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Bad Girls (December 17, 1998) Written by: Douglas Petrie |
| Teaser |
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EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT We see a shot of the ground. It's grassy. Peaceful. Quiet. Then all of a sudden - WHAM! Two slayers (Buffy and Faith) get slammed down into it, hard. Vampires clutch their necks, baring down. Faith makes conversation.
So, what, you're telling me never?
Faith, really. Now is not the time.
I'm curious. Never ever? Buffy and Faith each FLIP their attackers off them, start kicking ass. Only Faith won't shut up.
Come on, really? All this time and not even once?
How many times can I say it? I have never… Buffy PUNCHES the vamp…
Done it… KICKS the vamp…
With Xander! And STAKES the vamp. DUST. (CGI)
He's just a friend.
So? Faith STAKES her vamp too. More dust. (off camera, no CGI)
What are friends for? I'm sorry. It's just, all that sweating nightly, side-by-side action, and you never put in for a little after hours… (grunts)
Thanks for the poetry, and no. I love Xander, I just don't… love Xander. Besides, I think it ruins friendships to do stuff like that.
You think too much. Buffy stops cold. Faith stops, too.
There's one left.
How do you know?
I think too much. Buffy is looking at the ground (she stands on dirty road, not grass). There is a cacophony of tracks and footprints in the dirt. She mentally adds them up, one set leading her gaze to a tomb nearby. A shadow moves subtly behind it. Someone's hiding. The slayers go silent. Buffy points. Faith goes right. Buffy goes left.
(quietly) On three… Buffy silently counts off on her fingers: One, Two… but that's as far as she gets. Faith LEAPS straight over the top of the tomb, stakes in hand.
(to herself) Three.
Yaaahhh!!! Impossibly fast, a third VAMPIRE flashes up from behind the headstone, grabs Faith, and using her momentum SLAMS her into the ground face-first. The vamp turns to Buffy. Unsheathes a jewel-encrusted SWORD and DAGGER. Holds them in dueling position. Buffy pulls a stake. FLASH! In one fast swipe, the vamp slices her stake clean in half. Buffy drops the useless wooden nub and kicks the vamp in the nuts. He howls in rage as Buffy kicks away both sword and dagger. He rushes Buffy, and SLAMS her up against a headstone. They struggle. His fangs approach her neck when suddenly - POOF! He's dusted. Dust clears, revealing Faith behind him. Faith grins, twirling her stake like a gunfighter.
Nicely diverted, B.! She holds up her hand for a high-five. Buffy just looks at her like she's crazy.
That wasn't diverting! That was fighting for my life, Miss Attention Span. Buffy storms away, pissed. Faith follows.
Hey, this isn't a Tupperware party, it's a little harder to plan.
"The count of three" is not a plan. It's Sesame Street.
Hey, they're toast and we're here so it couldn't have been too bad. Who were those guys, anyway?
No idea. They sure didn't look local. Grab the weapons, would you? Maybe Giles can… But the sword and dagger are gone. Buffy and Faith look to each other… INT. MAYOR'S OFFICE - NIGHT BAM! The sword and the dagger slam down onto the Mayor's desk so hard, pens and pencils jump. Mr. Trick did the slamming. The Mayor sits behind the desk, reading the paper. Allan, the Deputy Mayor, stands nervously to one side.
Check these out. The Mayor laughs quietly as he folds the paper.
I just love the Family Circus. That P.J.'s getting to be quite a handful. He looks at the blades as he wipes the newsprint off his fingers with a moist towelette.
Well. Haven't seen anything like this in… well, in a good long while. Where is the owner of these fine implements?
The common term is "slain". But I've been seeing this breed around. We expecting any trouble? The Mayor stares at Trick, thinking.
Do you like Family Circus?
(dead serious) I like Marmaduke.
(shudders) Oh! He's always on the furniture. Unsanitary.
Nobody's tellin' Marmaduke what to do. My kind of dog.
I like to read "Cathy". The other two look at him like he is a bug. He stammers:
So, what about these swords? What should we do about that?
Let's just keep an eye out. We've got the dedication coming up in a few days - we certainly can't have anything interfering with that.
Well, maybe we should postpone the… dedication… The Mayor loses all expression.
I'm thinking the honorable Mayor hates that idea.
The dedication is the final step before my ascension. I have waited longer than you can imagine for this. After the hundred days, I'll be on a higher plane. And I'll have no more need for… He doesn't say what, but he is staring right at Allan.
… Well, let's just say I won't be concerned with the little things. Mr. Trick, watch these people. Anything you find out about them… well, let's try to see that that information reaches the slayers. He picks up the short sword, looks at it.
With any luck, they'll kill each other. And then everyone's a winner. Everyone, of course, being me. BLACK OUT
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| Act One |
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INT. LOUNGE - DAY Buffy, Willow, Xander and Oz, lounging in the school lounge. All look on as Willow looks through an endless pile of thick manila envelopes. College catalogues. Xander reads over her shoulder.
Harvard, Yale, Wesleyan…
Wow, Willow. Looks like early admission came early this year.
Hence the name.
M.I.T., Barnard, some German Polytechnical Institute whose name I can't pronounce… Is anyone else intimidated? Because I'm just expecting paper-thin slips with the words "no way" written on them in crayon.
They're typing those now.
I'm so overwhelmed. I got in! To colleges. Real live colleges! And now they're wooing me. They're pitching woo!
The wooing stage is always fun.
But weird, too. Rejection I can handle from my long years of training in the field. But this…
I feel your pain, Will. Like, right now? I'm torn between the fast- growing industries of appliance repair and motel management. Of course, I'm still waiting to hear from The Corndog Emporium, so… He crosses his fingers: "Here's hoping."
Embrace it, Will. This is a great time. There's nothing standing between you and a whole new world.
Except - if I could suggest? Graduate. Getting left back? Not the thrill ride you'd expect. A HAND folds back the folder Xander is reading. He looks up. The hand belongs to Cordelia.
That's so cute, planning life as a loser. Most people just turn out that way, but you're really taking charge.
The comedy stylings of Miss Cordelia Chase, everybody. Who incidentally won't be needing a higher education when she can just market her own very successful line of Hooker Wear.
Well Xander, I could dress more like you but, oh. My father has a job.
I won't waste the perfect comeback on you now, but don't think I don't have it. Oh yes, its time will come. Cordelia's gone. Xander turns back to the group.
So. Life beyond high school. Anyone. For the love of God, please, chime in.
I hear it's nice. And, a place I'll never go if I don't pass Mrs. Taggart's chem. test tomorrow.
I can help. Chemistry's easy. It's just like witchcraft, only there's not as much newt. What do you say? Study jam at my house? Tonight?
I'm there. The BELL RINGS. They all get up to leave.
I gotta check in with Giles, report on last night's patrol.
Oh, that's right. He said he needed to talk to you.
What about? Is he all right?
Well, he's looked better… INT. LIBRARY - DAY Giles HAS looked better - he's uncomfortable, bored and a teeny bit hostile. He is, however, trying to be polite about it. The reason for his attitude is speaking to him. Incessantly. He is WESLEY WYNDAM-PRYCE, watcher. Young, not bad looking but a bit full of himself. Thinks he's Sean Connery when he's pretty much George Lazenby.
Of course, training procedures have been updated quite a bit since your day. Much greater emphasis on field work.
Really.
Oh yes. It's not all books and theory nowadays. I have in fact faced two vampires - under controlled circumstances, of course.
Well, you're in no danger of finding any here.
Vampires?
Controlled circumstances. Hello, Buffy. She has entered, looks over the new watcher with suspicion. He brightens to see her, shaking her hand.
Well, hello!
New watcher.
New watcher.
Wesley Wyndam-Pryce. It's very nice to meet you.
(to Giles) Is he evil?
Evil?
The last one was evil.
Oh, yes, Gwendolyn Post, we all heard. A sad example of the seductive power of dark knowledge. Mr. Giles has checked my credentials rather thoroughly and phoned the council but I'm glad to see you're on the ball as well, a good slayer is a cautious slayer. He smiles at her.
(to Giles) Is he evil?
Not in the strictest sense.
(a hint of peeve) Well, I'm glad that's cleared up. And as I'm sure none of us is anxious to waste time on pleasantries, why don't you tell me everything about last night's patrol.
Vampires.
Yes?
Killed 'em.
Anything else you can tell me? A gently remonstrative look from Giles makes Buffy grudgingly continue.
One of them had swords. I don't think he was with the other two.
Swords? One long, one short?
(nodding) Both pointy. With jewels and stuff.
That sounds familiar.
It should. He is rifling through some of his own books. Hands one open to Giles.
El Eliminati. Fift -
Fifteenth century duelist cult. Deadly in their day, their numbers dwindled in later centuries, due to an increase in antivampire activity and a lot of pointless dueling. They eventually became the acolytes of a demon called Balthazar, who brought them to the new world. Specifically, here.
You seem to know them well.
I didn't get this job because of my looks.
I really really believe that.
I've researched this town's history. Extensively.
So why haven't we seen them before this?
They were driven out a hundred years ago. Balthazar was, happily, killed. I'm not sure by whom.
And they're back 'cause…
Balthazar had an amulet, purported to give him strength. When he was killed, it was taken by a wealthy landowner - I don't want to bore you with the details…
Little bit late…
…Named Gleaves. It's buried with him and I believe the few remaining Eliminati are probably looking for it. For sentimental value.
So you don't think the amulet poses a threat of some kind?
Not at all. None the less, we may as well keep it from them. Buffy, you will go to the Gleaves family crypt tonight and fetch the amulet.
I will?
Are you not used to being given orders?
Giles always says please when he sends me on a mission. And afterwards, he gives me a cookie.
I don't feel like we're getting off on quite the right foot - Faith enters as he speaks. Assesses the situation.
Ah! This is perhaps Faith? Faith looks at him.
New watcher.
New watcher.
Screw that. She turns on her heel and exits.
Now, why didn't I say that?
Buffy, do you think you could -
I'll see if I can get her back. (to Wesley) Don't say anything incredibly interesting while I'm gone. She exits. Wesley watches, trying not to be thrown.
They'll get used to me. Giles sighs very quietly, takes off his glasses to clean them. Notices Wesley has taken his off and is cleaning them. Giles slips his back on. EXT. FOUNTAIN QUAD - DAY Buffy catches up with Faith, who's storming off campus.
Faith, wait. Buffy catches up to her.
I know this new guy's a dork, but… (long pause) …I have nothing to follow that, he's just a dork.
You actually gonna take orders from him? Buffy shrugs.
That's the job. What else can we do?
Whatever we want! We're slayers, girlfriend. The Chosen Two. Why should we let him take all the fun out of it?
That'd be tragic, taking the fun out of slaying and stabbing and beheading…
Oh, like you don't dig it.
I don't.
Liar. I've seen you. Tell me staking a vamp doesn't get you a little bit juiced. Say it. Faith stops, faces Buffy, folds her arms and waits. Buffy smiles, hesitates, looks away…
Aah! Can't fool me. The look in your eyes right after a kill? Just get hungry for more.
You are way off base.
Tell me that if you don't get in a good slaying, after a while you start itching for some vamp to show up so you can give him a good… She makes a stabbing motion and grunts.
Again with the grunting. I'm not comfortable with that.
Hey, slaying's what we were built for. If you're not enjoying it, you're doing something wrong. She starts to go.
Uh, what about our assignment?
Tell you what. You do the homework, and I'll copy yours. And she goes, leaving a pensive Buffy. Faith saunters off campus, free. Buffy looks back at the school. Then back at Faith. On her face, we DISSOLVE TO: EXT. CRYPT - NIGHT Establishing. Buffy enters the Gleaves Family Crypt. INT. CRYPT - NIGHT Buffy enters, flashlight in hand, moving forward. She finds a grave. With some effort, she shoves the heavy stone covering aside, looks inside. NASTY CORPSE. No amulet.
Strike one… She turns to the second grave. Shoves the cover aside. Inside, she sees the rotting corpse of a DEAD MONK. Wearing an ancient, ornate AMULET.
Game over. She reaches into the tomb to remove the amulet. And suddenly the tomb is filled with light. Buffy turns to see: A torch comes into the crypt. Held by a vampire. Followed by another. Then another. Then another. They keep coming. Six torches in all. The vampires swagger in as a pack. Buffy flips herself over the casket, stuffs herself into the first tomb, next to the ROTTING CORPSE. She waits, trying to be silent. The vamps enter. The head vamp, VINCENT, pulls the amulet off the corpse. They exit as a group. Buffy listens. Nothing. She exhales a sigh of relief. Stands up, and the second she does - CLAP! - a hand GRABS her shoulder.
Aah! It's Faith.
Faith!
What are you doing, hiding in there?
Looking for an amulet. Wasn't really counting on the special guest stars. Six against one - hence the hiding.
Six against two now. Come on. Faith runs out of the crypt. Buffy follows. EXT. CRYPT - NIGHT The vamps are getting away. We just see the last of them rabbiting down a manhole. Gone. Faith charges after them. Buffy pulls her back.
Wait. Stop. Think.
No. No. No.
It's a manhole. Tight space, no escape - and six against two - not unlike three against one.
And there might be more. Come on.
You're just going in? That's your plan? Faith stops, turns, looks at Buffy like she's crazy.
Who said I had a plan? I don't know how many's down there but I wanna find out and I'll know when I land and if you don't come in after me… Faith LEAPS, finishing with a big smile:
I might die!! Gone. Buffy hesitates… Shit. She can't believe this. No choice. Buffy runs, jumps, and DISAPPEARS down the hole, engulfed in TOTAL BLACKNESS. BLACK OUT
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| Act Two |
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INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT Giles paces as Wesley goes over the watcher diaries, flipping pages.
These are all the diaries, then? Yours included?
That's everything. Knock yourself out… please…
(looking) Ah yes. Here's your first entry. (reads) "Slayer is willful and insolent." That would be our girl, wouldn't it?
You have to get to know her.
(reading further) "… her abuse of the English Language is such that I understand only every other sentence…" This is going to make fascinating reading.
(looking at his watch) Where is she?
Not to fret. My mission scenario has her back in a minute or so. Shouldn't be any trouble. He pops a licorice in his mouth as we CUT TO: INT. SEWER - NIGHT CRACK! Buffy comes staggering back into frame, having just been good and punched there by an unseen vampire. She turns to face TWO OTHERS. Lightning-fast, she backhands the first, one-tows the other and backs up right into… Faith. Surrounded by vampires, fighting for her life - and grinning. The two of them are right in the middle of one big mother of a FIGHT. Six vamps. Two slayers. And the only exit is a small round opening, twelve feet overhead.
We're surrounded!
(laughing) You noticed that too? The vamps ATTACK at once. WAR CRIES echo sharply through the tunnels. Buffy and Faith go total video game on them. Kicking. Punching. Staking. Anything but stopping. One slams Faith against the slimy sewer wall. Buffy HURLS a stake. It flips end over end, catches him in the back, and we hear him get DUSTED. But now Buffy's empty handed. Tow vamps rush her, one left, one right, and grab her arms. Their leader, VINCENT, a tall one, unsheathes a sword and dagger. He has the amulet tucked into his belt. He takes a fighting stance.
Let's settle this honorably. Buffy KICKS the sword out of his hand. Brings the two thugs holding her CRASHING together. Vincent LUNGES with the dagger. Buffy holds the dagger off, but it takes both hands. Vincent takes his free hand, grabs Buffy by the back of the head.
Well, then, we'll just settle it. Splash! Vincent shoves Buffy's head under the brackish water, face first.
Buffy! Son of a bitch, I'll… But Faith can't even finish her sentence. She gets socked in the stomach by a big brute of a vamp. Another jumps her from behind. She fights them, two-against-one, watching as Buffy stays down. Vincent smiles, holding Buffy's head under water. She struggles. Then weakens. Then stops.
BUFFY!!! Vincent holds her down just a little bit longer, just to make sure. The remaining vamps surround Faith. She's next. Vincent relaxes his grip, stands, is about to turn when… Buffy WHIPS HER HEAD UP. Alive. Newly baptized. Eyes blazing a glint we've never seen before lighting her eyes. She's crazy. Grins. She uppercuts Vincent, catching him clean under the jaw and lifting him a good two feet off the ground.
I hate it when they drown me. Buffy grabs his sword from under the water. Lunges. Faith grins at Buffy's transformation. She uses the distraction to kneecap one of the vamps holding her with a crisp sidekick. He goes down. She flips one who rushes her from behind. Clears an entrance. Palm-thrusts an onrushing vamp, sending nose cartilage straight into his brain. Buffy's Errol Flynn. She fences Vincent, kills and oncoming vamp without breaking stride, keeps thrusting forward… Faith checks that the entrance is clear.
B. - gotta go!
We came for the amulet… She SWIPES her blade in a long, swinging arc - slicing the amulet's chain from around Vincent's belt. It drops to the ground. She scoops it up the second it lands.
…We're not leaving without it. She clocks a vamp who's sneaking up behind her (without looking) with the blade handle. He's out. Vincent and what's left of his men - RUN. A ragged, defeated gang, splashing away in defeat. Buffy, breathless, turns to Faith.
Tell me you don't get off on this. Buffy stands tall, pockets the amulet, too cool.
Didn't suck. INT. LIBRARY- DAY Wesley, tut-tutting to himself quietly, cleans a small bit of muck off the amulet as he examines it up close.
Well. Looks authentic enough. Of course, there are tests to be made before actual verification…
How about verifying that your "nearly extinct" cult was out in magnum force last night? Faith and I got into a serious party situation.
Are you all right?
I had to lather, rinse, and repeat about five million times to get the sewer out of my hair, but otherwise, I'm of the good.
Perhaps there were a few more of them than we'd anticipated, but I'd expect you to be ready for anything. Remember the three key words for any slayer: Taps his book for emphasis.
Preparation. Preparation. Preparation.
That's one word three times. The bell RINGS.
Oh my God. I have a chem. test. It's so sad that I'm happy about that. Giles. We gotta talk.
Buffy, I must ask you to remember that I am your watcher. From now on, anything you have to say about slaying, you say to me. The only thing you need to discuss with Mr. Giles is… overdue book fees. Understood? Buffy turns to Giles.
We'll talk.
Of course.
About the overdue book fees.
Should have returned them on time. She goes. Wesley frowns at Giles.
You're not helping.
I know. I feel just sick about it. INT. CLASSROOM - DAY MRS. TAGGART, chemistry teacher, hands out test booklets. Buffy talks with Xander and Willow.
It was intense. It was like I just let go, you know, and I became this force. I just didn't care any more.
Yeah, I know what that's like -
I don't think you can. It's kind of a slayer thing; I don't even think I'm explaining it well.
You're explaining it a lot, though…
All right. You have one period to fill out your test booklets, periodic charts are included in the back, and you're on the honor system, so remember… no talking. Angle on: Buffy, sitting between Willow and Xander, talking a mile a minute.
Well, the thing was, Faith knew I didn't want to go down there -
Ahem. Ms. Summers? Buffy sits straight, makes a contrite "zip" across her lips.
You have one hour. Mrs. Taggart hands out the last of the tests. Leaves. And the second the door closes, Buffy launches right back in:
Okay, so the best part -
Buffy? Test. You know, the one you didn't come over to study for?
Right. Got it. Sorry. (to Xander) …so, we're in the sewers, right, and Faith has three of them on her…
Hey. Whoa, can we resume Buffy's ode to Faith later? Like when I'm not actively multiple-choicing?
How come your eye always twitches when I talk about Faith?
What? No it doesn't.
"Faith." Xander covers his eye.
Cut it out, we got a test to take, I'm highly caffeinated and trying to concentrate. (unconvincing) Some of us care about school, you know. Xander goes back to his test. Willow's immersed. Everyone in class sits hunched over their test booklets, except Buffy. Way bored. Then, tap tap tap! Buffy sees Faith - her nose pressed up against the glass of the classroom window.
Hey girlfriend. Bad time? She holds up her test booklet. Faith nods, breathes steam onto the window. Finger-draws a heart. Then a stake through it. Looks at Buffy, wiggles her eyebrows…
She can't. (to Buffy) You can't. Can you? Buffy climbs out the classroom window. Kids laugh and point, but go back to their tests.
Buffy! This is fifteen percent of the final grade, and that's… Buffy's gone. Willow turns to Xander.
…apparently meaningless. EXT. PALM COURT - DAY Faith and Buffy stride off campus.
What's up.
Vampires.
Uh, Faith? Unless there's a total eclipse in the next five minutes - it's daylight.
Good for us. Bad for them. I found a nest.
(grinning) That has potential… They walk off together, picking up momentum. INT. ABANDONED BUILDING - DAY Dark. We see the silhouettes of several sleeping figures on the grounds. Pan across some half-constructed catacombs, made of mattresses and garbage. The windows are blacked out with spray paint. It's almost peaceful. But… CRASH! Two figures come smashing through the window. Buffy and Faith. They land, roll, and come up on their feet. Sunlight POURS in through the broken window behind them. Vampires scream. Scramble out of the sunlight's path before bits and pieces of them burst into flame. Big chaos. Buffy and Faith each pull stakes.
Rise and shine, people.
This is your wake up call. We DOLLY IN on the two girls, smiling in the moment before all hell breaks loose, but before it does we SMASH CUT TO: INT. BRONZE - NIGHT Continuous - Buffy and Faith DANCE wildly. Strobe lights flare. Both slayers look a little beat-up. It only makes them sexier. They gyrate with abandon. They own the Bronze. Their dancing picks up a beat as two hunky CUTE GUYS join in. And these guys are good. They can almost keep up with the slayers. Buffy and Faith heat it up for their dance partners, the luckiest boys in Sunnydale. Angle on: ANGEL. In the crowd, watching. Bummed. He turns to leave, but stops when he hears:
Angel! And WHOMP! Buffy comes flying into frame, jumping on Angel and wrapping herself around him.
Not leaving, are you?
Saw you making friends.
Them? Boys. I like you. He lets her down. She stands. Very close.
What's the matter? (playing) You're not afraid of little me, are you?
We better sit down. He leads her to a table. They sit. Buffy tries to match his seriousness, but she can't help the playful smile that floats about her lips. He's just so CUTE!
Okay. I can sense this is a business trip. What's the what?
Balthazar.
Dead demon.
Not as dead as you'd think. Word on the street puts him in the packing warehouse on Devereau. He's looking for -
-- his amulet. Yeah. It's supposed to restore his strength.
From what I'm hearing, that's not something we'd like to see happen.
Well, we've got the amulet.
I know, I spoke to Giles. But he said you gave it to -
There you are! He bustles to them.
Wow, speak of the really annoying person.
Well, you're certainly giving me a run for my money. (pulling her aside) I think we should establish that when you go out slaying, you leave me a number where I can -
Where's the amulet?
Who are you?
He's a friend. Do you have it?
It's somewhere very safe. Buffy reaches into his inside pocket and pulls it out.
How did you -
It pooches your jacket. She hands it to Angel.
Now hold on a minute.
Walking around with this thing is like wearing a target.
(to Angel) You'll put it somewhere safe that's actually safe?
(rising) I'll do it now.
(also rising) I'm gonna do a little recon on Balthazar.
Okay, people? Balthazar is dead. Am I the only one who remembers that? Buffy kisses Angel a hard goodbye.
Be careful.
You know me…
I mean it. They split up. He goes out the front, Buffy heads for the dance floor. Wesley looks about, hapless.
What's going on…? Angle on: The dance floor. Faith is dancing with the two cute guys simultaneously. No one's complaining. Buffy passes by, pulling Faith out towards the back with her.
(to boys) Call me! EXT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT Establishing. A warehouse in the commercial district. We hear a horrible, low, burbling VOICE:
Let me tell you what I see. INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT We see a TANK. And inside the tank sits BALTHAZAR, a horrible, five hundred pound DEMON. Pale, pasty-white skin. Scales. A vampire ladles water onto his enormous expanse of a back, keeping him wet.
I see fear. And remorse. And the pitiful look of faces which cry out for mercy. What I don't see is what I want to see and THAT'S MY AMULET! The room shakes. A vampire steps forward.
Lord Balthazar. We found it. We had it. But, the slayers…
Already I'm bored. Balthazar reaches out a big meaty hand and the vampire is sucked toward it by a mystical force, the hand closes around his head and crushes it. The body falls, a lifeless heap, on the ground.
Vincent. Come here. Vincent, the vampire from the tunnels, steps forward.
Closer. Closer. Balthazar rests a heavy hand on Vincent's head. Whispers.
Let me tell you what I want to see. EXT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT Buffy and Faith spy through a broken window, watching Balthazar and his minions, lit by the ring of torches.
Okay. We got ten, maybe twelve bad guys and one big demon in desperate need of a stairmaster.
I say we take 'em all, hard and fast, now.
Okay. But - we need a little more firepower than… (hands empty) …none. We should get to the library.
Well, I guess Jacuzzi boy isn't going anywhere, I just wish we - She is scanning the neighborhood. Stops.
Oh. That's too good. Buffy follows her gaze to: A SPORTING GOODS STORE across the street. Buffy smiles and… EXT. SPORTING GOODS STORE - NIGHT CRASH! Faith kicks the door in. INT. SPORTING GOODS STORE - NIGHT Strides in through the broken frame. Buffy comes in after, looks around. They pass rows of soccer balls and camping equiptment. Go straight to the knives, bows and arrows, clubs.
Score. Faith smashes a glass case, pulls out a bow, notches an arrow.
Think they're insured?
Strangely - not my priority. Buffy tries prying open a locked case filled with KNIVES. Faith comes over to her.
B. When are you gonna get this? A slayer's life is simple. Want? She SMASHES the case.
Take. Reaches in, hands Buffy a knife from inside.
Have. Buffy sees another case, containing a pneumatic CROSSBOW. Tentatively SMASHES the case. Takes. A weird little smile on her face.
Want, take, have. I'm getting it. Faith is going for more stuff - she's building up a head of steam TRASHING the place, when we hear - BANG! - a GUNSHOT. Both girls turn to see a tough-looking COP. Pointing a gun right at them. His (silent) partner behind, gun also drawn.
Drop your weapons and get down on the ground! NOW! Busted. BLACK OUT
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| Act Three |
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INT. SPORTING GOODS STORE - NIGHT Right where we left off - on a GUN. Pointing at the slayers.
I said drop the weapons or I fire. Buffy drops her crossbow. Faith hesitates a moment, sizing up the situation, then lays her bow on the ground.
Now spread 'em!
You wish.
Hands in the air where I can see 'em. Slow. Good. (to the other cop) Cuff 'em. The other cop begins cuffing the girls.
I like him. She gives him a big, sexy wink.
He's butch. INT. POLICE CAR - NIGHT Buffy and Faith sit cuffed in the backseat of the police car. Buffy looks miserable.
That's some artillery you two are putting together. You with one of them girl gangs?
Yeah, we're the Slayers. (to Buffy) You wanna get out of here? We see Buffy and Faith in the cop's rearview mirror, hands behind their backs. Buffy nods. Faith slides down, brings her legs up against the seat in front of her. She looks at Buffy, who hesitates.
Can't save the world in jail. Buffy slides down as well. Together they KICK. Hard. Both feet. The mesh metal barrier comes crashing up against the back of the cops' heads. EXT. STREET - NIGHT The police car swerves wildly, back and forth, accelerates, and CAREENS - SMASH! into a parked car. ANGLE ON: HANDS As the girls, back to back, unlock each other's cuffs. They are standing by the wrecked car. Their cuffs fall away. Buffy turns to the cops, looking concerned.
We should call an ambulance.
Five people already have, the racket we made. And they're fine. The cop moans.
Unnggh…
Let's get out of here. Faith starts to run. Buffy stares horrified at the wounded cop, who stirs back to consciousness. Buffy and Faith run off into the night. INT. BUFFY'S KITCHEN - DAY The next morning. Too bright, and way too sunny. Buffy comes in the back door with the morning paper. She dumps it on the breakfast table, ripping through the paper, searching…
Admit it. Buffy flinches, startled, double-checking headlines.
Some days you just want to wake up and say, to hell with the diet. You wanna make waffles? Big Saturday brunch?
I'm not really that hungry.
What did you and Faith do last night?
Nothing. I mean, it's not important.
Don't worry, I won't meddle in your slaying. Just so long as you're being careful…
I am. She closes the paper. Nothing.
You sure about those waffles?
No thanks, but I could help make them if you want them…
No, they only don't have calories if I make them for you. (off her look) Mom logic. Are you done with the paper? Buffy hands it over. Joyce opens it as Buffy looks on, still uncomfortable.
Let's see what's happening in Sunnydale. INT. MAYOR'S OFFICE - DAY FLASH! The Mayor stands out in a group of BOY SCOUTS, having their picture taken for the local paper. He thanks the boys and the photographer, the Deputy Mayor ushering them out as he speaks.
Thank you, fellas. Thanks a heap. Have fun on the camping trip. Don't forget to roast a wiener for me, now! Bye bye! The door closes. The Mayor smiles at Allan. He draws the curtains, plunging the room into utter darkness.
You can come out now. Mr. Trick emerges from the darkness.
Backbone of America, those little guys. Seeing the hope and courage on their bright little faces - I swear, I could just eat 'em up. He heads for the cabinet.
So, any news about the Eliminati? He opens the cabinet double-doors - and Vincent LUNGES OUT.
Yaaaahhhh!!!! Vincent grabs the Mayor by the throat. Together they go crashing across the room and SMASH into the Mayor's desk set, knocking over a lamp and two chairs. Without hesitation, Vincent draws his sword. Prepares to thrust.
In the name of Lord Balthazar, die! And a fist comes out of nowhere and PUNCHES Vincent square in the face. One shot. Knocks him out cold. Trick stands there, rubbing his knuckles. Grabs the sword. Spins it with a flourish and brings the blade tip right under Vincent's jawline. The Mayor stands, straightens his tie.
Thank you, Mr. Trick. That was very thoughtful of you.
Why do they always got to be sword fighting? It's called an uzi, ya chump. Woulda saved your ass right about now.
Curious how he could have gotten all the way into my liquor cabinet. Allan, don't we have security guards working in this building?
Sir… I… I had no idea…
No need to swoon, Allan, but let's try to keep things secure. (re: Vincent) Lock him up.
He wakes up, he's just gonna try and kill you again.
Yes. Yes, I expect he will. And off Trick's confused expression, we CUT TO: INT. WAREHOUSE - DAY Balthazar speaks to his cowed minions.
Vincent made a noble effort. Man to man, as befits a true warrior. He had courage. He had honor. And I have JACK TO SHOW FOR IT! He tries to calm himself, but he is seething.
It has been a hundred years since my enemy crippled me. Now ultimate power is within his grasp and I will not see it happen. This town is MINE to destroy. My amulet will give me strength, strength to kill him, to kill all my enemies, to burn this world to a cinder! Forget about honor! Forget about everything but getting my amulet! Bring the watchers to me. Find the Slayers and kill them. Kill everything that gets in your way! GO!!! INT. BUFFY'S BEDROOM - DUSK Buffy, in her room, enjoys the scent of a small black bag of herbs which Willow dangles before her.
Mmm…
You like it?
Smells nice. What is it?
Just a little something we witches like to call a "protection spell."
Good deal. Protection. (sniffs again) I'm surprised, spell stuff is usually a lot more…
Stinky? That's why I added the aloe. Give me time, and I could be the first Wicca to do all my conjuring in a pine- fresh scent. So what's the plan? Blank stare from Buffy.
For tonight's slayage. We're going, aren't we?
Uh… yeah.
Great!
But, there's a "but" here, and it's… but you shouldn't. Come. Tonight. Is that cool? A beat. Willow thinks this out.
Sure. Makes sense. You'll be facing big, hairy danger…
Biggest. And, yes, hairy. Think danger with a beard.
You're risking your life.
Right, and why risk yours?
Because I'm your friend.
I know, Will, and that's exactly why I don't want you coming. It's too dangerous.
But, I've done this sort of thing before. Like a million times. I can totally handle myself and besides… (holds up bag) Minty fresh protection. So? Willow looks hopeful. Buffy's looking for what to say. Faith enters without knocking.
Ready? Gotta motor. Hey Willow.
Hi.
Uh, look, I really should… but later, we'll hang. Okay?
Okay. You go ahead, I'll just get my stuff. Buffy wants to stay and say more, but Faith's jumpy. Willow gestures, "go." They go. The door closes. Willow looks at her little magic bag.
Stupid. EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT Buffy and Faith walk, loaded for bear.
You're quiet tonight.
I just wanna get this done.
Yeah, I'm dying to test out the long bow. I think it's gonna be my new thing.
I can't believe you went back for that stuff.
Hey, how do you feel about getting some ribs? You know, after we're done? Buffy turns to Faith - and a vampire drops down on her. INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT Wesley and Giles are getting along splendidly.
I didn't say you had emotional problems! I said you had AN emotional problem. It's very different.
My attachment to the Slayer is not a problem. In point of fact it's very useful -
The way you've handled this assignment is something of an embarrassment to the council -
If you want to criticize my methods, fine. But you can keep your snide remarks to yourself and while you're at it, stop criticizing my methods! Wesley stands, speaking softly.
The fact is, you are no longer qualified to act as watcher. It's not your fault, you've done well, but it's time for somebody else to take the field. Giles is looking beyond Wesley.
Well… no time like the present… Wesley turns to see what Giles is looking at. And sees it's four vampires. All holding swords and daggers, ready to kill. EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT THWOCK! Buffy's fighting two vamps at once while Faith struggles to notch an arrow.
Screw it. She drops the bow and simply jams the arrow into the chest of the nearest vampire. DUST. Buffy dusts hers as well.
I think we got more coming… The two girls move quickly down the alley, turn a corner - A stray vamp LUNGES from the corner. Faith spins him, Buffy stakes him. Dusted. (CGI).
We may never even make it to the warehouse.
They keep coming one at a time, we got a shot.
Keep moving. They walk down the alley - and a hand reaches out and grasps Buffy's shoulder. She grabs her assailant and throws him against the wall by Faith.
That was too easy… She stops. Eyes wide.
Faith, WAIT! Too late. Faith STAKES the guy, right in the chest. She steps aside. Light from a street lamp illuminates the assailant's face. It's NOT A VAMPIRE. It's the Deputy Mayor. Bleeding. He looks in terror at the girls. Blood runs over his hand, out the corner of his mouth. Buffy rushes to him as he starts to collapse - she holds him and lowers him gently down -
Don't move -
I didn't know… I didn't know… The stake drops from Faith's hand.
We have to call 911. (to him) Don't move, it's okay. She puts her hand over the wound, trying to stem the blood.
I need a rag… something to… But Faith hasn't moved. In the distance, police sirens can be heard approaching. The Deputy Mayor grabs Buffy's arm. His breathing becomes a rattle. He dies. Buffy reaches down, checks the guy's pulse. Pulls her hand back slowly. Looks at Faith, fear in her eyes. Long pause. Faith says nothing and the sound of sirens keeps growing louder… BLACK OUT
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| Act Four |
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EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT Exactly where we left off. Two freaked slayers, one dead body, police sirens growing louder. Buffy and Faith look at each other. Then, without a word, Faith GRABS Buffy's hand. Pulls her up and into a dead run. EXT. ANOTHER ALLEY - NIGHT Buffy runs alongside Faith. They reach a T - one side fenced, one partially blocked by garbage. They look - which way? Faith opts for the fence.
Come on!
Wait, we should go back - But Faith is over the fence and running like hell. Buffy hears a car screeching by at the end of the alley they came in - and she moves as well, frantically heading for the more garbagy route. She gets past the pile of cans and bags - and someone is on her.
Angel!
Buffy. I've been looking for you. She is breathing hard - looks at him pleadingly, but can't speak.
Your hand! He takes it. She looks down to see it is covered in blood. She pulls it away.
I'm okay…
I've just been to the warehouse, I was waiting for you. They've got Giles. She stares at him, the horror growing. EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT A cop car passes by. Beat. We see Faith slink back into the alley. Alone. Slowly, she approaches the body. Stands over it, looking down. Reaches out to touch it, but can't. She pulls her hand back.
God. INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT Giles and Wesley stand together near the tank. Both men have their hands tied behind their backs. The four vampires are close by. Wesley is in deep and reverent terror. Giles is merely assessing the situation.
Oh god, Oh God…
Doesn't look too promising, does it?
(freaking) Stay calm, Mr Giles, we have to stay calm.
Well, thank God you're here. I was planning to panic.
What is that thing?
That would be your demon. You know, the dead one.
There's no need to get snippy.
Bring them closer. The two men are shoved up by the tank.
You know what I want.
If it's someone to scrub those hard to reach areas, I'd like to request that you kill me. A vampire slugs him across the face. Giles takes it, smiles at the fellow.
You don't want to be doing that again.
Are you out of your mind? This is hardly the time for games!
Why not? We're about to be tortured to death.
He's not wrong about that.
Now hold on! We can deal with this rationally. We have something you want. You have something we want.
Ah, a trade… intriguing. No. Wait. Boring. Pull off his kneecaps.
NOO!! The slayer gave it to someone! A tall man! A friend of hers! I'll tell you everything!
Shut your gob, you ninny! You'll get us both killed!
But… I like to have… my kneecaps…
You will tell us everything.
Yes… sir…
What is this friend's name?
(terrified realization) Ooh. Didn't actually catch it.
(to Balthazar) Tell you what. Let Captain Courageous go and I'll tell you what you want to know. How's that deal?
There is one deal! You will die slowly or you will die quickly! The man who has my amulet - what is his name?
His name is Angel. And before the vamps know what's happening, Angel LEAPS at them, vamp face on. The vamp next to Giles draws his sword, brings it whistling down in a deadly arc. Wesley shrieks out a big ol' girly scream.
Aaaahhh!!! Buffy kicks the vamp out of the picture, his sword dropping to the ground. Buffy grabs it and Giles spins cooperatively, she slices him free of his bonds and hands him the blade. She turns and takes on the very next vamp, hand to hand.
Unacceptable! Unacceptable! Not that anyone is listening. Giles frees Wesley, pushing him into a more or less secluded corner of the warehouse (so we can separate his action from the rest). One vamp engages Giles, sword to sword. The Watcher holds his own - he doesn't score a kill, but he pushes the vamp back and out of his arena. A vamp grabs Wesley from behind, holding his neck in a vise-grip.
Uh… Mr. Giles? Giles doesn't hesitate. He swings the sword in a straight arc, aiming right for Wesley's head. Wesley's eyes go wide. Giles yells:
DOWN! Wesley tucks his head down just before the sword makes contact, revealing the vamp's head, behind him, in its place. Giles CUTS THE VAMP'S HEAD OFF. DUST. Wesley, covered head and shoulders in dust, trembles. Looks up at Giles like he's some kind of madman. Giles smiles grimly and hands him a sword.
Welcome to the field. ANGLE: BUFFY fights like a trapped animal, literally in a corner. Angel gets backed up fighting the two vamps. Balthazar sticks his hand out and Angel is sucked back into his grasp. Balthazar GRABS HIS HEAD. He's about to crush it. Buffy roundhouse kicks her vamp and LEAPS. Balthazar applies pressure. Angel grimaces as he braces himself against the tank's edge, head turning. Buffy grabs onto a rickety overhead light fixture. SNAP! Her weight brings the electric lights crashing down. She rolls out of the way as the fixture comes down, right into Balthazar's tank, ELECTROCUTING HIM.
Yaarrrgghhh!!! With a hideous ROAR, Balthazar dies. Electric sparks shoot out of the tank. He flails. Splashes. It's horrible. Buffy can barely watch. The two vamps left alive bolt. The light show is over. Buffy, Angel, Giles and Wesley approach the demon's tank. A big white hand flops over the side, lifeless.
You killed him.
(quiet) Yeah. Hooray for me. Buffy turns to go when the puffy white hand SHOOTS OUT and GRABS HER. Buffy pulls herself from the demon's grip, way beyond wigged.
Slayer… The demon is not quite dead. But almost. He speaks in a ragged whisper, the life almost out of him.
You think you've won? Smoke pours from his mouth as he speaks.
When he rises… you'll wish I had killed you all. Balthazar dies, a mysterious smile on his hideous face. Buffy stares at him, turmoil ragin inside her. And we hear a low, moaning CHANT start up in Latin, CUT TO: INT. CITY HALL ROTUNDA - NIGHT The rotunda. Candles everywhere. A pentagle is arranged on the floor in sand. The Mayor sits in the center. He chants in Latin.
(Latin) Potestatem matris nostrae in tenebris invoco… maledictum filium tuum ab omni periculo custodias nunc et in saecula!
(English) I call upon the forces of our mother in darkness, protect your unholy son from harm… now… and forever! And a small EARTHQUAKE shakes the building to its very foundation. Trick eyes the ceiling to see if it's going to cave in. But just as quickly as it started, it is past. Calm. The Mayor stands like nothing happened.
I don't understand why Allan would miss this. He's usually so punctual.
So? Did it work?
Let's find out. Open the cage. Angle on: A CAGE. Sitting in the rotunda entrance, looking totally out of place. Inside, looking hungry and feral, Vincent crouches. Hasn't been fed in days. Trick puts his hand on the handle.
You sure?
Hold on. He hands Vincent his sword.
Okay! Now we're ready. The Mayor gestures. He stands before the cage, straight up, defenseless. Trick opens the cage. Vincent doesn't hesitate. He comes roaring out and RIPS his sword STRAIGHT THROUGH THE MAYOR. Beat. Trick watches in amazement as the Mayor HEALS INSTANTLY. The split down his center comes together. Becomes a thin red line. Then the line, too, disappears. Good as new. The Mayor smiles. Nods, "not bad." Mr. Trick stakes Vincent from behind. Vincent dusts (CGI).
Well… He reaches into his coat pocket, takes out a pad and pencil. A "To Do" list. Angle on: The List. Among "Greet Scouts" "Plumber Union reschedule" "Call Temp Agency" the Mayor checks the box next to "become invincible."
This officially commences the hundred days. Nothing can harm me until the ascension. Gosh, I'm feeling chipper. Who's for a root beer? He smiles and walks out of the rotunda, a new man. INT. FAITH'S MOTEL ROOM - DAY Faith washes her clothes in the sink. The water's still a little red. She pours in more detergent. There's a knock on the door. Faith freezes. Freaked until she hears:
Faith, it's me. Wiping her hands, Faith opens the door. Barely looking Buffy in the eye, she goes back to the scrubbing.
Hey.
Hey.
Are you… how are you doing? It's clear Buffy isn't doing great. Faith looks at her, giving away nothing.
Five by five. You know me.
Yeah. I know you think you can handle this. And you're used to being on your own. You got your tough loner act down pretty well.
Thanks. She yanks the sink plug and turns the faucets on full.
And maybe its not an act. But right now, we need each other. We need to talk about what we're going to do.
I was doing my job.
Being a slayer is not the same as being a killer. Faith says nothing. Wrings out her shirt.
You can't shut me out on this, Faith. Sooner or later, we both have to deal.
Wrong.
I can help you.
I don't need it.
Yeah? Who's wrong now? You can shut off all the emotions you want, but there's still the fact that sooner or later, they have to find a body. That gets Faith's attention. She faces Buffy.
Okay. This is the last time we're having this conversation, and we're not even having it now, you understand me? There is no body. I took it, weighted it, and dumped it in a river. The body does not exist. Buffy absorbs this.
But getting rid of the evidence isn't making the problem go away.
It is to me.
Faith. You don't get it. You killed a man.
No. You don't get it. (in her face) I. Don't. Care. We hold on Buffy's face a long time as the reality fully sinks in. Faith doesn't care. BLACK OUT
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