Battle Lines I Production Draft

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Battle Lines

Episode #7
Production #V0807

Written by: Len Uhley

Directed by: Charlie Haskell

Production Draft - April 07, 1998
Pages 1-2, 7-8, 16-18 - April 08, 1998
Pages 2, 4-5, 20 - April 24, 1998
Pages 3, 12, 18, 19 - May 02, 1998

Pacific Island Pictures, LTD, All Rights Reserved © 1998

Cast List

Hercules
Jason
Iolaus - (ee-OH-lus)
Cheiron - (KI-ron)
Lilith
Fiducius - (fi-DOO-shus)
Strife
Discord
Cyane - (si-AN)
Simula (an Amazon Seer)
Cavil (a Centaur Elder; Strife in disguise)
Amazon Sentry #1 (Melina)

CENTAUR PRONUNCIATION GUIDE:
Kindrah - (kin-DRAW)
Qu-ho - (KWOH, ending with a sharp, snort-like breath)
Solon - (sow-LAWN)

Set List

Interiors:
Cheiron's Academy - Workout Room
Cyane's Tent
Ares' Throne Room
Great Hall - Centaur Village

Exteriors:
Cheiron's Academy - Rampart
Woods
Amazon Camp
Amazon Camp - Perimeter
Meadow

Teaser

FADE IN:

INT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - WORKOUT ROOM - DAY

HERCULES, IOLAUS and other CADETS mill about, ready for their morning drills. FIDUCIUS enters, followed by JASON.

FIDUCIUS

Good morning, students.

(beat; no response)

I said, Good morning, students!

CADETS
(sing-song)

Good morning, Fiducius.

FIDUCIUS
(ahem)

Until further notice, I will be acting headmaster here at the academy.

THE CADETS groan. The guys whisper as Jason join them:

HERCULES

Where's Cheiron?

JASON

He was called home to his Kindrah. A courier came at dawn. They just left.

HERCULES

Boy, that's kinda weird.

IOLAUS

Yeah... What's a 'Kindrah'?

JASON

That's Centaur for 'clan'. Don't you ever listen in language class?

IOLAUS

'Class dismissed' usually gets my attention.

They clam up as Fiducius goes by in martinet mode.

FIDUCIUS

And, while I am in charge, I'll be making a few changes around here --

Fiducius backs up and glares right at Iolaus.

FIDUCIUS

Particularly in the area of discipline! Furthermore, I will be asking Cadet Jason to supervise your drill instruction.

Fiducius moves on. Jason smirks at Iolaus, who mutters:

IOLAUS

Oh, yeah. I am definitely doomed.

FIDUCIUS stops ar a RACK OF QUARTER-STAFFS. Trying to look macho, he yanks one out. The rest CLATTER to the floor. JASON hurries off. Iolaus whispers, feigning concern.

IOLAUS

Y'know, Herc, I think we oughta go after Cheiron! What if he needs our help?

HERCULES

Cheiron can handle himself.

IOLAUS

True, but, now, hear me out. Cheiron would never leave the Academy unless there was a major crisis. It's our duty to go!

HERCULES
(not buying it)

Uh-huh.

IOLAUS

Also, it's Friday! The school week is over. We won't miss a thing.

Hercules gives him a 'you're pitiful' look. Iolaus confides, eyes darting:

IOLAUS

Okay. Bottom line. Do you really want to spend every waking minute with Fiddledace and the Royal Pain telling you what to do?

Jason tries to help Fiducius stand, but his feet keep going out from under him as he trips over the strewn staffs.

JASON

Wait, hang on. I've got you!

(shouts to cadets)

Okay, everyone, exercises!? Let's move!

Hercules nods to Iolaus. They whisper in unison:

HERCULES/IOLAUS

This is us, leaving.

EXT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - RAMPART - CONTINUOUS - DAY

The guys step out. Over their shoulder, IN B.G., CHEIRON and a CENTAUR MESSENGER gallop away, headed north.

IOLAUS

There he goes!

WIPE TO:

EXT. WOODS - SOON - DAY

Hercules, winded, trots over and leans against a tree. Iolaus, gasping hard, staggers in and drops to his knees.

IOLAUS

Aw, we'll never catch up with Cheiron.

HERCULES
(panting)

Sure... we will.

IOLAUS

Hercules, get real. He's too fast. He has twice as many feet.

HERCULES

Hey, you've got two feet, I got two feet. Add us together, and we're just like a Centaur!

IOLAUS

Yeah. And I know which end you are.

Iolaus playfully tackles Hercules, both laughing -- until a VOLLEY OF ARROWS NAILS the tree where they'd been!

THE GUYS react and leap up, back to back in fighting poses. Then -- FURTIVE ATTACKERS SWISH out of the trees, spinning Hercules and Iolaus with THUDDING kicks as they swing by, only to disappear amond the leaves. Suddenly -- silence.

HERCULES

What next?

On cue, a BASEBALL-SIZED WOODEN BALL JAMMED WITH RAZOR-SHARP SHARDS whips past them...

IN A POV SHOT (e.g., Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves), another shard ball whips right at Iolaus! On his fearful scream:

FADE OUT.

Act One

FADE IN:

EXT. WOODS - RESUME - DAY

THE SHARD BALL WHIZZES at Iolaus... holding the log hunk as a shield. The shard ball THUDS harmlessly into the bark. Iolaus looks over Hercules' shoulder at the lethal orb.

IOLAUS
(gulp)

Nice catch.

FIVE PAIRS OF GLOVED HANDS REACH IN and grab them by the arms. The guys struggle, then do a double-take and freeze.

HERCULES/IOLAUS

Leggo! Hands off, you dirty...!

ZOOM OUT TO REVEAL their captors are FIVE MASKED AMAZONS. Two hold HAND-HELD SLINGS, which they are putting away.

IOLAUS

Amazons?

(sotto, to Hercules)

Y'know, this is getting to be a habit.

MASKED AMAZON #1 steps around to grab Iolaus by the face.

MASKED AMAZON #1

Quiet, insolent cadet!

IOLAUS
(through pursed lips)

The lips! Easy with the lips.

Iolaus whimpers as she releases his face. Hercules pulls free of his captors and points at Masked Amazon #1.

HERCULES

Wait! I know that voice. Lilith?

Masked Amazon #1 doffs her mask. It's LILITH the ex-cadet!

LILITH

You have a good ear.

IOLAUS
(rubs face, mutters)

And I have a sore mouth.

HERCULES

So I see you're still an Amazon.

LILITH

And captain of this scouting party!

IOLAUS

Get outta town! The last time we saw you, you were just a junior cadet.

Lilith, hiding her shaky confidence under a bellicose manner, goes nose-to-nose with Iolaus. He backpedals.

LILITH

Well things have changed, haven't they?

He bumps into the other amazona, who pin his arms.

AMAZONS

Tie him to an ant hill! / Give him a thrashing! / Shave off his hair!

IOLAUS

Ladies, Ladiees, can't we all just get along?

HERCULES

Hold on, Lilith. Iolaus meant no offense. Right, Iolaus?

IOLAUS

Right. Definitely. No offense!

HERCULES

At the academy, they teach us that leaders don't need to be cruel to be in charge. the best ones can also be merciful. I'm sure you remember that, Lilith.

They guys wait anxiously. Lilith mulls; then, stymied:

LILITH

We'll take you to Princess Cyane. She'll decide what to do with you.

Iolaus and Herc share a worried look.

WIPE TO:

EXT. AMAZON CAMP - ESTABLISHING - LATE DAY

IN A CLEARING we see TENTS, a FIRE PIT, and more AMAZONS: practicing archery; sharpening spears; fencing; etc.

INT. CYANE'S TENT - AMAZON CAMP - LATE DAY

THE AMAZONS toss Hercules and Iolaus to the floor of the tent, an Amazon CEO's office. They look up to SEE CYANE standing, imperious, her back to them.

LILITH

The prisoners, my queen.

CYANE
(hard, officious)

Thank you, scout leader.

Hercules and Iolaus look nervously to each other, then back up to Cyane.

Cyane turns to look down at them, frowns -- and then smiles.

CYANE

Well! What a pleasure to see you both.

Hercules and Iolaus double-take and exchange shrugs. Cyane helps them to their feet. She holds Hercules' hand just a beat longer then necessary.

CYANE

Especially you, Hercules.

Lilith and her squad stand set to kill. They lower their weapons, disappointed, as Cyane walks by with the guys.

HERCULES

Uh... same here!

Cyane shows Hercules to a DIVAN. He sits, a bit tentative.

CYANE

It pleases me to have the son of almighty Zeus witness the founding of our new homeland.

(calls off)

Where is Simula?

The other Amazons part to REVEAL SIMULA. Tall, haughty, a drama-queen/fortune-teller-type. She bows slightly.

SIMULA

Yes, highness?

CYANE

Perhaps you remember meeting Simula. She is our oracle. It was she who divined the will of the gods, and led us here, to our new home.

Hercules extends his hand.

HERCULES

A pleasure to see you again.

SIMULA

Maybe for you.

Simula scornfully eyes him, then exits out a side portal. Hercules looks at his palm, then wipes it on his shirt.

HERCULES

Well, guess we better be on our way.

CYANE

But we're preparing a great banquet for tonight to celebrate our good fortune. You must stay!

HERCULES

Thanks. But we have a friend who may be in trouble, so --

IOLAUS glances out through a side flap. He sees THREE FETCHING AMAZON DANCERS rehearsing and flouncing. Iolaus grabs Hercules, whispering (out of Cyane's earshot):

IOLAUS

Herc, we're talking Amazons here! Besides, what's the rush? It's nearly sundown. We'll never find Cheiron in the dark. Let's stick around. Huh? Please?!

Hercules glances at Cyane. She smiles beguilingly.

HERCULES
(sighs)

Okay.

IOLAUS

Thank you!!

INT. ARES' THRONE ROOM - MT. OLYMPUS

STRIFE slouches on Ares' throne, head bobbing, cocky.

STRIFE

Awright. Here's your new assignments.

A WIDER ANGLE REVEALS that he's talking to an empty room.

STRIFE

Zeus? Kitchen duty -- apron's in the corner. Hera, the garden -- and cheer up for once, give it a try. Now as for you, Uncle Ares --

DISCORD MATERIALIZES beside him in a BIG FLASH OF LIGHT AND SMOKE. Strife spazzes out of the throne like Jerry Lewis.

STRIFE

Discord!? Don't -- do that!!

DISCORD

You know, Strife, you're lucky it was me, and not your 'Uncle Ares.'

Straightening his hair, Strife turns his back on Discord, sneering as he silently mouths along as she speaks.

DISCORD

My brother hates it when lesser gods use his throne. Kind of a clean freak thing. Got the message?

Regaining his composure, Strife turns and coolly replies:

STRIFE

Got it. And speaking of messages, did your Amazon friends get theirs?

DISCORD

They're feeling right at home. My plan is working perfectly.

STRIFE

Your plan? Ha! You just think you're so smart because you're a millennium older! Well, this was my plan! Mine-mine-mine-mine!

DISCORD

All right, fine! It's your plan! Happy? The important thing is, we are about to stir up some serious misery.

STRIFE

Yes! Oh, yes! The suffering! The pain! Ares will be so pleased with us!

EXT. AMAZON CAMP - THAT NIGHT

THE ROARING CAMPFIRE'S FLAMES offer a dandy analogy to the surrounding action. Sultry AMAZON DANCERS whoop and shimmy to spirited MUSIC in a choreographed frenzy: it's Busby Berkeley meets Elizabeth Berkley, and yet somehow, G-rated.

Iolaus sits surorunded by THREE AMAZONS, who ravenously gnaw on hefty flame-broiled shanks of some wild game. He tries to get chummy. They ignore him.

IOLAUS

So, what is this, roast elk? Mutton?

(eyes food askance)

Hope it's not anyone I know.

Hercules sits a few feet away on a pile of blankets, smiling as he watches the dance. Cyane sits down beside him, rather close. He slowly edges to one side.

CYANE

Settle down, Hercules, I don't bite.

HERCULES

Huh? Oh, no, I was just making room. Are you, uh, comfortable?

CYANE

You don't seem to be.

HERCULES

I -- I guess I don't know how to behave with you. I mean, the last time --

CYANE

Was last time. Let's put it behind us.

(looking at him)

From where I sit the future looks good.

Hercules nods, shooting for nonchalance. Cyane gazes off.

CYANE

We've finally found a place to call our own. We can hunt, we can build homes. Finally be at peace.

HERCULES

I'm glad for you, Cyane. I really am.

CYANE

Yes. there's just one thing missing.

She inches closer. He tries to change the subject.

HERCULES

Boy, y'know, those dancers must practice a lot, 'cuz they are really --

CYANE

Hercules...

HERCULES
(busted; wincing)

Yeah?

CYANE

You could stay a while, you know. Here, with us. With me.

They are really close now, face to face.

HERCULES

I thought Amazons only gave men orders -- not choices.

CYANE

You're no ordinary man.

Before they can kiss, Simula SCREAMS O.S.! They leap up.

Iolaus' THREE AMAZONS jump up, spilling a sauce bowl in Iolaus' lap. They draw their knives, ready to fight.

IOLAUS

Hey! ...Aww, yuck.

The MUSIC grinds to a halt. The Dancers stop as Simula staggers into view, carrying a dazed AMAZON SENTRY #1.

SIMULA

Help! Help us!

Hercules, Cyane, Iolaus, and the three Amazons crowd around. Sentry #1 GROANS, holding her head, Cyane calls off:

CYANE

Bring a poultice for her wounds!

The Amazons react as Simula rambles, breathless:

SIMULA

Thank the Fates I was nearby. I managed to save Melina -- but for the other two, I was too late!

LILITH

What do you mean? Where are the other sentries?

SIMULA

Gone! The beasts attacked under cover of darkness and dragged them away! Those vicious, cowardly --

CYANE

Who did this thing?!

SIMULA

Centaurs!

As Hercules and Iolaus react incredulously:

FADE OUT.

Act Two

FADE IN: