Below, please find an excerpt from HOUSE OF THEBES, the teleplay to a new television pilot and series, created by Justin John Costello.
© 2012 JJMC
EXT. SHRINE OF SEMELE-DAY
Outside the Main Gates to Acropolis Square, a group of THEBANS pray before the Shrine of Semele. Created out of carved white marble, the shrine depicts a beautiful young woman, clutching tightly to a thunder bolt in her left hand. Flowers and candles adorn an altar at the base of the shrine while some Thebans kneel before it, and others sit in the small pews directly in front of it. Many others stand around, silently in prayer and supplication.
Towards the back of the crowd stands a STRANGER. Dressed not in mourning garb, but in a red leather uniform, complete with a black leather tie, the Stranger is athletic, his dark hair falling against a pale, strong jawed face highlighting dark, black, eyes. In his uniform, the Stranger looks Military, a commander on the battlefields, perhaps?
The mourners pay the Stranger no mind, concentrating on their prayers and own situations that need blessing and guidance. The air is peaceful and heartwarming.
The Stranger smiles slightly, then wipes a single tear from his cheek with his black leather gloved hand.
FLASH TO.
EXT. MAIN GATES TO ACROPOLIS SQUARE-DAY
The Stranger, wearing a pair of black leather pants, and chain harness, stands very still, as THEBAN POLICE OFFICERS remove Caution tape from around a smoldering crime scene, hidden from view, with the exception of a line of smoke rising from the mound on the ground.
Other THEBANS, dressed in black-toned, traditional Greek tunics over mid-century pants, panic and try to push their way onto the crime scene as a group of officers fight them back.
The Stranger walks up to a young THEBAN WOMAN.
STRANGER
What's happened here?
WOMAN (in a whisper)
This is where the lightning bolt struck Semele.
STRANGER
What are they doing?
WOMAN
The King officially branded her a blasphemer. He's ordered his men to
erase every trace of her from the City.
A loud horn is blown, startling the Thebans. Shrieking, the Thebans get out of the way as a backhoe slowly moves between them, towards the crime scene. The Police forcefully clear the rest of the Thebans out of the way. For the first time, the crime scene is completely visible.
The prostrate body of Semele is that of ash, yet remains perfectly intact. Smoke rises up from burning embers throughout the body.
The Stranger clenches his fists at his side, fire burning in his eyes, as the backhoe lowers its digging bucket on the body of ash, and it crumbles.
Several Thebans fall to their knees in wild tears, while others just shake their heads.
The Stranger surveys the scene, and notices a finely dressed Woman standing on the other side of the closed gates. He points in her direction.
STRANGER
Who is that?
The woman glances towards the gates.
WOMAN
That's Agave. Her sister.
The Stranger says no more, but walks towards the gates, and AGAVE. He gives a slight flourish of his fingers, still at his side, and the Thebans go into a uproar behind him, attacking the Police officers, and jumping onto the backhoe. The officers fight back as the brawl grows in momentum.
As he approaches the gates, Agave sees him, and turns to walk away. The Stranger yells towards her.
STRANGER
Wait!
Agave stiffens, and turns back to face the Stranger, who is suddenly standing directly on the other side of the iron bars.
AGAVE
Who are you to speak to me like that?
STRANGER
Why not tell me, instead, how you can stand safely behind
iron bars while these men mutilate your sister.
AGAVE
My two sisters are inside preparing brunch for the family.
STRANGER
Your sister Semele, whom you just witnessed your police destroy.
AGAVE
I know no Semele. The police are simply putting out a bonfire
that has lasted past its prime. The commoners are simply upset
that their party is over. If I were you, Stranger, I'd keep your
questions to yourself.
With that said, she turns and begins to walk away from the gates, back towards the Acropolis.
STRANGER
It is you who blasphemes, bitch!
Agave stops in her tracks, and turns around in a rage. Her face is red and tight. The Stranger has disappeared.
FLASH TO.
EXT. SHRINE OF SEMELE-DAY (Con't)
The Acropolis Gates creek and open, and the Thebans all stand and bow. The Stranger watches with caution as Ismene and Antigone, in mourning dress, exit the gates in a line, walking towards the Shrine.
Ismene holds a bouquet of red roses, while Antigone carries with her a white, unlit pillar candle.
The two young sisters each genuflect at the base of the shrine, and place their offerings on the small altar. They kneel at opposite sides of the altar and bow their heads.
The Stranger approaches a THEBAN MAN
STRANGER
Who are they?
MAN
The young daughters of the king. They come here at this time every year
with their mother.
STRANGER
And what of the King?
The man does not answer, as his focus is diverted away from the Stranger and towards the gates.
Iocaste, in a long, flowing black gown, complete with black lace veil, walks slowly towards the shrine and altar.
A hush has grown over the Thebans as Iocaste genuflects at the altar. With a long match, she strikes the marble, flame flickering the match to life. She lights the candle, kneels for a few moments, then stands and faces the crowd. Antigone and Ismene also rise, and face the Thebans.
Iocaste removes her veil, and smiles.
IOCASTE
My dear brothers and sisters. Today we begin this year's festival with
remembrance and offerings for our sacred sister Semele. May the gods,
especially her son, look upon Thebes with loving eyes, as we thank them
for their gifts and continued blessings.
The Stranger watches her with scrutiny, his lips twisting upwards in a mock grin.
Iocaste motions towards Antigone, who takes her mother's hand.
ANTIGONE
Gracious Semele, our holy mother, I wish you could see the city you helped
rebuild. A city filled with smiles and laughter. I think you would like it.
She looks up towards her mother.
ANTIGONE
Was that too stupid?
Iocaste smiles, while some of the Thebans let out a slight giggle.
IOCASTE
Was it spoken from the heart?
ANTIGONE
Yes. I've thought about it all week long.
IOCASTE
Well then. That's what matters.
In the crowd, the Stranger looks genuinely moved.
Iocaste motions her other hand to Ismene. The youngest daughter takes hold of the hand, and clears her throat, and looks skyward.
ISMENE
Dear Semele. I'm sorry they blew away your ashes. But daddy smokes
a lot of cigars, so I'll be sure to bring you some later.
The Thebans break out into boisterous laughter, as Iocaste kneels and kisses Ismene. Antigone is nonchalantly pushed to the sidelines. Iocaste sweeps Ismene up in her arms.
In the crowd, the Stranger takes note of everything.
IOCASTE
My friends. The time of mourning is past. Today marks the start of this
year's Dionysian Festival. Tonight we open the gates and celebrate the
only way Thebans know how!
The crowd cheers.
IOCASTE
So, go home. Enjoy the rest of the day, and return with your family and
friends at sunset for the moonlight parade, and the start of the party on
the square!
As the crowd cheers, Iocaste, still holding Ismene, walks back towards the gates, with Antigone trailing behind. The Stranger makes his way to the front of the group. Iocaste and Ismene ignores him, but Antigone stops walking when she sees him.
He smiles down at her, and she returns the smile. They share a tender, knowing moment.
Noticing her mother and sister up ahead, Antigone quickly sprints towards them as the crowd disperses. Antigone catches up to her family as they reach the gates. She glances back before entering inside.
The Stranger has disappeared.
The women enter the gates and they close shut after them.
CUT TO.
