In Your Dreams Shooting Draft
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In Your Dreams
Episode #12
Production #V0812
Written by: Doug Molitor and Eric Lewald
Directed by: Charlie Haskell
All revisions by Eric Lewald
Shooting Draft - July 30, 1998
Pages 1-2, 4-4A, 7-9, 13-15, 20-22 - August 17, 1998
Pages 5, 8, 16 - August 17, 1998
Pages 1-2, 5-5A, 10, 13, 20-22 - August 21, 1998
Pages 9-11 - August 26, 1998
Pages 8-8A, 20, 21 - August 26, 1998
Cover - September 11, 1998
Pacific Island Pictures, LTD, All Rights Reserved © 1998
Cast List
Hercules/Dark Hercules
Iolaus - (ee-OH-lus)
Jason
Lilith
Ares
Cheiron
Morpheus
Alcmene (V.O.)
Set List
Interiors:
Cheiron's Academy - Dorm
Cheiron's Academy - Training Hall
Cheiron's Academy - Vestibule
Black Void
Kora's Inn
Exteriors:
Morpheus' Barge - Misty Limbo
FADE IN:
INT. KORA'S INN - NIGHT
HERCULES, JASON, IOLAUS, and LILITH are finishing up a late snack; there aren't any other patrons. They're all worn out, stretching and rubbing their sore muscles.
(shuddering)
I can't believe Cheiron had us do morning laps through that cave full of spiders! I hate spiders!
Look at it this way. You ran your personal best.
Lilith shoots him a look.
Spiders don't bother me so much. But last week? That underwater escape he rigged up?
The sinking ship drill?
Let's just say I prefer dry land. Lots of it. All around me. For miles.
What about yesterday's fire baton maneuver...
(shudders) I saw my life flash in front of my eyes.
That flash was the fire baton.
You think Cheiron stays up nights thinking of new ways to torture us?
Shouldn't have to. You guys all give away what creeps you out the most. He just pays attention. Like he says, 'A good warrior --
-- turns his enemy's weapons against him.'
Okay, so he figured out Lilith hates spiders. Jason's not so hot about fire. And I don't want to drown, not that you can blame me...
What about you, Hercules? What are you afraid of?
Same stuff as you. As anybody, I guess.
I wonder.
You are part god. Half of you shouldn't be afraid of anything.
Maybe my other half is a total chicken.
As if.
Hercules starts to gather up his stuff to head out.
(sly)
I know what scares me.
What?
Ticking off Cheiron. Like if we miss curfew.
Now that's terrifying.
They head for the door.
EXT. MORPHEUS' BARGE - MISTY LIMBO - SAME TIME
We're in "Gods Territory", and the God of Dreams MORPHEUS is hard at work aboard his "dream boat": a barge-like vehicle that floats along on a sea of mist (presumably up in the sky; it's dark and we can see some stars). As he floats along, Morpheus throws out "balls of mist": as he consults a list/scroll. Morpheus, a little on the small size for your average god but a born wheeler-dealer, is startled when his barge lurches suddenly:
Hey! Somebody's rocking my dream boat!
Suddenly ARES appears on the barge.
(over the top charm)
Morpheus, the God of Dreams! Long time, no see.
Not now, Ares. I'm working on a rush order and I'm way behind. I've got a lot of nightmares to take care of here.
Is this about that little deal you had with Apollo? Where he kept the sun up a few extra hours to cut you some slack?
(still stinging)
So it ended up frying a few crops, so what? Now I've got Ceres breathing down my neck.
The Goddess of Bounty can be a real bear.
She wants some grade-A nightmares to play with. To make up for the...
(makes a SIZZLING sound) ssszzzl... So, please, if you don't mind --
Morpheus tries to "shoo" away Ares, but he's not going anywhere. Instead, he leans in closer.
Oh, I don't. After all, those nightmares are mine now.
Ha, ha. These are for a deal I made with Ceres --
-- Who just made a deal with me! I kept a battle out of one of her orchards --
This gets Morph's attention.
-- and she gave you the marker for the nightmares I owe her.
A dream situation, you might say.
Morpheus considers, gestures to Ares to hold out his hand. Morpheus tosses a small ball of mist into it.
This'll cover it. You can terrify a lot of people if you work it right.
I'm only interested in one: Hercules.
Part god? Takes more. What you've got there is good for maybe one night.
That's all I'll need.
Take care. Don't forget about Zeus's protective order --
(angry flash)
Don't remind me! Any god who harms that precious brat will suffer for eternity.
Then what exactly are you planning to do here?
Ares gently tosses the ball of mist between his hands.
Nothing. I'll just let the nightmare do the work for me. I'll let Hercules destroy himself.
INT. CHEIRON'S ACADEMY - DORMS (DREAMSCAPE)
Everything is in darkness, but something is terribly wrong as Hercules, Iolaus and Jason return from Kora's. Lilith moves on ahead of them into the training hall moving towards the dooms as they store their rucksacks on pegs.
(quietly)
'Night, guys.
Sweet dreams, Lilith.
Iolaus stretches.
You know, it's funny. I hardly ever remember my dreams. Except this one where I'm surrounded by Amazons but they all like me --
(quickly)
Do us both a favor and do not go there.
Suddenly they hear Lilith CRY OUT in surprise and terror.
Lilith!
Hercules, Jason and Iolaus rush into the training hall.
INT. ACADEMY - TRAINING HALL - CONTINUOUS (DREAMSCAPE)
There, inside the hall, they discover a strange hooded FIGURE (whom we later learn is the DARK HERC), grabbing helpless CADETS and tossing them into a strange shimmering BLACK VORTEX/BLACK HOLE that's appeared in the wall of the training hall. Lilith clings to some gym equipment as she begins to slip into the vortex. The Figure knocks her hands loose with a kick of its foot and she disappears into the black hole.
Lilith!!
FADE OUT.
Act One
FADE IN:
INT. ACADEMY - TRAINING HALL - RESUME (DREAMSCAPE)
Hercules lunges forward, as do Iolaus and Jason. But Hercules discovers, to his surprise that he's chained to the wall of the hall.
Huh?
Hercules! Help!
Jason!
Hercules looks up in time to watch Jason grapple briefly with the Figure. Just as Hercules breaks his chains and lurches forward, Jason's tossed into the vortex.
Noooo!
Herc! Little help here!
Iolaus grapples with the Figure. Hercules tries to rush forward, but looks down to find that his feet are encased in impossibly heavy bricks.
What?!
Iolaus loses his fight and is tossed into the vortex with a STARTLED CRY. Hercules kicks his feet free, shattering the bricks. He rushes forward, only to watch Iolaus disappear. There are no more Cadets left.
Iolaus!!
The Figure is having a hard time hauling one last victim toward the black hole. It's CHEIRON, and he's putting up a fight. But the Figure won't stop, and he shoves Cheiron into the vortex.
Cheiron!
Hercules lurches forward and grabs Cheiron's arm. Cheiron struggles to drag himself out.
The Figure steps out into the black hole and is swallowed up as the vortex swallows up itself (like water running out a drain). Cheiron is caught half-in, half-out of the pit, as it closes around him. Hercules pulls with all his strength, but it's a losing battle. As Cheiron CRIES OUT:
Nooooo!
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. ACADEMY - DORM - SAME TIME (REALITY)
Hercules bolts upright INTO CAMERA, jerking awake from his nightmare. He's gasping for air, shaking off the terror.
(waking up)
Nooo!!
Hercules shakes himself. It was all a dream. He steadies himself, feeling a bit foolish. He glances around the dorm, hopeful that he didn't wake the others. But something's wrong. The dorm's in disarray. And there is no one else there. Hercules scrambles out of bed. He yanks back bed covers and tips over cots, frantically searching for the others.
Iolaus? Iolaus! Jason! Hey! Answer me! Where are you?!
He hears a RUSTLING sound in the doorway...
INT. ACADEMY - TRAINING HALL - CONTINUOUS
Hercules discovers Cheiron, on the ground, struggling under fallen gym equipment. He's been through the wringer (but not broken or bloody).
Cheiron!
(genuine relief)
Hercules! You're safe! Thank the Fates!
Hercules rushes to dig out Cheiron from the fallen gym equipment.
Cheiron! What happened? Where is everyone?
A dark presence, sent by the gods, swept through the academy, stealing the cadets. I was nearly lost, too, until you woke up --
Why? Why didn't it take me, too?
I've heard tales of this before. The gods have caused a dark force to enter our world from your own dream.
Something from my dream did this?!
It looks to be the work of the god Morpheus. And I fear the cadets are lost forever.
Off Hercules' horrified look --
WIPE TO:
EXT. MORPHEUS' BARGE - MISTY LIMBO - CONTINUOUS
Ares is gloating. Morpheus, always up for a good deal, can't resist asking a few questions: as they peer through a special crystal "porthole" in the side of the barge.
Interesting technique. You used Hercules' own nightmare to kidnap his friends into the Dream World.
Phase one complete.
Physical presence in the Dream World is pretty tricky stuff. People get hurt, ya know.
Like I care about those mortals. So long as Hercules goes in to rescue them. Which he will. Count on that.
Even if he does try to rescue his friends, you can't mess with him directly. Zeus' special order and all.
Ares waves a hand dismissively.
I didn't kidnap those cadets. And I don't have to mess with Hercules. I'll just let his own worst nightmare keep doing the dirty work for me.
(sighs) Some nightmares have all the fun.
INT. ACADEMY - TRAINING HALL (REALITY)
Cheiron, his left arm in a field sling, quickly scans, rejects several scrolls, looking for some information. Hercules continues to put away strewn gym equipment, fetch a water jug for Cheiron, anxious to do something, anything to help his friends.
There's got to be more information in here somewhere!
(finds something) Ah! 'Embrace your greatest fear...'
As Cheiron reads, his face falls. The information he found is not good.
I don't understand. What did I ever do to Morpheus?
Perhaps nothing. But sometimes the gods work together. Morpheus has been known to trade now and again for his services.
This smells like something one of my relatives would do. I have to go into the Dream World and get everyone back.
Cheiron gestures with the scroll he's been reading.
You're not going there. Travelers to the Dream World don't come back. We'll have to find another way to rescue the cadets --
What do you mean?
Cheiron gestures to the scrolls.
Stories passed down in my kindra. Those who traveled into the Dream World before you. Their greatest fears were all made real and destroyed them there.
Whatever it is I can beat it --
It's not a simple fight. You must be prepared to confront whatever terrifies you most and then embrace it.
Embrace it?
To destroy it would be to destroy a part of yourself. So tell me, what are you most afraid of?
If people I care about are hurt because of me. And that's already happened.
Cheiron considers, decides. He gestures for Hercules to lie down on a small bench. Cheiron consults a scroll.
(anxious)
Once you enter your own Dream World, I may not able to recall you to this one.
Hercules gives a tight shake of his head.
(softer)
I won't come back without the others anyway. So help me. Please.
The vortex that drew the cadets into your Dream World is their only way back through.
(to himself)
Back through the vortex. Got it.
Concentrate on the still surface of the water. Breathe as I tell you to.
Cheiron pours some water from a jug into a rough cup and holds it in front of Hercules.
(slowly)
Now breathe.... again... again...
INT. ACADEMY - DORM - CONTINUOUS (DREAMSCAPE)
Hercules starts to nod off. Suddenly he jerks his head awake.
Cheiron? I don't think it's working --
Hercules looks around. He's back in his bed in the dorms. He sits up.
But I could be wrong.
Directly above his head, hands appear to "press against" the wall as if it were elastic (like the 1st "Nightmare on Elm Street"). The hands stretch down and grab him on the shoulders, startling him and causing him to spin around. Hercules slams his fist right into the wall before he can catch himself; he punches a hole in the now solid surface (perhaps it explodes in a puff of powder). Before he can withdraw his fist, it's grabbed by something on the other side. Using all his strength, Hercules fights back, yanking his arm back as hard as he can. He slowly extracts his arm, pulling out a long vaporous TRAIL OF BLACK SMOKE with it. The black smoke forms into the hooded Figure (Dark Hercules). Hercules watches in amazement.
You!
Hercules lunges at the Figure, but the Figure rushes out the dorm doorway. Hercules gives chase.
INT. KORA'S INN - CONTINUOUS - (DREAMSCAPE)
Hercules rushes through the door, only to catch himself, realizing he's suddenly in Kora's Inn and not the dorm hallway where he should be.
What? Kora's place? How'd I get here? Lilith!
To his relief he sees Lilith walk by with a tray. He rushes over as she sets down a bowl of food at an empty table. There's no one else in the place.
Lilith! Am I glad to see you! Are you all right? Where are the others?
They're with me. In the dark place. Help us, Hercules...
She moves toward him, then stops, frightened.
(suddenly terrified)
No! Hercules! Don't! Get away from me!
What?! What's wrong?!
Hercules looks down and is startled to see what his hands are covered with spiders. He immediately shakes them off (they crawl away), then he looks back up at Lilith, who's no longer there. Instead, the shadowy Dark Figure stands there, silent.
(startled GASP)
No, Lilith! Wait! I won't hurt you --
You can't promise that!
Hercules looks around, startled. When he looks back, the Dark Figure is gone. Suddenly Iolaus' hand claws upward from a grate in the floor of the inn. Hercules hurries over.
Iolaus?! Wait! Let me get you out!
Down in the grate, we can see Iolaus in a small holding pit. Suddenly water starts to pour in. Iolaus becomes increasingly frantic as he claws helplessly at the grating above him.
No! Go away! You can't help me! You put me here!
No! No, I didn't! I couldn't! I just got here! I came to help you!
Hercules tugs hard at the grating. With a mighty yank he pulls it out of the floor. But when he looks back into the pit, Iolaus is gone. The dark figure stands there instead.
Iolaus!!
INT. ACADEMY - TRAINING HALL - RESUME CHEIRON (REALITY)
Cheiron keeps watch over Hercules, and reads from ancient scrolls.
Remember, Hercules. Embrace your greatest fear. Embrace your greatest fear...
INT. KORA'S INN - RESUME (DREAMSCAPE)
Hercules paws at the water in the pit, but both Iolaus and the Dark Figure are gone.
Iolaus! Where are you?!
(recorded backwards phonetically, played forward)
Ruf tse-tayrg roar sayrb-may. Ruf tse-tayrg roar sayrb-may.
(so played forward it comes out:) Embrace your greatest fear. Embrace your greatest fear.
Hercules turns around. Relief floods his face as Jason walks over to him. But there's something odd about Jason's movements: he's walking "backwards" (like in the Red Room Dream sequence in Twin Peaks: everything is performed "backwards", and then the tape is played forwards: movements look jerky and disjointed. Even speech is recited "backwards", then played forward).
(relief)
Jason!
(recorded backwards)
Ruf tse-tayrg roar sayrb-may.
(played forward:) Embrace your greatest fear.
Embrace my greatest fear?
Hercules moves towards Jason. The Dark Figure steps out from behind Jason and waves his hand. Jason lets out an ANGUISHED CRY. Suddenly Jason disappears in a burst of sparks and mist. The Dark Figure vanishes.
No!
He pauses as he hears an O.S. CRY. It's his mother, Alcmene. (NOTE: Alcmene is never seen.)
Mother?!
Hercules spins around, trying to locate the source of the sound. He accidentally upsets the bowl of food Lilith set down at the top of the scene. Instead of food, bugs and oil spill onto the floor. The oil forms an arrow, pointing toward the door. The black arrow "roils" up, covering the door.
Mother! I'm coming!
Hercules takes off running straight for the door, yanking it open and hurtling out into -- Nothing. Hercules falls into a black abyss.
Aaaaaahhh!
FADE OUT.
Act Two
FADE IN:
INT. BLACK VOID - CONTINUOUS (DREAMSCAPE)
Hercules continues to tumble down through the black void; CRYING OUT as he goes.
INTERCUT:
INT. ACADEMY - TRAINING HALL - SAME TIME (REALITY)
Cheiron watches Hercules twitch and jerk.
Remember, this is a dream! This is a dream!
INT. BLACK VOID - SAME TIME (DREAMSCAPE)
In the black void, Hercules falls.
This is only a dream...
Hercules closes his eyes and concentrates.
This is only a dream...
INT. ACADEMY - TRAINING HALL - CONTINUOUS (DREAMSCAPE)
Hercules lands with a hard THUMP on the ground, shakes himself and looks around. Hercules stares in confusion, then shakes it off when he again hears his mother CRYING.
Mother!!
Hercules spins around and sees a hooded FIGURE, BACK TO CAMERA, leaning against some athletic equipment. Hercules rushes over.
Mother! Are you all right? What's wrong?!
The Figure turns around. It's not Alcmene; it's the Dark Hercules! He smiles sinisterly.
Nothing's wrong. Except I'm not your mother!
Hercules takes a step back to brace himself.
(to himself)
This is a dream. This is all a dream.
For you, maybe. Try telling that to them.
Suddenly the hall is full: the missing Cadets (including Jason, Iolaus and Lilith) are clinging to ropes suspended from the ceiling, frantic to avoid the fire that now erupts out of the floor (bottomless fiery pit).
Hercules!/Help us!/Little help here!
Dark Hercules yanks a staff off the wall and tosses it into the flames. It explodes (to prove how serious the fire is). Hercules looks on at the others, horrified.
EXT. MORPHEUS' BARGE - MISTY LIMBO - SAME TIME (REALITY)
Ares is watching Hercules sleep and thrash through a special crystal "porthole" in the side of the barge. He's very happy.
(elated)
YES!
In his exuberance he unleashes an energy bolt that just barely misses Morpheus.
Watch it! Some of us are trying to work here!
(cocky)
So I owe you one.
Noted. How's your nightmare working out?
Beyond my wildest dreams! This is too good. I want to get closer.
Morpheus gestures grandly.
So go, enjoy it!
With that, Ares "winks" out. The Morpheus shakes his head.
(muttering; re: Ares)
Jerk.
INT. ACADEMY - TRAINING HALL - SAME TIME (DREAMSCAPE)
Dark Hercules grabs a staff from the wall; Hercules does the same. They go at each other as the Cadets struggle on the ropes.
Who are you?! Why are you doing this?! Why are you destroying the people I care about?
Because I can! Because it's fun! Because I like it!
Who are you?
Look in the mirror!
You think you're some part of me? No way!
'Some' part? I'm the best part!
The part that hurts without regret? That fights without feelings? That's nothing!
You could say he's your worst nightmare!
Hercules spins around. Sure enough, there's Ares, come to gloat.
Ares?!
Don't mind me. I just came to cheer on the winner. Guess who I'm betting on?
Hercules!
ANGLE - IOLAUS
as he starts to slip from his rope.
Iolaus!
Hercules scans the room.
Where's the vortex?! Cheiron said it would be here!
Hercules takes a deep breath, calming himself.
(chanting)
This is my dream. I'm in control.
As he says this, he hurtles his own staff into the flames. With a dramatic burst of smoke and sparks, the flames blow out, revealing the vortex.
Quick, everyone! There's the way back!
No!
Hercules turns on him as the Cadets start to make their way down the ropes. (Iolaus and Jason will be the last two to go).
This is my dream. I'm in charge here!
Don't tell me. Tell him!
Ares tosses a large sword to the Dark Hercules, who snags it and rushes towards Hercules. Dark Hercules slices at the air just as Hercules knocks a balance beam back, knocking the sword out of Dark Herc's hand. Hercules swings back on a knotted climbing rope and lands near the Dark Herc. They wrestle. Ares kicks the sword within Dark Herc's reach but Hercules grabs it instead.
Not bad. Let's see if you can beat your own worst nightmare --
Hercules raises the sword and is about to skewer Dark Herc.
'Embrace your greatest fear...'
Hercules, reacting to the sound of Cheiron's VOICE, tosses the sword aside and faces Dark Herc.
You! You're my greatest fear! All the evil things I'm capable of!
Dark Hercules takes this opportunity to roll out from under Hercules and knock him backwards.
(to Dark Herc)
Don't you see?! You and I are part of each other! If I finish you or you finish me, we'll both disappear!
Tell you what. You stay here in the dream world and I'll just see what fun I can have on the Other Side.
Dark Hercules grabs a rope tied to the wall and swings out towards the center of the vortex. (Jason and Iolaus are the last two left; they're waiting for Hercules.)
Oh, no you don't!
You're not going anywhere, pal!
Iolaus and Jason swing at Dark Hercules, (all three are on ropes). Dark Hercules is knocked away from the vortex, landing near Hercules.
'Embrace your greatest fear.' Forget spiders, or water, or fire! You're my greatest fear!
(short laugh)
You have no idea!
I can't destroy you! You're a part of me! But that's all you are. A part! You're not in charge! I am!
That's what you think...
Hercules kicks the handle of the sword that was dropped earlier, flipping it up then grabbing the handle. Dark Hercules pauses. But rather than attack, Hercules calmly tosses over the sword to Dark Hercules.
Hercules holds out his arms as he slowly steps toward Dark Hercules.
We need each other! Don't you get it?
Dark Hercules softens slightly.
I thought you hated me.
I don't. And I'm not afraid of you now, either.
Hercules embraces Dark Hercules.
There's a burst of smoke and sparks. We lose sight of Jason and Iolaus. On the sidelines, Ares throws his fist in the air.
Yes! He did it! Hercules destroyed himself!!
Suddenly, the vortex dissipates. There, on the ground in a heap, is Hercules. Dark Herc is gone, but his cape lies on the floor, empty. Hercules smiles at an angry Ares.
You forgot one thing, Ares. It's called 'inner strength,' and it's what I use -- it's what everyone uses -- to face our fears and overcome them!
No!
I think I hear my wake-up call...
Ares "winks" out as Hercules "fades" out.
EXT. MORPHEUS' BARGE - MISTY LIMBO - MOMENTS LATER (REALITY)
Quick moment with Morpheus and an angry Ares who suddenly "winks" in.
Okay. Show's over.
I was this close! This close to getting rid of Hercules!
Stick to your swords, God of War, and leave the dreams to me.
INT. ACADEMY - DORM (REALITY)
Hercules awakens, and is thrilled to see the Cadets all made it out safely. They crowd close, especially Jason and Iolaus.
Hercules!/You made it back!/Thank the Fates!
Cheiron appears in the doorway, approaches.
(deep relief)
You've returned to us.
Thanks to you. If I had destroyed my own dark side, I would have destroyed myself.
None of us are without our dark sides. Each time we choose right from wrong or good from bad, we've been tested. Controlling those impulses is the key. You did well, Hercules. I'm proud of you.
It's good to be back.
Cadets, we have had much excitement for one night. Morning bells won't sound for another hour. Everyone back to sleep.
'Back to sleep'? You think that's such a good idea?
They filter out of the dorm into the hallway, stretching anxiously.
I'm not really sleepy./How 'bout an early swim?/Anyone wanna play a quick round of bag ball?
FADE OUT.
