FADE IN: INT. ROYAL RESIDENCE - EVENING The inside of the temporary queen's residence is large and airy. There is a rich carpet on the floor, and well made wooden furniture. A huge wardrobe stands against one wall. Against the other wall is a dressing table, full of silver and gold beauty accessories such as brushes and mirrors. Above the dresser is a large, oval mirror, lined in gold trim. A silver and crystal candelabra hangs from the roof, its candles already lit. Equally ornate candle sconces are on the wall, also lit. In an alcove stands a canopied bed, with silk bedding and lace curtains. Despite the splendor, there is an air of un-use about the room. It is as though it is a model, not meant to be really used by anyone or lived in. The silver and gold accessories appear as would props. The door opens, and Escobar enters, with Xena behind him. ESCOBAR Here is your place to sleep. Isn't it wonderful? Xena walks to the center of the room and turns in a circle. Dressed in her leathers and armor, Xena does not look like she fits in this room. XENA Nice. But what's all the frills for?

Escobar seems to understand her point. ESCOBAR Well, it's expected. If you are our queen, you must look like one. XENA (dubiously) All this for a day? Escobar goes to the wardrobe and throws it open. ESCOBAR Our laws are as much about ceremony as they are about rules. Part of the tradition is the....  Um.... XENA Pomp and ceremony. ESCOBAR I suppose. You must choose what you would wear tomorrow and put it on so you can be presented to the people tonight. Escobar studies Xena, seeming to doubt himself for the first time. ESCOBAR (cont’d) Please choose wisely. Escobar leaves. Xena drops her sack on the carpet and wanders around the room, examining the draping on the bed and the silver brushes. Then she goes to the wardrobe and studies her choices. XENA Well, well.

Xena removes a few gowns. They are surprisingly sophisticated, and quite gorgeous. Xena examines them with a look of speculation. XENA (cont’d) This could be fun after all. CUT TO: INT. ROYAL RESIDENCE - NIGHT Gabrielle stands near the window of the grand room, looking out over the town. She is dressed in one of the fine gowns, in a deep shade of purple red. She is also draped in various bits of jewelry, and she has silver and colored enamel flowers threaded through her hair. Xena enters the room and slams the door, storming across the room in a high state of annoyance. She is wearing a stunning dress in blue, has her hair piled high and laced with pearls, and is carrying a set of elbow length gloves.

XENA Those little sons of bacchaes with their damn curling this and curling that.... Gabrielle turns to watch her. At the same moment, Xena sees Gabrielle, and they both stop and stare at each other. GABRIELLE (blinking) Wow. Xena's freight train of indignation realizes it hasn't been invented yet and disappears in a flash. Xena's pace goes from irritated stomping to seductive swagger as she reacts to Gabrielle's admiration and crosses to her. XENA Ahh. Flattery will get you everywhere. So you like this, huh?

Gabrielle reaches up and touches one curl of dark hair that has escaped the confines of the silver tiara on Xena's head.

GABRIELLE Yes, I do. Xena steps to one side, then circles Gabrielle, examining her new outfit. She stops behind her, then grins and continues around again to face Gabrielle. Gabrielle remains still, though her eyes follow Xena as much as possible. XENA Likewise. Xena touches the tiny flower garlands threaded through Gabrielle's hair. Then she takes Gabrielle's hand, and they twirl each other around, ending facing each other again, both hands clasped. Gabrielle looks up at Xena and smiles. GABRIELLE You are beautiful. Xena is briefly silent, then smiles back. XENA First time you told me that, you were stoned off your mind on henbane.

GABRIELLE (chuckling warmly) Yeah, but I meant it. Xena's expression is fond, yet slightly wistful as she remembers. XENA I know. Gabrielle pulls Xena closer and they kiss. Time passes. Candles burn lower. A few stars come out. The door bursts open, and Escobar enters, flanked by several others. They all stop short on seeing Xena and Gabrielle. After a moment, Xena and Gabrielle finish what they're doing, and they look up at the intruders. WOMAN Oh. That kind of pair. Xena frowns. Gabrielle smirks. GABRIELLE Were you expecting fruit? XENA (under her breath) Fruit? Escobar waves a hand at the woman to shush her. ESCOBAR Never mind all that. The townsfolk have assembled in the hall. Xena, Gabrielle, are you ready? XENA You have no idea how ready I am.

Gabrielle hastily muffles a laugh. They follow Escobar out of the room. CUT TO: INT. TOWN HALL - NIGHT In the big hall, the entire town has apparently assembled. The room is very crowded - every seat is taken, and there are many people standing against the walls. This is evidently an Occasion. The men and women are dressed in their best clothes, whatever those happen to be. Some of the people are very obviously well off. Others are less so, and most of those who are less so are standing against the walls. Down the center of the room, a path has been cleared, and a thick carpet lain down. It leads up to the platform, and it has been lined with ceremonial flowers. The two wide doors in the back open and Escobar enters. He waits for everyone to turn and look at him before he speaks. ESCOBAR My fellow citizens, I present to you our queen for this year's Judging Day. Xena and Gabrielle enter. The crowd falls silent as they walk up the carpet. Xena keeps her eyes forward, but Gabrielle looks around her, catching the eyes of various onlookers. As Xena and Gabrielle walk forward, the crowd surges closer to them to get a better look. MAN Welcome! WOMAN Oh! How lovely! Malcos is standing at the very front, in a place of obvious privilege. He edges forward, and steps on the carpet itself, blocking Xena's passage briefly. MALCOS Our town is grateful for your offer of service, Queen Xena. Xena's face twitches at the sound of that. XENA Don't mention it.

MALCOS I, myself, am looking forward to your judgments. Gabrielle notices that several of the people near the rear of the room are trying to push their way forward. The more richly dressed townsfolk in the front shove them back, glaring at them. XENA Thanks. Malcos steps back and Xena keeps walking.  Instead of following Xena up onto the platform, Gabrielle stops and stands near the edge of the step while Xena continues on. Escobar hurries to keep up with her. ESCOBAR According to our custom, tomorrow everyone who has a complaint against his or her neighbor will bring it here, for Queen Xena to judge. The crowd, at least the ones in the front applaud. Xena regards them with wary bemusement. XENA You might want to save that until you hear my decisions.

The crowd laughs, uncertainly. ESCOBAR (hastily) I am sure whatever they are, will be a relief for all. Many have issues that have been awaiting decision all year. MAN IN FAR REAR Yes! It's about time. The man's neighbors hush him. He is shoved back. Xena notices, and her eyebrows go up. Malcos steps forward to distract her. MALCOS To welcome you, Queen Xena, I have prepared a feast in your honor. Please join us! Another round of applause. Escobar looks uncertainly at Malcos, but shrugs. ESCOBAR Many wish to see the queen, Malcos. MALCOS (smoothly) Of course! All are welcome. Escobar seems mollified by this. The crowd starts to stir around and a buzz of conversation arises. ESCOBAR Well, all right. We can continue over there... our guests must be hungry. Excellent suggestion, Malcos! Thank you for your hospitality! MALCOS (bowing) It is my great pleasure. Queen Xena, will you come with me, please? Malcos holds out his arm. Xena studies him up and down, then she exchanges a look with Gabrielle before she accepts the offer. XENA Sure. Sounds great. Gabrielle, why don't you.... GABRIELLE Catch up with you later. Go on. Malcos leads Xena out, smirking. The crowd starts to follow, the better dressed clustering around them as Escobar pushes to get in front himself. Gabrielle lets the crowd move past her, observing that the poorer dressed townsfolk stay behind. GABRIELLE (cont’d) (softly) Sooomething smells fishy here. (looking around) And I doubt it's his banquet.

CUT TO: EXT. TOWN SQUARE - NIGHT The crowd moves across the square, splitting to avoid the well as they head towards Malco's residence. It is above his mercantile, and already the windows are lit with torches, and the sound of music can be heard. MALCOS I am sure our customs seem strange to you. XENA Waiting a year to get an answer on something? Yeah. Not my style. MALCOS No, I would have guessed that. Xena looks at him. Malcos smiles, but does not continue. XENA Don't you find it... frustrating? ESCOBAR (laughing) Oh, well.  Not really.... WOMAN Yes! Everyone looks at her in horror. WOMAN (cont’d) I'm not afraid to tell the truth! Yes, it's maddening! My quarrel with Amaina over the dress she made for me has gone the entire year! ESCOBAR Seetha.... MAN It starts off well, Queen Xena. Don't let Seetha's impatience fool you. After the cleansing, life is kind and wonderful for many months. MALCOS Until cases start to pile up. Xena nods. MAN And then as the time comes closer and closer, things get.... ESCOBAR (sighing) Frustrating. XENA I see. MAN Until by this time of the year, all are at the edge of... of.... XENA Homicide?

MALCOS Certainly not! We are not a violent people! The crowd murmurs agreement, seeming a bit embarrassed. They walk up the steps to Malco's hall, and as they reach it, the doors are flung open and they are greeted with bright light, music, and the smell of a banquet. XENA So, none of these cases are violent? MALCOS No no no. XENA No fights, no knock downs, no broken noses? ESCOBAR Absolutely not. We do not believe in using force to solve our problems. Xena looks at Escobar, then she looks at Malcos. XENA Boy, did you pick the wrong queen. Xena shakes her head, and walks inside, heading for the bar. Escobar and Malcos look at each other in shock. CUT TO: INT. TOWN HALL - NIGHT - SAME TIME Gabrielle remains where she is, taking a seat on the edge of the platform. The poorer residents realize she is there, and they slowly start to gather around her, seeming a little suspicious. MAN Aren't you going to join your friend? GABRIELLE Eventually. I was just trying to figure out how this all works.

WOMAN (snorting) So you can laugh at us? Gabrielle looks at her. GABRIELLE No... I mean, sure, the custom's a little odd, but.... MAN Custom? Yeah, right. We were hoping maybe this year....  Escobar made so many promises when he was trying to become the chief seeker.... Gabrielle's ears perk up. GABRIELLE Okay. Then why don't you tell me about it? MAN (suspiciously) Why should we? You're just one more in a long series of their pawns. Gabrielle stands up and walks over to him. She is shorter than he is, but as she faces him, something changes slightly in her stance, and whatever that something is, makes the man back off a step. GABRIELLE (forcefully) I'm no one's pawn. (pausing) If there's something going on here, and you want our help, then start talking.

There is fear in the room, and Gabrielle is aware of it. WOMAN Why should we trust you? We can't pay you anything. GABRIELLE Try me. What have you got to lose? The small group looks at each other uncertainly. Gabrielle merely stands and waits. She folds her arms. She raises her eyebrows.  She waits.  Finally, the men and women cluster around her, hiding her from view, and all start to talk at once. CUT TO: INT. ROYAL RESIDENCE - VERY LATE NIGHT Gabrielle sits on the bed in a nightshirt, rubbing her toes. She looks up as the door slams open and Xena stalks in, looking like a lovely, if highly dangerous wild peacock. Xena kicks off her shoes and almost nails the wall with them, then impatiently takes off the gown, leaving her almost naked by the time she gets to the bed. GABRIELLE Hey....  Nice of you to bring me back dessert. Xena stops, and cocks her head, looking at Gabrielle in puzzlement. XENA What?

Gabrielle looks her up and down, and smiles. Xena clucks her tongue and sits down next to Gabrielle, raking her fingers through her hair and releasing it to fall around her shoulders as she removes the tiara and twirls it around her finger. XENA (cont’d) I've had more entertaining evenings mucking stables. Where did you disappear to? GABRIELLE I went to the real town, so I could talk to the real people there. Xena regards her with wry surprise. XENA That bad, eh? GABRIELLE It's a crock, Xena. The whole thing’s a farce. The only reason they do this is to legitimize the rich people taking everything from the poor ones, and not having to get in trouble for it. Xena tosses the tiara and rings a candle with it. She leans on her hands and frowns. XENA How? The judge is supposed to be impartial. GABRIELLE Apparently they haven't found one that's impartial to dinars yet. (pausing) The poor folks can't prove it, but they say every time they try to bring up a case against the town leaders, they get ruled against.

XENA Maybe they don't have a good case. GABRIELLE Maybe horses talk, and we just don't hear them. Xena chuckles softly under her breath. XENA What's the point then, Gabrielle? Why don't the poor people just leave? Nothing's holding them here. GABRIELLE (quietly) It's their home. It's not easy to just turn your back on that and walk away. They both fall briefly silent. Then Xena gets up and exchanges her underthings for the nightshirt Gabrielle has left lying over the back of a chair. XENA Gonna be a long day tomorrow. GABRIELLE For them or us?

Xena returns to the bed and lies down on it, stretching out on her side and propping her head up on one hand. XENA Well, they're not gonna pay *me* off, Gabrielle. Gabrielle lies down next to her, in the same posture. GABRIELLE This could get very complicated. (smiling) But at least it won't be dangerous, for a change. Xena reaches over and hooks the front of Gabrielle's shirt, pulling her closer. XENA Not for us, you mean. They kiss, and Xena reaches up to release the curtains as they embrace. The curtains drop, obscuring them from view. CUT TO: EXT. ROYAL RESIDENCE - LATE NIGHT Two shadowy figures stand outside, watching the window above them. A very soft echo of Xena and Gabrielle's laughter drifts down to them. SHADOW 1 This one could be trouble. SHADOW 2 Damn that Escobar. I knew we shouldn't have picked him. SHADOW 1 Let's meet with the rest. We have to have a plan. The two shadowy figures skulk away. FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO