FADE IN: EXT. FOREST CAMPSITE - NEAR SUNSET Xena and Gabrielle sit near their fire, wrapped in the odd linen shifts they seem to use as towels, underwear, beachwear, and crucifixion gear. The villagers are sitting around the fire, on the other side. XENA Look. I'm flattered. (pausing) But there's no way.... Gabrielle takes Xena's hand in hers, and distracts her by squeezing it. GABRIELLE Xena.... ESCOBAR It is only for a day. Please, won't you help us? This is a tradition of our village, going back many, many years. You would be only the latest of those who have given this one day to our cause. XENA I said....
	GABRIELLE Xena. She looks at the villagers. GABRIELLE (cont’d) Would you excuse us for a minute? The villagers look at each other, then they get up and walk off into the thick forest, but not far enough to disappear. They watch the shadows nervously. GABRIELLE (cont’d) Xena, listen. Xena growls. GABRIELLE (cont’d) Save it for someone who doesn't wash your underwear. She smiles impishly at Xena's startled and bemused expression. GABRIELLE (cont’d) Look, remember what we were talking about? Leadership? Here's a chance to see which one of us is right. You try your way, I'll try my way.... It'll be fun. XENA FUN? GABRIELLE Did you have something else planned for tomorrow? C'mon. It's only one day. Xena sighs. XENA This whole things a setup, isn't it? How'd you manage it? GABRIELLE Setup? I haven't been out of your sight for a month! Get real!
	XENA I had to sleep sometime. Gabrielle just laughs and shakes her head. Xena throws her hands up in defeat. XENA (cont’d) Okay, fine. One day. How bad could it be? Gabrielle motions the villagers over. GABRIELLE Guys, you got a queen. The villagers look extremely pleased. They nod and smile and Escobar seems especially happy. ESCOBAR Excellent! Wonderful! Our village is just over the ridge. If you would be so kind as to follow us, I will bring you to the queen's residence. Xena glances around at the campsite and shrugs, seemingly reconciled to the idea. XENA Gotta have a softer bed than this place. Xena and Gabrielle start packing up their gear, as the villagers eagerly 'help.' One man goes to pick up Xena's sword. Xena boots his hand out of the way, then boots the man gently away from her stuff. XENA (cont’d) Don't touch anything. You could get hurt. Gabrielle twirls her sais and seats them into her boots. She is grinning. ESCOBAR Come, and I will have everything made ready, and prepare your gowns, and.... Xena looks over her shoulder and cocks and eyebrow at him. XENA What?
	GABRIELLE (chortling softly) Oh, I'm gonna love this. I just know it. Xena tosses her bag to her, and they start off. Xena is shaking her head. She is beginning to suspect she's been had. CUT TO: EXT. TOWN SQUARE - EARLY EVENING The town is a very good size one. There are cobble lined streets, and several of them are lined with well made houses. It is obvious this place is prosperous. The town square has a big hall on one side, a two story inn on a second, what appears to be a mercantile on the third, and on the fourth side is what in this place passes for a mansion. It has three stories, and is meticulously kept. The gates are polished, and the walk is lined with scrupulously trimmed hedging. Townsfolk walk back and forth, most of them well dressed. They spot Escobar returning, and everyone stops to watch as the group troops into the square triumphantly with their prize. Xena and Gabrielle are in the center of them, and as Xena is spotted, a crowd starts to gather to point and stare. Escobar goes to the center of the square, where there is a very large community well, and a bell set into a wooden structure over it. With a theatrical flourish, he picks up a wooden striker and tolls the bell three times. XENA (under her breath) Wanna guess what that's for?
	GABRIELLE (clearing throat) Hope it's the dinner bell. Xena rests her arm on Gabrielle's shoulder and shakes her head. She appears amused. XENA Some things never change. Escobar walks over and rejoins the group, then he leads them towards the large hall. CUT TO: INT. TOWN HALL - EARLY EVENING Xena and Gabrielle look around as they enter the hall. As in much of the rest of the town, it appears well built and well kept. There are seats for many people, and on one end is a raised platform. On top of the platform has been constructed what appears to be a judge's bench. ESCOBAR Welcome. (clearing throat) I should explain our traditions before we go further. XENA Great idea. Xena takes a seat on one of the trestle tables and waves her hand at him to continue. Gabrielle wanders around the room examining the wall's painted decorations. She is also listening, however. ESCOBAR Well.... A man enters. He is dressed very richly, and has a gray beard and moustache. He crosses to where they are, and studies Xena briefly before making a slight bow in her direction. ESCOBAR (cont’d) Malcos, I was just going to explain to our royal guest.... MALCOS So I see. Malcos flicks hand at Escobar. MALCOS (cont’d) So you are the one he has found. What is your name, child? Xena's eyes nearly come out of her head. She gets up and walks over to him, leaning over him until he backs up several steps. XENA The name's Xena, grandpa.
	MALCOS Xena. That's a very interesting name. Do you hale from these parts? It seems familiar, somehow. Escobar interjects his body between them, and steers Xena back towards the trestle tables. ESCOBAR Malcos, there will be time later for you to speak with our guest. Reluctantly, Malcos leaves. Gabrielle watches him go, then she turns and goes to sit next to Xena on the table. ESCOBAR (cont’d) As I was saying....  It is our tradition that once every year, all the crimes and the troubles of our town are judged. Gabrielle's jaw drops slightly. Xena appears surprised. GABRIELLE You mean... you have no law otherwise? ESCOBAR Yes. We used to have soldiers and a magistrate long ago, but they became too expensive, and the soldiers would often fight.  We decided on this way, so that during the year there is peace, and all know they must bring their disagreements up to one place, at one time. Xena and Gabrielle exchange glances. GABRIELLE Wow. There must be a lot to do that one day.
	ESCOBAR Not really. He turns to Xena. ESCOBAR (cont’d) You will have perhaps a score of cases to hear tomorrow. We are a peace loving, prosperous place. XENA A score? You sure you're not all just dead? The men and women in white chuckle nervously. ESCOBAR It must seem strange to you, but it is true. We use tradition and ceremony to ensure harmony and justice. Even Gabrielle appears dubious. GABRIELLE Sounds... perfect.  But.... I mean, what if someone does something like....  Well, if they kill someone. Escobar frowns. ESCOBAR We are not that kind of people. Xena rolls her eyes. Gabrielle scratches her jaw. ESCOBAR (cont’d) But if that were to happen, day after tomorrow, yes. That person would wait to be judged until the time of reckoning comes again. (pausing) So now that you understand our ways, come. I will take you to your place of honor. Xena and Gabrielle look at each other, then they both shake their heads at the same time. Xena picks up her bag and slings it over her shoulder, and follows Escobar out. Gabrielle remains perched on the trestle table. The remaining white clad women and men look back at her. They seem uncomfortable. GABRIELLE So. She picks out one at random. GABRIELLE (cont’d) What's your name?
	The woman she is pointing at looks around, as though she has no idea who Gabrielle is speaking to, then she realizes it is her. WOMAN Oh. My name? It's Clarissae. GABRIELLE So.. what kind of problems are we looking at here, tomorrow? Street thieves? Stolen cows? What? MAN (under breath) We? CLARIESSAE Not... Really. It's more like.... WOMAN Jothan's youngest son insulted the miller's daughter. MAN Yeah, and then there's the innkeeper.... CLARIESSAE Oh yeah.... WOMAN The miller accused her of charging too much for his bread. GABRIELLE Uh huh... What else? The men and women gathered more closely around her, they are more animated now and less wary. MAN The mayor's dog bit my mother. She's suing. WOMAN Don't forget the witch. Gabrielle starts. GABRIELLE Witch?
	CLARIESSAE Malcos is convinced she cursed his store. He's owns the big one across from here. It's needed a new roof, and the shelves all fell down.... Gabrielle holds her hands up. GABRIELLE Okay...  I get it. Thanks. One of you want to take me wherever it is they took Xena? CLARIESSAE Um... Well.... You can't. GABRIELLE Excuse me? The men and women look at each other. MAN It's your friend who was chosen. No one sees the judge before the judging. It's the law. Gabrielle hops off the table. GABRIELLE Hmm. That may be your law. Let me let you in on me and Xena's law.
	CLARIESSAE But.... GABRIELLE Where Xena goes, I go. You don't get one of us and not the other. We come like a pair of boots. CLARIESSAE But.... GABRIELLE Pair of shoes? Team of horses? Salt and pepper? A set of oars? MAN Uh... okay.... GABRIELLE Two peas in a pod? Two ruts in the road? CLARIESSAE (covering ears) OKAY! Okay... we'll take you over there. Just don't say I didn't warn you. It's against our laws, and.... GABRIELLE And we can judge ourselves on that tomorrow, right? The men and women look at each other in some confusion, but eventually troop out, leading Gabrielle out the door. FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE