Ares on Trial Shooting Draft

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Ares on Trial

Episode #22
Production #V0822

Written by: John Loy

Directed by: Charlie Haskell

Shooting Draft - June 08, 1998
Pages 1-6 - June 15, 1998
Pages 3-4, 9-10A, 19-19A - June 22, 1998

Pacific Island Pictures, LTD, All Rights Reserved © 1998

Cast List

Hercules
Jason
Iolaus - (ee-OH-lus)
Cheiron - (KYE-ron)
Ares - (AIR-ees)
Discord
Strife
Athena - (a-THEE-na)
Apollo
Hephaestus - (he-FESS-tuss)

Set List

Interiors:
Cheiron's Academy - Workout Room *
Limbo Courtroom

Exteriors:
Cheiron's Academy - Gate
Cheiron's Academy - Courtyard
+ Melon Ball Pond *

Teaser

FADE IN:

EXT. MELON BALL POND - EARLY MORNING

HERCULES, IOLAUS, and JASON are sitting in a large boat, alone in a small lake, at most fifty feet from shore. One of them casts his line. It's a peaceful, idyllic picture.

IOLAUS

Okay, so... what did you put for number twelve?

JASON

Number twelve? Pandora's box.

Iolaus is so surprised that he almost loses his balance on his seat in the boat (or almost drops his pole.)

IOLAUS

Pandora's box?!

JASON

Sure.

Looking worried, Iolaus turns to Hercules.

IOLAUS

What about you?

Herc glances up from watching his line.

HERCULES

Pandora's box. Why? What'd you put?

Iolaus reddens. He looks down and mutters something under his breath.

JASON

Excuse me?

IOLAUS

I put 'false'!

Herc and Jason exchange amused glances.

HERCULES

It wasn't a true/false question!

IOLAUS

The instructions were confusing!

Jason shakes his head disapprovingly.

JASON

You're never gonna graduate if you don't crack a scroll every now and then.

Fuming, Iolaus pulls out his line and casts it back out, hard.

IOLAUS

Thanks for the advice! Who died and made you God of Homework?

HERCULES
(sighs)

Next time, we study together, okay?

IOLAUS

Yeah. Okay.

Suddenly, there's a brilliant FLASH of light. ARES god-poofs in, standing in the middle of the boat. He smiles grimly at Herc.

ARES

I'm afraid there isn't going to be a next time for you, Little Brother.

IOLAUS

Ares!

Ares cocks an eye at Jason and Iolaus.

ARES

Could we have a little privacy?

He extends his hands, and ENERGY BOLTS shoot out, hitting Iolaus and Jason, who fly out of the boat. They cry out in pain.

Jason and Iolaus land on the shore with a THUD. They're knocked woozy. Back in the boat, Ares turns to Herc, more angry than usual.

ARES

What made you think you could defile my temple and get away with it? My priest saw you!

Hercules stands up in the boat to confront Ares.

HERCULES

I don't know what you're talking about. But if you want another fight, let's go.

Ares raises a hand and tosses a fireball. Herc is knocked flying and lands on the shore, some distance from his two friends. As Herc struggles to get to his knees, to defend himself, Ares GOD-POOFS next to him, close, hovering over him.

ARES

Now let's find out if blood really is thicker than water!

FADE OUT.

END OF TEASER

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

EXT. MELON BALL POND - CONTINUOUS

On the shoreline, Ares blasts down at Hercules, but Herc, on his knees, just manages to lunge to the side in time. Iolaus and Jason lie stunned, semi-conscious, MOANING slightly, nearby. Ares, confident and purposeful, turns toward Hercules as Herc scrambles to his feet.

ARES

I've let you live too long. You've become cocky.

Ares suddenly leaps for Herc. They grapple, then trade punches, kicks, with Ares moving Herc back. Then Herc swings, and Ares grabs Herc's fist, stopping it cold. Ares crushes Herc's fist in his hand, making him wince, as:

ARES

You taunt me because you think Daddy will protect you.

Then Ares yanks Herc hard, tossing him back, behind him. Herc flies through the air, crash landing back in the boat with a THUD and a MOAN.

HERCULES

I haven't been near your temple, Ares. Somebody's tricked you.

Ares glowers at Herc from the shore.

ARES

Liar!

Ares GOD-POOFS away. In the boat, Herc grabs an oar and holds it up like a club. He looks anxiously one way and another, waiting for Ares to reappear. Suddenly, there's a spooky BUMPING of the boat, hard, like when the shark hit the boat in "JAWS." Herc loses his balance and CRIES OUT -- but manages to grab one edge of the swaying boat to keep from falling out (oar still in one hand). Ares GOD-POOFS into the boat in front of Herc.

ARES

I never cared much for large families.

Herc lunges up, swinging the oar at Ares. Ares parries the oar with a massive forearm once, twice. Then he grabs the oar and yanks it and Herc in close. With Herc still holding the oar, Ares snaps it in two like a twig.

ARES

It's time ours had one less member!

On the nearby shore, Iolaus and Jason stir, starting to come to their senses. Iolaus sits up and sees what's going on.

IOLAUS

Hercules!

Iolaus (POV) sees, out on the boat, Herc being tossed from one end to the other by Ares. On the shore, Jason joins Iolaus.

JASON

Let's get him!

They rush toward the pond, only to be blasted backward and O.S. (to the shore) by Ares' fireballs the moment they hit the water. On the boat, Ares, hands out from firing the fireballs, turns back toward Hercules and shakes his head as he starts toward him.

ARES

You move too slowly, Little Brother. You really are at that awkward age.

Herc lies in the boat, groggy. He looks up as Ares stands over him.

UP ANGLE - HERC'S POV

as Ares looms over him

ARES

And I'm afraid you're never going to grow out of it.

Ares raises his arms to the sky as bolts of energy surge from his fingers. Thunder clouds loom behind him.

ARES
(exultant cry)

Goodbye, Hercules!

With an almighty ROAR -- ending in a barely discernible, short, high-pitched GIGGLE -- he swings his arms down toward Herc.

THE SCREEN GOES BLACK. ALL IS SILENCE.

EXT. MELON BALL POND - MOMENTS LATER

Iolaus and Jason groggily get to their feet. They look around. Ares is nowhere to be seen. Neither is Herc. Shattered debris floats where the boat had been.

IOLAUS

Hercules?

JASON

The boat!

They rush toward the water. When they get to the edge, Iolaus grabs Jason, stopping him.

IOLAUS
(upset)

I can't swim!

JASON

Don't worry. Just be ready to help when I drag him out.

Jason splashes out into the pond. Iolaus steps toward him in the shallow water, wishing he could help.

IOLAUS
(quietly anxious)

Hang on, Herc...

Out among the bigger pieces of boat debris, Jason takes a deep breath and dives down under water. A beat. Iolaus watches anxiously in the shallows.

IOLAUS
(quietly desperate)

Come on!

Jason breaks the surface and GASPS for breath.

JASON

I can't see him! It's too deep!

Jason dives back down again. Iolaus lunges forward, then catches himself, realizing there's nothing to be done. He hangs his head, defeated.

Iolaus and Jason (when he breaks the surface again in the b.g.) look small and helpless in the still of the morning.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. LIMBO SETTING

Hercules blinks to find himself sitting alone in a large room. The space is filled with rows of seats, at the front of which stands a table. Herc is in the second row of seats. The space is circled by tall columns, behind which is darkness. At the very front of the room stand three tall marble thrones. As Herc looks curiously around, the CAMERA PANS with his gaze. As it does, minor gods and other denizens of Olympus silently appear in the rows of seats. We don't see anyone enter -- they're just there as the CAMERA PANS past.

It's all very dreamlike. Herc REACTS to see STRIFE and DISCORD sitting together in a nearby row. Discord shoots him a sneer. Strife winks. A GLOW from O.S. makes Herc look away to see: Sitting in the three thrones are ATHENA, APOLLO, and HEPHAESTUS. They gaze down at him, Athena cool and calm, Apollo bored and impatient.

HERCULES

Athena? Apollo? Hephaestus?!

Hephaestus waves happily, like a kid seeing a pal. Herc is now totally confused. There's another GLOW from O.S., then a blinding FLASH. And there stands Ares.... in irons. Ares looks from Herc to the three gods at the front of the room. He smirks.

ARES

Brothers. Sister. To what do I owe the honor of being invited here today?

Athena BANGS a gavel on the marble arm of her throne.

ATHENA

Ares, you stand accused of the attempted murder, in full defiance of Zeus' protective order, of your brother Hercules.

Hercules REACTS, shaken. Ares shoots him a scathing look.

ARES

That's half-brother, if you don't mind.

Apollo rolls his eyes impatiently.

APOLLO

Whatever. The point is, you tried to kill him.

Ares turned towards Herc. Their eyes meet.

ARES

If I tried to kill him... he'd be dead right now.

Ares gives Herc a scary smile. Herc looks away. Ares turns back towards the tribunal. Athena and Apollo consult in whispers, while Hephaestus just sits there.

ARES

Well? Come on! Let's get this farce over with! I know Apollo would much rather be outside working on his tan!

Apollo shoots him an insulted look. He and Athena continue to confer. Ares fastens his gaze on Hephaestus and takes a step toward the humble god. Ares nods towards Athena and Apollo.

ARES

Those two I can almost accept as judges... but what's my lame-brain brother doing here?

Hephaestus just shrugs and smiles.

HEPHAESTUS

Mother said I could sit in... as a reward for forging your chains.

Ares glances at his irons.

ARES

Nice work.

(looks back at Hephaestus)

You don't have to look so happy to be here.

Hephaestus tries to put on a straight face. Athena and Apollo finish their conference. She looks down at Ares.

ATHENA

I suggest you take the charges a bit more seriously. If this tribunal finds you guilty, you'll spend an eternity of unimaginable torment in the fiery depths of Tartarus that is reserved for fallen gods.

Ares is shaken, but doesn't want to show it.

ARES

I'm sure you would love any excuse to put me away for eternity... but don't you think Zeus is going a bit too far this time to protect his little boy?

Ares shoots Herc a look. Herc shifts in his seat, embarrassed.

ARES

I mean, prosecuting the God of War for attacking somebody?! It's what I do! It's my job! A job that Zeus himself gave me!

APOLLO

Let me get this straight: When you maim, kill and pillage... it's strictly business?

ARES
(shrugs)

I love my work. So sue me.

ATHENA

I grant you your role in the universe, Ares. But even you can go too far... and this time you did.

ARES

Excuse me? Did I miss something? Aren't you forgetting a minor detail, like... a trial?

Athena and Apollo glance at Hephaestus. She gestures impatiently to him. He doesn't get it at first, but then nods and hold up a scroll, which he then reads with great difficulty and no breaths.

HEPHAESTUS
(reads)

'As an O... lympian God you will receive a fair hearing and in a...ccordance with our laws you have been allowed to choose your own de... de... defender.'

Hephaestus looks up proudly.

ATHENA

Will the counsel for the defense please rise?

The gods look out into the courtroom. Herc also glances around expectantly. He frowns to see all the other spectators looking at him. He glances over at Strife and Discord. They're also looking at him. Herc turns back toward the front of the courtroom. Ares and the tribunal are also looking at him.

HERCULES

ME?!

EXT.ACADEMY - COURTYARD - DAY

Iolaus, uncharacteristically wearing a sword, looks small in the courtyard. He kicks hard at the dirt ground and CRIES OUT:

IOLAUS
(shouting angrily)

Cowards!

He whips out the sword and raises it as he looks to the skies. Much closer, we can see that he's agitated, sweaty -- he could even be crying.

IOLAUS
(shouting angrily)

Come down and fight me now!

(looks around)

You call yourselves gods?! You sneak down here and attack people with no warning?! You're all a bunch of stinkin' cowards!

Jason, watching Iolaus' ranting, steps carefully into the courtyard.

JASON
(quietly)

Iolaus?

Iolaus, feeling defeated, lowers his sword without even bothering to look at Jason.

IOLAUS
(quietly angry)

Leave me alone.

Iolaus turns and steps to a low stone wall and sits down. Jason sits next to Iolaus, looking him in the eye.

JASON

Don't you think I miss him, too?

(Iolaus doesn't respond)

Look, it wasn't your fault! Ares is a god! How could you stop him?

Iolaus jumps to his feet.

IOLAUS

All I know is, my best friend needed me... and I was no help at all.

He turns away, speaking as if to himself.

IOLAUS

And now he's gone.

INT. LIMBO COURTROOM - CONTINUOUS

Herc just sits there in a state of shock, staring at Ares mocking gaze. Apollo rolls his eyes impatiently.

APOLLO

Hello! We're waiting!

With a twisted smile, Ares looks to Athena.

ARES

May I have a word with my counsel?

ATHENA

Please do.

Ares reaches over the first row of seats, grabs Herc by the vest front and yanks him up to the table, plopping him down in a chair. Ares leans in and speaks in an urgent whisper.

ARES

You're not starting off too well, Little Brother.

HERCULES

I don't get it. You chose me to defend you... on charges of trying to kill me?!

Ares shrugs and sits down next to him.

ARES

The irony of it appealed to me. Besides, you're such a goody-goody, I know you'll do your best.

Herc gazes at him for a BEAT.

HERCULES

Thanks.

ARES

It wasn't meant as a compliment.

Herc blinks. He stands and addresses the tribunal.

HERCULES

I have a question. Can I refuse to serve as Ares' defender?

Again, Athena and Apollo look to Hephaestus. Again, he takes a second to "get it," then holds up the scroll and reads badly.

HEPHAESTUS
(reads)

'If se... lected as defender by an accused god in a godly tr... ibunal the chosed one must serve or else share the sentence if the accused is found g... g... gwiltly.'

He looks up, blinks. Ares smiles. Herc hesitates, glances at him, then looks back to the three gods.

HERCULES

In that case, I accept.

APOLLO

Good choice.

Herc sits back down and whispers urgently to Ares:

HERCULES

This is ridiculous. I mean, I know you're guilty. I was there!

ARES

Well, I wasn't!

He seems sincere. Herc frowns, honestly confused.

HERCULES

But I saw --

Ares grabs him by the vest and pulls him close to speak in a deadly whisper.

ARES

I did not try to kill you, okay? I mean I'd love to -- I'd love to do it right now -- but I'm no fool. You're protected by Zeus. I don't intend to spend the rest of eternity down in Tartarus being nibbled on by some idiotic monster! Got it?!

He lets go. Herc reels back, trying to catch his breath. He gazes at Ares for a long BEAT... then nods.

HERCULES

Got it.

ATHENA

Counsel for the defense. How do you plead?

Herc stands and faces the tribunal. He exchanges looks with Ares, then looks back to the trio of gods.

HERCULES

Not guilty.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

INT. LIMBO COURTROOM - CONTINUOUS

The courtroom is silent. The three gods gaze down from their marble thrones at Herc and Ares, who sit at the defense table. Athena BANGS her gavel.

ATHENA

Counsel for the defense, call your first witness.

Ares leans toward Hercules. They consult in lowered voices.

HERCULES

Okay, you say you weren't there. But you need an alibi... and a witness who'll back it up.

ARES

Strife and Discord! I was with them today! It's perfect!

Herc glances over to look at Strife and Discord. Discord sneers, Strife tries to look cool, adjusting his hair. Herc looks back to Ares.

HERCULES

I don't know. Do you think you can trust them?

ARES

It's not a matter of trust. They're scared of me.

Herc still hesitates. Ares grabs the front of his vest again.

ARES

Just do it!

(sardonically)

Counselor.

Herc yanks himself from Ares' grip. He looks around courtroom, sees Strife and Discord. He glances to Ares, who nods.

HERCULES
(sighs)

I call Discord.

Discord leisurely gets up and crosses to a chair at the front of the room. She sneers at Herc as she passes him, then smiles ingratiatingly at the three gods before seating herself.

Apollo returns her smile with a flirtatious leer, and Athena shoots him a censorious look. Hephaestus appears embarrassed. Herc approaches Discord's chair. He tries his best to be lawyer-like.

HERCULES

Where were you on the day in question?

DISCORD
(rolls eyes)

You mean today?

HERCULES
(somewhat deflated)

Well... yeah.

DISCORD

I was with Ares. At his place.

Ares nods smugly.

HERCULES

All day?

DISCORD
(shrugs)

Pretty much.

Ares smiles, glances at Strife who winks. Her continues his questioning, just going through the motions.

HERCULES

At any time, did Ares say anything about trying to, well, kill me?

DISCORD

Oh, sure. He talks about it constantly. It's his favorite topic.

Ares scowls angrily. This isn't quite what he expected. Discord looks out at him blithely.

DISCORD

Well, you know it's true!

Herc glances uncomfortably back at Ares, who actually seems a tad embarrassed.

HERCULES

So it's, um, not unusual for Ares to talk about killing me?

DISCORD

Not at all. Of course, today was a little unusual.

HERCULES

Why was that?

DISCORD

Because today he actually did try to kill you.

It's a bombshell. Ares is dumbfounded. He leaps to his feet. Athena BANGS her gavel. The spectators murmur excitedly.

ARES

She's lying!

ATHENA

Ares! Sit down!

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COMMOTION, DISCORD JUST SMILES SWEETLY.

EXT. ACADEMY - GATE - DAY

Iolaus steps through the gate. He carries a knapsack. As he hesitates, gazing out at the horizon. CHEIRON emerges from the shadows.

CHEIRON

Iolaus. Where are you going?

IOLAUS

I don't know. I can't stay here.

Cheiron nods understandingly, then looks Iolaus in the eye.

CHEIRON

Don't you think that Hercules would want you to stay?

Iolaus meets Cheiron's gaze, then looks away.

IOLAUS

Every day would be a reminder that I lost a friend.

Cheiron waits a BEAT, then speaks quietly:

CHEIRON

A friend is never really lost if you remain true to the dreams you shared together.