EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

 

Written by:  John Schulian
Directed by:  John Kretchmer
Transcribed by:  Pamela Thalner

Disclaimer: No copyright infringement is intended. Purely for non-profit
purposes only. All characters and dialogue are the property of Universal
Studios, Renaissance Pictures, Action Pack, and MCA Television. This
transcript is not a novelization or a script, but is instead a dry
read-through of the episode "Eye of the Beholder". It also contains
camera angles and descriptions of action where I thought it necessary.

				*	*	*

Teaser:

A man is running along the beach in slight slow-motion; the camera focuses
on his boots, then begins to pan upward, with flashes of black separating
its motion as it does so. From the costume we can see that the man is
Hercules, although the camera does not reach his face. Cut to a shot from
behind him, in regular time; the camera quickly catches up with him. He
glances behind himself, and turns, slowing to a jog. He is breathing hard
as if he's been running for a while. Seeing that he is not being pursued,
he finally comes to a stop and leans forward, resting his hands on his 
knees. He looks up again at the sound of a woman's voice.

Head Sister:  There he is!

Cut to the top of a sandy hill, where a woman stands, her white robe 
flowing in the breeze. Within moments, several more women have joined her,
all in a line along the top of the hill. Though the exact number of them
cannot be determined, it's definitely more than thirty. The leader stands
just ahead of the rest.

Sister #1:  Come on, girls!

Crying out in challenge and glee, they begin racing down the hill. They
all seem to be dressed in white, flowing clothes: dresses and two-piece
outfits, with gold and crystal jewelry.

Sister #2:  He's mine!

Sister #3:  Hold him!

Sister #4:  I'll get him!

Hercules wastes no time in taking off running again. The women eagerly
give chase.

Sister #5:  Come back!

He just keeps running.

Cut to a tavern. A woman tending the bar finishes filling a cup and
slides it down the bar. The innkeeper waiting there picks it up.

Innkeeper:  Thanks, darlin'.

He takes the cup over to a table, where Hercules is sitting with a bowl
of stew, and sets it down.

Innkeeper:  Yeah, well, compared to what I usually hear 'round this dump,
you got no problems.

Hercules:  Yeah, but King Thespius wants every one of them to have a
child by me.

Hercules takes the cup.

Innkeeper:  How many daughters does the old boy got?

Hercules:  Fifty.

Innkeeper:  Ha ha ha ha! No problem! You'll take care of them easy!

Hercules:  Sorry. I'm a one-woman man.

Innkeeper:  (conspiratorially) Let me fix you some eggs. That'll put lead
in your...

Another man has come up next to the innkeeper, fortunately interrupting
him just as he makes a gesture to emphasize his point.

Androcles:  Hey, Hercules.

He grabs Hercules' cup from the table, swaying a little.

Androcles:  What are you gonna do about that Cyclops at Trachas, huh?

Innkeeper:  Give him some room, Androcles. 

The innkeeper pushes Androcles back a little.

Innkeeper:  Guy had a run-in with a lion a while back. He's been a
wet-brain ever since.

Hercules is intrigued.

Hercules:  No, it's all right. Let him talk.

Androcles:  Yeah, let me talk. This Cyclops has been chasing people out
of their homes. Hurtin' 'em, too. All to protect Hera's sacred vineyards.

Hercules:  Hera. (looks at the innkeeper) Is what he's saying true? 

Innkeeper: Yeah.

Hercules pushes back from the table and gets up.

Hercules:  Then I better go see for myself.

He leaves a coin on the table for payment and walks towards the entrance.
The innkeeper turns to watch him go.

Innkeeper:  What about those fifty sisters?

Hercules:  Oh, it'll be a lot easier to deal with one Cyclops.

He turns and goes. The innkeeper flips the coin in his hand, a leer on
his face.

Cut to a dirt path winding through an open field. A man walks along it,
whistling a jaunty tune. He is dressed in a long purple robe type outfit
and sandals, and carries a large pack on his back. His hair is white,
with a definite receding hairline, while his short, neatly trimmed beard
is dark grey. And as we are soon to learn, his name is Salmoneus.

Suddenly there is a loud growl. The man stops dead in his tracks, letting
go of the pack, which falls with a thump to the ground. He looks up, and
up, his mouth shaped in an 'O' of astonishment. The camera pans up to
reveal something about twenty feet tall looking down at him.

Cut to another view of the Cyclops, which stands in the path. He is
dressed in a leather jerkin and trousers, and his head is bald, with a
fringe of brown hair around the sides and a beard. The forehead slopes
down to his one stern eye. His fists are planted on his hips.

Cyclops:  Far enough, little man.

Salmoneus:  Ooo-kay. B-b-but I'm just a, a, a pumble heddler - a, a
humble peddl - I'm, I'm on my way to Trachas.

Salmoneus grabs up his pack and clutches it to himself.

Cyclops:  *Not* through the vineyard.

Salmoneus:  But there's no other way.

Cyclops:  Yes, there is.

Salmoneus stares in horror as the Cyclops reaches for him, lifting him up
in the air by the back of his robe.

Salmoneus:  Ah-ah-ah-ah! Don't wrinkle the material! Oh! Oh!

The Cyclops lifts him to about waist-level and then drop-kicks him.
Salmoneus goes flying through the air, his scream receding as he
disappears into the distance.

Salmoneus:  Noooooooooooooooooo...!

The Cyclops laughs nastily. Fade to black. Title music plays.

				*	*	*

Voice-Over:  This is the story of a time long ago, a time of myth and 
legend; when the ancient gods were petty and cruel, and they plagued 
mankind with suffering. Only one man dared to challenge their power: 
Hercules! Hercules possessed a strength the world had never seen; a 
strength surpassed only by the power of his heart. He journeyed the Earth,
battling the minions of his wicked stepmother Hera, the all-powerful Queen
of the Gods. But wherever there was evil, wherever an innocent would
suffer, there would be Hercules!

				*	*	*

Part One:

Fade in on a shot of a waterfall. The camera pulls back slowly, revealing
the rocks down which the water pours. Various views of the waterfall,
along with other streams, lakes, and rivers, follow. Finally, we see
Hercules walking along a path in a wooded area, towards the camera. As
the camera pulls back, we see a pair of sandaled feet suspended in the
air. The owner of the feet grunts and groans. The purple robes reveal that
this is Salmoneus, who is dangling precariously from a tree. He glances
over his shoulder, seeing someone approaching from behind him.

Hercules:  Hello.

Salmoneus:  All right, I admit it. Heh. I look like a stuffed owl. Ha ha
ha ha. Now could you just get me down?

The fabric tears and he falls.

Salmoneus:  Ahhhh!

He lands, falling forward on his face in the rich, dark soil. Hercules
takes a few steps forward, concerned.

Hercules:  Are... you all right?

Salmoneus looks up. His face is covered in dirt, with one leaf plastered
to his forehead.

Salmoneus:  I just fell out of a tree and landed on my nose. What do you
think?

Hercules leans forward, looking at Salmoneus.

Hercules:  (smiling) But you are going to live.

Salmoneus:  It's too early to tell. It feels like I got a lot of loose
body parts. And you never know about internal bleeding.

He cautiously moves to his side to look at Hercules, who casts an
appraising glance upwards.

Hercules:  How'd you get up there, anyway?

Salmoneus: Some lunatic Cyclops kicked me in the rear and sent me flying.

Hercules stands up, a grim look on his face.

Salmoneus:  You gonna help me up or not?

He reaches up a hand. Hercules takes it.

Hercules:  Oh. Sorry.

He gives Salmoneus a hand up.

Hercules:  This Cyclops, do you know where I can find him?

Salmoneus:  (as he brushes dirt from himself) You a friend of his?

Hercules:  No, but I'm planning on looking him up.

Salmoneus:  (sarcastically) Do tell. Who do you think you are, Hercules?

Hercules:  Well, as a matter of...

Salmoneus: Wait a minute! Wait a minute!

Hercules has folded his arms across his chest. Salmoneus flicks his
fingers against a bicep as if testing its hardness.

Salmoneus:  It *is* you! I should have recognized you! I'm Salmoneus, the
traveling toga salesman.

He offers a hand to shake. Bemused, Hercules takes it.

Salmoneus:  Ho ho ho, I can't wait to see this.

Hercules:  See what?

Salmoneus:  See you put your fist in that big freak's eye.

Salmoneus is looking a little crazed.

Hercules:  What I do isn't a spectator sport.

Salmoneus:  Oh? Then how about this? You take me along, and I make you a
sweet deal on a new toga.

Hercules:  What's a toga?

Salmoneus can't believe his ears.

Salmoneus:  What's a toga? My boy, fashion is passing you by. I'll tell
you about it on the way. Come on.

He picks up his pack and grabs Hercules' arm, and they start off. Hercules
is looking somewhat bemused.

Cut to a muddy river. The camera pans along the river to reveal several
large stones blocking it. Two men have their backs to one particularly 
large boulder, while a third is trying to lever it up with a long piece
of wood. They grunt and groan, but their efforts are unsuccessful.

Volus:  This is a fool's mission, Atreus.

Atreus:  Not if we get this river back on its course. Hey, come on, you
two, put your shoulders to this thing.

Atreus is, of course, the one with the lever. Reluctantly, Volus turns and
places his shoulders against the boulder. Suddenly, the ground begins to
shake rhythmically. Volus steps away from the boulder, staring up towards
the trees on one side of the river.

Volus:  It's him.

Atreus:  Keep pushing here!

Volus:  I didn't come out here to die.

Suiting action to words, Volus takes off running.

Evander:  Volus, you coward! I'm gonna stomp you when I get back, and I'm
gonna make your wife and kids watch!

Atreus:  Use your anger on this rock.

Evander turns back to the boulder and begins straining at it again. It
hasn't budged an inch yet.

Cyclops:  Get away from my river!

The men pause in their efforts and look up to see the Cyclops standing
there, glaring down at them.

Cyclops:  Or would you rather die!

Evander:  You're not going to kill me, you one-eyed freak!

The Cyclops growls. The man picks up a stone and flings it at the
Cyclops, who wards it off with a raised arm.

Atreus:  Are you crazy? Let's get out of here!

Cyclops:  Yeah! Go back with the rest of the women! Ha ha ha ha ha, ha ha
ha!

Evander:  One-eyed son-of-a...

The man draws his knife. Atreus seems as if he's feeling genuine fear by
now.

Atreus:  Don't, Evander!

Cyclops:  That's the boy. Come and get it.

Evander stalks up to the Cyclops. With one blow, the Cyclops slams his 
fist down, pounding Evander deep into the soft earth. Atreus winces, then
looks up as the Cyclops stands.

Cyclops:  You want some too?

Sensibly, Atreus runs. The Cyclops watches him go.

Cut to Hercules and Salmoneus. They are walking together, and from the
look on Hercules' face, Salmoneus has been talking his ear off.

Salmoneus:  Okay, now here's what I could do. I could call one of my
togas the 'Hercules Deluxes', huh? Just tell me which ones you wanna buy.

Hercules:  I don't want to buy any of them.

Salmoneus:  Oh, want something for nothing, huh?

Hercules:  That's not what I mean--

Salmoneus:  No, what you mean is, you don't care about your image! But you
better start, my friend, because the public is fickle. All right. Tell you
what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna give you your own line of togas, cut you in 
for a piece of the action, huh? Huh? And here's the advertising slogan:
Hercules, the giant killer, takes a giant step forward in fashion!

He has gradually come around to stand in front of Hercules as the camera
pans from ahead of them to behind them; the two pause. From this 
perspective we see two man running up to them; they are still a good
distance away.

Salmoneus:  Pretty snappy, huh?

Atreus:  Hey! Hey!

The men approach, weary and exhausted from their run. They are
recognizable as Atreus and Volus, from the stream.

Salmoneus:  Ah, potential customers.

He starts to step forward, but Hercules puts an arm out to block him.

Hercules:  What's the trouble?

Atreus:  It's the Cyclops. He's just killed one of our villagers.

Salmoneus, nudging Hercules, makes an 'I told you so' noise.

Hercules: Yeah, yeah. Well, catch your breath. He's not following you now.

Volus:  Thanks.

Atreus:  It's my fault we were out there. Don't make the same mistake.

Salmoneus:  The Cyclops isn't going to do anything to him. He's Hercules.

Atreus:  Ah, Hercules or not, you could still die if you come to Trachas.

Hercules:  Tell me what happened.

Volus:  We wanted to get the river running in the direction it used to 
run.

Atreus:  Ah, it's the river we've always counted on for our fish and
water for our crops. But the Cyclops changed its course so it would
irrigate Hera's vineyard.

Hercules:  Look how green the land around here is. There must be other
rivers.

Atreus:  Oh, no, they're all too far away. Hera wants the river for 
herself and to destroy us. She cares only about *her* grapes, and the wine
that'll be poured at the Festival of the Believers. And the Cyclops makes
sure her wishes are carried out.

Hercules:  Not if I have anything to say about it.

Atreus:  You-you'd help us? Are you serious?

Hercules: When it comes to Hera, I'm always serious.

Cut to the inside of a large cavern, wherein can be heard the sound of
someone eating loudly and messily. The camera pans across from a darker
area to a lighter one, revealing the Cyclops. He is sitting on the floor,
chewing on what appears to be an oversized set of spareribs. A man walks
into the cave from the sunlit entrance. He faces the Cyclops.

Castor:  Heard you worked up a bit of an appetite today.

Cyclops:  Only fools challenge me.

Castor:  That's right. That's why I have you on my side. I'm too smart to
go up against you.

The Cyclops looks up from his meal, sneering.

Cyclops:  Yeah, to my face you are.

Castor:  Hey, I'm not like those jackasses in Trachas!

Cyclops:  You better not be.

Castor:  Would you doubt me? Hm? How could you do that? I pay you to vent
your anger on people who have belittled you all your life! No one has ever
been as good to you as I have.

The Cyclops looks down, exhaling angrily.

Cut to a grouping of tents at night. A campfire in the midst of the tents
casts dim light on the surrounding area. The camera follows a dog 
scratching in the dust for something. The dog finds what it was looking
for and trots off. The camera picks up on a man towards the far side of
the fire as he walks past it and into one of the tents.

Salmoneus:  Listen, Hercules, I can handle the whole thing. See, you'll be
the silent partner, I'll do the talking for both of us. You just lend me 
your name and, ah, heh, I collect the money. Of course, as the brains
behind the deal...

Cut to inside the tent. The camera continues to follow the man from 
outside as he walks in and through; when he passes Salmoneus and
Hercules, it stops on them. An older woman is also near them.

Salmoneus:  ...I'll need the bigger share. Let's say 70-30? Does that 
sound fair? (to the woman) Excuse me, we're conducting business here.
Thank you very much. 

The woman walks away and Salmoneus continues without pause.

Salmoneus:  I mean, I'd risk exposure. I'm parched. I'll be right back.
Thanks.

The tent is crowded and low-ceilinged, with torches illuminating the dark
interior. Drumming can be heard. Hercules folds his arms with a tolerant
smile, then smiles to Atreus as he walks up.

Atreus:  Well, you're the first sign of hope any of us have seen in a
long, long time.

Hercules:  You should still postpone the celebration until you see how I
do with the Cyclops.

Atreus:  Well, there's no one in this village who believes it's possible
for you to fail, huh?

Nearby, a ferret-faced man is snacking on a piece of cheese. His 
resemblance to a rodent is enhanced by the pointed cowlick on his forehead
and his pronounced overbite. He glances up, overhearing this conversation.
Atreus pats Hercules on the shoulder and departs. The Ferret considers
what he's heard and then sneaks away. A man in a leather uniform passes by
as Salmoneus returns, cup in hand.

Man:  Greetings, Hercules.

Salmoneus:  What a splendid gathering, huh?

Hercules:  Yeah, splendid. I'd rather fight monsters.

Salmoneus:  Come on, you love it, you know you do.

Hercules smiles and shakes his head, then looks up at the entrance as a
woman's voice calls out.

Head Sister:  Hey! You there! We're looking for Hercules.

As soon as he sees them - the head of the sisters, with a few of her
siblings behind her - Hercules drops to the ground. Salmoneus, a bit 
slower on the uptake, looks around for Hercules in confusion. He finally
looks down and sees him.

Hercules:  I'll explain later.

Salmoneus' expression goes from confusion to understanding to confusion.
As Hercules begins to scoot away, Salmoneus gives a shrug of 'whatever'.

Head Sister:  Has anyone seen him? 

Other Sisters:  He must be around here. You must have seen him.

Salmoneus:  Ah, I have.

They turn their gaze on him.

Salmoneus:  He's on the road to Athens.

Sisters:  Ohhh!

Head Sister:  Are you sure? Athens is a long way from here.

Salmoneus:  Then you better hurry if you want to catch up to him, my
flower.

They turn to leave.

Salmoneus:  But before you go...

They start to turn back.

Salmoneus:  I have just the thing for you girls while you're traveling.
It's called the toga. 

Cut to Hercules, crawling along the edge of the tent in the shadows.

Salmoneus:  (in the background) Wear it, and you'll be on the cutting edge
of fashion. Everyone in Athens has them, and nobody would be caught dead
at the arena without one!

Hercules suddenly stops when he bumps into something. He looks up and see
that it's a skirt, worn by a smiling woman - not one of Thespius'
daughters.

Scilla:  I thought you were leaving.

Hercules:  Yeah. Right. Excuse me.

Salmoneus:  (in the background) Except the guys being eaten by the lions,
of course. But when the going gets hot and heavy, believe me, young
ladies, you'll need one of these little items.

Hercules, smiling nervously, detours around the woman and continues out.
She watches him go. A tall, loutish young man takes notice of his
departure. Hercules realizes he's being watched and looks up. The man
gives a one-sided smile down at him.

Salmoneus:  (in the background) It's also lightweight, comfortable, and
get this: you slip it off your shoulder and it's perfect for evening
wear.

Hercules:  Hi.

The man's smile fades. Hercules keeps going. The man watches him leave.

Salmoneus:  (in the background) ...what do you say, fair maidens? (cut to
him) Wouldn't you like a toga or three in your wardrobe? Yes?

Cut to a sunrise over the countryside. Cut to the Cyclops, who is walking
along. He stops suddenly. Looking down, he sees a woman. She is kneeling,
humming, while she gathers flowers in a low-rimmed basket. She is also
the woman who first blocked Hercules' escape from the tent. She seems
completely unaware of the Cyclops' presence. Curious, he takes a few
thundering steps closer.

Cyclops:  Hmmm.

Scilla pauses, and looks up to see him. Cautiously, she stands, bringing
her basket up with her.

Cyclops:  WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!

Scilla:  I'm not bothering you.

Cyclops:  (after a beat) Yes you are!

Scilla:  The river is yours. The vineyard, too. Can't you let us have
anything?

Cyclops:  Uh... no!

Scilla:  (defiantly) Why?

Cyclops:  GET OUTTA HERE!

He gesticulates wildly. She turns and goes. He gives chase, growling
loudly, and she picks up the pace until she's running as fast as she can.
Once he's sure she's gone, he stops, giving a sharp nod of satisfaction.
He looks down. On the ground lies a scarf, which she dropped when she was
running away. He covers his mouth with his hand thoughtfully.

Cyclops: Hmm...

Cut to the village of Trachas. Hercules enters the main square from a
side street. He yawns and stretches.

Salmoneus:  Hercules! You sly dog.

Hercules:  (to himself) No.

He starts to look around for an avenue of escape, but it's too late. Cut
to Salmoneus, who approaches him from further down the street, laughing
in a ribald way and waggling his finger at Hercules.

Salmoneus:  The daughters of King Thespius, huh? You, sir, truly are the
strongest man in the world if you can...

Salmoneus makes a pumping motion with his arm.

Salmoneus:  ...Ha! Hold fifty hearts in sway at once.

He cups his hands as if holding two round objects in them.

Hercules:  (wearily) All they want is my body.

Salmoneus:  Ha ha! I know the feeling.

Atreus:  Hey!

Hercules and Salmoneus look up. Cut to Atreus, approaching them, with
Scilla to his side.

Atreus:  Now the Cyclops is attacking our women!

Salmoneus nudges Hercules.

Atreus:  Go ahead, Scilla, y-you tell him.

Scilla:  Well, he didn't attack me, exactly. But he did chase me away.
And I wasn't anywhere near Hera's precious vineyard. I just wanted these.

She holds up the basket, full of flowers.

Salmoneus:  Further proof that Cyclops is a lout.

Hercules:  (distractedly) Yeah, uh. (to Scilla) Did he have a weapon?

Lout:  Why don't you go up to his lair and find out for yourself?

The young lout who had been leaning on a plow listening now steps
forward, pushing past Atreus and Scilla, to face Hercules.

Lout:  Or are you afraid?

Hercules:  (to Scilla and Atreus) Don't mind the interruption.

Scilla:  (smiling) Oh, no. He didn't have a weapon.

Hercules steps up to the lout, whom we recognize as the one who saw him
leave the tent last night.

Hercules:  Now, is, is there a problem?

Lout:  Yeah. Your manhood. You wouldn't even stand up to those women last
night.

Hercules:  Oh, I see. So I guess that makes me a coward, then, right?

Hercules' calm self-confidence is grating on the lout's sense of manhood.

Lout:  Right.

Hercules:  Right. (turning away from the lout) Atreus, could you tell me
where I...

He gets no farther, as the lout lashes out with a sudden head-butt. Taken
off-guard, Hercules cannot roll with the blow, but staggers around into a
pile of wood, and holds his head while getting back to his feet.

Lout:  Now it's your turn. First man off his feet loses. If it's you, I'm
going to find those women and feed you to them.

Salmoneus:  Go on, Hercules. Dent his head.

He slaps a still-woozy Herc's arm encouragingly. The lout growls at
Salmoneus, while Hercules gives him an 'are you crazy?' look. He takes
his hand down from his head and steps forward.

Hercules:  Look, I'm, I'm not going to play your game.

Lout:  Yes you are.

He grabs Hercules by the shirtfront and head-butts him again, harder this
time. Hercules whirls, clutching his head, and staggers for several steps.
Salmoneus holds up a hand, index finger extended as if he's about to make
a point, but doesn't say anything. Hercules turns back around, hand still
to his head, and slowly walks back. The lout holds his arms open in
invitation. Salmoneus makes a gesture with his head, like a sideways
head-butting motion, but Hercules needs no hints. The demigod hauls back
and slams the lout in a head-butt that sends him sprawling back into a
cart full of hay. Salmoneus laughs triumphantly. Hercules rolls his eyes
and walks past him.

Salmoneus:  (counting on his fingers) I should have sold tickets.

Hercules passes Atreus and Scilla, who are staring at the young lout in 
the cart, and stands in front of his foe, who starts to try to get up
when he sees Hercules there.

Hercules:  (exhales) Give me your hand.

With a look of scorn on his face, the lout does so, and Hercules pulls him
to his feet. As soon as he is standing, the lout proceeds to knee Hercules
in the gut. Hercules leans forward, gasping for air. The others gasp in
sympathy.

Lout:  Next one's for you, Scilla.

Scilla:  I'd tell you not to hurt your head if I thought there was
anything in it.

Hercules is getting to his feet. He comes up suddenly, slamming the upper
part of his head against the lout's chin. This knocks the lout out; he 
falls back into the hay cart like a rock. Hercules turns, still stumbling
a little, as Salmoneus comes up to him.

Hercules:  I really don't have time for this nonsense.

He starts off in one direction.

Salmoneus:  Ah, Hercules. Wrong way.

Salmoneus points in the opposite direction, and Hercules turns to head in
that direction.

Hercules:  Uh, right. I knew that.

Salmoneus pats Hercules on the back as he heads off.

				*	*	*

Part Two:

Outside the walls of Trachas. Scilla hurries to catch up to Hercules as he
exits through an opening in the walls. He is still holding his head. They
walk past chickens pecking in the dust of the path.

Scilla:  Shouldn't you rest? Before you go up against the Cyclops?

Hercules:  Don't worry. I'm, uh, at my best when I can't see what I'm
doing.

Scilla:  You're not going to defeat him with jokes.

Hercules:  (exhales) I know.

They follow the curve of the path away from the city.

Scilla:  You do have a plan, don't you?

Hercules:  Never even seen this thing. I don't know what I'm going to do.

Scilla:  It's just that so many of the villagers have been lost to the
Cyclops, and I don't want you to be the next one.

Hercules:  This isn't where I intend to die.

Scilla:  Well, none of the others did, either.

Her tone is gentle, but forceful. He stops and looks at her.

Hercules:  (exhales) You know, if you're going to tell me anything, I
wish it was 'good luck'.

Scilla:  (smiling) Well, in that case, good luck.

Hercules:  Thank you.

He touches her on the shoulder and then heads on. She turns and watches
him go, her expression worried.

Cut to a field. A whip (appearing to be a cat o' nine tails) is raised
high in the air, held by a muscled arm. 

Guard:  Get a move on, slave, or you'll feel my lash!

The camera lowers, revealing the owner of the arm, a burly guard dressed
in a turban garnished with peacock feathers and a gaudy gold design. He
walks past the slave he was reprimanding. The camera pans, revealing men
in ragged clothes stomping grapes in vats. Other guards circle through
the area, supervising slaves who are carrying baskets and performing other
menial tasks. The camera comes to rest on a four-cornered tent, open on
all sides. Inside it sit Castor and the Ferret.

Castor:  Take a good look. This is the wine that Hera's chosen people
will drink at the Festival of the Believers.

Ferret:  Do those slaves ever have trouble with their feet? You know,
diseases, open sores?

He seems to be relishing the thought. Castor backhands him tiredly.

Castor:  Ah, shut up.

Ferret:  Hey, I was just talking.

Castor gets up and walks away from the tent; the Ferret hurries after
him, still talking.

Ferret:  If they got lousy feet, they might as well be spitting in the
stuff.

Castor:  Tell me why you're here, or I'll slap your face to the back of
your head!

He turns on the rat-faced man, glaring menacingly. 

Ferret:  Hercules is coming.

Castor:  You expect me to believe that?

Ferret:  Hey, it's true. I saw him with my own eyes last night in Trachas.

Castor:  Well. Then he's dead meat. (cackles)

Ferret:  (starts to laugh, then stops) Hey, what's so funny?

Castor:  Everything's funny, you idiot! Hercules is here, just in time for
Hera's festival. And when the Cyclops gets through with him, his head will
make an excellent decoration for the main table.

He begins to laugh wildly. The Ferret joins in. Castor stops abruptly,
glaring at the Ferret, who breaks off as well, giving him a nervous look.
Castor takes another sip from his winecup.

Cut to Hercules walking through the forest. Hearing a noise behind him,
he stops suddenly and moves around a wide tree trunk, waiting on the other
side for his pursuer. Then he jumps out with an arm outstretched and 
clotheslines Salmoneus, who falls on his back in the dirt, a fold of robe
covering his face. Before Hercules has realized who it is, he is down on
the ground, about to deliver a face-punch to Salmoneus. Salmoneus
scrabbles the fabric off his face.

Salmoneus:  Whoa, whoa! It's me, it's me! Nice reflexes!

Hercules draws back when he sees who it is. He gives an exasperated look
and gets up.

Hercules:  Salmoneus, what are you doing here?

Salmoneus props himself up on his elbows.

Salmoneus:  I want to see you do cruel and unusual things to that monster.

Hercules:  I thought you had togas to sell.

Salmoneus:  First things first.

Hercules looks away and then back at Salmoneus.

Hercules:  You really shouldn't hold a grudge.

Salmoneus:  Don't be so preachy!

Hercules rolls his eyes and grabs Salmoneus' hands, pulling him to his
feet.

Salmoneus:  Whoa! You'd feel just like I do if you were in my sandals.

Hercules:  Maybe so, but I still want you and your sandals to turn around
and go back to Trachas.

Salmoneus:  By myself?! Unh-unh. The Cyclops could get me. Or a wild beast
could turn me into lunch. Or the tax collector might repossess my toga--

Hercules, who seems to have had about enough, holds a hand up to Salmoneus
in a 'stop' gesture.

Salmoneus:  Okay. So can I come with you?

Hercules:  Yes. But you're on your own if things get ugly with this
creature.

He taps Salmoneus in the chest and walks off. Salmoneus follows cheerfully.

Salmoneus:  You're kidding, right? I mean, heh, you're Hercules! It'd be
really bad for your image. WAIT!

Cut to the Cyclops' cave. He is standing, holding Scilla's scarf up to the
light that comes in through a hole in the ceiling. Castor comes running
in, and he quickly hides the scarf in a fold of his tunic.

Castor:  (breathing hard) Company's coming.

Cyclops:  Who do you want me to hurt now?

Castor:  Hercules.

Cyclops:  *He's* here?

Castor:  And he's looking for you.

Cyclops:  They say there's nobody stronger.

Castor:  Who says that, huh? Whoever says that's never gone sideways with
you. You're unbeatable. You're a force for the good of Hera. You're...
What's that?

He sees the scarf sticking out of the Cyclops' tunic. The Cyclops quickly
shoves the scarf all the way inside his tunic.

Cyclops:  (defensively) I found it.

Castor:  (with a knowing look) What are you doing with a girl's scarf?
You got a girlfriend, huh?

Cyclops:  No!

Castor:  (excited) Come on, you can tell me. You're getting a bit on the
sly, aren't you? Huh? Well, who's the lucky girl, then? A blind concubine?

Cyclops:  SHUT UP!

He smashes his fist into a ledge of stone, bashing a hole in it. The
cavern shakes.

Cyclops:  I DON'T HAVE A GIRLFRIEND!

Castor:  Now that's how I like to see ya! Nice and hostile! Yes, you could
go back to moonin' around all you like, after you've chopped Hercules into
tiny little pieces and scattered them to the four corners of the Earth!

The Cyclops roars loudly.

Cut to Hercules and Salmoneus making their way through the woods.

Salmoneus:  What are you gonna do to him? Tell me what you're gonna do to
him, you gonna twist his... See, if I were you--

Hercules:  (interrupts) The Cyclops would probably die laughing and you'd
be a hero. (quieter) Now pipe down.

Salmoneus:  Ah, I see, you don't want him to know that we're coming, huh?
The element of surprise!

Hercules:  (holding a finger to his mouth) Shh! 

Salmoneus imitates the motion, but manages to stay silent. Hercules takes
another step forward and stops. Facing them are the daughters of King
Thespius. Hercules assays a nervous smile.

Salmoneus:  Ladies! (smooths down his beard and mustache) Come to buy 
those togas, eh?

Head Sister:  Swine!

Hercules:  (to Salmoneus) Run.

He turns and runs back the way they came. Salmoneus is quick to follow.

Head Sister:  Come on, girls!

Other Sisters:  He's ours! Don't let him get away! Get him, girls!

The sisters pursue the fleeing men through the trees. Cut ahead to 
Hercules and Salmoneus. Salmoneus is already gasping for air.

Salmoneus:  I can't do it! I can't go on!

Hercules:  Don't worry! They won't hurt you!

He keeps going as Salmoneus stumbles to a halt.

Salmoneus:  Do you promise?

The sisters converge on Salmoneus.

Head Sister:  Where is he going?

Salmoneus:  Beats me.

He turns and faces them, a fearful look on his face. 

Head Sister:  Bad choice of words for a liar.

Salmoneus:  Wh-wh-when did I ever lie to you?

Head Sister:  You've got a very short memory. Okay, girls, the treatment.

The sisters begin to surround Salmoneus, and as he babbles his protest, 
the sound of cloth being ripped can be heard. They laugh and shriek over
this.

Salmoneus:  W-w-w-w-wait, wait, wait, wait, uh, whoa, whoa, whoa, hey, 
hey, be careful, no, hey, whoa, whoa, hey, ooh, ooh! Okay, you can look,
but don't touch.

Shreds of purple cloth fly out of the tight circle.

Cut to a candlelit room. Castor kneels before a shrine of Hera: a golden
peacock, elaborately sculpted, with candles and incense lit at its base.

Castor:  Hera, it is I, Castor, the faithful. I come before you bearing a
gift, in the form of a promise. Hercules, your treacherous stepson, is 
about to die, just as you have desired for so long. My Cyclops will see
to it personally. He will bring me the head of Hercules, and I will--

Glaucus:  (interrupts) You'll do anything Hera tells you to, Castor.

Castor turns to see the new arrival standing in the doorway.

Castor:  What are you doing here?

Glaucus:  Oh, I'm just making sure this Hercules isn't too much for you
to handle.

Castor:  Did Hera send you?

Glaucus:  Stepmother's intuition. (laughs)

Castor:  Everything will be all right. Everything will be all right! The
Cyclops will, will rip out one of Hercules' arms and, and beat him to
death with it.

Glaucus:  Nice thought. But if your walking eyeball doesn't deliver, I've
got another solution.

Castor:  No. Not the Executioners.

Glaucus:  No, you don't get a vote.

He turns and walks out of the room. Castor, shaking, turns back to the
idol. 

Cut to the path to the vineyards. It is clearcut for quite a ways out of
the forest, and stone menhirs mark the borders. Hercules comes running
down the path. He is brought up short by a huge foot stomping down in the
middle of the path, landing so hard that the ground shakes. Hercules
doesn't even pause, just dodges off the path to his left. The Cyclops
looks down at him, growling. Hercules comes to a stop and looks up.

Hercules:  (conversationally) Let me guess - you're the Cyclops.

Cyclops:  Take a good look, because I'm the last thing you're ever gonna
see.

He laughs evilly. Hercules rolls his eyes a little.

Hercules:  That's what they all say.

The Cyclops tries to plant a foot on him. Hercules dodges it, 
somersaulting out of the way. He gets back to his feet.

Cyclops:  STAND STILL!

Hercules:  Why don't I help you move?

Hercules runs up to the Cyclops and stamps on his foot really hard. The
Cyclops cries out in pain and clutches his shin, bringing his head within
range of Hercules' fists. Hercules takes a swing at the Cyclops and gets
him on the forehead, knocking him back into some trees. The Cyclops
responds by grabbing one of the fronded trees and yanking it out of the
ground. He holds it above his head and stomps towards Hercules.

Cyclops:  I knew you weren't gonna go easy!

Holding the tree by the upper part, he swings it down towards Hercules,
who ducks out of the way before the trunk can connect with him; instead,
it bashes up some clay pots. Hercules fetches up by a grouping of rocks.

Hercules:  You tired yet?

The Cyclops swings again. Hercules dashes out of the way, and the rocks
are smashed to powder. He raises the tree and looks around, but can't see
Hercules anywhere.

Cyclops:  Hey, where'd you go?

Hercules leaps from out of nowhere, his punch solidly connecting with the
Cyclops' face. Landing on the ground, he dodges back, just out of range
of the Cyclops' body as it collapses, with a ground-shaking thud.

Cyclops:  (exhales) Just kill me and get it over with.

Hercules:  I think I'd rather find out why you're always in such a rotten
mood.

				*	*	*

Part Three:

The Cyclops' cave. The Cyclops hands Hercules a huge dipper of water.

Cyclops:  Go ahead. Drinks should always be on the loser.

He chuckles. Hercules shrugs and cautiously drinks from the dipper, the
bowl of which is larger than his head.

Cyclops:  I-it's from the water I guard.

Hercules lowers the dipper and sets it aside.

Hercules:  Now I understand why the villagers want their river back.

Cyclops:  It's not their river!

Hercules:  They got there before Hera did. Diverting it was a crime.

Cyclops:  I'd like it better if you'd say I stole it from those gutless
wonders in Trachas.

Hercules:  Why do you hate them so much?

Cyclops:  Because they hated me first! It started when I was a boy - 
'geek', 'freak', 'monster'. I heard it all. Admit it - you were thinking
the same thing when you came after me.

Hercules looks down, somewhat ashamed.

Hercules:  Yeah, I was.

Cyclops:  You get tired of it after a while.

Hercules:  But 'tired' isn't a reason to work for Hera. Loyalty doesn't
mean anything to her. All she cares about is her wine.

Cyclops:  I don't work for Hera. I work for Castor, the man in charge of
the vineyard. He's the only one who ever treated me halfway decent.

Hercules:  And that ended when you didn't kill me - and you know it.

Cyclops:  If you want me to fight for the villagers, forget it! They
don't care about me - why should I care about them?

Hercules:  Because now Hera's going to hate you as much as she hates the
villagers.

Cyclops:  Well, then I guess we're all out of luck.

Hercules:  Not if you give each other a chance.

Cyclops:  Pssh! That's what you think.

Hercules:  You're the one who has to do the thinking.

Cut to an up-close shot of Salmoneus, looking decidedly dejected. 
Suddenly, his eyes narrow. Cut to what he's seeing - Hercules, coming up
the road. Hercules sees Salmoneus, walks up a few more steps, and stops,
smiling.

Hercules:  Salmoneus.

Cut to Salmoneus, the camera now showing him from the waist up. His upper
torso is bare, and leaves can just be seen bedecking his lower half.

Salmoneus:  "Don't worry," he says. "They won't hurt you," he says.

Hercules:  (fighting laughter) Well - well, did they?

The camera cuts to Salmoneus again; this time, it is far back enough to
reveal his whole body. He is sitting on a piece of wood that juts out of
the hill, so that his legs dangle in midair. Leafy branches cover his
midsection.

Salmoneus:  Look at me! Do you think I'm dressed like a tree 'cause I
wanna be? If I'm not careful, I'll be attracting woodpeckers!

Hercules:  But you're not hurt..?

Salmoneus:  (reluctantly) Noooo.

Hercules:  Good. Because (laughing) you look ridiculous.

He walks on down the path.

Cut to further down the path. Salmoneus, holding the leaves around his
middle, tags after Hercules. They are a good distance away from the 
camera; it slowly pans towards them as they continue along the path and
past it.

Salmoneus:  Hey! Hey! The next time those crazy women come along, I'm 
gonna serve you to them on a silver platter. By the way, how'd you do the
Cyclops?

The camera pans past a tree, behind which stands the Ferret, listening
intently to their conversation.

Hercules:  Not bad.

Salmoneus:  Did you beat him?

Hercules:  That's one way of putting it.

Salmoneus:  (excited) Ahh! Ahh! You're being modest. 

The Ferret shifts to watch them from the far side of the tree, then darts
away.

Salmoneus:  You're being modest, right? You slammed into him, you went
'bang', and--

He gesticulates excitedly and drops the branch that was covering his
front; fortunately his back is to the camera by now.

Salmoneus: Whoops! Whoops! Whoa!

He stops to pick it up, while Hercules laughs.

Hercules:  Come on, nature boy. Let's find you some clothes.

He keeps going. Salmoneus hurries after.

Salmoneus:  I want to hear all the gory details.

Cut to Hera's temple. The camera is close up on the Ferret, who is
nervously listening to Castor rant.

Castor:  I don't want to hear anymore!

Ferret:  There's no more to tell. Hercules defeated the freak. End of
story.

Castor:  Cyclops quit on me, huh? He just rolled over and played dead.
And after all I've done for him. That overgrown eyeball!

Ferret:  (nervously) I don't know nothing about that.

Castor:  You don't care, either, do you, rodent? You just want the dinars
that I owe ya, and then the wolves can start eating me alive!

Ferret:  Wolves?

Castor:  Think about it on your way out, you imbecile! This is gonna be a
big enough mess without having you around.

The Ferret catches sight of the ominous looking idol before he turns and
flees.

Cut to a shot of green hills, with a wide stream running through them.
Salmoneus can be heard speaking.

Salmoneus:  Then Hercules hits him with three lefts in a row--

Cut to Salmoneus, who has gained a change of clothes and is now narrating
the story to a group of villagers, who are revealed as the camera pulls
back.

Salmoneus:  Pow, pow, pow! Faster than a chicken pecking at a kernel of
corn. And before the Cyclops knows what's happening to him, Hercules
unleashes his mighty right hand - *KABLOOIE*! Hits the Cyclops so far in
the air that Hercules goes underneath and catches him.

The camera pulls back to reveal Atreus and Hercules on the fringe of the
crowd, listening. They turn and begin to walk away, with Scilla falling
in behind them, as Salmoneus continues his narration.

Atreus:  Your friend the toga salesman's a lucky man, seeing all that.

Hercules:  Yeah, he's talking about things even I don't remember.

Atreus:  Heh heh, whatever. We can get our lives back to normal now that
Cyclops is dead.

Hercules:  Oh, he isn't dead.

They stop, and Atreus and Scilla give Hercules confused looks.

Atreus:  But - you were supposed to kill him.

Hercules:  No, I was supposed to stop him from ruining your lives. I
never intended to kill him.

Atreus:  Well, you should have.

Hercules:  Look. There's no fight left in him. There might not have been
any to start with if people hadn't always treated him like an outcast.

Atreus:  Is that what that freak told you?

Scilla:  Listen to yourself, Atreus. You're answering your own question.

Atreus:  You keep out of this.

Scilla:  I will not. I know what you and your friends put the Cyclops
through when he was a boy.

Atreus:  We were protecting you and every other female in the village,
you ungrateful wench.

Hercules:  Why don't you worry about your river instead of calling the
lady names?

Scilla looks at Hercules gratefully. Atreus seems to have run out of
insults.

Atreus:  Ah, what good would it do? Once you're gone, the Cyclops will be
back terrorizing us.

Scilla:  If you weren't such an ass, maybe Hercules would stay and help.

Hercules:  Well, maybe I'll stay and help anyway.

He is looking at Scilla as he says this. She smiles at him, surprised.

Scilla:  You mean it?

Hercules:  Yes. I like the idea of Hera's grapes dying on the vine.

Atreus:  (shouting to the villagers) Everybody! We start puttin' the river
back on course tomorrow!

Villagers:  All right! Yeah!

Cut to a shot of mountains with early sunrise behind them. Cut to the
village of Trachas. Hercules comes out around a corner and walks down the
main street. He is startled when Salmoneus comes up to him suddenly.

Salmoneus:  You woke up alone again, didn't you? I'm surprised the fair
Scilla hasn't taken care of that problem.

Hercules:  That's not what I'm here for, Salmoneus.

Salmoneus:  Yeah, all work and no play...

Hercules:  Means I don't leave with a guilty conscience.

Salmoneus:  Ah, well, you probably wouldn't have had time for her anyway.
Heh, heh, heh.

He is looking further down the road and stroking his beard. Hercules
follows his gaze and starts. Cut to what they are seeing: King Thespius'
daughters coming around the corner of a building and down the path. They
walk up to Hercules. The Head Sister wears a smug smile.

Head Sister:  I've got a sporting proposition for you, Hercules.

Hercules:  (to Salmoneus) You set this up, didn't you?

Salmoneus:  They only released me when I promised. Now just listen, will
you?

The Head Sister draws breath to speak. Hercules holds his hand up to stay
her.

Hercules:  No, no. It's my turn, all right? Now, ladies, no matter what
you think, I'm not opposed to pretty women, and I'm not opposed to having
children. But if I'm going to become a father again, the mother will be
someone that I love. And I, I don't love any of you. I mean, I like to
look at you, and I, I, I might even like to talk to you, if I didn't feel
like I was always the fox and you were the hounds. But that's as far as
my interest goes. I hope you understand. I hope King Thespius understands.  
(exhales) Now, if you'll excuse me, I've, I've got some people to help.

He moves through the group of women as they sigh after him and turn to
watch him go.

Other Sisters:  That is so beautiful. He's so sensitive.

Head Sister:  So that's why Dad wanted us to have his children.

Cut to the Cyclops' cave. The Cyclops is getting a tongue-lashing from
Castor.

Castor:  You're bigger than Hercules. You're tougher! You're meaner! And
still you lost! (tearful) How could you do that to me?!

Cyclops:  To you?! I'm the one he beat!

Castor:  Yeah? Well, how come you're not dead?

Cyclops:  Would that make it better?

Castor:  (realizing) You're on his side now, aren't you?

The Cyclops folds his arms huffily.

Cyclops:  I haven't decided.

Castor:  (angry) Oh, you think you're so smart. (deep, mocking tone) "I
haven't decided." (regular voice) Hera has let her Executioners loose!
They're going to kill everybody that gets in their path! Why don't you
think about that for a minute, you idiot!?

Cyclops:  DON'T CALL ME AN IDIOT!!

Castor:  (frustrated) Is that all you can say?! Why don't you use that
big eyeball of yours for a minute and take a look around?! You're doomed!

He points menacingly at the Cyclops, who, angered, growls and takes a 
swing at him. Castor runs from the cave. Breathing hard, the Cyclops
slowly turns, drawing something from his tunic - Scilla's scarf. He holds
it up against his cheek and whimpers quietly.

Cut to an open field. Glaucus has a whip in hand. He reels back and snaps
it on the ground. Two skeletons rise up. Flesh and armor quickly form on
them, and they hold single-bladed axes at the ready. Glaucus raises two
more warriors, these with clubs. Laughing cruelly, he lashes the whip to
create another, this one with a crossbow. He smiles in grim satisfaction
as he looks over his cadre of Executioners. He walks through the group, 
and they all turn to face him. As he swings around to look at them, Castor
comes running up from behind.

Castor:  (panting) I didn't think you'd be here so soon. You sure you want
me to come along?

Glaucus:  Oh, ho, ho, ho. You make a good point.

Casually, he presses a button on the mace he is holding. A knifeblade
springs out from the spiked ball, which he then shoves into Castor's
stomach. Glaucus drives it home, then pulls it back out, letting the dead
man fall, staring sightlessly, to the ground. He then walks back to the
troop of Executioners.

Glaucus:  I want Hercules. And I want him dead! Go!

He hits one of the Executioners on the shoulder, and they all start
running.

Executioners:  Yeah!

Cut to the riverbank where the stones still block the river. Several
villagers are gathered, working at moving the stones with picks and tools.
They seem to be having a little success, as water is beginning to
circulate around the rough dam, but there are still some large rocks that
need to be moved.

Atreus:  Come on, everybody! Let's get this cleared.

He moves down towards the rocks. A couple of villagers follow him. The
camera passes Volus and the Lout, who are digging; the Ferret, who pops
his head up and then down again, out of range of the camera; and finally
comes to rest on Salmoneus, who is leaning contentedly against a tree,
chewing on something. Hercules comes around from the far side of the tree
and eyes Salmoneus. He has removed his shirt while he works.

Hercules:  You just gonna stand there? (heads towards the rocks)

Salmoneus:  (around a full mouth) I refuse to compromise my integrity
with physical toil.

Scilla appears from around the tree.

Scilla:  Well, then I'm not interested in buying any of your togas.

Salmoneus holds up the half-eaten piece of fruit in his hand.

Salmoneus:  You want--? All right.

He bites into it and remains where he is.

Cut to close by the rocks. Hercules has his back to the largest boulder
and is straining against it. Scilla approaches him.

Scilla:  You need some help?

Hercules:  (smiling warmly) Yeah. Thanks.

She goes to his left and puts her back to the rock as well.

Hercules:  (calling to Salmoneus) Embarrassed?

Salmoneus raises his eyebrows for a moment, narrows one eye as if in
thought, and then innocently shakes his head 'no'. He takes another bite
of fruit. 

Hercules and Scilla continue to push at the boulder. Hercules turns and
pushes forward on it. It's starting to budge, but not far enough. He
gives her a pleased smile.

Villager #1:  Let's give Hercules a hand!

Salmoneus takes another bite of fruit and turns to look. Two other 
villagers have joined Hercules and Scilla; one pries underneath the rock
with a strong stick.

Villager #2:  Come on, if we all do this, it'll work!

Salmoneus is beginning to look a little shameful.

Villager #3:  Right! Get your hands down!

Now Scilla turns and pushes forward as well. The rock is moving further
with each push.

Villager #4:  And get your backs into it!

Salmoneus shakes his head, fighting with himself. Finally he throws down
the piece of fruit in disgust.

Salmoneus:  All right.

Atreus:  Push! Almost got it! Just a little more!

Salmoneus marches over to join the others.

Atreus:  Come on, all together!

Salmoneus steps up next to Scilla and finds a good place to push on the
rock.

Hercules:  (teasing) Oh, look who's here. Better late than never.

Salmoneus gives a high-pitched, false laugh. Hercules is grinning.

Villager #5:  Heave!

Cut to the valley beyond the river. The Cyclops walks up to watch the
villagers' industry. There is a loud splash and the villagers begin to
cheer.

Villagers:  Hey! We've done it!

Some of them splash around in the water and toss handfuls at each other.

Salmoneus:  The first labor I've ever done!

The Cyclops crosses one arm over his chest and cups his chin in his other
hand.

Cyclops:  Hmmmm.

He raises his head and steps forward, toward the river.

Cut to the river. The strip of mud where the water was blocked is still
there, but the water is beginning to make its way across. Hercules, who
has put on his undershirt, walks over it with Scilla as Atreus approaches
them.

Atreus:  Well, you've set a good example. But there's months of work
here, I hope these people realize that.

Scilla:  If they were afraid of challenges, they would have run off by now.

Atreus:  How about you, Hercules? You going back on the road?

Hercules:  Sooner or later. I always do.

Atreus:  Ah, that's a shame. We could use someone like you--

Atreus' words are interrupted by a scream. They look up. The Cyclops walks
towards them, stopping a short distance away, and looks down at the crowd
of villagers, who have gathered around Hercules, Atreus and Scilla.

Lout:  Go back where you came from!

The villagers wave pitchforks and hoes threateningly.

Cyclops:  I'm not here to hurt you.

Lout:  Freak!

The lout hurls a stone at the Cyclops. Others follow in quick succession,
and although they do no damage to the Cyclops, he flinches instinctively.
Hercules turns and wades back through the crowd in an attempt to stop them.

Hercules:  Give him a chance!

Scilla:  Stop it! Stop it, listen to Hercules!

Atreus:  Hercules is not one of us!

Hercules continues his attempt to stop the mob, but in vain, as they
continue to stone the Cyclops. Growling in defeat, the Cyclops turns and
flees.

Hercules:  (seeing this) No! Come back!

The Cyclops keeps going, his footfalls shaking the ground.

Scilla:  (angrily) Fools!

She heads after the Cyclops.

Scilla:  Wait!

Atreus:  Don't! You're crazy!

He takes a few steps after her, but she is already off and running after
the Cyclops.

Atreus:  Don't go! Don't go, Scilla!

				*	*	*

Part Four:

The riverside. A short time has passed since Scilla's departure - long
enough for Hercules to put his shirt back on and attempt to deal with the
angry mob of villagers. Salmoneus seems to be the only one not after the
Cyclops' blood.

Hercules:  She'll be fine. Don't worry, the Cyclops won't hurt her.

Atreus:  If that monster kills Scilla, her blood will be on your hands.

Lout:  Yeah, you're the one who let the Cyclops live.

Hercules:  He wasn't here to hurt anybody.

Atreus:  How can you say that? You fought him, for crying out loud.

Hercules:  Because I know who put the evil in him. You.

He pokes Atreus in the chest before turning to point at the other
villagers.

Hercules:  And you, all of you.

The camera pans down behind the largest grouping of villagers, revealing
the Ferret behind them. He turns after hearing this and darts off.

Hercules:  All of you put the evil in him.

Lout:  You've got your nerve, standing there judging us while the Cyclops
is probably off having his way with Scilla.

Hercules:  She's better off with him than she would be with you.

Infuriated at this, the lout hauls back to hit Hercules, who, having
anticipated the move - and not even looking at him - holds up his hand
and catches the lout's oncoming punch. He bends the lout's arm back,
forcing him to his knees, as crunching sounds can be heard.

Lout:  Oh, my hand!

Salmoneus looks on with a grin.

Hercules:  You sell them some togas, Salmoneus. I'm going after our
friends.

He starts off across the field.

Atreus:  She better be alive!

Cut to another meadow. Out of thin air, the Executioners appear, marching
towards their destination. The Ferret runs up to the leader.

Ferret:  Hey! You're the Executioners, right? Yeah, yeah, Castor said you
were coming.

Glaucus barely spares the Ferret a glance as they continue marching.

Ferret:  Let me show you where Hercules is.

Glaucus:  We don't need you.

They push past him and keep going. Another of the Executioners casually
backhands the Ferret in passing, knocking him to the ground.

Cut to the Cyclops' cave. The Cyclops sits on the ground, his legs drawn
up with his arms resting on his knees. He growls softly. Scilla walks up
to him cautiously.

Scilla:  Are you all right?

His head jerks up. Slowly, he turns his head to look at her.

Cyclops:  I'm tired.

He drops his head again.

Scilla:  I don't doubt it. After always being called names by people,
always having people afraid of you.

He raises his head slowly, listening to her.

Scilla:  I'm sorry.

Cyclops:  I know you are. I-I could tell you were different the day I-I
saw you gathering flowers. But you were still scared, weren't you?

Scilla:  Yes.

Cyclops:  Well, let me tell you something. It's not me you have to be
afraid of anymore. It's Hera's Executioners. They're out to destroy
Hercules... and the village.

Scilla:  You have to tell Hercules.

Hercules:  (off-screen) Tell me what?

They both turn and look to see Hercules standing in the mouth of the cave.

Scilla:  H-Hera's Executioners are coming.

Hercules:  Well, then I better go say hello.

Scilla:  You can't fight them by yourself. I don't care what the myths
say about you.

Hercules walks up to Scilla and the Cyclops.

Hercules:  You may find this hard to believe, but some of those myths are
true.

Cyclops:  Does that mean you wouldn't want my help?

Hercules:  (surpised) No. It means I don't ask for help. But I'm not an
unreasonable man.

Cyclops:  (angry) Good! Because I'd like to pay Hera back for the way she
used me. (gentler) And I'd also like to show you both I-I appreciate you
treating me like something (inhales) besides a monster.

Hercules:  Then it sounds like we're in this together.

Scilla:  Don't forget about me. I'm coming with you.

Cyclops:  But you might get hurt!

Scilla:  I know. But I could get hurt staying here, too.

Hercules:  The lady's right.

Cyclops:  Very well. But promise you'll be careful.

Scilla:  I promise.

Hercules touches her arm to turn her, and the three head out of the cave.

Cut to a view of a free-flowing stream. Cut to the riverbank where the
villagers are still working on clearing the rocks away. They have most of
them moved now.

Hercules:  (off-screen) The Executioners must have taken the long way
here.

Cut to the Cyclops, standing with Scilla and Hercules flanking him, as
they overlook the river.

Cyclops:  It could have been a lie, too. Castor was good at lying.

Hercules:  Let's warn the villagers anyway, whether they deserve it or
not.

Scilla:  Are you sure they won't just throw more rocks?

Hercules:  I'm sure. They don't wanna hurt you.

Scilla:  (amused) I never thought you two would need my protection, but
if that's the way it is.

Executioners:  (off-screen) Yahh!

Scilla, Hercules and the Cyclops turn to look behind them. The 
Executioners come charging up over a ridge, Glaucus at their head. He 
stands still while they swarm past him, the camera moving up swiftly to
show his smirking face. Hercules turns and starts toward them; the Cyclops
quickly follows. Two of the Executioners raise crossbows and fire at the
Cyclops. The bolts embed themselves in his chest to no apparent effect.
He calmly plucks them out and tosses them aside. Hercules jogs up in time
to see this.

Hercules:  Very impressive!

He keeps running. The Executioners back away from the Cyclops and take
off running. The Cyclops stomps after them. Another Executioner swings a
copper-colored sword at Hercules; he ducks it and comes up with a punch
to the stomach, followed by an elbow to the face that takes the 
Executioner down. Hercules grabs the man's sword in time to parry a thrust
from another Executioner. He forces his blade atop the other man's and
pushes the swords down, and at the bottom of the arc, knocks the other
sword away. He then kicks the man in the stomach and gives him a backhand
to the face that's powerful enough to send the guy into a full flip
before landing on his back. Hercules turns, sword ready, to face his next
two opponents. He parries a high swing from his left, then one from his
right, and then two successive low swings from the left and right. He
blocks another high swing from the left, then catches the right-hand
man's sword on his own and pushes, knocking that Executioner's sword
back. Quickly, he punches the guy's lights out with a backhand and turns
to finish the other one. Parrying a high swing, he executes another
maneuver of forcing the sword down and away; the sword flies out of the
guy's hand and sticks in the ground, but Hercules also loses his sword.
The Executioner then tries to backhand Hercules, who grabs the arm in
both of his hands, lets go with his left hand and backhands the man. In
rapid succession he then drops the Executioner's arm and backhands him
with his right fist, this blow hard enough to send him into a double-axel
before he falls.

Cut to the riverbank, where the villagers are looking on. Salmoneus is
among them, scratching his chin.

Volus:  We should help them.

Atreus:  Oh, I won't die helping a freak. Or anyone who sides with one,
even if it is Hercules.

Lout:  Damn right.

Salmoneus:  It would be better to die with him than to stay here with
eunuchs like you.

His voice unusually powerful with emotion, Salmoneus pushes through the
villagers and runs out to the field.

Scilla:  Behind you, Hercules!

Hercules dodges the swing of another Executioner's fist. He punches the
man in the gut as he comes up and past him, and elbows him in the back to
knock him down. He turns around just in time to deliver a hard backhand
to another Executioner before this one can get the drop on him. The man
spins around twice, and Hercules delivers a final kick to his stomach to
put him down. He turns to face another opponent; grabbing onto the man's
outstretched arm, he swings himself over the guy's back and around to face
him again as he lands. He delivers a solid face-punch that sends the
Executioner spinning as he goes down. Hercules turns and backhands yet
another Executioner who's come up on him from behind, following that up
with an elbow to the stomach. He grabs the man's arm and flings him over
himself.

Cut to the villagers watching. They are still doing nothing. Cut to
Scilla, watching nervously. She spies the sword stuck in the ground. 
Making her decision, she runs toward it. Cut to Glaucus, who smirks as he
notices her and then begins to move forward. Scilla reaches the sword and
grabs at the hilt, and then Glaucus places his hand on her wrist. Coming
around her, he grabs the back of her neck.

Glaucus:  You come with me.

He begins to drag her away, despite her struggles.

Scilla:  No! Hercules! Help!

The Cyclops stomps across the field. His attention is diverted when he
hears Scilla's cries.

Scilla:  Hercules!

Cut to the villagers at the riverside.

Atreus:  To the village!

Villager #1:  We gotta get out of here, he's going to try to hurt us.

The villagers turn without protest and begin to back away.

Cut to the field. Three Executioners with axes and swords run up towards
the Cyclops, but stop in their tracks when they see him pick up a large
boulder.

Cut to the villagers at the riverbank. Volus is still watching the action.

Volus:  Hey, look!

Cut to the field. The Cylops flings the boulder across the ground towards
the Executioners. As it rolls toward them, they turn to run, yelling in
fear. It neatly bowls them over and keeps going.

Cyclops:  Oh, yeah!

The Cyclops brings up his fist victoriously. Cut to Hercules, who has
just seen the Executioners bowled over. He winces in sympathy.

Hercules:  Ooh. What a way to go.

His attention is diverted by another Executioner running up to him. 
Hercules blocks the man's arms, pushes them out of the way, and punches
him in the side, then grabs him and flings him several yards away.

Cut to the villagers watching. The lout begins to grin.

Villager #2:  Hercules is beating them all.

Cut to another Executioner racing up to Hercules, who kicks the man in
the torso before he can get there. He then backhands him across the face,
making the Executioner spin twice, and then clutches the back of his
uniform and flings him after the last guy. The other one is just getting
up, and looks up just in time to see his fellow land on top of him.

Cut to Glaucus, who is still dragging Scilla away. The Cyclops has reached
them by now; he places a large foot directly in Glaucus' path, causing
both him and Scilla to trip and fall. They land away from each other. The
Cyclops laughs, brushing off his hands, and smiles at Hercules, who nods
back. Turning, Hercules sees Salmoneus jogging up.

Salmoneus:  Hecules, I'm ready to fight!

The Cyclops moves back over towards Hercules. Glaucus gets up, scrambling
away, and takes off.

Salmoneus:  He's getting away!

The Cyclops whirls to see this. He then turns to Hercules.

Cyclops:  How can I help?

Hercules:  I'll give you a boost.

Salmoneus:  I'll go to Scilla.

Cyclops:  Right!

The Cyclops turns and faces in the direction of Glaucus' departure.
Hercules picks up one of the Cyclops' feet and gives him a tremendous
shove, sending him flying through the air. Glaucus stops in his tracks
and looks up as he hears the Cyclops' yell. He screams, and then the
Cyclops lands atop him.

Cyclops:  (after a beat) Ow.

Cut to the riverbank. The villagers cheer lustily. Hercules, Scilla, and
Salmoneus enjoy the applause. 

Cut to Hercules and Atreus shaking hands a few moments later, by the
riverbank. The villagers continue to cheer. The lout also reaches out to
shake hands with Hercules.

Atreus:  Hercules... Hercules, we owe you a debt of gratitude that can
never be repaid.

Hercules:  Yes it can.

He turns and walks toward the field.

Hercules:  If you really want to repay me, just be nice to him.

He stops next to the Cyclops, who looks down at him.

Atreus:  Oh, but we've tried. We've tried.

Salmoneus:  Yes. Calling someone a monster always proves you're his
friend.

He pats Atreus on the shoulder and shares a laugh with Scilla.

Atreus:  Why are we arguing about this now? This should be a day of
celebration.

Scilla walks over to Hercules, addressing the villagers.

Scilla:  You know, this man helped Hercules do something for you and me
today that you would never have done for him.

Atreus:  But how can we be sure he won't cause more trouble after
Hercules leaves?

Cyclops:  If you let me live in peace, I promise I'll help you do the
same. As long as you treat me with respect.

Hercules:  You're not going to get a better offer than that, Atreus. I'd
take him up on it if I was you.

Atreus:  All right. We'll give it a try, huh?

The villagers cheer. Hercules looks up at the Cyclops, who gazes over
everyone happily.

				*	*	*

Tag:

Hercules and Salmoneus are walking away from Trachas.

Salmoneus:  I can't believe I didn't make a single dinar this entire
trip! I mean, I thought *somebody* back there would buy a toga. Ah, well,
I'm sure we'll do better the next place we stop.

Hercules:  We?

Salmoneus:  Can't break up the team now. I'm naming a toga after you,
remember.

Hercules:  But I told you, I don't wear togas.

Salmoneus:  Ah, picky, picky.

Head Sister:  There he is!

The two freeze. Cut to the daughters of King Thespius, running up an
adjoining path. They stop, with the head sister looking particularly
triumphant.

Hercules:  I, I thought we settled this.

Head Sister:  No, not you, Hercules. Your little friend.

Hercules & Salmoneus:  (in unison) You're kidding.

Both Hercules' and Salmoneus' left hands go to their hearts, and
Salmoneus also seems to be placing a protective right hand over his
groin.

Head Sister:  We have decided he will do just fine.

Salmoneus' eyes nearly bug out of their sockets.

Salmoneus:  Me?!

The head sister shrugs and grins.

Salmoneus:  Yesss!

He starts towards the sisters.

Hercules:  What about that team we had?

Salmoneus:  A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.

Grinning, he walks into the group. The girls surround him, laughing.

Other Sisters:  Hello. Right this way.

He begins to laugh as well, waving to Hercules.

Hercules:  (chuckling) Yeah. Right. Good luck.

He heads off down the path.

Salmoneus:  (to the sisters) Okay, can I look *and* touch? (laughs) Oh,
very nice.