I've Got You Under My Skin

Part 1

(December 8, 1999 )

Story by: David Greenwalt & Jeannine Renshaw
Teleplay by: Jeannine Renshaw

Teaser

INT. ANGEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

ANGEL and WESLEY sit at the kitchen table, looking at an intricate dagger. Angel studies a symbol carved on the handle.

ANGEL
The Mark of Kekfadlorem. I've
heard of it, never seen it.

WESLEY
A knife with that mark is the only
way to kill a Kek demon. Could be
very useful.

ANGEL
Especially if Kek demons weren't extinct.

WESLEY
They are? Oh dear. Well, perhaps
there's one out there hibernating,
eh? Ready to awaken at any moment
and embark on a grisly rampage.

ANGEL
I've got my fingers crossed.

DING - the oven timer goes off.

CORDELIA (O.S.)
They're done! Nobody touch!

ANGEL
She's making brownies.

WESLEY
Is that what I smell? I thought
perhaps I'd tracked something in.

CORDELIA hurries in from the other room. She talks as she takes the pan of brownies out of the oven.

CORDELIA
The recipe was handed down to me
from my mother who got it from her
housekeeper. Plus I improvised a little.
(to Wesley)
You're gonna love 'em.

She tries cutting them. They fight back.

WESLEY
Me? Angel doesn't have-
get to try any?

CORDELIA
They're brownies. Full of nutty
goodness, not red blood cells.

WESLEY
(embarrassed)
Oh. I... wasn't thinking... more of
a drinker than an eater, I suppose.

CORDELIA
(grabs Wes' dagger)
Maybe if he branched into the
solids, he'd keep a decent knife around.

WESLEY
Wait! That's a Kek dagger!

CORDELIA
Is it clean?

WESLEY
Certainly.

She cuts the brownies. Wesley is agog.

WESLEY
That is not appropriate! It's for
killing extinct demons.

She pays him no heed.

WESLEY
Angel, make her stop.

ANGEL
Cordelia...

WESLEY
That blade is very old, and who
knows what kind of corrosive
effect her cooking may have--

CORDELIA
Corrosive effect?

ANGEL
Cordy, put down the very sharp knife.

WESLEY
Well, they don't smell right.

CORDELIA
I think mister too-much-cologne is
the pot calling the kettle stinky.

ANGEL
Cordelia! Doyle!

They look at him. He realizes what he just said.

ANGEL
I mean... Wesley. Wesley.

An uncomfortable beat. They fidget.

ANGEL
Let's just... no more fighting.

He rises, moves off. Off Wesley and Cordelia, chastened..

STEPHANIE (O.S.)
Stop it!

INT. ANDERSON HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Sparse, but nice. Some half-full moving boxes are stacked against one wall. A typical living room filled with a typical family. STEPHANIE (6) tries to block her brother, RYAN (8) from grabbing the coloring book she's been working in. Ryan's got a stack of trading cards in his other hand.

RYAN
You took one of my cards.

STEPHANIE
I didn't touch your stupid cards.

RYAN
What did you do with it?

Ryan grabs her coloring book, shakes it looking for the missing card... She shrieks.

STEPHANIE
Stop it! Mom!

Mom, PAIGE, enters.

PAIGE
Okay. That's it.

RYAN
She took my card.

STEPHANIE
Did not!

RYAN
(re: a card)
I had five of this one and now
there's only four.

PAIGE
Well, there are children in India
who only have three. Come on.
It's time for bed, anyway.

STEPHANIE AND RYAN
Mom! No!

SETH (O.S.)
You heard your mother.

The whining stops instantly as dad, SETH, appears. It's understood there will be no arguments.

SETH
It's time for bed.

INT. ANDERSON HOME - STEPHANIE'S ROOM / HALLWAY - LATER

Paige is tucking Stephanie into bed. The little girl is already half-asleep as Paige kisses her, then turns off the lamp. Paige backs out of the room, closing the door softly. She closes her eyes, leans her forehead against the door.

PAIGE
Do we have to?

ANOTHER ANGLE REVEALS Seth standing next to her. He nods. Paige glances over at Ryan's door (it's got one of those little license plates that says "RYAN" on it). The door is locked with a large padlock. Resigned, she steps aside. Seth fastens Stephanie's door with another lock.

They walk down the hall to their own room, leaving the camera to linger on the thick metal lock...

BLACK OUT.

END OF TEASER

Act One

INT. ANGEL'S OFFICE - NIGHT

Angel sits at his desk with a book. He looks up to see Cordy standing in the doorway watching him.

CORDELIA
Pretend to read any good books lately?

ANGEL
Cordelia. I thought you went home.

Cordy sits.

CORDELIA
You called him Doyle.

ANGEL
It just... happened. I hope
Wesley's okay with it.

CORDELIA
Oh, who cares about him.
(off Angel's look)
This is about Doyle. You know you
never say his name.

ANGEL
I say it.

CORDELIA
No you don't. Look, you don't
have to be Joe Stoic about his
dying. I mean, I know you've got
this whole unflappable vibe
working for you. But you don't
have to do it for me.

ANGEL
I'm not unflappable.

CORDELIA
Great. So... flap.

Angel gets up, paces a little. Finally:

ANGEL
I miss him.

CORDELIA
(softly)
Me too.

ANGEL
I've been around death before.
A lot. I've lost people, and
I've... I've killed people...

CORDELIA
And you are dead.
(off his look)
Sorry.

ANGEL
It shouldn't have happened. I
shouldn't have let it happen...

CORDELIA
Angel, it wasn't your fault.

He doesn't argue, but his silence says he believes otherwise.

CORDELIA
It hurts.

ANGEL
(looks away)
Yeah.

CORDELIA
No, I mean it really, really,
really -- UHHHH!

And her hand goes to her head as she contorts in pain and the camera ROCKETS at her. It's a vision.

FLASHES!!

RYAN'S FACE, looking lost and confused.

THE ANDERSON HOUSE.

WE COME OUT OF IT

Angel has a steadying arm around Cordy.

ANGEL
What did you see?

EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET - NIGHT

ANGEL'S CAR appears on the sleepy residential street, driving into a neat TWO SHOT of ANGEL and WESLEY. Wesley behind the wheel. Angel nods toward the Anderson house --

ANGEL
1526. That's the house.

WESLEY
(indicating)
Angel --

Angel turns, follows Wesley's gaze to see --

RYAN, dressed in his p.j.s, appears, padding from the shadows across the way and into the street. A CAR appears, coming around the corner. HORN BLARING. The boy doesn't seem to hear it, his face a bright oval reflecting the headlights.

Suddenly Angel is there, catching Ryan in a flying tackle that sends them crashing onto the fringe of the Anderson lawn.

ANGEL
Are you all right?

RYAN
You're bleeding. Are you going to cry?

Angel looks where Ryan is pointing, notices a shallow gash in his shoulder for the first time.

ANGEL
I don't think so. Let me think...
no. Yes. No. Not going to cry.

Ryan smiles, a nice moment now that the danger is past.

ANGEL
What's your name?

RYAN
Ryan.

ANGEL
Ryan, can you tell me what you
were doing out...

Before Angel can finish the question, Seth appears --

SETH
Ryan!

Seth's pissed, takes a beat, stuffs it as he looks from his son to Angel. Then back to his son. Forcing concern:

SETH
Son, you know better than this.
Now... thank the nice man and
let's go in.

But before anyone can be thanked, Paige runs up.

PAIGE
Oh my god, oh my god...

She grabs Ryan from Seth pulls him into a long, sweet hug.

SETH
He's okay, Paige.

PAIGE
Oh god, my baby.

SETH
It's cold. We should get him inside.

Paige may be noticing Angel for the first time.

PAIGE
You saved him. Thank god you were here.

SETH
(curtly, to Angel)
Yes. Thank you.

ANGEL
That's okay.

Angel reaches out, awkwardly tousles Ryan's hair in an imitation of human behavior.

ANGEL
Ha ha. He's a... scamp, isn't he?

The motion calls attention to Angel's injury.

PAIGE
Oh! You're hurt. Your shoulder.
Come on inside.

Seth flashes annoyance as they head into the house, OUT OF FRAME, revealing Wesley watching from the sidewalk, satisfied with Angel's infiltration.

INT. ANDERSON HOME - NIGHT

Angel's coat is off and his shirt is pulled away from his shoulder. Paige presses a cloth against the injury as she chatters nervously.

PAIGE
You sure you don't want us to
drive you to the emergency room?
I think you may need stitches --

ANGEL
It'll be fine. Really. I'm not
a big bleeder.

Paige notices that he's looking around.

PAIGE
We just moved in. We're still a
little jumbled. And it doesn't
get any easier, you know? Every
new place, you have to start over,
find friends, people to talk to...

She trails off as Seth enters. Seth takes in the tableau. His wife and the hunky stranger. Sensing the unease, Angel takes the cloth from Paige's hand, presses it to his own injury.

SETH
Ryan's asleep. Out like a light.

ANGEL
He seems like a good boy.

PAIGE
He is. Thank you so much for...
(laughs)
That's like the millionth time,
isn't it? But really. Thank you.
If there's anything we can do for
you... money? Or, Seth's an
investment advisor -- do you need advice?

ANGEL
No. Thank you. Nothing.

SETH
Paige, honey, he probably just
wants to go home, get cleaned up.

ANGEL
How do you think Ryan got out in
the street?

SETH
Climbed out the window.

PAIGE
There are burglar bars but he must
fit between. We didn't think of
that. Didn't bother checking.

Seth shoots her a warning glance... don't tell our business.

ANGEL
Where do you think he was going?

SETH
"Going?" He wasn't going anywhere.

ANGEL
So you think he was trying to get
away from something?

A beat. Seth looks at Angel.

SETH
What would he have to get away
from in his own house?

Angel shrugs, no idea. Just a question...

EXT. ANDERSON ROME - NIGHT

Wesley stands in the driveway, aiming a flashlight at the trash cans. He lifts the lid off one, looks inside... pizza boxes, papers, a discarded baby doll missing its arms. Wesley picks up a stick and tries to shift things around. The baby doll is moved by his exploration, and says, as they are wont to do:

BABY DOLL (V.0.)
Maaaa-maaaa!

Startled, Wesley jumps back, drops the flashlight. Wesley bends down to retrieve it, but something catches his eye... glowing in the beam of the flashlight along the base of the house. He moves in for a closer look: it's a yellow liquid, something like dishwashing soap except that it's GLOWING and PULSING and otherworldly.

WESLEY
Oh dear.

INT. ANDERSON HOME - NIGHT

Seth and Angel are alone in the living room now. Seth strikes a match and lights a cigarette.

SETH
(re: the smoke)
This bother you?

ANGEL
No.

SETH
Lotta health nuts these days.
Like anyone needs to live forever.

ANGEL
No one needs that.

Awkward beat, both of them wishing Paige were here.

SETH
She'll be right back. With the
bandage. Then you can go.

ANGEL
Right. Um... So, Paige said you
were new to town. Where did you --

Paige returns carrying a bandage. She goes to Angel, pulls his hand away from the wound. It's almost healed.

PAIGE
What -- This was much worse.

ANGEL
No, just a scratch.

She's thrown, trying to digest this, as...

ANGEL
Seth was telling me about where
you lived before...

PAIGE
(distantly)
Akron? Oh, one winter was enough.

SETH
You know what? Strikes me you
never told us your name.

ANGEL
Angel.

Paige reacts, glances to Seth with a meaningful look.

ANGEL
Jones. Angel Jones.

PAIGE
(almost to herself)
Angel...

SETH
(weary)
Honey...

Paige crosses to the moving boxes, picks up a small one and brings it back to Angel. She starts pulling things from the box, handing them to Angel. Wooden angels, ceramic angels, crystal angels... She's not nervous anymore. She's exhilarated, even hopeful.

PAIGE
See?

ANGEL
Angels.

PAIGE
I collect them. I think angels
are around us all the time,
don't you?

ANGEL
I think there are... beings.

PAIGE
It's a nice thought. That someone
is looking out for us. Like
they're keeping us out of danger.
And tonight you really were our
angel, weren't you?

ANGEL
I was just in the right place.

SETH
(rising)
It's getting late.

The signal is clear. Time for Angel to go. Angel hands back the angels to Paige, who doesn't look away from him. Angel rises, so does Paige, clearly not wanting him to leave.

PAIGE
Come to dinner.

SETH
Paige --

PAIGE
Tomorrow night. Say you will.
Let us pay you back for looking
after us.

SETH
We've taken too much of Angel's
time already.

ANGEL
Can I bring something?

Off Paige's relieved smile and Seth's hardening features...

INT. ANGEL'S CAR - NIGHT

Wesley is waiting there when Angel gets in.

ANGEL
Something's wrong in that house.
I think the wife wants to talk,
but the husband's getting in the
way. I'm going back tomorrow
night.

WESLEY
Be careful.

ANGEL
I always am.

Wesley holds up the vial of glowing goo.

WESLEY
Be especially careful.

Angel takes the vial, looks at it.

ANGEL
Plakticine.

WESLEY
All around the foundation of the house.

ANGEL
So now we know.

WESLEY
Someone in that house is possessed
by a demon.

Angel starts the car. It pulls away. Beyond it, a FIGURE lurks at a back window. On a CUT CLOSER we see it's Little Stephanie, watching expressionlessly as Angel drives away.

INT. ANGEL'S OFFICE - DAY

Angel, Wesley and Cordy around Angel's desk, the vial of Plakticine in front of them. Cordy reports, referring to some hand-written notes.

CORDELIA
Well, Mom was telling the truth
about Akron. Before that, Miami and...
(checks notes)
Baton Rouge. All in the last
three years.

ANGEL
Let me guess. They couldn't lose
the black cloud.

CORDELIA
Like it was fitted with
chinstraps. Everywhere they go,
there's reports of disturbances,
and -- yuck -- animal deaths. In
Akron a friend of the family went
missing. He's still missing.

Angel and Wesley exchange a look. Cordy picks up the vial of plakticine.

CORDELIA
What is this stuff anyway?
It's kind of pretty.

WESLEY
It's the bodily excretion of an
Ethros demon.

Cordy puts down the vial.

CORDELIA
And no one could've said "demon
poo" before I touched it?

WESLEY
It can't hurt you. Only the demon
itself is dangerous.

CORDELIA
How dangerous?

WESLEY
Tends to go in for the mass
murder. You've heard of Lizzie
Borden? She killed her parents
with an axe?

CORDELIA
I remember the children's rhyme.
And how come they're all full of
death and cradles falling and mice
getting tails cut off anyway? The
whole thing needs a ratings system.

WESLEY
Yes. Well. What the rhyme
doesn't say is that she was
possessed by an Ethros.

ANGEL
By an adolescent Ethros. This
amount of plakticine, we've got
ourselves a grown-up demon.

CORDELIA
So someone in the family's got a
squatter in their head. What do
we do about it?

ANGEL
Evict him.

WESLEY
Exorcism. I'll look into finding
someone who can perform one. Not
too many priests go in for it much
these days.

CORDELIA
But who do we exorcize? Which
one's the demon?

ANGEL
The father seemed kind of off.
They were afraid of him.

WESLEY
A father doesn't have to be
possessed to terrorize his
children. He just has to...

He stops. Clearly has hit a personal place, and doesn't wish to continue. He shifts gears:

WESLEY
We'll find out soon enough. First
step in confronting the demon is
to get it to show itself. A
little Psylis Eucalipsis powder
ingested by the demon's host...

CORDELIA
And what? Dad goes "Rrrr," head
spins around?

WESLEY
Essentially.

ANGEL
So. How do I get someone to eat
Eucalipsis powder?

INT. ANDERSON HOME - NIGHT

Looking from inside the house out to where Angel stands on the door step holding a plastic-wrapped plate.

ANGEL
I made brownies.

INT. ANDERSON HOME - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

The whole family at the dining room table, finishing up a meal. Angel sits a little stiffly among them across from the kids, mom and dad on either end.

PAIGE
Angel? More brussel sprouts?

ANGEL
No thank you. I'm full.
Everything was very good.

SETH
Roast was a little dry.

ANGEL
No. It was... full of roast-y
goodness.

Angel tries out a smile. He's working very hard.

PAIGE
Well, I think we're ready to try
your brownies, Angel.

SETH
I'll get the coffee.

Paige and Seth head into the kitchen.

RYAN
(to Angel)
I didn't like the brussel sprouts.
They're gross.

ANGEL
(to Stephanie)
You must like them. You ate yours.

Stephanie flips open her napkin. There are three brussel sprouts inside. Angel leans in toward the kids.

ANGEL
(whispered)
I buried one in my mashed potatoes.

Stephanie and Ryan giggle as Seth enters with the coffee.

SETH
What are you laughing at?

STEPHANIE
Angel's funny.

SETH
He hides it well.

Seth pours coffee. Paige enters with the plate of brownies.

PAIGE
Look, kids. See what Angel
made for us?

The kids grab brownies and start to eat at once. The adults take theirs more slowly. Stephanie works on a mouthful and hides the rest in her napkin. Paige tries a nibble.

PAIGE
(around the bite)
Mmm. it's... It's got...
What's your secret, Angel?

Angel eyes Seth, who is toying with his brownie, breaking off a piece, almost biting. Pausing to drink some coffee...

ANGEL
(distracted)
I use chocolate. Um... That's why
they're brown. Which gives them
their name.
(beat)
Brownies.

Seth lifts his brownie, about to bite. Then, maddeningly, he pauses to say:

SETH
No hot chocolate tonight, kids.
This is your treat tonight.

RYAN
Dad!

STEPHANIE
That's not fair.

PAIGE
Kids, shush. Company.

Angel's eyes are fixed on Seth's brownie as it finally ends its journey. Seth chews. Angel watches intently...

SETH'S MOUTH

As he chews and chews and chews... starts to gag...

Then Stephanie SHRIEKS. But she's not looking at Seth. She's looking at --

RYAN

His head flings back, then down a gain. His skin is transparent, like cellophane, and underneath is a grimacing, horrific demon face. His UNEARTHLY HOWL drowns out Stephanie's screams. Off Angel's reaction...

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT ONE

Act Two

INT. ANDERSON HOME - DINING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Everything as it was. Ryan demony. Stephanie screaming. Everyone frozen. Then suddenly it's over. Ryan's head hits the table, unconscious, and Stephanie abruptly shuts up.

PAIGE
Oh God! Ryan! What's wrong?!

Paige jumps up, goes to Ryan. His face is human again, but mottled, greenish, marked with sores, lips cracked. She recoils at the sight, but takes him in her arms anyway.

ANGEL
Your son is possessed by a demon --

She looks at him, not comprehending. Seth's watching as Angel gently approaches Paige. Seth's very calm, just taking this all in, letting it register...

STEPHANIE
Ryan's bad. Ryan's always been bad.

SETH
Stephanie! Quiet.

She turns and runs into her room. No one follows. Angel continues to move to Paige and Ryan.

ANGEL
Paige, listen to me, he's okay --

PAIGE
What do you mean he's okay?

ANGEL
I had to get the demon to show
itself first...

PAIGE
You did this to him?

ANGEL
The demon was already there. I
just used the brownies to --

PAIGE
You put something in our food?!
You poisoned him! I thought you
were here to help us! You're not an angel!

Seth is just gazing at Angel, measuring his every word.

SETH
Paige, it's okay.

PAIGE
Seth! He did this to Ryan!

SETH
We both know that's not true...
whatever's wrong with Ryan...
has been for a very long time.

Paige quiets, feels betrayed. Angel and Seth meet looks.

SETH
You say you know how to help my
son? Alright. What do you need?

ANGEL
A phone.

INT. ANDERSON HOME - (SHORT TIME) LATER

Paige sits rocking absently an unconscious, scabby-looking Ryan. Seth is at her side, speaking soothingly to her. Angel, a distance away, talks on the phone.

ANGEL
I found our demon. It's in the boy.

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. ANGEL'S OFFICE - NIGHT

Wesley on the phone.

WESLEY
We're not ready. I found the name
of a priest, but I'm having a spot
of trouble running him to ground.

Angel considers that, takes in the sight of the distraught mother and her unconscious scabby son.

ANGEL
I need you to put together a
binding powder. Everything you
need is in the pantry. We can
contain him until we get the
priest. We're coming to you.

Angel hangs up. Seth approaches him. Angel glances over at Paige and Ryan.

ANGEL
How is she?

SETH
She's just... it's been so long.

ANGEL
This isn't going to be easy.

SETH
For the last three years it's all
I could do to keep this family
together. Now you come here, tell
me there may be a reason for all
the terror and confusion... and a
way to end it. Maybe you are an angel.

ANGEL
Can you get someone to come stay
with your daughter?

SETH
Yes. Why?

ANGEL
The rest of you are coming with me.

EXT. ANGEL'S OFFICE - NIGHT

Flashy flash cut to --

INT. ANGEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Angel, Paige and Seth ride down in the elevator. Angel holds unconscious, scabby Ryan. Paige carries a child's backpack and smooths Ryan's hair back from his forehead.

PAIGE
He's just sick. That's all.
He's a good boy.

Angel and Seth exchange a look.

PAIGE
He'll wake up sniffly and cranky.
You'll be glad I brought some toys.

They exit the elevator to find Wesley and Cordy waiting. Wesley takes Ryan from Angel and carries him to Angel's bed, which has been pulled to the center of the room, away from the walls. The others follow.

ANGEL
These are my assistants.

CORDELIA
Hi. I'm Cordelia. Sorry about
the possession and everything.

SETH
Um... hello.

Cordy spreads binding powder in a circle around the bed.

CORDELIA
I wonder if I should put down
plastic. Angel, are we expecting
any big vomiting here? 'Cause I
saw the movie.

Angel shakes his head at her, this isn't the time to talk about it.

WESLEY
(to the parents)
The binding powder will keep the
demon under control while Angel
and I go find a priest.

PAIGE
He doesn't need a priest.
He has a cold.

Angel takes Paige by the shoulders, looks at her intently.

ANGEL
Paige. Listen to me. This is not a cold.
He's not going to be sniffling and
playing with those toys. The only
way through this is to let us
help. Your son is possessed.
Deep down, you know this is true.
You know it.

Paige looks at Angel, letting it sink in. Stunned, finally getting it, she nods.

WESLEY
Cordelia will stay with you.
We'll be back as soon as we can.

ANGEL
Do not break the circle. It's
important. He'll try to get you
to come to him. Don't do it,
don't touch him. He's been
exposed and he's angry. He'll
kill you if he gets a chance. You
got that?

CORDELIA
Geez. We got it. Circle, angry,
kill-kill-kill. Go to church
already.

INT. CHURCH - NIGHT

Angel and Wesley enter the church. Angel casts an anxious look at the large crucifix behind the altar and gives wide berth to a font of holy water. There's no one there but a nun, kneeling in prayer, rosary in hand. They approach her.

WESLEY
Hello?... Um... Sister?

She looks up, pleasant, ready to help.

WESLEY
Good evening. Sorry to disturb
your praying. Hope we haven't
made you lose your place--

NUN
Not at all. How can I...

She trails off as she and Angel meet eyes. She gets a hint of what he is. She reaches out, as if to touch his hand.

She still holds the rosary, and the tiny cross that's affixed to it dangles very near Angel's hand. He pulls away. She knows.

NUN
You would come into a house of worship?

ANGEL
I'm not what you think.

NUN
No?

She moves the little cross closer to him. He pulls away again.

ANGEL
Okay, yeah I am. But I'm trying
to help someone. A child. He's
possessed by an Ethros demon.

She pales a little at that.

WESLEY
Which is why we need to find
Father Fredricks -- rather
urgently, I'm afraid.

NUN
He's out behind the church.

WESLEY
Thank you. Progress at last.

NUN
The last grave on the left.

ANGEL
He's... the Father is dead?

NUN
Six months ago a family came to
Father Fredricks. Their daughter
was possessed with a demon. A
very powerful demon. Father
Fredricks saved the young woman...
but couldn't save himself.

She moves to a table covered with votive candles. She lights one. Wesley and Angel exchange a look. Realizing:

WESLEY
It was an Ethros demon --

She looks at him, doesn't deny it.

NUN
If the child you're trying to save
really is possessed with an
Ethros -- my prayers are with you.
Both of you. Because you're
dealing with something very
smart and very dangerous.
(to Angel)
Even more dangerous than you.

As she turns and walks away we prelap:

RYAN (O.S.)
Mommy? Where are you?
I need you!

INT. ANGEL'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Ryan is awake now, still looking mottled and yucky. He sits up on the bed, looking small and scared...

RYAN
I'm scared. Are you there?
Can you hear me?...

INT. ANGEL'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN - NIGHT

Cordy, Seth and Paige sit at the table, drinking coffee. Paige fidgets with some of Ryan's toys, including a bag of marbles. She looks ready to break.

PAIGE
Can't I just take him his toys?
Please?

SETH
You heard what Angel said, Paige.
We have to wait.

PAIGE
Why do we have to wait? Things
were going really well this time.
Weren't they? Couldn't we just
keep on like it was?

SETH
Paige, no. Not after Ohio.

CORDELIA
Ohio?

SETH
A friend of ours... the kids
called him Uncle Frank... died.
In a fire.

PAIGE
That was an accident!
It wasn't Ryan!

RYAN (O.S.)
...Mommy, I'm scared and it's so
cold in here.

Paige starts to stand up. Seth puts a hand on her arm.

SETH
And that's not Ryan, either.

She looks toward the voice of her son, anguished.

SETH
Paige?

PAIGE
I'm not going to him, okay? I'm
playing by the stupid rules.

CORDELIA
(forced cheer)
Good! We can watch TV. Or play
cards. You'll get caught up,
won't even hear your son's pain.

RYAN (O.S.)
Mommy? I need you. I'm so
scared. Come here!

PAIGE
It's just too cruel.

Paige starts to cry. Seth looks at Cordelia.

CORDELIA
(to Paige)
It's almost over. Angel is good
at this kind of thing. And
Wesley... Well, I'm sure they're
on their way back with the priest.

INT. CHURCH - NIGHT

Angel stands by as Wesley fills a small bottle with water from the font.

ANGEL
You can't do it.

WESLEY
I know the ritual. We have the supplies.

ANGEL
You've never done this. It takes
tremendous strength. Mental strength --

WESLEY
Resistance to suggestion. Yes, I
understand that. I like to think
of myself as possessing a certain--

ANGEL
Wesley, you don't even have sales resistance.
(off Wes' offended look)
How many Thigh Masters do you own?

WESLEY
(defensively)
The second one was a free gift
with my Buns Of Steel...

ANGEL
Father Fredricks was an expert,
and a demon just like this one
killed him.

WESLEY
You're saying I can't do it.

ANGEL
That's right.

WESLEY
So, our only option is...

Wesley picks a cross off the votive table, tosses it lightly at Angel...

WESLEY
You do it.

Angel catches the cross instinctively. It burns and sizzles. He bobbles it, drops it. It lands, smoking, at his feet.

ANGEL
That was vulgar.

WESLEY
But I believe I made my point.

Wesley starts to go; Angel puts a hand on his shoulder.

ANGEL
Alright. You'll do it. But I'm
going to be right there with you.

INT. ANGEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Paige is standing in the bedroom doorway now. Seth and Cordy are trying to urge her away.

PAIGE
(brave smile)
See honey? Mommy's right here.

CORDELIA
Paige. Come away.

SETH
You wanted to see him.
There he is. He's fine.

PAIGE
He's not fine! Look at him!
Seth, look at him! He needs me.

RYAN

Lies curled up, tiny and miserable on Angel's bed.

RYAN
(weakly)
Mommy. I can't see you.
Something's wrong with my eyes and
it hurts. Why won't you help me?

PAIGE
I'm here. I'm right here, baby.

Ryan jerks on the bed, CONVULSING.

PAIGE
Oh God!

She tries to go to him, Cordelia and Seth hold her back.

INT. ANGEL'S OFFICE - NIGHT

Angel and Wesley enter the outer office. Wesley, now with a tote bag over his shoulder, is reading a tome as he walks.

WESLEY
The standard Latin seems to be the
ritual of choice for an Ethros...

ANGEL
Good. Come on.

Wesley reads something that disturbs him. Stops. Angel's already holding the elevator door open, looks back.

ANGEL
What?

WESLEY
I believe I know how the priest
was killed -- when an Ethros is
cast out, it immediately seeks
another body to inhabit... but it
takes such force to expel the
demon that the newly possessed
almost never survives...

ANGEL
That's a problem...

WESLEY
I dare say.

SETH (O.S.)
Paige, NO!

Off Angel and Wesley hearing that, bolting --

INT. ANGEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Paige continues to struggle against Seth and Cordelia. In the b.g. we can HEAR and see the elevator starting to lower.
Cordelia hears it, turns toward it.

CORDELIA
They're here. They're coming.

SETH
Thank God.

Paige takes advantage of their distraction, pulls away, as...

ANGEL AND WESLEY

The elevator stops. Angel reaches for the elevator doorhandle as he sees Paige break the grip of the other two.

ANGEL
No!

PAIGE'S FOOT

As she breaks the binding powder circle --

WIDER

Paige gathers Ryan in her arms... Ryan smiles... and the bedroom door SLAMS SHUT behind them, cutting off Seth and Cordy as...

THE ELEVATOR

Angel starts to slide the elevator door open and -- WHAM!, it forces itself SHUT of its own accord, trapping Angel and Wesley. The elevator reverses itself, carrying Angel and Wesley up up and away.

INT. ANGEL'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Ryan lifts his little arms, places a hand on each side of Paige's face. Looks at her intensely.

RYAN
(eerily calm)
Mommy. I'm so glad you're here.

Paige's eyes widen with fear. We HEAR POUNDING on the door beyond as...

RYAN
So glad...

Ryan slides his hands down the sides of her face, until they nestle around her neck. He starts to squeeze.

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT TWO

Continue on to Part Two

I've Got You Under My Skin

Part 2

(December 8, 1999 )

Story by: David Greenwalt & Jeannine Renshaw
Teleplay by: Jeannine Renshaw

Act Three

INT. ANGEL'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - NIGHT

As we were. Ryan's lethal hands clamped iron fast around his mother's throat. She's going pale, losing against the assault. Seth CRASHES through the door. He and Cordy bolt to Paige's aid, desperately try and pry back the little fingers. No good.

SETH
Ryan! No! Ryan, stop it!

Cordy, realizing it's useless, turns and runs back to the --

INT. ANGEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

ELEVATOR

Still just the empty shaft. She pounds on the "call" button. But she reacts now as she sees --

WHIP PAN TO

The stairs. Angel and Wesley racing down them. They rush past Cordy and into the --

INT. ANGEL'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Seth, still trying to pry Ryan off of his wife, sees Angel and Wesley approaching.

Wesley pulls an ornate cross from his bag of tricks. As he brandishes it at the demon boy's face --

WESLEY
Omnis spiritus immunde, in nominee Dei!

Ryan/Demon ROARS, releasing Paige from his grip. She staggers back, COUGHING and GAGGING for air. Seth grabs her, steadies her.

Ryan falls back onto the bed, out cold.

A get-your-breath beat. Wesley steps up next to Angel.

WESLEY
It's retreated back into the boy.

ANGEL
Gone deeper --

WESLEY
That's likely.

Angel considers that, looks to the traumatized parents.

ANGEL
From now on you do exactly as I
tell you. Understood?

They nod, chastened.

SLIGHT TIME CUT TO:

INT. ANGEL'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

A BEDSIDE TABLE

As a series of items are reverently laid out there... Cross, blessed oil, bottle of Holy Water, Sacred Book.

WIDER

Wesley prepares for battle. He looks over at Angel, who stands watching. Both of them bracing for the fight ahead. They look to...

RYAN

Asleep on the bed. Just a little boy... if it weren't for the hideous demon make-up, that is... Off Ryan...

INT. ANGEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Angel quietly exits the bedroom. Pulls the door shut behind him. He crosses through the living area, passing the kitchen where Seth and Paige sit, Seth helping Paige sip a cup of tea. She's still in some shock. Purplish bruises on her neck. Seth and Angel share a glance as Angel passes into --

INT. ANGEL'S APARTMENT - STUDY - CONTINUOUS

Where Cordy is going through some research books.

ANGEL
Anything?

CORDELIA
Ethros Demon... Ethros Box.

She turns a large tome toward him, open to a page featuring an illustration of a wooden box with handles on either side and a lift-lid with latch. Antique for sure.

ANGEL
This is what's used to trap it --

She moves and joins him in looking at the text.

CORDELIA
Says here the demon goes all dingy
when it's forced out. Bad sense
of direction or something. If you
have one of these boxes, it'll go
right into it.

ANGEL
(off text)
There to be confined for a
thousand years...

CORDELIA
Which oughta do it, right? Of
course, without one of these --

ANGEL
The demon will try to make the
jump into the nearest warm body.

CORDELIA
Right. So you're safe, anyway --
maybe we can build one?

Angel scans the text.

ANGEL
An authentic Ethros Box is made of
600 species of virgin woods... and
hand crafted by blind Tibetan Monks.

CORDELIA
(thinks for beat)
Nope. Don't know any.

Angel's jotting down an address for her. Hands it to her.

ANGEL
Melrose and Robertson. Between
the yogurt shop and the doggie dunk.

CORDELIA
Blind virgin monks?

ANGEL
Rick's Majick 'n Stuff. If anyone
in L.A.'ll have an Ethros Box --
it'll be Rick.

She looks at the scribbled address. Now they both react as the LIGHTS FLICKER and BUZZ. They look at each other.

ANGEL
Better hurry.

She nods, heads off to the stairs. Angel moves back to the --

INT. ANGEL'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Where Seth and Paige stand, she gripping his arm, both alarmed and on edge as the LIGHTS continue to FLICKER.

PAIGE
What's happening?

INT. ANGEL'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Ryan's face, eyes closed, still silent. Wesley glances up at the weird electrical flickering as he prepares the site for the ritual, sprinkling Holy Water on all corners of the bed --

WESLEY
Omnis spiritus immunde in nominee Dei --

Wesley moves to the next corner, covering Ryan from view for a beat... Wesley WIPES FRAME, revealing --

RYAN

in a totally different position, sitting up, burning eyes trained on Wesley, a small smile on his face.

RYAN
Your Latin sucks.

Wesley fairly jumps, takes a troubled step back. Wesley gathers himself, sprinkles more holy water on the boy.

WESLEY
Silence, demon!

Ryan recoils. Wesley goes for the sacred book.

WESLEY
I know your tricks. You'll not detour
me from doing what must be done --

He looks to the sacred text.

RYAN
You? Do something? What makes
you think you could do anything?

WESLEY
(ignoring that)
In odorem suavitatis. Tu Autem
effugare, diabole; appropinquabit
enim judicium Dei --

RYAN
You couldn't even Watch.

This catches Wesley off guard, he looks up at the boy, then nervously back to the text, finding his place, as --

RYAN
Everybody knows you got fired.
'Cause nothing you do is right,
nothing's gonna make him proud of you.

WESLEY
Skimming the surface of my mind.
Very good. But a mere parlor
trick. Here's one for you -- how
many crosses am I holding up?

He defiantly brandishes the cross; Ryan recoils, HISSES.

WESLEY
Omnis spiritus immunde, in nominee Dei!

RYAN
All those hours locked under the
stairs and you still weren't good
enough. Not good enough for Daddy,
not good enough for the council...

WESLEY
Omnis spiritus...
(lost his place)
That is to say...

RYAN
Lose your place? What makes you
think these people want you around
any more than the others did?

ANGEL (O.S.)
Because I invited him here --

Now we see Angel has entered the room.

RYAN
Then you're stupider than he is!

Angel nods to the book. Wesley remembers himself, continues.

WESLEY
Tu Autem...

RYAN
Go ahead, Wesley. Tell him why
he's a fool to trust you.

WESLEY
...effugare, diabole...

RYAN
Tell him how you plan to kill him --

Wesley stops, looks at Angel --

WESLEY
That's not true --

RYAN
No?
(to Angel)
He's more afraid of you than he is of me.

Furious, Wesley whips around...

WESLEY
I'll show you fear!

WESLEY'S FOOT

Disturbs the binding powder circle.

RYAN'S HAND

Shoots up, clamps around Wesley's wrist. He SNARLS, shoving the cross up at Wesley, stabbing him in the neck with it.

Wesley goes down. Angel is there in a shot, kneeling before him. Wesley reaches up, feels the wet blood on his neck. Angel looks at the wound, concerned, reaches out to it...

But Wesley flinches from Angel's touch, real fear in his eyes. A beat as Angel registers that.

WESLEY
(ashamed)
I'm sorry. I didn't mean...

They both look over now at Ryan, who's LAUGHING wickedly. And off his childish, evil laughter...

EXT. MAJICK SHOP - NIGHT

To establish, as...

INT. MAJICK SHOP - NIGHT

Cordelia is looking around at the items for sale. The clerk, RICK, approaches her.

RICK
Blessed be.

CORDELIA
Uh-huh. I need an Ethros box.

RICK
A lady who knows what she wants.
Commendable.

CORDELIA
Yes, I'm great. Pop it into a bag
and I'm outta here.

RICK
I don't have one.

CORDELIA
You don't have one? Well...
(looks around wildly)
What's that?

She points at something on a shelf. Looks like an Ethros box.

RICK
Good e