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https://www.tiktok.com/@luminouswoman/video/7683413320891632904
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/102781832752441205/2421214843170167173
T H E O D Y S S E Y
by
Christopher Nolan
Based on
Homer's Odyssey
Syncopy Films Inc. 4000 Warner Blvd. Building 81, Room 204 Burbank, CA 91522
T H E O D Y S S E Y
1. BLACK SCREEN.
SILENCE. WORDS APPEAR:
A TIME OF APPARENT MAGIC...
Title slowly fades as the sound of SURF RISES...
BANG! A loud WOODEN BEAT --
MALE VOICE (O.S.)
A face.
BANG!
MALE VOICE (O.S.)(CONT’D)
A fleet.
BANG!
2. DAY
: WAVES CRASH, FOAM AND SAND SPRAYS OFF A FOREIGN SHORE...
MALE VOICE (O.S.)
A war.
... SOME OF THE FOAM IS RED.
BANG!
3. NIGHT
: A BARD STANDS ATOP A LONG TABLE – TORCHLIGHT HOT ON UPTURNED FACES – HE BEATS THE RHYTHM WITH HIS STAFF...
MALE VOICE (BARD)
A man.
BANG!
4. DAY
: A FIGURE ON THE SHORE, HEAD DOWN IN CONTEMPLATION...
BARD (O.S.)
A thought.
BANG!
5. NIGHT
: THE BARD LEANS DOWN TO HIS ENRAPTURED AUDIENCE...
BARD
A trick.
BANG!
6. DAY
: A GIANT WOODEN STATUE OF A REARING HORSE, MASSIVE, HALF-BURIED, LISTING SICKLY IN WET SAND AT RISING TIDE...
BARD (O.S.)
A trick to break the walls of Troy.
BANG!
7. NIGHT
: THE BARD RAISES HIS ARMS...
BARD
And burn it screaming to the ground.
All eyes on his staff as he BRINGS IT DOWN –-
BANG!
8. DAY
: A WAVE
CRASHES against the Horse, WATCHED by a LONE, ragged GREEK SOLDIER. This is SINON.
At the sound of HOOVES, Sinon turns –- TROJANS on HORSEBACK APPROACH from far down the beach, riding FASTER and FASTER
through the DETRITUS of a departed army...
THWACK -– an ARROW hits his arm –- THWACK, THWACK, THWACK –-
ARROW after ARROW forces him back until WHUMP -– A SPEAR PINS HIM to the Horse...
The Trojans ENCIRCLE, DISMOUNT, APPROACH. They stare up at the giant Horse, INDIFFERENT to Sinon’s suffering.
FIRST TROJAN
What does it mean?
He DRAWS BRONZE, puts it to Sinon’s chin and LIFTS HIS HEAD to look into his DYING EYES –– SINON
A gift. For Athena.
The First Trojan SWINGS HIS SWORD –- a SECOND TROJAN blocks -- SECOND TROJAN
Common Gods. Respect their offering.
He YANKS the spear free, DROPPING Sinon to the sand.
SECOND TROJAN (CONT’D)
(to soldiers)
Save it from the waves. Take it to Athena’s temple. The war’s over.
A CHEER turns into a CHANT ringing out across the water...
HUNDREDS of Trojans throw DOZENS OF ROPES around the Horse, DRAGGING it painfully, INCH BY INCH, out of the rising tide...
WE PUSH IN on the Horse as it grinds through wet sand, CLOSER and CLOSER on the rough wooden planking, until –-
FEMALE VOICE (O.S.)
STOP!
CUT TO:
9. INT. MEGARON (GREAT HALL), PALACE OF ITHACA – NIGHT
The Bard SHOULDERS HIS STAFF. The ROWDY CROWD QUIETS. All eyes turn to the source of the shout –- a FLICKERING SILHOUETTE behind a WOODEN SCREEN at the top of the stairs, seated at her work. This is PENELOPE. She RISES...
PENELOPE
Not this song!
A Young Man (twenty) seated off to one side SCRAMBLES TO HIS FEET. This is TELEMACHUS.
VARIOUS
Uh-oh! Mommy’s mad! Run, run!
RAUCOUS LAUGHTER as Telemachus mounts the stairs, SIDLES UP TO THE SCREEN like a confessional, SPEAKING SOFTLY –-
TELEMACHUS
I want to remind them whose wine they’re drinking.
PENELOPE
I don’t want Odysseus’s song –- I want Odysseus.
TELEMACHUS
Then why do you entertain suitors in his house? Night after night?
PENELOPE
In this world a man does what he chooses. I do what I can.
TELEMACHUS
I’m a man, now, Mom.
PENELOPE
So throw them out. Break Zeus’s law, and see what they do to you if you give them that excuse.
Telemachus looks across the raucous CROWD OF SUITORS FEASTING.
PENELOPE (CONT’D)
I’ve already lost a husband, I don’t want to lose a son.
TELEMACHUS
Dad’s coming back.
PENELOPE
Then where is he? Eight years since Troy fell. Almost twenty since he left us. Where is he?
At the sound of JEERS and SHOUTS, Telemachus turns to see a BEGGAR at the door kicked by one of the Suitors... Telemachus hurries down the stairs and across the hall --
TELEMACHUS
We have to welcome him like we welcomed all of you!
One of the Suitors bullying the Beggar turns on Telemachus. This is POLYBUS (thirties, large, threatening).
POLYBUS
Are you calling us beggars?
TELEMACHUS
I’m saying you’ve been welcome here... For three years.
MALE VOICE (O.S.)
We’ve only enjoyed your hospitality for so long...
Telemachus turns. ANTINOUS (thirties, handsome, charismatic), RISES from his place.
ANTINOUS
Because your mother won’t choose.
TELEMACHUS
She’s already married.
ANTINOUS
Odysseus is dead.
TELEMACHUS
What do you know about my dad?
Antinous TOSSES BACK HIS DRINK and picks his teeth.
ANTINOUS
I know he kept stringy cattle and bad wine.
TELEMACHUS
You had the best of it the first two seasons.
ANTINOUS
And I know he never came home.
TELEMACHUS
Not yet.
With a GLANCE AT PENELOPE’S LISTENING SILHOUETTE, Antinous leans in, DISCREET...
ANTINOUS
Pining for a daddy you didn’t even know like some sniveling bastard.
Telemachus weighs the insult.
TELEMACHUS
None of us can really know who our fathers are. Not even you. So don’t claim to know mine.
ANTINOUS
But I did...
INSERT CUT: TEENAGE ANTINOUS, AMONGST OTHER YOUNGSTERS, CROUCHES IN THE BUSHES, CLUTCHING AN ARROW. AN OPEN HAND REACHES BACK –- ALL THE TEENAGE BOYS RUSH TO HAND IT AN ARROW.
THE HAND TAKES IT FROM THE BOY NEXT TO ANTINOUS...
ANTINOUS(CONT’D)
As boys, we watched him hunt. I tried to volunteer for his expedition to Troy, but he told me to stay here and keep an eye on you.
TELEMACHUS
On me or my mother?
Antinous glances at Penelope’s silhouette, GRINS.
ANTINOUS
You can’t blame me for looking.
TELEMACHUS
My dad’s coming home. And his hospitality won’t be as generous as hers.
ANTINOUS
(amused)
He doesn’t follow Zeus’s law?
TELEMACHUS
Zeus’s law tells us to treat strangers as we’d be treated because they might be Gods in disguise. I think we’ve established you’re not a God, Antinous.
Polybus lifts the Beggar’s ragged robe...
POLYBUS
He doesn’t smell like a God.
TELEMACHUS
It wouldn’t be much of a disguise if he did...
Telemachus takes the Beggar by the arm.
TELEMACHUS (CONT’D)
Careful, he might strike you down right now.
THUNDER ECHOES THROUGH THE HALLS... Polybus stands down. The crowd QUIETS. Telemachus LEADS THE BEGGAR to his own table, off to the side.
BEGGAR
That thunder was luck.
Telemachus peers into the GREY EYES OF THE STRANGER...
TELEMACHUS
I don’t know, you have wise eyes. Athena’s eyes.
The Beggar SMILES. Shakes his head.
TELEMACHUS(CONT’D)
Sit. Eat.
BEGGAR
Thank you.
The Beggar starts to eat, HUNGRILY.
TELEMACHUS
You sailed with traders?
BEGGAR
From Sparta.
TELEMACHUS
Has Menelaus come home from the war?
BEGGAR
Years ago. Odysseus never came back?
TELEMACHUS
We don’t even know if he’s alive. Have you heard anything?
BEGGAR
The song of how he won the war.
TELEMACHUS
We’ve all heard that. Nothing else?
BEGGAR
No, but Sparta’s full of Trojan War veterans -– someone’ll know something.
The Beggar studies Telemachus with KIND EYES.
BEGGAR (CONT’D)
You’re Odysseus’s son? Go to Sparta.
Go see Menelaus -– he’d welcome you.
Telemachus considers this. A maid, MELANTHO, APPROACHES.
MELANTHO
The Queen wants to speak to the stranger.
The Beggar, SURPRISED, looks at Telemachus.
TELEMACHUS
She lives for news.
The Beggar nods, RISES. Telemachus GRABS HIS HAND.
TELEMACHUS (CONT’D)
Just don’t try to give her false hope. She has some way of knowing whether a person has actually seen Odysseus. See that man?
The Beggar looks at a ROUGH OLDER MAN sitting at the side, listening WITHOUT SEEING. This is EUMAEUS.
TELEMACHUS (CONT’D)
My dad’s most loyal worker. He can’t see much any more...
By FEEL, Eumaeus offers a CHOP to an ELDERLY DOG, ARGUS.
TELEMACHUS (CONT’D)
But that doesn’t stop him beating travelers to death in exchange for lies about my father.
The Beggar, NERVOUS, is led to sit on the stairs IN FRONT OF THE SCREEN by Penelope’s SILHOUETTE AT HER LOOM.
10. EXT. CLIFFS OF ITHACA – DAY
Bronze CLASHES brightly as Telemachus trains with an older man, MENTOR (forties). Eumaeus SUPERVISES, elderly Argus LIMP AT HIS FEET.
EUMAEUS
Too fast.
Telemachus turns, BREATHLESS. Mentor LOWERS HIS SWORD.
TELEMACHUS
How can you know?
EUMAEUS
You don’t need eyes to hear a hasty combination. Mentor, push him.
Mentor LASHES OUT –- Telemachus MEETS EACH BLOW –-
EUMAEUS (CONT’D)
Too fast.
Telemachus stops, FRUSTRATED, SLUMPS down next to Eumaeus. He REACHES out to pet Argus who GROWLS...
TELEMACHUS
He’s as friendly as you.
EUMAEUS
He only answered to your father.
Telemachus gently rubs the dog’s thinning fur.
TELEMACHUS
Where did he get him from?
EUMAEUS
They met right here...
11. EXT. SAME – DAY (FLASHBACK)
Eumaeus (YOUNGER, SIGHTED) sorts a LITTER OF PUPPIES by tossing the RUNTS off the cliff. He lifts ONE up to look at its half-closed eyes. Frowns, STARTS TO TOSS WHEN HIS ARM IS GRABBED -– Eumaeus turns to –-
ODYSSEUS (thirties, short dark beard, handsome, rugged), looking at the runt, a SMILE playing about his lips...
ODYSSEUS
I’ll take him.
EUMAEUS
For your boy?
ODYSSEUS
For a hunting dog.
Eumaeus snorts.
12. EXT. SAME – DAY (PRESENT)
EUMAEUS FEELS FOR Argus’s stiff, mangey fur.
EUMAEUS
Damned if he wasn’t right.
Telemachus watches Eumaeus REMEMBER...
13. EXT. WILDS OF ITHACA – DAY (FLASHBACK)
Argus (YOUNG BUT FULLY GROWN) has eyes fixed on a WILD BOAR feeding yards away. At his side, Odysseus carefully STRINGS his massive HUNTING BOW.
Behind him several TEENAGE BOYS watch him, WIDE-EYED. Odysseus reaches back for an ARROW -– all the teenage boys RUSH TO HAND HIM ONE. He takes it from the SMALLEST, the TEENAGE SINON.
Eumaeus watches as Odysseus PLUCKS THE STRING with a mighty TWANG –- the Boar looks up –- CHARGES...
Odysseus fixes ARROW to BOW, horizontal, aiming – TEENAGE ANTINOUS BOLTS, TERRIFIED –- the other boys, except Sinon, FOLLOW –- Odysseus fires –- HITS THE BOAR IN THE CHEST -– it keeps COMING, COMING... GORES HIS LEG... Argus THROWS HIMSELF AT THE BOAR’S NECK with loyal savagery...
14. EXT. COURTYARD, PALACE OF ITHACA – DAY (FLASHBACK)
Eumaeus watches an OLD NURSEMAID STITCH the wound in Odysseus’s leg.
EUMAEUS
Why do you always pluck your bow?
ODYSSEUS
To test the tension.
Eumaeus looks at him. NOT BUYING IT.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Ouch!
The Old Nursemaid looks at him, ANNOYED.
OLD NURSEMAID
Hold still. How bad a scar do you want?
ODYSSEUS
(to Eumaeus)
It’s only fair.
EUMAEUS
To warn your prey?
ODYSSEUS
To fight with honour.
EUMAEUS
You weren’t fighting –- you were hunting.
ODYSSEUS
Hunting’s just fighting by stealth.
EUMAEUS
Clever. But your cleverness will get you in trouble.
15. EXT. CLIFFS OF ITHACA – DAY (PRESENT)
Eumaeus puts his hand on Telemachus’s shoulder.
EUMAEUS
Try again. This time not as fast. Or precise.
Telemachus gets to his feet. Mentor RAISES HIS GUARD. Eumaeus PULLS Telemachus down to WHISPER in his ear.
EUMAEUS (CONT’D)
(whisper)
You can’t win with a perfect defence.
Draw the attack.
TELEMACHUS
How?
EUMAEUS
(whisper)
Hesitation. Open your belly to your opponent’s blade -– their attack becomes your chance...
Telemachus STRAIGHTENS up. He and Mentor SPAR... Telemachus opens his defence –- Mentor OVEREXTENDS -– Telemachus MOVES OUTSIDE THE THRUST –- finishes with his SWORD at Mentor’s THROAT. He nods, SATISFIED.
TELEMACHUS
Did you teach my father that?
EUMAEUS
No, he taught me. He said you’re not always going to be the strongest or the fastest. So be the smartest.
TELEMACHUS
What would he do if he came back here to find these suitors in his house?
Eumaeus SHAKES HIS HEAD with longing...
EUMAEUS
Don’t. I can’t even let myself imagine what he’d do to them.
TELEMACHUS
There’s so many.
EUMAEUS
Cut a couple down, the others cave. Bullies and cowards.
(MORE)
Most of them were old enough to go to Troy. But when they saw Agamemnon’s sail...
16. EXT. SAME – DAY (FLASHBACK)
Odysseus and Eumaeus watch SHIPS APPROACH. The lead ship has a BLACK SAIL...
EUMAEUS (V.O.)
Their fathers hid them. Odysseus didn’t judge. You and your mother meant more to him than promises of glory...
Odysseus looks at Eumaeus. CONCERNED.
INSERT CUT: ODYSSEUS AND PENELOPE PLAY WITH THE INFANT TELEMACHUS...
An IMPOSING figure in extraordinary BLACKENED BRONZE ARMOUR approaches Odysseus. This is AGAMEMNON. Odysseus KNEELS BEFORE HIM. Agamemnon pulls Odysseus to his feet in BROTHERLY EMBRACE...
EUMAEUS (V.O.)
And he knew Agamemnon’s war would take many lives and many years.
Odysseus, tears down his cheeks, looks at Agamemnon. Nods.
EUMAEUS (V.O.)
So he raised his army by lottery.
INSERT CUT: A LINE OF YOUNG MEN SNAKES UP THE HILLSIDE TO WHERE EUMAEUS IS TAKING THEIR LOTS... TEENAGE SINON AND TEENAGE ANTINOUS REACH THE FRONT OF THE LINE TOGETHER...
TELEMACHUS
By lots? Antinous told me he volunteered...
Eumaeus shifts, UNCOMFORTABLE.
EUMAEUS
That’s how your father talked about it.
INSERT CUT: EUMAEUS WAVES ODYSSEUS OVER TO TALK TO TEENAGE SINON AND TEENAGE ANTINOUS. TEENAGE ANTINOUS IS HOLDING A WOODEN LOT WITH NOTCHES IN ITS SIDE... ODYSSEUS LISTENS TO THEIR PLEAS. HE TAKES THE LOT FROM TEENAGE ANTINOUS AND HANDS IT TO TEENAGE SINON. HE WAVES ANTINOUS'S FATHER OVER...
EUMAEUS (CONT’D)
Your boy tried to take Sinon’s place.
I’m not letting him. He needs to stay here and look after his family.
ANTINOUS’S FATHER looks at Odysseus, TEARFULLY GRATEFUL...
ANTINOUS’S FATHER
He can watch over your boy, too.
ODYSSEUS
Of course.
17. EXT. CLIFFS OF ITHACA – DAY (PRESENT)
Telemachus looks at Eumaeus, INCREDULOUS.
TELEMACHUS
He wanted Antinous to look after me?
Eumaeus spits into the dust.
EUMAEUS
No. But Odysseus was sensitive to a father’s shame. He felt for these fathers... he knew it was an unwinnable war...
Telemachus listens to the story.
EUMAEUS (CONT’D)
Then, somehow, he won it.
Telemachus nods with pride.
TELEMACHUS
So he knew it would be years. Did he tell my mother?
Eumaeus shifts, UNCOMFORTABLE...
EUMAEUS
That’s a question for her.
He gets to his feet.
TELEMACHUS
Eumaeus? Is he ever coming back?
Eumaeus FROWNS.
EUMAEUS
Argus thinks so. I’ve never known a dog reach twenty...
Eumaeus wipes a quiet TEAR...
EUMAEUS (CONT’D)
But he’s long outlived his master.
18. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – DAY
Telemachus mounts the stairs, approaches the screen and SLIDES IT BACK TO REVEAL...
19. INT. THE QUEEN’S CHAMBER – DAY
PENELOPE AT HER LOOM. She is beautiful, elegant (forties). She pauses in her weaving. Melantho and the Old Nursemaid are SEATED nearby.
TELEMACHUS
I didn’t mean to stop you.
Penelope nods at Melantho who checks there is no one beyond the screen as SHE DRAWS IT CLOSED behind Telemachus. She gives Penelope the okay.
PENELOPE
I’m in no hurry. The Elders decreed that when I finish your grandfather’s burial shroud it’ll be time to remarry.
Penelope RISES from her loom.
TELEMACHUS
Why?
She leads him out onto the terrace.
20. EXT. PENELOPE’S TERRACE, PALACE OF ITHACA – CONTINUOUS
They walk out onto the terrace.
PENELOPE
Ithaca’s been without a king for too long. They want security.
TELEMACHUS
From what?
PENELOPE
The people from the sea.
Telemachus scoffs at this.
TELEMACHUS
Travellers’ tales.
PENELOPE
All we know of the world is travellers’ tales! That’s how we heard Troy had fallen. Now they all tell
stories of attacks by people from the sea.
TELEMACHUS
Who are?
PENELOPE
Nobody knows. But the Elders want Ithaca to be prepared.
TELEMACHUS
Prepared? We’re part of the greatest civilization ever known.
PENELOPE
Look at this great house –-
Penelope places a gentle hand on the STONE OF THE BATTLEMENTS.
PENELOPE (CONT’D)
Stones as old as knowledge. At the mercy of some greedy unwanted guests. Half the servants answer to them now. The structure’s nothing without people’s respect for its meaning.
TELEMACHUS
Zeus’s law.
PENELOPE
Treat others as you’d be treated. When they abuse it, they destroy everything.
TELEMACHUS
So how could you think of marrying one of them?
Penelope considers how to answer.
PENELOPE
Because, a long time ago, your father asked me to...
21. INT. BEDCHAMBER – NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Penelope and Odysseus LIE ON THE BED. The INFANT TELEMACHUS plays on CUSHIONS AND FURS laid out on the floor.
ODYSSEUS
Agamemnon is our king. The Trojans took his brother’s wife.
PENELOPE
Or she ran away with them.
ODYSSEUS
Either way, the Trojans will never give Helen up. And the walls of Troy are said to be impregnable. We’ll sit outside that great city trying to draw them into battle. As years go by, and Telemachus grows, and you learn life without me.
PENELOPE
Don’t. I’ll raise our boy and manage our kingdom until you return. Menelaus will give up on Helen.
Odysseus shakes his head, RESIGNED.
ODYSSEUS
This is Agamemnon’s excuse to break Troy’s control of the trading routes. He won’t let it pass. Ever.
PENELOPE
What if you refuse?
Odysseus looks at the infant Telemachus, now fast asleep, then back to Penelope. HE DOES NOT WANT TO ANSWER.
ODYSSEUS
He’ll take our son.
PENELOPE
He would never -- !
ODYSSEUS
He sacrificed his own daughter for favourable winds.
INSERT CUT: WE FOLLOW AGAMEMNON, IN HIS ARMOUR, CARRYING AN
ADOLESCENT GIRL TOWARDS A STORMY SEA...
Penelope takes this in. APPALLED
.
PENELOPE
Why would the Gods want his daughter’s life?
ODYSSEUS
The power of a sacrifice is in the cost to the person making it.
PENELOPE
That’s monstrous.
ODYSSEUS
And committed. I won’t return soon. If at all.
Penelope considers this. SUDDENLY –-
PENELOPE
What if we ran?
She lifts up on the bed, EXCITED...
PENELOPE (CONT’D)
Took your fastest ship and brightest crew and headed for the horizon?
INSERT CUT: PENELOPE, BABY TELEMACHUS IN HER ARMS, AND ODYSSEUS STAND ON THE PROW OF A SHIP, ROWING WESTWARD AT DUSK...
PENELOPE (V.O.)
Held hands on deck as we sailed into the unknown west...
Penelope’s eyes glitter with excitement...
PENELOPE
Chasing the escaping sun...
Penelope LOOKS INTO ODYSSEUS’S EYES. Sees his longing...
PENELOPE (CONT’D)
There’s a world beyond these walls.
Odysseus shakes off her vision.
ODYSSEUS
Agamemnon’s vengeance would fall on all of Ithaca.
Odysseus looks at Penelope.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Promise me. If I’m not back by the time Telemachus comes of age –- promise you’ll take another husband –-
Penelope SMACKS HIS FACE.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Enough sacrifices. Promise me.
PENELOPE
Love isn’t a sacrifice.
ODYSSEUS
Of course it is. And I don’t want you to make it.
PENELOPE
That’s not up to you.
ODYSSEUS
Promise me.
She looks into his eyes. Sees love asking.
PENELOPE
No. Promise me you’ll come back.
Odysseus LOOKS AT THIS WOMAN. Wanting to be everything for her.
ODYSSEUS
What if I can’t?
PENELOPE
Then your memory won’t be making my decisions.
She lies back, showing him a DECORATIVE PIN OF ATHENA ON HER BREAST.
PENELOPE (CONT’D)
Take my pin. Wear it. Always. Athena will bring you back.
Odysseus looks at the pin, SMILING.
ODYSSEUS
I’m not sure it suits me.
PENELOPE
When travellers claim to have seen you, I’ll ask them what you were wearing...
Odysseus removes the pin from her dress, OPENING IT...
PENELOPE (CONT’D)
And I’ll know if they’re lying.
Odysseus and Penelope EMBRACE, losing themselves in each other.
22. EXT. PENELOPE’S TERRACE, PALACE OF ITHACA – DAY (PRESENT)
Penelope heads back inside...
PENELOPE
If the Sea People are real... right now Ithaca has no king to raise an army.
23. INT. PENELOPE’S CHAMBER, PALACE OF ITHACA – CONTINUOUS
Telemachus FOLLOWS Penelope back to her loom...
TELEMACHUS
I could take the throne.
Penelope looks at her son with the faintest edge of scorn.
She goes to the wall, where Odysseus’s HUNTING BOW is DISPLAYED, its string wound around it. She pulls it down,
THRUSTS IT AT TELEMACHUS.
PENELOPE
String it.
Telemachus takes it.
TELEMACHUS
That’s not –-
PENELOPE
String it.
Telemachus UNWINDS the string, puts one end of the bow to the floor and TRIES to BEND THE BOW to hook the string on the top.
With all his strength, HE CANNOT BEND THE BOW ENOUGH. Penelope takes the bow back...
TELEMACHUS
That’s not fair. You said only he could string that bow.
PENELOPE
He was happy to let others try...
24. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Servants move the table, lever up the flagstones, drive the axes into the dirt in a line of SIX ‘X’ SHAPES...
PENELOPE (V.O.)
He’d line up the axes...
Odysseus LAUGHS as ONE of his men FAILS to string the bow. He takes it and CALMLY BENDS THE BOW to string it. Sits at the end of the hall. He PLUCKS the bow, sounding a RESONANT NOTE, raises the bow horizontally, FIXES AN ARROW, DRAWS AND FIRES...
As the arrow flies through the crosses of axes and STICKS INTO AN UPTURNED TABLE, the hall erupts in a CHEER –-
25. INT. PENELOPE’S CHAMBER, PALACE OF ITHACA – DAY (PRESENT)
Penelope looks down on the bow with GREAT PRIDE...
PENELOPE
No one else ever did it.
TELEMACHUS
Mom, they’re bleeding us dry so you’ll be forced to choose one of them before I can claim the throne myself. The traveller told me Menelaus returned years ago. They’ve all returned –-
PENELOPE
All who survived. Maybe he is dead.
TELEMACHUS
And if he is, this is my palace. We need to know. I need to go to Menelaus and find out the truth.
Penelope looks at him, SURPRISED.
PENELOPE
Telemachus, these suitors mean you harm.
TELEMACHUS
You think I don’t know that? Every night they push me to give them the excuse they need.
PENELOPE
Out there on the sea, on the road... they won’t need an excuse – you just won’t come back.
Telemachus looks at her. SUSPICIOUS.
TELEMACHUS
You don’t want me to claim the throne myself. You want to keep me in my place. So you can stay Queen of Ithaca.
PENELOPE
(frustrated)
I’ve had enough of being Queen of Ithaca without my King.
TELEMACHUS
Without your king... or without a king?
Penelope shakes her head, FRUSTRATED.
PENELOPE
And you think you’re ready to take your father’s place. You’re a child.
She goes back to her work.
26. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – NIGHT
Telemachus, FUMING, watches the Suitors FEAST.
Eumaeus, sitting at the side, hears a MALE SERVANT come rushing, SPURS JANGLING – he sticks out a restraining hand -–
HIS PALM HITTING THE MIDDLE OF THE SERVANT’S CHEST.
EUMAEUS
Too loud, Melanthius. Don’t wear your spurs in the palace. You’re a cowherd not a horseman.
The Servant, MELANTHIUS, turns on Eumaeus.
MELANTHIUS
And you’re a pig farmer. Who’re you to talk to me like that?
EUMAEUS
The servant our master left in charge of his herdsmen.
MELANTHIUS
That master’s long gone, you blind old fool. You’re as welcome here as that old dog bothering the suitors...
EUMAEUS
Argus?
Eumaeus shuffles over to the table, TRYING TO FIND ARGUS.
EUMAEUS (CONT’D)
Argus?
Polybus notices the old dog at his feet. He KICKS it away in disgust –- Argus WHIMPERS.
EUMAEUS (CONT’D)
Hey! He didn’t do anything.
POLYBUS
So that stink is you?
LAUGHTER. Telemachus, blood up, comes over. Antinous WATCHES, INTERESTED.
TELEMACHUS
Leave the old dog alone.
POLYBUS
Which one?
EUMAEUS
Both of us.
POLYBUS
What did you say to me, slave?
TELEMACHUS
He got carried away. Argus is my father’s hunting dog.
Polybus LAUGHS.
POLYBUS
Hunting dog? Look at that thing. Get it out of here, we’re trying to eat -–
Polybus kicks Argus again.
TELEMACHUS
Don’t! Can’t you hear it’s in pain?
POLYBUS
Okay...
Polybus grabs Argus...
POLYBUS (CONT’D)
I’ll put it out of its misery.
EUMAEUS
Leave him alone!
Eumaeus grabs Polybus’s arm –- Polybus KICKS him away –- Telemachus, ENRAGED, rushes to the wall, pulling A SWORD FROM ITS PLACE and rushing towards Polybus –- SWINGING –- Polybus drops the dog, dodges the reckless attack, SMASHING Telemachus to the floor, DISARMING HIM AND RAISING THE SWORD --
ANTINOUS
Easy, Polybus.
Antinous steps up beside Polybus...
POLYBUS
You saw! You all saw! He attacked me! I have the right!
PENELOPE (O.S.)
Please!
Penelope SLIDES BACK THE SCREEN, showing herself to the Suitors. The hall falls QUIET.
PENELOPE (CONT’D)
Please don’t hurt my son...
Antinous looks at Penelope, then turns back to Polybus -–
ANTINOUS
The young pup lost his head. Show some mercy...
Antinous gently TAKES THE SWORD from Polybus...
ANTINOUS (CONT’D)
Drink some more of his wine, I’ll take care of this.
Antinous scoops up the limp Argus. Telemachus GETS UP –-
TELEMACHUS
That’s my father’s dog! He’s only living to see Odysseus return.
ANTINOUS
Fine. I’ll put him on the dung heap out front so he can greet his master a little sooner.
As cruel LAUGHTER erupts, Antinous steps across the threshold and drops him onto the DUNG PILE in the courtyard. He comes back in, MAINTAINING EYE CONTACT WITH TELEMACHUS. Eumaeus places a restraining hand on Telemachus’s arm. Antinous COMES CLOSE...
ANTINOUS (CONT’D)
The dog stays out there.
(indicates Eumaeus)
Maybe think twice before you offer up your life for an animal.
Telemachus glares at Antinous... then turns and leaves -–
27. INT. CORRIDOR, PALACE OF ITHACA – MOMENTS LATER
Telemachus stalks down the corridor. He grabs the Old Nursemaid.
TELEMACHUS
Prepare supplies, get them down to the ships. Tell no one. Use only the people you trust.
OLD NURSEMAID
You’ll break your mother’s heart.
TELEMACHUS
If I stay, they’ll force me to fight. No one will back me. I have to find out what happened to my father. Ithaca will be behind me if they know Odysseus is dead.
OLD NURSEMAID
The suitors aren’t going to let that happen. You’ll never make it back alive.
TELEMACHUS
Tell Mentor to meet me at the ships just before dawn.
OLD NURSEMAID
What should I tell your mother?
TELEMACHUS
Nothing, till we’re out of sight of land. Then tell her to hold out as long as she can.
28. EXT. DOCKS, ITHACA – FIRST LIGHT
Telemachus makes his way to a SHIP. Mentor falls in beside him.
MENTOR
Ship’s ready. Tide’s right.
They step onto the ship.
29. EXT. SHIP – MOMENTS LATER
As the ship casts off. Telemachus and Mentor look out to the BRIGHTENING horizon.
TELEMACHUS
You haven’t even asked where we’re going.
Mentor smiles.
TELEMACHUS (CONT’D)
I never noticed before. You have wise eyes. Athena’s eyes.
MENTOR
Where are we going?
TELEMACHUS
To find my dad. He’s alive. I feel it in the wind, in the waves... he’s out there somewhere. Wandering. Injured. Imprisoned, I don’t know... but alive... And we --
CUT TO:
30. EXT. ROCKY BEACH – DAY
We approach a FIGURE staring out at the ocean. Odysseus, now FIFTY, GRIZZLED, HEAVY GREY BEARD and eyes that have seen too much, trying to solve an impossible riddle –-
INSERT CUT: IN CLAUSTROPHOBIC DARKNESS PACKED WITH MEN, ODYSSEUS PULLS HIMSELF UP OUT OF RISING WATER. A WARRIOR BELOW HIM IS SUBMERGED –- ODYSSEUS HANDS HIM A REED TO BREATHE THROUGH...
Odysseus puzzles over the image, walks through the shallows to where a piece of WEATHERED WOOD protrudes...
FEMALE VOICE (O.S.)
More dreams?
A DARK-HAIRED WOMAN in her TWENTIES with GREY EYES is next to him. This is ATHENA.
ODYSSEUS
(puzzled)
Men drowning. Inside... some... dark space...
INSERT CUT: A STONE HEAD FROM A STATUE OF ATHENA SETTLES ON DIRTY MARBLE, ROCKING FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN FLICKERING FIRELIGHT...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Firelight on stone... I don’t know.
He shakes off the image, PULLS THE PLANK from the water, brushing his rough hands across the bleached smooth surface of the plank...
ATHENA
Don’t you want to remember?
He turns to her, FRUSTRATED –-
ODYSSEUS
Why can’t Gods speak in ways we understand?
She shakes her head at him.
ATHENA
Who doesn’t understand thunder? Or fire? A child’s smile? Or a good harvest?
ODYSSEUS
But you hide yourselves from us.
She points at the sky...
ATHENA
Just look –- who’s moving that cloud or massing those birds? Or darkening the sky?
Odysseus looks at the sky. When he turns back, ATHENA IS GONE... From farther out in the shallows, a BEAUTIFUL BLONDE WOMAN approaches carrying a short SPEAR and FISH... This is CALYPSO.
CALYPSO
Who were you talking to?
She drops her spear and fish and crouches next to him.
Odysseus looks down at the wood in his hands, tosses it further up onto the sand, WHERE THERE ARE OTHER, SIMILAR PLANKS...
ODYSSEUS
Athena came to me again.
Odysseus looks at the setting sun...
INSERT CUT: A STATUE OF ATHENA IS STRUCK WITH A BRONZE SWORD, SPARKING, BEHEADING, TUMBLING AMID FIRELIGHT ON STONE...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
She’s telling me to remember...
He turns to Calypso.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
To leave.
CALYPSO
Why would you leave? We have everything we need.
ODYSSEUS
How long have I been here?
Calypso says nothing. Odysseus turns to her.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
I have a home somewhere... there’s someone... out there...
CALYPSO
How do you know?
ODYSSEUS
I don’t know. I feel.
Calypso puts her hand on his face. INTIMATE. SYMPATHETIC. Dry THUNDER rumbles –- she glances up at the sky...
31. INT. CALYPSO’S CAVE – NIGHT
Odysseus and Calypso sit eating the fish she caught.
CALYPSO
What we have here can last forever.
ODYSSEUS
Forever is for Gods. Are you a God?
CALYPSO
Would you stay if I were?
ODYSSEUS
No.
Calypso takes his hands in hers.
CALYPSO
You want to remember. But what if remembering destroys your happiness?
ODYSSEUS
Then it wasn’t real. Or earned.
Calypso stares back at him. A peal of dry THUNDER. Letting go of his hands, she glances at the sky. Odysseus reaches for more food, pulling a BOWL OF MEATY LEAVES towards him –-
CALYPSO
No more.
ODYSSEUS
But I love it.
She pulls his plate away from him.
CALYPSO
Stop eating the lotus, and tell me what you remember. After Troy.
Odysseus sparks to the word –-
ODYSSEUS
Troy. Years at Troy.
INSERT CUT: IN CLAUSTROPHOBIC DARKNESS, THE WATER KEEPS RISING -– THE MAN NEXT TO ODYSSEUS STARTS TO PANIC – ODYSSEUS COVERS THE MAN’S MOUTH, HOLDING HIM DANGEROUSLY TIGHT...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
We won the war...
CALYPSO
And then?
As Odysseus concentrates, remembering, we --
CUT TO:
32. EXT. BEACH AT TROY – DAY
Odysseus (FORTIES, WEARY but YOUNGER, DARKER, SHORTER BEARD) stands in the dunes looking down at one FRESH GRAVE AMIDST ROWS and ROWS of them. He looks at something in his hand –- a WOODEN LOT WITH NOTCHES ON ITS SIDE. He puts the lot DEEP IN HIS BELT.
Odysseus follows Agamemnon to his ship. Behind them, above the dunes, SMOKE RISES over the SMOULDERING RUINS of the greatest city ever known. Odysseus KISSES Agamemnon.
Agamemnon’s ships pull away. Odysseus approaches his men,
SCATTERED amongst the dunes.
ODYSSEUS
Ten years on this fucking beach.
He looks around for better words. There aren’t any.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Let’s go home. Remember those we leave here.
His men, THREE SHIPS’ WORTH, hardened, exhausted, filthy, NOD REVERENTLY. Several in TEARS. A Soldier, EURYLOCHUS, comes close...
EURYLOCHUS
Do we have enough provisions?
ODYSSEUS
We’ve taken enough from Troy. An extra stop or two won’t slow us down.
33. EXT. ODYSSEUS’S SHIP – DAY
Odysseus watches the Helmsman, ANTIPHATES. Checks the sail.
ODYSSEUS
Stow the oars.
A CHEER from the men. Odysseus smiles to himself. Looks LEFT and RIGHT to his other TWO SHIPS.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Follow the southerly winds.
ANTIPHATES
Yes, sir.
EURYLOCHUS
Agamemnon’s rowing west, along the known provisions route.
ODYSSEUS
He’s got more mouths to feed. We’ll find places to land.
EURYLOCHUS
Are you sure? It’s a risk.
ODYSSEUS
I’ve followed Agamemnon long enough.
As the Helmsman brings the ship around, Odysseus looks at the TINY DOTS of Agamemnon’s sails heading west.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
With a little luck and the right winds, we’ll see some of the world, and still be home before Agamemnon.
ODYSSEUS (O.S.) (CONT’D)
We set off for home...
34. EXT. ODYSSEUS’S SHIP – DAY
Odysseus and Eurylochus watch A LUSH SHORE come into view.
ODYSSEUS
See?
EURYLOCHUS
Lucky bastard. We’re down to our last supplies.
Odysseus turns to another one of his men, POLITES –-
ODYSSEUS
Assemble a landing party. Food and water. Enough for three weeks.
POLITES
What if they won’t give it?
EURYLOCHUS
How badly do you want to go home?
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
Begging, trading or plundering...
35. EXT. COASTAL VILLAGE – TWILIGHT
Eurylochus INTERROGATES a kneeling OLD MAN. Men carry SACKS and JARS down to the sea. A soldier, ELPENOR, translates.
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
Depending on our needs.
EURYLOCHUS
Ask him why they abandoned their village instead of welcoming us.
ELPENOR
He says they thought we were the Sea People.
Eurylochus crouches to look the old man in the eye.
EURYLOCHUS
No, we’re Greeks. From Ithaca. Maybe you heard of our victory at Troy?
(Nothing.)
We’re heading west on the southerly winds.
Nothing. Eurylochus RISES. The Old Man starts talking.
ELPENOR
He says if we go that way... we won’t like the things we’ll find.
Eurylochus nods at Polites who puts a TORCH to a THATCHED ROOF...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
After years of war...
Eurylochus heads back to shore amongst his PLUNDERING men...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
... no one could stand between my men and home.
36. INT. CALYPSO’S CAVE – NIGHT
ODYSSEUS
Not even me...
CALYPSO
But something happened?
Odysseus puzzles it out, his mind unclouding...
37. EXT. ODYSSEUS’S SHIP – DAY
Odysseus is slumped on the deck, TYING KNOTS.
SAILOR
Land!
Odysseus JUMPS to his feet with the other men, CROWDING the rail. In the distance, an ISLAND. Odysseus turns to Eurylochus, GRINNING.
ODYSSEUS
There you go.
EURYLOCHUS
Lucky bastard.
38. EXT. BAY OF ISLAND – DAY
The three ships glide into the bay of the lush island.
ODYSSEUS
Signal the others to anchor here for tonight. We’ll head in.
39. EXT. ISLAND SHORE – EVENING
The LONE SHIP BEACHES. Odysseus and his men get off and look CAUTIOUSLY at the THICK FOREST.
EURYLOCHUS
It’s late. We should camp till dawn.
ODYSSEUS
There’s time. Leave a watch. Come on...
Odysseus heads into the forest, excited. His men follow. Some are uneasy, but all are happy to touch dry land.
40. EXT. FOREST – LATER
Odysseus spots a SHEEP. Eurylochus raises his bow, but Odysseus puts a RESTRAINING HAND on his arm.
ODYSSEUS
Sheep come in flocks. Let’s follow.
They quietly follow the sheep in the DARKENING FOREST...
They emerge into a clearing overlooked by a LARGE CAVE MOUTH...
The SHEEP WANDERS INTO THE DARK OF THE CAVE. Odysseus follows...
41. INT. CAVE, ISLAND – CONTINUOUS
Odysseus and his men make their way into the vast cave... A MASSIVE ROCK BY THE ENTRANCE... DARKER and DARKER... a SMOULDERING FIRE. Stacks of LARGE CHEESES... the sheep, lying
deep in the cave, watches, DISINTERESTED...
EURYLOCHUS
Someone lives here.
Odysseus SAMPLES one of the cheeses.
ODYSSEUS
They make pretty good cheese.
EURYLOCHUS
We should leave. We’ve brought nothing to trade with.
ODYSSEUS
Zeus’s law.
Eurylochus looks around the cave, trying to fathom who might live such a place...
EURYLOCHUS
I don’t know if whoever lives here’s heard of Zeus’s law. Or Zeus, for that matter.
ODYSSEUS
Everyone knows Zeus’s law. Get the fire going. We’ll welcome the owner back.
Odysseus is examining several TREE TRUNKS lying around, carved into TAPERING SHAPES.
A SUDDEN RUSH OF HOOFBEATS, they all turn to the bright end of the cave, a hundred yards away, as a FLOCK OF SHEEP, RAMS, and GOATS comes RUNNING IN from the light...
The animals SURROUND the men, BLEATING. A DULL THUDDING shakes the earth... ALL EYES turn to the bright mouth of the cave as...
A MONSTROUS SILHOUETTE lowers its head to enter. Odysseus and his men stand, FROZEN, as the GIANT SHAPE DRAGS THE MASSIVE ROCK ACROSS THE CAVE ENTRANCE...
TOTAL DARKNESS. The gentle movement and BLEATING of the settling flock... WHISPERS amongst Odysseus’s men...
EURYLOCHUS
(whisper)
What is that?
ODYSSEUS
Shhh...
The men instinctively gather around the brightening fire...
NOISES OF SCALE – MOVEMENT, SCRATCHING, OCEAN-DEEP BREATHS...
Odysseus sees his men gathered at the fire –- GESTURES –-
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
(low)
Get away from the fire.
His men look at him, UNCOMPREHENDING. A Soldier on the far side looks at Odysseus, TERRIFIED –-
WHOOOOSH –- A FLEETING IMPRESSION OF A GIANT HAND AND HE’S YANKED, SCREAMING, INTO DARKNESS...
The Soldiers SCAMPER into the darkness...
The SCREAM IS CUT OFF. The sound of quiet, MASSIVE CHEWING...
CLANG! BLOODY ARMOUR hits the ground near the fire.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Spread out!
Odysseus moves away from where he shouted, feels the WHOOSH of a GIANT HAND blowing past him in the dark... he stops, CROUCHED LOW, ready to run, peering into the dark... by the fire, a MASSIVE FOOT AND KNEE come down, dimly lit... suddenly a COLOSSAL FACE moves into the light, low above the fire, peering with a SINGLE GIANT EYE into the flames... a CYCLOPS.
The Cyclops REACHES INTO THE FIRE and pulls out a FLAMING LOG.
RISES, holding the log like a large match, peering around with its grotesque watery eye, rolling in its socket, LIP-LIKE LIDS slow blinking moisture onto its glassy membrane... peering into darkness... until...
A SOLDIER SCREAMS as he is GRABBED AND SHOVED SQUIRMING INTO THE CYCLOPS’S MOUTH... the Cyclops drops the burning log to use both hands to REMOVE the indigestible SWORD AND ARMOUR of the soldier like a child eating a shrimp...
CYCLOPS
MMMMMMMMMMM...
Odysseus, in the dark, makes out a SOLDIER near him, SHIVERING. Odysseus NODS, trying to reassure.
BY THE FIRE, the Cyclops lowers itself to the ground, lying near the fire and closing its eye, BLOOD DRIBBLING from the corner of its mouth.
42. INT. SAME – LATER
Odysseus NUDGES the Soldier.
ODYSSEUS
(whispers)
I think it’s asleep.
Odysseus makes his way over to the SLEEPING mammoth. The other Soldiers emerge to assemble by the monstrous head. Eurylochus DRAWS HIS SWORD, and considers how to kill the Cyclops. His men MIME different killing zones, BRINGING FINGERS ACROSS NECKS, WRISTS, BEHIND THE EAR...
Eurylochus chooses a spot, lines up his sword, when Odysseus stops him, pointing into the dark away from the fire.
Eurylochus DOES NOT UNDERSTAND...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
(whispers)
The rock.
Eurylochus GETS IT, moves away from the Cyclops to talk.
EURYLOCHUS
We can’t move the rock.
ODYSSEUS
We’d be trapped in here.
Odysseus thinks.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Spread the word. Rest up. In the morning, when it lets out its flock we’ll rush the entrance. It can’t grab all of us.
Eurylochus NODS. They settle down for the night.
Odysseus watches as the fire dies...
43. INT. SAME – MORNING
Odysseus is WOKEN BY A GRINDING NOISE as light floods into the cave. The SILHOUETTE of the Cyclops has ROLLED BACK THE GIANT BOULDER. The sheep BLEAT as they start gathering near the entrance... Odysseus looks around at his men, all around the cave, preparing to rush the door...
The Cyclops steps into the cave towards them TO PICK UP ITS TREE TRUNK CLUB....
Odysseus starts to RUN... HIS MEN DO THE SAME, racing towards the dazzling light of the cave entrance –-
BOOM! A GIANT FOOT comes down as the Cyclops steps over them once... BOOM! The OTHER FOOT COMES DOWN ON A SOLDIER, CRUSHING HIM... as fast as they sprint, the Cyclops is already back in front of them, CROUCHING, FEELING THE TOPS OF THE SHEEP AS THEY PASS BY... it grabs the SOLDIER next to Odysseus, giving Odysseus a chance to RACE BENEATH IT... he is in the light now, home free, but HE TURNS AND SEES THE CYCLOPS TOSSING and PUSHING HALF HIS MEN BACK into the dark... Eurylochus is beside him... the Cyclops grabs the BOULDER, starting to close up the cave...
ODYSSEUS
It’s shutting them in! Go! Get them down to the ships!
Odysseus races back, past the Cyclops’s foot, into the dark just as the Cyclops SHUTS THEM IN.
44. INT. CAVE, ISLAND – LATER
Odysseus and his men are gathered by the fire.
POLITES
Could we jam something in the cave mouth to leave a gap?
ODYSSEUS
Maybe. But what?
Elpenor speaks up –-
ELPENOR
This log?
Odysseus looks at the large log.
ODYSSEUS
It’ll notice.
Odysseus gets up and looks closer as the log. It TAPERS.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Grab the thin end. Put it in the fire.
His men start to work.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
How much rope do we have?
Soldiers start UNWINDING ROPE from their waists... Odysseus counts his men...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
How big’s the flock?
ANTIPHATES
Two dozen, maybe?
ODYSSEUS
Not enough for all of us. When he comes back, two of us have to get out.
LAODAMAS
Or at least get killed.
Two soldiers step forward, CEPHEUS and ONE OTHER.
ODYSSEUS
Run low through the flock towards the entrance, then split wide –-
POLITES
So he can only grab one of them.
Two more Soldiers (Elpenor and ONE OTHER) step forward.
ELPENOR
Four of us should make the run. Two and two.
POLITES
Why risk more men?
ELPENOR
He ate two of us last night...
MENETUS
He’ll want another two before he sleeps...
ODYSSEUS
And we need him to sleep...
45. INT. SAME – LATER
A GRINDING NOISE AS THE STONE IS PULLED BACK, letting daylight in. Odysseus blinks in the daylight as the FLOCK COMES, BLEATING, INTO THE CAVE. The silhouette of the Cyclops hangs, BENT OVER IN THE ENTRANCE, LOOKING INTO THE CAVE...
The four Soldiers RUN, CROUCHING, against the FLOCK... the Cyclops spots them, BENDS LOWER, REACHING OUT... THE MEN SPLIT LEFT and RIGHT, racing full bore around the Cyclops’s feet -- the Cyclops GRABS THE TWO TO THE RIGHT IN ONE MESSY GRIP, GRINDING THEM AGAINST THE GROUND –- at the same time he KICKS Elpenor on the left, SENDING HIM SKIDDING BACK ALONG THE CAVE FLOOR... Cepheus escapes... Elpenor SMASHES INTO THE WALL near Odysseus... who runs to him as the Cyclops SMASHES THE TWO SOLDIERS AGAINST THE GROUND, leaving them lying there, dead, AS HE PULLS THE STONE ACROSS THE DOOR, BRINGING DARKNESS.
Odysseus CRADLES ELPENOR AS HE DIES, trying hard to block out the sound of the CYCLOPS FEASTING ON THE OTHER TWO SOLDIERS. The other Soldiers sit scattered in the dark, listening to the GRIM SOUNDS...
46. INT. SAME – LATER
As the Cyclops SLEEPS, the soldiers silently gather around him. They pull the log from the fire, its narrow end now CHARRED to a fine, GLOWING POINT. Odysseus gestures to them to LINE UP opposite the massive single eye, then DRAWS HIS SWORD and stands RIGHT BY THE CLOSED EYE with its weeping lip-like lids. Odysseus RAISES HIS SWORD, checks the line-up, then SMACKS THE CYCLOPS’S CHEEK WITH THE FLAT OF HIS SWORD –- the Cyclops OPENS ITS EYE just in time to see –- THE RED HOT LOG PUNCTURES THE EYEBALL WITH AN AWFUL SIZZLE –-
The Cyclops ROARS AND YANKS HIS HEAD UP, sending some of the soldiers FLYING INTO THE AIR...
CYCLOPS
AHHHHRRRRAAAPPPOSSEYEEEEE... !!!
Odysseus runs for his life as the Cyclops RAGES, SCREAMING,
STAMPING, WHIRLING ABOUT, BLIND and in AGONY... MEN and SHEEP
ARE CRUSHED and KICKED at random.
47. INT. SAME – LATER
Odysseus watches his men tie SHEAVES OF STRAW to their bodies.
He glances at the huge mound of the Cyclops, sitting with its
back to the fire, SOBBING...
Odysseus moves to Elpenor’s body.
Says goodbye
...
ANCHIALUS
What about his body?
ODYSSEUS
What about it?
ANCHIALUS
We just leave him here to rot? As food for that thing?
PHEMIUS
We honour our dead, Odysseus.
ODYSSEUS
He died helping us escape. Honour him by escaping.
Odysseus takes Elpenor’s RING.
Odysseus, hearing something, looks at the Cyclops. WHOSE SOBS RESEMBLE WORDS...
CYCLOPS
MMMMPOSEIDON, FFFATHER, THEY BBBBBBBBLINDED ME. VVVENGEANCE, FFATHER. VVVVVENGEANCE... FOR PPPPPPPAIN...
One of Odysseus’s men is at his side –-
POLITES
It can talk. Why didn’t it talk before?
ODYSSEUS
Do you talk to ants?
POLITES
Should we reason with it?
ODYSSEUS
I think that time has passed.
48. INT. SAME – MORNING
Odysseus and his SOLDIERS hold THREE SHEEP EACH, TIED TOGETHER, waiting silently for the Cyclops to stir. The Cyclops rises, feeling for the rock. PULLS IT BACK, dazzling sheep and Soldiers with bright morning light... the goats, rams and sheep head, bleating, for the entrance... the Cyclops puts his hands down beside his body TO FEEL THE BACKS OF THE FLOCK AS THEY EXIT. The Soldiers climb below the sheep and pull themselves up INTO THE BELLY OF THE MIDDLE SHEEP...
They PASS BELOW THE GIANT FINGERTIPS ONE BY ONE... Odysseus is last, CLINGING TO A RAM as it passes beneath the Cyclops.
49. EXT. CAVE, ISLAND – MOMENTS LATER
Eurylochus welcomes the Soldiers as they QUIETLY get to their feet. The Cyclops PULLS THE STONE ACROSS THE CAVE MOUTH. The Cyclops turns, its EYE TIGHT SHUT, wiping blood from its mouth. IT SPITS...
CLANG. A wet HELMET lands near Odysseus’s feet... FURIOUS, he GRABS A BOW from a Soldier...
EURYLOCHUS
No!
Odysseus LOOSES an arrow at the Cyclops’s eye, STRIKING NEAR THE DAMAGED ORGAN. The Cyclops BELLOWS, heading for the sound of the Soldiers fleeing.
EURYLOCHUS (CONT’D)
This way!
The Cyclops CRASHES after them through the forest, trees slowing him more than the Soldiers who RACE down the path, TUMBLING DANGEROUSLY, glancing up through the trees at the pursuing Cyclops, SCRAMBLING down to the ship...
50. EXT. SHIP – CONTINUOUS
Some Soldiers leap aboard, grabbing the OARS, some wade to PUSH THE SHIP AWAY FROM SHORE then cling to the side or climb as the boat pulls away from shore...
The Cyclops BURSTS BLINDLY FROM THE TREES, stumbles into the water, falling -– the CREW ROWS for their lives –-
SPLASH! The Cyclops FALLS INTO THE WATER JUST SHORT OF THE SHIP, its tremendous splash pushing the boat further from shore... Odysseus GRINS –- the crew CHEERS...
With a CRASH the HEAD OF THE CYCLOPS EMERGES FROM THE WATER -- it’s holding a BOULDER –- it HURLS THE BOULDER TOWARDS THE SOUND OF THE CREW...
The boulder lands on the ship’s oars –- FLIPPING several OARSMEN off the boat –- the Cyclops GRABS AT THEM, BLINDLY...
51. EXT. ODYSSEUS’S SHIP – EVENING
Odysseus and Eurylochus watch the crew tend their wounds.
EURYLOCHUS
Why did you have to shoot that arrow?
ODYSSEUS
We lost good soldiers to that beast.
A soldier whose eyes are fixed on the deck, PERIMEDES, speaks.
PERIMEDES
That beast was Poseidon’s son.
EURYLOCHUS
What?
PERIMEDES
When we put its eye out... I heard it cry his name.
ODYSSEUS
That thing was a monster.
POLITES
(quiet)
I heard it, too.
Everyone considers the implications.
EURYLOCHUS
Now the sea’s against us.
POLITES
And the wind.
EURYLOCHUS
How do we get home with Poseidon against us?
ODYSSEUS
You can’t live by omens and sacrifices.
EURYLOCHUS
You know how many times I’ve heard you weep, praying to Athena since Troy? Couldn’t you have shown mercy?
ODYSSEUS
Take this. Wear it to remember those we couldn’t bury.
Odysseus GRABS Eurylochus’s HAND. Puts Elpenor’s RING IN IT.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
The Gods help those who help themselves.
Odysseus looks at the ominous horizon...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
From that moment, every rough sea or headwind told the crew we were cursed...
He notices suspicion on the faces of his crew. Sees grumbling amongst them...
52. EXT. BEACH OUTSIDE CALYPSO’S CAVE – DAY
Odysseus stares at BLEACHED WOOD DETRITUS, remembering...
ODYSSEUS
But where is my crew?
He sees something in the sand. Picks it up. It is AN OLD WOODEN LOT, NOTCHES ON ONE SIDE.
He looks up from the lot, DISORIENTED. Sees his collection of planks like BLEACHED WHALE BONES...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
When will you let me see my men?
Calypso says nothing. Odysseus puts the LOT INTO HIS BELT.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
If I could just talk to them, they’d help me remember. It all went wrong. We were just trying to get home...
Calypso nods, encouraging him to remember.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
But where’s home... ? I still don’t remember anything before Troy... Did I have a wife... ? Children... perhaps a son... How long have I been here?
CALYPSO
A long time.
ODYSSEUS
If I had a son...
53. EXT. TELEMACHUS’S SHIP – DAY
Telemachus looks ahead at a port...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
How old would he be, now?
TELEMACHUS
I don’t know how to speak to a king.
MENTOR
You’ll do fine. Keep your mouth shut. Never ask unless you’re asked to ask.
54. EXT. PALACE OF MENELAUS – EVENING
Telemachus and Mentor approach the GATES of the mighty palace.
They can hear noise of FEASTING from within.
MENTOR
Zeus’s law means they’ll welcome us without knowing who we are. But if anyone asks –-
Mentor reaches for Telemachus’s hand –- PULLS OFF A DECORATIVE RING...
MENTOR (CONT’D)
We’re traders from Crete.
Telemachus HIDES THE RING in his belt.
MENTOR (CONT’D)
Then we’ll figure out how to approach the king.
55. INT. PALACE OF MENELAUS – CONTINUOUS
Telemachus and Mentor step over the BEGGARS into a MAGNIFICENT, OPULENT MEGARON –- GILDED, CROWDED with REVELLERS, DANCERS, BARDS... a STEWARD approaches...
STEWARD
Welcome.
MENTOR
Thank you.
He looks them up and down. Mentor looks at the CROWD...
MENTOR (CONT’D)
You seem to be having –-
STEWARD
This way.
The Steward turns –- they follow him through the celebration...
MENTOR
Where are you taking us?
STEWARD
The King insists on greeting strangers himself.
Telemachus looks at Mentor, NERVOUS. Mentor leads as they follow the Steward up a flight of steps to a TOP TABLE. A RUGGED, MIDDLE-AGED MAN HOLDS COURT. This is MENELAUS. He barely glances at Mentor before settling a careful eye on Telemachus.
MENELAUS
Sit.
Space is made next to Menelaus. Mentor tries to sit there –-
MENELAUS (CONT’D)
Not you. You.
Menelaus stares at Telemachus as he STEPS FORWARD to sit...
MENELAUS (CONT’D)
Enjoy our hospitality, as Zeus demands. Then perhaps you’ll tell us who you are.
Telemachus nods thanks, nervous. FOOD and WINE are put in front of them.
MENELAUS (CONT’D)
You picked the right day to arrive. This is the feast of my daughter’s wedding. Tomorrow she leaves to start a new life.
Menelaus looks Telemachus up and down.
MENELAUS (CONT’D)
I’m Menelaus, brother of Agamemnon. Husband of Helen. Perhaps you’ve heard of Helen?
Menelaus turns to the PROFILE OF THE BEAUTIFUL WOMAN (FORTIES) SITTING NEXT TO HIM. He lifts his hand to her chin.
MENELAUS (CONT’D)
The face that launched a thousand ships.
He gently PULLS HER FACE AROUND towards Telemachus...
MENELAUS (CONT’D)
Now maybe just five hundred.
The other side of her face is VICIOUSLY SCARRED.
MENELAUS (CONT’D)
A lot of good men left on the battlefields of Troy for this face.
HELEN
And your brother’s ambition.
She takes in Telemachus with cool eyes. Perhaps RECOGNITION.
HELEN (CONT’D)
This one looks familiar.
Menelaus takes a drink. Studies Telemachus. Nods. Telemachus shifts under his gaze, UNCOMFORTABLE...
MENELAUS
Ajax, Patrochlus... Achilles... all left under Trojan sand. But I don’t miss any of them as much as I miss one particular warrior.
Telemachus STOPS EATING, desperate to ask...
MENELAUS (CONT’D)
The smartest of us all. Ten years we rotted on that beach.
INSERT CUT: HUNDREDS OF SHIPS, CAMPS, MEN, LINE THE BEACH...
Menelaus stares into the past...
MENELAUS (CONT’D)
Deadlocked. Fighting amongst ourselves. Until one man saw a way...
INSERT CUT: A FIGURE ON THE SHORE, HEAD DOWN IN CONTEMPLATION...
Menelaus fixes Telemachus WITH A LOOK –-
MENELAUS (CONT’D)
Odysseus.
Telemachus cannot hide his reaction completely.
INSERT CUT: THE GREAT WOODEN HORSE LISTS IN THE RISING TIDE...
MENELAUS (CONT’D)
You’ve heard the story of the Horse?
Telemachus nods.
MENELAUS (CONT’D)
But have you heard it from the inside... ?
56. EXT. BEACH AT TROY – DAY (FLASHBACK)
A WAVE crashes into the Horse. Sinon looks up at the sound of HOOVES.
PUSH IN on the rough wooden chest of the Horse...
MENELAUS (V.O.)
We were in there for days...
57. INT. INSIDE THE HORSE – DAY
Menelaus struggles to stay above rising water in claustrophobic darkness, WARRIORS PRESSED TOGETHER around him...
MENELAUS (V.O.)
We’d squeezed in there before our ships even left... we lay silent in our own piss and shit. During the first two tides some drowned...
Odysseus hands a SUBMERGED WARRIOR a HOLLOW REED to breathe through...
MENELAUS (V.O.)
Odysseus knew that not even Sinon, the soldier left behind, could know we were inside...
A SPEAR POINT CRASHES THROUGH THE SIDE, near Odysseus. BLOOD drips from it. Odysseus leans his head to the wood beside the spear, WEEPING SOFTLY...
SINON (O.S.; MUFFLED)
A gift. For Athena...
Odysseus MOUTHS WORDS OF COMFORT THROUGH THE WOOD... the point of the spear vanishes. Odysseus turns to Menelaus, nodding...
The Warriors are JOLTED as the Horse is PULLED ONTO ITS SIDE...
58. EXT. THE PLAIN OF TROY – DAY
HUNDREDS of Trojans PULL the Horse, ON ITS SIDE, towards the great city’s walls, using TREE TRUNKS as rollers, foot by painful foot...
59. INT. INSIDE THE HORSE – CONTINUOUS
Odysseus passes a GOATSKIN OF WATER to Menelaus.
MENELAUS (V.O.)
Odysseus kept us calm. Even as our dead began to smell...
60. EXT. GATES OF TROY – DAY
As the HORSE IS DRAGGED INTO THE CITY on its side, a TROJAN SOLDIER jumps up onto the Horse, THRUSTING HIS SWORD INTO THE GAPS IN THE PLANKS –-
61. INT. INSIDE THE HORSE – CONTINUOUS
Odysseus jerks back as the BLADE OF THE SWORD PROBES THE INTERIOR, WITHDRAWN, THRUST IN AGAIN IN A DIFFERENT SPOT –-
the blade PENETRATES the SHOULDER of the WARRIOR next to Odysseus -– who claps his hand over the man’s mouth, and wraps a RAG AROUND THE BLADE which wipes the blade CLEAN AS IT IS
WITHDRAWN...
62. EXT. GATES OF TROY – CONTINUOUS
The Trojan Soldier CHECKS HIS BLADE...
63. EXT. TROY – MOMENTS LATER
The Horse is dragged through the streets amidst a CHEERING MOB...
64. EXT. TROY – EVENING
The mighty Horse is PULLED TO ITS FEET in front of THE TEMPLE OF ATHENA. It stands there, rearing on its back feet, watched by the blank stare of the STATUE OF ATHENA, as the people swarm around it... fascinated... the CROWD starts CHANTING...
CROWD
Burn it! Burn it! Burn it!
65. INT. INSIDE THE HORSE – CONTINUOUS
The Warriors can hear the UNNERVING CHANT of the crowd...
CROWD (O.S.)
Burn it! Burn it! Burn it!
Odysseus looks at Menelaus, SMILES and SHAKES HIS HEAD.
66. EXT. TROY – CONTINUOUS
SOLDIERS PUSH the CHANTING CROWD back down the stairs away from the Horse, protecting it from the mob...
TROJAN SOLDIER
It’s an offering for Athena!
67. EXT. TROY – NIGHT
The Horse frozen in rearing stillness, stands in the darkness. LAMPS FLICKER in the Temple of Athena...
68. INT. INSIDE THE HORSE – CONTINUOUS
Odysseus pulls TAR-STAINED ROPE from lines along the ‘hull’ of the Horse... he turns back to check the Warriors are prepared before HE WRAPS A TIE LINE AROUND HIS FIST AND PUSHES DOWN ON A PANEL BENEATH HIM...
69. EXT. TROY – CONTINUOUS
The PANEL DROPS FROM THE BELLY OF THE HORSE, caught by the tie line just above the ground. Followed by a DEAD BODY, lowered gently.
Odysseus climbs silently from the Horse, followed by Menelaus and the dozen or so Warriors... Odysseus and Menelaus COME BEHIND Trojan Guards on the steps, TAKE THEM OUT SILENTLY WITH DAGGERS...
SWORDS DRAWN they make their silent way through the shadows of the sleeping city...
70. EXT. GATES OF TROY – MOMENTS LATER
The Greek Warriors SILENTLY APPROACH the vast gates FROM BOTH
SIDES, TAKING OUT THE NIGHT WATCH up on the ramparts...
Odysseus peers into the darkness.
MENELAUS (V.O.)
He’d known to wait for a moonless night on the plain of Troy...
He can hear the OCEAN... On Odysseus’s SILENT SIGNAL, the lamps on the ramparts are dropped over the wall, ILLUMINATING MOVEMENT, as if the ground itself were SHUFFLING towards the gates. Odysseus turns to the Warriors stationed at the doors and GIVES A SIGNAL. Polites and THREE OTHERS start to turn the handles that wind the massive bolts back, INCH BY INCH...
71. EXT. TROY – CONTINUOUS
A WATCHMAN SPOTS THE BODIES OF THE GUARDS, SOUNDS THE ALARM...
A SECOND WATCHMAN starts FURIOUSLY STRIKING a METAL SHEET...
Across the city, other WATCHMEN TAKE UP THE ALARM...
72. EXT. GATES OF TROY – CONTINUOUS
Odysseus hears the ALARMS... HE SHOUTS down to Polites...
ODYSSEUS
Hurry up!
Polites GRINDS the bolts back... SHOUTS and ALARMS...
73. EXT. TROY – CONTINUOUS
Trojan Soldiers put on HELMETS, run through the streets...
74. EXT. GATES OF TROY – CONTINUOUS
Odysseus races down the stairs -– Elpenor hands him a BOW and he STARTS SHOOTING ARROWS THROUGH THE OLIVE TREES at the APPROACHING TROJAN SOLDIERS....
ODYSSEUS
Come on!
Menelaus grabs the WINCH –-
MENELAUS
PULL! PULL!
Polites and his MEN strain against the handle, finally clearing the door, they YANK ON THE HANDLES...
THE GATES OF TROY ARE OPENED... standing there –- the magnificent figure of AGAMEMNON... rivers of GREEK WARRIORS flow around him as he considers his prize...
MENELAUS (V.O.)
But you know the rest...
75. INT. PALACE OF MENELAUS – NIGHT
Telemachus has TEARS running down his cheeks.
MENELAUS
Moved by my telling? You should hear the Bards sing it.
TELEMACHUS
I have. But they weren’t there. With all of you –-
HELEN
With Odysseus. Your father.
Telemachus looks at Helen. NODS. Menelaus grabs his shoulders warmly –-
MENELAUS
You are so like him.
TELEMACHUS
When did you last see him?
Menelaus’s FACE FALLS. He releases Telemachus’s shoulders.
MENELAUS
When we left Troy. The Gods gave us our righteous victory –-
HELEN
Righteous?
Menelaus carries on –-
MENELAUS
Our righteous victory, but didn’t bless our voyages. It took me years to get home. And many didn’t –-
HELEN
Some did and wished they hadn’t.
Menelaus looks at her.
HELEN (CONT’D)
Tell him. Tell him about your brother. About the fate the Gods bestowed on him after your righteous struggle...
MENELAUS
No.
HELEN
About his hero’s welcome...
MENELAUS
No.
HELEN
About how Agamemnon made it home years before us...
INSERT CUT: AGAMEMNON, RESPLENDENT IN HIS DARK ARMOUR, APPROACHES HIS PALACE, A GREETING PARTY OUTSIDE THE GATES...
HELEN (O.S.)(CONT’D)
Tell him how he was welcomed by his queen, my twin sister, Clytemnestra...
The Queen steps forward to greet Agamemnon with a beautiful SMILE. This is CLYTEMNESTRA, who looks EXACTLY like Helen, UNSCARRED...
HELEN (CONT’D)
Tell him about how –-
MENELAUS
No! He’s not here for news of my brother. He wants to hear about his father.
Helen BACKS DOWN. Looking at her DRUNK husband with CONTEMPT.
MENELAUS (CONT’D)
But I never heard any more of Odysseus after Troy.
Telemachus, INCREDULOUS, leans forward, FRUSTRATED...
TELEMACHUS
Nothing? From any of your men, or Agamemnon’s? Or from traders? Some traveller must’ve –-
Mentor places a calming hand on Telemachus’s arm... Menelaus looks at Telemachus. DISAPPOINTED.
MENELAUS
You’re interested in rumours, young man? You came here to ask me for gossip? Fine. Some said he’d perished. Some said he’d got richer, some poorer. Or imprisoned.
TELEMACHUS
Imprisoned?
MENELAUS
(dismissive)
What kind of prison...
76. INT. CALYPSO’S CAVE – NIGHT
Calypso pours Odysseus more WINE...
MENELAUS (V.O.)
Could hold a man like that?
CALYPSO
Tell me what you do remember. The rest will come...
ODYSSEUS
We were hit by storm after storm, all pushing us off course...
77. EXT. ODYSSEUS’S SHIP – DAY
Odysseus and his men fight to push through a punishing head wind, the bow CRASHING THROUGH WAVES...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
Until we were truly lost.
ODYSSEUS
PULL!
A sailor, PERIMEDES, collapses, dropping his oar –- Odysseus jumps down to grab it, regaining the rhythm, muscles straining, screaming into the wind –-
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
PULL!... PULL!...
A MAN on the bow is SWEPT OFF the boat by a CRASHING WAVE...
78. INT. CALYPSO’S CAVE – NIGHT
ODYSSEUS
The men became more and more convinced that I’d offended Poseidon...
79. EXT. FORESTED SHORE – DAY
Odysseus’s ships beach onto the sand. The men jump off into the shallow water, HEADING FOR THE TREES...
80. EXT. FORESTED SHORE – DAY
Odysseus leads his men through wind and snow into a dense forest of straight trees...
81. EXT. FOREST – DAY
Odysseus spots an ARMOURED FIGURE crouched at a stream, back to them. Eurylochus starts to DRAW HIS SWORD -– Odysseus
shakes his head. They approach CAUTIOUSLY...
ODYSSEUS
Hello?
The Figure RISES to its feet. It is THICKLY BUILT, and slightly taller than them.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
We’re here in peace...
The Armoured Figure slowly turns to face them...
It has the face of a child.
Odysseus looks at Eurylochus, UNNERVED...
The monstrous child starts GIGGLING.
Odysseus, now face to face, smiles...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
We need food. Food?
Odysseus mimes eating. Eurylochus steps forward.
EURYLOCHUS
We’re hungry! Can’t you understand?
The Monstrous Child STOPS GIGGLING, looking from one to other.
ODYSSEUS
It’s just a child.
Eurylochus looks at the Monstrous Child, APPALLED...
EURYLOCHUS
A child?
The Monstrous Child, SEEING EURYLOCHUS’S EXPRESSION, BACKS AWAY.
EURYLOCHUS (CONT’D)
If this is a child... what about its parents... ?
The Monstrous Child starts SCREAMING...
Odysseus and his men turn around, scanning the sea of tree trunks... Eurylochus tries to SHUSH the Monstrous Child...
Odysseus sees SHAPES EMERGING through the MISTY SNOW, large shapes MOVING TOWARDS THEM between the tree trunks...
ARMOURED WARRIORS, TEN TO TWELVE FEET TALL, HELMETS flat like birds of prey, come towards Odysseus and his men... these are the LAESTRYGONIANS. A Soldier DRAWS HIS SWORD, attempting to face off with a warrior twice his height, and is CUT DOWN instantly... Odysseus and his men run...
One of them RUNS and RUNS into the INCREASINGLY DENSE TREE TRUNKS, until he cannot pass... he turns back in the other direction, but the tree trunks behind are now TIGHTER and TIGHTER together as if the DIMINISHING PERSPECTIVE of the forest were, in fact, real...
TRAPPED BY THE CAGE OF TRUNKS, THEY ARE STABBED BY LAESTRYGONIANS THROUGH GAPS IN THE TREES...
Odysseus, Eurylochus and Polites find themselves surrounded by TREE TRUNKS that circle around them in opposing directions... they look around, CONFUSED, when the Laestrygonians strike...
Odysseus and his men cross swords as best they can with warriors towering above them, RAINING DOWN BRUTAL STRIKES...
Odysseus HACKS A LEG then turns, RUNNING BLIND, desperate through the circling trees...
He BURSTS out of the trees and INTO THE WATER... his men follow... he gets onto his boat, as the other men try to PUSH the beached boats off the sand... Odysseus draws his BOW,
LOOSING ARROWS at the narrow VISORS of the Laestrygonians as they WADE IMPLACABLY INTO THE WATER, mowing down the men pushing on the boats... Odysseus DOWNS TWO OF THEM, the others IGNORE him as they pound his men, BLOOD and FOAM churning in the shallows... the men on the ship racing to their oars and calling to their comrades...
Laestrygonians grab one of the ships, pulling down on one side to swamp the boat and grab the crew, FLINGING THEM ASIDE LIKE RAG DOLLS...
Odysseus’s men start to row away...
ODYSSEUS
Wait! Wait for the others!
He AIMS HIS BOW, targeting a Laestrygonian who is bearing down on Eurylochus in the shallows, sea flying up around him...
Odysseus SHOOTS THE LAESTRYGONIAN IN THE FACE, who stumbles to his knees as Eurylochus RUNS and RUNS and swims...
SEVERAL of Odysseus’s men have GRABBED ON TO LAESTRYGONIAN WARRIORS, RIDING MASSIVE SHOULDERS AND ARMS LIKE BUCKING BRONCOS... the Laestrygonians hack the boats to pieces...
Odysseus SHOOTS and SHOOTS as men, including Eurylochus, climb aboard... Odysseus sees that the other men and THE TWO OTHER SHIPS are DOOMED, MASSACRED by the LAESTRYGONIANS...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
PULL!! PULL FOR YOUR LIVES!!!
Odysseus and Eurylochus watch the carnage as the ship pushes out into deeper water... THEY SIT on opposite sides of the ship, GASPING, HEAVING, GRIEVING... in shock for the losses.
Odysseus looks up to see ATHENA SITTING THERE ON THE DECK. She shakes her head at him. He looks down, ASHAMED...
82. EXT. SAME – LATER
INSERT CUT: ATHENA MOVES THROUGH FIRE TOWARDS ODYSSEUS, WHO SLEEPS, BURNING... SHE REACHES OUT TO WAKE HIM –-
Odysseus gets to his feet, surveys their distance from shore.
ODYSSEUS
Turn to port. Follow the coast.
EURYLOCHUS
We need to get as far away as possible.
Odysseus crouches beside Eurylochus, quiet...
ODYSSEUS
We don’t have the supplies for a blind crossing. We’ve lost our way. We need to find food. And get our bearings.
As the men ROW, they WATCH Odysseus and Eurylochus. The Helmsman PULLS the TILLER, pointing the ship PARALLEL TO THE ROCKY COASTLINE...
83. EXT. ODYSSEUS’S SHIP – LATER
The weather has calmed. Odysseus spots A PLUME OF SMOKE from deep in the FOREST.
ODYSSEUS
There! Find anchorage.
Eurylochus looks at the smoke as the ship heads towards shore.
84. EXT. GRASSY SHORE – EVENING
Odysseus’s ship drops anchor close to shore. There are other BOATS of various sizes ABANDONED ON THE BEACH. ROTTING.
ODYSSEUS
Form a landing party. A large one.
EURYLOCHUS
Tomorrow.
Odysseus looks at Eurylochus, struck by his FORCEFUL TONE.
ODYSSEUS
Tomorrow.
85. EXT. GRASSY SHORE – DAWN
Odysseus steps out of the water, stepping past the bones of old boats, peering up the hillside. He turns to Eurylochus.
ODYSSEUS
Leave someone with the tender.
EURYLOCHUS
We think you should stay.
ODYSSEUS
We?
EURYLOCHUS
All of us. Still alive.
Odysseus looks at Eurylochus. Then at the battered, DESPERATE faces of his men. NONE WILL MEET HIS EYE. He speaks SOFTLY to Eurylochus...
ODYSSEUS
Is this a mutiny?
EURYLOCHUS
That’s up to you.
Odysseus considers. Smiles, confident –-
ODYSSEUS
Give me your bow. I’ll make sure we eat tonight, whatever you find.
Odysseus heads ALONE into the grassy hills. Eurylochus leads the men TOWARDS THE PLUME OF SMOKE.
86. EXT. HILLS – LATER
Odysseus CREEPS through the grass, BOW in hand... listening.
87. EXT. CLEARING, DERELICT TEMPLE – DAY
Eurylochus and the men climb a path through a SERIES OF RUINS.
At one end A ROUGH STONE HOUSE, smoke coming from the chimney.
They make their way towards it. A Soldier SPOTS SOMETHING in an abandoned doorway... a LION, staring at them. The Soldier pulls his bow, Eurylochus RESTRAINS him. They move closer to the lion, which has seen them, but JUST SITS THERE. Eurylochus looks around them, realizing that OTHER PREDATORY ANIMALS ARE STARING AT THEM from the ruined structures –- WOLVES, LEOPARDS –- all calmly watching the Soldiers. TAME.
Eurylochus cautiously approaches the stone house...
88. EXT. HILLS – CONTINUOUS
Odysseus hears the CRACK OF A TWIG. He peers through the leaves...
89. EXT. STONE HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
Eurylochus slowly, CAUTIOUSLY, crosses the threshold...
90. INT. STONE HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
He peers into the gloom... watched by a CROW IN A CAGE. A LONG TABLE. A LARGE FIRE. A BUBBLING POT. Hanging POULTRY AND DRESSED MEATS. It smells amazing to desperate men...
A SCREAM -– a TERRIFIED WOMAN at the back door drops her MILK PAIL in terror at the sight of strange Soldiers in her house –- SHE BOLTS OUT THE BACK –- THE CROW IN THE CAGE SQUAWKS –-
EURYLOCHUS
Wait!
He runs after her...
91. EXT. HILLS – DAY
Odysseus spies a magnificent, proud BUCK, chewing on leaves... he gingerly strings his bow. Draws an arrow. But CAN’T RESIST PLUCKING THE TAUT STRING -– THE BUCK BOLTS –- Odysseus gives chase, bow in hand...
92. EXT. BACK OF STONE HOUSE – DAY
Eurylochus grabs the woman, who SCREAMS again...
EURYLOCHUS
It’s alright. It’s okay.
She stops screaming, looking at Eurylochus, terrified.
EURYLOCHUS (CONT’D)
It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you. No one’s going to hurt you.
WOMAN
(sobbing)
If I do what you want.
Eurylochus shakes his head.
EURYLOCHUS
No one’s going to hurt you. My name is Eurylochus. What’s your name?
The woman’s BREATHING SLOWS...
WOMAN
Circe.
EURYLOCHUS
Circe, we need food. Badly.
CIRCE
I have food. Lots of food.
93. EXT. HILLS – DAY
Odysseus chases the buck –- STOPS –- LOOSES A SHOT –- MISSES...
94. INT. STONE HOUSE – DAY
Eurylochus and the men crowd the table, watching Circe stir the pot like hungry dogs, STUDYING HER EVERY MOVE.
CIRCE
Your weapons. Your armour. You can put them out the back...
The Crow in the Cage watches them watch her as they start to PEEL OFF THEIR ARMOUR...
95. EXT. STONE HOUSE – MOMENTS LATER
Perimedes carries armour out the back door. As he drops it he notices some OLD ARMOUR, half BURIED IN SNOW, WEEDS growing through it... A GRAVEYARD OF ARMOUR TO MATCH THE GRAVEYARD OF BOATS AT THE BEACH... He heads back inside as others drops their armour outside.
96. EXT. HILLS – DAY
Odysseus shoots –- THE ARROW STICKS IN THE BUCK’S LEG -– it runs, LIMPING...
97. INT. STONE HOUSE – DAY
As Circe dishes STEW, the ravenous men stuff their faces...
98. EXT. HILLS – DAY
Odysseus gains ground on the injured buck...
99. INT. STONE HOUSE – DAY
The men CHOMP AND EAT AND SLURP AND BURP AND EAT AND EAT –-
Circe sits down next to Eurylochus, watching him GORGE himself.
CIRCE
You like my meat?
Eurylochus nods, TRIES TO TALK through his manic feasting –-
EURYLOCHUS
Why –- do –- have –- so –- much –-?
Eating so hard he can’t breathe. Circe SMILES.
CIRCE
You never know when strangers will come...
100. EXT. HILLS – CONTINUOUS
Odysseus draws back his bow and SHOOTS, hitting the buck SQUARE IN THE CHEST... he watches it DROP INTO THE UNDERGROWTH...
101. INT. STONE HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
Circe reaches out to touch Eurylochus’s hair...
CIRCE
Men. With their appetites...
Eurylochus notices her STROKING HIS HEAD, but nothing can stop him eating...
CIRCE (CONT’D)
Too much is never enough...
She is firmly RUBBING HIS HEAD as if he were a dog...
102. EXT. HILLS – CONTINUOUS
Odysseus approaches the spot where the buck fell. He SEES
SOMETHING STRANGE in the undergrowth...
103. INT. STONE HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
Circe RUBS HER HAND OVER EURYLOCHUS’S EAR –- it pops up the other side of her hand POINTED and HAIRY... a PIG’S EAR –- The Crow in the Cage SQUAWKS and JUMPS UP AND DOWN –-
104. EXT. HILLS – CONTINUOUS
Odysseus looks down, shocked. Where the buck fell is a NAKED MAN, ODYSSEUS’S ARROW IN HIS CHEST...
Odysseus looks up –-
105. INT. STONE HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
Circe rubs Eurylochus’s head with both hands, the dark hair BECOMING LIGHT and BRISTLY in the wake of each stroke...
The other men NOTICE but must keep eating, AS IF THE FOOD IS EATING THEM, pulling their hands down, then pushing them,
LADEN, into their unwilling faces...
Circe SPREADS HER HANDS ACROSS EURYLOCHUS’S FACE, massaging his cheeks -– as her hands spread apart they REVEAL A SNOUT...
106. EXT. HILLS – CONTINUOUS
Odysseus sprints down the hill –-
ODYSSEUS
Eurylochus! EURYLOCHUS!
107. INT. STONE HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
AS PIGS SQUIRM ACROSS THE FLOOR, CIRCE SLAPS AN EATING SOLDIER’S FACE –- LEAVING A PIG’S FACE IN ITS PLACE...
108. EXT. GRASSY SHORE – EVENING
Odysseus BURSTS from the trees to confront Antiphates, standing watch.
ODYSSEUS
Where are they?!
Antiphates looks at him, confused.
ANTIPHATES
They haven’t come back.
ODYSSEUS
None of them?
ANTIPHATES
No.
Odysseus looks up at the smoke, thinking.
ODYSSEUS
Give me your dagger. And sword.
He takes Antiphates’ weapons, HIDING THE DAGGER IN HIS SHIN GUARDS and the sword across his back. Then heads up the hillside TOWARDS the smoke...
109. EXT. DERELICT TEMPLE – EVENING
Odysseus climbs up through the ruins. Watching the stone house. With its STY FULL OF PIGS. In front of him is a TAME LION... Odysseus crouches by the lion, reaching out to its mane, looking deep into its sad eyes...
He hears the DOOR OPEN, LOOKS OVER TO THE HOUSE TO SEE CIRCE EMERGE WITH A BUCKET OF SLOPS FOR THE PIGS. Odysseus watches her dump the slops into the sty... she looks up, SENSING HIM -
CIRCE
Why don’t you come out?
Odysseus steps forward. Circe looks him up and down.
CIRCE (CONT’D)
Have you come from the sea?
Odysseus nods.
CIRCE (CONT’D)
Are you alone?
Odysseus nods again, stepping cautiously closer. The pigs see him and crowd around, SNIFFING AT HIM, POKING HIM WITH THEIR SNOUTS... Circe LAUGHS –-
CIRCE (CONT’D)
My pigs have taken a liking to you.
Are you hungry?
Odysseus nods.
CIRCE (CONT’D)
Leave your weapons at the door and enjoy the hospitality of Zeus.
He pulls his swords and bow and rests them against the wall.
CIRCE (CONT’D)
Grab a hog. You can slaughter it for your dinner.
Odysseus looks at the pigs, CROWDED AROUND HIS LEGS. Splits one from the others and PUSHES IT INSIDE... as he shuts the door he looks out at the remaining pigs, staring at him. THEY START SQUEALING. He shuts the door.
110. INT. STONE HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
The pig runs, SQUEALING, into the gloomy kitchen, hiding in a corner. Circe hands Odysseus a CLEAVER, pointing to the back door... the Crow in the Cage SQUAWKS.
Odysseus moves to the pig, WHICH PANICS. Circe watches Odysseus struggle to control the pig.
CIRCE
Whoever you are, you’re clearly not a farmer. Here –-
She REACHES for the cleaver. Odysseus PUTS THE CLEAVER DOWN by the fire, letting the pig go.
ODYSSEUS
The stew smells good. That’s plenty for just us.
CIRCE
Who says it’s just us?
ODYSSEUS
Who else is here?
CIRCE
Who, indeed?
Circe scoops some stew from the bubbling pot into a bowl and puts it on the table.
CIRCE (CONT’D)
You say you’re alone.
She drops a LUMP OF BREAD next to the bowl. Odysseus sits.
CIRCE (CONT’D)
But no one comes here alone.
ODYSSEUS
No?
Odysseus examines the chunks of pink meat... Circe sits next to him.
CIRCE
You can only reach this spot by sea...
She pours them both DARK RED WINE from a jug.
CIRCE (CONT’D)
So where are your shipmates?
Odysseus picks up his cup, LOOKING AT THE DARK LIQUID.
ODYSSEUS
I’m looking for them. Has anyone come this way?
Circe looks at him. Gulps at her wine, LEAVING RED ACROSS HER LIPS and CHIN.
She shakes her head. The Crow in the Cage SQUAWKS.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
But you had all this food prepared.
CIRCE
You’re questioning me? You? A traveller who’s clearly starving, but hasn’t touched the food in front of him. Who claims to be a sailor but wears a Greek warrior’s armour. Who breaks Zeus’s law by bringing a dagger into his hostess’s house.
ODYSSEUS
You’ve got sharp eyes.
CIRCE
Sharpened by the Gods.
ODYSSEUS
They grant you insights?
CIRCE
Truths. Sometimes.
The PIGS ARE SQUEALING at the door...
ODYSSEUS
Would they tell you where my men are?
CIRCE
Your men? You command them?
Odysseus nods. Circe thinks.
CIRCE (CONT’D)
Yes, they would.
ODYSSEUS
Would you tell me?
CIRCE
Perhaps. If you give me your dagger.
Odysseus reaches down, PRODUCES THE DAGGER. Hands it to her.
CIRCE (CONT’D)
But why would I help a liar who refuses my hospitality?
Odysseus picks up his cup. SIPS, GIVING HIMSELF RED LIPS.
CIRCE (CONT’D)
Your men were here earlier.
The PIGS HAMMER THE DOOR...
CIRCE (CONT’D)
Now they’re not.
Odysseus takes a FORKFUL OF PINK MEAT, raises it to his mouth –- THE CROW IN THE CAGE SQUAWKS AND SQUAWKS -– Odysseus pauses -– CIRCE THROWS A CHUNK OF BREAD AT THE BARS OF THE CAGE, silencing it. Odysseus SPOTS SOMETHING IN THE BREAD BOWL...
The PIGS ARE SQUEALING, THROWING THEMSELVES AGAINST THE DOOR --
ODYSSEUS
They moved on?
Odysseus reaches for the bread bowl as Circe BRINGS THE DAGGER ABOVE THE TABLE...
CIRCE
Yes.
He turns the bowl over letting a RING RATTLE ONTO THE TABLE -– THE RING HE GAVE EURYLOCHUS.
ODYSSEUS
Leaving their rings?
The PIGS BURST THROUGH THE DOOR –-
Odysseus SMASHES HIS HAND THROUGH THE BARS OF THE CROW’S CAGE –-
Circe BRINGS THE DAGGER TO ODYSSEUS’S THROAT –-
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
I wouldn’t...
Circe looks to where Odysseus’s hand has the CROW BY THE THROAT. She FREEZES –- THE PIGS SURROUND THEM, SQUEALING –-
CIRCE
DON’T!
ODYSSEUS
I don’t know who this crow is to you, but if you don’t put the knife down I’ll throttle it to find out.
Circe DROPS the dagger.
CIRCE
Don’t hurt her!
Odysseus looks from Circe to the crow and back.
ODYSSEUS
Family? Mother? Your sister?
Circe nods. The pigs push their snouts against her WITH INCREASING VIOLENCE –-
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
You turned her into this like you turned my men into pigs –-
CIRCE
I didn’t turn your men into anything! This is who they are. Look at them --
Odysseus looks at the SQUEALING, WRITHING PIGS –-
CIRCE (CONT’D)
Base. Disgusting, primal urges you value in battle... (MORE) they’ve raped and pillaged across the world for you –- you think that’s against their nature? You think they only did those things because you ordered them to?
Odysseus tries not to look at the pigs. Circe sees his discomfort.
CIRCE (CONT’D)
A true commander thinks his men’s savagery is actually discipline. You don’t seem that deluded. But you sent them to me, here, on my own. A gang of filthy soldiers with empty bellies and hot blood. You thought they’d respect me and my home? Look at them. Know your own men.
Odysseus looks from the pigs to Circe. TIGHTENS HIS GRIP ON HER CROW.
ODYSSEUS
Did they hurt you?
CIRCE
They would’ve.
ODYSSEUS
They just want to go home. Let them.
Circe looks at Odysseus. At her Caged Crow. She PUTS HER KNIFE DOWN...
CIRCE
Let her go.
Odysseus GENTLY releases the crow, which SQUAWKS. Circe rubs her hands together and grabs a pig, RUBBING HUMAN LIFE BACK INTO IT as if trying to warm it up, streak by streak, fur falls...
CIRCE (CONT’D)
Come back. Back into your disguises...
MEN EMERGE from her hands as if from sleep, NAKED, DISORIENTED, ANGRY...
ODYSSEUS
Where are their clothes?
Circe nods at the back door as she works her magic...
CIRCE (CONT’D)
111. INT. SAME – LATER
Odysseus’s men are DRESSED, standing at one end of the room.
Odysseus picks up Eurylochus’s ring and TOSSES IT TO HIM.
ODYSSEUS
Back to the ship.
GRATEFUL AND OBEDIENT, the men file past Odysseus on their way out, MURMURING THANKS.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Take all the food you can carry. Not the meat.
The men leave. Eurylochus comes close –-
EURYLOCHUS
You’re not going to let her live? She’s a witch!
ODYSSEUS
Who gave her powers? Your Gods. Fill the jugs and skins at the stream and prepare to sail at dawn.
Eurylochus nods. Odysseus and Circe are alone. Odysseus indicates the CROW --
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Why leave her like this?
CIRCE
We get on better this way.
Odysseus gently PLACES his DAGGER BACK IN HIS SHIN GUARD.
ODYSSEUS
I’m sorry if we offended you.
Circe says nothing.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
We can’t leave without your help. We need bearings. We need to know the way back to the trade routes.
Circe looks at him with insight. Judges.
CIRCE
You’re too lost.
ODYSSEUS
What do you mean?
CIRCE
Only blind Tiresias can tell you how to go home.
ODYSSEUS
Tiresias?
CIRCE
In Hades.
Odysseus stares at her.
ODYSSEUS
Nobody sails into hell and comes back.
CIRCE
You will...
112. EXT. ODYSSEUS’S SHIP – TWILIGHT
Odysseus peers ahead into the darkening mist...
CIRCE (V.O.)
If you head north in the twilight... A black, rocky shore looms out of the mist. DEAD TREES. VOLCANIC ROCK. Obsidian beaches...
113. INT. STONE HOUSE – NIGHT
CIRCE
Head inland until a river of fire meets a river of ice...
114. EXT. HADES – TWILIGHT
Odysseus leads his men, with a RAM and EWE, across a BLACK, DEAD LANDSCAPE...
To a place where a RIVER OF WHITE-HOT LAVA flows down to meet a GLACIER tumbling into the STEAMING SEA...
CIRCE (V.O.)
There you must dig a trench...
Odysseus, using his sword, DIGS A TRENCH in the black sand...
CIRCE (V.O.)
Fill it with the blood of sacrifice to gather the dead...
Odysseus’s men SLAUGHTER the RAM and EWE, BLEEDING THEM INTO THE TRENCH, then setting a fire behind Odysseus who SITS AT THE TRENCH OF BLOOD, peering into the darkness...
115. INT. STONE HOUSE – NIGHT
CIRCE
And learn how you go home.
Odysseus nods thanks. He turns to leave –-
CIRCE (CONT’D)
You.
He turns back.
CIRCE (CONT’D)
Not your men.
ODYSSEUS
You’d curse them?
Circe shakes her head.
CIRCE
Not a curse –- a truth. Your men don’t want you to defy the Gods. But the Gods say only you make it home.
ODYSSEUS
Then I defy the Gods.
Odysseus turns and leaves.
116. EXT. HADES – TWILIGHT
Odysseus looks uneasy as HE SEES THE BLACK, GRAVELLY SAND START TO MOVE... SHAPES EMERGE FROM THE GROUND... shades of the DEAD, DIGGING THEIR WAY OUT into the flickering firelight... the SHADES SHUFFLE FORWARDS, APPROACHING THE BLOOD, black in the twilight and firelight...
Odysseus uses his sword to stop the Shades from drinking the blood... HE RECOGNIZES A SHADE –-
ODYSSEUS
Sinon?
The Shade IGNORES him, fixated on the blood... Odysseus leans down to look at his face – IT IS SINON, the Greek Soldier left behind with the Wooden Horse at Troy.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Sinon, it’s Odysseus.
ELDERLY VOICE (O.S.)
Let him drink.
Odysseus turns. An OLD MAN WITH BANDAGED EYES crouches by the blood. This is TIRESIAS. He scoops blood into his mouth. IT GLISTENS BLACK on his chin...
TIRESIAS
Then you’ll hear his testament.
Odysseus lifts his sword away from between Sinon and the blood... Sinon, parched, GULPS BLACK BUBBLING BLOOD.
ODYSSEUS
Sinon?
Sinon looks at Odysseus, RECOGNIZING HIM.
SINON
Odysseus. You lied to everyone. Did you have to lie to me?
ODYSSEUS
I needed you to believe.
117. EXT. BEACH AT TROY – DAY (FLASHBACK)
Odysseus talks privately with Sinon. BEACHED SHIPS and the HORSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN THE BACKGROUND...
ODYSSEUS
Why did you have to volunteer?
Sinon smiles at Odysseus.
SINON
Don’t you remember how I came here?
ODYSSEUS
Yes.
INSERT CUT: TEENAGE SINON AND TEENAGE ANTINOUS STAND AT THE HEAD OF THE LOTTERY LINE. EUMAEUS WAVES ODYSSEUS OVER.
ANTINOUS SHOWS HIM HIS LOT...
SINON
I begged to take Antinous’s place. He’d been called, but –-
ODYSSEUS
He offered money for your family if you’d take his place. You begged me to let you go so Antinous would take care of your father...
Odysseus listens to Teenage Sinon’s plea. Takes THE LOT FROM ANTINOUS and HANDS IT TO SINON...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
So I did.
Odysseus turns Antinous away, giving him back to his father... Sinon reaches into his belt...
SINON
If the Trojans don’t let me live. If I never make it home...
Pulls out the lot.
SINON (CONT’D)
Take this back to my father. Tell him everything I did.
Odysseus takes the lot, STARTS TO LEAVE –-
SINON (CONT’D)
Odysseus?
ODYSSEUS
Yes?
SINON
Feel free to add some stuff.
Odysseus smiles sadly at this...
118. EXT. HADES – TWILIGHT (PRESENT)
Sinon’s bloody-chinned shade looks ACCUSINGLY at Odysseus.
SINON
You didn’t trust me with the truth? After all those years? I was a boy when I came with you to Troy. You knew I’d die for you.
ODYSSEUS
Dying men tell the truth. I needed you to believe.
SINON
I died for your lie on that beach.
ODYSSEUS
I know. I was there with you.
INSERT CUT: ODYSSEUS, TEARFUL, LEANS HIS HEAD AGAINST THE WOOD, NEXT TO THE BLOODY SPEAR POINT INSIDE THE WOODEN HORSE.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
I heard you repeat my lie with your dying breath. Winning us the war. I was right there. Inches from you.
Smelling your blood.
SINON
What comfort could that give me? Not knowing you were inside that Horse until the dead told me.
ODYSSEUS
Which dead?
Sinon GESTURES to the HORDES OF SHADES on the obsidian plain.
SINON
A lot of veterans of your campaigns walk these shores. The dead meet to lament the living and greet the newly dead. My father was the first Shade to find me.
ODYSSEUS
To comfort you?
SINON
Shades don’t comfort. They want word of the living who wronged them. My father had died in poverty, alone, begging for scraps from people like Antinous.
ODYSSEUS
Antinous cheated you?
SINON
As he’s no doubt cheating you.
ODYSSEUS
How?
SINON
Who’s in Ithaca looking after your wife and son?
ODYSSEUS
My wife is not a concern.
SINON
Nor was my father. Talk to Agamemnon about homecomings.
ODYSSEUS
Agamemnon’s here?
Sinon nods. Steps back from the blood.
SINON
You buried me at Troy with respect. Thank you. But spare a thought for those you didn’t.
ODYSSEUS
It’s not always possible.
SINON
Honour your fallen, Odysseus. When you get home, take a ship, head into the unknown west till you find land... there, give sacrifice and honour your men.
Odysseus nods. Sinon turns to go, THEN STOPS –-
SINON (CONT’D)
Do you still have the lot?
Odysseus reaches into his belt, PULLS OUT THE LOT.
ODYSSEUS
Of course.
SINON
If you make it home... give Antinous back his shame.
ODYSSEUS
I will.
Sinon moves INTO THE CROWD OF SHADES. Odysseus SEES ONE PLUME OF A GRAND HELMET stand above all others. THE SHADE OF AGAMEMNON APPROACHES.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
My Lord.
Agamemnon CROUCHES to drink, REMOVING HIS MIGHTY HELMET... he looks up at Odysseus with BLOODY CHIN AND DARK EYES.
AGAMEMNON
Odysseus. You’re not here.
ODYSSEUS
Not yet.
AGAMEMNON
But you’re not home?
ODYSSEUS
Not yet. How are you here? We won the war, you headed for home...
AGAMEMNON
Odysseus. Most brilliant of all my generals. You would never be snared as I was.
ODYSSEUS
Were you cast adrift like us?
AGAMEMNON
No. My misfortune was to make it home.
INSERT CUT: AGAMEMNON IS GREETED OUTSIDE HIS VAST PALACE BY CLYTEMNESTRA AT THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD...
AGAMEMNON (V.O.)
To be welcomed by my beautiful wife... Clytemnestra directs SERVANTS who PULL AGAMEMNON’S ARMOUR FROM HIS BODY. BATHE, ANOINT and prepare him for bed.
Agamemnon’s dark-eyed Shade remembers...
AGAMEMNON (V.O.)
Bathed, anointed. Made soft.
119. INT. AGAMEMNON’S BEDCHAMBER – EVENING
Agamemnon lies back on the cushions of his bed. Clytemnestra approaches, KNEELING BEFORE HIM WITH DOWNTURNED, MODEST GAZE.
SHE OPENS HER ROBE AS SHE MOVES TOWARDS HER HUSBAND...
AGAMEMNON (V.O.)
To learn the hardest lesson. I’d left poison in her heart years before...
INSERT CUT: AGAMEMNON CARRIES A SCREAMING ADOLESCENT GIRL TOWARDS A STORMY SEA... WATCHED BY AN AGONIZED CLYTEMNESTRA...
AGAMEMNON (V.O.)
The good part of her heart had gone to another. Leaving me the blackened, rotten remains...
IN A FLASH, CLYTEMNESTRA LEAPS FORWARD, STABBING AGAMEMNON UP THROUGH THE CHIN –-
120. EXT. HADES – TWILIGHT
AGAMEMNON
She and her lover had plotted my murder for years. Odysseus?
ODYSSEUS
Yes?
AGAMEMNON
My son, Orestes. Did he avenge me?
ODYSSEUS
My Lord, how could I know? I’m still trying to get home.
AGAMEMNON
Don’t make my mistake. Don’t walk in the front door expecting garlands and praise. Come in disguise. Take your time. Assess.
Odysseus watches Agamemnon rise. MELT INTO THE SHADES. Tiresias turns to look at Odysseus WITH BLIND EYES.
TIRESIAS
Do you see?
ODYSSEUS
I understand what I have to do.
TIRESIAS
Some of what you have to do.
Tiresias INDICATES EURYLOCHUS AND THE OTHER MEN.
TIRESIAS (CONT’D)
My prophecy isn’t for their ears.
Eurylochus and the men MOVE BACK TOWARDS THE SHIP...
TIRESIAS (CONT’D)
Sail southwest past the Sirens. Their song lures your men onto the rocks. They all die.
ODYSSEUS
I won’t let that happen. I’ll block their ears. With wax.
TIRESIAS
Past the Sirens you choose between the whirlpool Charybdis and the monster Scylla. The whirlpool in the sea would take all your lives, the monster in the cliffs only six. But your determination to sacrifice no more lives kills all of them.
ODYSSEUS
I’ll do what I have to.
TIRESIAS
At the end. When starvation and mutiny threaten, they demand to land where the Sun God’s cattle graze. They slaughter Apollo’s herd. Zeus kills them for it. Do you see?
ODYSSEUS
I’ll stop them.
TIRESIAS
Why do these lives matter more to you than those you’ve already lost?
Tiresias GESTURES back at the Shades.
ODYSSEUS
I can still save them from the Gods.
TIRESIAS
But not from themselves.
A STIRRING catches Odysseus’s attention -– AGITATION AMONGST THE SHADES heads across the plain towards him...
ODYSSEUS
Who are they?
TIRESIAS
Your unburied crew. Demanding you share their dishonour...
Odysseus gets to his feet, CALLING TO HIS MEN –-
ODYSSEUS
Let’s go!
They RUN towards the ship, as the Shades of Odysseus’s crew SCRAMBLE ACROSS THE BLACK PLAIN towards them, GAINING and GAINING... Odysseus and his men CAST OFF AS THE HISSING, PATHETIC SHADES REACH THE SHORE, MOANING FOR JUSTICE... Odysseus’s crew look at them, APPALLED AS THEY ROW –-
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Pull!
The ROWER across from Eurylochus talks excitedly, SCARED –-
ROWER
I saw Sinon! I saw Elpenor! Is that our fate?!
Eurylochus, straining with effort, GLARES AT THE MEN –-
EURYLOCHUS
Shut up and pull!
Odysseus, at the helm, LOOKS BACK at the dwindling haunted black shore...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
We rowed out of hell...
121. INT. CALYPSO’S CAVE – NIGHT
Odysseus rubs his face with his hands...
ODYSSEUS
Leaving so many fallen comrades... I have to save the rest...
Calypso touches his forearm. He looks up, CONCERNED –-
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Where are they? Are they here? What’s happened to them?! Did they leave me here?! Are they coming back?!
Odysseus turns his gaze on Calypso, MANIC –-
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Did you do something to them?!
Calypso shushes him gently, OFFERS HIM A DISH...
CALYPSO
Have some.
Odysseus looks down at the lotus flower, SUDDENLY QUIET...
ODYSSEUS
You told me not to eat the lotus flower.
CALYPSO
Just tonight. To help you sleep. Think no more of your crew. Sleep. Tomorrow, when you’re ready, you’ll remember... your crew, your family...
Odysseus wolfs down the lotus... PAUSES... CALMING...
ODYSSEUS
Family... a wife...
122. INT. PENELOPE’S CHAMBER, PALACE OF ITHACA – DAY
Penelope at her loom, PATIENTLY WEAVES THE BURIAL SHROUD...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
Do I have a wife?
Antinous steps past the screen into the chamber. Penelope looks at him, SURPRISED. Her Maid, Melantho, TRIES TO STOP HIM APPROACHING.
PENELOPE
It’s alright, Melantho.
Antinous steps forward...
PENELOPE (CONT’D)
Strangers don’t come in here.
ANTINOUS
Screen or no screen, after three years of feasting together we’re far from strangers, Penelope.
PENELOPE
Do you want to marry me, or ruin my reputation?
Antinous nods at Melantho.
ANTINOUS
Melantho can be discreet.
He LOOKS OVER PENELOPE’S SHOULDER at her work...
ANTINOUS (CONT’D)
And I’m actually here out of concern for your reputation.
PENELOPE
Oh?
ANTINOUS
Everybody sees how hard you work.
PENELOPE
Slow, steady progress.
ANTINOUS
But, every night, you’ve been unravelling that work.
Penelope turns to Melantho. Hard.
PENELOPE
So much for discretion.
(to Melantho)
Leave us.
Antinous watches Melantho go. They EXCHANGE A LOOK as she passes...
ANTINOUS
You can’t expect her to be loyal to a master she never even knew.
PENELOPE
I expect her to be loyal to me.
ANTINOUS
And she will be, when you’re married to me. Slaves have no choice but to be loyal to the future. This is a household waiting for a master, just as Ithaca’s a kingdom waiting for a king.
PENELOPE
Ithaca’s king is coming back.
ANTINOUS
No. He’s not.
He moves closer, to SPEAK MORE DISCREETLY.
ANTINOUS (CONT’D)
Did you know that as a boy I tried to go with him to Troy?
PENELOPE
He never told me that.
ANTINOUS
I tried to take the place of our shepherd’s son. Odysseus refused to let me. He knew that Ithaca needed a
future without him, and he saw me as part of that future.
Antinous picks up the threads of the shroud, TUGGING, experimentally.
ANTINOUS (CONT’D)
I’ll never tell the other Suitors about your deception. But finish your weaving. It’s time to let him go.
Penelope studies Antinous...
PENELOPE
Why would you want to marry someone who loves somebody else?
ANTINOUS
Your loyalty to Odysseus is one of your finest qualities.
Antinous looks into her eyes.
ANTINOUS (CONT’D)
I love you. I want you to choose me, and end all this. Don’t tell me you’re not tired. The waiting, the uncertainty. You’ve done your duty year after year after year. It’s time to think of yourself. It’s time to live again... it’s what Odysseus would’ve wanted.
Penelope looks back at him. Exhausted. TEMPTED.
ANTINOUS (CONT’D)
I’ll take care of all your needs, my Queen.
He gently reaches towards her face...
PENELOPE
And my son?
ANTINOUS
The throne is his. He’s the heir.
Antinous BRUSHES A STRAND OF HAIR from her face...
ANTINOUS (CONT’D)
Unless we have a child of our own.
TOO MUCH. Penelope turns back to her work, ASHAMED.
ANTINOUS (CONT’D)
Where is Telemachus?
PENELOPE
He went inland to see his grandfather.
123. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – MOMENTS LATER
Eumaeus HEARS ANTINOUS COME DOWN THE STEPS in the empty hall... Melantho steps from the shadows. Antinous goes to her, THE INTIMACY BETWEEN THEM APPARENT.
MELANTHO
She’s lying. He’s gone to sea.
124. EXT. COURTYARD, PALACE OF ITHACA – CONTINUOUS
Antinous comes out into a HALF DOZEN OF THE SUITORS.
ANTINOUS
He’s gone for news of his father...
125. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – CONTINUOUS
Eumaeus SHUFFLES TOWARDS THE DOOR to hear what the Suitors are discussing...
126. EXT. COURTYARD, PALACE OF ITHACA – CONTINUOUS
Antinous thinks. REALIZES.
ANTINOUS
He’s gone to Sparta. To Menelaus.
POLYBUS
Should we go there?
Antinous thinks.
ANTINOUS
No.
127. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – CONTINUOUS
Eumaeus hears spurs approaching –- HE TURNS...
EUMAEUS
Too loud, Melanthius. I told you, you’re a cowherd –-
Melanthius grabs him by the arm –- PULLS HIM THROUGH THE DOOR --
128. EXT. COURTYARD, PALACE OF ITHACA – CONTINUOUS
Melanthius PUSHES Eumaeus into the light.
MELANTHIUS
He was listening.
Antinous turns, LOOKING AT EUMAEUS.
EUMAEUS
I was coming for Argus –-
Eumaeus WAVES in the direction of the dung pile. ARGUS LIES ON IT, HALF-DEAD.
ANTINOUS
I told you, that dog stays there. Go back to the farm. When we need your pigs we’ll send Melanthius. You’re no longer welcome in this palace.
Eumaeus straightens up, trying for some dignity.
EUMAEUS
I answer to my mistress.
ANTINOUS
Does she even know your name, old man?
Tears appear in Eumaeus’s eyes... Antinous takes pity.
ANTINOUS (CONT’D)
If she asks for you, we’ll send word. Now go.
Eumaeus, refusing Melanthius’s help, makes his way out of the courtyard. Antinous TURNS TO POLYBUS.
ANTINOUS (CONT’D)
Telemachus will come back by the temple at Pylos. Take your man and wait for him there.
POLYBUS
While you stay here, trying to charm the queen? I don’t think so.
ANTINOUS
Telemachus needs to die on the road.
Polybus signals a BEGGAR sitting by the wall. HE APPROACHES.
POLYBUS
Irus has a plan.
IRUS nods at Antinous.
IRUS
Telemachus and his men will be ready for the Bandits who work the road between here and Pylos. But if some of them took the temple from the priests before they arrived...
Antinous considers this. Nods. TO IRUS –-
ANTINOUS
No witnesses -– everyone in that party dead in a ditch, throats open. Bring me part of Telemachus as proof. His nose.
POLYBUS
Would you know him from his nose?
ANTINOUS
Ears, too, then.
129. EXT. OLIVE GROVE, SPARTA – DAY
HELEN AND HER MAIDS watch as Telemachus hunts with Menelaus. Menelaus watches, approving, as Telemachus WHIPS HIS BOW UP, SHOOTING A BIRD MIDFLIGHT.
MENELAUS
Who taught you to hunt?
TELEMACHUS
My father’s swineherd.
MENELAUS
His swineherd?
TELEMACHUS
His most loyal servant.
Menelaus laughs –-
MENELAUS
Of course he’d leave his most loyal man behind. He was always the smartest. The only one Agamemnon ever listened to. He should’ve listened harder.
TELEMACHUS
Can I ask... What happened to your brother?
Menelaus starts dressing the bird...
MENELAUS
His wife betrayed him. When he returned from Troy, she and her lover murdered him. Years before I made it home.
TELEMACHUS
What did you do to them?
MENELAUS
His son, Orestes, had already killed them both.
TELEMACHUS
(appalled)
He killed his own mother?
Menelaus looks at Telemachus, HARD.
MENELAUS
He avenged his father.
Telemachus nods uncertainly... Menelaus GRINS –-
MENELAUS (CONT’D)
Don’t worry, your mother has nothing in common with Clytemnestra.
TELEMACHUS
Maybe not, but the suitors have convinced the Elders she needs to remarry.
MENELAUS
It’s a bad time for an empty throne. You’ve heard stories of the people from the sea?
TELEMACHUS
Have you been raided?
MENELAUS
Not yet. But the attacks seem to be getting closer. Sparta’s ready. How will Ithaca raise an army to defend itself?
TELEMACHUS
Someone has to take the throne.
MENELAUS
Then the battle’s there, not here. You’ve run away from the problem.
Telemachus looks hard at Menelaus. Who SHAKES HIS HEAD.
MENELAUS (CONT’D)
And you’ve left your mother at the mercy of those suitors.
TELEMACHUS
Should I hire mercenaries? Go back and kill them all?
MENELAUS
Murder the rich and powerful guests in your house? You’d be exiled.
TELEMACHUS
What, then?
MENELAUS
You have to evict them without violating Zeus’s law.
TELEMACHUS
(understanding)
I have to take the throne. I need to know Odysseus’s fate...
MENELAUS
This isn’t about a father you’ve never known. You have to lead...
130. EXT. BEACH OUTSIDE CALYPSO’S CAVE – DAY
Odysseus pulls a WEATHERED PIECE OF WOODEN RAILING from the sand.
MENELAUS (V.O)
Whatever’s happened to Odysseus.
He stares at a ROUND KNOB ON THE TOP...
INSERT CUT: IN A FEARSOME NIGHT-TIME STORM, ODYSSEUS CLINGS TO THE KNOB...
Calypso watches as Odysseus carries the railing up the beach and LAYS IT NEXT TO A ROW OF PLANKS he’s collected.
CALYPSO
You need to remember.
Odysseus looks up at her with FEARFUL EYES...
ODYSSEUS
No, I don’t. I don’t want to know the truth. I’m happy here with you.
CALYPSO
Then why are you gathering the bones of your old ship for a raft?
Odysseus looks down at the bleached wood, LAID OUT IN A SQUARE
PATTERN, realizing for the first time what he’s been doing...
CALYPSO (CONT’D)
Remember. Remember your crew. Your journey. After Hades... did you pass the Sirens?
ODYSSEUS
The Sirens. Yes.
INSERT CUT: THE CREW PUT BEESWAX INTO THEIR EARS, SUPERVISED
BY ODYSSEUS...
Odysseus turns to Calypso, remembering, a TEAR appears in his eye as he marvels –-
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
I heard the song of the Sirens... And the sound of tuneful wind takes us –-
131. EXT. ODYSSEUS’S SHIP AMONGST ROCKY ISLANDS – DAY
Odysseus’s ship moves into a field of SMALL ROCKY ISLANDS...
Odysseus peers from rock to rock...
Odysseus hears the SOUND OF THE WIND. Gestures to Eurylochus.
ODYSSEUS
We’re nearing the Sirens. Put wax in the men’s ears.
Eurylochus HANDS OUT WAX TO THE MEN. Odysseus looks ahead to the rocks, COVERED IN LIGHT MIST...
Eurylochus offers Odysseus the wax.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
No. Tie me to the mast.
EURYLOCHUS
Why?
ODYSSEUS
I want to hear the Sirens’ song.
Eurylochus watches MEN TIE ODYSSEUS TO THE MAST...
EURYLOCHUS
This is a bad idea. No one’s heard the song and lived.
Odysseus smiles at him –-
ODYSSEUS
That’s why it’s a good idea –- I’ll be the first. No matter how I plead, do not untie me until we’re well clear.
Eurylochus nods. TESTS THE KNOTS. STEPS BACK.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Check the men’s ears.
EURYLOCHUS
A WEEK’S RATIONS FOR THE FIRST ‘YES, SIR!’
NOTHING. The men KEEP WORKING, OBLIVIOUS. Odysseus nods, EXCITED –-
ODYSSEUS
Listen!
Eurylochus can hear the WIND SINGING THROUGH THE RIGGING...
Eurylochus reaches into the pot of BEESWAX, stopping up his ears -– THE SOUND BECOMES MUTED. Odysseus shouts something, but WE CAN’T HEAR IT AT ALL, WE HEAR ONLY MUFFLED THUDS OF OARS AND FEET ON DECK... Eurylochus NODS HIS HEAD, marking time for the rowers visually...
Eurylochus looks at approaching rocks covered in light mist... above the breakers, SEALS lie on the rocks... Eurylochus spots PALER FORMS AMONGST THE SEALS, barely visible in the mist. He stares, fascinated, TRYING TO SEE IF THEY ARE... HUMAN?
Glancing at the rowers, he sees them all STARING BEHIND HIM –-
He turns to Odysseus, then FREEZES, SEEING ODYSSEUS’S EXPRESSION...
Odysseus is TRANSFIXED, his expression a combination of BLISS AND TERROR...
EURYLOCHUS (V.O.)
What was the Sirens’ song?
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
All the things you’d want it to be. Then all things you wish you never wished for...
Odysseus stares at the FORMS ON THE ROCKS, MOUTH OPEN IN CRIES AND CRIES, EXULTANT, FRUSTRATED...
A sailor, ANCHIALUS, seeing Odysseus’s reaction, PULLS THE WAX FROM HIS EAR...
FLASH-FORWARD TO ODYSSEUS SITTING ON THE DECK RELAYING HIS EXPERIENCE --
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
It was the delicious itch you go to scratch...
Anchialus, in BLISSFUL MADNESS, struggles with his SHIPMATES,
breaking free – HE DIVES OFF THE SIDE OF THE BOAT...
Eurylochus watches Odysseus struggle against the ropes –-
Odysseus looks at Eurylochus, PLEADING, CRYING, CRAZED...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
But find it’s under the skin, and can’t be reached...
Eurylochus turns back to the men. HE CAN’T WATCH...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
So the delicious itch becomes unbearable...
The ship glides past the rocks, passing close enough to make out NAKED FEMALE FORMS on the misty rocks, MOUTHS OPEN IN SONG, SITTING ATOP BONES and BONES...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
It told you what you most want is what you most can’t have, and what you most can’t have is what you already had and lost...
Eurylochus turns back to Odysseus, who WEEPS BITTER TEARS...
Finally Odysseus slumps against the ropes, PASSED OUT...
Eurylochus pulls the wax from his ears -– once again WE HEAR WIND AND WATER, the lapping of oars, the creaking of the deck.
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
It was the song of all the promises I’ve failed to keep...
Eurylochus gives Odysseus WATER as the men UNTIE him from the mast. Odysseus looks up at Eurylochus. HAUNTED.
ODYSSEUS
And it told me I don’t really want to go home.
Odysseus RUBS TEARS OF SHAME FROM HIS FACE. Eurylochus looks down at him. PITYING. The boat moves past the rocks into more open water...
132. EXT. ODYSSEUS’S SHIP, CHARYBDIS – DAY
A SHOUT from the LOOKOUT grabs Eurylochus’s ATTENTION –-
POLITES
White water!
He peers out to WHITECAPS on the horizon. An OMINOUS RUMBLE builds... Odysseus comes beside him...
EURYLOCHUS
Whitecaps? Out here?
ODYSSEUS
Charybdis.
EURYLOCHUS
What’s that?
ODYSSEUS
A monstrous whirlpool.
Eurylochus jumps to the helm, looking out to the white water.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Can we head out to sea?
The Helmsman, ANTIPHATES, looks at the current pulling the ship –-
ANTIPHATES
It’s already got us...
Eurylochus looks to the cliffside... there is a NARROW CHANNEL in a CANYON.
EURYLOCHUS
We might make that canyon...
Odysseus looks ahead to the mouth of the canyon, JAGGED ROCKS STICKING OUT OF THE WATER across the mouth...
ODYSSEUS
It’s too narrow.
He looks ahead to where the WHIRLPOOL HAS STARTED TO OPEN UP, the ocean dipping below the horizon in a dizzying SINKHOLE...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Take us across the whirlpool.
EURYLOCHUS
Charybdis will suck us down and destroy us!
The ship is LEANING IN TO THE PULL OF THE WHIRLPOOL... the channel entrance is coming up fast...
ODYSSEUS
Don’t be afraid, we can make it! Steer down the slope, we can make enough way to shoot out the other side.
Eurylochus looks at the raging whirlpool, then at the channel mouth.
EURYLOCHUS
No!(to Helmsman) We’re making for the channel!
Odysseus RUSHES FOR THE TILLER -– TWO OF THE MEN GRAB HIM.
Odysseus lets himself be subdued as THE SHIP SHOOTS INTO THE CHANNEL MOUTH, OVER THE RAPIDS, SKIMMING PAST SHEER ROCK WALLS...
The ship SCRAPES the side of the canyon, WATER BURSTING THROUGH SPLIT PLANKS... MEN PUSH THE BOARDS BACK INTO PLACE...
Odysseus looks up at the cliff faces, waiting for the inevitable. His men release him, the CREW CHEERING as EURYLOCHUS SETTLES THE SHIP in the channel past the rapids...
Eurylochus turns to Odysseus, TRIUMPHANT.
EURYLOCHUS (CONT’D)
We made it.
Odysseus nods. Wary. At his oar, POLITES TURNS TO THE MAN NEXT TO HIM...
POLITES
We did it. We –-
POLITES IS RIPPED, SCREAMING FROM THE SHIP BY A TOOTH-FILLED SET OF JAWS ON A SNAKE NECK –-
ANOTHER SOLDIER IS TAKEN -– AND ANOTHER...
SCREAMS echoing through the canyon... The Helmsman looks around, PULLING the TILLER –-
ODYSSEUS
Keep her straight!
Odysseus SHOUTS AT THE MEN -–
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
PULL!
THREE MORE MEN ARE RIPPED FROM THE SHIP, SCREAMING, pulled up and into a dark crevice of the cliff above...
SILENCE. Deafening silence. Everyone in SHOCK. Eurylochus looks at Odysseus, DEVASTATED...
EURYLOCHUS
Why did I take us this way... ?
ODYSSEUS
It wasn’t your fault.
EURYLOCHUS
What was that?
ODYSSEUS
Scylla.
Eurylochus looks back at the canyon, then to Odysseus...
EURYLOCHUS
Wait... you knew?
Odysseus says nothing.
EURYLOCHUS (CONT’D)
You knew, and didn’t tell us.
ODYSSEUS
If I’d told you, you wouldn’t have chosen this way.
EURYLOCHUS
And those men would be alive!
ODYSSEUS
No. We’d all be dead.
EURYLOCHUS
You had no right.
ODYSSEUS
I had every right. And every responsibility. The whirlpool would’ve destroyed the ship and all of us. This way we live.
EURYLOCHUS
Some of us live.
ODYSSEUS
Yes. Some of us.
EURYLOCHUS
What else did Tiresias tell you?
Odysseus looks away. The CREW GLARE AT HIM. The ship emerges from the canyon.
133. EXT. ODYSSEUS’S SHIP, OFF APOLLO’S ISLAND – LATER
Eurylochus spots a LOW-LYING ISLAND.
EURYLOCHUS
I’m going to put in there.
Odysseus, sitting, looks over at the island.
ODYSSEUS
That’s the Sun God’s isle. We can’t land there.
The crew starts to COMPLAIN OPENLY.
EURYLOCHUS
We need repairs. These men are exhausted. They’ve lost six shipmates.
We’re going to put in and rest on dry land.
THE MEN CHEER.
ODYSSEUS
You’re all going to die.
They QUIET, looking at Odysseus, WHO STANDS...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
You asked me what Tiresias told me. He said you’re all going to die.
EURYLOCHUS
If we land on that island?
ODYSSEUS
If you slaughter the Sun God’s cattle, which graze on that island, you’ll all die.
EURYLOCHUS
That’s fine. We’ll put in and cook our own provisions. We’ll pick fruit and get water. Nothing more.
Odysseus shakes his head, DESPAIRING. Looking at the DESPERATION of his crew, the water leaking into the hull, he can see HE HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO AGREE...
ODYSSEUS
Swear to it. All of you. Swear you won’t touch the cattle on this island.
The men NOD at Odysseus. Eurylochus guides the ship in, grounding the boat on the sand. There are COWS GRAZING just above the sand on the EDGE OF THE FOREST.
EURYLOCHUS
See, the wind took us right in. We’ll rest up, do the repairs and set out as soon as the wind changes.
As the men JUMP OFF the ship, POINTING and LAUGHING at the cattle, Odysseus looks at the FLAG FLAPPING HARD AT THE ONSHORE BREEZE, perturbed...
CALYPSO (V.O.)
Did the crew keep their promise?
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
Yes. For a long time. But the wind never changed...
134. EXT. BEACH OUTSIDE CALYPSO’S CAVE – DAY
Odysseus RUBS HIS HANDS ACROSS THE BLEACHED PLANKS. TENDERLY,
as if they were the bones of an old friend...
ODYSSEUS
Day after day, week after week... The steady onshore breeze, which had made it so easy to land, made it impossible to leave...
135. EXT. BEACH, APOLLO’S ISLAND – DAY
The crew, THIN AND RAGGED, sit in the shade chewing on hard BISCUIT, CASTING LOOKS AT THE FAT COWS wandering nearby...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
And our provisions ran out.
136. EXT. ODYSSEUS’S SHIP – NIGHT
Odysseus stares up at the FLAG flapping across the moon.
INSERT CUT: THE STONE HEAD OF ATHENA ROCKS FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN FLICKERING FIRELIGHT ON DIRTY MARBLE...
Odysseus RISES, staring into the forest. He can see FIRELIGHT DEEP IN THE TREES... HE SEES ATHENA STANDING THERE, BECKONING HIM towards the forest...
137. EXT. FOREST, APOLLO’S ISLAND – MOMENTS LATER
Odysseus makes his way through the trees, closing in on the flickering fire... Odysseus MOVES TOWARDS THE FIRE, SMELLING SOMETHING...
138. EXT. CLEARING, FOREST, APOLLO’S ISLAND – CONTINUOUS
Odysseus STANDS IN THE FIRELIGHT, WATCHING HIS CREW SILENTLY FEAST. AN OX, TURNS ON A SPIT, fat bubbling deliciously.
One of the crew notices Odysseus standing in the shadows. One by one THE MEN STOP EATING, looking at Odysseus, ASHAMED.
ODYSSEUS
Did you think if you ate quietly the Sun God wouldn’t notice?
Eurylochus steps forward.
EURYLOCHUS
We thought you wouldn’t notice.
ODYSSEUS
I’m not the problem...
Odysseus turns...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
I wanted you to live.
HE MELTS BACK INTO THE WOODS.
139. EXT. ODYSSEUS’S SHIP – MOMENTS LATER
Odysseus strides back to the ship. ATHENA FALLS IN BESIDE HIM...
ATHENA
Tiresias told you. Circe told you. The Gods told you -–
ODYSSEUS
Your Gods don’t speak in ways we understand!
ATHENA
Who doesn’t understand pain?! Or blood?! Or death?!
Odysseus shakes his head, hoping she won’t be there any more. But Athena CONTINUES...
ATHENA (CONT’D)
When you watch your men die do you see chance? Or do you see consequence?
Odysseus turns on her –-
ODYSSEUS
I see consequence. I see my failure.
ATHENA
What if their deaths aren’t your failing but theirs?
ODYSSEUS
I lead them. I led them here.
ATHENA
And who led you? Why do you put yourself above the Gods?
(MORE)
Why do you claim responsibility? Why don’t you want to go home?
Odysseus stares at her. Thinking. About to speak –-
EURYLOCHUS (O.S.)
What were they supposed to do?!
Odysseus TURNS TO SEE EURYLOCHUS APPROACHING. ATHENA IS GONE.
EURYLOCHUS (O.S.) (CONT’D)
Our food ran out! Have some pity.
Odysseus turns, FURIOUS –-
ODYSSEUS
My pity put us on this damned island! I told you what would happen.
EURYLOCHUS
Yes, you did. And we decided that we’d rather drown than starve.
Odysseus notices –- THE FLAG HAS STOPPED FLAPPING. He points at it –-
ODYSSEUS
Well, here’s our chance.
Eurylochus runs back towards the trees, SHOUTING.
The Crew PUSH THE BOAT OFF THE SAND, JUMPING aboard, PULLING on the oars, pushing out into the moonlight on the NOW-CALM SEA...
ODYSSEUS (V.O) (CONT’D)
The calm was just long enough to tempt us out onto Poseidon’s ocean. Under Zeus’s sky...
140. EXT. ODYSSEUS’S SHIP – NIGHT
The ship PITCHES frighteningly down the back of a MASSIVE WAVE. The crew CLING TO THE OARS as the ship is SMASHED by WAVES and WIND. LIGHTNING flashes across a jagged, merciless sea. Odysseus HANGS ON TO THE RIGGING at the back of the ship.
Eurylochus tries to COMMAND THE MEN –- SCREAMING INTO THE HOWLING WIND...
EURYLOCHUS
GET THE SAIL DOWN! GET THE OARS OUT!
GATHER THE SAIL! TURN INTO THE WIND!
ODYSSEUS
EURYLOCHUS! GRAB SOMETHING! HANG ON!
Eurylochus is TOSSED LIKE A RAG DOLL as the ship bottoms out at the foot of another wave -– Odysseus WRAPS HIS ARMS AROUND THE MAST, cheek pressed into the soaking wood... HE HEARS IT CRACKING INSIDE... HE JUMPS ASIDE AS THE MAST GIVES WAY, the giant wooden beam PLUNGING DOWN ONTO THE DECK -– SMASHING EURYLOCHUS to the deck –-
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
EURYLOCHUS!
Odysseus crawls on his belly to grab Eurylochus’s hand... EURYLOCHUS LOOKS UP AT HIM, BLINKING, SEEKING HELP...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
The last thing I remember was the harsh hand of Zeus...
A LIGHTNING BOLT drills into the ship, CRACKING IT IN HALF...
Odysseus SCREAMS as EURYLOCHUS AND THE CREW ARE YANKED AWAY from him ON A SPLINTERED SECTION OF SHIP...
141. INT. CALYPSO’S CAVE – NIGHT
Odysseus stares into his WINE...
ODYSSEUS
I don’t know what happened to my men.
CALYPSO
Yes, you do. Exactly what you told them would happen.
He looks at her. Nods gravely. Looks at his surroundings...
ODYSSEUS
I washed up on your shore alone.
CALYPSO
You washed up on my shore...
142. EXT. BEACH OUTSIDE CALYPSO’S CAVE – DAY (FLASHBACK)
Odysseus LIES ON THE BEACH, surrounded by WRECKAGE.
CALYPSO (V.O.)
With some of your boat. And none of your crew.
Calypso looks down on the ragged UNCONSCIOUS SAILOR, ONE FIST CLENCHED.
CALYPSO (V.O.)
Half-dead. Unconscious.
143. INT. CALYPSO’S CAVE – NIGHT
Odysseus LIES UNCONSCIOUS ON A BED. Calypso uses a CLOTH to clean his arms and hands. HIS CLENCHED FIST WILL NOT OPEN FOR HER...
CALYPSO (V.O.)
I watched you lost. For days. Into weeks.
Calypso crushes LOTUS FLOWER in a MORTAR...
CALYPSO (V.O.)
I knew the lotus would ease your awakening so your pain would be more of the body than the mind.
She gives him a DRINK to sip. His eyes, barely conscious, takes her in.
CALYPSO (V.O.)
And it did. You liked it so much, and ate it so happily...
Odysseus eats, HUNGRILY. He smiles at Calypso...
CALYPSO (V.O.)
And as I cared for you I came to love you.
144. INT. CALYPSO’S CAVE – NIGHT (PRESENT)
Odysseus stares at Calypso. CONCERNED.
ODYSSEUS
How long have I been here?
CALYPSO
I kept telling myself to stop giving it to you. That you were strong enough to remember...
ODYSSEUS
How long, Calypso?
CALYPSO
But you were so happy.
ODYSSEUS
You were happy.
CALYPSO
We were happy. For years.
ODYSSEUS
Years?!
CALYPSO
Seven years.
Odysseus takes this in. He looks at her, QUIET...
ODYSSEUS
You fed me lotus flower and held me captive –-
CALYPSO
I saved your life.
Odysseus shakes his head. LOST...
CALYPSO (CONT’D)
I rebuilt your body. But I couldn’t bring myself to rebuild your mind. And you’ve been happy. But your heart was always elsewhere, your mind was bound to follow eventually.
ODYSSEUS
How could you?
CALYPSO
The lotus clouds the mind and saps the will – but it doesn’t change who you are. You weren’t ready to go home, for whatever reason.
ODYSSEUS
I am now.
CALYPSO
As I always knew you would be.
ODYSSEUS
How?
CALYPSO
You were clutching something when I found you. Your hand didn’t open for weeks...
She holds out the GOLDEN PIN OF ATHENA given to him by Penelope...
CALYPSO (CONT’D)
You used to call out in your sleep. Mostly to Athena, but sometimes you’d say another name...
Odysseus TAKES the golden pin, turns it in his fingers –
REMEMBERS WITH A JOLT --
ODYSSEUS
Penelope.
Calypso nods. Odysseus reels with the FLOOD OF MEMORIES...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Help me go home.
CALYPSO
I am.
145. EXT. BEACH OUTSIDE CALYPSO’S CAVE – DAY
Odysseus STRAPS THE PLANKS OF HIS CRUDE RAFT TOGETHER.
CALYPSO (V.O.)
You’re a man who needs to control his fate, but you cannot control this...
He pulls it DOWN TO THE SHORE...
CALYPSO (V.O.)
You must give yourself to the storm, give yourself to Poseidon, take your punishment...
Pushes it OUT ONTO THE WAVES... Calypso WATCHES...
CALYPSO (V.O.)
Zeus won’t let him kill you...
146. EXT. RAFT – DAY
Odysseus LIES BACK on the raft, staring at the sky, riding the swell... DRIFTING... as the sea rises...
CALYPSO (V.O.)
Give up the fight. Give up control. And live. It’s a leap of faith you’ve never yet made, Odysseus.
CLOSE ON ODYSSEUS AS HE CLINGS TO THE RAFT, WATER STREAMING ACROSS HIM.
ENDLESSLY... DROWNING... CLEARLY DROWNING...
INSERT CUT: A BRONZE SWORD DECAPITATES A STONE STATUE OF ATHENA, SPARKING, THE HEAD TUMBLING IN FLICKERING FIRELIGHT. IT COMES TO REST ON FILTHY MARBLE, ROCKING FROM SIDE TO SIDE AS IF SHAKING HER HEAD...
147. EXT. FOGGY BEACH – DAWN
Odysseus lies on his back, staring up at the sky...
FEMALE VOICE (O.S.)
Odysseus?
Odysseus raises his head. ATHENA IS SITTING FURTHER UP THE SAND.
ODYSSEUS
Where am I?
Athena smiles at him.
ATHENA
Don’t you recognize your own home?
Odysseus looks around. DAZED.
ODYSSEUS
Ithaca?
ATHENA IS GONE. Odysseus. OLD, GREY-BEARDED, RAGGED, WEATHERED, stumbles up the shore of his beloved Ithaca. HOME AT LAST.
148. EXT. CLIFFS OF ITHACA – DAY
Eumaeus is tending the PIGS WITH HIS DOGS. One of them starts BARKING. Eumaeus FOLLOWS THE BARKING DOG to the FENCE.
EUMAEUS
Who’s there?
It is IRUS. With a GROUP OF BANDITS...
IRUS
We need food.
Several YOUNG FARMHANDS have gathered behind Eumaeus to quiet the dogs.
Eumaeus’s words are FRIENDLY, but the TONE SHOWS CLEAR DISTRUST.
EUMAEUS
Zeus welcomes you, strangers. How many are you?
Irus leans on the gate... QUIETLY OPENING IT...
IRUS
A dozen.
The Bandits quietly come through the fence to surround Eumaeus. THE DOGS BARK. Eumaeus SHUSHES them, sternly.
EUMAEUS
In need of a meal?
IRUS
And supplies. For the road.
EUMAEUS
Where are you headed?
IRUS
We need pigs – we’re going all the way to Pylos.
EUMAEUS
Are you pilgrims?
Several Bandits LAUGH.
IRUS
Do we look like pilgrims?
EUMAEUS
I don’t see well. Zeus demands I offer you a meal, but these pigs aren’t mine to sell.
IRUS
Don’t worry, we’re not paying...
Irus nods at his men WHO DRAW BRONZE WITH A DISTINCTIVE SCRAPE... THE DOGS BARK... THE FARMHANDS RUN, SCREAMING...
Eumaeus SWINGS HIS STICK BLINDLY...
149. INT. PALACE OF MENELAUS – DAY
Telemachus and Mentor approach the throne. Menelaus and Helen sit, waiting to receive them.
TELEMACHUS
Thank you for your hospitality. And your advice.
HELEN
Are you sure you have to leave us?
Telemachus looks at Menelaus.
TELEMACHUS
I’m sure. I should be at home.
HELEN
Give my greetings to your mother.
MENELAUS
I’m sorry I had no news of your father.
TELEMACHUS
You had news. Not where he is, but who he is. And now more than ever...
150. EXT. CLIFFS OF ITHACA – EVENING
Odysseus, HOODED AND CLOAKED AS A BEGGAR, walks up the road, tasting the air of home, CONTENTED. Heading towards some PLUMES OF SMOKE.
TELEMACHUS (V.O.)
I hope to meet him one day.
Recognizing, in the distance, his pig farm, he SMILES...
As he comes CLOSER he sees Eumaeus, with a YOUNG FARMHAND, tending to one of several LARGE BONFIRES. Odysseus smiles at the sight of his old friend. As he approaches HE CALLS OUT –-
ODYSSEUS
Where are your watchdogs, old man?!
Eumaeus, BRUISED and BLOODY, turns TEARFUL, sightless eyes towards Odysseus...
EUMAEUS
I’m burning their bodies.
Odysseus’s SMILE FALLS. The battered old man gathers his dignity...
EUMAEUS (CONT’D)
Can Zeus offer you food and drink, stranger?
Eumaeus sends off his Farmhand. Odysseus looks, APPALLED.
EUMAEUS IS ON THE VERGE OF COLLAPSE...
ODYSSEUS
Were you attacked?
Eumaeus nods. Odysseus WATCHES the young Farmhand walking to the farmhouse...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
The dogs saved your farmhands.
Eumaeus shakes his head...
EUMAEUS
We burned his brothers first.
Odysseus looks at the other fires with SUPPRESSED RAGE.
ODYSSEUS
What’s happened to Ithaca?
EUMAEUS
Darkness. Zeus’s law smashed to pieces. A kingdom without a king since my master died.
ODYSSEUS
Who was your master?
EUMAEUS
Odysseus.
ODYSSEUS
Odysseus? Hero of the Trojan War? He’s
not dead –-
EUMAEUS
DON’T!!
Eumaeus turns on Odysseus, FLAILING BLINDLY AT HIM –-
EUMAEUS (CONT’D)
BEGGARS GIVING FALSE HOPE! NO MORE! NO MORE!
Odysseus GENTLY holds Eumaeus’s arms, EMBRACING HIM AS HE COLLAPSES –- Odysseus CALLS OUT TO THE FARMHAND to help...
151. INT. EUMAEUS’S FARMHOUSE – NIGHT
Odysseus tends to Eumaeus who is LAID OUT ON HIS COT. The Farmhand brings WATER... Eumaeus is WEEPING...
EUMAEUS
Telemachus. If I weren’t blind, I could help Telemachus –-
ODYSSEUS
Telemachus?
EUMAEUS
He’s in danger. I can’t help him.
ODYSSEUS
There must be others in Ithaca who’d help Odysseus’s son.
EUMAEUS
The palace is controlled by suitors. No one’s still loyal to Odysseus.
Odysseus doesn’t want to ask...
ODYSSEUS
What about the Queen?
Eumaeus SMILES, fondly.
EUMAEUS
Beautiful, wise Penelope. Held hostage by the worst men. Soon to be forced into marriage. What can she do without even her son?
ODYSSEUS
What’s the danger to Telemachus?
EUMAEUS
He’s on his way back from Sparta. The suitors sent bandits to Pylos to ambush him at the temple.
Odysseus RISES, turns TO THE FARMHAND –-
ODYSSEUS
Give me food for the road.
EUMAEUS
You’ll never catch up with the bandits.
ODYSSEUS
If I’m at Pylos when Telemachus arrives, I can warn him.
The Farmhand WRAPS A BUNDLE for Odysseus.
EUMAEUS
Why are you helping?
Odysseus takes the bundle. Turns to Eumaeus on the bed...
ODYSSEUS
If I tell you, don’t be angry.
Eumaeus nods.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
I served under Odysseus at Troy.
Eumaeus takes this in. Suppressing his usual instincts.
EUMAEUS
Really?
ODYSSEUS
Yes. He was a harsh taskmaster.
EUMAEUS
But fair. And worthy of following.
Odysseus looks at the blind old man. WELLING UP.
ODYSSEUS
You loved him.
EUMAEUS
Like a son.
Odysseus moves to the door. NEEDS TO SAY MORE...
ODYSSEUS
Well, he is not dead.
Eumaeus takes this in. Allowing himself to believe...
EUMAEUS
Is he coming home?
ODYSSEUS
Soon.
EUMAEUS
Bringing vengeance?
ODYSSEUS
Bringing it all.
Odysseus leaves Eumaeus with a painful sense of hope.
152. EXT. SHIP OFF COAST OF ITHACA AT PYLOS – DUSK
Telemachus stares at the FLICKERING FIRES ON THE CLIFFS. Mentor speaks to the PILOT as they dock.
MENTOR
Head down the coast to the harbour. The suitors may be waiting there. You’ve come from Crete on a trading mission.
PILOT
We don’t have a cargo.
MENTOR
Seized by pirates.
The Pilot nods. A party of SIX SOLDIERS assembles behind Telemachus.
153. EXT. CAVE TEMPLE AT PYLOS – MOMENTS LATER
Telemachus’s party makes its way towards large openings in the cliffs...
MENTOR
I’ll talk. We don’t want anyone realizing who you are.
TELEMACHUS
Maybe we shouldn’t have brought a guard.
MENTOR
We’ll be glad we did if there’s trouble on the road.
154. EXT. CAVE TEMPLE, PYLOS – NIGHT
Mentor, Telemachus and their men make their way THROUGH THE ENCAMPMENTS to the STEPS OF THE TEMPLE... passing through a MASS OF SEATED PILGRIMS and BEGGARS who rise to approach, HANDS OUTSTRETCHED. The Guard pushes them away from Telemachus.
BEGGAR
Hey! I have a message!
A Guard brutally PUSHES the Beggar down – AS HE LANDS WE SEE IT IS ODYSSEUS.
ODYSSEUS
Wait!
The party arrives at the top of the stairs, met by PRIESTS...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Eumaeus sent me!
Telemachus TURNS at the sound of Eumaeus’s name, BUT IS SHEPHERDED INTO THE TEMPLE by the Priests...
155. INT. TEMPLE, PYLOS – CONTINUOUS
Telemachus, Mentor and the party are ESCORTED THROUGH THE PILGRIMS BY A PRIEST. Telemachus turns to Mentor –
TELEMACHUS
Bring that beggar – he has a message from Eumaeus.
Mentor sends ONE of the Guard. The Priest leads them down through the TUNNELS of the dark temple. Telemachus spots various GROUPS OF WORSHIPPERS IN FIRELIT ALCOVES as they move deeper and deeper... Down into a DARK SANCTUARY...
PRIEST
Your men must stay out here.
Mentor nods at his men, who form up around the opening.
PRIEST (CONT’D)
Your weapons, too.
Telemachus and Mentor REMOVE THEIR SWORDS and DAGGERS, handing them to the nearest of their Guard...
156. INT. INNER SANCTUM, TEMPLE, PYLOS – CONTINUOUS
Telemachus and Mentor enter the calm of the INNER SANCTUM. A STATUE of Athena is LIT FROM BELOW BY VOTIVE OFFERINGS. They are GREETED BY SIX PRIESTS. The HEAD PRIEST steps forward... it is IRUS, IN DISGUISE...
IRUS
Zeus welcomes you, strangers.
CLEANER, and WEARING the ROBES OF A PRIEST, HIS EDGE IS STILL APPARENT TO TELEMACHUS.
TELEMACHUS
Thank you.
Irus motions a PRIEST to hand Telemachus and Mentor CUPS OF WINE.
IRUS
Have you travelled far?
Telemachus SNIFFS the wine, but CAUTION STOPS HIM DRINKING. MENTOR GULPS HIS DOWN...
TELEMACHUS
Not that far.
IRUS
You’re here to rest for the night?
Mentor frowns at Irus, CONFUSED...
TELEMACHUS
We’re here to make sacrifice to Athena. Then whatever hospitality you can offer might be considered.
IRUS
Of course.
Telemachus notices A SPOT OF BLOOD ON IRUS’S SLEEVE... Odysseus is PUSHED INSIDE THE ROOM.
IRUS (CONT’D)
Get this beggar out of here.
Telemachus looks around at Odysseus IN HIS RAGS.
TELEMACHUS
He has a message for me.
Irus looks at Odysseus, CHALLENGING.
TELEMACHUS (CONT’D)
Eumaeus sent you?
ODYSSEUS MARVELS AT HIS GROWN-UP SON...
ODYSSEUS
Yes, sir.
TELEMACHUS
What’s the message?
Odysseus LOOKS AT IRUS. And the OTHER PRIESTS.
ODYSSEUS
It’s private.
TELEMACHUS
These men are Priests...
Odysseus says nothing... the SILENCE STRETCHES...
MENTOR CHOKES, DROPPING TO HIS KNEES -– Odysseus REACHES DOWN, GRABBING HIM. Mentor, in AGONY, looks into Odysseus’s eyes... RECOGNIZES HIM... JUST AS HE DIES.
The Priests DRAW DAGGERS –-
Odysseus, HEAD DOWN, RISES between them and Telemachus.
IRUS
This is your moment to leave, old man.
TELEMACHUS
Go, stranger.
Odysseus SLOWLY SHAKES HIS LOWERED HEAD...
IRUS
I spared one old man this week, but he was blind. I won’t spare another.
Two Priests BAR THE DOOR -– a Priest MOVES TOWARDS Odysseus, blade held out -– Odysseus JAMS THE PRIEST’S OWN KNIFE INTO HIS THROAT –- the Priest DROPS.
EVERYONE STARES AT ODYSSEUS...
Irus LUNGES, Odysseus grabs his arm and STABS THE PRIEST NEXT TO HIM –- a Priest LUNGES AT TELEMACHUS, WHO SMASHES HIS CUP INTO THE PRIEST’S FACE –-Telemachus DUCKS, ROLLS, COMING UP TO GRAB A PRIEST, SMASHING HIM into the bars of the screen -–
157. INT. TEMPLE, PYLOS – CONTINUOUS
Outside the inner sanctum, the GUARDS ARE ATTACKED BYPRIESTS –-
158. INT. INNER SANCTUM, TEMPLE, PYLOS – CONTINUOUS
Odysseus GRABS A PRIEST from behind, SEIZES HIS DAGGER.
TELEMACHUS SPINS -– THREE PRIESTS in front of him, ALL ARMED...
ODYSSEUS
Here!
Odysseus TOSSES HIM A DAGGER –- then PILES INTO THE NEAREST PRIEST, making BRUTAL havoc –- Telemachus STABS THE NEAREST PRIEST, then turns to see Odysseus POUND THE REMAINING PRIESTS INTO THE FLOOR of Athena’s temple... Telemachus looks at him, IMPRESSED.
Odysseus finishes, rises. BREATHING HARD.
TELEMACHUS
Pretty good for a beggar.
ODYSSEUS
(breathless)
I wasn’t born a beggar.
Odysseus PULLS A ROBE OFF ONE OF THE DEAD PRIESTS. Telemachus checks Mentor’s body. Odysseus turns -– sees Telemachus GRIEVING MENTOR.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Put on that priest’s robes.
TELEMACHUS
We need help with the body.
Odysseus TOSSES Telemachus THE PRIEST’S ROBES.
ODYSSEUS
We have to leave him.
TELEMACHUS
No.
ODYSSEUS
We have to slip out –-
TELEMACHUS
This isn’t how you honour the dead –-
ODYSSEUS
It’s how you stay alive.
TELEMACHUS
He was my teacher. He may have been Athena in disguise. I’m not leaving him.
Odysseus looks at Telemachus, SYMPATHETIC.
ODYSSEUS
His name is Mentor. And when you’re safe we’ll head into the unknown west and honour him.
(gestures at dead priests)
These men were sent by the suitors.
There’ll be more, we have to get on the road.
TELEMACHUS
By night?
ODYSSEUS
Safer than staying here.
He POURS THE OIL FROM THE LAMP ON THE FLOOR --
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Mentor’s at the heart of Athena’s oldest temple – for now, honour him in flame.
Telemachus RELUCTANTLY takes the lamp, looking down at Mentor’s body. And DROPS IT, SPREADING FLAME...
159. INT. TEMPLE, PYLOS – MOMENTS LATER
CHAOS. Odysseus and Telemachus move up through the FLAMING TEMPLE.
Surrounded by PANICKING PILGRIMS, some RUSHING IN WITH WATER to douse the flames...
160. EXT. CAVE TEMPLE, PYLOS – CONTINUOUS
They make their way out of the temple and INTO THE ENCAMPMENTS...
161. EXT. ROAD, ITHACA – DAWN
Telemachus and Odysseus walk SIDE BY SIDE IN SILENCE.TELEMACHUS
How does a beggar come to know Mentor?
ODYSSEUS
I told you, I wasn’t always a beggar.
TELEMACHUS
You have wise eyes. Athena’s eyes –-
ODYSSEUS
Don’t look for Gods in men –- you’ll always be disappointed.
Telemachus stops. Takes Odysseus by the arm. AGGRESSIVE.
TELEMACHUS
Then tell me who you are.
Odysseus looks at Telemachus. STARTS WALKING AGAIN.
ODYSSEUS
My name is Sinon. I’m an old soldier who fought under your father at Troy.
TELEMACHUS
You knew my father?
ODYSSEUS
I’ve taken his orders longer than I care to remember.
Telemachus notices the tense –-
TELEMACHUS
He’s alive?!
Odysseus takes a few paces to form his answer...
ODYSSEUS
He’s alive.
TELEMACHUS
Where is he?
ODYSSEUS
Close by. He sent me ahead to assess the situation.
TELEMACHUS
My mother won’t believe it –-
ODYSSEUS
You can’t tell her.
TELEMACHUS
Nothing?
ODYSSEUS
Tell her you’ve decided it’s time she remarried.
Telemachus REALIZES.
TELEMACHUS
He doesn’t need to test my mother. How can he doubt her?
ODYSSEUS
He doesn’t. But she has every reason to have forgotten him. Are there any loyal servants?
TELEMACHUS
Some. When Odysseus shows himself? All.
ODYSSEUS
We need to gather the suitors in the palace.
TELEMACHUS
Never a problem.
Odysseus looks him up and down...
ODYSSEUS
Do you have gifts from Menelaus?
TELEMACHUS
On my ship.
ODYSSEUS
Good. Come back as a prince. Call a banquet. I’ll be there.
TELEMACHUS
What will you do at the banquet?
ODYSSEUS
Beg. The clearest view of a person is from below. How many suitors are there?
TELEMACHUS
Dozens. But if all his men are like you –-
ODYSSEUS
He has no men. He’s coming back, but he has no men.
TELEMACHUS
Just you?
Odysseus LOOKS AT TELEMACHUS AND SMILES.
ODYSSEUS
And you.
162. INT. EUMAEUS’S HUT – DAY
Eumaeus is PREPARING FOOD...
ODYSSEUS (O.S.)
Glad to see you on your feet.
Eumaeus turns to the SOUND OF HIS VOICE. Odysseus is RIFLING THROUGH A PILE OF LEATHER STRAPS...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Because it’s about time we took you back to the palace.
Eumaeus smiles.
163. EXT. TOWN, ITHACA – DAY
Telemachus WALKS, ALONE, DRESSED AS A PRINCE, THROUGH THE TOWN. The TOWNSPEOPLE start to notice. RUNNING ahead with the news...
164. EXT. PALACE AT ITHACA – DAY
As Telemachus climbs the steps the GATEKEEPERS RECOGNIZE HIM. A SHOUT goes up...
165. INT. MEGARON – MOMENTS LATER
Antinous pulls Melantho into the shadows, EMBRACING HER...
MELANTHO
They’re saying Telemachus is back -–
ANTINOUS
What?
He looks at her –-
ANTINOUS (CONT’D)
Who is?
Penelope BURSTS from behind the screen –-
PENELOPE
Where’s Telemachus?!
Melantho separates from Antinous, HURRYING OVER TO PENELOPE,
GESTURING at the screen –-
MELANTHO
My Queen, surely your place is up there?
Penelope GLANCES at Melantho, sees Antinous...
Telemachus walks into the hall, trailed by SERVANTS PULLING OFF HIS MAGNIFICENT ARMOUR...
PENELOPE
It’s true! You’re home!
TELEMACHUS
I’m back.
Penelope EMBRACES HER SON...
TELEMACHUS (CONT’D)
I thought we’d celebrate tonight...
Telemachus looks at Antinous.
TELEMACHUS (CONT’D)
If we’ve got anything left to celebrate with.
PENELOPE
Don’t worry, my brave suitors will shower us with gifts in honour of your return...
Penelope turns to Antinous. WHO LOOKS WARMLY AT TELEMACHUS.
ANTINOUS
I’m glad to see you’ve returned safely.
166. INT. PENELOPE’S CHAMBER, PALACE OF ITHACA – MOMENTS LATER
Melantho hands Telemachus a DRINK. Penelope WAVES HER OFF.
TELEMACHUS
Menelaus –-
Penelope GESTURES silence. WAITS for Melantho to leave...
PENELOPE
What did you hear about your father?
TELEMACHUS
Nothing. Stories from the war. But no one knew what happened to him after he left Troy. I’m sorry, Mom.
Penelope hides her disappointment. Telemachus LOOKS AWAY.
TELEMACHUS (CONT’D)
Everybody in Sparta’s talking about a coming catastrophe, an age of darkness brought on by people from the sea violating Zeus’s law.
PENELOPE
So the stories are true. Our civilization is collapsing.
TELEMACHUS
Menelaus is concerned that we can’t raise an army with an empty throne. We came up with a plan.
Penelope looks at him, SURPRISED.
PENELOPE
What plan?
TELEMACHUS
The one way to get these suitors to leave. It’s time for you to choose.
Penelope looks at him, SHOCKED.
PENELOPE
You want me to remarry?
TELEMACHUS
If you remarry, the other suitors will leave. I’m almost of age, I’ll tell the Elders I learned of Odysseus’s death in Sparta. Menelaus will back me up. They’ll let me assume the throne.
PENELOPE
So you deny your father and I leave my home to go live with one of these snakes? That’s your plan?!
TELEMACHUS
You have a better one?
PENELOPE
Lock the door, set a fire and burn the bastards.
Penelope squares up to her son, LOOKING INTO HIS EYES –-
PENELOPE (CONT’D)
Telemachus, you think if I remarry life goes back to the way it was? That world is gone, and in this one they’re not giving up power to you. Or Odysseus. If he returned he’d have to kill them. Like you will.
TELEMACHUS
If I kill the Suitors their families will demand revenge – I’ll be exiled. And without me the throne will be lost.
PENELOPE
Because only a man can sit on it. ‘Empty throne’ –- I’ve been sitting on that empty throne for twenty years. My knowledge, my years of experience -– that’s all nothing compared with the bristles on your chin.
She TURNS HER BACK ON HIM. He looks down at his feet, ASHAMED.
TELEMACHUS
Do you want peace, or do you want revenge?
PENELOPE
I want Odysseus.
BANG!
BARD (V.O.)
Sing, muse, of a face.
167. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – NIGHT
BANG! The Bard BEATS HIS RHYTHM ATOP THE TABLE...
BARD
A face.
BANG! Telemachus walks the room, WATCHING the Suitors STREAM in to the FEAST...
BARD (CONT’D)
A fleet.
BANG!
168. EXT. TOWN, ITHACA – CONTINUOUS
Odysseus and Eumaeus make their way through the town.
Odysseus’s hungry eyes eat up every sight in the town he hasn’t seen for twenty years. HE SEES THE PALACE...
BARD (V.O.)
A war.
BANG!
169. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – CONTINUOUS
The GATHERING SUITORS stare up at the Bard. All except Antinous, WHO WATCHES TELEMACHUS HEAD OUTSIDE...
BARD
At Troy.
BANG!
BARD (CONT’D)
Sing, muse, of a man.
BANG!
170. EXT. COURTYARD, PALACE OF ITHACA – CONTINUOUS
Telemachus WATCHES Odysseus and Eumaeus CLIMB THE STAIRS TO THE PALACE.
BARD (O.S.)
A man.
BANG!
Odysseus lets Eumaeus go ahead as he takes in his old home, TEARS WELLING, memories tumbling in...
BARD (O.S.) (CONT’D)
A thought.
BANG!
Telemachus SEES ARGUS LYING ON THE DUNG PILE... Odysseus SHUFFLES towards him like the old beggar he is dressed as...
BARD (O.S.) (CONT’D)
A trick.
Telemachus sees Odysseus NOTICE Argus... thinks...
BANG!
Odysseus STARES at the ancient dog lying on the dung pile as if dead...
ODYSSEUS
Eumaeus, go ahead.
At the sound of ODYSSEUS’S VOICE, Argus’s EYES OPEN. Odysseus CROUCHES to rub the dog’s threadbare grey fur...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
(quiet)
Argus...
Argus’s TAIL GIVES A WEAK WAG...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Argus...
Now argus is DEAD. Odysseus NODS at his old friend, ONE LAST PAT, then STRAIGHTENS... to find Telemachus, RIGHT THERE –-
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
You should bury him up on the cliffs.
TELEMACHUS
Where you met.
Odysseus just looks at his son, TEARS IN HIS EYES.
TELEMACHUS (CONT’D)
(quiet)
You’re Odysseus. You’re my father.
ODYSSEUS
I’m a beggar, and you... you’re the worthy, beautiful son of Odysseus, of whom, when you do finally meet, he will be so proud...
Telemachus looks into his FATHER’S EYES...
TELEMACHUS
(louder)
Welcome, stranger.
Telemachus turns inside, CALLING OVER HIS SHOULDER –-
171. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – CONTINUOUS
TELEMACHUS
Accept the hospitality of Zeus.
Antinous looks up to see Telemachus INDICATE A PLACE ON THE THRESHOLD for Odysseus to sit amongst OTHER BEGGARS, then HAIL A SERVANT –-
TELEMACHUS (CONT’D)
Get the stranger some food.
ODYSSEUS
No, sir. Just let me make the rounds with my bowl.
Telemachus SHRUGS. Heads to his table –-
Antinous steps in his path, SPEAKING QUIETLY.
ANTINOUS
You don’t have enough guests, so you have to invite some filthy old plate licker to dinner?
Telemachus looks at Antinous. Shakes his head.
TELEMACHUS
What’s one more beggar at this feast?
Telemachus CONFIDENTLY BRUSHES PAST ANTINOUS. Antinous, SURPRISED, watches Telemachus move to his table with Eumaeus. Antinous moves to Polybus, as THE BARD IS REPLACED BY DANCERS...
Odysseus, sitting on the threshold, LOOKS UP to where he can see Penelope’s silhouette behind the screen.
He stares at the FLICKER from the OIL LAMPS that reveal her...
Antinous, sitting by Polybus, leans in, SPEAKING WITHOUT LOOKING.
ANTINOUS
We have to kill him before he regains his position and goes to the Elders.
Odysseus RISES to make the rounds with his begging bowl...
POLYBUS
How?
Telemachus WATCHES the Suitors react to Odysseus. Most give him BREAD, some MEAT, SOME IGNORE HIM.
ANTINOUS
We provoke him to grab one of those weapons –-
He INDICATES the WEAPONS ON THE WALLS. Polybus looks at Telemachus presiding over the feast...
POLYBUS
He’s not the same young pup we used to bait...
Antinous looks at Polybus. Hard.
ANTINOUS
Then we come back tonight and cut his throat.
Odysseus SHAKES his BEGGING BOWL at Polybus.
POLYBUS
Fuck off, old man.
ODYSSEUS
Please. It’s days since I’ve eaten.
POLYBUS
I told you –-
ODYSSEUS
You can’t be generous with food that’s not even yours?
Several of the Suitors LAUGH at this.
POLYBUS
There’s no room in your bowl.
ODYSSEUS
Yes, there is.
Polybus takes the rim of the bowl, FLIPS IT OVER, SPILLING THE FOOD ONTO THE FLOOR. FLIPPING IT BACK, he looks into the EMPTY BOWL.
POLYBUS
So there is.
He PULLS some of the BREAD he’s chewing out of his mouth and PUTS IT INTO THE BOWL.
POLYBUS (CONT’D)
There you go.
As the other suitors LAUGH, Odysseus PATIENTLY CROUCHES DOWNto put each piece of the spilled food BACK INTO HIS BOWL.
Antinous looks at Telemachus, sees his BARELY SUPPRESSED RAGE...
Just as Odysseus’s fingertips touch the last piece of bread, Antinous STEPS ON IT. Odysseus stops. SIGHS.
ANTINOUS
Sorry, go ahead.
He LIFTS HIS FOOT off the crushed, filthy bread.
ANTINOUS (CONT’D)
I suppose you want something from me now?
Odysseus gets to his feet, HUNCHED OVER. HUMBLE.
ODYSSEUS
No. I have something for you.
Antinous LAUGHS –-
ANTINOUS
You have something for me?
The other Suitors LAUGH at this...
ANTINOUS (CONT’D)
What could a filthy old plate licker like you possibly have that I could want?
Odysseus FUMBLES in his rags.
ODYSSEUS
Actually, it’s yours –-
He drops SOMETHING into Antinous’s bowl. IT IS THE LOT.
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
I was asked to return it.
Antinous stares at it. THE NOTCHES ON ITS SIDE...
ANTINOUS
That’s not mine.
ODYSSEUS
No?
Antinous PICKS UP THE LOT, STARING AT IT.
ANTINOUS
Where did you get this?
ODYSSEUS WALKS AWAY.
ANTINOUS (CONT’D)
Don’t turn your back on me!
Odysseus keeps WALKING – Antinous PICKS UP A STOOL – HURLS IT at Odysseus, HITTING HIM HARD ON THE SHOULDER. Odysseus STUMBLES, but doesn’t go down. EVERYTHING STOPS, GOES QUIET...
Odysseus stands there, DOING NOTHING.
AMPHIMEDON
Antinous, you can’t treat a beggar like that.
ELATUS
Zeus’s law...
Antinous turns to the ASSEMBLED –-
ANTINOUS
Zeus’s law?! You think this is a God in disguise?!
He turns to Odysseus WHO IS STILL FROZEN –-
ANTINOUS (CONT’D)
Are you?! Are you a God in disguise, plate licker?!
ODYSSEUS
No. I’m a veteran of the Trojan War.
ANTINOUS
What’s your name?
ODYSSEUS
Sinon.
Antinous FLINCHES, GLANCING INTO HIS BOWL AT THE LOT...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Does that name mean something to you?
ANTINOUS
No.
ODYSSEUS
I use it to honour the bravest young man I ever met.
POLYBUS
Wasn’t that your shepherd’s son?
ANTINOUS
I don’t remember –-
POLYBUS
He wanted you to take his place.
Antinous PICKS UP THE LOT, moves to Odysseus, GRABBING HIM BY THE SHOULDER, SPINNING HIM AROUND –-
ANTINOUS
Where did you get this?!
Odysseus, HEAD DOWN, LEANS IN, SPEAKING SOFTLY...
ODYSSEUS
Where you’ll soon be.
ANTINOUS
Where’s that?
ODYSSEUS
Hades.
Antinous KICKS ODYSSEUS TO THE GROUND –-
TELEMACHUS (O.S.)
ENOUGH!
Antinous and the other Suitors TURN TO TELEMACHUS, SHOCKED.
TELEMACHUS (CONT’D)
The feast is done.
All are SURPRISED by the AUTHORITY OF HIS TONE.
The Suitors start to RISE AND FILE OUT...
The SILHOUETTE of Penelope talks to Melantho, who EMERGES from the screen, HEADING TOWARDS Odysseus, WHO SITS TO ONE SIDE, CURLED UP, avoiding the DEPARTING SUITORS...
Antinous is standing, ENRAGED, STARING AT THE LOT IN HIS HAND. Polybus PULLS on his arm.
POLYBUS
Let’s go. Antinous. Come on.
Antinous follows Polybus out, TOSSING THE LOT at Odysseus...
ANTINOUS
This is not mine.
Melantho BENDS DOWN to Odysseus.
MELANTHO
The Queen would like to speak with you.
Odysseus looks at Penelope’s silhouette.
MELANTHO (CONT’D)
Stay here until everyone’s left and the fires are lit.
Odysseus nods, looking down at his old, filthy hands. Then back to the silhouette...
172. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – LATER
The megaron is QUIET and EMPTY. The feast has been cleared.
Eumaeus tends the fires. Odysseus SITS IN THE SHADOWS, WAITING...
Melantho WAVES HIM OVER. Telemachus WATCHES HIS FATHER shuffle across the great hall to climb the steps to Penelope’s silhouette...
Odysseus SITS on the steps by the screen. Penelope is right there, on the other side.
PENELOPE
Hello, traveller.
ODYSSEUS
My Queen.
PENELOPE
Melantho, have Eurycleia wash this stranger’s feet.
ODYSSEUS
That’s not necessary -–
PENELOPE
My husband insisted we honour guests as family. You know of Odysseus, my husband?
ODYSSEUS
Of course.
PENELOPE
From the songs?
ODYSSEUS
I was at Troy, ma’am.
PENELOPE
Then the songs probably seem silly.
ODYSSEUS
They make me cry.
On the other side of the screen, Penelope LEANS CLOSER.
PENELOPE
Why?
ODYSSEUS
For what was lost.
PENELOPE
The lives?
ODYSSEUS
And the years. Everything.
Penelope nods at this. Her voice is BARELY A WHISPER...
PENELOPE
Did you know Odysseus at Troy?
ODYSSEUS
I did.
Eurycleia arrives with a BOWL -– SHE IS THE OLD NURSEMAID... Odysseus watches her place the bowl at his feet...
Penelope leans towards the screen, BREATHLESSLY HOPEFUL...
PENELOPE
Was there some detail of how he dressed... something he wore?
ODYSSEUS
He wore a strange brooch.
PENELOPE
Strange?
Odysseus SMILES TO HIMSELF...
ODYSSEUS
Beautiful. But out of place...
PENELOPE
Describe it.
The Old Nursemaid moves to wash Odysseus’s feet –- FREEZES, SEEING THE SCAR ON HIS ANKLE GIVEN TO HIM BY THE WILD BOAR –- SHE GASPS –- LOOKS UP –-
OLD NURSEMAID
Sir?!
Odysseus KICKS THE BOWL, TIPPING THE WATER OUT.
ODYSSEUS
Sorry.
ACROSS THE HALL: the CLATTERING BOWL attracts the ATTENTION of Antinous and Polybus, who have returned. They STEP BACK INTO THE SHADOWS as Telemachus, at the fire, LOOKS UP to see his parents, so close but so far apart...
Odysseus HAS HIS HAND ON THE OLD NURSEMAID’S CHIN, LOOKING AT HER –- SHE LOOKS BACK, AMAZED –- Odysseus SLIGHTLY SHAKES HIS HEAD, WARNING HER... she NODS, collects the bowl, SMILING TO HERSELF, EXCITED –-
OLD NURSEMAID
I’ll get more water.
Odysseus turns back to the screen. He can hear Penelope BREATHING on the other side...
ODYSSEUS
It was a beautiful gold pin. A figure of Athena, encircled by vines.
Penelope CLOSES HER EYES.
PENELOPE
Did he wear it often?
ODYSSEUS
He never took it off.
She starts to WEEP... DEEP IN THE SHADOWS, ANTINOUS PULLS HIS DAGGER, CHECKING THE BLADE. He lies it across his lap, settling in, WATCHING Telemachus stare at his parents...
Odysseus LEANS SLIGHTLY towards the screen.
PENELOPE
How did you make it home, when Odysseus could not?
ODYSSEUS
I’m not home. Not yet.
PENELOPE
Why not?
ODYSSEUS
It’s not always an easy thing, a homecoming. That’s as true for Odysseus as for me.
PENELOPE
The Odysseus I knew would’ve found or fought his way back to me no matter what.
ODYSSEUS
What if the Odysseus you knew lost his way?
Odysseus LOOKS TO ONE SIDE. ATHENA IS THERE, sitting next to him... SHE GENTLY SHAKES HER HEAD AT HIM...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
What if, one night in a strange city, he saw things that made him think the home he knew couldn’t possibly be there any more?
Odysseus closes his eyes...
173. EXT. TROY – NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
The GREAT WOODEN HORSE STANDS IN THE MOONLIGHT before the Temple of Athena... Odysseus CLIMBS DOWN from the belly...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
What if when he left the belly of the Horse...
174. EXT. GATES OF TROY – NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Odysseus SIGNALS the TORCHES to drop. The gates to be OPENED...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
... And opened the gates of Troy...
The vast gates OPEN. AGAMEMNON STANDS THERE in the moonlight.
RIVERS OF GREEK WARRIORS STREAM PAST HIM ON EITHER SIDE...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
He saw ten years of rage pour into that city in one night...
THOUSANDS OF GREEK WARRIORS RACE THROUGH the STREETS, SETTING FIRES, PULLING PEOPLE FROM HOUSES and MURDERING THEM IN THE STREETS... the TROJAN WARRIORS race into the streets, STILL PUTTING ON THEIR ARMOUR, they are CUT DOWN BY THE MURDEROUS GREEKS FLYING THROUGH THE NARROW STREETS... Odysseus CLASHES BRONZE WITH TROJANS AS HE RACES BACK UP TOWARDS THE TEMPLE... he RACES INTO THE SQUARE, stops, TURNING AROUND IN PLACE TO WITNESS CARNAGE ALL AROUND...
A TROJAN IS UPON Odysseus, HACKING AT HIM, FURIOUSLY...
Eurylochus STABS THE TROJAN, saving Odysseus... Eurylochus offers his hand, pulling Odysseus to his feet –- THEY RUN UNDER THE HORSE TOWARDS THE TEMPLE...
175. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – NIGHT (BACK TO PRESENT)
Odysseus still has his eyes closed...
ODYSSEUS
We left them a gift. An offering of peace that they took into their home.
Odysseus OPENS HIS EYES to look at Athena, WHO IS CRYING. On the other side of the screen, Penelope LISTENS, APPALLED...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
We violated all that’s ever sacred between people...
Odysseus reaches out and INTERLACES FINGERS WITH ATHENA...
176. INT. TEMPLE OF ATHENA, TROY – NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Odysseus RUNS INTO THE TEMPLE...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
And turned a fight into a hunt.
Polites moves towards the STATUE OF ATHENA, SWORD DRAWN...
A GREEK SOLDIER THROWS A CRYING TROJAN WOMAN DOWN IN FRONT OF HIM...
SHE MAKES EYE CONTACT WITH ODYSSEUS –- SHAKING HER HEAD, GREY EYES PLEADING FOR MERCY...
IT IS THE PERSON WE HAVE SEEN AS ATHENA –-
Odysseus sees the Greek Soldier SWING HIS SWORD TOWARDS HER NECK and WE MATCH-CUT TO:
POLITES DECAPITATES THE STATUE OF ATHENA, SPARKING, STONE HEAD TUMBLING ONTO THE FILTHY MARBLE FLOOR OF THE TEMPLE...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
To burn the walls of Troy was to burn the world entire...
Odysseus stands there, FROZEN, WATCHING THE STONE HEAD ROCK FROM SIDE TO SIDE AS IT COMES TO REST...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
Including his home.
177. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – NIGHT (BACK TO PRESENT)
Odysseus’s hand is EMPTY. ‘ATHENA’ IS GONE.
ODYSSEUS
What if he knew, that very night... ?
178. EXT. TROY – NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Odysseus walks through the BURNING CITY, its VAST TOWERS COLLAPSING ALL AROUND HIM... BURNING, TUMBLING CHUNKS OF ARCHITECTURE landing in FIERY CLOUDS, CRUSHING, DESTROYING... STATUES PULLED DOWN WITH ROPES ... ARMAGEDDON...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
As he walked through fires of anarchy and pain...
179. EXT. RUINS OF TROY – DAY (FLASHBACK)
Odysseus watches THOUSANDS OF GREEK WARRIORS CELEBRATING in the ashes of Troy. DRUNK. APPALLING.
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
And in the days of sweaty celebrations to follow...
SOMEONE knocks Odysseus on the SHOULDER, but he DOES NOT REACT, STARING...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
What if he knew exactly what he’d done?
180. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – NIGHT (BACK TO PRESENT)
Penelope RESTS HER HEAD GENTLY against the screen.
PENELOPE
What all of you had done.
Odysseus BREATHES...
ODYSSEUS
One man’s idea. One man’s trick to break Zeus’s law forever.
He looks up at the stones and beams of the megaron, LOOMING IN THE FIRELIGHT...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
We lived in a world of palaces and trade and language... blind to its beauty until we broke it.
Penelope REALIZES something...
PENELOPE
You are the people from the sea...
ODYSSEUS
The breaking of Zeus’s law is spreading like cancer. Our age of bronze is collapsing. And maybe he couldn’t bear to see the ruins of what he’d done, anywhere. Least of all his home.
Odysseus RUBS HIS FACE. Turns to the screen, GLIMPSING PENELOPE IN THE LAMPLIGHT...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
But Odysseus is alive. And he’ll be here when you need him most.
Penelope lifts her head, WIPES A TEAR...
PENELOPE
Well, I’ve been living in his ruins long enough. Tomorrow I choose a husband.
Penelope rises. SLIDES OPEN THE SCREEN to address the megaron.
Odysseus TURNS AWAY, her beauty too bright... Telemachus and the servants LOOK UP at Penelope, EXPECTANT...
PENELOPE (CONT’D)
Bring the suitors at dawn.
Telemachus nods. Antinous and Polybus look at each other, NODDING.
Antinous PUTS HIS DAGGER AWAY.
PENELOPE (CONT’D)
Remove the arms from the hall.
Penelope GESTURES to the ARMS MOUNTED ALL OVER THE WALLS...
PENELOPE (CONT’D)
In a few hours, one suitor will be happy and the rest angry, vengeful men. Bronze draws a man on, we’ll have no weapons during the challenge and the doors will be locked. I’ll marry whoever completes my trial.
Penelope DISAPPEARS through the screen, SHUTTING IT BEHIND HER and continuing up to her bedchamber.
Telemachus watches Antinous and Polybus leave, then comes to Odysseus.
TELEMACHUS
How will we take on the Suitors?
ODYSSEUS
Not we. Their blood has to be on my hands. Or you’d face exile.
TELEMACHUS
Won’t you?
ODYSSEUS
Just make sure they can’t get those weapons.
Telemachus nods, HAILS Eumaeus.
TELEMACHUS
Gather servants you trust. Lock the arms in the upper storage room.
Eumaeus moves across the hall. WATCHED FROM THE SHADOWS by Melanthius...
TELEMACHUS (CONT’D)
Even unarmed, there’s so many of them. And you won’t have a weapon.
ODYSSEUS
Oh, I’ll have a weapon. Your mother’s seen to that.
Telemachus looks at Odysseus, CONFUSED...
Servants PULL BRONZE WEAPONS FROM THE WALLS...
181. EXT. PALACE AT ITHACA – DAWN
A STORM lashes the PALACE as Suitors HURRY towards it... THUNDER RUMBLES...
As the last Suitors enter, SERVANTS SHUT THE GREAT DOORS,
SLIDING A VAST BOLT ACROSS THE OUTSIDE.
182. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – CONTINUOUS
DOZENS OF SUITORS crowd the megaron, watching as SERVANTS LEVER FLAGSTONES UP AND DRIVE AXES INTO THE DIRT BENEATH, forming a line of SIX PAIRS OF AXES TIED TOGETHER LEADING TO AN UPTURNED TABLE.
A LOW RUMBLE OF THUNDER... PEISANDER, a Suitor, LEANS IN TO AGELUS, another Suitor...
PEISANDER
Zeus seems interested in the outcome.
Agelus looks at the AXE HEADS IN A LINE ON THE LONG TABLE... the servants put an UPENDED TABLE AT ONE END AND A STOOL AT THE OTHER...
AGELUS
But what’s the trial?
Odysseus SITS IN A CORNER. Telemachus MOVES AMONGST THE SUITORS, gauging their nervous energy. Antinous LOOKS AT THE AXE HEADS, WONDERING...
The heavy door behind the screen opens with a CLANG, and Melantho throws open the screen... the hubbub of the Suitors QUIETS as Penelope enters, IN CEREMONIAL DRESS. POISED, beautiful as she DESCENDS THE STEPS CARRYING ODYSSEUS’S HUNTING BOW...
PENELOPE
For years, while my husband’s been gone, you’ve commandeered this palace for your feasting. Your excuse was that you wanted to win my hand in marriage. As I’ve listened to you party and fight, corrupt my servants and disrespect my home, I’ve wanted nothing more than for Odysseus to return and see all this for himself.
She STOPS at the bottom step.
PENELOPE (CONT’D)
But last night I realized that if he’s not here now... he never will be. So I stand ready to marry anyone here who can string this hunting bow and shoot an arrow through those twelve axes. Step up and show me who you are...
She hands the great bow to Eumaeus. Who lovingly feels the weight of the bow...
EUMAEUS
Who’s first?!
SILENCE. Penelope smirks. LEODES, a Suitor, STEPS FORWARD.
LEODES
Give me the bow.
Leodes takes the bow, UNWINDS its STRING, places one end of the bow on the stone floor and TRIES TO BEND THE BOW... HE STRAINS and STRAINS.
PEISANDER
Alright, you’ve had your chance.
Leodes, BREATHLESS, gives the bow to Peisander, who TRIES TO STRING IT... and FAILS. He hands it back to Eumaeus, FRUSTRATED –-
PEISANDER (CONT’D)
It can’t be done.
ANTINOUS
By you. As a boy I watched Odysseus do it with ease.
PEISANDER
Then you do it.
ANTINOUS
I’ll wait my turn.
Polybus HAILS Melanthius –-
POLYBUS
Light a fire, we’ll warm the bow and oil it. This bow hasn’t been strung in years.
183. INT. SAME – LATER
Polybus spins the bow in front of the fire, rubbing it with TALLOW.
Placing it against the floor, he puts HIS WEIGHT ON THE END, USING ALL HIS STRENGTH TO BEND IT... But CAN’T.
The Suitors step up in turn, TRYING and FAILING. Telemachus watches them, ENJOYING EACH FAILURE... HE TAKES THE BOW, WALKS OVER TO ANTINOUS, THRUSTING IT AT HIM...
TELEMACHUS
Your turn.
Antinous DOES NOT take the bow.
ANTINOUS
No need. My Queen’s made her point.
He turns to Penelope, SINCERE...
ANTINOUS (CONT’D)
We can’t replace Odysseus. Some of us have always known that. Some of us would’ve followed that great man to Troy, if he’d let us. But he never came back, so choose the best of us here. Who’ve all failed your test.
ODYSSEUS (O.S.)
I haven’t.
The Suitors turn to notice Odysseus sitting to the side, HEAD DOWN.
ANTINOUS
Get this beggar out of here.
EUMAEUS
The doors are locked until the trial’s over.
ANTINOUS
The trial’s over.
ODYSSEUS
I want to try.
The Suitors LAUGH...
LEODES
Give it a rest, old man.
ANTINOUS
I told you to get him out of here.
EUMAEUS
He has the right to try.
Odysseus GETS UP, SHUFFLES OVER TO TELEMACHUS, who looks at Antinous.
TELEMACHUS
If you won’t, he may as well.
Antinous looks at Telemachus with utter CONTEMPT.
ANTINOUS
You’re making a mockery of your mother’s wishes.
Telemachus hands the bow to Odysseus, and LEANS IN TO ANTINOUS...
TELEMACHUS
(whispers)
My mother’s wishes are for you all to burn.
Odysseus TAKES THE BOW, sits on the stool at the end of the long table. He TURNS IT in his hands, FEELING ITS WEIGHT.
ELATUS
He’s an old archer!
LAUGHTER... Odysseus puts his EAR TO THE BOW, TAPPING THE WOOD EXPERIMENTALLY...
AGELUS
Oooh, an expert!
ELATUS
Show us how it’s done, plate licker!
More LAUGHTER. Odysseus puts one end on the floor, PULLS THE STRING TAUGHT and PUTS PRESSURE on the bow, which does NOT BEND... Telemachus FROWNS, looks over to see his mother TURN and START UP THE STAIRS...
Odysseus rubs his palm, blows on it, takes up the string, once again pushing down on the end. WITHOUT BENDING IT.
The Suitors JEER.
LEODES
Forget it.
Telemachus now looks worried. Penelope PASSES THROUGH the screen TOWARDS the heavy doors...
Eumaeus STEPS FORWARD to take the bow...
EUMAEUS
Okay, friend. That’s enough.
But Odysseus FLIPS the bow, ONCE, TWICE, STICKS THE END ON THE FLOOR -– BENDS IT, STRINGS IT –-
The jeering CEASES.
Odysseus PLUCKS the bow – a mighty ‘TWANG!’ ECHOES THROUGH THE HALL...
Penelope PAUSES, head half-turned...
Eumaeus turns to the sound, AMAZED...
Antinous BOLTS, as he did as a child, RUNNING FOR THE DOOR...
Odysseus MOUNTS AN ARROW TO THE STRING –-
Odysseus AIMS the bow, horizontal, and FIRES THE ARROW THROUGH
ALL TWELVE AXE HEADS – THUMP!
VIBRATING in the upturned table...
Polybus, MARVELLING at the feat, looks at Antinous RUNNING away, CONFUSED –-
Odysseus LOADS HIS BOW...
POLYBUS
Antinous -– ?
Polybus turns to Odysseus, REALIZING –-
POLYBUS (CONT’D)
You’re Odysseus –- !
Odysseus FIRES at Polybus, HITTING HIM IN THE THROAT... Suitors scramble away...
VARIOUS
Odysseus! Odysseus! He’s back!
Eumaeus grabs Telemachus’s sleeve –-
EUMAEUS
Is it him?!
TELEMACHUS
Yes. Secure the weapons.
Penelope steps through the heavy doors, Melantho TRIES TO FOLLOW.
PENELOPE
Surely your place is down there.
THE HEAVY DOORS SLAM SHUT
BEHIND PENELOPE, leaving Melantho in the hall, TERRIFIED...
Polybus DROPS. The Suitors look at Odysseus LOADING ANOTHER ARROW –- PANICKING, DIVING FOR COVER – Odysseus PICKS OFF TWO, THREE, FOUR MORE AS THEY RUN...
Antinous, at the far end of the hall, GRABS MELANTHIUS –-
ANTINOUS
Where are the weapons?!
MELANTHIUS
The upper storeroom.
ANTINOUS
GO!
BEHIND Odysseus, Suitors GRAB THE UPTURNED TABLE AND RACE TOWARDS HIM, TABLE AS SHIELD –
TELEMACHUS
DAD!
Odysseus spins, THE TABLE SMASHES INTO HIM...
184. INT. UPPER CORRIDOR – CONTINUOUS
Melanthius races down the corridor, SPURS JANGLING. He THROWS the storage room door open and BOLTS INSIDE...
185. INT. UPPER STORAGE ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Melanthius takes in the PILES OF BRONZE, GRABS AT SPEARS –-
EUMAEUS (O.S.)
I told you – too loud, cowherd.
Melanthius spins to see Eumaeus SLAM THE DOOR ON HIM.
186. INT. UPPER CORRIDOR – CONTINUOUS
Eumaeus LOCKS THE DOOR.
187. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – CONTINUOUS
Odysseus GOES DOWN, the table on top of him, THEN PUSHES OFF THE FLOOR, FLIPPING THE TABLE OVER HIM, Suitors FLAILING – Odysseus LOADS HIS BOW, FIRES -- HITTING A SUITOR –
Telemachus sees an AXE SMASH THROUGH THE CEILING, BLOW after BLOW...
188. INT. UPPER STORAGE ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Melanthius uses a BRONZE AXE TO HACK A HOLE IN THE FLOOR -–
189. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – CONTINUOUS
Odysseus DRAWS AN ARROW from his quiver -– Leodes PUNCHES -–
RUSHES ODYSSEUS –- Odysseus HEADBUTTS HIM –- Leodes GOES DOWN,
PULLING THE QUIVER OFF ODYSSEUS’S SHOULDER – Odysseus STABS
HIM WITH THE ARROW AS ELATUS TACKLES HIM –- they tumble –-
Odysseus’s rags are RIPPED OFF him, he has LEATHER ARMOUR UNDERNEATH –-
190. INT. UPPER STORAGE ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Melanthius DROPS THE AXE THROUGH THE HOLE HE’S MADE...
191. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – CONTINUOUS
Telemachus sees the bronze axe drop. A Suitor GRABS THE AXE, feels its heft.
A SPEAR DROPS next... Telemachus turns and RUNS towards the UPPER CORRIDOR...
Odysseus LIFTS Elatus, pushes him towards the long table –- BURIES HIS FACE ON THE BACK OF ONE OF THE TWELVE AXES –- turns –- a Suitor BEARS DOWN WITH A BRONZE AXE -– Odysseus ROLLS AWAY as the AXE SMASHES INTO THE TABLE –- Odysseus GRABS THE HANDLE as the bronze axe lodges in the long table, BUT THE SUITOR YANKS IT UP AGAIN -– Odysseus ROLLS AS THE AXE SWINGS -– STRIKING THE NEAREST AXE HEAD, sparking, DISLODGING IT FROM THE DIRT –- At the back of the crowd Antinous AGITATES –-
ANTINOUS
What’re you waiting for?! He’s going to kill us all!
Odysseus grabs the PAIR OF AXES TIED TOGETHER, as the Suitor RAISES HIS BRONZE AXE, Odysseus SWINGS TIED AXES INTO THE SUITOR’S FACE –-
192. INT. UPPER CORRIDOR – CONTINUOUS
Telemachus RACES down the corridor –- UNLOCKS THE DOOR –-
193. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – CONTINUOUS
Odysseus SWINGS WILDLY with the tied axes at the nearest Suitors, clearing a space AROUND HIS FALLEN BOW... a SPEAR FLIES PAST his nose, STICKING into the COLUMN BEHIND HIM –- he ducks, SPINS AROUND the column as MORE SPEARS COME –-
194. INT. UPPER STORAGE ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Telemachus CHARGES at Melanthius, who is DROPPING SWORDS THROUGH THE HOLE –- Melanthius spots him, RAISES A SWORD IN DEFENCE... Telemachus GRABS A SWORD FROM THE PILE...
195. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – CONTINUOUS
Odysseus DUCKS SPEARS AS HE SWINGS THE AXES, TAKING OUT SUITORS... a SWORD HACKS INTO HIS ARM –- he looks up –- ANTINOUS HAS A SWORD –- a SUITOR STANDS ON THE AXE HEAD -– pushes Odysseus from his axe, Odysseus STUMBLES BACK, tripping over BODIES...
196. INT. UPPER STORAGE ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Telemachus and Melanthius EXCHANGE BLOWS...
197. INT. MEGARON, PALACE OF ITHACA – CONTINUOUS
Odysseus, UNARMED, steps back over the bodies, Antinous and the LAST SIX FIGHTING SUITORS threatening with SPEARS AND SWORDS, Odysseus DESPERATELY looks for a weapon, YANKS AN ARROW FROM A DEAD SUITOR, HOLDS IT UP LIKE A DAGGER. Antinous LAUGHS...
ANTINOUS
Did you think you could kill all of us?
ODYSSEUS
Long as I kill you.
They move CLOSER and CLOSER, PRODDING HIM WITH SPEARS, DRAWING BLOOD... like the end of a bear hunt... Odysseus looks around, DESPERATE –-
TELEMACHUS (O.S.)
DAD!
Odysseus looks up -– Telemachus DROPS A BRONZE SWORD to Odysseus –- HE CATCHES IT, CHOPS SPEARS IN HALF –- charges Antinous –- WHO TRIES TO EXCHANGE BLOWS with him, but is forced back, even as BROKEN SPEARS ARE THRUST AT ODYSSEUS’S SIDE AND BACK –-
Antinous GOES DOWN -– the savage ODYSSEUS ON TOP OF HIM, BROKEN SPEARS STICKING OUT OF HIM like a bull at its end in the ring... Odysseus HAS HIS SWORD AT ANTINOUS’S THROAT –-
ODYSSEUS
(breathless rasp)
When you see Sinon in Hades... Tell him I’ll head west to honour my men...
He pulls out THE WOODEN LOT and, with bloody fingers, STUFFS IT INTO ANTINOUS’S MOUTH...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
And that I gave you back your shame.
He RUNS THE SWORD THROUGH ANTINOUS. ROLLS OFF HIM, SPEARS DISLODGING. Stands, PULLING the remaining rags from his back, BLOODY IN HIS LEATHER ARMOUR. He surveys the carnage in the hall... the remaining Suitors ARE ON THEIR KNEES...
The THUNDER of Zeus rolls around the MEGARON...
Odysseus DROPS his bronze sword with a CLATTER... STUMBLES BREATHLESSLY through the hall, STEPPING OVER DEAD SUITORS...
Telemachus comes into the hall. Sees his father walk. STARTS BANGING HIS SWORD AGAINST THE GROUND IN TIME WITH ODYSSEUS’S STEPS...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
We broke the fragile bonds between men...
BANG! BANG! BANG! The surviving suitors and servants SMACK THE GROUND, taking up the RHYTHM of Odysseus’s painful walk...
BANG!
INSERT CUT: GREEK SOLDIERS BEATING TIME WITH THEIR SPEARS AGAINST WOOD AS THEY LINE THE DOCK AT ITHACA...
As Odysseus walks HE LOOKS AT HIS SON... NODS... FORCES HIMSELF up the stairs, his BLOODY HANDS FUMBLE in his belt...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
And for centuries of darkness to follow, the stories of Troy will only be sung...
BANG!
INSERT CUT: TELEMACHUS, DRESSED AS A KING, LEADS PENELOPE DOWN THE DOCK AS THE SOLDIERS BEAT TIME...
The HEAVY DOORS OPEN... Penelope is there... Odysseus STUMBLES towards her...
Eumaeus beats his stick against the floor...
B A N G ! INSERT CUT: TELEMACHUS, AS KING, LEADS PENELOPE TO A SHIP, APPROACHING A FIGURE FROM BEHIND WHO IS CHECKING THE RIGGING. SHE TURNS TO TELEMACHUS, TEARS STREAMING, EMBRACES HER SON...
BANG!
Odysseus steps towards Penelope, RAISING A BLOODY HAND HOLDING A GOLDEN PIN...
The banging STOPS. Silence.
Penelope TAKES the PIN and looks down to see the GOLD ATHENA ENCIRCLED BY VINES... she looks up at Odysseus, MELTING...
He COLLAPSES, slumped at the TOP OF THE STEPS...
Penelope TAKES HIM IN HER ARMS, WIPING BLOOD from his eyes...
PENELOPE
Odysseus. My love, you came back.
ODYSSEUS
At last. At the end... to see my beloved Ithaca one last time...
Penelope runs her hands across him, DESPERATE...
PENELOPE
No, no, no... you can’t, not now, I’ve waited so long...
She holds his face, looks into his face, TEARS streaming...
PENELOPE (CONT’D)
You can’t die...
ODYSSEUS
Not death. Exile...
And he SMILES at her...
BANG! INSERT CUT: AS PENELOPE BOARDS THE SHIP, THE FIGURE TURNS FROM THE RIGGING -– IT IS ODYSSEUS, BANDAGED, BEARD
TRIMMED. TELEMACHUS IS ON THE DOCK, WAVING...
Penelope looks down at BLOODY Odysseus...
ODYSSEUS (CONT’D)
Telemachus will be king. And we’ll head into the unknown west to honour my men. Together...
BANG! INSERT CUT: PUSHING LOW THROUGH WAVES AT SUNSET...
She SMILES at him...
PENELOPE
Take your fastest ship and brightest crew and head for the horizon... ?
Odysseus NODS.
ODYSSEUS
Chasing the escaping sun...
198. EXT. SHIP – EVENING
As the ship rows west, Penelope and Odysseus STAND AT THE FRONT, looking to the warming horizon...
PENELOPE
Why will the stories only be sung?
ODYSSEUS
Because songs will be all they have to remember those of us who could write.
Penelope looks at Odysseus... TAKES HIS HANDS IN HERS...
PENELOPE
Civilization will rise again...
Odysseus thinks... nods...
199. EXT. TROY – NIGHT
Odysseus STUMBLES IN THE FLAMING RUINS OF TROY, BREATHING HARD, on one knee, sweaty in the firelight, he looks up, APPALLED.
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
A new dawn will break over the darkened world...
The Vast Wooden Horse, AFLAME, LISTING SICKLY, FALLS SIDEWAYS, SMOKE and FLAME TRAILING...
ODYSSEUS (V.O.)
And our mistakes will once again be forgotten. The Horse jams against the Temple of Athena. BURNING. BURNING. And we –
FADE OUT.
CREDITS.
END.
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