Ill Wind Shooting Draft

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Ill Wind

Episode #49
Production #V0849

Written by: Jim Fisher & Jim Staahl

Directed by: Simon Raby

Shooting Draft - October 29, 1998
Pages 1, 3, 5-6 - November 9, 1998
Pages 1, 5-6A, 9-12 - December 14, 1998
Pages 9-10, 13-15 - December 15, 1998
Pages 1-3, 6-8, 10-11, 13-15A - December 18, 1998
Pages 12-15 - December 30, 1998

Pacific Island Pictures, LTD, All Rights Reserved © 1998

Cast List

Hercules
Iolaus - (ee-OH-lus)
Lilith
Cheiron
Cyane
Simula - (SIM-you-lah)
Lupreea - (lew-PREE-uh)
Assistant

Set List

Interiors:
Cheiron's Academy - Training Hall
Cheiron's Academy - Dining Hall

Exteriors:
Cheiron's Academy - Grounds

Clips:
Episode #'s V0805, 06, 08 & 37

Teaser

FADE IN:

INT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - TRAINING HALL - DAY

IOLAUS lies on a bench pumping iron with the Grecian equivalent of free weights - a bar with a bog rock with a hole in it slipped on to either end. LILITH acts as his spotter as he finishes a set of repetitions.

LILITH
(facetiously)

Iolaus, I'm almost impressed. Give me ten more.

IOLAUS

Easy!

(begins to push; straining)

One...

Iolaus struggles to lower and raise the weight. At that moment we hear a TRILL. Lilith looks up. A strange look comes over her face. As if in a trance she walks OUT OF FRAME as Iolaus lowers the weight.

IOLAUS

T-two...

When he tries to raise it up, he can't. The weight drops down, and he's pinned under it, the bar on his chest.

IOLAUS
(being squeezed)

Lilith?! Lilith?!

HERCULES hand reaches in and easily lifts the weights off Iolaus and places them on the rack.

HERCULES

Aren't you overdoing it a bit?

Iolaus indicates Lilith standing motionless by the window.

IOLAUS

Lilith was supposed to spot me.

Hercules crosses to the motionless Lilith.

HERCULES

Lilith? Lilith, what's wrong?

Lilith snaps out of her trance.

LILITH

Did you hear that sound?

HERCULES

Hear what sound?

IOLAUS

Me! Gasping for air!

LILITH
(to Hercules, re: the sound)

The Amazon trill. There's going to be a war.

IOLAUS

And you got all this from a bird call?

LILITH
(off their dubious reaction)

I guess if you're not an Amazon you can't hear it. Remember when I spent time with Queen Cyane and her tribe?

IOLAUS
(nudges, then winks at Herc)

I know Herc remembers Cyane.

LILITH

One of the first things we learned was the Amazon trill. It's a signal. A call to arms. They'll be here soon.

Lilith heads toward the door. Hercules and Iolaus follow Lilith out the door...

EXT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - GROUNDS - CONTINUOUS

IOLAUS

Look, Lilith, there are no Amazons within five days march of here.

...and right into SIMULA (Cyane's Second-In-Command) and several fully armed AMAZONS.

LILITH

Simula.

SIMULA

Sister.

HERCULES

You were saying?

LILITH

I heard your signal. I'm ready to join you.

SIMULA

I knew we could count on you.

(nods toward Hercules)

But he's the reason we're here.

LILITH

Hercules?

Iolaus puts his arm around Herc.

IOLAUS

Sure you don't mean the two of us?

Hercules pushes off Iolaus' arm.

SIMULA

It was Cyane's request.

Hercules, Iolaus and Lilith are shocked as Cyane the band of Amazons parts and Cyane is carried forward on a stretcher.

HERCULES
(shocked at the sight)

Cyane!?

(to Simula)

What's wrong with her?

SIMULA

She's very sick. She can't speak. Her last words were that we bring her to you.

HERCULES

Why?

SIMULA

You'll have to get the answer from her.

HERCULES

But how?

SIMULA

Step closer.

Hercules steps alongside Cyane on the stretcher. AN AURA appears around Cyane. Simula guides Hercules' hand. He touches the aura. Hercules jolts upright - SPFX:

CLIP #1: (#V0805, #V0806, #V0808) MONTAGE, RAPID DISJOINTED IMAGES.

EXT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - GROUNDS - RESUME

Hercules CRIES OUT, stumbles backward, and falls as we...

IOLAUS
(O.S.)

Hercules!!!

FADE OUT.

Act One

FADE IN:

EXT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - GROUNDS - CONTINUOUS

Iolaus helps a dazed a dazed Hercules to his feet.

IOLAUS

Hercules, are you all right?

HERCULES
(to Simula)

What was that?

LUPREEA

The aura is a special power given to the Queens of the Amazon tribes by the gods.

IOLAUS

Who's she?

SIMULA

Lupreea, our healer. She's been with Cyane day and night trying to find a cure for her illness.

LUPREEA, a regal, Amazon warrior/healer, takes a goblet from her ASSISTANT and gives Cyane a sip of liquid.

LUPREEA

She wants to tell you something using images in your memory. It is a difficult process, with many false leads.

HERCULES
(impressed)

Okay... what do I do?

SIMULA

Open your mind to her so she may search it. I must prepare for war.

HERCULES

War?

SIMULA

Keenta, the leader of the Tanta Amazons has always wanted to expand her power. She knows with our leader ill, we are weak.

HERCULES

Why not talk to Keenta?

LILITH

It's not the Amazon way. When a tribe's leader falls, another will try to conquer them.

SIMULA

The only way to stop the war is to cure Cyane. Time is short. It won't take Keenta long to find us.

INT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - DINING HALL - DAY

Herc and Lilith clear off a table. The Amazons place the stretcher carrying Cyane on it. As Lupreea and her Assistant work mixing curatives in the B.G., Herc applies a cool rag to the brow of the feverish Cyane. Once again the aura forms around Cyane. Lupreea watches, annoyed, clearly jealous that Herc, a "rival," is ministering to her patient.

LUPREEA

She's reaching out to you. Listen!

Hercules touches her aura. She jolts upright into our SPFX:

CLIP #2: (#0808) CENTAURS BATLING AMAZONS.

INT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - DINING HALL - RESUME

Hercules staggers backwards, drained of energy.

LILITH

What did you see?

HERCULES

Amazons fighting Centaurs.

LILITH

But this war is between Amazons.

HERCULES

I know. It doesn't make sense.

Iolaus enters. He struggles with several scrolls bound together - Cheiron's "Book of Healing" - several jars of herbs and a frog hanging onto his shirt.

Hercules wipes Cyane's brow with a cool rag.

HERCULES
(to Cyane)

Why did you make me remember that? What does that have to do with your being sick?

Cyane's aura glows. Iolaus edges back a step.

IOLAUS

Look like she's trying to tell you.

Hercules tentatively touches the aura.

Clip #3: (#V0805) THE ESCAPE FROM THE SLAVE SHIP.

INT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - DINING HALL - RESUME

The aura fades. Hercules remains motionless at Cyane's side.

IOLAUS

Hey, that wasn't bad. No collapsing on the floor. Herc? Herc?

(waves his hand in Herc's face)

Hello?

Suddenly Herc snaps out of it.

HERCULES
(shaking his head)

I... I was back on the slave ship, we were helping Cyane and the Amazons escape.

IOLAUS

Centaurs and slave ships. I don't get it.

HERCULES

The problem is, I don't get it either.

Lupreea feels Cyane's forehead.

LUPREEA

Her fever's gone down. My curative is working.

Lupreea motions to her Assistant, who administers a goblet to Cyane. Cyane's aura re-appears.

HERCULES

Here we go again.

Hercules touches the aura and jerks upright into our SPFX:

Clip #4: (#V0808) HERCULES AND CYANE FIGHT IN THE ROPES

INT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - DINING HALL - RESUME

Herc slumps over the stretcher, Lupreea gives him a drink from a bota bag.

LUPREEA

Drink this. It will restore your strength.

Lupreea looks at Cyane. Her face registers concern.

LUPREEA

Cyane, Cyane...?

Hercules sees that Cyane's condition has worsened.

HERCULES

I thought you said she was starting to get better!

LUPREEA

I don't understand.

Lilith enters.

LILITH

We have a problem. Simula's spy says Keenta has sent an assassin to eliminate Cyane.

HERCULES

Great. Can things get any worse?

There is a NOISE at the door. Hercules signals for quiet.

LILITH
(WHISPERS)

Could be one of ours.

Lilith TRILLS softly. There is no response.

LILITH

It's not.

The door slowly opens. Hercules inches forward to spring on the assassin. The door swings open... it's CHEIRON.

HERCULES

Cheiron!

CHEIRON

I came as soon as I heard.

Lupreea and her Assistant exchange looks of contempt for the Centaur. The aura forms around Cyane. Cheiron watches as Hercules touches it, jolting upright.

CHEIRON

Hercules! No! You'll be destroyed!

Off Hercules' pained, struggling face, we:

FADE OUT.

Act Two

FADE IN:

INT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - DINING HALL - A MOMENT LATER

Hercules is being jolted.

CLIP #5: (#V0808) HERCULES STOPS THE CENTAURS AND AMAZONS FROM FIGHTING BY REVEALING STRIFE AND DISCORD.

INT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - DINING HALL - RESUME

Cheiron yanks Hercules away from the aura. Herc's drained.

IOLAUS

What are you doing?

CHEIRON

Saving his life.

Hercules pulls himself together.

HERCULES

She showed me Strife and Discord using disguises to get the Centaurs and Amazons to fight.

CHEIRON

You must stop. This appears to be a godly aura. They are deadly to mortals.

IOLAUS
(to Lupreea)

You knew about this?!

LUPREEA

My duty is to my Queen. No matter who must be sacrificed. Even Hercules. Even me.

HERCULES
(to Iolaus)

It's okay. Cyane knows I'm half-god.

CHEIRON

But you are not a full god. We cannot know if you will survive it.

Simula rushes in.

SIMULA

Keenta's troops are massing to attack. Is Cyane better?

HERCULES

I need more time.

Cyane's aura radiates.

CHEIRON
(re: aura)

Hercules, you're taking your life in your hands.

HERCULES

It's the only way.

Hercules touches the aura and jerks in SPFX:

CLIP #6: (#V0837) BUTERUS POURS A VIAL OF SMOKY LIQUID INTO JASON'S CUP AND HERC SEES PROOF BUTERUS IS POISONING JASON.

INT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - DINIG HALL - RESUME

Hercules falls back into Cheiron's arms.

HERCULES
(weakly)

Wait. Maybe it's not an illness. Could it be poison?

CHEIRON

That would explain her symptoms.

IOLAUS

Poison!? By who?

HERCULES

The memories I'm seeing seem to be saying that it's someone disguising themselves to be someone they aren't.

All turn to Lupreea. Hercules steps up to her.

HERCULES

You're the only one that's been giving her medicine!

LUPREEA

It's not poison. It's a cure.

Iolaus grabs Lupreea.

IOLAUS

We're on to you! Who's in there? Strife? Discord? Show yourself! If you're who you say you are, you won't be afraid to drink this!

Iolaus grabs the goblet of medicine and holds it out to Lupreea. Lupreea very calmly takes it and gulps it down. A beat. Nothing. Iolaus grimaces and looks to Herc:

IOLAUS

Well, that was embarrassing...

LUPREEA
(disgusted)

Men. Not much better than Centaurs.

IOLAUS

Ah, Herc...

Iolaus nods toward Cyane. Her aura envelops her.

CHEIRON

You mustn't touch her. Every time you do, it drains you more. Give me some time to make an antidote.

HERCULES

We don't have time.

Hercules plunges his hand into the aura and jerks into SPFX.

CLIP #7: (V0808) HERCULES GRABS THE KEY TO UNLOCK LILITH'S CHAINS AND TRIGGERS A BOMBARDMENT OF ENERGY BOLTS.

INT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - DORM - NIGHT

Iolaus and Lilith lower a dazed, weak Hercules onto his bed. Cheiron eases up beside them. Lupreea and her Assistand are not in the room.

HERCULES
(getting weaker)

I... I get it. The time I rescued Lilith from the cave... I was tricked...

(to Cheiron)

...and that's when Lilith reminded me of something you said: 'attack the archer, not the arrow.' I've got an idea.

INT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - DINING HALL - NIGHT

Lupreea, her Assistant and Lilith watch over Cyane. Hercules, Iolaus and Cheiron enter. Cheiron carries a small vial.

HERCULES

Cheiron's done it!

LILITH

A cure!?

CHEIRON

Yes. Cyane will be well enough to face Keenta's warriors.

Suddenly, Lupreea's Assistant leaps forward. She yanks Lilith's sword from her sheath and lunges at Cyane.

ASSISTANT

No!!! Cyane must die!

Herc grabs her arm. As she struggles a vial on a string around her neck pops out. Herc twists away the sword and flicks it back to Lilith. Lilith guards Lupreea's Assistant.

LUPREEA

Traitor!

ASSISTANT

No. I'm loyal. To Keenta!

SIMULA
(grabs Assistant)

If Cyane dies, I will make sure you follow her.

Hercules takes the vial from her neck and hands it to Cheiron.

HERCULES

I think you'll find this is poison. While pretending to help, she's been putting it into the goblet after Lupreea mixed up her curative.

CHEIRON

With this, it won't take long to make the antidote.

ASSISTANT

You tricked me! You never had an antidote in that vial.

CHEIRON

A warrior fights with every means at his disposal.

SIMULA

Let's go!

Lupreea and Simula grab Lupreea's Assistant.

INT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - DINING HALL - DAWN

Herc, Iolaus and Lilith are in battle gear as they watch Cheiron give the antidote to cyane from a small flask, Simula rushes in.

SIMULA

Everyone to the gate. Keenta's attacking!

CHEIRON

I will prepare the cadets to fight in case your plan fails.

Cyane raises a weak arm.

CYANE

Help me to the front gate.

HERCULES

You're too weak to fight.

CYANE

They don't know that.

EXT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - GROUNDS - MORNING

Hercules, Iolaus, Lilith and Simula are gathered around Cyane at the closed front gate. She struggles to keep her balance. Iolaus and Lilith restrain the bound and gagged Assistant.

CYANE

Simula, your sword.

Simula hands Cyane her sword. Cyane steadies herself.

CYANE

Everyone stand back. Open the gate.

They move away from Cyane as the gate is swung open.

REVERSE ANGLE - CYANE

Cyane courageously raises the sword and cummoning all her strength, emits an Amazon TRILL.

As she does, Iolaus and Lilith toss the bound and gagged Assistant forward, some distance in front of Cyane. The Assistant falls to the ground.

CYANE

Tell Keenta, the Telaquir Amazons still have a leader!!!

EXT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - GROUNDS - CONTINUOUS

They close the gate. Hercules rushes up to her with the others as she drops the sword and collapses in Herc's arms.

CYANE

Did it work?

LILITH

Yes! They're retreating.

SIMULA

Keenta would not dare to attack us while Cyane is alive... and healthy.

EXT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - GROUNDS - NEXT MORNING

Hercules is walking with Cyane.

HERCULES

You're making great progress.

CYANE

I feel better by the minute.

HERCULES

I have just one question. Why me?

CYANE

You're half-god.

(affectionate smile)

And I knew you'd care enough to try.

HERCULES

What if I couldn't figure it out?

CYANE

I'd be very disappointed.

They stare into each other's eyes and begin to move in for a kiss. Just then, Iolaus rushes up to Herc and Cyane with a container of liquid.

IOLAUS

Guys, I was messing around with Cheiron's book of healing all night and I think I've come up with a mixture of herbs that gives your muscles extra energy. Want to try some?

Some of the liquid splashes on the back of Iolaus' hand and starts itching badly. He scratches hard.

IOLAUS

Yeow!!!

Iolaus runs around the grounds like a crazy man.

HERCULES

Well, he's right about that. I've never seen him with so much energy.

FADE OUT.

THE END