Chapter 11
(February 14th, 1465. Warners' House. Night)
(Zack: Age 11. Sam: Age 9. Gabby: Age 7)
Spazzo: You ready for Carnevale tonight, kids?
Zack: Sure am!
Sam: Yep. I'm so beating you in the games this year, Zack!
Zack: Dream on.
Spazzo: Heh heh. Still competitive like every year, I see. Same routine as last year, kids; I'll watch your sister while you two engage in your regular sibling rivalry.
Gabby: I wish it wasn't boys only! I'd so beat both of you!
Zack: Heh heh. Courtesy laugh.
Gabby: What's that suppose to mean!?
Zack: Nothing. C'mon Spazzo, let's go!
*Scene transitions to the Carnevale festival in the Dorsoduro district. When the three siblings and their guardian arrive, Spazzo sees Michael talking to other people with a glass in his hand. Spazzo calls out to him, and he turns his head in reaction. Michael slugs down the rest of his beverage, then walks over to Spazzo and the Warners with a smile*
Michael: You made it!
Spazzo: Salute, Mike.
Michael: Hey, Spazzo. Hello, Zack!
*Michael picks up and hugs Zack*
Zack: Agh!
Michael: It's been a while! You've gotten heavy! *Sets Zack down* Hahahaha!
Zack: *Sniffs* Alcohol on your breath as always?
Michael: Hahaha! At this time of year!? Why not!? Come here, Gabby!
*Michael hugs and lifts up Gabby*
Gabby: Hello, Doc.
Michael: How are you, girl?
Gabby: Bene.
Michael: Good.
*Michael sets Gabby down*
Sam: You're not going to get me drunk with your breath are you?
Michael: Hahahahaha! It doesn't work that way, Sam. You're too funny.
Sam: *Smiles* I hope you have fun.
Michael: Don't worry, I will. I'll see you later!
*Michael walks back over to the table he set his glass at. Spazzo and the Warners walk around the party until they come across one of the carnival performers eagerly approaching them*
Harlequin: You wanna see some tricks!?
Sam: CLOWN!
*Sam, with a terrified facial expression, takes out a mallet and hits the performer over the head. The harlequin falls over unconscious. Zack starts rolling on the ground, laughing as Sam breathes heavily with his mallet still in his hands*
Zack: Hahahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahaha!
Sam: Get up!
*Sam puts his mallet away and grabs Zack's hand to help him to his feet*
Zack: I'm sorry. That was funny! I love slapstick; it reminds me of when you were littler.
Spazzo: Heh heh. Let's keep moving, you two. And Sam, please don't do that again.
*Spazzo escorts the Warners around the party until they come across one of the game hosts, dressed in a more formal carnival outfit. The man smiles and begins to speak ecstatically*
Game Host: Fratelli Warner! (The Warner Brothers) Good to see the most talented kids in Venezia again this year! You're always welcome to compete in the carnevale games! I take it you want to start the games right away?
Zack and Sam: Sì, signore.
Game Host: Ottimo! (Good!) Here's the first game; it is simply a test of strength and endurance. I'm sure you know how we do races around here; touch all of the red flags on your way to the finish line. We arranged this course especially for you boys.
Zack: Really? Neat!
Game Host: Are you ready!?
Zack: Yep.
Sam: Uh-huh.
Game Host: One! Two! Three! Go!
*Zack and Sam start racing to the finish. Zack starts off in the lead and passes the first flag before Sam. Zack, with his early lead and in his conceit, starts to taunt his younger brother*
Zack: You still have a lot to learn!
Sam: I'm going to beat you!
Zack: We'll see about that!
*Zack runs past two fire-breathers while Sam gets stuck running in place, blocked by their wall of fire. Sam runs again after the fire-breathers cease. The race then takes the brothers onto the rooftops. Sam eventually catches up to Zack until they see the next checkpoint across the river with scaffolding leading across. Sam decides to climb across the scaffolding while Zack swims through the river. Sam jumps into the water and swims after Zack. Zack climbs out of the water and onto the land and runs toward the finish line at the end of the street. Sam climbs out of the water and runs as fast as he can to catch up to Zack. The end of the race becomes close, but Sam lunges forward and manages to barely get ahead of Zack by his nose. With the race done, the brothers stop to catch their breath*
Sam: Whoa.
Zack: I can't believe you beat me.
Sam: I won? …Hey, I won!
Zack: You got lucky on that one! I'll have to step my game up a little.
*Scene transitions to when the two brothers have rendezvoused with Spazzo and Gabby. The host has finished preparing the next game*
Spazzo: Congratulations, Sam.
Zack: He got the best of me. But I'll tell you what, that isn't going to happen again.
Sam: Says you.
Game Host: Excuse me boys, but it's time for the next game! Here are the rules: Capture the flag and bring it back to your starting point. Are you ready?
Zack: I am.
Sam: Me too.
Game Host: Head to your starting points then, boys.
*Zack and Sam stare at each other before turning opposite directions and head to their assigned starting points. The host signals them to start. The two brothers immediately race for the flag. Zack grabs the flag first then proceeds to climb up the side of a building and run towards his base*
Sam: Climbing up buildings, eh? That's cheap!
*Sam runs to the nearest ladder and instercepts Zack on the roof next to his goal. Sam then takes the flag and jumps off the roof, then lands and rolls to break his fall. Sam then runs as fast as he can to his own goal. Zack slides down a ladder then catches up to Sam and tackles him, but Sam is able to score first*
Game Host: Winner!
Zack: Agh!
Sam: Fabooooo!
*Scene transitions to the brothers reuniting with Spazzo and Gabby, ready to start the next game*
Zack: Enjoy your temporary victory, Little Brother.
Gabby: Zack, it's two to nothing. You really shouldn't be cocky right now.
Zack: Oh zitto, Sorella. I'm not a chicken at all.
Gabby: Heehee. I'm surprised you didn't make a joke about something else.
Zack: …Goodnight everybody!
Sam: Fratello, you better step it up this game… If you CAN step it up!
Zack: Oh, I can step it up. I can step it right up your-
Game Host: Time for our third event; the Snackdown! Follow me. *Leads Zack and Sam to a table full of food* The rules are simple: Finish this enormous meal before your opponents!
Zack: So, this is the first game we're playing that actually has a name, and you gave it the most unclever one possible?
Game Host: …Actually, I didn't make the name.
Gabby: Alright Sam! This is your event!
Sam: I will CONSUME EVERYTHING!
Spazzo: Heh heh heh. Of course you will; you have a black hole for a stomach.
*Spazzo lifts up Sam's turtleneck and tickles Sam's belly*
Sam: Heehee! This'll be three out of five games! I'm actually going to beat Fratello this year!
Game Host: Ready!? One! Two! Three! Go!
*Zack and Sam eat their meals as fast as they can, which results in a comedic eating sequence. Time passes, and Zack and Sam both have their meals almost finished*
Gabby: C'mon, Sam! Almost done!
Sam: Yup. Just the cake to go!
Zack: Done!
Spazzo and Gabby: Done!?
Sam: What!?
*Zack belches then wipes his mouth off. The host declares him the winner. Zack gets out of his chair and walks toward Sam*
Zack: No shame in failure, Fratello!
*Zack pats Sam's back. Sam continues to stare blankly at his dessert*
Sam: How could I lose in THAT!?
Zack: Hahahahahaha! Your face is a mess! *Gives Sam a rag*
Sam: Thanks.
*Scene transitions to the Game Host preparing the Warners for their next game*
Game Host: This will definitely be your favorite game of the evening! The women all around the district have been given blue ribbons, and your job is to obtain them. The man- er- or boy with the most ribbons wins!
*An enraged man interrupts the host's speech*
Man: You can't put those THINGS in this game!
Zack: Why!? Is it because we're better than you!?
Man: Grrr! You have quite a mouth! If you think you're winning this game, you've another thing coming!
Sam: Bring it on!
Game Host: Then let the game begin!
*Zack and Sam start running around the district. Zack comes to a surprise but then a feeling of relief when he sees that the women participating as the targets are courtesans. Zack fixes his hair and takes a breath before confronting the women*
Zack: Hellooooooooo nurse!
Woman #1: Hi…
Woman #2: What exactly are you!?
Woman #1: *Directs her voice to Woman #2 in a slightly irritated tone* Oh, don't be like that! I think he's cute.
Woman #2: Well yes, but I don't think I have a thing for puppy children.
Zack: Mind if I trouble you ladies for a ribbon?
*The women, covering their mouths, laugh in amusement*
Woman #1: Not at all.
*Scene transitions to Sam*
Sam: Helloooooooooooo nurse!
Woman #3: Oh! There are two of them running around!
Sam: That was my big brother… I'm guessing you already gave him your ribbons.
Woman #4: I still have one for you, cutie. *Pulls out a ribbon* Just tell me what kind of accent that is. It's really sexy!
Sam: It's Scouse.
*Scene transitions to the end of the game. Zack and Sam have regrouped again with Spazzo and Gabby. Gabby lets out a sigh, irritated at the game's objective*
Gabby: Boys! Only they can turn hitting on girls into a game! Especially my brothers.
Sam: I got quite a fair amount.
*Sam presents a handful of ribbons to his older brother*
Zack: That's good, but I think I got better. *Pulls out two big handfuls of ribbons from his pockets*
Sam: Darn!
Zack: Hold on, I think there are a few more still in there.
Game Host: Boy, you have more ribbons than any man here! You've definitely proven yourself a favorite of the ladies! Come to think of it, both of you boys got pretty much every ribbon.
*Zack and Sam smile as the host laughs*
*Scene transitions to the Warner brothers preparing for the final game*
Game Host: Time for the true test! A test of endurance and strength! It's simple: Fight your opponent and defeat him! Whoever's the last one standing in the ring wins!
Sam: I've been ready for this.
Zack: Sam, when you were a baby, you always wanted to pick fights with me, and I would always win. Let's see how much you've improved!
Sam: You wag your toungue too much. I'm going to beat you and seal that big mouth of yours shut!
Gabby: Um… Spazzo? What are they doing? They're not actually going to fight each other are they?
Spazzo: *Looks down at Gabby* I think it's best if you look away.
Gabby: No! Please don't let them fight each other! I don't want to see my brothers fight! We're a family!
Spazzo: It's just sibling rivalry, Gabby.
Gabby: No, this is different! I can tell!
Zack: Gabby, don't worry about us! Sam, bring it on!
*Sam gives a growl. Zack smirks in response and puts on a sarcastic tone*
Zack: Ooooh, terrificato! Il buco nero sta per farmi del male! (Ooooh, scary! The black hole is going to hurt me!)
Sam: Shut up! *Throws a punch at Zack, but Zack dodges and flips Sam onto his back* Agh! What the-
Kid #1: Alright! *Gets in the ring* I'm ready!
*The kid charges at Zack like a football player. Zack intercepts the kid and punches him in many different areas. The kid falls to the ground*
Zack: Hey.
*Zack grabs Sam's hand and helps him to his feet as other contestants enter the ring*
Zack: Too many people!
Sam: I agree.
Zack: Let's put everyone else out of the ring before we fight each other. Tregua? (Truce)
Sam: Tregua.
Kid #2: Yaaaaaah!
*The next kid charges at Zack and Sam. Sam intercepts the kid and body slams him into the ground and punches him repeatedly. After a few more opponents defeated by the two brothers, a few adult men decide to show up*
Zack: Hey, are you even allowed in here?
Man #1: This is no place for kids, leave.
*Zack and Sam simultaneously shake their rears at the man. The man's face turns red and his brows furl*
Man #1: You'll regret that!
*Zack and Sam perform cartoon pirouettes around the man and trap him in a toonish tornado. When the twister subsides, the man is wearing nothing but his underwear. The man runs away while trying to cover himself*
Zack and Sam: Hahahahahahaha!
Man #2: Very funny. Let's see how well you'll do now!?
*The new contestant pulls a knife from his pocket and readies it for combat*
Zack: So that's how it's going to be, is it?
*The man swings the knife at Zack. Zack dodges the swing then rushes the man and squeezes the meridian pressure point on the man's wrist, which causes him to drop the knife. Zack swipes the knife from the ground and tosses it away. Zack and Sam both pounce on the man and beat him repeatedly*
Man #2: This isn't fair! It's two against one!
*Zack and Sam simultaneously punch the man in the face and the man falls to the ground*
Zack: Anyone else want to challenge us!? *Looks around* Nobody?
Sam: I think we're the only ones left, Fratello.
Zack: Okay.
*The brothers catch their breath before preparing to fight each other*
Zack: Time for our fight. *Sam runs and pounces toward Zack, but Zack dodges. Sam turns around then tries to leg sweep Zack. Zack jumps over the sweep and kicks Sam away from him. Sam gets up and attempts to roundhouse kick Zack, but Zack intercepts and flips Sam onto the ground. Zack then pins Sam down*
Sam: Grrrr! *Struggles to escape* Let me go!
Zack: It's over, Sam. I've beaten you.
Sam: No!
*Sam growls and struggles to escape again but fails*
Zack: Do you surrender?
Sam: *Sighs* Basta. (Enough) I give.
Zack: *Smiles* Okay.
*Zack stands up and grabs Sam's hand and helps him up. The brothers walk back over to Spazzo and Gabby*
Gabby: Fratelli! *Hugs Sam* I'm so glad you guys are alright! *Hugs Zack* Thanks for not taking it too far, guys!
Zack and Sam: Hm? Hahahahahahaha!
Zack: Did you honestly think that we would fight each other to the death?
Sam: Come on, Sorella, we would NEVER try to kill each other!
Zack: Yeah! You were worrying for nothing!
Gabby: Oh… Yay!
Sam: I feel bad for losing though.
Zack: Don't. You put up a great fight, Sam. *Hugs Sam* You definitely did better than all of the guards I've ever fought. Heh heh heh.
Gabby: Yay! Group hug!
*A crowd gathers around a stage and a city guard starts to make a speech*
Guard: Everyone! Attention, please! Presenting the queen of Venezia, Vixenita!
*Vixenita appears on the stage donned in her special pink dress as the crowd cheers*
Vixenita: I hope you're all enjoying Carnevale! I thank you all for coming, and I hope to see you all next year, and the year after, and so on! As a reward for your attendance, I will now sing for you!
Sam: Sibs, let's go home.
Zack and Gabby: Agreed.
Zack: Spazzo, we're going home!
Spazzo: But it's Carnevale!
Sam: We'd rather not stay. We already got what we wanted done at Carnevale.
*Spazzo takes a stare at the stage then back at the Warners*
Spazzo: Oh, I see. Can you kids make it home by yourselves?
Zack: Sure.
Spazzo: Buonanotte, kids.
*Zack, Sam, and Gabby all walk home together*
Sam: The way that woman tries to disguise herself as a good person sickens me.
Zack: Not to mention her singing voice is just unbearable.
Gabby: Hahaha! Yeah, a rusty nail scratching against a metal wall would sound better than her.
*The Warners laugh together*
Gabby: Thanks for taking us home, Zack.
Zack: It's nothing. *The Warners enter the house through the front door* I promise you, Sibs, she is going to get what she deserves.
Sam: A blade in the neck?
Zack: Yup. Well, we have the house to ourselves for the night. Anything you want to do, Sibs?
Gabby: I have some song ideas I could show you guys on the clarinet.
(April 23rd, 1465. Warners' house. Backyard. Afternoon)
(Zack: Age 12. Sam: Age 9. Gabby: Age 7)
Spazzo: Over these years, I've taught you how to use a blade. You've proven very successful. Let's see how well you perform with a firearm.
Zack: A firearm? *Thinks for a moment* Wouldn't that burn?
Spazzo: Heh heh. C'mon, Zack, focus. Watch the dummy.
Zack: My eyes are all on you.
Spazzo: Enough, smart-alec! I'm going to teach you how to use a firearm.
Zack: You mean, like a crossbow?
Spazzo: No. *Raises his left arm and aims it at the dummy. Spazzo then puts his right hand on a trigger in his gauntlet* You might want to cover your ears.
*Spazzo pulls the trigger, which makes a loud deafening sound as the dummy jerks backwards*
Zack: Whoa! What was that!?
Spazzo: This. *Shows Zack the gun attached to his bracer* It's a pistol. One shot and your enemy falls. I never thought I'd be teaching you how to use this while you're so young, but you keep exceeding my expectations, and I have nothing else to teach you.
Zack: I'm so ready to learn how to use this one!
Spazzo: Good. *Hands Zack his practice bracer* The gun I installed in your practice bracer shoots pellets. Raise your arm and make sure you're looking straight down it when you fire.
*Zack equips his bracer then lifts his left arm and aligns it with his sight*
Zack: Okay, I'm ready.
Spazzo: When you feel your aim is aligned well, fire. *Zack pulls the trigger. The pellet embeds in the dummy as it jerks* Hahaha, I can't say I'm surprised you hit it on your first try. Of course it's not as realistic as the actual pistol attachment. Just remember to come out to the backyard everyday to practice your aim.
Zack: But I already practice my aim every morning.
*Spazzo stares blankly at Zack then chuckles*
Zack: Goodnight everybody!
(October 8th, 1465. Spazzo's Office. Late Afternoon)
Spazzo: Time for your practical exam, Zacharias.
Zack: A practical test?
Spazzo: Yes. I have a mission for you.
Zack: Who do I get to kill?
Spazzo: Heh heh heh. This mission might not require killing, but it will require stealth and cunning. *Pulls out a map of Venice and lays it on the table* Your target is this bank. There's a chest in there that contains something of great value. Your job is to retrieve it by any means necessary and bring it back to the house while remaining anonymous.
Zack: What's in the chest?
Spazzo: A page of the codex. Surely you remember the codex, right?
Zack: Yes, I do. We have to collect these codex pages and uncover the mystery behind them.
Spazzo: Good.
Zack: Are you sure this is the job for me then?
Spazzo: I severely doubt that you'll fail. Keep in mind that I will be watching you during this mission.
Zack: From where?
Spazzo: That's none of your concern. Let's lay down some rules: First, do not harm an innocent. Second, if by any stroke of luck you find my hiding place, you must not get me involved with your task. If you break either of these two rules, you'll receive a failing grade, cappito? (Understand?)
Zack: Got it.
Spazzo: Then go.
*Zack nods then exits Spazzo's office. Gabby walks up to Zack*
Gabby: What was that about?
Zack: *Smiles* I have an errand to run, Sorella.
Gabby: *Smiles back* Okay. *Hugs Zack* Stay safe.
Zack: Don't worry. I will, I promise.
*Gabby releases Zack and lets him walk out of the house*
*Scene transitions to the bank. Zack stares at the bank entrance and the four guards standing in front of its entrance. He notices these guards are wearing different uniforms instead of the typical Venetian uniforms. Zack walks toward the bank as the guards stare him down*
Guard #1: There is nothing here for you. This area is restricted.
*The soldier kicks Zack into a crowd of bypassing people. The young Assassin shakes his head frantically and growls. Zack regains his composure then tosses a smoke bomb before the guards. The soldiers are incapacitated, blinded and coughing as they are enshrouded in the white cloud. Zack, unaffected by the smoke, waltzes into the bank and searches for the codex page with haste. One guard is able to find his way out of the cloud and into the bank. The man sees the young Assassin rifling through the bank's contents*
Guard #1: Hey! *Coughs* We told you to stay away from here!
*The henchman draws his sword and charges toward Zack. Zack parries past the guard's swing and embeds his hidden blade into the man's back. The man does a backhand swing in retaliation. Zack ducks to avoid the sword. The man at first shows will to carry on normally and starts running towards Zack again despite his wound, but he slows and collapses to his knees shortly after. Zack continues to search for the codex page as the man lies on the ground, cringing in agony and succumbing to Zack's arsenic-filled blade*
Zack: Aha!
*Zack exits the bank effortlessly through the thick veil of white smoke. Zack runs towards home as fast as he can. Fortunately, nobody gives chase or even notices him. Zack then runs into an alley next to his house and looks around to make sure nobody was following him. Zack opens the secret door to the underground catacomb that leads to the basement of the house. Zack enters the house, eagerly awaiting evaluation* Spazzo!
Sam: He's not back yet!
*Zack walks into the living room. Sam is sitting on the couch with Gabby*
Sam: So how did it go?
Zack: I think it went great. I won't know if I passed until Spazzo shows up.
*Spazzo's enters the house through the front door*
Spazzo: Zacharias.
Zack: How'd I do?
Spazzo: Excellent! You escaped with no-one noticing you! Your mother and father would've been proud of you.
Gabby: Good job, Zack!
Sam: Nice work!
Zack: You want the codex page?
Spazzo: Yes, please.
*Spazzo retrieves the codex page as Zack presents it to him*
Zack: So what do I get?
Spazzo: You've been promoted to Master Rank.
Zack: Master!?
Spazzo: Surprise! It's graduation day, Zacharias! Congratulations! You've learned all I have to teach you.
Zack: Whoa! Really!? *Zack calms himself and clears his throat* Thank you, Maestro. Thank you for everything you've given me and for everything you've taught me.
Spazzo: Such was my desire and my responsibility.
Zack: Wait, if I've learned everything then what will we do now?
Spazzo: We simply live. We live the rest of our lives. We will most likely travel to Firenze in about a year. I have an ally there that is good at decoding these pages.
Zack: But what about my plans? I finally have all the skills you can teach me. Now I can get revenge on Vixenita.
Spazzo: Oh… You haven't forgotten about that, have you?
Zack: *Stares blankly at Spazzo* Normally you don't forget who killed the ones you love.
Spazzo: *Sighs* I figured you would've given up on such desires by now. You know, retribution is not the only way to find peace, and there are consequences for murdering someone like her.
Zack: Nothing is true; everything is permitted.
Spazzo: You shouldn't let vengeance cloud your mind. I just don't want anything to happen to you. Even if you did kill her and escape arrest, you'd still be chased out of the city.
Zack: It's not vengeance I want; I want justice. But you're right; I guess I'll have to plan this out.
Spazzo: Basta. (Enough) Let's enjoy the rest of your graduation day. We should celebrate! I'll make you a victory meal.
Sam: Yay!
Zack: *Smiles* Well, okay.
(October 9th, 1465. Warners' House. Warners' bedroom. Morning)
*Spazzo slowly opens the bedroom door and quietly calls out to Sam*
Spazzo: Sam. Wake up. Come downstairs.
*Sam wakes and jumps out of his bunk. Before he leaves the bedroom, he looks back at the bunk bed; Zack is not in his bunk. Sam proceeds downstairs. Spazzo and Zack are standing next to a box with the Assassin insignia on it*
Zack: Open it, Fratello.
Sam: Should I already know what this is?
Zack: Possibly.
*Sam opens the box and takes out the Assassin robe within it, and holds it before him*
Spazzo: What do you think?
Sam: You want me to be an Assassin, too?
Zack: Sam, with our father being an Assassin, it was only natural for all of us to carry the tradition.
Spazzo: Since I've already taught Zack all he needs to know, I figured that it's your turn to learn. I was going to give this to you on your next birthday and start training you then, but I got tired of waiting for my next pupil.
Sam: Zack just graduated yesterday!
Spazzo: I know. I was VERY impatient.
*Sam smiles and puts on his newly acquired robe*
Sam: We match, Fratello!
Zack: *Pats Sam on the shoulder* Heh heh, yes we do.
Sam: This is going to be fun! I'll get to learn the same things you learned! So what are we going to do? Smash Templar heads?
Spazzo: You'll get to learn many things. I can't explain it all right now. You'll learn over time.
Sam: I have a question though.
Spazzo: Of course?
Sam: Why did you wait so long to let me join? Zack joined the order when he was five.
Spazzo: *Sighs* To be honest, it was a mistake for me to teach Zack when he was so young. Your father wanted to wait until you boys were older before he gave you a choice to join the order, but I saw Zack showing a lot of potential and I became overeager for your father's legacy to carry on. Despite all the skill Zack had, he was still too young, and by the time I realized my mistake, he was already completely dedicated. Luckily, your brother is incredibly prodigious, so I really wasn't in a bind. I just wanted to wait until you were a little older, Sam.
Zack: Luck had nothing to do with it. I simply had skill.
Spazzo: Heh heh. Let's just have breakfast.
Sam: I'm not arguing with that! Bring on the food!
Zack: So what about Gabby?
Spazzo: If she wants to, she can join in a couple of years.
*Zack smiles*
December 24th, 1465. Warners' house. Living Room. Night)
(Zack: Age 12. Sam: Age 10. Gabby: Age 7)
Gabby: So what did you get Zack for Christmas, Fratello?
Sam: I'm not telling you, you'd tell him what it is in an instant.
Gabby: But I won't! *Makes a sad face* I promise.
Sam: *Sighs* Va bene. I've gotten Fratello a new head for his snare. I don't even know how long it's been since he changed it.
Gabby: How long has he had that drum?
Spazzo: It was his first ever birthday present.
*Sam looks out the window. Outside, gray clouds swallow the night sky, with only the cumulating falling snow lighting the streets*
Sam: It sure is late, why isn't he home yet?
Gabby: It doesn't bother me. It gives me enough time to help make dinner. Oh! I just remembered; I'm still making soup! Spazzo, come back with me in the kitchen.
Spazzo: Gabby, you know cooking isn't my strong suit, but sure, I'll "help".
*Spazzo, Sam, and Gabby hear the door to the basement open. Zack, breathing heavily, enters the house through the basement passage, leaving a little snow on the stairs. He puts all his weapons on the kitchen table then throws himself onto the couch*
Zack: AGH! My feet can't get any colder!
Spazzo: Maybe you should wear boots when you go out in the snow, Zack.
Zack: Not needed; they'll only slow me down.
Spazzo: If you say so.
*Sam gives Zack a blanket. Zack wraps it around his feet then give Sam a loaf of bread*
Zack: Thanks Fratello. Keep this saved for breakfast tomorrow.
Sam: Did the guards give you trouble with this?
Zack: Yeah, they chased me. What happened to the holiday spirit!? Why do the guards have to be jerks on Christmas Eve?
Spazzo: Consider this, Zacharias; you're the one who stole the food in the first place.
Zack: Well, considering the circumstances, I say it's more than fair.
Gabby: Zack, I made you some soup.
Zack: Oh thanks, Sorella.
*Zack walks to the dining room and sits down at the table. Gabby gives Zack a bowl*
Gabby: You must be freezing. Eat this and you'll feel better.
Sam: Well, me and Gabby are going to go outside and play in the snow. You should join us when you're done, Fratello.
Zack: No thanks.
Gabby: Aw, come on! Pleeeeeeeeeeeeease!?
Zack: I've had enough snow for tonight.
Sam: C'mon, Fratello!
Spazzo: Kids, let him be. Go bundle up.
Sam: *Sighs* Alright.
*Time passes. Zack has finished his soup and Sam and Gabby have dressed appropriately for the snow*
Zack: I'll be upstairs.
*Zack walks upstairs into the Warners' bedroom*
Gabby: Why doesn't Zack ever want to play in the snow?
Spazzo: I think he's just plain sick of it.
Sam: But it's sad to see him inside while we play.
Spazzo: Don't force him to do anything. If he doesn't want to go out into the snow, you should respect that.
Gabby: *Sighs* Fine. C'mon, Sam.
*Time passes and the scene transitions to Sam and Gabby in the front yard, throwing snowballs at each other*
Sam: You throw like a girl!
Gabby: This girl is better at throwing than you are!
*Sam throws a snowball at Gabby. Gabby ducks then runs behind her fort. Zack runs outside from the front door and accompanies her*
Zack: Need any help?
Gabby: Not really. I have it taken care of. *Smiles, then a snowball falls on her head* AH!
Sam: Ha! Aerial hit!
Gabby: That was my hair!
*Gabby stands up then throws a snowball at Sam. Sam eats the incoming snowball then licks his lips. Gabby then runs over to Sam and tackles him. They roll around in the snow together, laughing*
Zack: You two have been out for a while. Maybe you should come in.
Sam: Yeah, I'm starting to get cold. *Stands up* C'mon, Sis.
*Gabby smiles and follows Sam to the front door*