3002007

Persian messenger:
If you value your lives over your complete annihilation... listen carefully, Leonidas. Xerxes conquers and controls everything he rests his eyes upon. He leads an army so massive, it shakes the ground with its march. So vast, it drinks the rivers dry. All the God-King Xerxes requires is this: A simple offering of earth and water... a token of Sparta's submission to the will of Xerxes.

Leonidas:
Submission. Now, that's a bit of a problem. See, rumor has it... the Athenians have already turned you down. And if those philosophers and boy-lovers have found that kind of nerve, then——

Theron:
We must be diplomatic.

Leonidas:
[cutting him off] And, of course, Spartans... have their reputation to consider.

Persian messenger:
Choose your next words carefully, Leonidas. They may be your last as king.

[Leonidas turns and ponders the offer. He looks at various people standing around, watching him nervously, the last of whom is Gorgo.]

Leonidas:
[in his head] "Earth and water." [having made up his mind, he draws his sword on the Persian messenger, whose back is to a large well. The Spartan guards follow suit and draw their swords on the other messengers.]

Persian messenger:
Madman! You're a madman!

Leonidas:
Earth and water. You'll find plenty of both down there. [indicates the well with his sword]

Persian messenger:
[nervous] No man, Persian or Greek, no man threatens a messenger!

Leonidas:
You bring the crowns and heads of conquered kings to my city's steps. You insult my queen. You threaten my people with slavery and death! Oh, I've chosen my words carefully, Persian. Perhaps you should have done the same.

Persian messenger:
This is blasphemy! This is madness! [Leonidas lowers his sword and looks toward Gorgo, who nods]

Leonidas:
[to Persian messenger] Madness? THIS—IS—SPARTA! [kicks the Persian messenger into the deep well]