Disharmony

Part 1

February 5, 2001 (Green)

Written by: David Fury

Teaser

INT. HOTEL - RECEPTION - DAY

Though we probably DON'T KNOW WHERE WE ARE as we CLOSE ON CORDELIA and GUNN, both scrutinizing something off-camera, perhaps squinting at some unpleasant crime scene.

GUNN
Found 'em just like this.
Blood all over.

CORDELIA
Dried blood. This wasn't recent. No
telling how long they've been here.

GUNN
(shaking his head)
Look, I don't care what darkside
detour Angel goes off on....

WIDEN to reveal Gunn holding up a couple of COFFEE MUGS with DRIED BLOOD caked inside and around the edges.

GUNN
The man's gotta stop leaving his
dirty cups all over the damn place.

In the WIDENING, we also find that Cordy is dressed for cleaning -- rolled-up sweatshirt, ratty, torn jeans. She's opening up and locking in place the legs of a CARD TABLE. There are some CLEANING SUPPLIES on the decidedly dusty reception desk along with a few BOXES OF FILES.

ON CORDELIA, pensive, throwing a glance toward the closed door to Angel's office.

CORDELIA
Yeah, well... Change has come.
Angel's gonna have to get used
to a lot of things...

INT. HOTEL - OFFICE - MEANWHILE

ANGEL sits behind the desk, a pained look on his face, as he listens to WESLEY, who stands before him, mid-lecture.

He pauses, noticing the distressed look on Angel's face, and eyes him with what appears to be sympathy.

WESLEY
...Engage your co-workers from time
to time. Be sensitive to their feelings,
their opinions. Especially before you
take some action one might construe
as, oh, let's just call it: insane? Goes
a long way to show you respect and
appreciate them.
(beat)
This is torture for you, isn't it?

ANGEL
Yes.

WESLEY
Good. I think that's all for now.

ANGEL
(quickly)
Okay, well, I just need to, you know,
sit and absorb it all.

Wesley looks at him, uncomfortably. Angel notices, suddenly remembers and stands.

ANGEL
Somewhere else. Not here. 'Cause
hey, this is your office now. You're
the one that should be sitting. You
were shot.

WESLEY
It was your idea. Well, giving me
this office, not shooting me.

ANGEL
(moving to the door)
Let me... I'll just get out of your hair.

WESLEY
You're sure about this?

Angel opens the door.

ANGEL
Absolutely. I work for you. Just
have to figure out a place for me to--

Exiting, he turns and notices the now upright CARD TABLE and metal FOLDING CHAIR set up next to Cordelia's desk, just as Cordy sets down a small desk blotter and a cup of pencils on the table. She glances up at Angel and wordlessly moves off.

WESLEY
I took the liberty of providing you
with a new workspace.

Angel eyes the "desk" and forces a game smile.

ANGEL
That's great.

Angel starts to go; Wesley stops him with:

WESLEY
And I'd love a cup of coffee.

ANGEL
(wryly appreciates the joke)
Very funny.

Now Cordy passes in front of Angel, saying:

CORDELIA
Two sugars in mine.

Off Angel as he slowly realizes they're not kidding, his smile fades and he turns to get coffees.

ANGEL
Man, atonement's a bitch.

OMITTED

BLACK OUT.

END OF TEASER

Act One

EXT. PLAZA PARK/INT. CAR - LATE EVENING

ANGLE: CITY SKYLINE. MUSIC (probably sexy alternative rock) wafts through the air, emanating from a CAR STERO.

TILT DOWN to find a mid-size CAR, parked on the edge of a concrete city park. Inside, a GUY and a GIRL, twenties (natch), are making with the dancing tongues. CUT OUT TO:

SOMETHING'S POV (from behind shrubs) - THE SMOOCHING COUPLE.

IN CLOSER, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. A half-beat, then...

A FLASH OF BLUE wipes the screen, from RIGHT to LEFT, reflected in the glass of the window.

ON DRIVER SIDE, as the oblivious Girl and Guy continue their kissing. ANOTHER FLASH OF BLUE - this one wiping from LEFT to RIGHT.

CUT INSIDE THE CAR, ON THE GUY, still kissing. His eyes open, and he squints at something just past the girl.

GUY'S POV - A BLUE ROBED, HOODED FIGURE, his face obscured in shadow, standing just outside the window, watching them. At the same moment...

THE GIRL opens her eyes. They go wide with fear.

GIRL'S POV - ANOTHER BLUE ROBED, HOODED FIGURE, face also hidden, stands just outside the driverside window.

THE GIRLS SCREAMS AND SMASH!!! A FIST comes through the passenger window, spraying the couple with glass and a HAND grabs her.

INT. HOTEL - LOBBY/RECEPTION - NIGHT

CLOSE ON A HAND gripping the handle of a SPIKED CLUB. As we TRAVEL UP with it, we find Gunn who looks the weapon over, then tosses it into a box filled with assorted armaments as he takes inventory. He lifts the BOX and MOVES OFF, revealing Wesley at the reception desk, pulling papers out of file folders and cross-referencing invoices. DOLLY IN as Cordelia exits the inner office, crosses to a CARDBOARD BOX on her desk, and starts flipping through the file folders inside.

ON ANGEL as he descends the stairs and approaches. Wesley glances up, catches Angel's eye, and with a nod, gestures toward Cordelia. Angel gets the message: Engage. He draws a breath, crosses to Cordy, then after watching for a moment:

ANGEL
Uh--

CORDELIA
Don't.

ANGEL
Don't--?

CORDELIA
You're gonna start trying to make
small talk. Get all stammery. Don't.
You might strain something.

An uncomfortable beat. Angel looks over to catch Wesley watching them. Then, caught, he casts his eyes back down at his work again.

Angel turns back to Cordelia and tries again.

ANGEL
Just... wanted to know how you were.
Are. I mean, we haven't really--

Ignoring him, she picks up the box and turns to bring it into the office. Angel, instinctively, moves to take it from her.

ANGEL
Oh, here. Let me get that...

CORDELIA
It's okay--

ANGEL
No, I'm glad to--

CORDELIA
I GOT it!

Angel withdraws. Cordelia addresses him with cold detachment.

CORDELIA
Okay, you wanna know how I am?
Tired, mostly. With "sweaty" running
a close second. But, truthfully, I'm
also jazzed. Can't wait to get our
business up and sputtering again.
Ready to help those helpless...
(stepping in to him)
But, just so we understand each other...
You and I? We're not friends.

ON ANGEL - he stares at her, stunned, unsure what to say.

ANGLE: Wesley looks at them. Gunn steps into frame behind him, also having witnessed the exchange.

ON CORDELIA - She tries to keep steady eye contact with Angel, as if to emphasize the sincerity of her words.

He opens his mouth to say... something, when she suddenly closes her eyes and SHOVES THE BOX at him. He takes it, wondering at first, if this is some gesture on her part, then understanding as her face turns to a grimace and her hand goes to her brow...

ANGEL
Wesley!

THE CAMERA ROCKETS IN ON CORDELIA as Wes and Gunn rush to her, prop her up. Angel drops the box and drags a chair over. Cordelia sits, GRUNTS in agony, as her eyes roll up, her head snaps back, and her VISION kicks in:

FLASHES OF IMAGES -

- The girl from the prior scene being dragged BY HER HAIR out of the car through the shattered window. The glass shards cut her, tear her clothes. A HAND clamps over the girl's screaming mouth.

CORDELIA
She's screaming... They're pulling
her from a car... Guys in robes...
Blue robes...

- The two blue-robed assailants drag the couple away. The Guy struggles and one of the figures powerfully backhands him;

CORDELIA
Ow! They're taking...

-MANY ARMS reaching out, desperate, from behind iron bars, in a dark place; and

CORDELIA
People... and...

- QUICK, CLOSE-UPS of what looks like a RED IDOL or STATUE of a nondescript BIRD OF PREY, its wings spread wide, seemingly giving off a fiery RED AURA.

CORDELIA
Whoa. Big bird.

GUNN
Bigbird?

CORDELIA
Not the Muppet, dumbass...

WESLEY
Where's the car, Cordelia?

CORDELIA
(the pain subsiding)
Um, Lafayette Park. South-east
corner... Near the fountain.

WESLEY
Right. Let's move.

Wesley and Gunn hurry off toward the exit. Angel hangs back a moment, eyeing Cordelia, slumped in the chair, recovering.

ANGEL
Are you--?

CORDELIA
Fine.

ANGLE ON WESLEY, realizing Angel's not right behind him.

WESLEY
Angel!

Angel glances at Wes, who gives him a look, then exits. He turns back to Cordy.

ANGEL
You should... take off. The rest of
the night, I mean. Go home early.

Cordelia looks up at him for a beat, then offers a small nod.

Angel backs away, then turns, grabs his coat, and takes off.

ON CORDELIA, watching him go.

INT. HOTEL - LOBBY - A SHORT TIME LATER

CLOSE ON A FEMALE HAND, flipping off a light switch.

CUT OUT to find Cordelia, exhausted, moving through the lobby, her bag over her shoulder.

She hits another switch, starts to move toward the exit. Then, she stops in her tracks, sensing something.

CLOSER - She spins, scanning the dark, schmuck-baity, lobby.

CORDELIA
(calling out)
Hello...?

Nothing. She listens a moment more, turns back to leave, and SHRIEKS when she suddenly finds herself face to face with...

HARMONY
That the way you greet an old friend?

Cordy SHRIEKS again... this time with delight, and throws her arms around Harmony, who looks sensational. As they hug...

CORDELIA
Oh my god! Harmony? Harmony!
I don't believe it!

HARMONY
Yep. It's. me.

CORDELIA
I haven't seen you since....

HARMONY
Our high school blew up.

CORDELIA
(remembering fondly)
Right, right... Seems like a
lifetime ago.

HARMONY
For me, too. Totally.

CORDELIA
(taking her in)
Wow, look at you. The clothes...
You look... wow!

HARMONY
I know!

CORDELIA
Different.

HARMONY
Hey, not the same person I was back
at Sunnydale High. And you...
(looks her over)
You... Cut your hair.

CORDELIA
Oh... yeah.

HARMONY
Well, I think it looks adorable
off your neck.

CORDELIA
Thanks. I was just, you know...
looking for a change.

HARMONY
Sure. Change is good. Sometimes.
(looking around)
So this is where you... do what it is
you do.

CORDELIA
Detective agency.

HARMONY
Right. But you're not a detective.

CORDELIA
Well, not me. Technically. I'm....
mostly I manage things. The office.

HARMONY
Huh. Sounds rewarding.

CORDELIA
It is. Really. It's uh....
(changing subjects)
So what are you doing in town?
Business?

HARMONY
No, no business. Play, play, play.
Just broke up with someone. Real
smothering relationship. You know
the kind, when they just can't live
without you?

CORDELIA
(nope)
Oh, sure. That one. Hate that.

HARMONY
Thought this was a good time to
finally check out the LA nightlife.
Look up certain old friends.

CORDELIA
Got a place to stay?

HARMONY
(a sly smile)
You offering?

CORDELIA
Do I have to say it?

HARMONY
Yah!

CORDELIA
Okay, you're coming home with me.
(starting out)
Hope you don't mind the couch.

HARMONY
No, you kidding? It'll be fun.
Like camping out. Roughing it.

CORDELIA
It's a nice couch.

ON HARMONY, as they exit.

HARMONY
Whatever. Hey, I'm just glad for
the invitation.

EXT. PLAZA PARK - NIGHT - ESTABLISHING

That flashy, cutty thing they do on the ANGEL program.

EXT. PLAZA PARK - NIGHT

CLOSE ON THE SMASHED WINDOW of the car from the vision. A tiny trickle of blood on the broken glass. WIDEN as Angel, Gunn and Wesley come upon it. They look around. All's quiet.

GUNN
Now what?

WESLEY
Fan out. Gunn, search the area near
the fountain. I'll take this path toward
the picnic area. Angel, you--

A WOMAN SCREAMS, in the distance.

ANGEL
Follow the screaming woman?

He takes off, Wesley and Gunn right behind him.

EXT. PLAZA PARK - PLAYGROUND - NIGHT

A GREEN-ROBED FIGURE, face hidden under his hood, grips a HOMELESS WOMAN by the throat. Sensing something in his periphery, he looks over to see...

ANGLE: Angel and crew charging him.

The Robed Figure suddenly picks up the Woman, raises her OVER HIS HEAD and HURLS her at them. She SCREAMS.

Angel catches her. Meanwhile, Gunn, not missing a beat, lunges at the retreating Robed Figure and tackles him. The Figure gets up and turns to face Gunn. His hood has fallen away and we see he's a VAMPIRE in full-on VAMPFACE.

GUNN
Now, see, what you wanna go hiding
such a pretty face for?

The Vamp takes a swing at Gunn. He ducks it, slugs the Vamp, then grabs the lapel of his robe. The Vamp pulls away, slips out of the robs and turns to flee, then freezes...

ANGLE: Angel's there, waiting. The Vamp GROWLS and rushes at him. A stake ratchets into Angel's hand and, with a clean move, he deftly impales his attacker. POOF goes the Vampire.

ANGLE ON GUNN, holding the green robe as he crosses to Wesley, tending to the shaken Woman. Angel joins them.

GUNN
Cordelia said blue robes, didn't she?

WESLEY
It's dark. Perhaps she was mistaken.

ANGEL
(defensive)
Hey, I think we should give her the
benefit of the doubt before just
condemning her like that, don't you?

Wesley and Gunn looks at him a beat. Angel starts to feel a little self-conscious.

GUNN
I'll do another quick sweep, see if
those blue boys are still around.

He moves off. Wes notices something on the robe.

INSERT: A small insignia emblazoned on the front, over the heart: A triangle inside an oval. Inside the triangle - what looks like a serpent twisted into a calligraphic numeral "2".

WESLEY
(off symbol)
Religious sect?

ANGEL
I don't know.

WESLEY
(pulls out a cell phone)
I'll put Cordelia on it.

He starts to move off. Angel hangs back.

ANGEL
Um...
(Wes stops)
Actually, I gave Cordelia the night off.

WESLEY
Did you?

ANGEL
I just thought... Well, she looked so
tired. And that vision really took
a lot out of her. And...
(new thoughts)
You think maybe I should send her
something? Flowers, maybe?

WESLEY
Flowers?

ANGEL
Yeah. You know, to say "thanks."
And "sorry about the migraines."
You know... "I appreciate you."

WESLEY
Yes, by all means. And while you're
at it, pick me up one of those "SORRY
YOU WERE SHOT IN THE GUT" bouquets!

ANGEL
Right. Sorry.

WESLEY
You can't buy back her trust, Angel.
Or her affections.

ANGEL
She said... She said we're not
friends, Wesley.

WESLEY
(not unsympathetic)
I know. There is only one thing you
can give her, Angel. That's time.
Cordelia's got a lot of pain to work
through.

INT. CORDELIA'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

ON CORDELIA, her hair wrapped in a towel, LAUGHING and evidently feeling no pain, whatsoever.

CORDELIA
And then... Remember, in ninth grade
remedial Spanish? Donnie something...

WIDEN to find her on the couch with Harmony, also with the towel-wrapped hair, also LAUGHING her ass off. They both wear bathrobes (post-shower) and each holds a wine glass and, on the coffee table, is a nearly empty bottle of Merlot.

HARMONY
Donnie Wray! Yes!

CORDELIA
That's him. Followed me everywhere...

HARMONY
Oh! Oh! And he wrote that love song
to you... How did it--

CORDELIA
(singing)
"Oh, Cor-or-delia..."

CORDELIA/HARMONY
(singing)
"How I long to fee-eel ya..."

They collapse in hysterics. Cordelia pours herself more wine, as their laughter subsides. A beat of wistfulness.

HARMONY
God, we totally ruled.

CORDELIA
Yeah. That we did.

HARMONY
We were powerful, rich, popular...

CORDELIA
None of that's changed for me. Apart
from the "powerful, rich and popular."
(looks at Harmony)
But... tell you one thing... I'm
happier now that I was then.

HARMONY
Get out.

CORDELIA
It's hard to explain, but... It's
like... I had these... I dunno, air
pockets inside me... and the work
I'm doing... we're doing... It's like
the pockets keep getting... filled up
and I'm becoming me and... Me has
had way too much to drink so me
shut up. You now. You've barely
told me anything.

HARMONY
Um, okay.... What can I say? Things
are faboo. Having a ball and a half.
I mean, I did just get out of that
really, unhealthy relationship...
but I'm feeling really good about
it. Getting out of it, I mean... And
just, you know, like... feeling good
about... me... in general...

Cordy eyes her a little skeptically.

CORDELIA
Well... good for you. In general.
You must be doing something
right, 'cause you look...

She suddenly notices Harmony holding her stomach.

CORDELIA
Crampy. Are you okay?

HARMONY
Hmm? Oh, yeah. Just....
(looks at her)
...hungry, I guess.

CORDELIA
Got the cure for that.

She leans across Harmony to grab the phone on the table.

ON HARMONY, eyeing Cordy's bare throat before her.

CORDELIA
Pizza.

Harmony suddenly MORPHS into VAMPFACE, though Cordelia doesn't see. She hovers over Cordy's neck, fangs bared.

CORDELIA
Thin crust, heavy on the sauce...

ON CORDELIA as she straightens up. As she clears Harmony, we see she's NO LONGER IN VAMPFACE.

CORDELIA
(dialing, oblivious)
You like pineapple and tandoori chicken?

Harmony shrugs, still watching her intently.

HARMONY
Oh... It's all good.

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT ONE

Act Two

INT. CORDELIA'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT

CLOSE ON CORDY, sleeping on her side, in her bed. The room is dark, save for ambient moonlight filtering in.

PANNING OFF her and along the floor, we come to her bedroom door, which now opens, slowly, with a slight CREAK. Stepping into the room are a pair of FUZZY PINK SLIPPERS. The slippered intruder moves stealthily toward the bed.

REVEAL (no surprise) HARMONY in a nightie, standing over Cordelia, eyeing her neck with a predator's intent. She sits on the bed, behind Cordelia, her breathing shallow. The door SLAMS shut behind her, by the invisible hand of Dennis.

CLOSE ON CORDELIA'S FACE. Her eyes suddenly flutter open.

CORDELIA
Huh--?

HARMONY
(re: door slam)
I didn't do that.

WIDEN as she rolls over and sees Harmony.

CORDELIA
(confused)
Harmony?

Harmony turns away and says nothing. Cordy quickly reaches over and switches on her lamp.

CORDELIA
I have a ghost--
(waking up)
What... What are you doing in my--

HARMONY
Nothing.

CORDELIA
Harmony...?

HARMONY
I'm sorry. I-- thought I could...
control myself... I thought I could
resist these urges...

CORDELIA
Urges...?

HARMONY
You've got no idea how hard it is to
stay away from you. I mean, seeing
you there, looking so... so luscious.

Cordelia takes a moment, then it suddenly dawns on her.

CORDELIA
Oh... ohh! You're...

Harmony turns back, barely able to look at her.

HARMONY
I should've told you. I was
scared... Scared that if you
found out... what I was...
You'd kill me.

CORDELIA
No! Harmony... God, you really think
I'm that narrow-minded? I don't care
about that.

HARMONY
(squinting)
You-- you don't?

CORDELIA
No, not as long as you're happy.

Harmony SNORTS, bitterly.

HARMONY
Happy. What's that? The last time
I remember being truly happy was
back in school with you.
(disgusted)
Now here I am, taking advantage of you.

CORDELIA
No, it's... I just had no idea you,
you know... thought of me... that way.

HARMONY
I don't! I swear! It's just...
Well, I haven't had any in a
while and... Forget it.

She gets up and moves to the door.

HARMONY
Look, it was stupid. I'll just go
back to the couch. I'm really sorry.

CORDELIA
Don't be. If you wanna stay and talk-

HARMONY
No, I'd better--
(turning back)
Oh, God. I hope this doesn't, like,
ruin our friendship.

CORDELIA
Please. As if.

Harmony exits and starts to close the door behind her. Then:

HARMONY
And, I'd appreciate it if you didn't
y'know, mention this to anyone.

CORDELIA
It's our secret.

Harmony smiles gratefully and closes the door.

INT. CORDELIA'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - MORNING

Cordelia paces, speaking on her phone in a hushed tone.

CORDELIA
(into phone)
How could you guys not tell me about
Harmony? Sunnydale's so far away you
couldn't afford a little phone call?

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. WILLOW'S DORM ROOM - MEANWHILE

WILLOW is on her bed, a towel draped over her shoulders, in mid-teeth brushing.

WILLOW
(into phone)
Hahmony?
(she spits toothpaste
into her towel)
What about Harmony?

CORDELIA
She's here. In LA.

WILLOW
Yikes. Big yikes! What happened!
Did she come after you?

CORDELIA
Geeyah! Practically attacked me in
my bedroom last night.

WILLOW
Your bedroom? How did she--

CORDELIA
Came in while I was sleeping. Good
thing I woke up, too. She was ready
to jump me right there. But I think
she got the message that I don't go
for that sort of thing when I shot
her down.

WILLOW
You wounded her?

CORDELIA
Maybe a little, but she'll get over it.
Never should've invited her to stay
with me.

WILLOW
Say what?!

CORDELIA
Yeah, I know. Awkward much?

WILLOW
Cordelia--

CORDELIA
Meanwhile she's been in my bathroom
for almost half an hour.

WILLOW
Cordelia!

CORDELIA
God knows what she's--

WILLOW
(interrupting)
We are all clear on the fact that
Harmony's a vampire, right?

A beat as Cordelia registers that.

CORDELIA
Ohhh! Harmony's a vampire! That's
why she-- Oh my god, I'm so embarrassed.
(chuckling wryly)
All this time I thought she'd become
a great big lesbo...

Stay with her as she listens, then stops laughing.

CORDELIA
Oh, really?... Hey, that's... great.
Good for you. That's, yeah... It's good.

INT. WILLOW'S DORM ROOM - MEANWHILE

WILLOW
Thanks for the affirmation,
Cordelia. Harmony's dangerous.
You've got to get out of there.

INT. CORDELIA'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - MEANWHILE

CLOSE ON CORDELIA, apprehension and fear mounting.

CORDELIA
Okay, yeah... I'll call you back
when I'm somewhere sa--

She leans over to put the phone down, revealing Harmony standing right behind her.

HARMONY
Where you going?

Cordelia jumps out of her skin, dropping the phone.

INT. HOTEL - LOBBY - A MOMENT LATER

Several old books lay open on the reception desk. Wesley is scanning them as Angel enters frame, examining the robe.

ANGEL
There's a label in here. Maybe I can
locate the manufacturer.

WESLEY
Already looked into it. The name's
a fake. No listing anywhere.

ANGEL
Okay. I should go out, see if I can
pick up any information on the street.

WESLEY
You mean the street bathed in morning
sunlight? Relax. I've already got Gunn
contracting his sources.

A beat.

ANGEL
Any suggestions of what I can do?

The phone RINGS.

WESLEY
You can answer that.

With a sigh, he does.

ANGEL
(into phone)
Angel Investi--
(then)
Willow? Willow, slow down. What's--

He stops. Wesley looks at Angel, who looks back with an expression of grave concern.

INT. CORDELIA'S APT. - LIVING ROOM - A LITTLE LATER

CLOSE ON CORDELIA'S FRONT DOOR. WHAM! Angel and Wesley burst through it. Wesley wielding a crossbow. Angel has a stake in hand.

WESLEY
Get away from her...

THEIR POV: Cordelia and Harmony are on the couch, looking up. Harmony is in the midst of polishing Cordelia's toenails.

WESLEY
...foot.

CORDELIA
What do you think you're doing?

Angel looks to Wesley, then back to Cordelia.

ANGEL
We're... Willow called. She said you
were in trouble.

WESLEY
You friend Harmony here's a--

CORDELIA
Vampire. Yeah. I know.

WESLEY
(elaborating)
An evil vampire.

HARMONY
Yeah, we covered that, too.

An awkward silence falls between them.

ANGEL
So...

CORDELIA
So you thought you just bust into
my house and kill my friend without
giving her a chance to explain herself.

Angel and Wesley share another look.

ANGEL/WESLEY
Yeah./Pretty much./That was the plan.

CORDELIA
Well, holster your guns, boys.
She came to me for help.
(lets that sink in)
That's what we do, right? Help?

WESLEY
(pointing to Harmony)
That's not your friend. That thing
may have your friend's memories,
her appearance... But it's just a filthy
demon, an unholy monster.
(notices Harmony listening)
Um... no offense.

HARMONY
(genuinely confused)
About what?

He raises the crossbow at Harmony. Cordelia is about to protest, when Angel gently pushes the crossbow down.

ANGEL
Wes. You can't. Cordelia feels her
friend doesn't post a threat. I think
we should respect her wishes.

Cordelia eyes Angel, warily. As does Wesley.

ANGEL
I'm just saying...

Wesley looks at him for a beat. Then at Cordelia.

WESLEY
Cordelia, we need you at the office...

CORDELIA
Let me get my coat.

She moves off.

WESLEY
And, what, you're just going to leave
her here? A vampire alone in your
home, risking your neighbors' lives?

Cordelia reappears, holding her coat.

CORDELIA
Hey. I told you. Harmony's my
friend. I trust her completely and
with every fiber of my being.
(to Harmony)
Harmony, you can stay here.

HARMONY
(nervous)
I don't wanna stay here alone with a ghost.

Off their reactions...

OMITTED

INT. HOTEL - LOBBY/RECEPTION - DAY

ON WESLEY, looking through an ancient, moldy book.

WESLEY
The triangle evokes a pyramidal
imagery, but there's nothing with
both a serpent and pyramid symbol...

Harmony appears, looking over his shoulder, chewing gum.

WESLEY
Doesn't appear to be hieroglyphic or--

Harmony POPS her gum. Wesley reacts and turns to her.

WESLEY
Do you mind?

HARMONY
Well, I'm kinda bored, but go ahead.

She innocently POPS her gum again. Wes seethes, crosses to Cordelia, working at her computer. Angel standing over her.

ANGEL
The red bird sculpture you saw in
your vision - Was it an eagle... a
hawk... a falcon...?

CORDELIA
What am I, the Bird Lady of Alcatraz?
It had wings and a beak. For all I know,
it was a duck. A big, red duck.

WESLEY
Perhaps it's an idol, a totem, the
cult uses in its rituals and--

A DERISIVE SNORT. Cordelia, Wesley and Angel look over at Harmony, leaning on the reception desk, lazily flipping through the moldy book like it's the latest issue of ELLE.

HARMONY
(snickering)
Duck worshippers.

She senses everyone's eyes on her and looks up.

HARMONY
What? It's funny.

She POPS her gum again.

BACK ON CORDY, ANGEL, and WESLEY, turning back to each other.

ANGEL
Could also be a landmark of some
kind, telling us their hiding place.

WESLEY
Well, I'm unaware of any red bird
statuary in downtown Los Angeles,
and unless you are, I suggest--

POP goes Harmony's gum.

WESLEY
(not missing a beat)
--someone put a stake through that
woman's heart if she persists on
popping her bloody chewing gum!

Cordelia stands, trying to quell the tension.

CORDELIA
Harmony. Do me a favor, lose the gum.

HARMONY
Okay, okay. Sorry. I thought it
would help with my cravings...

She RIPS a page from the ancient, moldy books and spits her gum into it.

ANGLE: The others, particularly Wesley, stare at her, aghast.

HARMONY
(wadding up the page)
I mean, you'd think I'd get a thank
you for not biting any--

WESLEY
(livid)
What are you doing?!

She looks at him, oblivious to her faux pas. Wesley grabs the book away from her.

WESLEY
This book is twelve centuries old!

HARMONY
Okay, so it wasn't like I messed up
a new one.

Wesley takes a threatening step toward her. Cordy jumps up.

CORDELIA
Wes, she didn't do it on purpose.

HARMONY
That's right. And I could've 'cause,
you know, I am evil.

Wes moves to Harmony again.

CORDELIA
Wes!

WESLEY
(rounding on her)
Cordelia--

Angel jumps in, takes Harmony, and escorts her away.

ANGEL
Harmony, there's blood in the fridge.
Why don't we go get you some...

They cross away, Wesley glaring at her.

ANGEL
(looking at Wesley)
And let everyone work.

Wesley and Cordy move back to their stations in tense silence.

ANGLE: Angel pours some blood into a mug and hands it to Harmony. She drinks and grimaces.

HARMONY
Eww. Tastes funky.

ANGEL
It's pig's blood.

HARMONY
Uck! Well, that's gonna go
straight to my hips.
(then)
How do you stand this?

ANGEL
You get used to it.

HARMONY
I mean, how do you stand everything?
Being what you are. How can you
deprive yourself of the taste... the
sensation of rich, warm, human blood
flowing into your mouth...

Angel appears to be stirred by her sensuous description.

HARMONY
Bathing your tongue... caressing your
throat, with its sweet, sticky--

GUNN (O.S.)
I'm back!

Angel snaps out of his reverie and breaks away from Harmony.

ANGEL
Me too!

He crosses to Gunn, who glances over at Harmony.

GUNN
I, uh, see we got company.

He smiles at her.

ON HARMONY, pouring a shitload of sugar into her mug o' blood. She smiles back.

CORDELIA
That's Harmony. She's visiting
for a few days.

WESLEY
It's all right to speak freely in
front of her. She's a vampire.

Gunn loses his smile, looks at Angel.

GUNN
(sotto)
Don't we kill them anymore?

ANGEL
(changing subjects)
What'd you find out?

GUNN
Robed vampires been grabbing people
off the street for a while now. Almost
a month.

CORDELIA
A month? How could we not know
about this?

ANGEL
Maybe because we've all been a
little... distracted lately.

GUNN
Yeah. Or maybe we haven't heard
'cause not a lot of bodies are
turning up...

ANGEL
(understanding)
They're not feeding. They're
turning them.

CORDELIA
Into vampires?

WESLEY
Someone's recruiting. Building
an army.

GUNN
Question is, for what?

INT. ABANDONED MOVIE THEATER - DAY

A LOW DRONE echoes throughout what appears to be one of the last of the old-style movie palaces, now fallen into some disrepair. Though, at the moment, it seems more like a church. Free-standing candelabras illuminate the space.

DOLLY down the center aisle, past what appears to be a HUNDRED or so VAMPIRES, standing at their seats, most in robes (of various colors: blue, green, yellow, black, etc.), many with hoods covering their faces. We come up, FROM A LOW ANGLE, on a FIGURE on stage, shrouded in a WHITE HOODED ROBE, gold trim, standing before the empty, stained, MOVIE SCREEN. Obviously their leader, whom we'll come to know as DOUG.

DOUG
The time is here... The time is
now... Are you ready?

CROWD
Yes!

DOUG
ARE YOU READY!

CROWD
YEAH!!!

DOUG
Because it's time...

He lowers his hood revealing a shaggy-haired, droopy moustached VAMPIRE. Despite the usual vamp features, he exudes an uncommon cheerfulness.

DOUG
Time to actualize your potential,
maximize your personal input,
and get the most out of your afterlife.
You owe it to yourself to be the best
vampire you can be...

PANNING across faces in the crowd, listening raptly, nodding.

DOUG (O.S.)
To those of you here for the first
time, I want to say...

ON DOUG, connecting with his congregants.

DOUG
Hi! You are special. You each have
it in you to be, not just any vampire...
but a master. That's right. A master
of your own destiny. How? Through
my personally devised multi-level,
exponential flow co-operative. Now,
I know what some of you are thinking...
"Hey, Doug! Speak English!"
(chuckles)
Okay, don't stake me. Here's how
it works.

He holds up a remote control and clicks a button. On the movie screen, over his shoulder, a FLOW CHART appears. It is, in fact a pyramid-like structure, with color-coded levels in the same hues as the robes, "white" being at the top. Arrows point a single stick figure to two other figures.

DOUG
One vampire turns two humans
into vampires...

He CLICKS the remote. Arrows now lead from each of the two figures to two others. The illustration continues with each CLICK of the remote.

DOUG
Each of those two make another two.
(click)
Then they make two vampires.
(click)
And they make two vampires.
(click)
And so on...
(click)
And so on...

He cups his ear, prompting a response from those assembled.

CROWD
And so on!

DOUG
And all it takes for each new vampire
to buy their way into our co-op, is
just one... you heard me... one human
being to be deposited here... in our
very own food bank.

A BACK LIGHT goes on behind the screen/scrim, and a silhouette appears of A LARGE CAGE, in which we see the shadows of a dozen or so PEOPLE, trapped. Some reach out from the bars. Others cower as the silhouette of a ROBED GUARD jabs them with a cattle prod. The crowd "OOHS."

DOUG
I'll say it again. Turn two into
vampires, bring one for the food
bank. And no one will go hungry
again. Turn two, the rest is food.
Let me hear ya: "Turn two... the
rest is food."

CROWD
Turn two, the rest is food...
Turn two, the rest is food...

ON DOUG, smiling warmly at his chanting congregation.

INT. HOTEL - OFFICE/RECEPTION - EVENING

CLOSE ON A MAP of downtown, many colored pins stuck into it.

WESLEY (O.S.)
Next.

CUT OUT to find the map is taped to an easel set up in the office. Wesley and Angel stand poised with pins as they look to Gunn, reading from a piece of paper.

GUNN
(referring to paper)
Two USC students. Grabbed in a
parking garage. 4th and Figueroa.

Wesley sticks two more pins into the map.

ANGLE: Cordelia, at her desk, typing into her computer, searching. Harmony sits next to her, feet up on the desk, blithely sipping her pig blood, an open magazine on her lap. After a bit, Cordy notices Harmony watching her.

CORDELIA
What..?

HARMONY
Nothing. Just... I can't believe
this is what you do now. We always
said we were gonna do something cool
with our lives. Now look at us: You're
an office manager and I'm dead.

CORDELIA
Yeah, well, life takes some funny
turns sometimes. Maybe I'm not
where I thought I'd be, but it's still -- Ho!
(looks at screen)
Hey! Hello! Guys, found something.
And there's nothing mystical about it.

ANGLE: Wesley, Gunn and Angel come running.

INSERT - LCD SCREEN - a logo nearly identical to the insignia on the robe, though, instead of a serpent, there's just a simple numeral "2".

CORDELIA
Department of Justice Website. It's
a logo for a defunct pyramid scheme.

GUNN
Vamps running money scams now?
That's low.

CORDELIA
This particular one was run by a
motivational speaker and... lord
help me, self-described "Life Coach,"
named Doug Sanders. Held meetings
all over the city, until the Feds caught
up with him.

ANGEL
He was arrested?

CORDELIA
According to this, he disappeared.
Still at large.

WESLEY
Sounds like he has the makings of a
cult leader.

CORDELIA
(clicks on a key)
Hold on, here's something: a list
of his known meeting sites. And
a picture.

GUNN
Now we're talking.

HARMONY
Ooh. Lemme see.

Harmony leans over to get a better look. As she does, her mug accidentally tips, SPLASHING blood all over the keyboard and screen. There is a series of BUZZES and BEEPS...

ON THE LCD SCREEN - The picture suddenly BLIPS OUT into nothingness.

Once again, all eyes fall on Harmony.

HARMONY
Okay, that was my fault.

WESLEY
(to Cordelia)
Get her out of here. Now.

CORDELIA
C'mon, Harm.

Cordelia takes Harmony's arm and leads her away.

WESLEY
Such a fitting nickname.

ANGLE ON CORDELIA and HARMONY, as they sit in the lobby.

HARMONY
(distraught)
This was a mistake. I should never
have come here. I'm just getting in
the way. Messing up, like always.

CORDELIA
Don't talk like that.

HARMONY
Easy for you to say. You've got
friends. I don't have anyone who
understands what I'm going through.

Cordelia glances over her shoulder.

CORDELIA'S POV - Angel, in the doorway to Wesley's office.

Cordy thinks for a moment, then...

CORDELIA
I know someone who understands
a little about pain.
(calling)
We're going out!

And with that, she and Harmony turn and walk away. Angel, Wesley and Gunn share a look.

INT. CARITAS - EVENING

ON HARMONY, mike in hand, tunelessly, but fearlessly, belting out the last verse of "Memories" (theme from The Way We Were).

HARMONY
(singing)
"Memories my be beautiful and yet....
What's too painful to remember...
(straining)
We simply choose to forget...

ANGLE ON CORDELIA and the HOST sitting at a booth, listening. It's a slow night, the place is nearly empty.

Cordelia peeks over at the Host, watching Harmony intently.

CORDELIA
What do you think?

HOST
I think your friend should reconsider
the name "Harmony."
(turns to Cordy)
So the League of Justice is back
together. Must be tinkled pink that
Angelfood's returned to the fold.

Cordelia nods with unconvincing enthusiasm.

HOST
Hmm. You're positively giddy.

ANGLE ON HARMONY - her big finish.

HARMONY
(singing)
"The way we... werrrre"

She happily accepts a SMATTERING OF APPLAUSE from the tiny audience, steps down off the stage and crosses to the booth.

HARMONY
(pleased with herself)
That was SO! FUN! I can't believe
I did that.

HOST
Color us incredulous. Mercy,
you're one plucky minx.

CORDELIA
(prompting)
Who's looking for a little guidance.

HOST
Yeah, I'm picking up on the "betwixt
and between, gotta find my corner of
the sky" vibe, loud and clear, kitten.

HARMONY
So you can help me?

HOST
No. But I can treat you to a
complimentary carafe of plasma.
(to Harmony)
The AB-negative here is superb.
Or so I'm told.

He signals the bartender and stands.

CORDELIA
Wait a minute. That's it?

HARMONY
Yeah, I thought you were supposed to
do some mind mojo, show me my path.

HOST
You're already on it, my little
Cacophony. Only I'm not your
travel agent for this trip.
(re: Cordelia)
Brown eyes here is. Stick with her
and let your pal be your guide.

He blows a two-fingered kiss and moves off.

HARMONY
"Cacophony..." That's pretty.
What's it mean?

Before Cordelia can say anything, she look sup to see Angel, Wesley and Gunn approaching.

ON CORDY, as she gets up and goes to meet them.

CORDELIA
If you came for Harmony's singing
debut, you just missed.
(aside)
Lucky bastards.

WESLEY
I realize you have...
(looks at Harmony)
Other concerns at the moment,
but we need you.

CORDELIA
Why?

GUNN
Most of the attacks have been taking
place within a 10-block radius. We
figure the cult's headquarters must
be somewhere near the center.

ANGEL
We want to drive around the area,
maybe you can pick up some vibe
from your vision... or see something...

CORDELIA
Like a red bird.

ANGEL
For instance.

Cordy nods then crosses back to the booth. Harmony's carafe has arrived and she's perusing a songlist.

CORDELIA
Harmony... I've got to go. Work
stuff. Will you be okay here?

HARMONY
You kidding? Free blood.
And potato skins.
(re: list)
Hey, I'm thinking about doing another
number. What do you think: "Candle
in the Wind" or the "Princess Diana
Candle in the Wind?"

CORDELIA
Go nuts. Do 'em both.

HARMONY
Ooh, yeah. Like the green man
said... you're my guide.

Cordelia smiles and goes off to join her team.

ON HARMONY, as a thought dawns on her. She looks up as someone who's had a sudden epiphany.

ANGLE ON CORDY rejoining the others.

GUNN
Just so we're on the same page,
when we find this vampire cult,
we are gonna kill 'em, right?

CORDELIA
Shut up, Gunn.

WESLEY
(pointedly, to Cordy)
We're all aware of what needs to be done.

ANGEL
Let's do it.

He turns to lead them all out, then stops.

ANGEL
Oh, sorry, Wes.

WESLEY
That's all right.
(beat)
"Let's do it."

Wes turns and leads them toward the exit.

EXT. CARITAS - A MOMENT LATER

TRACK with WESLEY, ANGEL, CORDELIA and GUNN, exiting the place, striding down the sidewalk, side by side - A TOTAL POWER SHOT, accompanied by heroic music.

PANNING ACROSS their faces: Gunn, Wesley, Angel, Harmony, Cordelia... then, as a doubletake, back to Harmony as Cordy suddenly realizes she's there, striding alongside them.

CLOSE ON CORDELIA, as she comes to a halt.

CORDELIA
Harmony? What are you--?

HARMONY
I just got it. Stick with you, he said.
I understand now where my place is.

CORDELIA
(dreading the answer)
Where?

HARMONY
With you.

She puts her arms around Angel and Cordelia's shoulders and squeezes them to her, excited.

HARMONY
I'm one of the good guys now.

As the others share horrified looks.

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT TWO

Continue on to Part Two

Disharmony

Part 2

February 5, 2001 (Green)

Written by: David Fury

Act Three

EXT. DOWNTOWN STREETS - NIGHT - ESTABLISHING

Quick flashes and cuts of buildings whizzing by... and Angel's car with everyone (including Harmony) cruising along.