WOLFGANG. He brings a glass to his lips and drinks.
Janice moves opposite him.
WOLFGANG
But for how much longer is
up to you Miss Covington.
JANICE
You're one of Verlieh's,
aren't you. If you so much
as touch her...
WOLFGANG
(interrupting)
We have no such intention
Janice... at least not at
this moment. (beat) It was
lucky she did not have the
scroll upon her person. Who
knows what nasty accident
might have befallen her.
JANICE
Why do you want the scrolls?
WOLFGANG
In your current state I think
that is a matter you should
least be concerning yourself
with. Give it to me.
An uncomfortable silence comes between them.
JANICE
I don't have it.
WOLFGANG
Then you will get it, and
quickly.
JANICE
It'll take a little time.
WOLFGANG
Time is a thing none of us
have! Especially your precious
Melinda Pappas.
Wolfgang passes a piece of paper toward Janice, who takes it.
WOLFGANG
If you arrive late, she
dies. If you arrive with
anyone but yourself, she
dies. If you arrive
without the scroll...
JANICE
She dies.
WOLFGANG
No, you both will. (beat)
Till this evening then.
Wolfgang
stands and leaves. Janice watches him walk through
the
plaza, out of sight. A waiter leaves a bill on the table.
INT.
HOTEL ROOM - DUSK
The
scroll case sits on a bed. A suitcase is roughly dumped
beside
it.
Janice
opens her suitcase and pulls out a WHIP which she
fastens
to her belt.
JANICE
Just give me twelve hours
Helena. If you must, then
call army intelligence.
(beat) If I haven't contacted
you by then... you'll be
able to call whoever you
want. It won't make any
difference to us.
HELENA
Why then are you going
along with this? Especially
when you know it is a trap.
JANICE
It may be the only chance
I have... to get back
Melinda and the scrolls.
HELENA
Be careful Janice. I know
from first hand experience,
this Verlieh, she's more
than a tough customer. (beat)
Do take care.
Janice
pulls a GUN from her suitcase and weights it in her
hands.
She turns to Helena.
JANICE
Don't I always.
EXT.
PARK - DUSK
The
sun sits on the horizon as Janice walks through a park.
A
couple neck. She stops and looks down at the scroll case.
Janice looks up as WOLFGANG and EICHINGER approach her.
EICHINGER
Miss Covington?
Janice looks over Eichinger as he moves behind her.
WOLFGANG
Miss Covington come with
us.
EXT.
HILLS - NIGHT
An
open topped STAFF CAR winds its way along a tree lined
road.
The
car enters into a straight stretch of road. In the
distance
sits a lone CHATEAU.
INT.
CHATEAU - BALLROOM - NIGHT
Eichinger
leads Janice into the large ballroom. Wolfgang
follows,
holding Janice's gun and whip.
WOLFGANG
You will not be needing
these.
Janice
walks throughout the room. She looks over the old
books,
stone tablets and paintings.
Awe
comes over Janice as she stops before a large table on
which
is spread The Xena Scrolls.
MAN(OS)
The Xena Scrolls.
Janice
turns to Alex Benton who stands in the door way. He
takes
a step toward Janice.
BENTON
Bar one.
JANICE
And your collection will
be staying that way, until
I know she's alive.
BENTON
I assure you she is alive.
Alive... but in the most
capable of hands. (beat)
The scroll.
JANICE
Why? Why is it so important?
They're just stories.
BENTON
And so much more.
Benton
walks around the scroll littered table. He motions
to
them.
BENTON
'Stories are meant to be
told, stories tell us who
we are'. A young Gabrielle
wrote that, and truer words
have never been written.
(beat) But Janice it's what's
written between the lines
that makes the scrolls so
important.
JANICE
And what is written between
the lines?
BENTON
Myth, history, speculation,
fact. (beat) Let me tell you
story Janice.
Benton moves to a pew on which sits an old parchment.
BENTON
A story of a parchment that
'also' chronicled a story
of a warrior and bard. A
parchment and the promise
it contained.
JANICE
(to herself)
Promise?
BENTON
A Greek parchment that holds
the key to deciphering the
scrolls.
Janice turns to Benton.
JANICE
That the scrolls would reveal
... the way.
BENTON
A precise location of The
Temple of the Gods Janice.
In which lies ultimate power.
JANICE
To create, shape and destroy
the destiny of all.
BENTON
For beyond the mortal shell
is all that we seek. (beat)
A person with qualities of
perfection. The perfect
specimen Janice. It's finally
within our grasp!
JANICE
You don't mean... the Aryan!?
(beat) Benton I thought it
impossible that even 'you'
could sink so low.
(to herself)
The Nazi's!
BENTON
Are as I am, doing it for
the greater good. And when
the Aryan become a reality...
JANICE
(interrupting)
Hitler's remaining armies...
BENTON
(interrupting)
Hitler's armies made up of
no less than perfection.
JANICE
Will march over the face
of the earth.
BENTON
Firstly to turn the tide...
then unopposed. (beat) Now
you see why the scrolls
are so very important.
MELINDA(OS)
Janice!
Janice
looks over Melinda who stands in the doorway. Helena
stands
beside her, holding a pistol to Melinda's temple.
JANICE
Helena?
HELENA
Please, call me by my
professional name, Miss
Verlieh. (beat) Once
again Covington your most
prized possession is mine
to do with as I wish.
SASHA cocks the weapon.
SASHA
As you would have by now
deduced, no one will be
coming for you Covington.
Give him the scroll.
Janice looks over Melinda, then the scroll case.
MELINDA
Janice please!
Janice
closes her eyes and throws the scroll case to
Benton.
Sasha pushes Melinda toward Janice. She catches her.
MELINDA
I'm sorry.
BENTON
Janice, it is truly uncanny,
even as you are so close to
joining him in the afterlife,
you do 'so' remind me of
your father. Obsessive to
the point of stupidity. And
always surrounding yourself
with the weakest of women.
EXT.
RIVER - PIER - DAWN
The
Chateau stands in the distance as the sun peaks over
the
horizon.
Janice
and Melinda are marched onto a pier by Wolfgang,
who
holds Janice's whip, and Eichinger. They are roughly
halted.
MELINDA
Well Janice it looks like
this expedition is going
to cost us a little more
than our grant.
Janice
looks over a small boat moored to the pier. She
pulls
Mel's glasses from her pocket.
JANICE
Here.
Melinda
glances down at her beaten glasses then at Wolfgang
who
uncoils the whip and approaches her.
MELINDA
(worriedly)
At this point in time
Janice I'm not so sure
I want them.
INT.
CHATEAU - BALLROOM - DAWN
Sasha
looks over the scroll littered table as Benton, a
small
notebook and pen in his hands, moves between the
parchment
and the scrolls.
BENTON
(stammering)
To walk with me. (beat)
Beneath the mountain with
a peak none can ascend...
between rivers of fire lay...
the temple of the gods.
Benton
scribbles on his pad. He turns toward the map of
Greece,
a look of exhilaration on his face.
BENTON
That's it. It has to be
there!
He encircles an area on the map.
BENTON
Sasha, alert the men! Get
the equipment loaded. We
have a temple to desecrate.
SASHA
And what of Covington and
Pappas? Shall they be disposed
of?
BENTON
You needn't worry about
Covington. She will soon
be suffering quite an
untimely fall from grace.
Benton gives Sasha a devilish smile.
FADE OUT
END ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN
EXT.
RIVER - BOAT - DAWN
Janice
and a squirming Melinda, lashed back to back by
Janice's
whip, sit in a small boat.
Janice watches the pier recede into the distance.
JANICE
By the gods this is tight.
MELINDA
(wryly)
They certainly don't have
your touch.
JANICE
Mel, this is hardly the
time. Now help me out of
this. Can you reach the
knot to your left? I can
only grab it with one hand.
The
sound of fast running water echoes throughout the
overhanging
trees lining the river.
Mel's left HAND feels over the whip. It stops over a knot.
MELINDA
Barely.
A hand grips Melinda's.
MELINDA
Janice, I thought you said
this wasn't the time!?
JANICE
For that it isn't! For getting
out of here it is.
The
boat drifts quickly along the river. The sound of
running
water grows louder.
Frustration,
concentration, pass over Janice as she works
away
at her bonds.
MELINDA(OS)
Janice?
JANICE
Keep it up Mel. Where almost
there.
MELINDA(OS)
I hope so. (beat) But I really
do wish you hadn't given me
my glasses.
JANICE
Your glasses? Why?
MELINDA
If it's all the same to you
Janice, the waterfall before
us, I'd rather not be able
to see.
JANICE
Waterfall!?
MELINDA
And the rocks!
The
boat slams into a rock. Janice and Mel are thrown about
as,
through a crack in the bow, water leaks into the boat.
The
boat very quickly drifts toward the falls as Janice
looks
around in desperation.
MELINDA
Janice we're sinking!
Janice
pulls an arm free from her bonds as the bow tips
over
the falls.
MELINDA
And falling!
JANICE
Hold on Mel!
As
Janice and Mel disappear over the falls the WHIP
catches
a branch of an overhanging tree.
Janice,
whip in one hand, Melinda in the other, looks down
on
the huge wall of water beneath them.
Pieces of boat float at the base of the waterfall.
EXT.
FOREST - DAWN
A
dripping wet Janice and Melinda silently creep through
the
forest. The Chateau looms into view.
MELINDA
Shouldn't we be heading
away from that place?
JANICE
Not if we're to get our
scrolls.
Janice
peers out from behind a tree as Benton, holding a
leather
satchel, and Sasha, flanked a Wolfgang, walk from
the
Chateau.
MELINDA(OS)
What is it? What do you
see?
Janice pulls Melinda along side her.
JANICE
Trouble... and plenty
of it.
They
look over the Chateau forecourt in which stand two open
topped
STAFF CARS, a large 3-TON TRUCK, an old battered LORRY
and
a JEEP, which a filthy mechanic busily works at.
Two
German soldiers stand guard as four load the rear of
the
truck with crates, shovels, and assorted equipment.
JANICE
Looks like someone's on the
move.
MELINDA
Yes, but where are they going?
Four
soldiers file into canopy covered rear of the truck
as
two enter the cabin. The truck roars to life.
Benton, Sasha, and Wolfgang take their place in a staff car.
JANICE
(to herself)
My god. He must have found
it.
MELINDA
Janice we have...
JANICE
(interrupting)
We have to stop him.
MELINDA
No. (beat) We don't.
Janice turns to Melinda.
MELINDA
I'm scared Janice. (beat)
Maybe it's about time we
did let the proper people
handle this?
JANICE
And give up everything we've
worked for? All everyone has
worked these last five years
for? No, we've come to far
to let it all slip away. Mel
this has become more than
a simple search for missing
scrolls.
MELINDA
It's truly has become your
obsession... and I'm not
sure I understand it.
JANICE
Well understand this, if he
manages to get his hands on
whatever is inside that temple,
you'll think the war up to
now was just a mild skirmish.
Janice
and Melinda watch the STAFF CAR and TRUCK move out
of
sight along the forest road.
JANICE
Mel I... I need you on this
one.
Janice
holds out an inviting hand. Melinda slowly takes
a
hold of Janice's hand.
EXT.
CHATEAU - FORECOURT - DAWN
The
Mechanic works away on the JEEP as in the BG Janice
and
Melinda silently creep across the forecourt. They hide
behind
the staff car.
JANICE
Trust me Mel. With only one
of them we've nothing to
worry about.
Janice lays down and reaches underneath the staff car.
MELINDA
We're not going in the car?
JANICE
No, German engineering.
Janice
grimaces then pulls from under the car a small box,
wires
trailing behind it.
JANICE
I don't trust it. (beat)
Follow me and keep quiet.
Janice
creeps around the staff car. She stops before the
old
battered FORD LORRY.
JANICE
This on the other hand.
Janice
silently opens the passenger door and slides into
the
LORRY. Melinda follows her and closes the door.
INT.
LORRY - DAWN
Janice
feels the ignition for the keys, nothing. She looks
around
then leans down, her head resting on Mel's lap.
MELINDA
Janice!
JANICE
Just keep and eye out will
you.
Janice reaches between the embarrassed Melinda's legs.
JANICE(CON'T)
And try not to squeal this
time.
Janice
reaches under the dash and pulls out a handful of
wires,
which she goes to work on.
MELINDA(OS)
Janice?
JANICE
What now Mel? Can't you
see I'm a little busy.
MELINDA(OS)
I... I've found the key.
JANICE
Where?
Melinda points out the driver's window.
MELINDA
(worriedly)
In his hand.
Janice pulls herself up using the drivers door handle.
Janice
and Mel look over the mechanic who stands at the
drivers
door holding the key.
MECHANIC
Looking for this fraulein?
Janice
smiles at the mechanic then quickly opens the door,
slamming
it straight in his face.
The
unconscious mechanic hits the ground. Janice picks up
the
key and slides it into the ignition.
INT.
CHATEAU - DAWN
Eichinger
and a German soldier, armed with a machine gun,
walk
through a corridor.
The
sound of a starting engine echoes in the distance.
Eichinger
stops in his tracks.
The
engine again cranks over. Eichinger and the soldier
look
at each other, turn on their heels and run through
the
corridor.
EXT.
CHATEAU - FORECOURT - DAWN
The
lorry engine cranks over and over as the mechanic opens
his
eyes and lifts his head from the ground.
Eichinger
and the German soldier run from the Chateau as
the
lorry engine finally springs to life.
INT.
LORRY - DAWN
A
smile beaming across her face, Janice hits the gas and
slides
the gear lever into 1st.
JANICE
Ha, ha!
EXT.
CHATEAU - FORECOURT - DAWN
The
LORRY takes off out of the Forecourt. Eichinger takes
the
German soldiers machine gun, takes aim and fires at
the
fleeing LORRY.
The soldier helps the mechanic to his feet.
EICHINGER
Get to the jeep! Go!
Eichinger
and the mechanic run to the jeep as the soldier
heads
to the rear of the Chateau.
The
mechanic slams the bonnet down on the jeep and jumps
behind
the wheel as Eichinger takes his place alongside.
INT.
LORRY - DAWN
Janice,
a grin across her face, works the gear lever hard
as
Melinda sits beside her.
JANICE
What'd I tell you, nothing
to worry about!
Melinda glances at her rear vision mirror.
MELINDA
Except them.
JANICE
Them?
Janice
glances in her rear view mirror. It explodes in a
shower
of glass.
EXT.
FOREST ROAD - DAWN
The
lorry speeds along the road. Following close behind
is
the JEEP.
Along
side the jeep comes a MOTORCYCLE. The German BIKER
unshoulders
a machine gun.
The bike pulls ahead of the JEEP, behind the LORRY.
INT.
LORRY - DAWN
The
cabins rear window is shattered. Glass falls around
Janice
and Mel.
MELINDA
Janice they're shooting
at us!
JANICE
I know! I know!
Janice
roughly pulls Melinda down onto the seat as another
volley
of shots hits the cabin.
Melinda
looks up at the newly smoking bullet holes which
line
the cabin, directly where her head had been.
MELINDA
This is insufferable!
Melinda
glances up at Janice who eases the lorry into
neutral.
EXT.
FOREST ROAD - DAWN
The
BIKER watches the lorry slow... then come to a very
fast
STOP.
The BIKER brakes... but not quick enough.
Eichinger
watches on as the bike runs straight into the
rear
of the lorry. He grimaces at the horrible sight.
The
LORRY takes off and quickly picks up speed as the JEEP
runs
over the remains of the BIKE.
INT.
LORRY - DAWN
Janice
smiles to herself. She glances out of her window
as
a BLOODY ARM reaches through the passenger side window
and
grabs Melinda.
MELINDA
Janice!
EXT.
FOREST ROAD - DAWN
The
lorry, its bloody assailant hanging onto Mel, swerves
from
one side of the road to the other. The jeep quickly
gains.
The JEEP violently shunts the LORRY.
INT.
LORRY - DAWN
Janice
is thrown about in the cabin as the bloody arm
releases
Melinda.
Again
the lorry is shunted. Melinda bangs her head upon
the
dash as Janice struggles with the steering wheel.
Janice
glances at Mel as she hits the gas. The lorry
surges
ahead.
JANICE
Drive!
MELINDA
You want me to what!?
JANICE
Drive!
MELINDA
But Janice... I don't know
how!
Janice grabs Melinda's hand and places it upon the wheel.
JANICE
Keep your foot to the floor
and your hands on the wheel!
You see this road, keep us
on it!
EXT.
FOREST ROAD - DAWN
The
lorry, the bloody biker holding onto the tray for dear
life,
pulls ahead of the jeep.
INT.
LORRY - DAWN
Janice
opens the passenger door.
JANICE
Hold on! And don't go anywhere!
MELINDA
I hadn't planned on it!
Janice steps out of the cabin onto the tray of the lorry.
EXT.
LORRY - DAWN
The
jeep quickly approaches the rear of the lorry as the
bloody
biker regains his footing.
The jeep shunts the lorry.
MELINDA(OS)
Janice!
Janice
and the Biker are thrown together. They struggle
on
the tray of the lorry attempting to throw one another
from
the vehicle.
INT.
JEEP - DAWN
Eichinger
cocks his weapon and takes aim at both Janice
and
his German comrade.
EXT.
LORRY - DAWN
Janice
knees the biker in the groin and punches him on
the
jaw.
The
biker is sent flying backwards off the lorry... onto
the
bonnet of the jeep.
EXT.
FOREST ROAD - DAWN
The
lorry rounds a sharp bend in the road as Janice climbs
into
the cabin.
INT.
JEEP - DAWN
A
surprised Eichinger looks at the biker as he struggles to
hold
onto the bonnet of the jeep.
The
mechanic waves the biker from view. Terror passes over
him.
Eichinger
looks ahead, at the sharp bend in the road which
they
just missed, then at the HUGE TREE which now stands
before
them.
EICHINGER
Aaarrrhhh!
INT.
LORRY - DAWN
Melinda
drives on as behind them a huge fire ball erupts
into
the sky.
Janice breaths a sigh of relief and smiles at Melinda.
JANICE
Okay Mel, slow us down.
Melinda,
a blank expression of terror on her face, stares
at
the road ahead.
MELINDA
I've only got one question
for you Janice... how!?
EXT.
CONVOY - DUSK
The
staff car and truck slowly move along a dirt road. The
convoy
kicks up a cloud of dusk as it moves toward the
setting
sun.
EXT.
HILLTOP - DUSK
Janice,
her hands cupped around her eyes, turns a 360.
She
stops and watches a plume of dusk move toward a distant
mountain,
which is surrounded by a dense forest.
JANICE
There! It's Benton.
MELINDA
Where?
Janice points toward the forest.
JANICE
Out there, toward that mountain.
Melinda adjusts her glasses.
MELINDA
Mountain? Looks more like
an... an extinct volcano.
Janice and Melinda watch the convoy move into the forest.
EXT.
FOREST - NIGHT
Janice
and Melinda walk through a forest, which is shrouded
in
a mist.
Janice
holds up her hand. They both stop. Janice climbs to
the
top of a ridge. She looks back at Melinda and motions
her
forward.
Melinda
joins Janice. They both look down into a valley,
in
which sit the truck, broken crates and strewn equipment.
MELINDA
Where did they go?
JANICE
Let's find out.
Janice
slides down an incline into the valley. Melinda
follows,
Janice catching her at the bottom.
They silently walk past the truck deeper into the valley.
Janice
stops before a large growth of entangled tree's.
Melinda
stops beside her.
MELINDA
(whispered)
What is it?
JANICE
Beyond those trees. Do you
see it?
Melinda
looks at the trees. She spies a huge crack which
splits
the huge rock face, hidden behind the trees that
end
the valley.
Janice leads Melinda inside the crevice.
INT.
CREVICE - NIGHT
Janice
and Melinda walk through the shadowy crevice.
SASHA(OS)
(angrily)
Well, what does it say!?
Janice
quickly lays against the crevice wall, hiding in
a
shadow. She roughly pulls Melinda into the shadow.
Janice
and Mel creep through the shadow toward a distant
light.
They peer around a corner into... THE TEMPLE.
They
look in awe over the Temple cavern that is filled
with
statues, wall carvings, glistening jewel encrusted
metal
shields, ornaments, stone pillars and a DARK TUNNEL.
INT.
TEMPLE CAVERN - NIGHT
Benton,
his satchel over his back, looks over a scroll
then
an engraving on a wall above the tunnel.
BENTON
It repeats the scrolls
warning. We shouldn't go
in there.
A
glint of light on one of the shields catches Benton's
eye.
Benton
glances at the shield... and the reflection of Mel,
peering
out of the crevice, upon it.
BENTON
Should we Miss Pappas.
Benton
and Sasha turn and toward the crevice. The German
soldiers
cock their weapons and point them at the crevice.
Janice
and Melinda slowly walk from the crevice into the
Temple.
BENTON
Janice Covington, you have
your father's sense of
timing... and his stupidity.
JANICE
And you have his scrolls.
SASHA
And once again... his daughter.
FADE OUT
END ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
FADE IN
INT.
TEMPLE CAVERN - NIGHT
Melinda
and Janice are quickly surrounded by Wolfgang and
the
German soldiers.
Benton
rolls up the scroll as he steps before Janice and
Mel.
JANICE
Having a little trouble
Benton?
BENTON
A slight oversight, nothing
the scrolls didn't warn me
about.
He replaces the scroll in his satchel.
BENTON
It seems my temple has
quite a unique security
system.
JANICE
Perhaps to discourage the
thieves, slime of society...
someone exactly like
yourself.
BENTON
Perhaps. (beat) But not
today.
Janice laughs.
BENTON
You think it impossible?
JANICE
As unrealizable as your
Nazi dream. Purity of race
is a folly Benton.
BENTON
Is it? Janice I'd expect
you of all people to
understand. (beat) A folly
was what people called your
father's quest... but a
folly, as we both knew,
was so far from reality.
JANICE
I tell you Benton it will
not happen. I won't be a
part of your Nazi plan.
Sasha smiles at Janice as she removes from her coat a PISTOL.
SASHA
Then Miss Covington we will
have to dispose of you.
BENTON
(to Sasha)
No, we will not.
(to Janice)
But Janice you will not be
recovering my prize. (beat)
You couldn't.
Benton turns to Melinda.
BENTON(CON'T)
Wouldn't you agree?
MELINDA
(worriedly)
Unfortunately... yes.
BENTON
Somehow Miss Pappas I knew
you would be seeing things
my way.
Janice looks at Melinda.
JANICE
What? What is it?
MELINDA
The inscriptions Janice...
Janice
looks at the inscriptions which are littered
throughout
the Temple.
MELINDA
They're Greek... ancient
Greek
JANICE
And they tell you?
BENTON
They tell her what they
tell me. That if you wish
to get to the heart of
the temple in one piece,
you'd better be more than
fluent in ancient Greek.
Janice turns to Melinda.
BENTON(OS)
A skill only the one of
you have.
JANICE
But she can't!
BENTON
(angrily to Janice)
She can and she will!
(to Melinda)
Or would you rather she
die now?
Melinda
looks over Janice and the gun totting Sasha. She
starts
toward the TUNNEL.
JANICE
Mel without you... I could
have never come this far.
I believe in you.
BENTON
You'd better, if she doesn't
come through, you'll be next.
Melinda looks up at the inscription written over the tunnel.
MELINDA
Above rivers of fire, follow
my path... my desire. (beat)
Desire, who's desire?
Mel
looks over everyone, hoping for an answer, which doesn't
come.
JANICE
(to herself)
Rivers of fire, follow my
path? My desire?
Melinda
looks over the tunnel walls which are lined with
rock
carvings of ancient weapons and screaming faces. The
floor
of the tunnel is littered with human skulls.
MELINDA
Janice it's full of skulls!
JANICE
(to herself)
Skulls? (beat) My path...
my desire?
Melinda
begins to step over a skull as in the BG a look
of
realization comes over Janice.
JANICE
Ares. (beat) Mel stop! You
have to step 'on' the skulls!
Mel disappears into the tunnel.
JANICE
Oh god.
INT.
TUNNEL - NIGHT
Inside
the mouth of the tunnel Mel plants a foot down on
the
floor, which disintegrates beneath her.
As
Mel falls she reaches out and grabs an exposed wall
carving.
She
hauls herself back up and looks at the river of LAVA
which
flows fifty feet below the tunnel floor.
MELINDA
On the skulls ya say!?
EXT.
TEMPLE CAVERN - NIGHT
Relief
comes over Janice as she walks toward the tunnel
entrance
flanked by the soldiers.
JANICE
Yes, yes on the skulls!
Two
high heeled shoes fly from the mouth of the tunnel
and
land at Janice's feet.
INT.
TUNNEL - NIGHT
Mel
very carefully steps from skull to skull. She makes her
way
to the opposite end of the tunnel. Benton, Sasha and
Janice
follow.
INT.
CAVERN - NIGHT
Melinda
enters a cavern, in which stand three MIRRORS.
The
surfaces of which are waterfalls falling from the top
ot
the bottom of the mirrors frame.
MELINDA
I'm in room with three...
well I don't know what
they are.
Melinda looks at the engraved inscription above the mirrors.
MELINDA
There's an inscription! It
reads, 'In the Temple of
Gods, face yourself, the
truth will not hide. For
beyond ones self, the
temple is in guise'! (beat)
Guise?
Benton, Sasha and Janice enter the cavern.
Melinda
steps before the first water mirror, and looks over
the
reflection of herself.
She
turns to the second and gasps at the reflection of...
XENA.
She
moves before the third and looks at the reflection of...
NOTHING.
MELINDA
What does it mean?
JANICE
That they're no mirrors.
They're a guise, a semblance
of some sort.
BENTON
Of what?
JANICE
Don't you see, 'face yourself,
the temple lays in guise'.
The reflections are a likeness,
probably an entrance.
MELINDA
To where?
JANICE
One will lead to the temple,
the others, the past? The
future? Death?
BENTON
Well then some one will
just have to find out. (beat)
Miss Pappas on your way,
please.
Sasha
motions the gun toward the mirrors. Melinda hesitates
before
the mirrors.
BENTON(OS)
Do I need to tell you what
will happen should you
hesitate once more.
Melinda
looks into the three mirrors. She glances at Janice's
shimmering
reflection.
JANICE
(to herself)
The Temple of the Gods?
Temple of Gods? Gods? Gods!
Wait Mel! The one with no
reflection, that's it!
MELINDA
Are ya sure?
JANICE
Absolutely.
BENTON
Take your pick Miss Pappas,
but don't take your time.
Melinda
steps toward the non reflective mirror. She takes a
breath
closes her eyes and steps into it.
An uncomfortable silence comes over the group.
Janice
intently watches the mirror. Slowly a dry Melinda,
an
awe struck look on her face, emerges from its surface.
JANICE
Thank the gods.
MELINDA
It's... it's there. It
really is.
Benton, a devilish smile on his face looks, to Janice.
BENTON
After you.
Melinda, Janice, Sasha and Benton enter the mirror.
INT.
TEMPLE - NIGHT
Melinda,
Janice, Sasha and Benton look over the gold covered
walls,
fountains, waterfalls, engravings, statues and the
ALTAR
which sits in the center of the Temple.
BENTON
It's heaven.
JANICE
No. It's Olympus.
Benton
points toward the ALTAR. He motions Janice and Mel
toward
the altar before him.
MELINDA
(to Janice)
How did you know?
Janice walks, her concentration on the room.
JANICE
Huh?
MELINDA
The mirror, how did ya know
it was the right one?
JANICE
This is a Temple of and for
'Gods' Mel. That mirror,
unlike the others, wouldn't
cast a reflection of someone
who wasn't.
MELINDA
Ya took a guess?
JANICE
And... I took a guess.
Janice
stops before the altar. She looks over an odd warrior
helmet,
JOXER'S helmet, sitting on the altar.
JANICE
Looks like someone got here
before us.
Benton
steps before the altar, which is covered with detailed
inscriptions,
carvings and a gold plate.
A
small blob of jelly like substance, with a bite taken from
it,
rests on the plate.
SASHA
What is it?
MELINDA & BENTON
Ambrosia.
Melinda looks at the inscription engraved on the ALTAR.
MELINDA
(stumbling)
And he who eats of the gods,
so will join them in life
ever lasting, with the
power beyond mortals. The
power to create, shape and
destroy the destiny of all.
Janice looks at Joxer's helmet.
JANICE
I wonder if that's what
became of the owner of this...
whatever it is.
Mel
continues looking over the inscriptions as Janice
laughs
to herself.
JANICE
Your prize Benton. Your
perfection.
BENTON
The Fuhrer will be most
pleased.
Benton picks up the plate and looks over the Ambrosia.
MELINDA
(to herself)
Oh my.
(to Benton)
If you manage to get it
out. I don't think you
should have done that.
SASHA
And why not Miss Pappas?
A
LOUD rumbling sounds throughout the TEMPLE. Dirt falls
from
above. The ground shifts beneath their feet.
The
water running from the fountains and waterfalls turns
into
LAVA.
MELINDA
That!
Suddenly
huge cracks split the the temple walls. LAVA
pours
in through the cracks as the rumbling grows louder.
JANICE
Mel I thought you said
this an 'extinct' volcano!?
Benton and Sasha back away from the altar.
BENTON
An appropriate choice of
words Janice, as it seems
it is time to bid you
farewell!
SASHA
Miss Covington, Miss Pappas,
until the next life!
Sasha
levels her pistol at Janice. Suddenly huge CRACKS
split
the floor of the temple.
A
huge STATUE cracks at its base and falls toward the
ALTAR.
Janice dives from its path taking Mel with her.
LAVA pours out through the cracks spreading over the floor.
SASHA
(to Benton)
Forget them! They're gone!
We must leave this place,
now!
Sasha turns and runs from the Temple.
Benton
looks over the mess the ALTAR has become. He smiles
and
turns for the exit as a huge crack winds its way beneath
his
feet.
Benton
quickly dives from its path. The Ambrosia falls from
the
plate.
Janice
pulls Melinda out of the remains of the ALTAR as
Benton
shrugs off the satchel and heads for the Ambrosia.
JANICE
(to herself)
The scrolls.
Janice starts for the satchel. Melinda grabs her arm.
MELINDA
Janice, the Ambrosia!
Janice
watches Benton wind his way around lava pools
toward
the Ambrosia.
JANICE
But the scrolls Mel, my
scrolls! They're my life.
MELINDA
Your father's scrolls
Janice... his life.
A lava flow takes the satchel. Janice looks over Benton.
Janice
quickly makes her way, gliding between falling
STATUES,
stepping over pools of LAVA, toward to Ambrosia.
BENTON
It's mine!
Benton
picks up the Ambrosia, as Janice punches him
squarely
in the face. The Ambrosia flies from his hand
landing
safely.
Benton
shakes the cobwebs from his head as Janice raises
her
fists. She throws a left. Benton calmly grabs Janice's
fist
and punches her in the face. She falls to her knees.
BENTON
(angrily)
As I said Covington, it
is mine!
Benton
comes to and reaches for the Ambrosia... as suddenly
a
fissure opens beneath it. LAVA spews forth taking both
the
Ambrosia and his arm.
Benton pulls away, his arm ablaze.
BENTON
Aaarrrggghhh!
Benton waves his arm about, trying to stop the flames.
Janice
wearily makes her way to Melinda's side. They
watch
as Benton stumbles throughout the Temple, flames
spreading
over him.
JANICE
Come on, let's get out
of here.
MELINDA
But Janice... how?
Janice
looks down at Mel's bare feet and the LAVA
spreading
over the floor. She smiles at Mel.
EXT.
CREVICE - NIGHT
The
ground shakes, rocks fall and smoke billows as Janice,
Melinda
over her shoulders, emerge from the crevice.
MELINDA
This is insufferable!
Janice puts Mel down and takes her hand.
JANICE
Come on, we won't have much
time.
Janice
leads Melinda past broken crates, strewn equipment
and
FRESH TYRE TRACKS as they run from the valley.
EXT.
HILLTOP - NIGHT
Janice
and Melinda watch the distant display of a volcanic
eruption.
JANICE
I don't think she'll get
far. When Verlieh tries
to leave the country
border patrols should
pick her up, I hope.
MELINDA
I'm sorry Janice.
JANICE
For what?
MELINDA
Your life's pursuits coming
to this. For your scrolls.
An uncomfortable silence comes between them.
MELINDA
Where does this leave us?
(beat) Janice?
JANICE
It leaves us something we
could all do with Mel. A
new beginning.
INT.
CHATEAU - BALLROOM - DAY
Army
Intelligence officials sweep through the room.
Janice
looks over the few remaining scrolls and the pew
holding
the parchment. Mel comes to her side.
JANICE
It may not be the scrolls.
MELINDA
But... it'll have to do.
They
look to the very bottom of the parchment on which
is
a beautifully detailed drawing of XENA, GABRIELLE
and
her SCROLLS.
FADE OUT
END ACT FOUR
THE END