TEASER

NEMOS: “Hurry up, old woman. His Majesty hasn’t got all night.”
KING: “Patience, Nemos. The future has all the time in the world.”
ORACLE: “Almighty Zeus. Grace me with the vision of your all-seeing eyes.”
KING: “Well, what do they say?”
ORACLE: “There is truth to your dreams, your Lordship. There is, indeed, a child in your future.”
KING: “You’re reading the past, woman. My son died in childbirth, months ago.”
ORACLE: “Apologies, my Lord, but this child is not of your line. He is an orphan, of humble parentage, born on the equinox. He is a child in your possession.”
NEMOS: “Such an infant was born to one of your servants. The mother died in childbirth.”
KING: “Then, what of this child?”
ORACLE: “It is puzzling, my Lord. I only speak the vision.”
NEMOS: “No one is going to blame you for your gift. What is it?”
ORACLE: “The child will one day occupy the throne Your throne, my Lord.”
KING:  "Why, that’s ridiculous!"
ORACLE:  "The stones do not lie."
NEMOS: "What is it, then? Will he attempt to take the throne by force? Will he grow to lead an army? What
is it?"
ORACLE: "I cannot read that. But whatever it is, his birth has set the course of events in motion."
KING: “Thoughts, advisor? We’re talking about a mere infant.”
NEMOS:  "Threats to the crown take on many guises."
OPHELIA “You promised his mother on her death-bed that you’d care for him as your own, did you not?” PHILANA: "You know I did, but."
OPHELIA "But then, listen to me, Philana.  The child is in grave danger. The king’s advisor, Nemos, is hunting for him. Put him in the basket."
OPHELIA  “May the gods protect you, child.”
XENA: "Hey, sleepy head.  Wake up."
GABRIELLE: “Good morning. Did you sleep OK?”
XENA: "Like a rock.  You?"
GABRIELLE: “On a rock. I kept trying to find that one patch of ground that didn’t have a boulder on it. What’s that? Is that a cat? A big cat? Or, or, or a griffen, yeah.A big griffen with a cat in its mouth.”
XENA: "Shhh!"
GABRIELLE: "Maybe not.  What is it?"
XENA:  "Well, it’s not a cat or a griffen."
GABRIELLE: "Oh!"

 

ACT I

GABRIELLE: “You’re just the most precious little thing; yes, you are. Xena, can we keep him? It is a him, isn’t it? Oh, I always wanted a little brother.”
XENA: "He belongs with his mother."
GABRIELLE: “Uh, well, uh, whoever she is, she obviously doesn’t want him. I mean, imagine sending a baby down a river.”
XENA: "Maybe she had a reason."
GABRIELLE: " Well, I guess we should find out.  Shhh!"
XENA: “Why’s he crying? Are you holding him wrong, or something?”
GABRIELLE: “No, uh, maybe he’s hungry.”
XENA: “He must have come from that village upriver.”
GABRIELLE: "Shh! Shh! Shh! Shh! Shh! Shh!  Shh!"
XENA: “We’ll get him something to eat there, and find out who he belongs to.”
GABRIELLE: "What should we call him?  I mean, until we find his mother. You know, Gabriel’s a nice name. Then of course, Xenos is good, too. Shh!"
KING: “I miss you so, my love. Any news?”
NEMOS: “None, my Lord. But we have just begun our search. The child will be found, don’t worry.”
KING: “Perhaps, we should let things be. I mean, do we dare tamper with fate?”
NEMOS: “I believe that fate is just an excuse for men with no destiny. You, my Lord, are destined for greatness. And I would hate to see that threatened by the hand of a child.”
KING: “When the child is an adult, with a dagger to my throat, then I’ll view him as a threat. For now”
NEMOS: “I would agree with you, my Lord, except word of the prophecy has already reached the outer villages. There are some who already consider him your successor. And if the child were to fall into the wrong hands”
KING: “The people can’t afford another civil war, Nemos.”
NEMOS: “You brought us through the last one, my Lord. How many lives were saved through your leadership? And how many lives are at stake, should the child remain free?”
KING: “It’s been six months since she died, taking my son with her. This child My command is unchanged. Bring him to me I’ll decide what to do once I have him.”
MAN: “That’s it! Tie it tighter! Watch your hands!”
XENA: "I take it you’re in charge."
MAN: "It’s that obvious?"
XENA: "In my experience, cowardly mobs are usually led by weasles."
GABRIELLE: "What’s this woman done?"
MAN: "Send her to hades."
SECOND MAN: "Finish her off!"
XENA: "Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to turn your back on a lady? Any volunteers to replace him? I didn’t think so."
GABRIELLE: "Are you all right?"
PANDORA: "I’m fine."
GABRIELLE: “You’re fine? Did I just miss something? They were going to kill you."
PANDORA: “Yes. I think they were. Thank you.”
GABRIELLE: “You’re welcome. Here,I’ll get this.”
PANDORA: "No, no wait, please.  Just, be careful with that bag."
GABRIELLE: "It’s all right, I’ve got it."
XENA: "We better get this baby to shelter."
XENA: “This’ll have to do till the storm passes.”
GABRIELLE: "Good."
PANDORA: "Wait!"
GABRIELLE: "I was only trying to help."
XENA: “Does that box have anything to do with what those people wanted?”
PANDORA: “In a way. But it was me they were after.”
GABRIELLE: "After you, because"
PANDORA: “Because I was born into the wrong family, and I’m paying for it now. My name is Pandora.”
GABRIELLE: “Pandora the one who opened the box?”
PANDORA: “No, that was my grandmother. We have the same name, but, yes, I still carry”
GABRIELLE: "The box.  The box!"
PANDORA: “No, don’t, don’t, please Don’t worry. It can’t hurt you. If you know the story, you’ll remember, all the desires of mortals were released when my grandmother opened it.”
GABRIELLE: "Except the hope of mankind."
PANDORA: “Yes the hope of mankind is the one thing my grandmother managed to trap. That’s why we all still have hope. It’s the rest of man’s desires that are fleeting.”
GABRIELLE: "Like what?"
XENA: "Gabrielle."
PANDORA: "That’s all right.This box is the most important thing in my life. It’s why I can’t live my life.”
XENA: “Gabrielle Give the baby to Pandora and come help me here.”
PANDORA: "Ah,  Look , I’m not really the best one to be trusted with a baby."
GABRIELLE: "Just hold your arms out."
PANDORA: "Um"
GABRIELLE: "Make sure you hold his head up.  What do you need?"
XENA: "Get me my saddlebag."
GABRIELLE: "For that you needed me?"
XENA: "Don’t even think about it."
NEMOS: “We do not rest until the infant is found. But remember, he needn’t necessarily be found alive.”
INNKEEPER: “Wait a minute, wait a minute. You’ll have to check your weapons.”
XENA: “We just want some milk and some port.”
INNKEEPER: "Weapons first, then milk."
XENA: "Go ahead and sit down."
GABRIELLE: "He’s cute, isn’t he?"
PANDORA: "Mmm Hmm."
GABRIELLE: "I’d like to say he has my nose.  Huh! What can I say?  He does."
INNKEEPER: "Get Nemos."
PANDORA: "Um, can you hold him?"
GABRIELLE: "Yes."
INNKEEPER: "And hurry."
GABRIELLE: "Gabriel."
XENA: “We’re looking for the mother of this baby.”
INNKEEPER: "I’m an innkeeper; that’s all I know.  That’ll be six dinars."
PANDORA: "OK.  Oh, yes, hello."
XENA: “Something about our baby bothering you?"
INNKEEPER: "No, no, I got work to do."
NEMOS: “Keep moving. By the order of King Gregor, that child is under arrest.”

 

ACT II

NEMOS: “Give me that child.”
PANDORA: “Shh! Shh! Shh! Shh! No, no, don’t be afraid, little one. Shh!”
XENA:  “Better do like he says.”
SOLDIER: “Aaaaaah!”
XENA: “Get behind the bar.”
PANDORA: “The box!”
GABRIELLE: “Come on!”
NEMOS: “Get the baby!”
GABRIELLE: “Get down!”
SOLDIER: “Give me that baby!”
XENA: “Pandora Get down!”
NEMOS: “Surrender now, and I’ll spare your life.”
XENA: “I was about to say the same to you.”
NEMOS: “Get her!”
XENA: “You all right?”
GABRIELLE: “Yeah.”
INNKEEPER: “What?  What do you want with me?”
XENA: “You sent the boy after them. I notice things like that. That weak feeling is the blood to your brain being cut off. You’ll be dead in less than a minute. Or we could talk.”
INNKEEPER: “Let’s talk.”
XENA: “You’re smarter than you look. Now, who’s Gregor, and what’s all this about?”
INNKEEPER: “King Gregor. The baby belongs to one of his servants.”
GABRIELLE: “What does he want with him?  He’s not gonna hurt him, is he?”
INNKEEPER: “I don’t know. OK, OK An oracle told him that, one day, the baby would take his throne. The word’s out that he wants him killed.”
PANDORA: “No!”
GABRIELLE: “What’s wrong?”
PANDORA: “The box is gone.”
NEMOS: “It’s worse than we imagined. Xena is involved. The Warrior Princess has the child, and more than that, she has Pandora. I was barely able to escape with the box.”
KING: “Xena You were lucky to escape with your life. I fear the day I might have to go up against her army. So  this is it.”
NEMOS: “Ah, my Lord, that design might trigger the latch.”
KING: “I’m not gonna open it, Nemos.  No man in his right mind would.”
NEMOS: “But a Warrior Princess might. Or at least, use it to blackmail a king.”
KING: “You think that was her intent?”
NEMOS: “She has the child; she had the box.  What else am I to think? She has conquered larger kingdoms with weapons less than this.  We have sent men into the outlying villages, and cut off all escape through the mountains here. These areas are secured, so we know they must be somewhere near here the peasant area. Of course, this is all useless. We know the solution it’s just too horrendous to consider.”
KING: “I’m afraid, I don’t see your solution.”
NEMOS: “The child I can’t believe I’m going to suggest this The child must be killed as soon as possible.”
KING: “I am to order the death of a child?”
NEMOS: “No but you are to order the life and prosperity of your people. This child is already dead.  Do you think Xena cares about its well-being?  And if it lives, it’ll just become a, pawn in the battle for the crown. It has no life, and neither will your people, so long as it remains a threat.”
KING: “You have a plan?”
NEMOS: “I have two plans.I have sent out agents with a reward for the baby’s capture.  If they choose to live among thempeasants, we’ll get the peasants to work for us.”
KING:  “And the other?”
NEMOS: “We trade Xena the box for the baby.”
KING: “None of these ideas please me.  What is it?”
NEMOS: “It seems our warrior friend is one step ahead of us. She wants to meet you.”
GABRIELLE: “Gregor agreed to meet with us.”
XENA: “Good I want to look into this man’s eyes. And he’s not meeting us I’m going alone.”
GABRIELLE: “But, ah Whatever. But I want you to know, I managed to get some milk for this baby, and it wasn’t easy. You know, there’s a reward out for us? The word has it, it’s over a thousand dinars. I’m tempted to turn myself in. What’s wrong with Pandora?”
XENA: “She’s been like that ever since the tavern. I think it’s the first time she’s been without that box.”
GABRIELLE: “Pandora, are you all right?”
PANDORA: “I have to get it back.”
XENA: “You will.  First, we make sure the baby’s safe, and then”
PANDORA: “It’ll take too long. I made the wrong choice I should have grabbed the box.”
XENA: “You made the only choice.”
GABRIELLE: “Gregor’s not stupid enough to open the box.”
PANDORA: “It doesn’t matter how stupid he is.  You don’t understand If I don’t have that box in my possession, it opens itself. See, that’s the curse of my family; that’s why we must always carry the box. I am the only one who can reset the lock. And if I don’t have the box before midnight, it opens, and hope escapes.”

 

ACT III

KING:  “I guess I can’t expect someone like Xena to be on time.”
NEMOS: “And she has nothing but contempt for you, my Lord.”
INNKEEPER: “Are you alone, my Lords? Or shall I prepare a drink for your guards?”
NEMOS: “Just the two of us. Ale for the king.”
INNKEEPER:  “Only two?”
NEMOS: “Only two? Is there something wrong with my voice?”
XENA: “I wanted to make sure this little party was just between us. Do sit down.”
KING:  “Where is the child?”
XENA: “Safe, and non-negotiable. That’s not why we’re here.”
NEMOS:  “Then, we have nothing further to discuss.”
KING:  “Then why are we here?”
XENA: “I wanted to look into your eyes To see what sort of man would order the death of a defenseless child.”
KING: “I could order your death right here and now.”
XENA: “Under a flag of truce? Then I would know what kind of a man you are.”
KING: What would a flag of truce mean to a cold-blooded murderer? I know who you are. And you disgust me. You swept across countless nations, and saw the world tremble at your feet. But my people are not gonna be your next victims. If it means my death, or the death of this child, so be it.”
NEMOS: “The answer is simple We have the box. We know you want it. You have the child. We want him.”
XENA:  “Did you bring the box?”
NEMOS: “Did you bring the child? I didn’t think so.”
XENA: “He can’t hurt you, Gregor. He’s just an infant.”
NEMOS: “That’s right He’s just one infant. And surely his life doesn’t compare to losing the hope of mankind.”
XENA: “You’re not mad enough to open the box.”
KING: “24 hours to make your decision.”
XENA:  “Who’s this?”
GABRIELLE: “Ophelia. She works as a servant in the castle.”
OPHELIA: “I was the one who put the baby into the river. Is he safe?”
XENA: “Pandora?”
GABRIELLE: “Oh.”
PANDORA: “Oh, yes.”
HELIA OP “I brought him some blankets and some food.”
GABRIELLE:  “Oh.”
XENA: “Where did you find her?”
GABRIELLE: “Hey, you fight; I talk. We each have our gifts. You wanted me to scout a way into the castle?  Huh!  She’s the way.”
XENA: “Good work.”
GABRIELLE: “So, how’d it go with Gregor? Is he the worm’s tongue we thought he’d be?”
XENA: “No, he’s not.”
GABRIELLE: “He’s not?”
XENA: “I looked into this man’s eyes, and I didn’t see an evil man. I saw a king trying to protect his people from a cold-blooded murderer his words. You see, an evil man wouldn’t have cared.”
GABRIELLE: “Did you tell him about the box opening?”
XENA: “No, I almost did. But that advisor of his Nemos? I don’t trust him. Knowledge is power, and I didn’t want to give him that power. Ophelia? Gregor has a wooden box, with a palm design on it?”
OPHELIA “I’ve seen it. Nemos either keeps it in his room or under close guard.”
XENA: “I need to get into the castle. Can you help?”
OPHELIA  “Yes, but not tonight.”
PANDORA:  “It has to be tonight.”
OPHELIA  “No The quartermoon festival is tonight. There’s too many people there.”
GABRIELLE:  “What happens at this festival?”
OPHELIA “Eating and drinking. Then Nemos has several of the servant-women dance for him, and he chooses one.”
XENA: “Are you one of the dancers? What time do you have to be  there?”
FALAFEL: “I haven’t got the baby anywhere.  Stay away from my cart. I am warning you.”
MAN: “I heard a baby cry. I swear it came from here.”
FALAFEL: “It’s the grease. Haven’t you ever heard grease sizzle?”
PANDORA: “Look at these people. They’ve gone crazy trying to find the baby.”
GABRIELLE: “They’re scared, or greedy. Maybe a little of both. This way.”
GABRIELLE:  “This should be close enough.”
NEMOS: “Throw me.  That’s true. Come on, come on. Dancers! Whoa! My Lord. Please, join us.  The search goes on, and things are well in hand.”
KING:  “What is this doing here?”
NEMOS: “I feel much safer if I know where it is. And I would think we have enough men here to protect it, if need be.”
KING: “I think it’ll be better protected with me.”
NEMOS: “I’m beginning to believe His Majesty is becoming distracted by his moral convictions. Gather as many men loyal to me as you can. I wanna have a strong hand in case our king suffers a temporary loss of judgment. But first we deal with the Warrior Princess. You! Come here. Have her brought to my room.”
GABRIELLE: “Gabriel, Shhh! He’s going to give us away. You have a knack for this kind of thing. He likes you.”
PANDORA: “Really?”
GABRIELLE: “Yeah. Have you ever thought about having a baby?”
PANDORA: “No I can’t afford to dream about something that’ll never be.  Now, I feel as if I know too much. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. You know, I wouldn’t.”
NEMOS: “Don’t be afraid, my child. My desire is pleasure, not pain.”
XENA: “My pleasure is yours, my Lord. I merely want to take your responsibilities from you At least for one evening. I’m surprised you have time to take from your work Or the king.  Is he working tonight?”
NEMOS: “He’s in his chamber. Oh, you smell so good.”
XENA: “You mean, I’m actually near the royal chamber.”
NEMOS: “Just down the hallway. But enough of him. You spoke of pleasure.”
XENA:  “And you spoke of pain.”
KING: “My boy, my only son. What’s become of your father child? The man your mother called husband. I would have valued your life greater than my own. And now another child’s life is in my hands. Why were you taken from me?”
NEMOS:  “The box.”
NEMOS: “Guards! That warrior woman is loose!  Search the room! You two, come with me!  Break it down! Break it down!  Break it down! Well, Xena You’ve made this far easier than I expected."

 

ACT IV

NEMOS: “Hand me the box, and maybe I’ll let you live. You have no options; be certain of that.”
XENA: “There are many things I’m not certain of, Nemos, but I’ll bet my life this’ll surprise you.
XENA:  “Gabrielle!  Gabrielle!  Sorry!  Gabrielle!”
GABRIELLE: “Xena. Come here. We’ve got the baby; we’ve got the box. Let’s get out of here.”
XENA: “No, not yet. There’s still the prophecy.”
PANDORA: “What do you mean? The prophecy’s fulfilled if the baby lives. He’ll grow up to take the kingdom.”
XENA: “That’s right. That’s why I have to give the baby to Gregor.”
XENA: “Don’t  be alarmed. If I wanted to kill you, you’d be dead already.”
KING: “What is it you want?”
XENA:  “To fulfill the prophecy.”
KING:  “You wanna take my throne.”
XENA: “I have no interest in your throne. I never have. You’re a good man, Gregor, and a good ruler. I know about your wife and child. Think, Gregor. This child will take your throne; but as your heir, not as your conqueror. He’s a child who needs a father to love him. You’re a father who needs a child to love. That’s the prophecy.”
KING: “I was so blind. I think it’s time my people met their next king.”
NEMOS:  “Have you lost your mind?”
KING:  “I’ve come to my senses.”
NEMOS: “You’re being seduced; it’s a trick.  Hand me that baby.” 
KING: “I command you to return to your room.”
NEMOS: “What I do, I do for the betterment of this kingdom.”
XENA:  “No, you don’t!"
XENA:  “Out of my way!”
SOLDIER 1:  “It’s her!”
SOLDIER 2:  “She’s got the baby!”
XENA:  “Here, Gabrielle!”
GABRIELLE: “Don’t! No, no, no! Xena, catch!”
XENA:  “Gabrielle, the baby!”
GABRIELLE:  “Oh, no!”
NEMOS: “Hah, hah, hah, hah, hah! You should have killed me when you had the chance.  Any warrior would have done that.”
XENA: “What makes you think I’m not going to.”
CROWD:  “Yay!  Xena!”
PANDORA: “I feel a little nervous, just letting it out of my sight.”
KING: “Don’t you worry. As long as I or my son rule, the box will be safe in my fortress. The room is well protected.”
PANDORA: “Well, I’ll still reset the lock every day. But I won’t have to wander anymore. I think I finally have a home.”
KING: “The child needs a mother.  Even as a king, I can’t handle it alone. You brought the prophecy true, Xena. How can I ever repay you?”
XENA: “I didn’t do it for payment. Have a good life, all three of you.”
PANDORA: “Xena. Isn’t there anything you want?”
XENA:  “Name him Gabriel.”
XENA:  “You ready to go?”
GABRIELLE: “Sure. I can’t believe I touched the box. Pan Pandora’s grandmother was cursed because of this. And then Pandora is blessed because of it. Does it all happen because of fate? Or is Is it just chance?”
XENA:  “I think it all happened ‘cause you slept on a rock.”
GABRIELLE: “It did, didn’t it?  All right, let’s go." 
XENA:  “There’s nothing in it.”
GABRIELLE:  “All these years, she’s been carrying around an empty box.”
XENA:  “The box was empty, but Pandora was still carrying our hope.”
GABRIELLE:  “What should we tell her?”
XENA: “We tell her the truth: Hope has been and always will be safe. It’s inside every one of us.”  

 


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