I lo-o-o-o-o-ve my money.
Who are you? Whaddya want?
I’m Fortune - goddess of luck.
You’re luck’s been pretty good, Lexus, up till now.
It’s not luck!
I’m a hard worker! I-I hustle!
‘Up till now’?
Well - you’ve made no offerings to the gods
to say, ‘Thanks for the good life.’
You haven’t used your good fortune to help others -
and you’re supposed to do that.
I know! I know! I’m-I’m a busy man!
I’ll - fix it - first thing.
Goodbye.
Not so fast.
First - we’ll see if your good luck continues.
I’ll toss my coin.
Heads, you win.
Tails, you - ya don’t.
I could lose - my money?!
Yeah, but, uh - it’s only money.
‘Only money’?!
It’s my money!
OK, OK! Don’t get hostile!
And your fortune will be - oh, oh - sorry.
Now, now - don’t get upset.
It was a fair toss - by the rules - and don’t you yell.
Nobody likes a sore loser.
Open up, Lexus!
I’ve come about your taxes!
Taxes?
You promised!
I don’t owe any taxes!
What about the money you owe me?!
I don’t owe you any-any money at all!
I-I paid that.
Hercules - the people of Taphos are so grateful!
We - we no longer have to live with the fear of bandits!
Well, thanks, but I-I didn’t do it alone.
No. Elias - it must be wonderful to -
travel along with a great hero like Hercules.
Oh, yeah, it’s great. I love it.
Just me and the big guy, sharing that old, open road.
If-if-if ever there’s anything, any of us can do for you,
you-you-you only have to ask.
Thank you.
Bye.
Excuse me.
No, really - Excuse me.
You know? Hercules - I -
I’ve noticed that your thanks are getting a lot bigger, whereas mine are kinda -
Iolaus - they know you’re a hero, and they appreciate you.
You’re the man.
Everything - gone - in a hearbeat.
You couldn’t help it, Lexus.
Living with relatives - how’s that gonna look?
But it’s only until you get on your feet, dear.
You’re a smart man. Now you’ll think of something.
Big-shot brother.
Boy, is he gonna stick it to me.
What is this?
We’re supposed to try and cross on this - hazard?!
Now, look - we’ll be fine, dear. Uh, be careful.
I don’t know. Just an ‘Atta boy, Iolaus - that was great.’
Or, ‘Hey! Good to see ya, Iolaus! Thanks for your help!’
Or maybe, ‘Iolaus - who’s that big guy that always travels with ya?’
You’ll be all right. Stay there.
He-e-e-e-e-elp!
I’ve got him.
Don’t worry! I’m coming!
Help me!
Here - give me your hand.
I can’t.
Come on.
I can’t - hol-hold on!
Yes, you can.
Don’t move! Don’t look down!
It’s all right.
I’ve got you.
Hold on.
Let go of the rope.
I can’t!
Trust me.
Give me your hand.
Oh, no! Don’t look down!
No, no, no, no!
I can’t get a grip on you if you keep doing that!
Come on!
No!
Don’t let me fall!
Give me your hand. Come on.
Stay still!
What?! What are you lookin’ at?!
Yes - that’s him.
He’s the one who dropped her.
Yes. It was me.
I dropped her. She died. And it was my fault!
Iolaus. What?!
It wasn’t your fault.
The woman panicked. There was nothing you could do.
I could have not - dropped her. You wouldn’t have.
Hercules - I always thought it would be -
me that got hurt taking too many chances,
trying to be as much of a hero as you.
And now, somebody else pays the price.
You were trying to help her. You did all you could.
I can’t let what happened happen again.
What are you getting at?
It’s over. I quit.
Quit?
What do you mean, quit?
Let her go!
You can do this job by yourself!
You’re - Hercules, and I’m - not.
What - difference does that make?!
Think of all the good we’ve done together.
We’re partners.
And you’re my best friend.
That’s not gonna change. We can still be friends.
But if you think you need a partner - you better find someone else.
You’re not - listening to me!
You’ve always been there for me! Don’t take that away!
Maybe you just need a little time to - you know - sort out your thoughts.
Here you go.
Thank you, Hercules.
We are so lucky to have a hero like you.
I guess my luck ran out.
Iolaus!
You don’t look so good.
Yeah - thought a little food might pick me up.
How’s the stew?
Stew’s good.
What?
I hear you split with Hercules.
Boy, news travels fast.
It gets around.
Stew’s two dinars.
Wait a second.
Before, at the celebration, aren’t you the one that said,
‘Hey - you guys - come and eat at my place, any time ya like - my complements!
Yeah - ‘You guys’ - you and Hercules.
But you ain’t with Hercules, anymore.
Stew’s two dinars.
I haven’t got two dinars.
Then you ain’t got no stew.
You know? If I had two dinars - I wouldn’t spend it here.
Come on. You’ve gotta have some job I can do!
Afraid not.
I’ll clean. I’ll sweep. I’ll - straighten out your loading dock.
I don’t have a loading dock.
Then I will build you one.
You, uh - you broke with Hercules, huh?
Does everybody know about that?
Pretty much.
Look - retailing is tough. Ya gotta be on the ball.
Ya gotta have a clean record.
Have you ever been in trouble with the law?
Ah, you know - just the ususal - kid stuff
- when I - was a kid.
Kid stuff? What? What kind of kid stuff?
Well, I - stole some stuff.
I’m sorry? I didn’t hear what you said.
I said, I stole some stuff!
But, hey - that’s great!
I mean - who better to protect you from thieves than a former thief?!
I know all their tricks! This is so simple, it’s beautiful!
I - don’t think so.
I have to do something!
I need dinars to - to eat!
I’ll do anything.
Why don’t you - try another town?
There are no jobs here in Taphos!
Thanks for the advice!
I’ll - chew on it.
Have a nice day.
Iolaus. Hi -
how you doin’?
Great - for a guy with no prospects.
It seems like running those bandits out of this place doesn’t qualify as prior job experience.
Iolaus, you don’t need a job.
Yeah, well not in this town - that’s for sure.
I’ve decided to move on.
Get a - change of scenery.
King Trancas is expecting us tomorrow.
On the way, we’ll talk about this.
There’s nothing to talk about.
Yes, there is. Hercules, I meant what I said.
I-I feel like I need a - fresh start, or a - new life.
You’re the one that said I should take some time to sort things out.
Well, maybe that’s true.
I just know that for now, I - need a little space.
OK - if that’s what you want.
I’ll go on to see Trancas alone and - when I get back, we’ll talk.
I don’t know where I’m gonna be.
That’s all right. I’ll find you.
Fortune.
Oh - I’m not ready for this.
Ah-h-h-h-h - I feel terrible.
What should I say? ‘I’m sorry’? For starters.
Aw, that doesn’t seem like enough.
I-I don’t know. I-I-I’m at a loss for words.
Now, that would be a first.
No, you see? It’s my fault - that woman dying -
I-I-Iolaus blaming himself -
breaking up your partnership.
W-w-wait-wait - you’re - you’re responsible for what happened?
Well, ye-e-e-s, no-o-o-o.
I don’t know! What do you think? Did I screw up?
Maybe I don’t wanna know. Do I?
I have no idea what you’re talking about.
Look - why don’t you start at the beginning and, uh - make it short.
Well - what’s to tell? Lexus, he lost the toss.
Aw, he was pretty sore, uh-h-h - like I was pickin’ on him, like he didn’t deserve it.
What else is new? I was doin’ my job.
I can’t make deals. I got rules.
Break the rules and I could end up goddess of, uh-uh - dirt or something.
OK, OK. I’ve got is so far.
Could you, uh - ?
What? Get to the point? Yeah.
I can do that - I think.
He loses his money.
They wind up at the bridge.
She di-i-ies.
Iolaus feels responsible when he’s not - and I have to make things right.
Question is - what to do?
The answer is nothing. You - do nothing.
You think I’m gonna screw it up!
That’s it! Isn’t it?!
You don’t think I can do it!
Whatever it is -
Fortune - leave it alone.
Iolaus - will be - fine.
OK. Great.
I know when my input’s not needed!
I - hope I can count on that.
It’s all right.
I’ve got you.
Trust me. Give me your hand.
I can’t!
I’ve got you.
Don’t let me fall!
You should listen to Hercules.
Who said that?
I’m For -
Who are you?
I’m Fortune! Goddess of luck!
Hercules said that your friendship would see you thro-o-o-ough this doubt.
I love Hercules. He’s like a brother to me.
I’d do anything for him.
But right now, I - I wish I’d never met him!
If I hadn’t have - I wouldn’t have been at that bridge.
He’d have saved that woman - and she’d be alive now, instead.
Good. Uh. OK. OK.
Now - this isn’t exactly my department - but go with me on this.
What I’ll do - is I’ll blank out your memory of what happened - ’K?
That should set your mind at ease.
You could do that?
Well, you don’t think I can?
Why did you say that?
Oh - what if I can’t?!
But - I am in charge of winning and losing.
You want to lose this memory.
I can do that - I think.
Uh - yeah. OK.
OK - now.
Remember earlier today - you were helping a couple - at a bridge?
You and Hercules?
Wait. Who’s Hercules?
And who are you?
Oh - someone who’s in big trouble.
Uh - I guess you got your wish.
It’s as if you’d never met Hercules.
H-hey. H-hey, buddy.
H-how about a dinar?
Get off me! Gee.
So - this is Nemea.
Hi.
Hi, yourself, stranger.
Welcome to Nemea.
Why don’tcha - step into my office?
Don’t you wanna see the color of my money?
Honey, for you - I’ll run a tab.
Hey! Where are you going?
They made me do it! I swear!
Come on. Make yourself useful.
You wanna get outta here?
You’re not like any man I’ve ever known.
Where did you come from?
I don’t know.
That is the truth.
The last thing I remember - some pals and I were knocking over a jewelry stand.
I must have been - fifteen at the time.
Wherever you were since then - you sure found out what a girl likes.
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Come on.
When are ya gonna show me around this place? Entertain me?
Are you bored?
Trancas, why don’t you - just send an army escort with the money?
Because the mission’s got to stay secret - and you and Iolaus are -
better protection than a battalion of regular army, anyway.
Say, where is Iolaus.
Iolaus, uh - was - tied up - a personal matter.
Is he OK?
Yeah, yeah - he’ll be fine.
Tell me something.
Sending this money to the people of Nemea is a - good thing,
so, why all the secrecy?
Nemea’s government is on the verge of collapse.
I have other - allies - kings, who would like to see that happen.
It would be an easy conquest for them.
But - since I’d like to keep these - other kings as -
allies instead of enemies, they can’t know I’m sending aid.
You and this money may be the last hope the Nemeans have.
This is Spiro.
Spiro - Hercules.
Hey.
He trains the teamsters for my army. He’s the best there is.
Any problems on the road to Nemea - you talk to Hercules.
He’s the boss, sir - till you say different.
Good luck, Hercules.
You can count on us.
We’ll be fine, Trancas.
More mead here!
He’s been on a winning streak all night.
He knows how to play his hand.
Excuse me.
Ha-ha - your luck’s over. This is mine.
Wait a minute!
What do they call you?
What - do they call you?
Dingus.
That’s wrong. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!
They call you - loser. Loser. Loser. Lo-o-o-o-o-oser.
We had a good game? Didn’t we - Dingus?
Yeah. Yeah.
Mead for everybody! On me!
Bring him over here.
My boss wants to see you.
Hey-y-y - come on.
This guy - is Thanatos.
He works for Zeno. I want no part.
Welcome to my place. Sit. Eat.
I am Zeno.
I think I have a place in my business for you.
What kind of business?
You go with Thanatos tomorrow.
Call on a - client.
Nice place you got here.
You handle the team well, Spiro.
My wife says I think like a horse.
What does she mean by that, huh?
So Hercules, what’s the story? I thought you got a partner.
Not this time.
Hey-y-y - I’m pretty handy.
Maybe you and me get to kick some Nemean butt before we finish this trip.
You don’t like Nemeans?
They lie and cheat and steal. Aside from that - no problem.
There’s a - fork in the trail up ahead. Go south.
That trail’s pretty rough.
Too rough?
Not if it’s the way you want to go -
Well, in case there’s trouble, I know the south way better.
Trouble? Nemeans?
You never know.
Zeno wants his fifty dinars.
Oh, listen to Mr. Death.
Fifty dinars? Why not a hundred?
That would be OK.
Uh - no, I’m tryin’ to make - a point?
You see? I don’t have fifty dinars.
That’s - real bad.
Oh, I-I-I - I’m - I’m deathly afraid of knives.
Dead - he pays us nothing.
Uh, uh - friend - you - you can’t get blood from - a-a turnip.
No, friend - but he can get blood out of you.
And he will - if you don’t pay up.
I can only hold him back for so long.
Look, I-I - could come up with - twenty-five?
I think you - better get it.
Tell - Zeno - I promise - I’ll have the other twenty-five tomorrow.
Oh, no, no, no, no - tomorrow - you still owe him fifty.
This just gets you through today in one piece.
Wagon’s not built for this.
It’s on - but not by much.
Hello? Could I ride with you for a way?
I’m awful tired.
Of course you can.
Are you - travelling out here alone?
I’m going home to Nemea.
My, um - my husband died of fever and I’m -
trying to get to my parents’ house before it’s time for the baby.
Well, then, we - better hurry up.
Thank you.
This guy had that nitwit so scared of me, I thought he’d die of fright.
Twenty dinars.
Not bad.
What do you think, Iolaus?
What do I think?
I think he gave us twenty-five dinars.
I think this guy’s stealing from you.
I’m going to cut you three ways -
Yeah - I know - deep - wide - and frequent.
But first - we gotta get straight about the rules.
Rules? What - rule - ?!
There are no rules.
I was right about you, my friend.
You’re my new number-one man.
This is not right, Zeno.
I always knew you were skimming.
But to do so openly is a sign of disrespect!
This I cannot - ignore.
This is not right!
Loyalty - it’s almost a thing of the past.
Nobody these days - seems to care.
Can I trust you, Iolaus?
Long as you pay me.
At last - an honest man.
Old Diogenes would be pleased.
But I sense, there’s more to the man than - need of a payday.
You can count on me, Zeno.
You look concerned.
I’d like to scout farther ahead, but I - can’t leave the wagon unprotected.
Well, you can’t be in two places at once.
Usually, that’s - not a problem.
I, uh - have a friend. We - back each other up.
It - feels odd - not having him here.
We’ll be fine.
Well, that looks - comfortable.
The wagon’s not made for soft riding.
You surprise me, Spiro.
You know? She’s - from Nemea.
I don’t know about you, but I got no itch to be a midwife - partner.
I’ve always been a good soldier!
I did everything Zeno ever asked!
This is how I’m rewarded.
You’re out, Thanatos.
No - it’s you who’s out, Zeno.
We’re taking over - Zeno’s rackets - his - business!
As for Zeno - there’s a cold spot in the swamps for him -
him and his new number-one man - this - Iolaus.
Is it OK?
Uh - it doesn’t look too bad.
Oh - good.
So, uh - Spiro is Trancas’ best man - yeah.
No - don’t
- do
- that!
I said, ‘Don’t do that.’
Help!
Got it!
Are you OK?
No!
Hang on. We’re almost home.
A wagon full ’a dinars - like a plum ripe for the picking.
So what’s the plan?
I’ve had a scout keeping track of the wagon for some time.
I’ve hired muscle for the job.
What I haven’t had till now was someone to lead them - someone - I could trust.
I won’t let you down, Zeno.
So, what are we up against?
How many guards?
One guard.
What’s the catch?
The one guard - is Hercules.
One guy. It’s one guy.
Ha - such audacity.
But don’t underestimate Hercules.
He’s the equal of ten, twenty - perhaps a hundred ordinary men.
But then you, my friend - are not ordinary, are you?
The wagon - and the money - are ours.
The big guy’s Hercules.
Take him first.
Right.
You guys in - town for the convention?
Way to go.
Thanks.
No worries, Herc!
I’ve got your back!
How comforting.
Iolaus.
How did you know my name?
Know your name?
Of course I know your name. What are you talkin’ about?
So - you’re Hercules.
Pretty impressive.
What are you doing?
Come on.
Let’s see what you got, huh?
I thought you were tough!
I’m not gonna fight you.
Come on. Give me something!
What? Are you afraid of me?!
Come on!
What has happened to you?
Don’t you know who you are?
I know enough to make you bleed.
You may not know who you are - but I do.
I knew you wouldn’t hurt me.
I don’t even know why I didn’t.
Because you’re my best friend.
You have been for years.
I never laid eyes on you before.
I want some answers.
And I want them - now!
Your place. Your business.
All - mine.
You’ll find being boss is less than you expect, Thanatos.
You’ll fear each stranger - looking for one like you.
Then one day - he’ll be there.
And it’ll be your time.
I’ll be smarter.
My time will be a long time coming.
Now come on, old man - we’ve got work to do.
Careful.
thanks. You’re welcome.
Thank you - for me and for my child.
I can’t wait till he’s old enough to hear my adventure with Hercules.
He - you’re - sure it’s a boy?
The oracle said it would be, and I hope it is.
I’ll name him after his father.
Good luck, Ara.
Oh, wait.
You - know this town.
Have you heard of a man named Zeno?
Everyone in Nemea knows of Zeno.
You’ll find him near the tavern - east side of town.
Goodbye, Hercules.
Goodbye.
Nice lady.
Yeah, she’s all right - uh, for a - Nemean.
All right, all right - I got your point.
I was wrong.
The king’ll be pleased.
Take care, Hercules.
You, too. Travel safely, Spiro.
Thanks.
Hello?
Zeno.
Zeno’s not here.
Actually - I was looking for you.
I’m gonna help you.
I tried to rob you.
You didn’t know what you were doing.
I knew exactly what I was doing.
You’ll understand - when I explain it to you.
Yeah, well, it’s gotta wait.
I’ve gotta get Zeno before they kill him.
Who’s got him?
The guy I replaced.
He’s taking him to the swamp, where they hide their mistakes.
Iolaus - why are you helping Zeno?
He’s a criminal.
Yeah - he’s a criminal.
He’s my friend.
Be sure to save some room down there for your pal.
He’ll be along soon.
Thanatos!
Thanatos? He has a name that means death?
Iolaus!
What?!
What is this?!
Oh, yeah!
Cool.
Zeno.
Here - wait for my signal. One pull.
Two pulls, I’m comin’ in after.
OK.
Zeno!
Iolaus.
Iolaus!
I was right about you from the start.
You’re a stand-up man.
I owe you my life.
I didn’t pull you out of that swamp so you could spend the rest of your life in prison.
Hercules said I had a lot to answer for - things I’ve done - and he’s right.
I have a debt - and I have to pay it.
I just wish there was some way I could help you.
There is - find yourself another line of work.
This one’s a dead end.
Good advice.
Another line of work? Maybe.
I’ve got one in mind. Ready to get your life back?
I don’t know. What’s it gonna cost me?
How about one dinar.
Aw, great. My life is worth one dinar.
Very clever, Hercules!
Who are you?!
Mmm - depending on how it goes - your best friend - or your worst nightmare.
I’m sorry - but Hercules said do nothing.
But I couldn’t do nothing, so I had to do something, and - it just didn’t work out.
I am surrounded by people I do not understand!
I wiped out your memory!
You wanted a fresh start!
Ya gotta admit!
This is the mother of all fresh starts.
Ooh, sorry. I-I-I was just tryin’ to help.
I - I should ’a known better.
Fortune - today.
Always in a rush.
Hey-hey-hey! Hey, Hercules!
Welcome back, buddy.
Good luck, Iolaus.
So, uh - this is you - right?
No.
Wait a minute.
Hercules, I remember everything.
I dropped that woman - then I did those terrible things.
I can’t believe this. I behaved like a common criminal.
Come on, listen.
Didn’t you jump into that swamp? Risk your life to save Zeno?
Well - yeah.
Well - there’s nothing common or criminal about that. Right?
I guess. Come on.
But I robbed. I stole.
I even tried to kill you.
You lost your memory.
You didn’t know yourself.
But your heart drew the line at real evil.
You could never take my life.
No. No, you’re right.
You know what? I can’t forget that woman’s face.
Of course, you can’t. And you never will.
You did everything humanly possible to save her.
I tried.
That’s all any of us can do.
Hercules?
Thanks for believing in me.
Ah. That’s what friends are for.