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Witch (October 1, 1996) Written by: Dana Reston Directed by: Stephen Cragg |
| Teaser |
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FADE IN:
EXT. SUNNYDALE HIGH - DAY - ESTABLISHING
This is madness. INT. THE LIBRARY - DAY GILES, deeply concerned, is staring at someone we can't see. WIDEN TO REVEAL BUFFY, in cute CHEERLEADING OUTFIT
You don't like the color. GILES BUFFY GILES BUFFY GILES BUFFY
CUT TO:
INT. ATTIC - DAY The windows have been boarded and taped over -- tiny pinpricks of sunlight stream in to this otherwise dark place. Whatever this place is, it's not safe. A figure moves about before us in a black, hooded robe. It pauses before a bubbling cauldron, then crosses to a shelf. On the shelf is a doll in a cheerleading outfit. Her hands have been wrapped with bits of cloth. The figure reaches out and takes the doll. We HOLD on the empty shelf.
CUT TO:
INT. THE GYM - DAY CHEERLEADING TRYOUTS reads a sign on the wall. Big banner showing the FIGHTING SUNNYDALE RAZORBACKS hangs next to it. PRETTY GIRLS, in short skirts, twirl and warm up. Buffy enters with WILLOW and XANDER.
Giles didn't approve, huh? BUFFY WILLOW XANDER AMBER, an attractive, agile girl, her feet on two chairs, slides down into an extra low split.
(mesmerized) ...Oooh, stretchy. Where was I? WILLOW XANDER Xander pulls out an I.D. bracelet.
Oh, hey. Here's a little good luck thing for the tryouts... BUFFY WILLOW Buffy takes the bracelet, puts it on.
This is so sweet! (reads on bracelet:) "Yours always..." XANDER CORDELIA, in cheerleader outfit, moves up, watches Amber stand on one leg and hold the other straight up in the air.
Just look at Amber. Who does she think she is, a Laker Girl? WILLOW A SENIOR CHEERLEADER (Cordelia two years hence) moves to the judge's table with two other SENIOR CHEERLEADERS.
Let's begin with... (reads from list) Amber Grove. If you're not auditioning move off the floor. Xander, Willow, Buffy, Cordelia move back. Willow spots AMY MADISON (in cheerleader outfit), nice girl, a little tightly wound today.
Hi Amy. AMY WILLOW AMY WILLOW AMY Buffy smiles, warming to Amy's honesty. They watch Amber's routine -- she's really good.
She trained with Benson -- he's the best coach money can buy. BUFFY AMY BUFFY AMY Cordelia, standing nearby, feigns boredom with Amber's performance, turns her back. Everyone else watches Amber as SMOKE BEGINS TO EMANATE from her pom-poms.
What the ... ? WILLOW CORDELIA Amber stops, drops the pom-poms. The smoke is coming from her - and her hands and forearms suddenly burst into FLAMES! Amber SCREAMS! (as do other girls.) Buffy vaults to the large RAZORBACKS BANNER, rips it down and tackles Amber, wrapped her tightly in it and smothering the flames.
(to Amber) It's okay, you're gonna be okay... Off Buffy,
BLACK OUT.
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| Act One |
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INT. THE LIBRARY - DAY
The foursome are gathered.
I've been slaying Vampires for more than a year now. I've seen some pretty cringeworthy stuff, but nobody's hands ever got toasted. GILES BUFFY GILES BUFFY GILES WILLOW XANDER GILES BUFFY GILES XANDER BUFFY WILLOW She moves to a computer.
I'll ask around about her. BUFFY XANDER WILLOW BUFFY XANDER BUFFY GILES XANDER BUFFY
CUT TO:
INT. BUFFY'S KITCHEN - AFTERNOON There are crates strewn about. Joyce is opening them with a crowbar (and some difficulty). Buffy enters, throws her books on the kitchen table.
Hey, Mom. JOYCE BUFFY JOYCE Buffy picks up a statue, looks at it.
Oh. Cool. She sits down on the table, grabbing a donut. Watches Joyce a minute -- Joyce hasn't looked back at her -- before offering:
We had tryouts today. JOYCE BUFFY JOYCE Joyce tries to pry open the crate on the table next to Buffy. It won't budge.
Mom? JOYCE BUFFY JOYCE BUFFY JOYCE She gives up, turns to another crate.
It might not physically kill you to give me a hand... Buffy casually flips the lid off the unopenable crate with one hand.
It was cheerleading tryouts. JOYCE BUFFY JOYCE She pulls a statue of a man halfway out of a crate, stops.
Oh, dear. She puts it back.
What is it? JOYCE Buffy heads for the fridge. Looking in:
You know, this girl Amy trains with her mom like three hours a day. (closes the fridge) Sounds like her mom's really into it. JOYCE She exits, carrying a couple of pieces. Buffy watches her a moment, then looks down into the crate with the fertility statue. Her eyes go wide.
Jeepers.
CUT TO:
EXT. SUNNYDALE HIGH - DAY - ESTABLISHING
Despite the terrible thing that happened yesterday... INT. THE GYM - DAY Cheerleader tryouts. Buffy, Amy, Cordelia (wearing pink headband) and ten or twelve others.
...we still have to pick new cheerleaders. If you make the team, you'll find your name posted in the Quad after lunch. Let's begin with group performance -- Cordelia, Buffy, Amy, Morgan, Janice and Lishanne. LISHANNE is an attractive African American. The five girls walk to the center of the gym. Amy glares at her hands.
Why do my hands have to sweat when I get nervous? BUFFY MUSIC UP. The girls perform a group cheer (to be choreographed.) It includes synchronized leaps, twirls and basketball cheer, ala:
We're Sunnydale, Sunnydale GROUP CHEER LISHANNE GROUP CHEER Morgan is okay. Lishanne is great. Cordelia is surprisingly good, as is Buffy, still a little rusty but impressive. Amy starts out well but tries too hard -- misses a couple of synchronized moves -- and, in the big finish (each girl doing a cartwheel and sliding to their knees one at a time) AMY'S HANDS slip on the floor, and she careens into:
(to judges) You saw that, right? That wasn't me.
CUT TO:
INT. GYM FOYER - MOMENTS LATER Amy, in cheerleader outfit, depressed, stands before a big trophy display case (includes cheerleader trophies and photos). Buffy, dressed for school, exits locker room, moves up. Looks at CHEERLEADER PHOTO. Under the photo, it reads: 1977 -- TRI-COUNTY BEST.
That's my mom. BUFFY AMY BUFFY AMY BUFFY AMY BUFFY Amy turns to Buffy, eyes filling.
It's just, she was the best, and I can't get my body to move like hers. I choked in there so bad. Amy looks very sad and forlorn as Willow enters. She tries to put on a brave face, heads for the GIRLS' LOCKER ROOM.
...I gotta get changed... WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY They head out.
CUT TO:
INT. GIRLS' LOCKER ROOM - DAY MOVING CREEPY-CAM through the dimly lit room. Past the cold floors, the metal lockers... Amy, alone, changes into her school clothes. Her movements are slow and tired. She rubs an aching shoulder -- hears a NOISE, whips her head around. HER POV - The empty locker room. Spooky. A lone shower DRIPS. She instinctively does up a couple of buttons on her blouse, as if to protect herself, turning slowly around in a circle -- and suddenly CORDELIA IS STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO HER Amy jumps, frightened. Cordelia is perfectly dressed and coiffed. She holds the pink headband she wore during auditions. She speaks very quietly and in a chillingly kind voice, gesturing very close to Amy's face with the headband.
I have a dream. It's me on the Cheerleading Squad, adored by every Varsity male as far as the eye can see. We have to achieve our dreams, Amy, otherwise we wither and die. AMY CORDELIA Cordelia hurls the headband into her own locker and SLAMS IT! She walks out -- her locker swinging back open. Amy takes a breath, watching Cordelia's departing back.
CUT TO:
EXT. QUAD DAY Kids mill about after lunch. Xander and Willow walk through them.
I told Buffy about Amber. XANDER WILLOW XANDER WILLOW XANDER WILLOW He sees the Senior Cheerleader moving towards the bulletin board, list in hand. Girls begin to gather.
Hey, they're posting the list! He bolts for: EXT. QUAD - BULLETIN BOARD - DAY A sizable crowd has gathered. The Senior Cheerleader posts the list and goes. Girls stand on tiptoe, push and poke, trying to see. Buffy and Amy are on the periphery as Xander and Willow move up. A GIRL IN TEARS breaks out of the crowd, runs off. Lishanne, reading the list, jumps up and down with some friends.
Yess! AMY Buffy tries to wedge into the crowd but TWO CONTENDERS step right in front of her.
Spot me, I'm goin' in. Xander takes a little dive into the throng, works his way to the front where he finds himself nose to nose with Cordelia at the list. He lets her check it out first.
Women and children first. ANGLE - EDGE OF THRONG Cordelia emerges, triumphant.
(to Amy) You're lucky. AMY CORDELIA Cordelia moves off; Xander, rubbing his arm, emerges from the throng.
One of those girls hit me really hard -- we have to start testing for steroids -- (to Buffy and Amy) -- okay, not only did you make it, but you, Miss Summers, are the number one alternate and Amy's the number three! Amy's face falls, she turns and walks off.
Any what better way to celebrate than with a romantic drive-through for two at -- WILLOW BUFFY XANDER ANGLE - AMY, TRYING TO CONTROL HER FEELINGS As Buffy moves up.
At least it's over. And you know what I think we should do about it? Brownie pig-out, my house, now. AMY Amy takes off. Buffy watches her go. EXT. AMY'S HOUSE - DAY A Sunnydale two story, a little darker and foreboding than the others on the street. WE PUSH in on the house, moving up towards the attic window. INT. AMY'S ATTIC - DAY Creepy, dark and strange. Walls adorned with witch and warlock paraphernalia. Burning black candles. The floor is dominated by a large hand-painted pentagram on top of which sits the classic black iron cauldron, hideous bubbling brew cooking inside. A HAND ENTERS FRAME drops a serpent's head into the brew. We don't see the robed WITCH'S face but we (dimly) HEAR HER CHANTING.
...Lord of Darkness, Lord of Night... accept they supplicant's sacrifice... The Witch moves to a ROW OF DOLLS neatly lined up on the wall. Pretty dolls, Barbie-types. The hand picks up a brunette doll. The hand brings the doll to the cauldron. We now see CORDELIA'S PINK HEAD BAND in the Witch's other hand. The CHANTING grows more intense as the pink headband is wrapped round and round the Cordelia doll's face, tighter and tighter.
...reap thy vengeance with keen and cruel might... send thy sudden darkness out of darkest night. And the hand drops the Cordelia doll in the brew. The pink headband soaks up the foul-colored liquid and the little doll sinks from sight.
BLACK OUT.
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| Act Two |
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INT. BUFFY'S KITCHEN - MORNING
Buffy is getting her books together. Joyce enters carrying an old
yearbook.
Look what I found! It's my old yearbook, from junior year. Oh, look, there I am. Buffy looks for a second.
Mom, I accepted that you've had sex. I'm not ready to know you've had Farrah hair. JOYCE BUFFY JOYCE BUFFY JOYCE BUFFY JOYCE BUFFY JOYCE Quite frankly, ouch. The sting hangs in the air before Buffy grabs her books and walks out.
Honey... Joyce stands there a moment, upset with herself.
Great parenting form. Little shaky on the dismount...
CUT TO:
EXT. SUNNYDALE HIGH - DAY - ESTABLISHING INT. SCHOOL HALL - DAY Cordelia, walking more slowly and regally than usual, passes Xander and Willow (pen in mouth).
(to Cordelia) Morning your Highness, beheadings at noon as usual? (to Willow, re: Cordelia's departing back). Okay, see how she has now clue I'm even a mammal, much less a human being? WILLOW XANDER WILLOW XANDER WILLOW XANDER WILLOW XANDER Buffy rounds a corner, heading their way.
I know I'm relieved. XANDER ANGLE - BUFFY Passing Cordelia at her locker. Buffy sees Cordelia reach for her combination -- her fingers miss it, find it. Buffy moves on, is intercepted by:
Buffy, how would you like to... BUFFY XANDER Buffy, not really listening, sees Cordelia give up on the locker which won't open for her, walk off.
Hang on, Xander, I have to... we can pick this up later, you don't mind, do you? As she turns and goes. He watches her. A small high-pitched sound builds slowly in the back of his throat -- the sound of a plan going down, down, down.
(explosion) Pplllewww!
CUT TO:
EXT. CAMPUS - DAY Cordelia, still moving more slowly than usual, makes her way across campus. Buffy exits a building fifty yards or so behind Cordelia. Follows her, concerned. EXT. DRIVER'S ED - DAY Orange cones are set up in a little course on the blacktop. A DRIVER'S ED car, MR. POLE, the beleaguered TEACHER, two STUDENTS. Cordelia walks up.
Nice of you to join us Cordelia. We didn't keep you waiting or anything did we? It's your turn to drive. Let's buckle up, people. Pole and students move to the car.
I don't want to drive today, Mr. Pole. Mr. Pole looks wildly uncomfortable for a beat, then:
You've flunked Driver's Ed twice - show me some moves or you'll be taking the bus to college. Cordelia marches to the car, climbs behind the wheel. ANGLE - BUFFY Moving up, keeping an eye on Cordelia. EXT.\INT. DRIVER'S ED CAR - DAY Mr. Pole buckles up in the passenger seat.
Check your brake, your mirrors, start the engine, put the car in drive... ANGLE - CORDELIA Tight on her face, looking at the GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR It's a big blur. This girl is having trouble seeing.
...let' move forward and through the cones in a gentle, even turn to the -- Cordelia puts the car in REVERSE, steps on the gas. The car jerks backwards, knocking into a pole.
-- brakes! Cordelia slams on the brakes, jams the car through every gear until she finds drive, hits the gas. The car SCREECHES forward.
Slow down, turn right, right, BRAKES, BRAKES!! Cordelia does as she's told, yanking the wheel, stomping on the brakes. Cordelia's car launches into a nasty skid, right off the blacktop, onto the grass, careening out of control now towards the street. Buffy starts running like hell. Mr. Pole and the KIDS IN BACK SCREAM bloody murder. EXT. STREET - DAY Cordelia's car skids into the street and stops. A car swerves around them, tires squealing, HORN BLARING.
Everyone out! Cordelia, Pole, the students scramble out. Mr. Pole and the students run. Cordelia looks around, completely disoriented. CORDELIA'S POV Dark and murky, dimmest shape of a UPS size truck bearing down on her. She takes a step away, then another -- in about five seconds she's going to be hamburger. BUFFY Tears across the grass onto the sidewalk. CORDELIA Screams, terrified, expecting the worst. THE TRUCK Hits its breaks, heading right at Cordelia. BUFFY Leaps on a parked car, using it as a booster to send her AIRBORNE. BUFFY FLIES THROUGH THE AIR, TACKLES CORDELIA Carrying her out of harm's way as the truck screeches past. CORDELIA AND BUFFY On the ground.
What's happening?!? I can't see anything! BUFFY Buffy looks at Cordelia whose EYES GLAZE OVER TO MURKY WHITE.
What's happening to me!?!
CUT TO:
INT. THE LIBRARY - DAY CLOSE ON GILES
Witchcraft. Blinding your enemy to disable and disorient them is a classic. ANGLE - Buffy, Xander, Willow. Giles holds a witchcraft text. We see AN ENGRAVING of SCARY WITCHES in SACRED CIRCLE in the woods.
First vampires, now witches... no wonder you can still afford a house in Sunnydale. GILES WILLOW GILES XANDER BUFFY GILES BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY XANDER BUFFY GILES BUFFY GILES BUFFY WILLOW XANDER GILES BUFFY WILLOW Willow moves to the computer at check-out desk, scanning records.
That's the last thing you do! You don't leave a paper trail. Forget that -- WILLOW XANDER WILLOW XANDER WILLOW BUFFY XANDER WILLOW XANDER GILES BUFFY GILES WILLOW GILES
SMASH CUT TO:
A FROG - INT. SCIENCE CLASS - DAY His big ol' eye looking up at us. PULL BACK, revealing we are seeing this in a BIG MIRROR, mounted on the teacher's desk in front of the class. The mirror is so the students can see what DR. GREGORY (kindly, older) is doing. willow, Xander, Buffy, Lishanne and Amy are part of the class.
Those on track one may begin their dissections. Those on track two, add your hydrochloric acid and ammonium hydroxide to your beakers... He demonstrates, we see it in the big mirror. Smoke and gas. He holds up the smoky beaker. ANGLE - WILLOW AND XANDER At a large table. Xander holds a scalpel poised over a frog. He lowers the scalpel, then:
I can't. He puts the scalpel down. Willow takes it, makes (off camera) a quick neat incision.
One eye of newt... XANDER WILLOW She holds up the scalpel, gives him her sweet "Willow" smile.
Ha ha. (takes scalpel respectfully) How's Buffy coming with the hair? ANGLE: BUFFY Moving past Lishanne.
(sarcastically) Isn't this exciting? BUFFY Buffy reaches Amy at another big desk with Bunsen burner, beakers, etc.
Help. Which is the hydrochloric acid and which is the ammonium hydroxide? AMY BUFFY Buffy drops her pen, bends down to pick it up, as she does, her hand slips INSIDE AMY'S purse, grabs some hair off Amy's brush. ANGLE - BUFFY STRAIGHTENS UP Amy's looking at her -- did she see the hair grab? Buffy moves back to her seat (in front of Willow and Xander.) Keeping her back to them, she reaches back, drops the hair in front of Willow who adds it to a chemical mix on a Bunsen burner. Amy glances at them.
(through his teeth) Smile and wave to the nice witch. Willow hands the beaker to Buffy.
All set. You have a plan? BUFFY XANDER Buffy heads for Amy's desk with beaker. As she does,
Lishanne, can you tell me why these chemicals have this reaction? Buffy casually spills a drops or two on Amy's arm. Buffy looks at: ANGLE - AMY'S ARM The drops do turn blue, but we tilt up to see Amy's eyes locked on someone else. ANGLE - LISHANNE We see her from behind, starting to shake, to spaz out.
Lishanne? Are you -- Oh my god. She knocks a few beakers over as she stumblingly rises and turns, grabbing at the first thing she sees -- which is Amy. Amy is brought face to face with Lishanne -- WHO HAS NO MOUTH. Amy backs away, terrified by what she sees.
CUT TO:
INT. HALL - MOMENTS LATER Our three are clustered, conferring.
Did you see? Amy was as freaked out as the rest of us. WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY
CUT TO:
EXT. AMY'S HOUSE - DAY Pushing in on the house as Amy enters frame, marches up and through the front door. INT. AMY'S HOUSE - DAY Dark. Austere. Clean. Amy moves through, pissed. We haven't seen her like this before.
Where are you?! Amy finds her mother, CATHERINE MADISON, late thirties, very well preserved, sitting in the blue light of the T.V. Catherine quickly flicks the T.V. off, like a kid caught doing something wrong.
Another productive day in front of the T.V. I got a history report due tomorrow. Write it. Amy hurls her book bag on the couch next to her mother.
I should be on that team by now. Instead, Miss Buffy and friends are sneaking around stealing bits of my hair. CLOSE - AMY'S HAND As she angrily dangles something from it -- the i.d. bracelet Xander gave Buffy. We're close enough to read "Yours Always".
I'll be upstairs. Amy wraps her fingers around Buffy's bracelet, marches out.
BLACK OUT.
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| Act Three |
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INT. BUFFY'S BEDROOM - MORNING
We TRACK IN on Buffy sleeping.
ANGLE: ALARM CLOCK
It's one of the old fashioned round ones with the bell, and it starts
RINGING.
Buffy lumps around under the cover, mewling in protest before she
reaches for the clock.
She grabs it and casually CRUSHES it with her hand. Poles her head out
from under the covers to look at what she has wrought.
(laughs) Oops.
CUT TO:
INT. BUFFY'S KITCHEN A BIT LATER Joyce is making breakfast. Buffy comes in in a really good mood.
(sings to herself) MACHO MACHO MAN... Hey, juice. She downs an entire glass in one sip.
Quality juice. Not from concentrate. JOYCE BUFFY She downs Joyce's as well.
Listen honey, about yesterday... BUFFY JOYCE BUFFY JOYCE BUFFY JOYCE BUFFY She sings her way out, leaving Joyce somewhat worried. EXT. SUNNYDALE HIGH - DAY - ESTABLISHING
Turn up the music! INT. THE GYM - DAY The cheerleaders -- Buffy, Senior Cheerleader and the rest practice. Buffy has a big, happy grin on her face, she's workin' this cheer -- unfortunately she's workin' it completely out of sync with everyone else. Buffy stomps on the Senior Cheerleader's foot.
Ow! Get it together, Buffy, we have a game in less than four hours. ANGLE - DOOR Willow and Xander slip in to watch.
(yells) Hey Willow, Xander! My buds are here. I love my buds. WILLOW AND XANDER React to Buffy.
Is it me, or is Buffy somewhat looped? Each girl launches the one next to her into a spinning cartwheel. Buffy is launched. WILLOW AND XANDER
We better get her out of there. XANDER Buffy cartwheels to the Senior Cheerleader, grabs her and HURLS HER OUT OF FRAME like a flying sack of potatoes. WILLOW AND XANDER WINCE
....hurts somebody. ANGLE - SENIOR CHEERLEADER Splatted in the corner of the gym where she landed. She gets up, way more angry than hurt.
Did I do that? SENIOR CHEERLEADER Willow and Xander rush in, grab Buffy.
It's not her fault -- XANDER SENIOR CHEERLEADER Amy is right there, in costume.
Amy, you just made cheerleader. BUFFY Xander clamps a hand over Buffy's mouth as Willow and he hustle her out.
A wise choice indeed. As Amy stands, innocently joins the line,
CUT TO:
INT. GYM FOYER: DAY Willow and Xander drag Buffy out, shut the door.
She's a witchy!! WILLOW BUFFY XANDER BUFFY WILLOW XANDER BUFFY XANDER BUFFY Willow can't help but look a little pleased; Xander looks like he just got cancer.
That's great. BUFFY She staggers a bit.
Oh. I don't feel so good. She slumps over, pale and sweaty.
Buffy? BUFFY She collapses in their arms.
CUT TO:
INT. THE LIBRARY - GILES' OFFICE - DAY Buffy's laid out in two easy chairs. A cold compress on her head. She's conscious but very sick. Giles (ever present text in hand) Willow and Xander stand over her, concerned.
We gotta get her to a hospital. GILES XANDER BUFFY GILES BUFFY WILLOW GILES BUFFY GILES XANDER GILES WILLOW GILES XANDER BUFFY XANDER BUFFY GILES BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY GILES
CUT TO:
EXT. AMY'S HOUSE - AFTERNOON Giles pulls up. ANGLE: THE DOOR He knocks loudly. Buffy peeks in the window by the door. ANGLE: THROUGH THE WINDOW - AMY'S LIVING ROOM We see Catherine start at the sound of knocking. She takes something we can't see very well and slides it under the coffee table. Comes anxiously to the door. It opens, and she stands before Buffy and Giles. It's clear from the expression on Buffy's face that this isn't what she was expecting.
What do you want? Is there something wrong? GILES CATHERINE she tries to shut the door -- he pushes it open rather forcefully. He ushers Buffy in.
CUT TO:
INT. AMY'S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS Giles moves Buffy to the couch, turns to Catherine.
Your daughter is up to something very dangerous. Are you aware of that? CATHERINE GILES CATHERINE GILES CATHERINE Buff is staring intently at Catherine.
As her mother, you should accept some responsibility for her actions. Surprisingly, she starts laughing.
Well, these kids today... Buffy looks at her, then looks at what Amy hid under the table. ANGLE: UNDER THE TABLE is a plate of brownies. Buffy stands, weakly.
She's out of her mind. Ever since control her. GILES She turns to look at Buffy, who approaches her slowly. Giles turns as well.
Amy? Catherine takes a step back, wide eyed.
Are you Amy? GILES BUFFY GILES Catherine nods, quietly.
She said I was wasting my youth... So she took it.
BLACK OUT.
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| Act Four |
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INT. AMY'S LIVING ROOM - SECONDS LATER
Catherine has sat down on the couch next to Buffy. She is terrified and
fighting back tears.
I didn't know about her... her power. When my dad was here they would fight, he called her a witch. I thought he meant something else. When he left I wanted to go with him but she wouldn't even let me call. She got crazy. She'd lock herself upstairs for days. And she'd get down on me all the time. She said I didn't deserve to have it so easy, that I didn't know how hard it was to be her. I guess she showed me, huh? She does cry now, quietly. It takes all of Buffy's effort to say:
Amy, it's gonna be okay. CATHERINE GILES CATHERINE GILES
CUT TO:
INT. AMY'S ATTIC - A BIT LATER We see the dolls lined up in the foreground as in the background the DOOR BURSTS OPEN, Giles coming in behind it. Catherine stays in the doorway, too afraid to enter as Giles comes up to the dolls.
If she finds out I've been in here she'll kill me. GILES ANGLE: TWO DOLLS A woman and a girl. The dolls are lashed together with a thorny vine.
I believe we can reverse your mother's spell. All of them, in fact. CATHERINE GILES He looks around. Tentatively, she enters, and helps. They rummage about in the dark recesses of the place, looking on shelves, under old blankets. Giles discovers a small trunk. As he pulls it open he says to Catherine:
Collect those dolls, and all the personal -- something LEAPS at him from the trunk, SCREECHING -- a black cat. Giles jumps back as the cat hits the floor and takes off out of the room. Giles takes a moment to recover himself.
Nice kitty... (looking in the trunk) What were you guarding? Yes... He pulls out the book.
This is it. INT. AMY'S LIVING ROOM - SECONDS LATER Giles comes back down with the book, Catherine with the box of talismans. Buffy is back on the couch. She looks ghastly, but she looks up to Giles with hope.
Did we find? GILES He gently helps her to her feet. He hands the book to Catherine and picks Buffy up.
Where are you going? GILES
CUT TO:
INT. THE GYM - EVENING We hear students CHEERING as the school basketball team takes the floor. The camera is in steady motion, following the team, sweeping across the stands, racing by the cheerleaders. The last one is Amy.
CUT TO:
INT. SCIENCE LAB - EVENING They enter, Giles placing Buffy in a chair as Catherine drops the box on a table. He squats before Buffy, looks her in the eyes.
I'm going to stop this. ANGLE: BUFFY'S POV the figure of Giles is a colorful BLUR. The room seems to teeter and shift around him, his VOICE a bizarre and deep echo.
I promise. Just hang on. He stands up (we are no longer in her POV), digs in the box for the book.
How is she? GILES Giles pulls the book out of the box, starts looking through it.
Let's see... I'll need lead, sulphur, some sort of diacetate... He goes over to the glass cabinet with the chemicals in it. It's locked. Casually, still looking down at the book for reference, he picks up a metal beaker and smashes the glass. He looks in and starts picking out vials of useful substances.
What should I do? He turns to her.
Find me a frog.
CUT TO:
INT. THE GYM - CONTINUOUS The game has started, the kids in the stands CHEERING. The cheerleaders are on the sideline, doing steps. ANGLE: AMY Is right there with them, last on the left. She is beaming. ANGLE: THE CROWD - AMY'S POV They are a ROARING mass, an appreciative audience. A joyful noise. And she moves in SLOW MOTION, the camera circling LOW around her, as she relives her greatest glory. ANGLE: THE STANDS The camera whips across the fans to find Xander and Willow up off to the side. They alone are silent, their eyes never leaving Amy.
CUT TO:
INT. SCIENCE LAB - A BIT LATER Giles has something bubbling in a beaker, a Bunsen burner under it. Catherine is nearby, reluctantly prying out a dead frog's eyes.
Right. He throws in a powder, and begins:
(reading) The center is dark. (in Latin) centrum est obscurus. (reading) The darkness breathes. (in Latin) tenebrae respiratis. (reading) The listener hears. He throws in another powder.
Hear me.
CUT TO:
INT. THE GYM - CONTINUOUS Amy is still strutting in step, still basking in her glory. ANGLE: AMY'S POV The appreciative crowd is before us, and then suddenly it becomes ANGLE: CATHERINE'S POV the lab. A table. A frog. It's just a flash, and then it's the audience again. Amy starts, wide eyed, and nearly messes up.
CUT TO:
INT. SCIENCE LAB - CONTINUOUS Catherine is reeling just as Amy was, shaking off the momentary change.
It's working... GILES He barks the order again, "show me", but this time in Arabic (waar re-nee). The lights in the room blow out.
CUT TO:
INT. THE GYM - CONTINUOUS The cheerleaders are forming a pyramid, Amy at the top. She is up there when: ANGLE: CATHERINE'S POV flashes before us again. This time it's clearer; we can see Giles, and the whole room. Our gaze sweeps over to include the dying Buffy. Amy SCREAMS -- and falls, wrecking the whole pyramid. The girls tumble about, the fans LAUGHING a bit.
Amy, what's your problem? Amy stands, primal fury on her face. The cheerleader backs off.
Amy RUNS out of the gym. ANGLE: XANDER AND WILLOW They see her go.
She must be heading for Buffy! XANDER
CUT TO:
INT. SCIENCE LAB - CONTINUOUS ANGLE: BUFFY'S POV Giles continues the spell, in Buffy's increasingly weird, dark view. His voice is not even human to her anymore. ANGLE: CATHERINE She is still reeling from the flashes. She looks up suddenly.
She's heading this way.
CUT TO:
INT. SCHOOL HALL - CONTINUOUS Amy turns a corner and runs smack into a very casual Willow.
Amy! AMY WILLOW The look Amy gives her raises one's hair.
Help me? With what? WILLOW Xander is sneaking up behind Amy. She SPINS suddenly and glares at him. She mutters something under her breath and he stops, suddenly unable to breathe. Drops to his knees.
Xander! Amy turns and PUNCHES Willow, knocks her to the ground. Amy takes off.
CUT TO:
INT. SCIENCE LAB - CONTINUOUS Things are really heating up in here. Giles holds his hands to the heavens:
Corsheth, and Gilail, the gate is closed. Receive the dark, release the unworthy... Take of mine energy and be sated! He PLUNGES HIS HANDS into the brew! Huge colored cloud shoots up.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. HALL OUTSIDE LAB - CONTINUOUS Amy arrives, tries the door. Catherine sees the door rattle, startles back in terror ANGLE: AMY Smashes the emergency glass and pulls out an axe. ANGLE: GILES Pulls his dripping hands out.
Be sated! Release the unworthy! ANGLE: THE AXE hits the door, burying itself above the lock. ANGLE: GILES
Release! ANGLE: BUFFY Her eyes flutter shut, her head slumping over.
Release! INT. SCIENCE LAB - CONTINUOUS And the door BURSTS OPEN, An axe wielding Amy running in. She takes one quick look around, heads for Buffy --
RELEASE! Amy raises the axe -- there is a flash of light -- ANGLE: BUFFY stands, completely restored. She and Amy look at each other in wonder.
Amy? And Catherine FLIES into frame, SCREAMING and tackling Buffy. The woman has gone completely apeshit. Giles comes at her and she just LOOKS up at him -- -- and a desk MOVES at him, knocking him down. Catherine stands, comes toward the cowering Amy. Nothing but hate in her gaze.
You. You little brat. AMY She is retreating, raising the axe more for protection than anything else. Catherine merely cocks her head and the axe FLIES out of Amy's hand and into her own. Amy stifles a scream.
Raise a hand to your own mother? Who gave you birth, who gave up her life, her LIFE so you could drag your worthless carcass around and call it living? She SLAMS the axe into a table top. Amy looks from the axe to her mother. ANGLE: CATHERINE'S HANDS Something is happening -- energy begins emanating from them -- like sparks, only black. Something very powerful is brewing in her.
You were never anything but trouble. I'll put you where you'll never make trouble again. Buffy appears right behind Catherine.
Hey, guess what? Catherine turns.
I feel better. ANGLE: Catherine flies over a table, hits the ground with all attendant smashing of glass things. Buffy comes around the table and Catherine pops back up, wired with fury.
That body was mine! Mine! BUFFY Catherine throws her head back in a mystical shriek --- and Buffy is flung back over the teacher's desk. She rises to see Catherine shaking, about to cast the spell.
I shall look upon my enemy -- Her arms CRACKLE with energy -- she opens her eyes and they are glowing darkly- she throws her arms forward with the final phrase --
-- I shall look upon her and the dark place will have her soul! Corsheth! Take her! And Buffy SWINGS her leg over the table and BREAKS the support for the mirror above -- it comes down, hitting the table at an angle, still supported on the other side. It's too late for Catherine to stop. The spell shoots out of her arms at her own reflection. It bounces right back at her. She SCREAMS. Glows. Energy singing around her, wrapping her up. Then there's nothing. Giles, no longer pinned, gets up, creeps forward with Amy. Buffy comes from behind the desk. They all look around them, but they are alone. After a while...
Well, that was interesting. BUFFY AMY Buffy smiles at her.
I think all the spells were reversed. Of course, it's my first casting, I may have got it wrong. BUFFY GILES BUFFY And they head for the door, Giles obliging:
Well, it was the first time and some of those incantations are quite tricky. And I was somewhat interpretive with the ingredients -- A FIGURE LEAPS OUT at Amy, tackles her. It's Xander.
I got her! I got her! Cut her head off! BUFFY XANDER Buffy pulls him off Amy.
But she's evil! GILES AMY XANDER It takes a moment for him to realize he has no idea what they're talking about. Willow runs in now, carrying a baseball bat.
Where is she? XANDER WILLOW XANDER
CUT TO:
INT. BUFFY'S BEDROOM - AFTERNOON Buffy is throwing pieces of her alarm clock in the trash when Joyce enters.
I don't get it. BUFFY JOYCE BUFFY JOYCE BUFFY JOYCE Buffy kisses her on the cheek --
I love you, mom. -- and exit, leaving Joyce thrown once more.
I don't get it.
CUT TO:
INT. HALL BY THE GYM - DAY (DAYS LATER) Buffy and Amy are walking through the hall.
Dad is so impossible. He doesn't ever want me going anywhere, wants to spend total quality time together. I'm like, "Dad, I can go out, it's perfectly safe." He's got all this guilt at leaving me with mom and he's being a total pain. BUFFY AMY Cordelia breezes by with the other cheerleaders as they get out of the gym. We see Amber and Lishanne -- all recovered.
Hey, I'm really sorry you guys got bumped back to alternate. Hold it -- wait -- no I'm not. AMY CORDELIA She exits, passing Buffy, who is staring at the trophy case. Amy looks to her, the smile leaving her face.
Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot you actually wanted to be on the squad. BUFFY AMY For a moment they both look at Catherine's trophy.
Catherine the Great. BUFFY AMY BUFFY AMY BUFFY As they leave, we stay on the trophy. TRACK in closer to the cheerleading figure on top. And closer, to the impassive bronze face. Her eyes dart back and forth.
BLACK OUT.
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