I wrote this once when I was trying to get a job as a t.v. screenwriter. I chose what I knew might sell, since I had the Renaissance Pictures address and some clue as to how to get it right. Later, my friend suggested a comedy on t.v., but I didn't get a chance to watch it so that I could, and the screenplay needed to be done for a deadline.
“THE ART OF REVENGE”
BY A. F. SPACKMAN
©1997
feedback: a_spackman@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: This story is not intended to violate any copyrights held by MCA, Universal Studios, Renaissance Pictures or any other entity involved in the making of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.
In “The Art of Revenge”:
Ares and Hera plot to murder Hercules’ cousin Orion, who is a companion of the goddess Artemis and the son of Poseidon. Hera and Ares conspire to frame Hercules for the crime, and Artemis, goddess of the hunt, almost punishes her brother Hercules for the murder of her friend. But Hercules convinces Artemis to help him and Iolaus look for the real killers.
THE ART OF REVENGE
CAST:
HERCULES—a legendary hero
IOLAUS—Hercules' friend
ARES—god of war
ARTEMIS—goddess of the hunt, Hercules' sister
STRIFE—Nephew of Ares
ORION—Friend of Artemis and Hercules, son of Poseidon
VOICE OF HERA—queen of the gods, Ares' mother
VOICE OF ZEUS—king of the gods
WARRIOR—one of Ares' warriors
SECOND WARRIOR—another of Ares' warriors
LEAD ARCHER—leader of Hera's five archers
FAMILY (HUNTER, WIFE, CHILD, VILLAGER—inhabitants of town of Parnassus
Cast Size: Fifteen speaking parts; four main characters
Time: Episode begins one morning and is resolved after two days.
Place: On the road to Parnassus and in town; various places in town.
Length: Episode in four acts with introductory teaser.
10/19/97
TEASER
SCENE I
INT. ARES' TEMPLE- AVERAGE DAY (ARES and HERA)
ARES enters in battle gear, puts down his sword, sits on his throne, glowers, gets up and paces over to his armor, and begins polishing off a blood-stain with a wave of his hand; the blood disappears, and Ares looks at it in satisfaction.
HERA'S VOICE ENTERS.
HERA (persuasively)
Ares.
ARES (suspicious)
What do you want, Hera?
HERA (innocently)
What Ares my son, have you no time for your mother?
ARES turns around.
ARES (sniffing)
Hmmh. Although I find your sudden display of maternal affection quite interesting, I'm kinda busy right now with the Thracian wars.
HERA
Too busy to listen to my plan to destroy Hercules?
ARES
Hercules is protected by Zeus. None of the gods are allowed to touch him.
HERA
And you do everything your father tells you?
ARES
Look, I'd like nothing more than to put Herc in his proper place, but I'd rather not have to explain to Zeus that I killed his precious mortal son.
HERA
Trust me, my son. Neither you nor I will have to kill Hercules. (ARES glances skeptically at her) If you do everything I tell you to do, Your sister Artemis will do the honors for us.
ARES
Artemis? (skeptically) (pausing) But Artemis has nothing against Hercules.
HERA
Not yet. (HERA smiles wickedly) But when my plan succeeds, Hercules will die, and Artemis will be yours to control.
ARES
Let's see-- Hercules dead and my sister, the goddess of the hunt working for me? (pauses, and he smiles slowly) So tell me, what did you have in mind?
SCENE II
INT. ON THE ROAD TO PARNASSUS, A TOWN-MIDMORNING (HERCULES, IOLAUS, ORION)
ORION comes up behind HERCULES with sword drawn.
IOLAUS Herc, look out!
HERCULES turns around, grabs raised arm of man. HERCULES smiles, recognizing him.
HERCULES
Orion?
ORION
Hercules. It's been a long time, my friend.
IOLAUS (confused)
Herc, who is this guy?
HERCULES
Oh, sorry. Iolaus, this is my cousin Orion. Orion, Iolaus.
IOLAUS (skeptical)
You're-- Hercules' cousin?
ORION
Uh-huh. Poseidon is my father.
IOLAUS
But you're not a god... are you?
ORION
Just an ex-warrior looking for another line of work, I'm afraid.
IOLAUS
So what do you do now?
ORION
Artemis and I are making this tour of Greece. To tell you the truth, my sandals are killing me.
IOLAUS
Artemis? The goddess of the hunt?
HERC
(sheepishly) Orion and Artemis are old friends.
IOLAUS
But she’s got a bigger temper than Hera! You’ve gotta be kidding--she lets you hang around her? (shakes head) She nearly killed me when I stumbled on her taking a bath that one time--
ORION
Artemis and I have an understanding. We like to do the same things, so she lets me tag along when she goes hunting.
HERC
Orion is the best archer I’ve ever seen.
IOLAUS
Unbelievable. Hey, you know your father Poseidon nearly killed us three years ago in Ilium--
ORION (sheepishly)
Yeah, Dad can be a little moody sometimes, but then he's one of the gods... Anyway, it's good to see you again, Hercules. (claps him on the back, looking mischievous) Remember the time we journeyed to the island of Chios?
HERCULES (laughing)
Yeah. You tried to impress Princess Merope by ridding her father's kingdom of monsters--(pausing) What's wrong?
(Orion is shushing him and making a worried face.)
ORION
Not too loud, Hercules. Artemis will hear you, and she doesn't know I've had other girlfriends.
HERCULES
Is Artemis with you? (looking around) Where is she?
ORION
Ah, she's up ahead somewhere. You know how she is. She likes to hunt by herself, so I don't cramp her style.
HERCULES
So how is Artemis? I haven't seen my sister in ages. (smiling)
ORION
Ah, you know Artemis, Hercules. She's still giving me the same old "just friends" routine, but I don't think she can hold out against my charms much longer. (laughing ) How about you Hercules? Did you ever settle down?
HERCULES
I did. But... my wife, Deianeira was killed.
ORION
I'm sorry, Hercules.
HERCULES
Yeah. (pausing)
ORION
Don't worry, Hercules. I'm sure you'll find happiness again. (pausing) Well, Artemis will be wondering where I've gone—we'll catch up later, okay, Hercules? Where are you heading?
HERCULES
(Points down the road) We're going to Parnassus. My friend Agrius asked us to watch over his farm while he takes his livestock to sell in Thebes.
ORION
How long will you be there?
HERCULES
I don't know, maybe a few days.
ORION
All right then, I'll see you there.
HERCULES
And bring Artemis with you.
EXIT ORION.
HERCULES and IOLAUS continue down road, talking.
IOLAUS
Once we get to Parnassus, Hercules, do you think we can take it easy for a while?
HERCULES (laughing)
I'm sure we can find the time.
IOLAUS
I hope Cyrene recognizes me. It's been at least a year since I last saw her--
ORION yells from far away.
HERCULES (worried)
Orion! (running away)
IOLAUS
I hate it when he does that. (muttering, watching HERCULES rush off)
HERCULES arrives in clearing in wood and sees injured ORION. He and IOLAUS surrounded by ARES' warriors.
(Fighting scene) HERCULES and IOLAUS injure twelve warriors.
WARRIORS run off. HERCULES kneels over ORION.
HERCULES (sad)
He's dead.
IOLAUS (sympathetically)
Hercules...
ENTER ARTEMIS. HERCULES looks up.
ARTEMIS
Hercules, you... killed Orion?!
ACT ONE
SCENE I
INT. CLEARING IN PREVIOUS SCENE (HERCULES, IOLAUS, and ARTEMIS)
HERCULES fends off ARTEMIS (holding a bow, drawn and aimed at Hercules, but she hesitates). ARTEMIS is angry, but compelled by HERCULES' honest demeanor grows confused.
HERCULES
Look, Artemis, it's not what you think--(holds hands up, ARTEMIS lowers bow a little)
ARTEMIS
I wasn't born this century, Hercules—Orion was murdered, and there’s no one else around here for miles. I don't know why you did it, but... (raises bow again) Even you aren’t above the punishment of the gods for murdering a mortal.
HERCULES
Calm down, Artemis. You know me. Would I do something like this? (gestures to Orion and Artemis hesitates)
ARTEMIS
N-no… I don’t know.
HERCULES
Artemis, why would I want to kill Orion? He was my cousin, not to mention an old friend. We BOTH want to get to the bottom of, but the longer we wait, the better chance the real murderer has of getting away. Come on, Artemis, put your bow down, and we can both find Orion’s murderer together.
(IOLAUS appears, huffing and puffing)
IOLAUS
Um Hercules, Who are you talking to?
HERCULES
You can't see her? (smiling, remembering that mortals can’t see gods)
IOLAUS
See who?
ARTEMIS I know what I've seen, Hercules. Prepare yourself for your final journey—(raising bow again) to Tartarus.
HERCULES
Artemis, if you'd just let me explain.
IOLAUS
Artemis? The goddess? She’s here?
ARTEMIS
(pausing) So, he was involved in this, too?
ARTEMIS appears to IOLAUS.
IOLAUS
Whoah, where'd she come from?
HERCULES
Iolaus, tell her we had nothing to do with Orion's death.
IOLAUS
(looking to ARTEMIS, ARTEMIS turns her bow on IOLAUS; IOLAUS grimaces)
It's true. (stuttering) There was already a group of warriors here when Herc and I showed up. They must've killed your friend Orion.
(ARTEMIS appears to relent)
(to HERCULES) We should try to follow them, Hercules.
ARTEMIS
(looking from HERCULES to IOLAUS, torn by indecision)
All right, Hercules, I'll believe you for now, but if I find out you had something to do with Orion's death--
HERCULES
Come on, Artemis. It's been a while, but you know me better than that.
ARTEMIS
Perhaps. All I can say right now is that whoever did this to Orion is going to pay.
HERCULES
Look, Artemis. I'm not lying. (gestures around) There are tracks all over the place. You're the goddess of the hunt--you should recognize that there were at least a dozen warriors here. If you don't believe me, come see for yourself.
(ARTEMIS moves toward HERCULES and kneels.)
ARTEMIS
(examining tracks, recognizes that HERCULES is right about the warriors) ARTEMIS sighs, relaxing.
You're right. The tracks of these warriors are fresh. (standing) Forgive me for blaming you, Hercules. I guess I let my grief over Orion’s murder cloud my judgment.
HERCULES
Forget it. I know how much you cared for Orion. But those warriors have a big lead on us.
ARTEMIS
Iolaus, thank you for trying to help Orion.
IOLAUS
Wait a minute, if you're a goddess, can't you do something for him? (indicates ORION)
ARTEMIS (shakes head)
No. Only Zeus or Hades can bring a mortal back from the dead. ORION must stay in the Elysian Fields. And since he is a mortal, he won’t remember me there. (Sad a moment)
(Then turns to HERCULES) Hercules, did you see where those warriors were headed?
HERCULES
It looked like they were heading towards Parnassus. Iolaus and I will go into town and look for them. Don't worry-- we'll find whoever is behind all this. (turning to leave)
ARTEMIS
Not a chance, Hercules. I'm not leaving you until I find who killed Orion.
IOLAUS (remembering Orion)
Um, Hercules, shouldn't we take Orion's body back to his family? We could leave the search for later.
HERCULES and ARTEMIS stare at each other, neither appearing ready to give way and abandon the search, but each wanting to honor and respect Orion.
ARTEMIS
(shaking her head, deciding to take care of Orion)
All right, Herc. I'll meet you at the village later. (kneeling down beside body) You and your friend can go ahead. Orion has no family, so I'll take care of him and give him a proper funeral.
HERCULES
I was Orion’s cousin. I’ll stay here--
ARTEMIS
No, Hercules. I know it’s strange that I should want to do this, to bury Orion myself. Ordinarily, the gods try not to interfere with the deeds of mortals, but Orion was Poseidon's son. Poseidon’s son has been murdered, and the gods' justice can't wait. Anyway, I want a chance to say good-bye to Orion, Hercules, and then I'll--I'll ask Zeus what the gods can do to honor Orion. (disappears with body into thin air)
IOLAUS
Poor Artemis. If you ask me, she was in love with Orion. (only half-serious)
HERCULES
She was. (sadly) She just didn’t know it until he was gone.
SCENE II
ON THE ROAD TO PARNASSUS- LATER THAT MORNING (HERCULES and IOLAUS)
HERCULES and IOLAUS are walking down the road away from the previous scene, talking.
IOLAUS
I don't understand, Herc. Orion was a brave hero. Who would want to kill him?
HERCULES
(he shakes his head) I don't know. But I'd bet ten dinars the gods are up to something.
IOLAUS
Orion was killed by warriors.
HERCULES
Yeah, but... no ordinary mortal could have known where Orion would be or would dare to attack a goddess' traveling companion.
IOLAUS
Especially not Artemis'. She's got a bad track record with mortals, so quick to draw that bow of hers... Wow! (exclaims suddenly) Artemis, goddess of the hunt-- she's your sister.
HERCULES
Yeah, thanks to Zeus.
IOLAUS
Herc, your family tree is really twisted.
HERCULES
Don't remind me.
SCENE III
LOCATION: JUST OUTSIDE CITY AND INSIDE CITY WALLS, NEAR TEMPLE OF ARES (HERCULES, IOLAUS, VILLAGER, WARRIOR, SECOND WARRIOR, and ARES)
IOLAUS and HERCULES have followed the tracks. They end at the city Parnassus. They enter the city, and HERCULES sees a villager, an old man, outside the temple moving about.
HERCULES
Excuse me, friend, but you didn't happen to see a group of warriors leaving or returning to the city this morning?
VILLAGER
Any warriors would have come from the temple of Ares. Hard to tell one from another, though. Lots of 'em moving about the city.
HERCULES (incredulous)
Excuse me, but did you say the temple of Ares?
VILLAGER
That's right, what are you deaf or something? That big building over there. (points to temple) (pausing) Parnassus pays tribute to Ares, god of war, so that our enemies can't conquer us.
HERCULES
You don't need Ares. (sighs) Ares doesn't care about the fate of your town.
VILLAGER
You'd better not let Ares' warriors hear you.
WARRIOR
Too late, my friend. (Laughing) (Villager runs away, yelping) And who are you looking for trouble? Doesn't matter, cause you found it. (takes a swing at HERCULES, but HERCULES knocks him down.)
HERCULES
Didn't your mother teach you any manners?
SECOND WARRIOR
This guy thinks he's smart, but we'll teach him not to make fun of Ares' warriors. (to others) Get 'em.
WARRIORS surround IOLAUS and HERCULES. Fight ensues. IOLAUS and HERCULES back to back.
IOLAUS
Some welcome party. ( to warrior) I gotta say, I was hoping for someone a lot prettier.
Warriors are down, and last warrior flees.
HERCULES (panting)
Ares!
IOLAUS
You think Ares is involved in this? Those weren't the same guys we fought this morning, Herc.
ENTER ARES.
ARES
He's right, you know. Before you go making any idle accusations, you really ought to remember who you're dealing with.
HERCULES
Ares, shouldn't you be out recruiting warlords, watching a battle somewhere or harassing Xena?
ARES (not amused)
Very funny.
IOLAUS
Herc, those warriors we fought this morning might not have come from the Temple of Ares.
HERCULES (glaring at ARES)
Yeah, but it isn't very hard to guess who might have put them up to it.
ARES
Now, Hercules, I can't be responsible for every heinous crime any warrior who worships me might decide to do.
HERCULES
Yes, (pausing) you can. You're the god of war.
ARES (shrugging unrepentantly)
True.
HERCULES
Ares, I would expect you to deny you had anything to do with this, but what I can't figure out is why you would want Orion dead. He was a warrior-- Something like this isn't quite your style.
ARES
No great loss if you ask me. One less god-mortal half-breed. But you're right. This wasn't exactly my idea. Still, (pausing) it is entertaining. (laughs)
EXIT ARES
HERCULES and IOLAUS look at each other.
ACT TWO
SCENE I
LOCATION: ARES' TEMPLE (ARES and STRIFE)
ARES is brooding. ENTER STRIFE.
STRIFE
Yo, uncle, what's up?
(ARES glares at STRIFE)
Still upset about Hercules, huh? Too bad things didn't go as Hera planned.
ARES
Hercules has been a thorn in my side for too long. But I haven't given up yet. I was looking forward to swaping stories with my sister, listening to how good it felt to kill the man who murdered Orion. (pausing) I was just beginning to enjoy watching Artemis' anger, her suffering-- But then Hercules ruined everything. Now it looks as though I'll have to take care of Artemis' revenge myself.
STRIFE
I don't get it, uncle, why do you care whether Artemis is on our side?
ARES
Because, you moron. Without the goddess of the hunt to help them, a lot of families will starve this winter... and you know what famine means.
STRIFE (confused)
Hungry people?
ARES
Strife, you idiot, you lack vision. It means hungry people who are willing to die over a lof of bread or piece of land to feed themselves.
STRIFE
Oh yeah, brilliant plan, uncle. All those hungry people go to war.
ARES (laughing)
And my stock rises.
SCENE II
INT. AGRIUS' FARM IN PARNASUS WHERE HERCULES AND IOLAUS ARE STAYING- EARLY NEXT MORNING (HERCULES, IOLAUS, and ARTEMIS)
IOLAUS is inside inner room. IOLAUS jumps when ARTEMIS suddenly appears behind him, acting slightly agitated.
ARTEMIS
What is it with you mortals?
IOLAUS
I dunno. Most of us don't make quite an entrance. Uh, Hercules should be back soon. He's just finishing clearing out the stables.
ARTEMIS
Hmmm. This place could stand a little freshening up. How do you stand all this dirt?
IOLAUS hears knock and gets up to let HERCULES inside. ENTER HERCULES. HERCULES and IOLAUS stand in doorway talking.
IOLAUS (whispering)
Maybe you should go in and talk to her, Hercules.
(Pointing to ARTEMIS in the other room)
I don't know, try to help her. She seems a little on edge... and I don't think she's very fond of mortals.
HERCULES
You think she's taking it worse than she lets on?
IOLAUS
Uh-huh. She may be a goddess, Herc, but something tells me right now she could use a "big" brother.
HERCULES looks at IOLAUS and nods. HERCULES goes into inner room.
IOLAUS (loudly)
If you need me I'll be out... stacking logs or… something.
EXIT IOLAUS.
HERCULES
You really cared for Orion, didn't you?
ARTEMIS
(nods) A goddess has feelings too, you know. Like anyone's ever noticed in my case. Most of the other gods won't have anything to do with me.
HERCULES
Come on, aren't you Zeus' favorite? (trying to cheer her up)
ARTEMIS
Hmmh. That's a myth. Zeus’ favorite is Athena.
HERCULES (sheepish over mistake)
Sorry.
ARTEMIS
(continuing, oblivious to Hercules' comment)
The other gods treat me like I'm some kind of Echidna or something. And mortals are all afraid of me. But Orion was different, Hercules. He liked hanging out with me. (pausing) Hercules, I don't know what to do without him. How do you mortals deal with losing each other?
HERCULES
It isn't always easy. But what really helps is... remembering those we loved.
ARTEMIS
Like your wife, Deianara. (brightening) I understand, Hercules. And... I'm glad we had this talk.
HERCULES
Me, too. (laughs) Um, out of curiosity, how come you... never came to visit when I was growing up?
ARTEMIS
(Laughing) The first time I ever saw you,you had just squashed two serpents Hera sent to kill you in your cradle. Zeus thought you needed looking after, but... (pausing, looks at HERCULES) --but it turned out you didn't need my help. (shrugging)
HERCULES (smiling)
Maybe not, but... that doesn't mean I didn't need a big sister.
ARTEMIS (laughing)
Aphrodite said you were the best brother a goddess could ask for.
HERCULES and ARTEMIS hug.
ARTEMIS
Well, I gotta fly. I borrowed Hermes' flying sandles this morning, and he wants 'em back. See ya later, "big" brother.
ARTEMIS smiles and disappears.
IOLAUS has been listening through open window. HERCULES goes outside.
HERCULES
I think she's better now.
IOLAUS
Gee Herc, I always thought Artemis was, I dunno... cold (shivers but has a smile on his face).
HERCULES (joking)
Be careful, Iolaus.
IOLAUS
What?
HERCULES
You've got that glint in your eye.
IOLAUS
What, you think I was-- hey, wait a minute, Herc. I mean, she is beautiful, but that doesn't mean--
HERCULES
Relax, Iolaus, I was only kidding.
Suddenly, HERCULES catches an arrow heading in their direction.
IOLAUS
Whew, that was close. Where do you think it came from, Hercules?
(arrow crumbles in HERCULES' hand)
HERCULES (angry)
Hera...
SCENE III
INT. STREETS OF PARNASSUS, LATER THAT DAY (HUNTER, WIFE, CHILD, HERCULES, IOLAUS, and ARTEMIS)
CHILD
Daddy, daddy, you're back!
WIFE
No luck?
HUNTER (Shaking head)
No. I guess we'll just have to make the grain stores last.
WIFE
But how long will that last?
HUNTER
I don't know. I just don't understand it, Ismene. The hunting's gone bad today for everyone. If this keeps up, the whole town will go hungry. It's as if... the goddess of the hunt has abandoned us.
HERCULES and IOLAUS are walking down a street in the town. The townspeople are busy with their daily activities around them.
IOLAUS
Herc, what are you talking about?
HERCULES
Artemis is right. I may not have killed Orion, but I am responsible for his death.
IOLAUS (incredulous)
What?
HERCULES
Can't you see who's behind all this?
IOLAUS (ponderous)
You think Hera has something to do with this mess?
HERCULES It makes sense, doesn't it? Hera killed Orion because he was my friend. It's my fault—just like what happened to Deianeira.
IOLAUS
But why would Hera want to-- wait a minute. Hera was hoping Artemis would think you had killed Orion and then she'd want to kill you.
HERCULES (angry)
Either way Hera wins. How am I supposed to keep going on like this, putting my friends at risk? --waiting to see who Hera will take next to get to me.
IOLAUS
Now wait a minute. You still don't know that Orion's death had anything to do with you, Hercules-- you always say the gods like fighting amongst themselves-- and even if it did, you can't keep kicking yourself over what Hera does. You can't blame yourself for this, Herc.
HERCULES gives IOLAUS a skeptical look.
All right, so maybe Hera did plan all of this to hurt you, but the gods always do what they want to mortals and get away with it. What can we do about it?
HERCULES stops, still feeling guilty, now also feeling angry.
(ARTEMIS, who has been listening, disappears.)
SCENE IV
INT. ARES' TEMPLE, LATER THAT DAY
(ARES, HERA, and ARTEMIS)
ARES and Hera are talking.
HERA (angry)
Ares you fool! Your warriors failed! Hercules lives!
ARES (nonplussed)
My warriors failed? You were the one who said Artemis would kill Hercules. (sighs) But don't worry, mother. I have another plan.
ENTER ARTEMIS (in distance).
Ah, here she comes now.
EXIT HERA.
ARTEMIS (surprized)
Oh, Ares, I thought I heard Hera in here.
ARES
If you're looking for Hera, you won't find her. But if you're nice to me, I may tell you where she went-- or something you might find more interesting.
ARTEMIS
Since when? The god of war doesn't do favors.
ARES
Hey, I resent that.
ARTEMIS (impatiently)
All right, Ares. What is it?
ARES
Hera isn't the one you should be looking for.
ARTEMIS
What?
ARES
Hercules has you fooled with his innocent act. The truth is... he was the one who killed Orion.
ARTEMIS (incredulous)
Hercules?
ARES
Think about it. Hercules was afraid Orion's name was getting too big. He was afraid that Orion would steal some of his glory. He couldn’t have another hero threaten his number one image.
ARTEMIS
(shaking head, skeptical) But those warriors…
ARES
Hercules must have hired mercenaries to do the job. You don't really believe all those stories about his greatness, do you? Only a god could have defeated all those monsters by himself... Hercules brings his friends along to help him. Just look at that blond guy that follows him around these days if you don’t believe me. And when Hercules' friends are dead, he can claim their victories all for himself. (pausing) Still, if you don't believe me, judge for yourself.
(Shows Artemis a scene in a "bubble" he opens in the air, supposedly a flashback of the fight between HERCULES and ORION).
HERCULES and his warriors have surrounded ORION. ORION challenges HERCULES to a one on one fight.
ORION
Come on, Hercules. Let's fight man to man.
But HERCULES does not give ORION a chance, and his warriors move in. HERCULES takes great delight in killing ORION with his sword.
HERCULES (with an evil glint in his eye)
No man's name will ever be as great as HERCULES.
ARTEMIS (distressed and furious)
He betrayed me! For this, Hercules will be dead by sundown.
(ARTEMIS disappears)
In the fake scene, the slain ORION stands up, and becomes STRIFE. HERCULES becomes ARES.
ARES
This is one family reunion I don't want to miss. (laughing) With Hercules dead, no one will know that it was Hera's will and my warriors that killed Orion. Artemis will take the wrap for punishing Hercules-- but then Zeus can't defend a murderer from the gods' justice.
STRIFE
And Artemis will be so grateful to you, uncle, that you helped her avenge the death of her friend that she'll do whatever you want.
ARES
Yes. And with Artemis on my side, who's to stop me from conquering all of those pathetic mortals?
ACT THREE
SCENE I
INT. STREETS OF PARNASSUS- LATE AFTERNOON (HERCULES, IOLAUS, and VILLAGER)
IOLAUS
I don't get it, Herc. We've looked everywhere. Those guys that we fought yesterday must be somewhere around here.
HERCULES
Let's check Ares' Temple again.
VILLAGER (running up)
Is it true? Are you Hercules?
HERCULES
Yeah, I'm Hercules.
VILLAGER
Well, can you help us?
HERCULES
What's wrong?
VILLAGER
It's Artemis. The goddess of the hunt has abandoned us. She's your sister. Can't you talk to her, find out how we've offended her? Parnassus is too rocky for much farming. Our town relies upon hunting and livestock to survive. Without Artemis' help, our families will starve.
HERCULES
Sure, I'll uh…(pausing) do what I can.
SCENE II
INT. OUTSIDE ARES' TEMPLE IN PARNASSUS-- MOMENTS LATER
(ARTEMIS, HERCULES, IOLAUS, HERA'S ARCHERS, LEAD ARCHER, ARES' WARRIORS, WARRIOR)
ARTEMIS
Hercules!
HERCULES
Artemis. I'm glad you're back--
(ARTEMIS draws bow and aims it at him)
What are you doing?
ARTEMIS
I'm here to take you down, Hercules!
HERCULES
What? Why?
ARTEMIS
Don't pretend you don't know, Hercules. Ares showed me everything.
HERCULES
Wait a minute, what did Ares show you?
ARTEMIS
How you killed Orion to keep him from becoming a greater hero than you.
HERCULES
Ares, why am I not surprized.
ARTEMIS and HERCULES fight. HERCULES avoids ARTEMIS' arrows, dropping and rolling. Eventually HERCULES disappears and comes up from behind ARTEMIS to hold her arms and talk to her. They struggle a few minutes, as HERCULES tries to talk.
HERCULES
Look, Artemis, this is ridiculous. I don't know what Ares showed you to make you think I killed Orion, but whatever it was was, it wasn't real.
ARTEMIS
Ares tricked me?! But why would Ares do that?
HERCULES
I think I'm beginning to figure it out. (To Artemis) Ares must have thought he could get you to do his dirty work for him. I mean, just take a look around. Can't you see? This town is full of Ares' warriors, just like the warriors Iolaus and I fought when Orion was killed. And you’re not the only god iwith a temple in this village. That's (points) Ares' new temple. If the people turn against you, Ares will gain control of this town.
ARTEMIS
(ARTEMIS looks at HERCULES' hands in front of her which are empty and realizes ORION was killed by
HERCULES' sword in the scene ARES showed her. She sees she has been tricked.)
You don't carry a sword, do you, Hercules? (realizing he doesn’t)
Sensing her change of heart, HERCULES releases her. ARTEMIS looks towards Parnassus' Temple of Ares.
(angrily) If Ares' warriors are the ones who killed Orion, they will know the gods' justice.
(seeing ARTEMIS heading towards temple, HERCULES sighs, shakes his head.)
(ARTEMIS ENTERS ARES’ TEMPLE, followed by HERCULES and IOLAUS)
ACT IV
SCENE I
INT. PARNASSUS' TEMPLE OF ARES (HERCULES, IOLAUS, ARTEMIS, ARES' WARRIORS, five of HERA'S ARCHERS, ARES, STRIFE)
ARTEMIS, HERCULES, and IOLAUS surprize ARES' WARRIORS. HERCULES and IOLAUS recognize guilty warriors there. The warriors pick up weapons to fight.
HERCULES
You! You were the warriors who killed Orion!
WARRIOR
Yeah, but you won't live to tell anyone.
Suddenly, HERA'S ARCHERS appear between them.
WARRIOR (to archers)
What are you doing here?
LEAD ARCHER
The goddess Hera has sent us to punish Hercules.
WARRIOR
So, this is Hercules. Ares will reward us when we have defeated you.
LEAD ARCHER
Enough! Hera is most displeased with your incompetence. We were sent to see that the job gets done. Kill Hercules. Fulfil Hera's command. Move aside, Artemis. Hera has no quarrel with you. But you cannot defend a murderer from the gods' justice.
(Archers move towards HERCULES and IOLAUS.)
ARTEMIS
(smiling to Hercules) I'm not. Hercules didn't kill Orion.
LEAD ARCHER
Oh no? Hera sees it differently.
IOLAUS
We’d better be careful. Just one of those arrows hits you, and it’s all over.
ARTEMIS
Don't worry, Iolaus, I can take care of them. (arches her bow)
HERCULES and IOLAUS fight off twenty of ARES' warriors.
ARTEMIS sights archers one at a time, keeping them from killing HERCULES, and sends them back to HERA, but the LEAD ARCHER appears to retreat. ARTEMIS turns to help HERCULES against warriors. IOLAUS watches LEAD ARCHER as she sights Artemis, but Iolaus jumps on Artemis, pushing her out of way. Artemis stands up and vaporizes archer with an arrow.
ARTEMIS
Thank you, Iolaus. You only have one life, yet you were willing to risk it for me.
IOLAUS
It's nothing.
ARTEMIS
No, what you did took great courage. Perhaps I was wrong about some mortals. (smiling)
HERCULES
Think they'll be back? (coming towards IOLAUS and ARTEMIS)
ARTEMIS
Not when I tell Dad what Hera and Ares have been up to.
EXEUNT. Moments later, ARES and STRIFE appear. They have been watching battle scene.
STRIFE
Too bad, uncle. Your plan to kill Hercules failed.
ARES
Hmmh. Hercules may have won the battle, but he hasn't seen the last of the god of war.
STRIFE
Maybe not, but I don't wanna be here when Zeus blows a thunderbolt. See ya!
ARES is not amused.
SCENE III
INT. STREET OF PARNASSUS OUTSIDE ARES’ TEMPLE, JUST AFTER BATTLE (HERCULES, ARTEMIS, and IOLAUS)
ARTEMIS
I'm sorry I doubted you, Hercules.
HERCULES
It's all right. Anyone else who saw what you did might have done the same. You were vulnerable, and... Ares took advantage of your grief for Orion.
ARTEMIS
Next time I see Ares--
HERCULES
I think Ares will be busy for a while explaining himself to Zeus. Anyway, now that you're back in business, peoples' lives will be back to normal.
ARTEMIS
Hey, What've people been saying about me?
HERCULES
Well...
ARTEMIS
Mortals! (sighs) Honestly Herc, any time their aim is a little off and they go without dinner, they blame me. Sheesh. --And when they get a lucky shot and have a feast, do any of them ever remember to thank me at it? Well, except maybe the Amazons. Now they know how to give credit where it's due... (fades into laughter)
HERCULES laughs with ARTEMIS.
SCENE IV
INT. ARES' TEMPLE (ARES, HERA, AND ZEUS)
ARES is sitting when voice of HERA ENTERS.
HERA
Ares my son, you have failed me.
ARES
Yeah, well right now I'm more worried about what Zeus will do when Artemis tells father that I helped you plot against Hercules.
ZEUS
Ares!
ARES (irritated)
I knew I shouldn't have listened to you.
SCENE V
INT. OUTSIDE AGRIUS' FARMHOUSE- EVENING (HERCULES, IOLAUS, and ARTEMIS)
HERCULES is outside, looking at night sky.
ARTEMIS appears.
HERCULES
Artemis? I thought you'd gone back to Olympus.
ARTEMIS
I just wanted to tell you that the gods have returned Orion's body to his village for a proper burial. He's happy in the Elysian Fields, now, Hercules. And Hades says he’ll make an exception on the lost memory thing, so I can visit him there any time.
HERCULES
I'm glad to hear it. ARTEMIS
(smiles) Take a look. (points to sky)
HERCULES
What is it?... Orion? (uncertainly)
ARTEMIS
Uh-huh. I decided this was how I'd remember him, by putting his image in the sky. That way when I'm out hunting, Orion will always be with me. Just like Deianeira will always be with you in your heart. (smiling)
EXIT ARTEMIS (disappears).
HERCULES looks up into night sky.
IOLAUS comes up behind, claps HERCULES on back.
HERCULES
Orion wasn't a god, and he wasn't mortal... but the gods put his likeness in the stars.
IOLAUS (looking into sky)
A memorial to a great hero. (pausing) Maybe that's how you'll be remembered some day. (IOLAUS says; HERCULES smiles, embarrassed. IOLAUS shrugs impishly and walks away. HERCULES stays a moment, looking a longtime at the stars)
HERCULES (nobly)
Good-bye, Orion. (HERCULES turns away and heads back inside.)
FINIS