THE FESTIVAL OF DIONYSIS
Written by: Andrew Dettman & Daniel Truly
Directed by: Peter Ellis
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 "The Road to Calydon". It also contains
camera angles and descriptions of action where I thought it necessary.
* * *
Teaser:
Fade in on a palace at night-time. Cut to the full moon rising slowly
above the treetops. Faint music of an Eastern Indian flavor can be
heard. Cut to a close shot of a bowl, full of dark red wine. The liquid
bubbles a little, trembling as if something heavy were shaking the floor
nearby. Cut to a richly appointed room. In the center of the room is a
round table, covered in red cloth. Two golden goblets mark the center of
the table, and arranged around the goblets are ten gold-hilted daggers,
each with the tip pointing inwards. As the camera backs away from the
table, several maidens appear from one side of the room. In a line, they
circle around the table, each one taking up a dagger in her hand as she
goes. They are dressed in white skirts and metal-encrusted bikini tops,
with gold armlets and jewelry for decoration. Once the first maiden has
completed her circuit of the table, she goes around it and further into
the room, continuing towards the camera, which continues to back away
and up to look down on the room. Now a bed is revealed, with a man and a
woman asleep in it. The woman wakes as the maidens come around the bed.
Camilla: Wake up! Iphicles!
Iphicles remains undisturbed. The maidens gather around Iphicles, and as
one, stab him in the heart - once, and then again. Camilla opens her
mouth to scream.
Cut to the same bedroom, the same view of Camilla, now awake and
screaming. The room is empty save her and Iphicles. She realizes this
immediately, even as Iphicles, awakened by her scream, sits up.
Iphicles: What's wrong, what is it?
Camilla: (breathing hard) You must cancel the Festival.
Iphicles: I can't, you know that.
Camilla: But - I've, I've just had the most terrible dream. I saw the
virgins! They came for us! You must cancel the Festival - or you'll die!
Iphicles: Shhh, my love. It was just a dream. Lie down and go back to
sleep.
He promptly does so. Camilla can't rest easy, however, and she gets out
of bed.
Cut to a large double door, darkened in shadow. It opens from the
opposite side, and Camilla comes in through it. She rushes over to the
bed, where a young man lays asleep. Camilla shakes his shoulder
frantically, and he comes awake almost immediately.
Nestor: Mother? Is something wrong?
She puts her fingers to his lips to quiet him.
Camilla: I need you to do something for me.
The scene dissolves into a shot of Nestor, now fully dressed and with a
cloak on his shoulders, making his way down a city street at night.
Torches are lit on a wall behind him. He pauses to make sure no one is
watching him, then pulls the hood over his head and moves on. Behind
him, a large, bearded man steps into view, menace in his eyes.
Again, the scene dissolves; this time, to a tavern somewhere without the
city's walls. Cut to inside the tavern. An old man and a satyr, Clarin,
are facing each other.
Clarin: Pay up, old man.
Old Man: But that's all the money I have.
Hercules, also in the tavern, notices as they continue talking.
Clarin: Too bad. A challenge is a challenge, and you lost.
Old Man: But there's no way I could have beaten...
The satyr grabs the old man's tunic to pull him close. Hercules starts
toward them.
Clarin: You should have thought of that before you made the bet! Give
me the money!
Hercules intervenes at this point, holding back the satyr's hand as he
is about to punch the old man.
Hercules: Why don't you pick on someone your own size?
Clarin: Fine.
Cut to two large glazed mugs being set down on a table. The camera pulls
back to reveal Hercules sitting on one side of the table, the satyr
opposite him.
Hercules: This isn't exactly what I had in mind.
Clarin: Hmph. Save the excuses. First one to drop loses.
With a look of bemusement, Hercules nods. On the table, a serving woman
sets down a tray of five more frothy mugs. Hercules' look turns to one
of consternation as he glances back at the satyr.
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 the same tray of mugs.
Clarin: We're just getting started, friend.
Hercules glances around, as if resigned, and picks up the mug in front
of him, raising it to meet the satyr's with a clink. As he starts to
lift the mug to his lips, the satyr stops him with a hand on his arm.
Clarin: No. We'll take turns. That way I'll make sure you don't cheat.
Hercules looks just a little offended at that, but waits while the satyr
downs the entire mug in one gulp. The satyr thunks the mug down on the
table, lets out a sigh, and wipes his mouth with his hand.
Clarin: Now. Your turn.
Hercules lifts his mug to his face. The rim of the mug is so huge that
it completely obscures his face, up to the hairline. While he is
imbibing, the satyr stands up. Another satyr - Clitus, the exact twin of
the first - sits down in place of the first.
Cut to the man who was defeated in the earlier drinking contest. His
eyes go wide with realization.
Old Man: So that's how he beat me.
The old man starts to step forward, but his progress is abruptly impeded
by Clarin.
Clarin: You snitch, you die.
Dissolve to later. One of the satyrs is taking a long drink from a mug.
He finishes it, woozily lowers the mug, and lets out a belch. His eyes
are somewhat glazed. The camera backs away to reveal an equally drunk
Hercules. Mugs are scattered all over the table next to them.
Hercules: You know... (belches, thumps his chest) 'Scuse me. I'm... I'm
not normally much... of a drinker. But I feel like I've had twice as
many as you.
Clarin: Heh. Gotta hand it to ya, you hung in longer than anyone we've
ever faced.
Even through the drunken haze, that plural registers with Hercules. He
peers muzzily at the satyr.
Hercules: "We"?
Clarin: (trying to recoup) Heh, oh, I mean, me.
Hercules: Oh.
Hercules starts in on his next mug. Clarin starts to get up, but Clitus
comes at the bench from the same direction and runs into him, pushing
him into the table. Hercules finishes the drink and looks up.
Hercules: Wait a minute. (raises a hand, pointing a finger at them)
Wait a minute, there're two of you.
Satyrs: (eerily echoing) Nah, you're just drink, tha's all. Double
vision. There's only one of us.
They start weaving from side to side, in hypnotizing fashion.
Hercules: Only one of you.
Satyrs: Yeah.
They both nod.
Hercules: Double vision?
Satyrs: Yeah, yeah.
Again, they nod in unison.
Hercules: Oh, well. In that case, I better put you back together again.
He stands up, leans over the table, grabs their heads and knocks them
together. As he falls back into his seat, they collapse onto theirs.
Apparently stunned sober, the satyrs get up and make a run for it.
Clarin: Let's get out of here!
Clitus: See ya later, sucker!
As Hercules starts to get up from his seat, Clitus pushes him back down.
Fleeing, he runs into one of the tavern's patrons. He shoves the man
into the arms of a nearby man and keeps going.
Man #3: Hey, that's my friend!
The second man throws the first across Hercules' table, scattering mugs
and liquid everywhere. The third man comes at the second, breaking a
chair on him. The second man responds with a backhand that knocks the
third into a pile of pottery, breaking it. At the door to the tavern,
the satyrs observe the confusion for a moment, laughing before they
depart.
The men are now merrily beating on each other. Drunkenly rolling his
eyes, Hercules gets to his feet and stumbles over to them.
Hercules: Hey, come on, you guys. Break it up.
He pushes them apart. One of them kicks him in the stomach; he grabs the
leg, swings to avoid a clumsy punch from the other, and comes back
around to punch the first in the jaw. He then grabs the two men by the
shoulders and clunks their heads together. They collapse. As he stumbles
away, yet another man breaks a chair on his back. Hercules doesn't even
look back; just backhands the attacker, who falls back onto a table,
breaking it.
Cut to sometime later. A heavily bearded man lies asleep on the floor.
Sunlight streams into the tavern.
Man #4: Get your foot out of my mouth.
Man #5: That's not my foot!
The camera moves past the sleeping man, picking up on another walking
by, as a nasty retching sound is heard. Panning across the mostly-empty
tavern, the camera comes to rest on Hercules. He is sitting on a chair,
head in hands, elbows propped up on knees and his hair covering his
face.
Hercules: I will never drink again.
Just then, the door bursts open and a young man in a hooded cloak bursts
in: Nestor.
Nestor: Hercules!
Nestor comes up to a man cleaning up mugs.
Nestor: I have to find Hercules. I was told he was here.
The tavern's owner indicates Hercules by pointing a mug at him. Nestor
approaches, disbelief on his face. Hercules grunts.
Nestor: Hercules?
Slowly, Hercules sits up, raising his head to look at Nestor.
Hercules: (sighs) Yeah.
Nestor: (excited) I - I need to talk--
Hercules: Shh. (raises a hand in a cutoff gesture) Not so loud.
Hercules sits back a bit, his hand going to his head.
Cut to a closeup of a glazed pitcher of steaming liquid. A hand raises
the pitcher and pours the beverage into a tin mug.
Hercules: So, what is this stuff anyway?
Nestor finishes pouring. We see the young man clearly for the first
time: he is handsome, with curly blond hair and blue eyes.
Nestor: It's called coffee. My father just started importing it from
the East. (gives the mug to Hercules) We're the only kingdom in all the
land that has it.
Hercules takes a sip, then makes a face at the taste.
Hercules: (setting the mug down and exhaling) No offense, but this
isn't something to brag about. So... (clears his throat) What's your
problem, exactly?
Nestor: (hesitating) I don't know *exactly*.
Hercules: Well, then, what's your problem vaguely?
Nestor: I-I don't know that either. My mother didn't say. She only told
me to invite you to the Festival of Dionysis, and - well, not to take
"no" for an answer.
Hercules: Look. Truth is, I'm not real big on celebrating the gods.
Especially the god of wine.
Nestor: But it's a royal invitation! My mother is Queen Camilla.
Hercules: That's funny. I never would have guessed you're a prince. All
the same, I, I have to decline.
Nestor: (getting more worried) You don't understand. I think
something's going to happen at the Festival - something bad. (Hercules
starts to look down and away) Please, Hercules - it's the first time my
mother has ever asked me to do anything. I can't let her down.
Hercules: A festival for Dionysis, huh? (Nestor nods) Ah, I guess that
old lush isn't as bad as most of the gods. Besides, maybe someone there
will have some advice on hangovers. (puts his hand to his head again,
sighs) So what goes on at this festival?
Nestor: Well, basically, we pray to Dionysis to bless the new wine.
Then everyone drinks!
He grins. Hercules looks away, a nauseated look on his face.
Nestor: Y-you don't *have* to drink, Hercules. Only the virgins *have*
to drink.
Cut to a room full of women dressed in white. The chamber is tall and
airy, banners and candles lightening the stone walls. The women sit on
stone benches, listening to a priest who stands at the top of the
stairs, at the door to the room. He is flanked by guards and wears
elaborate robes.
Priest: For over a thousand years, Dionysis has watched over Meliad.
And each year, we have celebrated with this holy festival. Now you have
been selected to play its most sacred role. Tonight, when the moon
reaches its full height, the new wine will flow over your lips, and with
it, Dionysis himself.
As he speaks, a handsome young man enters the room through the open
doors behind the priest. He is smirking a little, his smile returned by
one of the maidens.
Priest: Then you will know his will -- either to confirm King Iphicles'
reign, or to end it. If you must spill the King's blood, don't think--
Pentheus: (interrupting) All right, good priest. There's no point in
scaring these pretty girls. Let them go and enjoy their preparations.
The priest turns to him with surprise at the interruption.
Priest: I-I-I-I'm telling them the law!
Pentheus: Yes, we all know, but there's no doubt this festival will
only confirm my father for another year.
He steps forward, speaking to the maidens as the priest indignantly
exits.
Pentheus: Go. Be bathed. Be oiled and perfumed. Let my servants fuss
and fawn over you while you prepare for tonight.
The women obediently stand and move off, but one of them, a dark-haired
girl, stops by Pentheus.
Marysa: Pentheus, have you seen Nestor? I thought he was supposed to
be here.
Pentheus: Well, you know my brother. He's rarely where he's supposed to
be when he's supposed to be there. I wouldn't worry.
She nods, looking worried despite his reassurance, and goes. Pentheus
heads back up the stairs to the door, where an armored man has entered.
The man bows his head as Pentheus approaches.
Gudrun: I need a word with you, my lord. I saw that runt brother of
yours leaving the city last night.
Pentheus turns slightly, considering this, then smirks.
Pentheus: Hm. Well, that's Nestor's loss, isn't it? He's going to miss
quite a festival.
He pats the armored man on the shoulder, turns and leaves. The man
follows, a reserved look on his face.
Cut to a treed hillside. Hercules and Nestor are making their way along
a footpath.
Nestor: Tell me about your adventures, Hercules. Danger around every
corner, death up every tree.
Hercules: (tolerant) Sometimes. Not usually up a tree, though.
Nestor: I've always wanted to be a hero, killing monsters, fighting
all sorts of battles.
Hercules: (sighs) Believe me, battles and killing make better stories
than they do memories. 'Sides, your time will come. It's Prince Nestor
now. Someday it'll be King Nestor.
Nestor: Me? Naw, that's my older brother Pentheus. He's the heir to
the throne.
He stops to pick up a stick, using it as a walking stick as they walk
along.
Hercules: Ah, that's just as well. You know what they say about power.
Nestor: No. What?
Hercules: Well, that it corrupts, makes men into demons.
Nestor: (puzzled) Not in Meliad, it doesn't. My father's a great man.
He's ruled for twenty-five years. He abolished slavery, no one goes
hungry. He put an end to all the wars. You'd have to look pretty hard
to even find a sword left in our city.
Hercules: Well, I hope the people in Meliad know how lucky they are to
have him.
Nestor: They do.
Cut to Meliad. King Iphicles is admiring a gold-and-jewelry-encrusted
crown.
Pentheus: (entering) Long live the king.
Iphicles: Ah, ha ha! There you are. How is the festival?
Pentheus: Just getting underway. Your subjects certainly don't need
much encouragement to start celebrating.
Iphicles: Good, good, good. As long as you're here, there is something
I want to talk to you about.
Pentheus looks sober, interested, the soul of courtesy.
Iphicles: With each festival comes the chance that my reign might end.
When the sun rises on Meliad tomorrow, you may be the new king.
Pentheus: Father, please. We go through this every year. You're as
morbid as that old priest of yours.
Iphicles: Still, I want you to listen to what I have to say. It's
important. It's not that difficult being a good king. Just rule with
your heart. Govern with kindness, kindness. Never, never, never with
anger. Our kingdom deserves nothing less.
Pentheus: I'll remember that. And many, many years from now, when the
time finally comes, I'll put it to use.
Iphicles: Then, my son, you will honor my memory.
He steps past Pentheus and leaves. Smiling, Pentheus turns to watch him
go.
Cut to the streets of Meliad. Costumed folk dance through the street as
Hercules and Nestor try to make their way along.
Hercules: So, this is your festival, huh?
Nestor: Part of it. The real fun doesn't start 'til tonight.
Hercules: What are we supposed to do until then?
Nestor: Go mingle!
Hercules: Mingle?
Nestor: Yeah! Oh, but keep a low profile, because my mother doesn't
want anyone to know you're here. So whatever you do, don't do anything
you'd do -- you know, if you were you. See you!
He trots off. Hercules nods and shrugs, bemused.
Hercules: Go... mingle.
As he takes a step forward, a man bumps into him.
Man: Oh! Sorry.
He keeps going as Hercules moves through the crowd, smiling and waving
here and there. A man with a harp gets in his face; he gently moves past
him.
Hercules: Very talented.
Nestor, satisfied, heads down a side street, where he is greeted by his
brother.
Pentheus: Nestor, where have you been? We missed you at the gathering
of the virgins.
Nestor: (nervous) Oh, heh, well, hi, Pentheus! Uh, w--I've been around.
Pentheus: Really? I dropped by your room last night, and you weren't
there.
Nestor: Oh, well, ah -- I couldn't sleep, so I took a little walk.
Pentheus: A little walk. Gudrun said he saw you leaving the city.
Nestor: He did? Oh, well, I, uh... Hey, did you get a haircut? It looks
good.
Before Pentheus can reply, Marysa leans out of a window above and calls
down to them.
Marysa: Nestor! Nestor, up here! Guess what? I've been chosen to lead
the maidens.
Nestor: Well, that's great!
Pentheus: (to Nestor) You must be very proud. After all, Mother was
lead maiden 25 years ago.
Nestor: I'll see you after the ceremony.
Marysa: I'll think about you every minute until then.
She disappears inside again.
Pentheus: (chuckles) Funny, isn't it? Things go bad for Father and I
become king, your girlfriend becomes my bride.
Nestor: W-what are you saying?
Pentheus: Oh, nothing, Nestor, relax. Everything's going to be all
right.
He smiles and heads off, leaving a reassured Nestor.
Cut to a tavern, gaudily decorated for the festival. Hercules enters to
the sound of two men guffawing.
Pyturis: Sure I did -- Hercules.
Man #6: Pyturis, you're lying, you never defeated Hercules.
As Pyturis begins to boast, Hercules approaches the bar by which the
two men stand. He leans on it, listening.
Pyturis: I sure did. Why, I wiped the streets with him. I had him
begging for mercy! Hey, he had more mama's blood in him than Zeus!
Hercules: (to himself) Keep a low profile.
Pyturis goes over to a hooded man, clapping him on the shoulder.
Pyturis: First, I got Hercules' attention.
He kicks the man in the rear.
Pyturis: Then, I introduced myself.
He drags the man over, turning him face to face, as Hercules turns,
back to the bar, to watch.
Pyturis: And then I said, "Nighty-night, he-man."
He raises his fist to strike the hooded man, but at the peak of the
swing, his wrist is caught in the grip of someone else. Pyturis turns
his head back to see Hercules holding his arm.
Pyturis: Buddy, you just bought yourself a whole heap of trouble!
Before he can even raise his arm, Hercules nails a swift punch to
Pyturis' jaw. He knocks down his companion, as well as another man
behind him, and all three go down like a row of dominoes. The other
patrons begin to laugh.
Hercules: No trouble at all.
As he steps over the fallen men towards the exit, the other patrons
begin to applaud. Hercules speaks to some of the patrons.
Hercules: When they wake up, tell them they're lucky I wasn't Hercules.
He takes the hooded man's shoulders.
Hercules: Come on, friend, let's get you some fresh air.
Gudrun is among the patrons present; he quaffs from his mug, looking
discontent.
Cut to the street outside; Hercules and the hooded man make their way
from the tavern. The man has a staff in one hand.
Hercules: Are you okay?
The man throws back his hood as he speaks, revealing his identity:
Tiresias.
Tiresias: No, Hercules, I am not okay! Not now!
Hercules: I can't believe this. You're the last person I expected to
see.
Tiresias: And you're the last person I wanted to see! You try and stop
all the bloodshed!
Hercules looks very concerned at this threat.
* * *
Part Two:
[missing something from lead-in?]
Tiresias: Ah, ah, nothing. Forget I said anything. Always a pleasure,
Hercules! See you round!
He pushes past Hercules and hurries down the street.
Tiresias: (to himself) Oh, I should have seen him coming! Oh, of all
the times for my visionary powers to cloud over, why now? Doom at the
festival! Oh, I knew it was too good to be true--
He smacks into Hercules, who has come around to get in front of him.
Hercules: Doom?
Tiresias: Ah, ah, I-I-I said room. I need a room at the festival. Uhm,
you don't know any inns that are offering discounts to the elderly, do
you? I mean, old guy like me...
Hercules: You said "doom". Now tell me what's going on. I thought this
festival was just a celebration. They bless the new wine, everyone gets
drunk, no big deal.
Tiresias: It is if Dionysis wants the king to rule for another year, ha
ha ha!
Hercules: And if he doesn't?
Tiresias: Well, then the festival becomes my kind of bash! Oh, ho ho ho
ho! The new wine drives the maidens into a murderous frenzy, and they
slaughter the king! (laughs) Oh, it's fantastic, especially for the
prince! When the king dies, the maidens crown the new king with a night
of unbridled passion! (laughs) Ah, girls, wine, murder, mayhem! What
more do you want?
Hercules looks gradually more concerned during this speech.
Hercules: But... all I've heard is what a great king Iphicles is. If
that's true, there shoudn't be anything to worry about, right?
Tiresias: Oh, s-sure, a-absolutely.
Hercules: But then... why would you be here? You better tell me what's
going on. Come on, spit it out.
Tiresias shakes his head at this, refusing.
Hercules: I want to know what you're seeing in the future, and I want
to know now.
Tiresias runs a finger over his lips as if miming zipping them shut.
Hercules moves around him to stand behind him, leaning forward and
speaking in a soft, intimidating voice.
Hercules: Don't let this get ugly.
Just then, Nestor runs up from behind them, bumping into Tiresias and
startling a cry from the seer.
Nestor: Hi. My mother wants to see you. Come on. I'll lead the way.
He heads off. Hercules pats Tiresias on the shoulder.
Hercules: Well, looks like I'll find out anyway.
He follows Nestor.
Tiresias: (gesturing after him) Why can't you leave things alone? Why
must you always spoil things?
He stamps his staff on the ground in frustration.
Cut to Nestor and Hercules. Nestor is holding a thick cloth in his arms.
Nestor: Here. We're going into the palace. We can't have anyone seeing
you in there.
Hercules: Nestor, you're driving me crazy with all this mystery. I need
to know what's going on.
Nestor: You'll know soon enough! Here, just put it on. Quickly!
Nestor throws the cloth over Hercules' shoulders and arranges a hood
over his face. Hercules gives a sigh and follows Nestor in.
Cut to the maiden's suite. One of them scoops up a handful of bubbles
from her bath and blows it into the air. Another reaches for a vial of
red-hued oil, pouring it into her hands and then anointing herself with
it. Others do the same. One woman -- Marysa -- is laying on her
stomach, clothed only in a wrapping covering her behind. A rose, held by
someone else, touches her back and makes its way up to her shoulder and
then before her face. She smiles as she sees it, reaching for it.
Marysa: Oh, Nestor, you naughty boy.
Pentheus: Surprise.
Marysa's face does indeed register surprise, and she hastily reaches
for a garment to cover herself up as she turns away from him. He turns
his back to her, but glances over his shoulder as he speaks.
Pentheus: My brother said you liked roses.
Marysa just holds the garment before her as Pentheus comes around the
couch.
Marysa: Thank you. It's lovely.
Pentheus: Nestor's lucky to have a girl like you.
Marysa continues to turn away from him as he approaches. There is
laugher from some of the other girls as they attend to each other.
Pentheus: How come you and I have never taken the time to get to know
each other better?
Marysa: Pentheus, I don't think you should be in here.
Pentheus: Don't worry. We won't get in any trouble. It's one of the
benefits of being a prince. I pretty much have the run of the palace --
the whole kingdom, for that matter. Although... there are some secret
places I haven't been.
He reaches out to caress her upper arm. She whirls, slapping him, and
runs amid the shocked silence of the other maidens. Pentheus only
touches his cheek, smiling.
Pentheus: You got fire, too. I bet Nestor has no idea.
Cut to Pentheus walking elsewhere in the palace. He makes his way
swiftly down a corridor, pausing by an alcove to adjust something on one
of his bracers. Then, calmly, he steps to the wall, pushes it -- and it
swings wide, allowing him entrance and closing behind him.
Cut to the royal chambers. Hercules is seated on a lounging couch;
Nestor stands to his left, and Queen Camilla paces before them.
Camilla: I'm sorry, Hercules. I wish I had more to tell. But at least
now you understand why there had to be so much secrecy. If anyone in
the kingdom knew that I had called you here, they would think that I
was trying to deny Dionysis' will. And I'd never do that. If it truly
is my husband's time to go, then I must abide by that. But it just can't
be! He is the finest king that Meliad ever had. It's not his time to
die.
She gives a frustrated sigh, then smiles a little.
Camilla: Nightmares, feelings of gloom... maybe there's nothing wrong
at all. Maybe I'm just being silly.
Hercules: No. You're not being silly. I ran into an old friend of mine
a little while ago. It's a long story, but if he's here, there's a good
chance trouble's here, too.
Camilla just stares at Hercules, looking fearful.
Cut to a chamber inside the castle. Pentheus kneels before an altar on
which is draped an effigy, covered in cloth, feathers, and stones, with
horns coming out of the sides of the "head". It is lit from behind, and
torches burn to either side of it. Skulls, bones, swords, and shields
adorn the chamber.
Pentheus: Almighty Ares, God of War. All my life I've watched my
father's feeble rule squander Meliad's power. Our once-mighty armies
dismantled, our weapons corroded by neglect: all in the name of peace,
and the wine-addled Dionysis. But tonight, with your help, by your plan,
everything will change. Tomorrow, I will be Meliad's new king, and you,
Ares, will be her god. A new era will begin -- nations conquered,
peoples enslaved--
Gudrun steps into the chamber behind Pentheus.
Gudrun: (interrupting) Real warriors will rule again.
Pentheus: What are you doing here? You know not to interrupt my
prayers.
Gudrun: I'm sorry, my lord. There's a stranger in our city. I think he
could be a problem.
Pentheus: Then find him and solve it.
Gudrun: Just what I wanted to hear.
Pentheus' regard returns to the effigy.
Cut to the maidens' chambers. They are empty. Nestor and Hercules enter.
Nestor: I don't understand. She should be here. They all should.
Hercules: Doesn't look like they've been gone for very long.
Nestor: Well, where are they now, Hercules?
A group of guards enters the chamber behind Nestor and Hercules, who
turn to face them. Gudrun leads them.
Gudrun: Hercules, huh? So that's who you are. Welcome to the festival.
Too bad you won't live to see any of it.
Gudrun comes down the steps towards Hercules, brandishing his sword.
Nestor: Oh, it's okay, Gudrun. Hercules was invited here. I--
Gudrun grabs Nestor by the throat.
Gudrun: You don't know nothing, runt!
Gudrun then shoves Nestor away. Hercules grabs a boiling pot next to
him and spills the water on the floor. The water spills over Gudrun's
legs, and the man stumbles to the floor, crying out in pain.
Gudrun: GET HIM!
The guards quickly surround Hercules on three sides; his back is to a
low wall where the fire for the pot still crackles. One of the guards
jabs at Hercules with a spear. Hercules deflects it, then knocks away a
spear jabbed at him from his right. He jumps to avoid subsequent spear-
thrusts.
Nestor, knocked against another low wall, quickly gets up, grabbing a
low pan full of fruit as he does. As Hercules knocks one of the guards
to the side, Nestor hurls the fruit at the guard, but only succeeds in
drawing his attention.
Hercules: Nestor! Do you have any idea what you're doing?
Nestor: None whatsoever!
Hercules: (to himself) Great.
Two of the spear-carriers jab their spears at Hercules. He grabs the
spears and shoves them towards the guards, sending them off-balance.
Nestor begins using the tray as a shield, defending himself from several
whacks with the spear of the third guard.
Still holding onto the guards' spears, Hercules twists them in opposite
directions, sending the two guards flying. He remains in possession of
one of the spears. One of the guards gets back to his feet, and Hercules
hits him in the stomach with the butt of the spear.
Nestor continues to use the tray for protection, but when the guard
whirls and kicks him in the side, he goes down.
Hercules proceeds to use the spear as a staff, hitting the guard in the
face with it, then knocking him backwards into the walled pool. Soapsuds
splash everywhere. The other guard now attacks Hercules with his fists,
and Hercules responds in kind by slamming him in the stomach so hard
that he flies back into the far wall, where he sprawls amidst pots.
Nestor keeps up the fight against the third guard, dodging his punches
and blows, but he's not doing very well. Hercules turns just in time to
see him backhanded by the guard.
Hercules: I don't think you're showing the prince the proper respect.
Hearing this, the guard rushes Hercules, who brings up his spear to fend
off the attack. Hercules holds off several attacks before the other
guard comes rushing up to grab him around the neck. He forces the third
guard's spear off of his, but with the second guard still clinging to
his neck, isn't well-prepared to defend against the blows now being
rained on him by the third guard: one to the stomach, one to the face,
and another to the face. In a moment, he kicks the third guard in the
stomach, then shakes the second guard off his back. While the third
guard is still down, Hercules gives him a sweeping uppercut to knock him
back into the pool with his fellow.
The fight now over, Gudrun stands at the top of the stairs. Hercules
comes around the pool to address him. Nestor is right behind him.
Hercules: You stand back while your men fight? I call that gutless.
As Hercules and Nestor ascend the steps, Gudrun begins to retreat.
Gudrun: Yeah? I call that smart. After all, you are Hercules.
Hercules: If you really are smart, you'll tell me what I want to know.
Instead, Gudrun punches a button just inside the door. Suddenly the
floor drops out beneath Hercules and Nestor. Hercules manages to grab
onto a rope dangling above hole, but Nestor falls a bit further before
catching onto Hercules' ankle. Below his feet is a pit of water.
Hercules: Hang on! Give me your hand!
Nestor: Herculeeees!
Gudrun: As long as you're giving out hands, how about one for me?
He strolls up to them and swings his sword, aiming at Hercules' hand.
Before he can connect, Hercules lets go. Both he and Nestor fall into
the water, landing with a tremendous splash. Gudrun looks on
impassively. Hercules is the first to resurface, swinging his head to
get hair out of his eyes; Nestor appears moments later. They are both
treading water. They appear to be in a wide, round pit, surrounded by an
apparently natural rock formation; the only light comes from the hole
above them.
* * *
Part Three:
Hercules and Nestor are still floating in the pit of water.
Hercules: That's it. No way out but the way we came in. And I can't
reach it.
From above, Pentheus appears, stepping up to the hole and kneeling to
look down into it. Hercules and Nestor don't notice him right away.
Hercules: You wouldn't know of any secret passage, would you?
Nestor: I don't even know where we are! My father never told me about
the dungeon.
Pentheus: That's because he doesn't know about it. Just one of the many
improvements I've made around here.
Hercules and Nestor look up at Pentheus, startled.
Nestor: Pentheus! Thank god! Get us out of here! Gudrun's lost his
mind! He tried to...
Pentheus: (mocking) He tried to what? Kill you?
Gudrun steps up behind Pentheus, who starts to smirk.
Nestor: But... but why, Pentheus? It doesn't make any sense.
Pentheus: It makes perfect sense. If you were a man of power, you'd
know why. I bet Hercules knows, don't you?
Hercules: Yeah. You're a power-hungry rat who wants a throne that's
not rightfully yours.
Pentheus: It is rightfully mine! And tonight, the maidens are going to
do away with my father and crown me to take his place.
Nestor: But you can't control the maidens! Only the wine controls them.
Pentheus: What if I control the wine?
Hercules: That's where I come in. I make sure you don't.
Pentheus: From down there? (laughs) I don't think so. Now, if you'll
excuse me. As you can imagine, I'm pretty busy. Oh, and Nestor, don't
worry about Marysa. I'm sure she'll make a wonderful queen. Gudrun?
Gudrun goes back to the door and shifts some kind of release, which
lowers a cage-covering over the hole.
Nestor: Pentheus?! PENTHEUS! PENTHEUS!
Pentheus gets up and walks out of the chamber, preceded by Gudrun.
Suddenly, a cage door opens in one side of the pit, and water boils from
within it. Hercules notices this and turns to see what it is.
Nestor: I can't believe it. My own brother.
Hercules: Yeah, well, right now we've got something even slimier than
Pentheus to worry about.
From the viewpoint of whatever has been released into the water, we see
Hercules' back from below, then above the water level. Suddenly, Nestor
disappears underwater.
Hercules: Nestor!
A moment later, Nestor is flung back up again -- about waist-level to
the water, and shaking as if being rattled.
Nestor: Hercules!
He disappears underwater again.
Cut to the festival in the streets. Revelers talk and dance. On a stage,
the priest, bedecked in a gigantic hat and elaborate robes, directs the
placement of vats of wine.
Priest: Put that one over there.
Man #7: The new wine! I can't wait!
Priest: And that one over there.
Cut to the water pit. Nestor suddenly leaps onto Hercules' shoulders.
Nestor: I think I killed it!
Hercules: Then -- what are you doing up there?
Nestor abashedly gets down.
Nestor: S-sorry. You see, it pulled me under, and then I started
punching it, and then it wrapped itself around me so I just kept on
punching it and punching it and...
As he speaks, a huge serpentine head emerges from the water.
Hercules: Nestor, hold that thought, would you?
He moves toward it.
Cut to the festival.
Priest: Easy, easy! The new wine is precious.
One of his servants cautiously brings over one of the jugs. The priest
dips a finger into it, bringing the taste of wine to his mouth.
Priest: Mm... subtle, yet capricious.
Cut to the water pit. The serpent opens up a fan of flesh, with talons
on the tips of the vanes, all around its mouth, revealing a giant set of
teeth inside. It dives at Hercules, who wrestles with it in the water.
Cut to the festival. Another vat of wine is opened. In the sky above,
the full moon is rising; a compasslike device points an arrow at the
moon.
Priest: Align the moonbeam so that the great god Dionysis may enter
the wine.
The priest's servants set to work adjusting the device, which is
attached to something resembling a telescope with various gears.
Cut to the maidens' chambers. The maidens are finishing their
preparations for the evening with elaborate headdresses. One of the
other maidens folds the fabric on Marysa's headpiece.
Camilla: You look beautiful, Marysa.
The women part to reveal the queen, also elaborately garbed. Marysa
turns to her in surprise.
Marysa: Queen Camilla!
Camilla: I was in your place once. It's how I became queen.
Marysa: But shouldn't you be at the palace? What are you doing here?
Camilla steps close to Marysa, pitching her voice lower.
Camilla: Don't kill him.
Marysa: What?
Camilla: Something's wrong. Twenty-five years, I've never had such an
awful feeling.
Marysa: Oh, everything's going to be fine, your highness. You don't
have to worry.
Just then a gong chimes once.
Marysa: It's starting. I have to go.
Camilla: Please, Marysa. Don't kill my husband.
Marysa gives Camilla a smile and turns, leaving. Camilla looks after
her, worried and upset.
Cut to the serpent-monster attacking Hercules. It almost manages to get
its head around Hercules' face before the demigod shoves it back into
the water. Hercules continues to flail with it, back and forth, gripping
it by the talons on its head, as Nestor looks on worriedly. Finally,
Hercules manages to hold the head back long enough. With a cracking
noise, the monster goes limp. Hercules grabs the tail and flings it
around in the air; when he lets go, the monster's head catches on spikes
sticking out of the wall above the pit so that its body creates a ladder
of sorts. Hercules tugs on it to be sure it holds, then looks over at
Nestor.
Hercules: Prince Nestor, your stairs await.
He grabs onto the tail and begins hauling himself up. With a fearful
glance back, Nestor follows.
Cut to a view of the sky. The full moon can be seen through the compass
device of the priest. Moonlight catches in a reflecting cup of some
kind, passing through the device and beaming a flashpoint on the wall.
As the light gathers in the device, it moves lower as if becoming more
full.
Priest: The time is drawing near! The moon is almost touching the wine!
The crowds dance more actively now, compelled by the music flowing among
them. Jugglers entertain them by juggling burning brands.
Cut to the maidens' chamber. The cage door covering the pit shoves open,
and moments later, Hercules drags himseld out. He glances around, then
reaches one hand back down.
Hercules: Come on, Nestor, hurry up.
Cut to outside. Tiresias, making his way along a street, gets shoved by
a rushing Hercules and Nestor.
Tiresias: Ohh! Walk on your own feet, will you? A guy my age can't
afford to break any bones!
He reaches out, feeling Hercules' face. Hercules puts up with the
inspection patiently.
Tiresias: Holy Zeus. Can't I go anywhere without bumping into you?
Hercules: I was about to say the same thing. (to Nestor) Which way to
the ceremony?
Nestor: This way.
Hercules: All right, let's go.
They dash off. A moment later, they turn back for Tiresias, who is
continuing in the opposite direction.
Hercules: Not that way, this way.
They get him turned around and start in the right direction, but before
they make too much progress, they see a group of guards coming down an
alley towards them.
Hercules: That way's not so good.
Nestor and Hercules pick Tiresias up and turn him around, bodily
carrying him in the other direction.
Tiresias: Ha-ha, at last! A little bloodshed!
Guard #1: Hey, that was Hercules! After him!
The troop of six guards takes off after the trio.
Hercules, Nestor and Tiresias duck down a side path, between some tents.
Guard #2: Where did he go?
Guard #3: Look there!
Unfortunately, the side path is a dead end. Hercules glances around,
searching for a way out, and sees a doorway.
Guard #2: This way!
Hercules: In there!
They find themselves inside a tavern. Only a few steps inside, Hercules
is startled to see a man drinking from a huge mug -- and the person
facing the drinker is none other than one of the satyrs who outdrank
him.
Hercules: You two again.
The man drinking the ale messily - and noisily - chugs down the stuff.
Foam drips down his beard and collects in his mustache as he thumps the
mug down on the table. It's the man who claimed to have defeated
Hercules earlier, Pyturis.
Pyturis: There! Sixteen! You gotta drop on this one.
Clarin: Oh, you're right! I'm feeling awfully woozy.
Hercules: As woozy as your brother is?
The satyr snaps to attention, not having noticed Hercules' arrival. The
other satyr steps up as well. Hercules folds his arms and waits for a
response.
Pyturis: Two of you! (seeing Hercules) A-and you! I'm gonna kill all
o' you!
He gets to his feet, raises his fist, and falls over backwards. With one
threat removed, the satyrs focus nervously on Hercules.
Clitus: H-how you doing, H-Hercules?
Hercules: Oh, I'm going to be great once the two of you do me a favor.
Outside, the guards rally.
Guard #1: Check the tavern!
Cut to inside the tavern. Both satyrs are seated, facing each other, as
the guards enter.
Guard #1: Let's let no one escape.
Seeing the guards, Satyr #1 gets to his feet. His brother is right
behind him. The two face off against the guards.
Clarin: We know you're looking for Hercules. But guess what? You found
us.
The parties regard each other for a moment.
Clarin: After you, Clitus.
Clitus: No, I insist. After you.
Clarin: Boys?
Patron: Food fight!
The patrons of the tavern promptly assault the guards with thrown items
of food of all sorts. Many of them join in on the fray by jumping on the
backs of the guards and taking swings at them. The satyrs, satisfied,
resume their seats and raise their cups to each other.
Woman: Excuse me!
The guards are quickly overwhelmed. As the fray continues, the satyrs
turn and nod to the back of the tavern. There, awaiting their signal,
Hercules nods back in reply. He, Tiresias, and Nestor depart through
the back door.
Cut to the royal chambers of the palace. A table is being prepared for
the evening. Just as in Camilla's dream, a small, octagonal table,
covered in red velvet, is laid out with two cups of wine in the center.
Around the table, ten sharp knives are arrayed with their handles facing
out. Camilla looks at the table, upset.
Camilla: I hate those dreadful things. Do they really have to be here?
Iphicles: Camilla, if it's the will of Dionysis...
Camilla: Surely he can't be blind to everything you've accomplished.
Iphicles: Then we have nothing to worry about.
Camilla: But what if we do?
Iphicles: (sighs) Then, my love, we'll go. If it's Pentheus' turn,
he'll make a great king. The end for one becomes the beginning for
another.
Camilla: I know.
Iphicles: Here.
He steps over to the table and reaches for the cups.
Iphicles: Drink the last of the old wine, and let us face this
together.
Camilla accepts the cup. Iphicles raises it and drinks, but she only
looks at the cup uncertainly.
Cut to the moonlight-catching device. The moonbeam continues to track
down the wall, passing over a wall-hanging with a picture of a cup. It
finally makes its way down, over a small table and into the vat of wine.
As the moonlight touches the surface of the wine, the liquid seems to
glow from within for a moment. It bubbles, a cloud of steam rising from
the surface; and as faint, dark laughter sounds from somewhere, an image
of a skull fades across the surface of the wine.
A gong sounds, and one by one, the maidens step out onto the stage where
the priest stands. They are all robed in fine, sheer white cloth, hidden
up to the eyes.
Man #8: Look! The maidens!
The people dance jubilantly. The maidens step forward to stand behind
the priest.
Priest: Good people of Meliad! Let me welcome you to the most sacred
event in the Festival of Dionysis -- the opening of the new wine!
Hercules makes his way through the crowd of revelers.
Priest: Soon, you shall taste the sweetness of the harvest! But first,
it must be consecrated by the lips of the innocent.
An attendent dips a beaker into the vat, pouring wine into six glass
goblets, and brings them out on a tray. The maidens reach for them.
Cut to Hercules in the crowd. He looks up as the clouds part, seeing
the full moon -- and on the face of it, turning yellow, that same skull
that ghosted over the wine.
Hercules: Ares, you stinking coward. I should have known you'd be
behind this.
He continues on as revelers continue moving around him, heedless.
Cut to the stage. Each of the maidens now holds a glass.
Priest: Now, maidens, raise your glasses. Give yourselves over to
Dionysis!
They do as he commands, pulling back their veils as they lift the
glasses. Just then, Hercules, Tiresias and Nestor reach the stage. The
crowd chants.
Crowd: Drink! Drink! Drink!
Hercules: No! Stop! Don't drink that wine! It's been poisoned by Ares!
But he is too late; even as he calls out, the maidens partake of the
wine, all as one.
Hercules: No! Stop! Stop!
Tiresias begins laughing madly. The crowd chants and cheers as Marysa
raises her cup for another sip, an enrapt look on her face. When she
lowers the glass again, the skin around her eyes is redder; her eyes
themselves seem less focused, more glassy, and the camera teeters back
and forth to add to a sense of disjointment.
* * *
Part Four:
A view from above the stage shows the maidens dancing together: they
raise one hand, to which a veil is attached, and move together into the
center of the stage, then back again, dancing freely. The drums have
picked up and the partiers have joined in on the dancing. In their
midst, Hercules and Nestor stand, looking lost.
The maidens' dance grows wilder; one of them is picked up and passed
along above the crowd. As she passes over their heads, Nestor becomes
more agitated.
Nestor: Hercules, what are we going to do?
Hercules: Stop! Put them down!
But the crowd is heedless of anything now; they continue to pick the
maidens up, tearing off outer robes as they go, and one by one the girls
go by overhead -- in the direction of the palace.
Nestor: Oh no, it's too late!
Hercules: No, it's not. We know where they're going. You do what you
can to stall them. I'm heading to the palace.
He pushes through the crowd and encounters Tiresias.
Hercules: Keep them away from the wine. We'll have blood running in the
streets.
Tiresias: You talk as though that's a bad thing!
Hercules: Just keep them away from it!
He runs off.
Tiresias: Well, I'm not taking the blame! They can blame Hercules,
that's who they can blame! Hercules!
As Tiresias moves off on his mission, the maidens continue to move,
passed hand-over-hand, over the crowd. From a window in the palace,
Pentheus watches, smiling smugly. Gudrun steps up behind him.
Gudrun: It won't be long now, my lord.
Pentheus' view is of a street packed with dancing revelers. Through
them, a figure in a yellow tunic darts towards the palace. Pentheus'
grin fades when he sees this. Gudrun's smug look fades as well.
Pentheus turns on Gudrun.
Pentheus: You said Hercules was dead.
Gudrun: I thought he was.
Pentheus: Well, you thought wrong. I didn't come this far to fail now.
Find him and kill him.
Gudrun, chastened, hurries to obey.
Cut to the royal chambers. Camilla and Iphicles, dressed for bed, stand
together in a formal pose: he holds her hands up in his, with some space
between them.
Iphicles: Whatever happens, Camilla, know one thing: I love you with
all my heart.
Camilla gives one last glance to the table; then she and Iphicles walk
in the opposite direction, keeping one hand clasped in the other's as
they go around the bed. Servants exit the chamber as they sit down on
the bed. Gently, Iphicles takes Camilla's face in his hands and kisses
her. They lay down, sliding under the covers. Iphicles folds his hands
on his chest; Camilla, still looking worried, closes her eyes. Lightning
flashes from a window as thunder crashes outside.
Cut to a hallway in the palace. Hercules hurries through the hall; his
progress is abruptly impeded when Gudrun jumps out in front of him.
Gudrun: Well, well, well. Look who's still drawing breath.
They circle around each other, taking each other's measure.
Hercules: Yeah. I like it that way.
Gudrun: So do I. Now I get to hear you scream.
He hauls off with a yell and swings his sword at Hercules, who easily
dodges the overhand swing. Hercules comes back up and to the right to
avoid the sword being swung to his left, then kicks the sword out of
Gudrun's hand. A punch to the gut momentarily stuns Gudrun; Hercules
grabs him by the back of his armor and flings him into a wall -- which
promptly swings open, admitting them both to Pentheus' private chamber.
As Gudrun is curled up on the floor, Hercules takes a moment to survey
his surroundings. The effigy of Ares at the far end of the chamber
immediately catches his eye.
Hercules: So, Ares, this is where you've been hiding.
He starts tearing down the shrine.
Cut to the festival outside. The maidens continue to move over the crowd
until they are set down at last. As Marysa touches the ground, someone
removes her headpiece and outer robe. Someone hands her a pitcher of
wine, and she starts to move toward the other maidens, already beginning
to dance. Nestor stumbles into the scene and grabs Marysa by the arms.
Nestor: Hold it, all of you!
Marysa: Oh, Nestor, my love, it's so good to see you.
Nestor: Oh, please, you have to stop.
Marysa: We can't stop now. We're on our way to kill the king.
She moves close to him, caressing his face and arms. Her words stun
Nestor.
Marysa: Now, to the palace!
With giggles, the other maidens follow her off. Nestor is left in their
wake, unable to prevent them from leaving.
Cut to the chamber of Ares' shrine. As Hercules knocks down some bones,
Gudrun comes at him from behind, armed with one of the many swords
littering the chamber. His yell alerts Hercules, who ducks the blow,
turns, and casually backhands Gudrun. Gudrun flies back into another
pile of armor and bones. He stumbles to his feet and comes at Hercules
again. Hercules, still working on dismantling the shrine, leans forward
to avoid being hit. When Gudrun is in front of him, he delivers a sharp
punch to his attacker's back.
Hercules: You really ought to learn when to call it quits!
He grabs the back of Gudrun's outfit again and flings him away.
Stepping up to the shrine, he gets to work on it.
Gudrun: That won't do you any good. They drank Ares with the wine.
He's already inside them, controlling them.
At this, Hercules turns around and approaches Gudrun, who is struggling
to his feet.
Gudrun: There's nothing you can do.
He starts to laugh nastily. Hercules backhands him again. Gudrun lands
on his back, finally knocked senseless. Hercules turns back to the
shrine.
Hercules: I'll think of something.
Cut to the festival. Tiresias stands before several wide-mouthed vats of
wine, defending them with his body and staff.
Tiresias: Get away from there! Bar's closed! Scram! Shoo!
Several of the revelers hold out winecups, eager to partake. Tiresias
begins to swing the staff over his head menacingly, forcing some of the
closer partiers to duck.
Tiresias: I'm warning you [ ] -- I'm not kidding when I'm riled!
(laughs)
Cut to the palace. The maidens dance through a hallway -- the one with
the secret passage.
Cut to Pentheus, who, elsewhere in the palace, is running his fingers
through a chest full of gold and jewels. He turns away from the chest
and fondles the crown his father held earlier, then picks up the
gold-encrusted robes of office draped over a nearby chair.
Cut to the hallway. Hercules emerges and runs down the corridor,
frantic. As if realizing that he may already be too late, he takes off
again.
Cut to the royal chambers. Camilla and Iphicles lie in bed, asleep.
Behind them, in the antechamber, Hercules bursts into the room. The
noise of his entry wakes the king and queen.
Camilla: Mm...
Iphicles: What the...
Hercules: Don't be alarmed, your highness. I'm Hercules.
Iphicles: I don't care who you are!
He leaps from bed, gesticulating.
Iphicles: Get out of here before you defile this ceremony!
Camilla: He's here to help us, Iphicles!
Hercules: The ceremony has already been defiled -- by the people trying
to murder you.
Iphicles pauses at this, glancing at Camilla.
Camilla: Listen to him.
Iphicles: No, no, he's the one who should listen. You may not agree
with our customs, but if this is Dionysis' will...
Hercules: What if it's not? What if it's Ares' will?
Iphicles looks startled at that.
Cut to another hallway in the palace. The maidens continue to approach
the royal chamber. Marysa, a pitcher of wine in one hand, leads them as
they twirl and giggle, moving ever closer to their goal.
Finally, they reach the antechamber of the royal chambers. Just as in
Camilla's dream, they circle the table, each picking up a knife. Once
Marysa has made a complete circuit of the table, she moves through the
line, setting the pitcher down as she goes, and comes up the stairs to
the bed. We can see two lumps under the bedsheets. The maidens circle
around the bed, coming around the right-hand side to the left, where the
king should be resting. Lightning flashes; the music reaches a fever-
pitch as, giggling, the maidens plunge their daggers into the lump on
the left-hand side of the bed.
A scream can be heard. In the side room where Pentheus waits, a red
substance seeps under the door.
Pentheus: My father's blood, at last.
He turns to walk back across the room. Picking up the crown, he regards
it for a moment.
Pentheus: Now comes the best part.
He places the crown on his head. After a moment, the door swings open,
scraping heavily on the floor. Hercules is behind it, and Iphicles and
Camilla behind him; but Pentheus has his eyes closed and does not see
them.
Pentheus: Welcome, ladies. Long live the--
His gaze flickers, startled, to Iphicles and Camilla. Iphicles wears a
look of betrayal. For a moment, all is silent.
Pentheus: You're dead.
He quickly takes off the crown.
Pentheus: You're dead, I saw your blood!
Pentheus darts into the main chamber.
Pentheus: I saw the blood, I saw it!
In the main chamber, he picks up a goblet laying just outside the door.
It is empty, and a spill of wine marks the floor from where the goblet
lay.
Iphicles: Pentheus!
Pentheus examines the goblet in dismay. Then, flinging it to the floor,
he approaches the bed and flings back the covers. Pillows and robes make
up the lumps in the bed. Pentheus picks up one of the knives, abandoned
by the maidens, and tosses it aside in anger.
Pentheus: It was wine, not blood!
Desperate, he starts for the door, but doesn't even get a few steps.
Nestor appears before him and grabs his shirt to stop him.
Nestor: Bad news, Pentheus. Your little brother's not the weakling you
thought he was.
Nestor punches Pentheus in the face. Pentheus goes down like a sack of
lead. Nestor makes his way over to the side room. Pentheus pulls himself
up, using the table for support.
Pentheus: Ares... you must help me.
Seeing the pitcher and one goblet on the table, he sloppily pours wine
into the goblet. As he drinks from the cup, lightning flashes outside.
When he sets down the cup, his eyes are reddened and glassy, just as the
maidens' were.
In the side room, Hercules picks up the crown.
Hercules: Here you go, your highness. I believe this is yours.
Iphicles smiles and starts to step forward, but before he can reach
Hercules, Pentheus barges into the room past his father.
Pentheus: Not if I have anything to say about it. Ares is in my veins.
There's not one of you here who could stand in my way.
Iphicles: Pentheus, I command--
Pentheus turns to look at his father as he speaks.
Pentheus: Shut up, you pathetic old man. If you had been a real king,
this wouldn't be necessary. Now, I want what's rightfully mine.
Hercules taps Pentheus on the shoulder.
Hercules: I've got that right here.
When Pentheus turns back around, Hercules gives him a hard fist to the
face. Pentheus takes it like a slap, though, and turns back to face him,
laughing.
Pentheus: You're gonna have to do a lot better than that.
He proceeds to backhand Hercules. The rest of the royal family looks on
in shock. Pentheus does a high spin-kick to Hercules' face, then kicks
him in the side and stomach, forcing him back against a wall. There, he
backhands Hercules before grabbing him and flinging him across the room.
Hercules gets to his feet quickly, just in time to receive another kick
to the face followed up by punches to the face and stomach. Pentheus
flings him towards an alcove which apparently opens outside, but is
covered with a wooden lattice; Hercules catches himself with one hand on
either side of the alcove. When Pentheus jumps on Hercules' back,
Hercules cracks his head backwards, shoving Pentheus off. Hercules
proceeds to start returning the favor with blows to Pentheus' torso and
face. A kick shoves Pentheus over a bench; Hercules circles the bench as
Pentheus regains his feet.
Pentheus: You can't stop the God of War.
Hercules: Watch me.
When Pentheus comes at him, swinging another punch, Hercules catches
Pentheus' arm in the air. Holding him that way, he punches him hard in
the gut, knocking him back. Pentheus flies backwards into a high-backed
chair decorated with a cup-and-grapes symbol; the chair falls over
backwards, and Pentheus slides out of it and, conveniently, into a trap
door. His scream accompanies his fall into the water pit.
Cut to the Ares shrine. Hercules finishes destroying it by grabbing two
large chains and pulling the effigy down. Lightning flashes in the sky;
a vat of the new wine, still lit from within, goes dark.
A voice is heard yelling from the streets. Hercules opens a window to
see Tiresias, still defending the wine. Some of the revelers are making
attempts at getting past him.
Tiresias: Go on! Get out! Move! Scram! Ain't you people got homes?
Look, it's not my idea! If it were up to me, I'd be filling goblets and
watching you idiots drop like flies!
Hercules: Everything's okay! Let them drink the wine!
Tiresias promptly puts down his staff, and the crowd rushes the vats.
Tiresias: Ah, that's it! My good deed for the decade is done!
In the palace, Marysa rushes into the side-room.
Marysa: Nestor!
Nestor: Oh, Marysa.
They go into each others' arms. Fade to black.
* * *
Part Five:
Outside the city, the King, Queen, Nestor, and Marysa are gathered to
bid farewell to Hercules.
Camilla: We owe you a great thanks, Hercules. You saved my husband. You
saved all of Meliad.
Hercules: I only did what you asked of me.
Iphicles: You were right all along, Camilla. I should have trusted you.
Marysa comes up to give Nestor a hug.
Nestor: Thank you, Hercules.
He shakes Hercules' hand.
Hercules: You're welcome. Maybe I'll drop by in a few years and see if
you need a hand with anything.
Nestor: Well, Pentheus might. He'll probably still be cleaning up that
dungeon.
Hercules: (chuckling) Is that what you did with him? That's good.
Hercules accepts a handshake from Iphicles.
Hercules: Goodbye.
Nestor: Good luck, Hercules.
Marysa: Bye.
As they step away from each other, Hercules turns to go -- and sees
Tiresias hobbling up to him.
Hercules: (sighs) No. Heh. You are not coming with me.
Tiresias: Ohh, you bet I am! Everyone in this city is now so happy, it
makes me sick!
Hearing this, Camilla and Iphicles turn back around.
Tiresias: Oh--no offense, your highness!
Chuckling, the king and queen head inside the city gates, Nestor and
Marysa following.
Tiresias: Thought I'd tag along with you for a few days. Knowing you,
we're bound to run into something terrible!
He puts a hand to his head for a moment, then starts chuckling.
Tiresias: Ahh, ha ha ha -- make that definitely run into something
terrible! (laughs) H-how'd you feel about a monster with more than one
head? Hope you're not squeamish!
Hercules: I think I'm getting my headache back.
He turns and starts to walk away.
Tiresias: Oh, uh, eh, just as well I brought this goatskin full of
wine! Little bit of the hair of the dog that bit ya, eh?
Hercules, still walking away, turns to glance at Tiresias, then keeps
going. Tiresias lifts his nose and 'looks' around, then starts
frantically after Hercules.
Tiresias: I, I, I got some pork rinds to go with it! How about some
fish, huh?
Hercules raises a hand as he keeps walking as if to indicate a 'no
thanks'.
Tiresias: Got garlic toads as well! Hm-hmm... (mumbling)