| WOMAN:
Hail the jewel. AUTOLYCUS: Yodle ay Hee Who! (Laughs) Well, hello handsome. Now! I know what you want but Im afraid a broken heart is all I can give you at the moment. Hey! XENA: We need to talk. AUTOLYCUS: Talk is cheap,I have an expensive ear. CROWD: Whos there?! AUTOLYCUS: You are a very persistent woman, but this is mine. I stole it, I have uses for it. XENA: Now what would I want with a melted chunk of rock sugar? GABRIELLE: Sure looked like a diamond, didnt it? AUTOLYCUS: Well I applaud your attempt but its not quite that easy to catch, the King of Thieves. Ha ha ha ha ha ha, Oh! This is not good, B b b b b b! Not easy to catch but not impossible. Xena right?. XENA: On your feet. AUTOLYCUS: No this is fine. I hope you have a very good reason for this. XENA: I want you to steal the most valuable object in the world. AUTOLYCUS: Well things are looking up. |
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ACT I
| AUTOLYCUS:
Tying my hands
is really unnecessary. I said I would listen to your proposition. XENA: And its not like you would lie to us now, is it? AUTOLYCUS: I havent yet. Didnt Hercules tell you I was an honorable man? Well at least cover my hands. Its embarrassing! for Zeuss sake. Thank you. XENA: Do you know Malthus? AUTOLYCUS: Malthus, the warlord Im assuming. Yes, his island is just off the coast. I dont steal from him, by the way. GABRIELLE: Hmm hes afraid. AUTOLYCUS: No we have an arrangement. I dont steal from him and he doesnt gouge my eyes out with hot pokers. Its worked out very well so far. (Laughs) Oh! How clumsy of me! GABRIELLE: Uh Uh. XENA: Malthus has stolen a valuable chest. He plans to auction it off this week. GABRIELLE: Hmm. AUTOLYCUS: Hmm, what makes this chest so valuable? GABRIELLE: Oh, its covered with jewels and gold leaf. XENA: It contains the most powerful weapon this world has ever known. AUTOLYCUS: Ah, what kind of weapon? XENA: I dont know, I just know it exists. So does Malthus. The people coming to bid are the most ruthless villains alive. I want that chest. AUTOLYCUS: Ha ha ha. You dont exactly strike me as the mercenary type. XENA: That chest is very important to some friends of mine, I promised to return it to them. Will you help? AUTOLYCUS: No. Not because I wouldnt want to do your bidding, thats another subject but as I explained before, Malthus and I have an arrangement. Well the dagger was a nice touch but it took me about oh, all of four seconds to get around it. Ohhhh! GABRIELLE: (Laughs) AUTOLYCUS: That however was very good. Oh for the love of Zeus. GABRIELLE: A really good thief would jump at the chance to steal from Malthus. XENA: Well only if he deserved the reputation as the greatest thief that ever lived. GABRIELLE: I thought Hercules said it was this guy. XENA: Apparently he was wrong. I heard that Malacious of Amphese is good and available. AUTOLYCUS: Ah hah hah hah youre trying to use my ego against me. GABRIELLE: I didnt think it would work. AUTOLYCUS: No it worked, Ill do it. Not for money, though Ill take a reward but mainly because I am, The King of Thieves. MAN: You will certainly have the gratitude of my people. AUTOLYCUS: Your gratitude is all any man could ever want. However this particular man has financial needs. GABRIELLE: Is money the only thing in your life? AUTOLYCUS: I believe it is, now we were talking about a reward. XENA: 2000 now, 2000 later. AUTOLYCUS: Obviously, no expense has been spared. XENA: Its all they have. AUTOLYCUS: This thing means a lot to you? MAN: Its hard to explain. Have you ever known anything that defines what you are as a person and a people? It may be just metal or jewels and stone to others but to us its who we are. AUTOLYCUS: Youve hired the best. Youll get it back. XENA: Sinteres is rich and hes feared. He hires himself out as the ultimate assassin. GABRIELLE: If anybody can afford this auction, he can. XENA: Thats why youre going as him. AUTOLYCUS: Reputation and wealth, well thats good cover and where is our friend at the moment? XENA: Wrapped in an overthrow of Hytillus, we should be done before he gets back. GABRIELLE: Sinteres dresses very well. Oh I like this ring. AUTOLYCUS: Thats mine, I got it from a beautiful princess. GABRIELLE: Was it a gift? AUTOLYCUS: Youre so young. So tell me more about this, uh Sinteres. GABRIELLE: Well Ive only heard a few stories but hes known as the Warrior Philosopher. Everything he says sounds philosophical. AUTOLYCUS: Hmm. GABRIELLE: He always chews on toothpicks. AUTOLYCUS: Toothpicks? GABRIELLE: Hes deadly, he once killed a man with only a rose petal. AUTOLYCUS: Hmm interesting, toothpicks. XENA: Im going along as your assistant. Sinteres isnt known to have one but I dont think anyonell ask questions. AUTOLYCUS: Well lets hope hes at least as debonair and charming as I am or no one will be fooled. GABRIELLE: This guys incredible. I mean yes hes good looking but give me a break. XENA: Look we should be done in three or four days and then we wont see him any more. AUTOLYCUS: Ah Xena ha ha ha ha! I think Ive found your disguise, the assistant to Sinteres would wear no less. GABRIELLE: Any less and there wouldnt be. XENA: Stick to the philosophy and not the fantasy. AUTOLYCUS: Hmm. AUTOLYCUS: I must tell you, Im not very fond of water. You sure this leaky tub is the right one? XENA AS CHERISH: Yes, Im sure Lord Sinteres. Lord Sinteres? Mmm. Sinteres? ARKEL: The journey to the island will take all night. My master Malthus has provided food for the journey. We leave momentarily. PROGNESE: Tell us about the weapon. ARKEL: Malthus will answer your questions. I will answer none. MAGMAR: Im Magmar of the Gauls and I want you should know,I dont fear you. AUTOLYCUS AS SINTERES: Ha ha ha ha ha ha Ha ha ha ha ha, Boo! XENA AS CHERISH: You must excuse my lord. Its been a long journey and were very tired. The fact that he plays with you is a good thing. It means he likes you. MAGMAR: Strange humor. Magmar can tell a joke from a challenge. AUTOLYCUS AS SINTERES: And a challenge with humor brings, mirth without blood. Ha ha ha ha ha, allow me to introduce my assist, uh concubine Cherish. Shes just a little nervous you see, because shes never been on a ship before. So I bought her some new clothes. Why dont you go below decks and slip into this? Youll feel much better,Isnt she something? AUTOLYCUS AS SINTERES: Of course, the trick in killing someone with an apricot is really in the wrist. The drawback is it kills instantly, so theres no time to gather information. So for situations like that, well I use a muffin. PROGNESE: Is that what you used to kill Neolos? AUTOLYCUS AS SINTERES: Neolos uh well I, Ive killed so many, so many ways, uh apricots, muffins, those little things that keep your shirt together instead of buttons. I cant recall but know this, that bastard Neolos died a death that was long and painful. PROGNESE: He was my brother. AUTOLYCUS AS SINTERES: Yes well of course, I must be thinking of the other Neolos. PROGNESE: Perhaps you were. AUTOLYCUS AS SINTERES: Well very nice, like the gentle dew of the morning breath, clinging lightly to your heaving, XENA AS CHERISH: Might I have a word with you alone Lord Sinteres? What do you think youre doing? Concubine? AUTOLYCUS: Oh come on, Do you really think those people would believe that someone like Sinteres would have someone like you without, having someone like you? XENA: Just you watch it. AUTOLYCUS: You know that really is a good look on you. XENA: Dont start with me now. PROGNESE: Sinteres this is for Neolos. XENA: Hold on! |
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PROGNESE:
No one kills a member of my family without paying
a price.
AUTOLYCUS AS SINTERES: You should raise your prices. Now my problem is a vexing one kill you and ruin a beautiful, starry night or just injure you to prove a point. PROGNESE: Youre still more myth than man and Im the one to prove it. MAN: What happened? AUTOLYCUS AS SINTERES: Ha! MAN: Dont look at me. AUTOLYCUS AS SINTERES: Well that worked up an appetite and hunger is the gods way of saying eat! AUTOLYCUS AS SINTERES: And I said no need to worry. It was a stuffed chief of the guards! MAGMAR: Wheres your woman? Did she drown? AUTOLYCUS AS SINTERES: No, no she didnt drown. She should be here momentarily. Shes newly conquered territory. You know how it is. MAGMAR: Virgin grounds of rubbish! Laughs AUTOLYCUS
AS SINTERES: Yes
you see a, a womans chastity is like a new hat, A beautiful thing
thats going to kill me. Ah what took you so long my dear, uh finishing
up my laundry? Dance of the three veils AUTOLYCUS
AS SINTERES: Ah!
I lost count, Where are we? Splat! MALTHUS:
( Laughs) |
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| AUTOLYCUS
AS SINTERES: What
is all this about Arkel? You know Ive got a few complaints for Malthus
about you. ARKEL: Malthus is dead. AUTOLYCUS AS SINTERES: Well youre off the hook this time. ARKEL: Somebody in this room killed him and stole the chest. PROGNESE: Take care who you insult Malthus was a fool. He didnt fear the truth but he turned his back on an assassin. AUTOLYCUS AS SINTERES: Then the auctions off I guess. Well what a shame. Well just have to pack our bags. What time is the boat leaving? ARKEL: The boat has already left and its gonna stay away until I have either the chest or the murderer. AUTOLYCUS: I am out of here. XENA: What do you mean youre out of here? AUTOLYCUS: Malthus ego was important to our plan, now hes dead. So is his ego, so is our plan. Now any good thief knows when to back off and pick another pocket. XENA: I cant give up. This chest is too important to my friends. AUTOLYCUS: Some advice from me to you, find less demanding friends. XENA: There was a time when I was young, I was wounded in battle and those people found me. They dressed my wounds and fed me, though they had nothing to spare. And then when the enemy came to find me, one of them died protecting me. However I cant expect that you would understand that. AUTOLYCUS: Understand? What just because Im a thief, no matter how or why? XENA: Well I just figured you learned it from your father. AUTOLYCUS: My father well that would be an interesting subject, except that he was killed before I was born. My mother died when I was eight, so it was just my older brother to take care of me, like those people took care of you and when he was killed, you do what you can to survive. If we find out who killed Malthus, well find that chest. XENA: Well lets get on with it then, shall we? AUTOLYCUS: Ah yes but first I must get some sleep and I get the bed this time, thank you. XENA: The chest! XENA AS CHERISH: Who is it? SOLDIER: Arkel sent me to search the room. AUTOLYCUS: Multi-million dinar castle and no closets. SOLDIER: Come on! Open up! XENA AS CHERISH: One minute! SOLDIER: Whats going on in there? AUTOLYCUS: Ive never been dead before. This should be interestng. SOLDIER: Open up! XENA AS CHERISH: I told you to wait. Please dont be angry with them Lord Sinteres. AUTOLYCUS AS SINTERES: What? Ah yes, yes Im enraged. Why if there was ever a moment where I was more enraged I, I havent found it yet. Cherish my toothpicks. XENA AS CHERISH: Youd better go and hurry. SOLDIER: This looks secure my apologies. AUTOLYCUS: They might come back at any moment. Maybe we should continue. Ooh! XENA: Dont fear the truth face it, for to turn away from truth is death. Thats strange, what did Malthus say about not fearing the weapon? AUTOLYCUS: Oh who cares? We have the chest but howre we gonna get the boat back? XENA: We put the chest back where it came from. AUTOLYCUS: Sure we put the, XENA: The trick is getting this lowered into place. AUTOLYCUS: Out of curiosity, why not just dump this thing in the hallway? XENA: Because whoever did it thinks they got the upper hand on us and putting it right back where he got it might make him think twice. And besides this is the only place the guards arent searching. AUTOLYCUS: Ah hah good point. Ah you know Xena its funny um, Hercules never mentioned you. XENA: Oh I didnt know you were a confidant of his. AUTOLYCUS: Oh sure Herc and I are close, yeah well fairly close. We uh we have a mutual respect. Actually I kind of like the big guy. XENA: Me too. AUTOLYCUS: Oh? You and he didnt um. XENA: Mind your own business Autolycus. AUTOLYCUS: I didnt think so. XENA: All right were secure. Whats next? AUTOLYCUS: Ah well I have to think in reverse here. I lower myself down there, then you swing the chest out when I give the word ay? A kiss before I, oooh! Yodle ay He. ARKEL: You idiot! XENA: Keep lowering! AUTOLYCUS: Easy for you. ARKEL: What are you doing here? XENA AS CHERISH: Im here because a man was killed in this very room and the thought of it makes my blood boil. ARKEL: I should expect no less from a concubine of Sinteres. XENA AS CHERISH: Im also here because I knew youd come eventually. Youve seen a lot of danger in your life, Ill bet. ARKEL: A fair share and some. Wont Sinteres be missing you? XENA AS CHERISH: I left him passed out in our chambers. All his energy goes into fighting. AUTOLYCUS: Ahh! XENA AS CHERISH: Hes not much of a lover. How are you at walks in the moonlight? ARKEL: Are you sure Sinteres is asleep? XENA AS CHERISH: Positive. By the gods youre an animal! I like that! AUTOLYCUS AS SINTERES: Cherish. XENA AS CHERISH: My Lord! AUTOLYCUS AS SINTERES: Ah there you are. XENA AS CHERISH: Arkel and I were jus talking. AUTOLYCUS AS SINTERES: Mmm yes well, its a good thing because uh, Ive killed men for less. Come on Cherish. MAGMAR: Did you hear? The chest has been returned. After breakfast Arkel is gonna demonstrate this thing and then we can get into it. PROGNESE: They shouldve found Malthus killer. Whos to say whos next? ARKEL: Attention! Please. As you all know the chest has been recovered. There will be a demonstration of its deadly power this morning. Some local fishermen will be wiped from the face of the earth but first I want to introduce you to someone. SINTERES: Stop! GABRIELLE: Ahh! SINTERES: Damned are those who dare resist a little more pressure and shes dead. I am Sinteres, the real Sinteres. |
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GABRIELLE:
Xena, Im sorry. I had to do something. Fight AUTOLYCUS:
Go
on Xena, Ill hold them off. They fight GABRIELLE:
(Whispers) Come on Xena. Xena! |
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