FADE IN: EXT. STABLE - MORNING Xena and Gabrielle are at the stable, preparing for the journey to Paradise. Ersep stands in the shadows watching as Xena inspects each horse as she saddles them up. XENA The horses look good. The animals whinny and nod in unison. Gabrielle chuckles softly as she watches them prance proudly in place. GABRIELLE How did you get their coats to shine so nicely, Ersep? Ersep steps out from the shadows and holds out the brush he used on them and a jar of cream. ERSEP Vicus gave me this to use on his team of horses. I didn’t give it back. Xena takes the jar and sniffs cautiously and then hands it back to Ersep. Her curiosity is aroused. XENA Did he say what is in it?

ERSEP No, he said he made it himself. He just told me to use it on his horses only. XENA Well, maybe he’ll share his secret. Xena looks over at Gabrielle who is already in her saddle. XENA (cont’d) Ersep, make sure your mother does those exercises I showed her, okay? Ersep nods eagerly. ERSEP She’s going to be able to walk again, isn’t she? GABRIELLE ... and dance too! Xena mounts Argo II and they wave goodbye to Ersep. CUT TO: EXT. ROAD TO PARADISE - MID MORNING Xena and Gabrielle are half way to Paradise. There is a large wagon train of people with wagons full of household goods, children, old people, and an assortment of farm animals. GABRIELLE It looks like a whole town is moving. Gabrielle trots over to the last wagon in the group and focuses on the young man driving the wagon. As she approaches she notices that the man’s wife doesn’t look all that happy. GABRIELLE (cont’d) Hi. Nice day. YOUNG MAN Yes, it is and it will be better when we get to Paradise, won’t it, Sela? Sela begins to speak, but changes her mind when she sees her husband’s stern expression. GABRIELLE Oh? Are you camping there tonight?

YOUNG MAN No, we’re going to be settling there.  We all are. GABRIELLE Wow. That’s a lot of people to be setting up homes for. Is Paradise able to handle all of you? YOUNG MAN Yes. Already got our land selected and paid for. GABRIELLE Oh, so you’ve been there before? YOUNG MAN Well, no.  But, it looks like a really good spot from the map. Xena rides up in time to overhear the map reference and looks at Gabrielle. GABRIELLE You bought land you’ve never seen? YOUNG MAN Sure. We all did. We couldn’t pass up such a good deal. XENA Who sold you the land? YOUNG MAN It was the town founder; a man by the name of Vicus. Xena catches Gabrielle’s eye again and motions for them move ahead of the wagon train. They clear the front wagons, and Xena picks up the pace until they are a good distance ahead of the train. XENA Anything smell a little rotten to you? GABRIELLE Smell? Xena, it reeks! Who would buy land they never saw?

XENA Evidently a lot of people. Xena looks back over her shoulder at the wagon train now barely visible. XENA (cont’d) C’mon, let’s get to Paradise. FADE TO: EXT. CREST OF ROAD OVERLOOKING A TOWN - LATE AFTERNOON Gabrielle and Xena are sitting on their horses on the crest of a hill.  Below is a picturesque valley, lush with green grazing fields for live stock, tilled fields ready for planting, and wild flowers bordering the road leading to a small but bustling town. GABRIELLE Well, it certainly looks prosperous. XENA If it looks too good to be true.... GABRIELLE ... it usually is too good to be true. They ride into town. The homes are neat and friendly faces greet them. The homes are a bit too close together but they’re all in neat rows with clean yards and rows of flowers bordering paths to the doors. The fences are perfectly straight and the animals even looked scrubbed and clean. Gabrielle is smiling as she takes in the town, but Xena’s face exhibits a stoic caution. They enter the main market place and Gabrielle’s smile widens. GABRIELLE (cont’d) Xena, look at the goods these merchants have for sale! Gabrielle notices bolts of cloth that are exquisite in design and color. They slowly ride through the marketplace taking in the excellent quality of the goods in the stalls. They approach the center of the square, and Gabrielle picks up her head as the smell of cooking food wafts out of a kitchen window from the local Inn. GABRIELLE (cont’d) Mmmm... and what’s that wonderful smell? Xena hears Gabrielle’s stomach growl loudly as the smell of comes from the open window of the Inn. XENA Roast lamb. Gabrielle looks at Xena in anticipation. XENA (cont’d) Well, we do have to stay somewhere tonight. Guess this will do, huh?

Gabrielle eagerly reins her horse toward the Inn, sliding off the saddle when he stops in front of the door. A smiling young boy rushes out of the Inn as Xena stops next to Gabrielle and dismounts. YOUNG BOY Welcome to Paradise ladies. May I take care of your horses? Raising an eyebrow at the ‘ladies’ remark, Xena pins the young man with a glare. XENA I’d like to talk to the smithy myself. Gabrielle.... GABRIELLE I’ll get us a room and order some dinner. YOUNG BOY Follow me, miss.... He notices Xena’s scowl again and swallows hard. YOUNG BOY (cont’d) … uh... follow me, please. Gabrielle pokes Xena in the side before she leaves. GABRIELLE Xena, what’s wrong? This place really looks like Paradise.

XENA That’s the problem, Gabrielle. It *looks* like Paradise. CUT TO: EXT. MARKETPLACE - EARLY EVENING Xena and Gabrielle are walking through the still bustling marketplace even though the sun has just set. GABRIELLE That meal was great! Xena just nods as she observes the neat stalls and smiling vendors. XENA Gabrielle, take a look around and tell me what you think is odd about this marketplace. Gabrielle takes a moment to scan the area. GABRIELLE Everyone is smiling and, well, the merchandise all looks first class. XENA Right. But listen to them. Gabrielle and Xena walk through the market listening to the conversations. FRUIT VENDOR Good day to you sir. How may I be of assistance? MAN These apples are perfect. How much for a basket of apples? FRUIT VENDOR For you, my friend, five dinars. MAN Very good. I thank you. BLACKSMITH I can have him shod for you by morning. YOUNG MAN I can wait at your convenience, sir. CLOTH MERCHANT Only the finest I assure you, ma'am. WOMAN And such a bargain at twenty-five dinars. GABRIELLE They’re just giving the vendor what is asked. No one is even trying to haggle over the price.

XENA Exactly.  And there are no disagreements. Everyone is too polite! GABRIELLE How was the smithy when you talked to him? XENA Perfect.  He had all the right answers to my questions, and he had the neatest shop I’ve ever seen. GABRIELLE So? XENA Let’s just say this place makes me wary. Gabrielle, even the horses were jumpy. And that makes me even more suspicious. GABRIELLE But look around you, Xena. Everyone seems very happy and the town is obviously prosperous. Xena notices the wagon train has finally arrived and is temporarily camping by a large community building. A tall man dressed in elegant clothes steps out of a bakers shop followed by a young woman. TALL MAN Welcome to Paradise, friends. My name is Vicus and this is my wife. As you can see, Paradise is... well, Paradise. The newcomers laugh and seem to relax with the friendly nature of Vicus and his smiling wife. VICUS Now, I know you all are tired. SEVERAL NEWCOMERS Aye! VICUS And probably hungry too! YOUNGSTER IN THE GROUP I sure am! There’s more laughter from the group. VICUS Well, we’ve got some fresh bread and mead for you as a bit of a welcome present. If the men will come with me to the community building, we’ll get things settled while the rest of you go over to the baker’s shop with my wife. WIFE Hi everyone and welcome! Come with me and I’ll give you some fresh bread. AN ELDERLY MAN And don’t forget the mead! The group laughs again. WIFE Yes, and the mead! GABRIELLE Well, that’s a nice welcome, Xena. I’ll bet they haven’t had fresh bread on the road. XENA Yeah, too nice.

GABRIELLE Hey, that’s got to be Tessa! She looks just like her mom did at this age.  Shouldn’t we go and.... XENA Later.  First I want to find out what’s going on with the men. GABRIELLE Okay, I’ll go see what I can find out from the women. FADE TO: EXT. COMMUNITY BUILDING - NIGHT The lighting inside is low, but the figures of the men can easily be seen as they sit on benches arranged in a semi-circle.  Each of the men has a jug in his hands. Vicus is standing at the front of the room. VICUS ... tiring trip. I’m sure after a nice meal and a good night’s rest you’ll be ready to start your new life here in Paradise. TWO MEN IN THE BACK Aye SEVERAL MEN IN THE FRONT ROW Thank you. VICUS Well, that’s settled then!  As soon as you finish your morning meal, meet me back here and we’ll sign the papers on your new land. And enjoy the welcome gift of fresh baked bread and mead! The men stand to leave, smiling, but obviously tired from their long journey. Vicus moves to the door way and shakes each man’s hand as they leave. The last man is the one Gabrielle talked to on the road.  He stops in front of Vicus and starts to talk. YOUNG MAN Vicus, I’ve been thinking and I would really like to see my land tonight. VICUS But, it is dark already and you wouldn’t be able to see much now. YOUNG MAN Yes, but at least I would feel it under my feet. I... we’ve all trusted your word and gave you our dinars for land we’ve never seen. VICUS Now, Theos, don’t you trust me? THEOS Yes, I trust you... I was just thinking that I would sleep better after finally seeing my land and the shop you promised. VICUS You’re tired, Theos. Go find your woman, have a good meal, and enjoy the mead. Get a good night’s sleep and tomorrow you will see. Everything I promised will be revealed in the morning. Theos seems satisfied and nods in agreement then leaves. Vicus looks around the room and focuses on the window at the back of the building.  He can not see anyone, but seems to know someone is out there. He extinguishes all the torches and leaves, one last glance back to the window before closing the door. CUT TO: EXT. CAMPSITE - NIGHT Gabrielle moves about the newcomers, smiling as they wave a greeting her way. Most of the people seem content, but a few of the women appear to be more somber than the others and especially the wife of the young man she talked to on the road. GABRIELLE Hi!  I see you folks made it here safe and sound.

YOUNG MAN’S WIFE (Solemnly) Yes.  It has been a long journey. GABRIELLE My name is Gabrielle. WOMAN I’m Sela. GABRIELLE There certainly are a lot of people moving here.  Where are you from? SELA We’re from Plyos.  My husband is an artisan. GABRIELLE Really?  What does he make? SELA He is a potter.  He is well known in Plyos and his works are sought by many. GABRIELLE Is his name Theos? SELA Yes, you have heard of him? GABRIELLE Of course!  His work is very well known.  Why are you moving here? SELA (frowning) Vicus... said he would be able to make more dinars for his work here in Paradise. Gabrielle notes Sela’s hesitance and prods further. GABRIELLE And you’re not sure it was a wise move?

SELA I don’t think that it was a necessary move.  We were doing well in Plyos. People would travel great distances to buy his wares.  I’m not happy to be so far away from my family... and there was no need to move anywhere. GABRIELLE But...? SELA But, Vicus is an eloquent speaker and he convinced Theos to move. GABRIELLE I see, but surely you can look around and see that Paradise is a truly beautiful spot? SELA Yes, it appears to be.... Gabrielle pauses as she hears another *but* coming. SELA (cont’d) But, I don’t trust Vicus. GABRIELLE Anything in particular make you feel that way? SELA No, just a feeling I have. And a few of the other women agree with me too. GABRIELLE Really? SELA Yes, their husbands are also famous artisans who were swayed by Vicus’ words. Sela hears the sound of the men returning to the campsite and returns to her meal preparation, ending further conversation. GABRIELLE Well, I hope the move proves worthwhile. Gabrielle moves away from the campsite and watches as the men return to their families. GABRIELLE (cont’d, to herself) Xena’s probably right.  If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. FADE TO: EXT. COMMUNITY BUILDING - NIGHT Xena is in a sheltered spot by the rear window of the community building. She watches as Vicus extinguishes the torches and takes a last look around stopping to glance at the rear window. Xena moves deeper into the shadows to evade his view. XENA (softly to herself) Well, Vicus... you certainly are a generous lot.  Let’s see if you keep your promises too.

FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO