SCENE ONE: INT. SCHOOL ROOM
GABRIELLE is attending the latest meeting of the Future Leaders of Amazonia club, for school. The school room is a hut with thatched roof. The STUDENTS are sitting at school desks made from bamboo lashed together, and with fronds hanging randomly. The club faculty member, MELOSA, stands at the front of the room.
MELOSA
OK, the winner of the mask-making contest gets to be Queen for the next school year. Everyone do your best, and make me proud. You can work in groups, but you need to choose who will be representing each mask.
EPHINY
C'mon, Gabrielle. If we get your friend Xena to help out, we can make the best mask in the group!
GABRIELLE
Yeah! I'm sure Xena will help. She has many skills.
VELASKA
I'm going to have the most impressive mask of all, and then I'll be the best queen ever. None of these kids stands a chance. (She laughs to herself)
MELOSA
Well, that's everything for this week, so you are all excused.
There is much confusion as the group packs up their belongings and go out the door. LILA peeks in the door to find GABRIELLE and EPHINY talking animatedly about their plans for their mask. She hovers nearby, listening.
LILA
(Interrupting) Can I help? I'm really good with arts and crafts, you know. Please? Let me help, huh? (She looks between the two older girls with 'puppy dog' eyes)
GABRIELLE
Oh, hi Lila. Um, well . . . this is kind of important. You see, whoever wins gets to be Queen for a whole year. We can't have any baby stuff in it.
LILA
I'm not a baby, Gabby! I'm even bigger than you are, you know.
GABRIELLE
(Gritting her teeth, since this is a sore subject) Bigger maybe, but I'm still older. Look, I said no, and I mean no. We can do something else with arts and crafts together later, OK?
LILA
(With tears in her eyes) You are such a meanie. (She stomps away)
GABRIELLE watches, obviously upset. EPHINY puts a hand on her friend's shoulder.
EPHINY
Don't worry, Gab. She'll get over it before you know it. It's not like we want her to work with us on this anyway.
GABRIELLE
Yeah, you're right. (Sighs) I'll make it up to her somehow.
SCENE TWO: INT. LILA'S BEDROOM
LILA is sitting on her bed, looking unhappy. She is holding an old RAG DOLL.
LILA
They think they're so great, just because they're members of FLA. Who wants to be a silly old amazon anyway?
(Sulks for a few minutes more)
Bet they'd be nice to me if I were a member. Yeah! All I need to do is join their club, and they'll have to be nice to me.
(Looks excited, but then face falls again)
But how can I get in?
(Visibly gets an idea)
The mask contest! If I make a good mask, even if I don't win, they'll want me to join.
(Sets doll down and goes over to table)
What do I have here that I can use to make a good mask?
SCENE THREE: A RIVER BANK
GABRIELLE lays with her head in XENA's lap. EPHINY is on her stomach, throwing stones into the passing river. XENA is fastening feathers to an ELABORATE MASK. The bird that the feathers came from is roasting on a spit over a nearby fire.
GABRIELLE
Thanks, Xena, for helping us out with our mask. With your help, we're sure to win.
XENA
That's nice, Gabrielle.
EPHINY
Yeah, we need to win this contest. If one of the others win, we'll probably spend the entire year competing with the Centaur's club, and the Farmer's club.
GABRIELLE
And they'd probably want to get rid of the Bard Contest. Who says a good Amazon can't also be a good storyteller?
EPHINY
Oh, they're just jealous, Gab. Nobody tells a better story than you.
GABRIELLE
Really? You think so? (Looks very hopeful and eager)
EPHINY
Of course! Everyone knows it. Huh, Xena?
XENA nods, and smooths out GABRIELLE's hair. GABRIELLE looks up and smiles, smitten. She then sniffs and turns to the campfire.
GABRIELLE
Oops! Better turn that bird before it burns. (Leaves XENA's lap with reluctance, and fusses with their meal)
SCENE FOUR: A SMALL COURTYARD
LILA sits, focused on an ODD SHAPED MASS in her lap. She is sticking odds and ends onto the mass, and looking at it thoughtfully before pulling things back off and rearranging them. JOXER approaches.
JOXER
Hey, Lila. Where's your sister? (At mention of Gabrielle, looks dreamy and adoring)
LILA
Oh, hi Joxer. Um, I don't know. Off with Xena and Ephiny somewhere, I guess. She doesn't tell me about things like that.
JOXER
Ah, I see. Uh, what are you doing?
LILA
(Distracted) I'm making an Amazon mask for the Future Leaders of Amazonia contest.
JOXER
I didn't know you were a member of FLA.
LILA
I'm not. (Beat) Yet.
JOXER
(Confused) Why are you making a mask, then?
LILA
'Cause when they see what a good mask I made, they'll want to have me join right away. Everyone will be able to see that I will make a perfect Amazon.
JOXER
But how are you going to get your mask in the contest? They can't know that it was made by a non-member before they have a chance to be impressed.
LILA
(Crestfallen) Oh. I hadn't thought of that.
JOXER
(Puts arm around LILA) Then it's a good thing you ran into Joxer the Mighty!
LILA
Really? You have an idea?
JOXER
Yep, a really good one. (Softly, to himself) And when Gabby sees how I've helped her sister, she'll agree to go out with me!
SCENE FIVE: INT. GABRIELLE'S HOUSE, FRONT ROOM
GABRIELLE enters, carrying a GREEN BOX. EPHINY follows, carrying their MASK. The mask is beautiful, well-crafted. It resembles an eagle.
EPHINY
Wow. I can't believe how great this turned out. We're sure to win, now. (Carefully sets mask into box GABRIELLE has set on table)
GABRIELLE
Yeah! Then you will be Queen next year, and everything will be great. (Places lid on box and ties a string around it)
EPHINY
Oh, no. You will be Queen.
GABRIELLE
What? No, you've been a member longer. You should be Queen.
EPHINY
I may have been an Amazon longer than you, but you were sponsored by Terreis herself. She was Queen for four years straight. She practically hand-picked you to be the next Queen!
GABRIELLE
Well, yeah, she did sponsor me. Before she came along, I never even dreamed that I could have a chance to join FLA.
EPHINY
See? She saw something great in you. It has to be you.
GABRIELLE
All right. If our mask wins the contest, I'll be the one to be Queen next year.
EPHINY
If our mask wins? No, not if. When our mask wins!
GABRIELLE
(Grins) OK, when our mask wins!
GABRIELLE and EPHINY leave the room. LILA peeks out from a doorway where she has been spying. She motions behind her, and tiptoes out, followed by JOXER who is holding LILA's mask entry. It is misshapen, obviously made by a less-talented person than GABRIELLE's mask, and doesn't really resemble anything identifiable.
LILA
(Opens box) Here. I'll take Gabby's mask, and you put mine inside here. (Removes GABRIELLE's mask) Wow! Her's is pretty.
JOXER
Yeah! (Glances at LILA, and sounds sympathetic) But yours is good too.
LILA
(Smiles gratefully) Thanks!
They swap the masks, and replace the box lid. LILA puts GABRIELLE's mask in a BLUE BOX from under the table, and carries it away.
SCENE SIX: INT. SCHOOL ROOM
STUDENTS bustle around, carrying boxes and setting up tables to display their masks. GABRIELLE is carrying the GREEN BOX. EPHINY is placing a cloth over a table, and setting up an easel for their mask. GABRIELLE sets the box down to help EPHINY pull the table into place. VELASKA walks up, carrying her own box. She spots GABRIELLE's box, and gets a speculative look on her face.
VELASKA
So, you two think you have a chance to win the contest?
EPHINY
Of course. We have a really great mask. We're sure to win.
VELASKA
Right. (Sneers) I'm sure it is really good. But mine is better.
GABRIELLE
Oh, we'll see who's is better. Then you'll have to eat your words when ours wins!
VELASKA
(Looks down at the shorter GABRIELLE) Is that so? (Steps forward to physically intimidate her rival)
GABRIELLE takes a step back to avoid VELASKA. VELASKA kicks her foot out and pushes GABRIELLE's box in line behind her. GABRIELLE stumbles, and falls heavily onto the box, crushing it.
VELASKA
Oh, dear. Looks like you've really done it this time.
EPHINY helps her stricken friend from the floor. GABRIELLE appears near tears as she opens the smashed box and pulls out a mess of feathers and other assorted broken pieces. VELASKA smiles wickedly, out of their line of sight.
EPHINY
Perhaps we can fix it . . . (trails off when she sees the disaster that was a mask)
GABRIELLE
It's all my fault! If I hadn't let her push me, this never would have happened. (Looks heartbroken)
MELOSA
OK, everyone. Get ready. The judging will begin in just a moment.
GABRIELLE and EPHINY continue to look at the mess in their box. Suddenly, EPHINY looks closer.
EPHINY
Did our mask have sea shells on it?
GABRIELLE
No, why do you ask? (EPHINY holds up a broken sea shell) Hey! That's not ours! So, where is our mask?
They both look at VELASKA, who looks similarly puzzled. She is innocent of a swap. GABRIELLE looks around, and spots LILA peeking in the doorway. An idea begins to form. She hurries over and grabs LILA's arm.
GABRIELLE
Where is my mask, Lila? Did you take it?
LILA
(Looks at her sister sheepishly) It's right here, Gabby. You have mine.
GABRIELLE
Yours? Why do you have a mask, anyway?
LILA
I wanted to join FLA. I thought if everyone saw what a good job I did, you'd let me in. (GABRIELLE's face clears with understanding)
GABRIELLE
Where did you come up with a crazy idea like swapping masks with me? If you hadn't brought my real mask, I'd have lost the contest for sure!
LILA
It was Joxer's idea. He said it was a great idea. (GABRIELLE rolls her eyes) Yeah, I didn't think about you losing the contest until later. That's why I brought yours now. So, where is my mask?
GABRIELLE looks at the floor in embarrassment. Then she leads LILA over to the ruined mask.
LILA
Aaah! What happened? I worked so hard, and now it's ruined!
GABRIELLE
It was an accident, Lila. Something fell on top of the box, and smashed it. (LILA looks just as crushed as the mask) I'm sure it was a really good mask, though.
LILA
(Sniffling) It wasn't as pretty as yours, but I did my best.
GABRIELLE takes the BLUE BOX and pulls out the undamaged mask. EPHINY takes it and places it on display. All three girls walk around the room to see the other entries. There are representations of wolves, hawks and other birds, exotic beasts, and VELASKA's is a snake-like dragon image. The competition will be stiff. MELOSA walks around the floor with three other judges. The other judges wear nametags that show they are former Amazon queens. The judges consult after viewing each mask. Finally, they return to the front of the room.
MELOSA
Well, it was a difficult decision. However, we have decided on the winning mask. Congratulations, Ephiny and Gabrielle! Please come up here. (GABRIELLE and EPHINY hurry to the front) Which of you will be our next Queen?
EPHINY
(Looks at GABRIELLE) Gabrielle will be the Queen this next year.
GABRIELLE
But . . . could we have co-queens? I mean, Ephiny would make such a good queen.
EPHINY
Gab, we already talked about this. You are the one it should be. (GABRIELLE looks distressed)
MELOSA
Well, we've never had co-queens before, but we could name one of you Regent. It would kind of be like "second in command."
EPHINY
That will work. OK, Gabrielle? I'll be your Regent. (GABRIELLE smiles and nods) Great! Congratulations, Queen Gabrielle. (Hugs GABRIELLE, who enthusiastically hugs her back. The rest of the room bursts into applause, with the notable exception of VELASKA, who scowls fiercely. EPHINY notices and whispers to GABRIELLE) I think Velaska may be a problem in the future. We'll have to watch out for her. (GABRIELLE nods in agreement)
LILA
(Approaches the pair, looking hopeful) So, can I join? Can I be an Amazon too? Please?
GABRIELLE
Oh, Lila. You're not old enough yet. You still need to wait another year before you will be eligible. (LILA's face falls)
EPHINY
Don't be too sad, Lila. I'll tell you what. If you still want to join next year, I'll even sponsor you, since Gabrielle can't because she's your sister. (LILA beams, nods, and looks at EPHINY with obvious hero-worship. All three girls share a group hug)
END