Five By Five

Part 1

(March 13, 2000)

Written by: Jim Kouf

Teaser

EXT. DOWNTOWN - NIGHT

Near the Los Angeles concrete river and railroad tracks. Rusting chain link fences, old bridges with eerie yellow fluorescent lighting, brick buildings covered with graffiti.

A MAN walks past the graffiti covered wall. His head is shaved. He's about twenty-five. Wears a flannel shirt, baggy pants. He's not afraid in this part of town. It's his territory. Under the flannel shirt, a tank top. We see lots of tattoo work on his neck, maybe a little creeping out onto his wrists and a teardrop beneath one eye. HE'S A GANG BANGER.

We FOLLOW Gang Banger as he crosses the street, heading for a bridge.

IN THE DISTANCE, we can SEE FLAMES rising from a FIVE GALLON DRUM. And the FIGURES OF THREE MEN standing around it.

EXT. UNDER THE BRIDGE - NIGHT

One of the Gang's hangouts. A BURNED OUT HULK OF A CAR. A couple old couches and chairs. Lots of graffiti.

GANG BANGER ENTERS THE DOMAIN, MOVES TOWARD THE THREE FIGURES GATHERED AROUND THE FIRE IN THE FIVE GALLON DRUM. Their backs are to us so we can't see their faces yet. They look like bangers from here.

GANG BANGER
Ese, what the hell're you burnin' in
there? It stinks like --

Gang Banger stops, realizing these guys aren't his pals.

GANG BANGER (cont'd)
Hey, you hangin' in the wrong place.
My boys ain't gonna be too happy
when they get here and see what a
mess you been --

He stops suddenly as one of the guys turns and he sees his face. Big ass demon. We'll call him DEMON 1.

Demon 1 smiles as DEMON 2 picks up an ARM IN FLANNEL SHIRT, still clutching a 9mm auto pistol, and drops it into the burning drum. (They're in the process of getting rid of what's left of Gang Banger's buddies.)

And now we SEE the FACES of DEMON 2 and DEMON 3. They look just like DEMON 1. And when they smile they reveal their double rows of shark-like teeth. (Or something to that effect.)

Gang Banger suddenly turns and runs. And the three demons go after him.

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

Gang Banger tears out from under the bridge, racing down the street as fast as he can. Pulls a gun from the back of his pants.

The three demons chase. Gaining on Gang Banger.

Gang Banger, terrified, fires wildly at them as he runs. He races across a street. Continuing to fire wildly until his gun is empty.

He glances back over his shoulder. And they're now twenty feet behind him. And they're smiling.

Gang Banger tries to run faster.

The three demons are enjoying the chase. Not tired at all. But suddenly they are lit from behind… by a CAR'S HEADLIGHTS. Coming up fast.

THE DEMONS

annoyed, turn around to look just as the BLADE OF A SWORD slices off ALL THEIR HEADS. They drop and we --

SEE ANGEL'S CONVERTIBLE

roar past. Top down. Angel is holding the sword and Wesley is driving.

The car races ahead of the running Gang Banger, Wesley putting it into a skid. It spins around, screeches to a stop in front of Gang Banger, illuminating him in the headlights. The Gang Banger stops, exhausted. Staring into the headlights, not sure whether he will live or die.

ANGEL STEPS INTO THE HEADLIGHTS, SILHOUETTING HIM. Still holding the big bloody sword.

ANGEL
Your name Marquez?

Gang Banger nods.

ANGEL
Good. I hate saving the wrong guy.

Suddenly we HEAR AN UNEARTHLY GROWL. Angel spins around, wielding the sword.

The Gang Banger is wide-eyed and terrified. Frozen stiff with fear as we HEAR (all off screen action) THE SWORD CONNECT with FLESH AND BONE. We HEAR the fall of a body, the THUMP of a HEAD. And possibly get a splash of white, pus-like blood as it splatters. Angel turns back to Marquez.

ANGEL
Never know who you're gonna
meet in this part of town. Want a ride?

EXT. BUS DEPOT - THE BAD PART OF TOWN - NIGHT

The BUS DEPOT is downtown. It's dark, late. Streets empty. A GREYHOUND TYPE BUS pulls into the depot.

INT. BUS DEPOT GARAGE - NIGHT

CLOSE ON BUS DOORS as they HISS OPEN and a FEW LEGS exit. Some sneakers with baggy pants, pumps with an old dress, and black boots with jeans. We FOLLOW THE BLACK BOOTS AND JEANS as they move toward the exit.

EXT. BUS DEPOT - NIGHT

A LIGHTED MATCH touches the end of a cigarette and is drawn in as somebody sucks the flame into the leaves. And we FOLLOW the flow to the thin lips of a somewhat handsome man in his thirties. He's wearing a leather jacket, a couple of gold chains. We'll call him DICK. But his attention is on…

…the jeans that have just walked out of the bus depot. From here we can tell it's a slender woman… with dark hair. She's carrying a battered bag. Her hair is across her face, so we can't get a good look at her. She looks a bit ragged. Maybe it's from the long bus trip. There seems to be some hesitation. As if she's new in the city and not sure of her directions.

BUT AS SHE TURNS AND STARTS WALKING TOWARD US, WE SEE IT'S FAITH. She looks like she hasn't slept for a week and has been living on black coffee. And walking an emotional tight rope for too long.

Dick's thin lips curl into a smile as he waits for the woman. He blows out smoke and sucks it back up into his nose.

Faith passes right past DICK without a look. Dick moves out, right behind her.

DICK
New in town, right? You got that
new in town look. Dangerous part of
town this time of night for a young
lady… by herself.

Faith keeps walking. Dick moves up, walking side by side with her.

DICK
Lot of people down here try'n take
advantage of a situation like that.
Especially if you don't have any
money… or a place to stay…

Faith looks at Dick through the hair that falls across her face. She makes no attempt to brush it aside, as if she doesn't notice. And she doesn't stop walking. Dick smiles. Trying to project a friendly, nice guy image.

DICK
I might be able to help.

FAITH
I'm cold.

Dick's got her now.

DICK
Warm is my middle name.

Dick takes off his leather jacket and when it's half way down his arms --

Faith suddenly throws an elbow, smashing Dick in the face. He is stunned. Faith grabs him and slams against the building. And she's on him, hitting him again and again. A little over the top considering Dick's arms are still caught up in his coat half way down his back. He can't even lift a hand in defense.

Dick slams face first to the ground. Out. Then she kneels down on his back, yanks his wallet from his pocket. Opens it.

FAITH
Now I got money.
(pulls out his keys)
And a place to stay.

She pulls off his leather jacket, slips it on. Good fit. She brushes her hair back, looks at the bleakness around her.

FAITH
I think I'm gonna like it here.

BLACK OUT.

END OF TEASER

Act One

SUPER LEGEND: Borsa, Rumania, 1890's.

INT. HOUSE - RUMANIA - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

The interior of the house and the furniture hopefully tells us we're in the eighteen hundreds. The room is lit by lanterns. It's dim and shadowy inside. The door suddenly opens and Angel, dressed in the attire of old, stumbles in, blindfolded.

He stumbles, but catches himself. Is he a captive?

Angel starts to laugh as he stands up and turns back to the door just as Darla enters, pushing the door shut. She's smiling.

ANGEL
Can I take off this damn blindfold yet?

DARLA
No.

Darla starts to walk past him, but Angel grabs her and pulls her to him. His hand pressing against the small of her back.

ANGEL
Then can I take off something else?

Darla smiles.

DARLA
After I give you your present.

He pulls her into a kiss. She lets him have his way for a moment, then she pushes away from him, laughing.

DARLA
You can never have enough of these.

She grabs his hand and pulls him along. Angel tries not to stumble.

DARLA
Come on.

INT. DARLA'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

A fire crackles in the large stone fireplace. Darla drags Angel into the room. She positions him. Then moves behind him and undoes his blindfold.

P.O.V. AS THE BLINDFOLD IS REMOVED

REVEALING a BEAUTIFUL SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD GYPSY GIRL lying on the floor. Hands and feet chained tightly. Her mouth gagged. She is terrified.

DARLA
Happy birthday, Angelus.

By the look on Angel's face we can tell he likes the present.

ANGEL
She's a gypsy.

DARLA
I looked everywhere.

Angel looks at Darla.

ANGEL
What would I do without you?

DARLA
Wither and die.

Angel pulls Darla into a passionate kiss. Then, as they part, Darla looks into his eyes and smiles.

DARLA
She's not just for you. I get to watch.

Angel smiles. Then he lets go of Darla, turns to the terrified young woman.

The young gypsy woman's eyes widen in fear as Angel approaches.

Angel reaches down for her and MORPHS to vamp. The woman tries to scream, but the sound is muffled by her gag.

Angel sensuously moves a hand up her bare leg, slowly pushing up her skirt above her knee, up her thigh.

Angel smiles at her. Then he slowly moves down to her leg and sinks his teeth into the inside of her thigh… just above the knee, get your mind out of the gutter.

Darla watches. Almost as if she can feel her own teeth sinking into Angelus.

INT. ANGEL'S OUTER OFFICE - DAY

The door is closed to Angel's office. Cordy is at the door trying to hear what's going on inside. Wes is pacing.

CORDELIA
-- This guy's never gonna do it.
What a waste of a good vision.

WESLEY
It's going that badly?

CORDELIA
I knew it when you brought him in
last night. Someone with that much
body art is going to have a different
definition of civic duty.

Wesley looks distressed.

WESLEY
After we saved his life?!

CORDELIA
When was the last time you wrote a
thank you card?

WESLEY
Well I have faith in Angel. If
anyone can convince him to testify --

CORDELIA
-- Wesley, you don't change a guy
like that. In fact, generally
speaking, you don't change a guy.
What you see is what you get.
Scratch the surface and what do you
find? More surface.

WESLEY
Well I suppose one could have said
that about… Angel.

CORDELIA
Oh, please, he was cursed by gypsies.
What's Angel going to do, drag a
bunch of them in here to shove a soul
down this guy's throat?

WESLEY
He may be a ruffian, but he's already
got a soul -- and therefore,
somewhere deep down inside, an urge
to do what's right.

Suddenly the office door opens and Gang Banger is headed out--

GANG BANGER
No way! I'm gone!

Angel grabs him and pulls him back into the office, slamming the door. Cor looks at Wes:

CORDELIA
I guess you're right, Wes, he's just
like the Dalai Lama.

INT. ANGEL'S INNER OFFICE - DAY

Angel slams Gang Banger down into a chair and leans right down into his face.

ANGEL
The only way you're gonna keep
from getting killed is to do the right
thing!

GANG BANGER
Right thing for who?!

Gang Banger tries to get up. Angel won't let him.

ANGEL
Next time they come after you, I'm
not gonna be there. And your friends
aren't gonna be there either, not
after being cut up and incinerated.

Beat.

ANGEL
You don't even know what you're
up against… Do you.

Angel is right. Gang Banger doesn't know what came after him last night. And the fear is back.

ANGEL
…You're gonna have to face your
demons sometime.

GANG BANGER
What if I don't wanna face my demons.

ANGEL
Then you'll have to face mine.

EXT. BAR - NIGHT - STOCK - ESTABLISHING

A FEW YOUNG FOLK showing ID's to get in. Not that it matters. The MUSIC is already LOUD. When the door opens, it's a jolt.

INT. BAR - NIGHT

The place is packed. Lots of black. It's dark. Strange lighting pulses. Dance floor packed. In the midst of it all we see a woman who is in rock and roll overdrive. As she spins around we see it's Faith. Lost in pounding rhythms. Attracting the attention of SEVERAL MEN. She dances past a few to a COUPLE.

The woman is VERY ATTRACTIVE. Faith smiles at the woman, starts dancing with her man. The man isn't quite sure what to do about this, but it is clearly what we all call a luxury problem at this point.

The Attractive Woman is pissed.

ATTRACTIVE WOMAN
Excuse me…

FAITH
Okay, you're excused.

Faith wraps her arms around guy's neck, dancing dirty close now. Attractive Woman grabs Faith, pulling her around.

ATTRACTIVE WOMAN
That's my boyfriend.

FAITH
Really? Does he have your name
on him?

Faith peeks down the guy's shirt.

FAITH
I don't see it… anywhere…

ATTRACTIVE WOMAN
(to boyfriend, furious)
Billy, do something.

FAITH
Yeah Billy, do something… like this.

And Faith cracks her elbow back into Attractive's face, sending her sprawling into another several dancers -- chain reaction of shoving and anger starting as BILLY, at first shocked, then furious, swings at Faith who gracefully ducks -- Billy hits another guy and the brawl is on.

And now fists and feet fly. With Faith in the middle of it. Enjoying her carefree moment of violence, grabbing one guy, punching the hell out of him, then slamming an elbow into someone else.

This is a major free-for-all. Faith is out of control. Unleashing herself on memory. AND ROCKIN' TO THE MUSIC.

INT. COURTROOM - DAY

TRIAL in progress. A handsome, rough-looking GUY, wearing a great suit, is sitting at the defense table. He's the client. Next to him is LEE MERCER, a Jr. lawyer at Wolfram and Hart. Both of them look confident.

A PROSECUTION ATTORNEY from the District Attorney's Office is at the Prosecution table. No expression of confidence here. It's all he can do to keep from burying his head in his hands.

The JUDGE and TWO ATTORNEYS are in the middle of a sidebar. And everyone is waiting.

THE SIDEBAR AT THE BENCH

The Judge, ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY and Lindsey.

LINDSEY
…and while the arguments the
District Attorney has presented are
somewhat entertaining, the case
hinges on testimony of witnesses
they have been unable to produce.

ASSISTANT D.A.
Your Honor, we could produce them
if Wolfram and Hart would stop
tampering --

LINDSEY
Witness tampering is a serious
allegation, Counselor. And I will be
filing a grievance for that remark
with the A.B.A. this afternoon.
(back to Judge)
They have no witness, they have no
case. I request a dismissal of all
charges against my client, whose
reputation has been irreparably
damaged by these proceedings.

Judge nods, she has to agree. Suddenly the doors at the back of the courtroom open. Lindsey, still speaking, turns to see:

LINDSEY
He is a law abiding and upstanding citizen.

GANG BANGER AND ANGEL

moving down the aisle, approaching the bench. Gang Banger still looks a little unsure, but Angel is right behind him. There is no turning back. Lindsey and Angel lock eyes.

ANGEL
Your client really is, except for
that pesky drug dealing and murder stuff.

ASSISTANT D.A.
(coolly)
Your Honor, the state calls Mr. Marquez.

Mr. Marquez is quickly ushered in.

THE DEFENDANT and MERCER - suddenly don't look so happy.

LINDSEY

looks back in time to see…

ANGEL

leaving the courtroom.

INT. WOLFRAM & HART - LINDSEY'S OFFICE - DAY

Lindsey is strolling around his office, speaking into his wireless telephone headset.

LINDSEY
… No, sir, I accept full responsibility.
I thought we had done everything
possible. However I had not foreseen
the intervention…

The door opens, Mercer sticks his head in. Lindsey waves him in and crosses back.

LINDSEY
Yes, sir, Angel… I don't disagree.
He is proving to be a costly
liability… I'll do that… Yes,
sir, good-bye.

LINDSEY TAKES OFF HIS HEAD PHONE WITH A SIGH.

LINDSEY
I hate failure when there's no one
else to blame it on.

MERCER
I think I might have a solution to
our problem.

Lindsey turns to Mercer, who pulls a page from his briefcase. Presenting it with confidence.

INT. WOLFRAM AND HART - DAY

MERCER moves down the hall, past the conference room. He becomes aware of a TAPPING sound, looks over.

HIS POV - INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM

And moving with him is LILAH, a few files in hand. Signaling she wants to talk to him.

(NOTE: if we don't have a conference room that supports this visual, we can just have Mercer moving down to a hall and find Lilah moving up behind him -- in that version she'd say, "Lee, I've been looking for you," then turn to the lawyer she's walking with and deliver her first line "drop dead offer" before turning her attention to Mercer.)

As they meet at the doorway, she turns back and says to one of the LAWYERS in the room:

LILAH
Call them back and tell them that's
our drop dead offer -- and make sure
they understand we're speaking
literally not figuratively.
(to Mercer)
How are you doing?

MERCER
Good. You?

LILAH
Great. I hear you came up with a
good idea.
(off his look)
To deal with our friendly
neighborhood vampire.

MERCER
No, I came up with a great idea. How
do you find these things out so fast?

LILAH
Part of my job. How did you find out
there was a rogue slayer in town?

MERCER
Part of my job -- I read the police
reports, she's been a busy little beaver.

LILAH
But you don't know where she is.

MERCER
I will soon enough.

LILAH
I already do.

Lilah shows him one of the files in her hand. He reaches for it, she pulls it back.

LILAH
I'll make the contact.

MERCER
I don't think so, this is my deal.
I'll make the contact.

LILAH
Let me think about that --
(almost instantly:)
-- no.

MERCER
Why not?

LILAH
It's your people skills -- you don't
have any.

MERCER
You bitch.

LILAH
See?
(moving off)
Don't have a snit -- if you behave,
I'll let you ride in the limo.

FLASHY CUT TO:

INT. ANGEL'S OFFICE - DAY

Cordelia is on the phone.

CORDELIA
I'm terribly sorry about your wife
cheating on you, Mr. Garson, but we
don't really handle divorce…
(listens:)
…she slept with the dog?
(listens more:)
Oh, Shiatsu, not Shih-tzu -- she
slept with the masseur -- which
isn't good, either.

(PRODUCTION NOTE: Shiatsu is pronounced SHE OUGHT SUE, emphasis on middle syllable OUGHT. Shih-tzu is pronounced SHEET SUE.)

CORDELIA
But unfortunately we don't really do
divorce cases…
(listens)
…no, it's not about the money…
(listens some more)
…oh, it's about that much money…
how soon can we meet?

As Cor writes down an address, we pan or dolly to Angel's office door as Angel and Wesley step out of Angel's elevator.

CORDELIA (O.S.)
…I know where that is. We'll be
there tomorrow, thanks for calling, bye.

They bring us back to her as she hangs up.

CORDELIA
How'd it go?

WESLEY
We won.

CORDELIA
Gang guy testified?

ANGEL
Stood up and told the truth.

CORDELIA
(to Wesley)
What did I tell you.

WESLEY
That he never would.

CORDELIA
(ignores that)
More good news, I may have landed
a new client -- and here's a twist: he
can afford to pay.

WESLEY
What's the case?

CORDELIA
(evasive)
I'm still in the information
gathering phase… we're meeting him
for lunch tomorrow.
(to Angel, to change subject)
So are you happy with the way things
turned out?

Angel nods, deep in his own thoughts.

CORDELIA
(to Wesley)
You can always tell when he's happy.
His scowl is slightly less scowly.

WESLEY
That young man is lucky he ran into you.

ANGEL
He just needed a little guidance, a
push in the right direction.

WESLEY
I wonder how Wolfram and Hart are
going to push back?

A beat. All three of them are worried about that now.

CORDELIA
Did I mention our new paying client?

EXT. ANOTHER BAR - NIGHT

LOUD MUSIC gushing into the street. A FEW BARFLIES enter as Faith exits with an attractive WOMAN. We may not see her face at first, just concentrate on Faith, who is a bit wobbly. (NOTE TO DIRECTOR AND ACTORS: Mind the lesbian subtext -- keep it very "sub".)

FAITH
…I guess we could go somewhere
and talk… although I'm not much
of a talker… I'm more of a doer.

WOMAN
I think you might've misunderstood
my intentions.

We see the woman now. It's LILAH, from Wolfram and Hart. She stops talking. Faith stops with her, staring at her and leaning in close, backing her against a wall.

FAITH
No. I think you misunderstood mine.
I like to watch. Diamonds, right?

LILAH
Faith --

FAITH
How'd you know my name?

Faith puts her hands against the wall, one on either side of Lilah's neck.

FAITH
I don't think I told you.

Lilah is not liking this.

LILAH
We're well aware of who you are and
what you do. And we know that you're
experiencing some difficulties. We
think we can help bring a little more
order to your life.

Faith pushes up against Lilah --

FAITH
"We" do, do we? Who is "we" and why
do they know about me when I don't
know jack about you?

And just as Faith is about to unleash --

LILAH
Green is my favorite color, I look
good in diamonds, and I love riding
in limousines.

A LONG BLACK LIMOUSINE

…slides up. Door opening. Faith turns at the sound, ready to hurt something. But Mercer sticks his head out. He's dressed in a sharp Armani.

MERCER
Faith…

Faith doesn't know what the hell is going on.

MERCER
…can we talk?

Mercer disappears back into the limo. Faith hesitates a beat, then looks at Lilah.

FAITH
I like black.

Faith gets into the back. Lilah breathes a sigh of relief, then gets in. The door shuts.

The limo tears off down the street.

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT ONE

Act Two

INT. DARLA'S HOUSE - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

The door opens and Darla enters.

DARLA
Angelus.

She moves through the house.

DARLA
Are you here?

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

DARLA enters. The room is dark, there may be a candle or two burning.

DARLA
Angelus --

THERE IS MOVEMENT IN THE SHADOWS AT THE BACK OF THE ROOM. Darla turns quickly… not sure if she's in danger.

ANGEL
Not everyone screams…

DARLA
What…?

ANGEL
…when you kill them. Some just
stand there, frozen, while others…

She recognizes his voice. But he's still in the shadows. As if he's hiding.

DARLA
What are you doing? Are we
playing a game?

Angel steps out of the shadows now. Self-consciously. And when we see him we know why. He looks terrible, like he's been hit by a runaway carriage pulled by four stallions.

ANGEL
…the children, they usually scream…

Darla thinks about this for a moment. Remembering it as a pleasant experience.

DARLA
They sound just like little pigs.

She smiles with anticipation.

DARLA
Have you brought me some?

Nothing from Angel.

DARLA
What, you don't think I'll share? I
can't believe you think I'm that
insensitive.

ANGEL
We've drunk and killed for how long
now…? A hundred and forty odd
years? We've drunk them all up and
they're all dead…

He laughs a little at that (maybe). It's not a sane laugh.

DARLA
Where have you been…?

For the first time, Darla gets the sense that something is really wrong with Angel. Like a woman whose radar has just picked up her man's cheatin' heart. She knows something has changed, but she's not sure what.

Angel leans against the wall, half curled up, as if trying to will himself to disappear or die.

She moves closer. Reaching to touch him.

ANGEL
Don't.

DARLA
What is this?! Have you met someone else?

He closes his eyes, struggling with the visions for a moment, then he moves to her, putting his arms around her.

She starts to put her arms around him, but suddenly she is overcome with revulsion. She tries to push away from him.

DARLA
NO… Let go… Let go of me!

Darla bursts back from him as if an invisible force suddenly separates them.

DARLA
What happened to you?!

Angel hesitates, desperate, not knowing how to tell her --

DARLA
ANGELUS! What happened?!

ANGEL
That Gypsy girl you brought, her
people found out, they did something
to me…

DARLA
A spell.

ANGEL
Funny, you'd think with all the
people I've maimed and killed I
wouldn't be able to remember every
single one… help me.

She stares at him, then slowly reaches out, touches his face. A flicker of hope in his eyes, as:

DARLA
The spell… they gave you a soul…

He nods. And suddenly she drags her hand down his face, leaving three or so long bloody marks. He leaps back.

DARLA
…a filthy soul.

From here on out she is filled with a growing repulsion and horror -- just like a normal person would be in the presence of a vampire.

DARLA
No! You're disgusting.

Angel is stunned.

ANGEL
Darla…

DARLA
Get away from me.

ANGEL
You brought her here!

Darla suddenly picks up a chair and flings it against the wall. Her power is stunning. The chair shatters. But she retains a broken piece of the chair leg - a stake.

And she swipes at him. He barely escapes it. Darla starts toward him again. He backs away.

ANGEL
I am like you!

DARLA
You're not like anything. GET
AWAY FROM ME!!

Darla lunges again. Angel dives under the stake or over a table and stumbles out the door.

HER P.O.V. OF ANGEL OUTSIDE

Stumbling to his feet, turning around. Looking at her one last time… A mixture of confusion and hate… before he disappears into the shadows.

INT. WOLFRAM & HART'S OFFICE - NIGHT

Faith is pacing like a caged animal. Moving around the office as if she's working out her options; steal something, break something, or kill somebody - where do I start?

Mercer, Lilah, and Lindsey are watching her as they proceed with the interview.

LINDSEY
(reading from a.p.b.)
…where a felony arrest warrant
from Sunnydale was issued in your name…
(impressed)
… for murder.
(looks Faith)
The physical description is quite
accurate. The photograph, however,
is not flattering. There's lots of
personal stuff that's of no interest.
But what they fail to mention is…
you're a slayer.

Faith turns to face them. Not sure if she should attack or make for the door.

LILAH
Which is why we find you especially
appealing.

LINDSEY
(stands up; paces)
You have a problem. We have a
problem. I just had a perfectly good
murder case go up in smoke, you
seem to have a certain expertise in that
area yourself. So, to make a long story
less long, if a certain service is rendered,
I think we can get you off.

FAITH
You don't know how many men have
promised me that.

LILAH
(laughs)
I'm certain you won't be disappointed
with our performance.

FAITH
Who am I supposed to kill?

Lindsey looks at Faith with a hopeful smile. The sits back on his desk.

LINDSEY
Please understand, we would never
advocate the killing of any human
being. His name is Angel.

Faith registers the name subtly.

LINDSEY
He's somewhat of a private --

FAITH
-- no problem.

Everyone is a little surprised by quick acceptance. She's almost a little too eager.

MERCER
Don't you want to know anything more?

FAITH
Yeah. Besides gettin' me off, how
much you gonna pay?

MERCER
It might behoove you to know a little
more about your intended.
(approaches her)
So before we discuss renumeration --

FAITH
(pointedly)
-- huh?

MERCER
…Payment… I want to make sure you
understand that this firm is in no
way connected to anything you do.

Mercer moves up to her, leans in.

MERCER
It's my ass on the line here. I
don't want you to make me look bad.

Faith looks at him for half a beat, then with unbelievable speed she takes him by the hair and slams his head into an antique or other interesting table…

FAITH
How do you look now?

As she continues to pound his head into the table (we should probably only see the first slam) --

Lindsey and Lilah watch passively. Impressed by her ability and ruthlessness.

LILAH
She shows initiative.

LINDSEY
(hits speaker-phone)
Jesse, I think we better make it
three for dinner instead of four.

INT. GOVERNMENT BUILDING ROTUNDA - DAY

Cordelia, Wesley and Angel walking through the Rotunda. Several people in business attire entering and exiting.

CORDELIA
…And he's kind of a busy man so
lunch was the only time he had.
It's not the kind of case I would
normally go after, but we've got to
consider the bottom line.

ANGEL
What kind of demons are we dealing with?

CORDELIA
Well, it's not exactly a demon thing.

WESLEY
What kind of thing is it?

CORDELIA
It's a… kind of… husband and wife
break-up thing.

WESLEY
A divorce case?

Angel stops.

ANGEL
You're kidding.

CORDELIA
(innocently incensed)
What's wrong with a divorce case?

ANGEL
It's not what we do.

CORDELIA
According to the husband…
(trying to sell it)
…the wife's a real witch.

WESLEY
It seems a bit on the seedy side.

CORDELIA
This is not seedy. He's in
government!

Wesley and Angel giver her a look.

CORDELIA
Just talk to him. Oh, and we should
pick up the tab for lunch.
Nothing says success less than
splitting the bill.

ANGEL
I didn't bring any money with me.

CORDELIA
Okay, Elvis, when you're a big star
you can get away without carrying
cash.

ANGLE - ANGEL IN WIDE SINGLE

As Faith, unseen by all of them, suddenly appears behind him, moving up fast.

CORDELIA
And while we're on the subject, I
think one of us should apply for a
small business loan.

ANGLE - ABOVE LOOKING DOWN ON FAITH AND ANGEL

As she raises a large crossbow, aims it at his back. She's maybe six feet or less behind him.

CORDELIA
Just to get us through the rough spots.
(to Angel)
I mean, what's a thirty year loan
to you?

FAITH - fires!

ANGEL

Spins around so quickly we hardly see the move, grabbing the arrow a centimeter from entering his chest.

And he, Cordy and Wesley are stunned to find themselves staring at --

FAITH
That was so cool.

BEFORE ANGEL CAN RESPOND, FAITH SAYS --

FAITH
This is gonna be fun.

-- AS SHE TURNS AND RUNS, disappearing quickly out the exit.

WESLEY
Oh… my God. Faith…

ANGEL
I thought she was in a coma.

CORDELIA
Pretty lively coma.

INT. ANGEL'S OFFICE - DAY

Angel hangs up on the phone. Turns to face Wesley and Cordelia.

ANGEL
Giles said she left Sunnydale about
a week ago. He described her mental
state as borderline psychotic.

CORDELIA
That explains the outfit.

WESLEY
This isn't right --

CORDELIA
No, Wesley, when a wacked out
Slayer tries to kill your boss, it's
very wrong.

WESLEY
I meant Giles. Why didn't he give me
a heads up? I was Faith's Watcher;
when she came out of her coma Giles
should have contacted me immediately.

CORDELIA
Maybe he was too busy trying to keep
her from, I don't know, killing
everybody.

ANGEL
He didn't know she was coming after
me… and he was worried about Buffy.

CORDELIA
Is she okay?

ANGEL
Yeah.

Beat. Cordy knows Buffy is still a hard subject for Angel.

CORDELIA
What can we do?

ANGEL
Help me track her down. I want you
two to check police reports,
beatings, killings, anything within
the last week, probably near bus
stations and bars. And then you make
yourselves scarce. I don't want to
give her any free targets.

WESLEY
You've been targeted by a psychotic.
I'm certainly not going to run and
hide.

CORDELIA
I like the plan where I'm scarce.

WESLEY
We've got to band together. Strength
in numbers.

CORDELIA
(indicating the men)
Two is a number.

ANGEL
She's coming for me. I got a fight
coming up and I don't want you
getting in the way.

WESLEY
(stung)
I thought we were a team.

ANGEL
We're not a team. I'm your boss.
You go where I tell you and I tell
you to stay low.

WESLEY
Seems you're taking this personally.

ANGEL
She tried to shoot my own personal
back, so yeah.

WESLEY
Did she do something to Buffy?

Angel pauses.

ANGEL
Giles just said it was rough.

WESLEY
I'm sorry. But if you let your
emotion control you right now one of
you will certainly end up dead.

ANGEL
That's what the lady wants…

WESLEY
(a bit in his face)
That's not good enough. She's not a
demon, Angel. She's a sick, sick
girl. If there's even a chance she
could be reasoned with--

ANGEL
There was. Last year I had a shot at
saving her, I was pulling her back
from the brink when some British guy
kidnapped her and made damn sure
she'd never trust another living soul.

CORDELIA
Angel, it's not Wesley's fault some
British guy ruined your -- oh wait.
(to Wes)
That was you.
(to Angel)
Go on.

WESLEY
(a bit downcast)
You don't need to.

A moment, as Angel wants to say something, can only offer:

ANGEL
Let's get to work.

EXT. LOS ANGELES SKYLINE - DAY (STOCK)

JUMP CUTTY TRANSITION, maybe involving weapons, Faith, to:

INT. ANGEL'S APARTMENT - DAY

A cabinet opens. Revealing an impressive array of strange weapons.

Angel looks them over, making his decision.

We HEAR SOMETHING from upstairs. Nothing too obvious. Just enough to make one wonder if he should take a look. But it could be just Wes or Cordy coming back for something.

INT. ANGEL'S OFFICE - DAY

Angel enters slowly. Nobody appears to be inside. He moves through the office. Not sure if he's just being overly cautious… He stops, sensing a presence. We hear blinds… He turns quickly…

…Through the open door to the outer office, the blinds on Cordelia's window open, sun flooding in.

FAITH
Hey, baby.

Faith steps into the bright sunlight.

FAITH
Come give us a hug.

ANGEL
I was hoping you'd stop by. I always
like to see old friends.

Faith pulls a snub rose revolver from behind her back.

ANGEL
What's this, wooden bullets?

FAITH
Oooo, good idea. No, it's for you. I
got a sense of fair play -- you know
I'll kill you slowly and
inventively -- so I'm giving you one
chance to --

She tosses him the gun on the word "chance". But the word "to" he is already FIRING THE GUN (at her leg).

The SOUND INSIDE THE OFFICE is deafening.

Faith looks down at her leg. She looks up at Angel with a smile. Like she's enjoying it. On a high.

ANGEL
Blanks? Nice.

Angel tosses the gun back to Faith.

FAITH
Tsk, tsk, you didn't shoot to kill.
We're gonna have to up the stakes,
get you in the game a little.

ANGEL
What is the game, exactly, Faith?
Boredom, revenge?

FAITH
Dude, I'm gettin paid! They hate you
almost as much as I do.

ANGEL
Did it ever occur to you this might
be more fun for me?

Faith steps out of the light toward Angel.

FAITH
Ya think? 'Cause what if you kill me
and experience that one true moment
of pleasure? Oops. I'd get off on
that. Go 'head, do me. Let's take
that hell ride together.

For the first time Angel gets a real sense of how far gone she really is.

FAITH
Come on Angel, I'm all yours. I'm
givin' you an open invitation.

Angel hesitates.

FAITH
Jeez, you're pathetic, you and your
little tortured soul, gotta think
everything through -- well think
fast, lover, you don't do me, you
know I'm gonna do you.

She suddenly aims the gun at him. Faith pulls the trigger. Angel is slammed with a bullet. He looks up, surprised. But no surprise for Faith.

FAITH
Gosh, that one wasn't a blank -- let
the games begin.

Faith smiles and leaps for the window. CRASHING THROUGH IT INTO THE SUNLIGHT. THE SUDDEN LIGHT blows the screen WHITE as we --

EXT. WOLFRAM & HART LAW OFFICE - NIGHT - STOCK - ESTABLISH

INT. WOLFRAM & HART'S LOBBY - NIGHT

Lindsey is leaving. Looks like he's done for the day. Chatting for a sec with another young lawyer BRET FOLGER.

LINDSEY
…it's a situation we're handling.

BRET
I saw the file -- he needs to be
handled. Gotta jump.

Bret intercepts another passing Lawyer, Lindsey moves off. We follow Lindsey BUT HOLD ON A BRIEFCASE WHICH SUDDENLY FILLS FRAME moving the other way. (In such a way that Lindsey would NOT have seen Angel, obviously.)

ANGLE ON BRIEFCASE as it's carried past a FEW PEOPLE calling it a day. We HEAR some "See you tomorrow"s and "Have a good night"s as we PAN UP TO REVEAL ANGEL. He's wearing a suit, carrying the briefcase. Looking rather sharp and lawyer-esque. Hey, let's not comb his hair any different.

ANGEL MOVES PAST THE SECURITY DESK. The SECURITY OFFICER, who is in the midst of conversation with a DELIVERY MAN, pays no attention.

Then suddenly Angel sees Bret Folger heading right towards him, staring hard at his face.

BRET
You…
(tense beat)
…were in the Gruber meeting.

ANGEL
Right.

BRET
What the hell is going on with those
people?

ANGEL
I know, it's, uh…

BRET
I mean is this a negotiation or a
cotillion?

ANGEL
That's exactly what I was saying to,
uh, Frank --

BRET
Who's Frank?

ANGEL
Works with Louisa in contracts.

BRET
The problem is not contracts!

ANGEL
Which I tried to tell Frank, but --

Bret's cell phone rings. He holds up his hand to silence Angel, takes the call.

BRET
(into phone)
Go… yes, yes, no… Thursday.
(clicks off; to Angel)
We have to close Gruber now before
the soft offer becomes hard and the
stock goes --
(gestures a little wildly)

ANGEL
Through the ceil --

BRET
In the toilet.

ANGEL
Right.

BRET
Keep me in the loop, I want to know
the instant they fold -- they are
folding…?

Angel makes a "fuhhh" sound -- of course they're folding.

BRET
Right. Gotta jump. E-mail me.
Good to see you.

ANGEL
(to Bret's departing back)
You, too.

Angel glides into elevator.

INT. LINDSEY'S OFFICE - WOLFRAM & HART - NIGHT

Door opens. Angel enters. Shutting the door. The blinds are open on the large floor to ceiling window. REVEALING L.A. at night. The office is empty.

Angel crosses to Lindsey's desk. Immediately starts going through the papers on top. Searching the drawers.

He moves to the file cabinets behind the desk. Pulls open the top drawer, continues to search.

The door opens. Angel looks up. Too late to hide.

Lindsey enters. Sees Angel. But there is no surprise in his expression.

LINDSEY
Don't you have any respect for the law?

ANGEL
Nice office. Good view. Where's Faith?

LINDSEY
Should I know what you're talking about?

ANGEL
Your new employee.

LINDSEY
This is a big firm. I'll give you
the number to personnel, I'm sure
they'd be glad to handle your problem.

ANGEL
You'd remember this one. Pretty,
dark hair, kills things.

LINDSEY
I assure you, we have strict hiring
practices.

ANGEL
So how's it work for a guy like you?
Successful lawyer in a big law firm.
Company car, nice office, bonus, can
hire a killing whenever you want.
Kind of got it made, right?

LINDSEY
Well let's just add slander to
breaking and entering. And while
we're on the subject, I remember you
throwing one of my clients through a
window. Killed him if I'm not
mistaken.

ANGEL
…Yes, I seem to remember…
(looks at window)
…the window was just about that
size.
(looks to Lindsey)
Too bad the body burned up before it
hit the ground. I might have needed
a good lawyer.

LINDSEY
I'm sorry, we only handle a certain
class of clientele.

ANGEL
I'm sure I've killed enough people to qualify.

Angel starts toward Lindsey.

ANGEL
Where is she?

LINDSEY
A vampire can't walk in here without
us knowing about it. We have a
highly sophisticated security system.
We spent a fortune on mystical
barriers and such. Nice to know our
investment paid off.

Suddenly a LARGE SECURITY GUARD enters, behind Angel, gun drawn, coming up fast. Angel never turns, never misses a beat in the conversation --

ANGEL
I think it was a waste of money, myself.

Angel reaches behind and disarms Guard, slamming his head down into the same antique table that Faith beat Mercer's head against.

LINDSEY
You know I just had that cleaned.

The table doesn't collapse as the guard drops to the floor unconscious.

ANGEL
That's too bad.

LINDSEY
One down, more on the way. And the
police have been called.
And this whole encounter has been
digitally recorded in Hi-Def. So,
despite the fact that I'm sure it
would be an entertaining evening
watching you fight for your life, and
I could make a fortune off the video,
I do have a dinner.

Angel realizes his chance of obtaining the information he needs is slim.

ANGEL
Good to see you, Lindsey, we'll do
this again soon.

Angel heads for the door.

LINDSEY
You know, just when I think I've got
you figured out… you show up in a suit.

Angel exits. As the door closes --

INT. CORDELIA'S APARTMENT - HALL - NIGHT

Cor and Wes move down the hall. Wesley reading from some papers.

WESLEY
-- there's another assault just two
blocks away. A fight in a bar.
Several arrests made. And a woman
fitting Faith's description was
involved. However not arrested.

CORDELIA
She charm her way out?

WESLEY
(still reading)
No, apparently she managed to break
a policeman's jaw with his own
handcuffs, before she disappeared
into the night.

CORDELIA
For Faith, that is charm.

She unlocks her door.

INT. CORDELIA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Cordelia opens the door -- or tries to -- it is suddenly shoved back closed. She pushes it open, battling an unseen force. She struggles with the door:

CORDELIA
Phantom Dennis! Let us in -- it's all
right, it's only Wesley.

She shoves the door open and they enter. Wes carries some papers.

WESLEY
Dennis, your ghost, I presume.

CORDELIA
He's a little jealous.
(to the air, re:
Wesley)
Don't worry, hell will freeze over
before I have sex with him.

WESLEY
(to himself)
Thank goodness for small favors.
(re: papers)
I'll try calling Angel again.

CORDELIA
I'll pack a bag.

WESLEY
Cordelia, please, just some basics.
We're not going on safari.

FAITH
I got a little problem…

Cordelia, startled, turns quickly to find Faith stepping out of the shadows right behind her.

FAITH
I don't feel Angel's in the game.

Cordelia gives Wesley a look that says "We're in deep shit."

FAITH
But somehow, I think you guys are the
key. Now what could I do to really
make him hate me… hmmm?

WESLEY
Faith…

FAITH
Shut up, Wesley.

Wesley steps forward, making the man in charge move.

WESLEY
Listen to me, it's not too late.

FAITH
For cappuccino? 'Cause they keep me up.

WESLEY
it's not too late to let me help you.

Cordy glares at Wes, then backs up, eyes peeled, or hands searching, for a weapon.

CORDELIA
Yes, we want to help you.

Wesley continues on his uncharted course of take charge, be firm, yet compassionate.

WESLEY
I realize there have been failures…
on both sides. But, I also believe
in my heart you are not a bad person.

Faith smiles, touched. Then she throws a round house and decks Cordelia. She falls unconscious onto the floor. Wesley is stunned.

FAITH
(friendly)
What do you believe in your heart now?

Wesley suddenly lashes out and hits Faith hard in the jaw. Her head jerks to one side with the blow. She's a little surprised, but she smiles.

FAITH
(impressed)
All right, Wes.
(then)
My turn --

Faith kicks, connects with Wesley's chest, sending him flying back into the living room. And as Faith goes after him --

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT TWO

Continue on to Part Two