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Graduation Day Part Two April Fools Day, 1999 (White) Written by: Joss Whedon |
| Teaser |
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EXT. ROOFTOP - NIGHT Buffy is still at the ledge, the truck with Faith's body long gone. Buffy stands, wearily. She looks at the knife in her hand. Letting it drop, she buries her face in her hands. Thinks. A moment, then she climbs down a ladder over the side of the building. As she disappears, the camera arms away toward the window she and Faith crashed through. Looks up to the window as the Mayor arrives, looks out of it, too late to see anything of Buffy. INT. FAITH'S APARTMENT - NIGHT The Mayor turns as a VAMP HENCHMAN enters from the kitchen.
There's nobody here, sir.
No. No, she'd take the fight outside. My Faith doesn't like to be cooped up. He crosses back to the middle of the room, brain still working furiously.
We have to find them. Put everyone on it, do it now.
But sir, the Ascension is --
FIND THEM! The vamp leaves. The Mayor looks around him, trying to maintain his composure.
Faith's a good girl. She can handle anything they throw at her. She's gonna be all right. The camera moves in at him as he repeats, mantra-like:
She'll be all right. She'll be all right. BLACK OUT.
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| Act One |
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INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT (PREVIOUSLY SCENE A) Giles is looking through books as Xander enters with two cups of coffee from a machine.
Any word from Buffy?
Not yet.
Here's your coffee. Brewed from the finest Colombian lighter fluid.
Thank you. He gulps a portion down.
Horrible. He finishes it.
Aren't you supposed to be drinking tea, anyway?
Tea is soothing. I wish to be tense.
Okay, but you're destroying a perfectly good cultural stereotype here...
Look through the Kippler volumes. Any reference to the Demon Olvikan... powers, weaknesses, hat size... there's got to be something.
You still battin' zero? But, I mean, in cricket?
So far. But don't give up. Cordy enters, in a hell of a huff.
Cordy. Wassup?
I demand an explanation.
For what?
Wesley!
Uh... inbreeding?
So very funny. Any minute now I'm sure to laugh. (to Giles) I just got off the phone with him. He could hardy speak, he was so upset. He said there'd been a fight, or something and- (to Xander) TAHAHA what a witty comment- (to Giles, never missing a beat) -he said he was leaving the country.
Shall I assay remorse?
Just tell me what's going on. There is honest pain in her entreaty. Giles replies with somewhat more gravity:
Buffy has quit the Council. She'll not be working with Wesley from now on.
But he's her watcher!
Buffy no longer needs a watcher.
Well, does he have to leave the country? I mean, you got fired and you hang around like a big loser, why can't he?
Cordelia! She stops.
We're trying to stop a massacre here. You wanna give us a hand? Half a beat, then:
Sure. As she moves to join them, she mutters:
That's just such a typical Buffy thing to do. She's always thinking of herself. INT. ANGEL'S BEDROOM - NIGHT (PREVIOUSLY SCENE B) Willow sits with Angel. He is sweating, breathing shallow. Hardly conscious. Willow dabs his forehead with a cloth. He shudders, opens his eyes. Looks at her with sudden clarity.
You're awake.
You've been watching over me? She nods. He weakly takes her hand, tenderly kisses the palm of it. Willow's a little confused.
Well, we've been taking turns...
I thought I'd never... see you again. I can't leave you. I was wrong... I need you.
Oh. You mean you need Buffy? He smiles, warmly, the fever on him like a heated blanket. Suddenly it clears a bit, and he looks harder.
Willow.
Yes! Right. Good.
Where is she?
She'll be back soon... He drifts back to sleep. A moment, and Willow exits. INT. MANSION - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT She finds Oz by the door to the garden, looking out at the night sky. He meets her.
Any change?
He's delirious. He thought I was Buffy.
You too, huh?
I hope she comes soon. I mean, she'd better, if...
Yeah.
I feel so... I feel so guilty.
Guilty?
Well, things are just so terrible, everything's coming apart, and I'm just... in some ways it's the best night of my life.
The best?
The best. He kisses her. It becomes passionate -- and Buffy enters from the front. Oz and Willow break guiltily apart, Willow blurting out:
I just checked on him just now! We're watching. But Buffy is too preoccupied to have noticed their indiscretion.
Did you find Faith? Buffy nods.
You didn't... she's not here?
(shakes her head) How is he?
Comes in and out... I think the pain is... less, now. Buffy knows full well what that means. There is a moment of silence between the three of them.
Why don't you guys... I'd like to be with him.
Of course.
We can keep looking for another cure.
Thanks. They exit. Slowly, Buffy closes the door behind them. She turns from the door with an entirely different expression. One of purpose. She crosses toward the bedroom. INT. ANGEL'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT Buffy enters, crosses to Angel. She sits on the bed and touches him. He awakens with a start, looks at her.
Buffy... It's you?
It's me. He smiles, weakly.
I didn't want to go without... seeing you...
Angel, I can cure you.
It's okay... I'm ready...
Angel, listen to me. Sit up. She hoists him to a sitting position, looks right in his eyes.
You're gonna live. You have to live.
What do I--
Drink. He looks at her, almost comprehending. She pulls off her jacket, moves her tanktop gently aside.
Drink me. A moment more, and he jerks away from her.
No.
It's the only --
Get away! He gets up from the bed, stands swayingly before her.
It'll save you.
It'll kill you.
Maybe not, if you don't take all...
You can't ask me to do this.
I won't let you die. I can't. The blood of the Slayer is the only cure.
Faith...
I tried to... I killed her.
Then it's over.
No. She moves to him. He shoves her aside and exits. INT. MANSION - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT He makes it five steps before stumbling, sitting heavily on the coffee table, scattering items (including a metal water jug) to floor. Buffy follows him out and jerks him roughly to his feet.
It's over!
It's never over. I won't let you die. Drink.
Please... She hits him in the face. He takes the hit, looks back at her, weak and uncomprehending. She hits him again. He looks at her, understanding flooding into his eyes. She hits him again. He looks back at her, in vampface. She tears her tanktop aside. Grabs the back of his head, and slams it down on her neck. He drinks. Long, shuddering gulps, as his hands tighten around her, a stream of blood trickling down her back as he pulls her hard to him, overbalances her, they fall -- -- in extreme slow motion, they hit the ground, Angel on top, face still burrowed in her flesh... Buffy winces, mouth opening in a silent cry, unable to catch her breath -- -- Buffy's hand flails, finds the water jug, squeezes it, bending the thick metal -- Her leg curls up around him -- then shoots out in a sudden spasm, slamming into the table and breaking it in half. He can't stop. Her eyes are wide and wet, panic and ecstatic pain whirling through them, as his animal feeding brings her close to the dark edge -- and she finally does scream, a hoarse, primal call that fills the room -- He hears. He wrenches himself free, throwing himself backwards onto the floor, breathing intensely hard, blood on his lips. A few racking breaths and he morphs back to human. Still lying there, he feels the fever break in him. He is strong again. Getting his bearings, he looks over at Buffy.
Buffy? She lies very still, blood pooled around an ugly wound on her neck. Her eyes open and unmoving. He moves to her, quiet panic filling him.
Buffy? She does not move. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Two |
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INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT Angel bursts into the emergency ward, Buffy in his arms.
I need help! A NURSE approaches him --
She's lost a lot of blood.
What happened?
She needs blood! The nurse has led him to an operating table, he deposits Buffy onto it.
Try to stay calm. DR. POWELL approaches as Angel talks, looks over Buffy.
Something bit her. She needs a transfusion right now.
You found her?
Yes.
Was she conscious?
Yes.
Are you sure?
I'm sure. POWELL (to the nurse) I need a type and cross match. Get her on two lines of ringers lactate and watch for hypovalemic shock. He pulls Angel aside, looks at him hard. Angel is practically tripping, unable to contain the energy of Buffy's blood in him.
Tell me what happened.
Something bit her. I don't know what.
(to the nurse) I'll need a rabies shot treatment. (to Angel) Any allergies?
None. Just help her! He is holding onto a doorframe -- and he RIPS it off in his urgency. The doctor eyes him, warily.
You two been doing drugs? He eyes the doctor.
You want her to live, you'll be straight with me.
She's clean.
All right. Wait outside. Let us work.
A phone.
Right out there. Reluctantly, Angel steps outside, back into the waiting area he came through. He moves to the phone and begins dialing. The camera moves on past him, to another room, where we find a DOCTOR GOLD talking to someone, both of them standing by another bed. After at time it becomes clear who the other person is. The Mayor.
The bones will set, and the damage to her kidney is repairable, but... The head trauma is simply too severe. It's a wonder she's alive at all, with the blood loss. I'm sorry, sir, there's almost no chance she'll ever regain consciousness. And the camera finally settles on the unmoving face of Faith, lying on the bed, tubes in her nose, arms, tethering her to a frail and mindless life. The Mayor looks at her.
We did everything possible... The Mayor ignores him, and he steps quietly away. The Mayor reaches down and moves a strand of hair from Faith's face.
It's your day... ANGLE: DR. GOLD As the nurse comes up to him.
We have another young girl, severe blood loss, Dr. Powell wants you to prep to assist on an anticubital cut down.
All right. The Mayor hears this. Slowly he turns, heads to where they are keeping Buffy. ANGLE: BUFFY Unconscious, an IV hooked up to her arm. The Mayor walks calmly up to her and clamps his hand over her mouth and nose. She starts to thrash weakly, but he doesn't move. Finally the nurse notices.
Oh my god! Sir, no! She tries to pull him off. He won't budge.
Somebody call security! Angel grabs the Mayor by the throat, pulls him away.
Don't do that.
I will. I'll do that and worse. Murderous little fiend, did you see what she did to my Faith?
Hadn't made plans to weep over that one.
Well, I'd get set for some weeping if I were you. I'd get set for a world of hurt. Misery loves company, young man, and I'll be looking to share mine with you and your whore. Angel throws him back -- through the wall (thin drywall to the next room, not the outer wall). (And if that's not doable, then into or over something. The point is, Angel's unnaturally strong, so it's probably a ratchet gag.) Everyone backs off, appalled. The Mayor gets up and dusts himself off. He takes a few steps back towards Angel, the old smile returning to his face.
Well. Looks like someone's been eating his spinach. A security guard arrives on the scene. Stops, unsure what to do.
Okay, folks. Show's not over but there will be a short intermission. (to Angel) Don't wanna miss the second act. All kinds of excitement.
I'll be there. They eyeball each other a moment. The Mayor exits, Angel's eyes never leaving him. INT. WAITING AREA - A BIT LATER - NIGHT Angel waits near the door. Giles, Willow, Xander and Oz rush in.
How is she?
She's fine. She's sleeping.
You seem all right too.
Yeah.
So what happened?
We left her, she was fine? Did Faith --
Faith's out of the picture. Buffy put her in a coma.
And... Xander doesn't like what he's starting to get. None of them does.
Buffy cured me... made me...
You fed off her. He's ashamed, but he's not going to try and weasel out of it.
Yes.
How much?
She's gonna be fine.
Well, it's just good to know that when the chips are down and things look grim, you'll feed off the girl who loves you to save your own ass. No one has any kind of reply, least of all Angel.
You'd best go, Angel. We can watch over her.
I don't want to --
The sun'll be up soon. Angel nods. Goes.
Gosh I'm gonna miss him when he leaves town.
Let's see how Buffy's doing. INT. FAITH'S APARTMENT - DAY Buffy is on her feet, in her street clothes. Entering the room to find it empty. The window is still broken. Clothes and weapons are laid out on the couch - there are packing boxes everywhere. Moving day. A cat jumps onto the bed. Buffy looks at it.
Who's gonna look after him? Faith crosses behind Buffy, replies:
It's a she. And aren't these things supposed to take care of themselves?
A higher power, guiding us?
I'm pretty sure that's not what I meant. She turns to the window.
There's something I'm supposed to be doing.
Oh yeah. Miles to go. Little Miss Muffet counting down from seven three oh.
Oh, great. Riddles.
Sorry. It's my head. Lotta new stuff. She looks out the window. In the foreground, the cat on the bed dissolves to Faith herself lying unconscious then back. (these are simple split screen dissolves, not expensive CGI.)
They're never gonna fix this, are they?
What about you? Faith turns back, indicates her face.
Scar tissue. It fades, it all fades. Buffy looks down at her hand. For a moment, Faith's knife is in her palm, then gone. Faith moves toward Buffy.
You wanna know the deal? Human weakness. It never goes away. Even his.
Is this your mind or mine? They both smile at that -- Faith even laughs a little.
Beats me. (a beat) Gettin' towards that time. Buffy looks around her, at the boxes.
How are you gonna fit all this stuff?
Not gonna. It's yours.
I can't use all this. Faith stands before her, looks at her with quiet regard.
Just take what you need. Buffy nods.
You ready? She puts her hand to Buffy's cheek. INT. HOSPITAL - MORNING (DAY) Buffy wakes, suddenly. She looks around her -- she is alone for the moment. She gets out of bed. In the next section is Faith, also unattended. Buffy goes over to her bed, looks down at her. After a moment, she leans down and kisses Faith's forehead lightly. INT. THE WAITING AREA - MOMENTS LATER (DAY) The gang, minus Angel, all wait -- and all start up as Buffy enters.
Buffy!
Are you okay?
How do you feel?
Where's Angel?
He had to leave. Got kind of sunny.
Get him. Get everyone.
What exactly is up?
Buffy, are you sure you're all right?
(nods) I'm ready.
Ready for what? She takes just the slightest beat before answering, her voice calm.
War. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Three |
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INT. FOUNTAIN QUAD - MORNING (DAY) The camera looks down at the lower level, at the bicycle racks, then arms over the stairs to see the quad. It's empty, the chairs and decorations awaiting the ceremony silently. INT. LIBRARY - DAY (PREVIOUSLY SCENE D) Buffy is addressing the gang (Xander, Giles, Willow, Angel, Cordy and Oz). She is weak, but in control. The gang is a tad non plussed, staring at the girl.
That's the basic plan. So. Am I crazy?
Well, "crazy's" a strong word --
Let's not rule it out though.
(to Giles) You don't think it can be done.
I didn't say that. I might, but I haven't yet.
Okay, well, I personally don't think it's possible to come up with a crazier plan.
We attack the Mayor with hummus. A beat.
I stand corrected.
Just keeping things in perspective.
Thank you. My point, however, is crazy or not, it's pretty much the only plan. Besides, it's Buffy's and she's slay-gal, you know. Miss Like-to-Fight, so...
I think there was a 'yea' vote buried in there somewhere.
Well, I need you all on board. Especially you, Xander. You're kind of the key to this figure here.
Key? Me? Okay, pride... humility... and here's the mind numbing fear. What do I have to do?
Do you still remember any of your military training from when you became soldier guy?
Ooh! Rocket launcher?
Rocket launcher's not gonna get it done. Took a volcano to kill one of these things last time.
Buffy, all of this is dependant on your being able to control the Mayor. How do you plan to do that?
Faith told me I'd have to play on his human weakness. That's the way I'm gonna get to him.
Faith told you? Was that before or after you put her in a coma?
After.
Oh.
The Mayor's weakness.
Right.
Which is what?
(defensively) You know, I do all his planning, I'm in charge even though I'm not feeling my best, and now I'm supposed to come up with every little detail...
Well, let us think.
Angel, you hung out with him the most. Is he afraid of something?
Well, he's not crazy about germs --
Of course! That's it! We attack him with germs!
Great. We'll get him cornered and then you sneeze on him.
No no, we get a canister of ebola virus, and and, or it doesn't have to be real, we could just have a box that says "ebola" on it, and we could chase him... with the box... Her voice gets littler and littler as she realizes the suckiness of her plan.
Okay, I'm starting to lean towards the hummus offensive.
He'll never see it coming...
Faith.
Faith. You think?
At the hospital, he was grieving. Seriously crazed, and not just in a homicidal, I-wanna-be-a-demon way. She's his weak link.
(wheels turning) Okay. Good. I can work that.
You haven't an enormous amount of time. He has entered unnoticed.
Hey, it's Mister States-the-Obvious!
The Council isn't welcome here. I got no time for orders. I need someone to scream like a woman, I'll give you a call.
I'm not here for the Council. Just tell me how I can help. There is a moment, as everyone takes this in.
Oh, you are SO classy. Isn't he just so classy?
(pleased) It's a start.
So there is something I can do? Besides scream like a woman?
There's plenty. Chores for everyone. Okay, this is how it's going to lay out... INT. MAYOR'S OFFICE - DAY They Mayor is in the middle of his own prep. SIX VAMPIRES are in the room, all at attention. We cut to the Mayor in mid-sentence (in classic Greenwaltian fashion)
This is how it's going to lay out. The transformation should begin at exactly three-twenty-eight. I'll just be finishing my speech -- you know it's too bad you fellas are gonna have to miss that. 'Cause I think it speaks to every one of us... I mean, heck - I've been working on it for a hundred years, it better be good. Well. They'll try to run, of course, and that's when I need you boys in flanking position.
Sir, the sun.
Not a problem. INT. LIBRARY - DAY (PREVIOUSLY SCENE F) Everyone has divided into sections, talking about their plans. Wesley is reading to Buffy, Xander and Angel:
"Darkness will follow, the day become night..."
An eclipse.
Standard procedure during an Ascension.
That puts me back in the game.
Yes it does. I'll need you and Xander working in sync here. Can you guys handle that?
I'm still Key Guy, right?
Right.
Great, then Angel -- in his non-Key Guy capacity -- can work with me.
What fun.
Hey, Key Guy's talking...
Oh, good, let's bicker! That'll work great. (off their shame) You're like little old ladies. INT. MAYOR'S OFFICE - DAY He is pointing to a map of the school
You'll come up through the sewers here. The important thing is containment. I'll need to feed, it's crucial in the first few minutes, to sustain the change. What does that mean? No snacking! I see blood on your lips and it's a visit to the woodshed for your boys. Kill. Don't feed. INT. LIBRARY - DAY (PREVIOUSLY SCENE G) Buffy approaches Oz and Willow. (Giles is discussing something with Cordy in the background. He points to the shelves of books.)
How are we on volcano detail?
I think we can work it.
Fun with chemistry. Giles joins them, Cordy peeling off.
Xander should be able to locate the materials.
Who's gonna stoke it up? Buffy turns to Giles.
Feel up to it?
I suppose it should be I. It's fitting, in a grotesque fashion.
Okay. (to the kids) You guys start reaching out. (to Giles) Giles, weapons weapons weapons.
What about you?
There's something I need to get. INT. MAYOR'S OFFICE - DAY His men are leaving.
Remember, fast and brutal. Gonna be a whole new world come nightfall, don't wanna weaken now. And boys -- The last ones stop, look back.
Let's watch the swearing. INT. HALLWAY/CLASSROOM - DAY (PREVIOUSLY SCENE E) It's between classes. Harmony is in the classroom chatting with some friends. Xander enters from the hallway, pulls Harmony aside.
Harmony. Listen, I need to talk to you for a sec.
You mean, in front of other people? Exasperated he pulls her out of the class. INT. CAFETERIA - DAY Willow approaches Percy , who is trying on his robe for a friend.
I'm gonna look stupid in this.
Percy --
Do I look stupid in this? Be honest.
You look great. You got a sec? INT. LIBRARY - DAY (PREVIOUSLY SCENE C) Cordelia and Wesley are taking books from the shelves and loading them into boxes. They are both silent for a while. Finally Wesley begins.
Cordelia...
Yes?
You know that... when this is over...
Yes?
Well, should we prevail, I... I'll be returning back to England.
(crest fallen) I know.
With Buffy no longer working for the Council, there's really no place for me here.
I guess not. They are inching imperceptibly closer to each other.
No reason to stay...
No...
No cause to hope... That I might be needed...
Needed...
Or wanted...
Wanted... Unable to contain themselves any longer, they come together in a passionate embrace, lips meeting... ...and lips not really getting along. It's a sad excuse for a kiss, and gives our lovers pause. They try again. Mouths incompatible much effort but no reward. They stop, let go of each other. Puzzled and uncomfortable. A beat.
Okay, so good luck in England.
Yes, thanks. I'll drop a line sometime.
That'd be neat. They resume packing books. INT./EXT. OZ' VAN - DAY Oz and Willow are hoisting a sack of fertilizer, handing it over to JONATHAN and LARRY. They put it in a shopping cart with a bunch of others.
Put these with the others. And don't touch anything.
We got it.
What do we do then?
Nothing.
Just relax, have a good time.
(nervously) Uh, okay... Larry looks around conspiratorially.
It's clear. Let's move. The two of them drive the cart off, closing the doors on Oz and Willow.
I guess that's it. Won't be long now.
Nervous?
Only in a terrified way. He comes close to her.
We'll make it through this.
Are you sure?
I should pretty sure, don't I?
Yeah...
Then I must be sure.
Was that just a comforting way of not answering the question? He stops her, hand to her face. They kiss. It becomes passionate.
(amidst kisses) How long till graduation?
Little while... INT. GILES' OFFICE - DAY (PREVIOUSLY SCENE H) Angel is there, stocking weapons, when Buffy arrives. She carries something wrapped in an old rag.
You get what you needed?
I did. She looks over the weapons, brushing past him.
We're gonna need more than this.
Giles is on it. He reaches out for her, touches her neck near the bandage.
How are you?
I heal fast. Like you. Have you and Xander worked out your timing?
I'm not saying goodbye. She stops, drops the businesslike demeanor.
We make it through this, I'm just gonna go. (beat) Do you understand? A moment, and she nods.
There's just too much to -- She holds up her hand. No more. He nods, turns to collect some weapons. She watches him, keeps watching as he exits the office. Finally she turns to the bundle she brought in. Unwraps it. It's Faith's knife. Still dark with her blood. EXT. FOUNTAIN QUAD - DAY The ceremony is underway. The students file into their seats as the (unseen) band plays some processional. Buffy is the last into her seat, in front near the middle. Willow's seat is next to hers, and conspicuously empty. The music stops, and Snyder, who sits on the podium with the Mayor and a few teachers, steps up to the microphone.
Congratulations to the class of 1999. You've all proved more or less adequate. This is a time for celebration, so sit still and be quiet. (to one student) Spit out that gum. (to the class) Please welcome our distinguished guest speaker, Sunnydale's own Mayor, Richard Wilkins III. (to the same student) I saw that gesture. You see me after graduation. Snyder sits by the diplomas as the Mayor takes the podium. ANGLE: BUFFY Eyes him from her seat. Waiting. Willow scurries into her seat next to Buffy (as Oz slips into his further back). Buffy looks at Will, whose hair is luxuriantly mussed.
Am I late? Did we fight? Buffy shakes her head, looks back to the stage. The Mayor pulls out some 3x5 cards, looks over them.
Well. What a day this is. Special day. Today is our centennial, the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of Sunnydale. And I know what that means to all you kids. Not a darn thing. 'Cause today something much more important happens. Today you all graduate from high school. Today all the pain and the work and the excitement is finally over, and what's a hundred years of history compared to that? Something horrible dawns on Buffy.
My god... he's gonna do the whole speech.
Oh, man... just ascend, already!
Evil.
But you know what, kids? Maybe the two things are connected. Maybe you have a place in Sunnydale's history, whether you like it or not. It's been a long road getting here, for you, for Sunnydale... there's been achievement, joy, good times... and there's been grief. There's been loss. Some people who should be here today, aren't. He's looking right at Buffy. She's looking right back.
But we are. Journey's end. And what is a journey? Is it just distance traveled? Time spent? No. It's what happens on the way, it's the things that shape you. At the end of the journey, you're not the same. Today is about change. Graduation doesn't just mea your circumstances change, it means you do. You ascend to a higher level. Nothing will ever be the same. Nothing. And as he speaks this last, the sun disappears in an eclipse -- the Mayor, Buffy and all the students looking up as night falls suddenly upon them. This causes it to be: EXT. FOUNTAIN QUAD - NIGHT (YET SOMEHOW CONTINUOUS) The Mayor feels the change start. It's painful, but he struggles to continue:
So as we look back on... There is a murmur along the students as he goes on...
...on the events that have brought us to this day... we... PUSH IN on Buffy, waiting for it...
Come on...
We must all... AHH. It has begun. My destiny. Little sooner than I expected -- (re: 3x5's) --I had a whole section about civic pride, but... He looks up, death in his eyes.
I guess we'll just get to the big finish. And he transforms, suddenly, horribly -- his clothes ripping off him as he grows too big for them, too big by far, the camera rushing back in awe to look up at this, this new creation, this unholy big-ass snake thing. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Four |
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EXT. FOUNTAIN QUAD - NIGHT The students clamor to their feet, looking up in awe and terror. Snyder looks up as well, reason slipping away from him.
This is simply unacceptable. ANGLE: THE PARENTS Turn tail and run. ANGLE: THE LOWER AREA As twenty vamps form a line, looking up the steps at the hapless class. ANGLE: THE MAYOR ROARS in triumph. ANGLE: BUFFY Looks up at the Mayor -- and then calls out:
NOW! As one, the class drops their robes (hats already off). Every single class member has weapons underneath.
Flame units! As either end of the front row are guys -- one of them being Larry -- with flame throwers. They fire up at the Mayor, causing him to recoil. Buffy turns to Xander, nods. Xander stands on the low wall by his chair, calls out:
First wave! Other students in the front row have harpoon guns, spears, crossbows -- they aim at the Mayor -- The Mayor swoops down, avoiding the flames, and grabs a kid, makes a meal of him.
Fire! Assorted projectiles fire at the Mayor, some of them striking true.
Xander! He is watching the line of vamps, as a couple of students try to flee down the stairs and get eaten for their troubles.
Bowmen! ANGLE: A LIGHTER is held to the end of an arrow, cloth wrapped round the tip. And a row of ten arrows is raised, tips all aflame.
Fire! A volley is fired. A couple of vamps take hits -- one in the arm, one right in the chest. Others stumble back, shield themselves in confusion. Another row of flaming arrows is raised. Amidst the second volley, the vamps turn tail. Angel is behind them. Flanked by Wesley, Percy, and six other heavy looking fellows. The vampires stop, trapped. Angel smiles... and charges. He hits them -- and easily engages a few, while his companions do their best with stakes. ANGLE: LARRY His flame thrower putters out.
Dammit! He drops it and picks up a fallen spear -- but the Mayor's tail lashes out and slams into him, sends him flying. His neck cracks sickeningly as he hits the ground.
Fall back! ANGLE: SNYDER Is looking up at the Mayor -- and at the kids -- becoming increasingly irritated.
This is not orderly. This is not disciplined. (to the Mayor) You're on MY campus, buddy, and when I saw I want quiet-- The Mayor eats him.
(to the students) Fall back! Get back! (to Willow) Go.
Good luck.
Xander! Take 'em down.
Everyone! Hand to hand! The class drop their bows and harpoons, pulling out stakes, axes, bats and the like.
Ready! ANGLE: THE LOWER LEVEL Angel is just kicking ass. The vamps are torn -- finally one calls out:
Get the kids! And heads up the steps. The others follow -- and are met by a wave of students, the entire graduating class pouring down on them, yelling, weapons in hand, they meet on the stairs and fuggin Braveheart ensues. Amidst the carnage, we see our kids: Willow, Oz, Cordelia, all engaging. Jonathan also managing to hold his own. We see Harmony as a vamp pulls her aside and bites the shit out of her. We see Wesley getting knocked on his ass (after some decent fighting on his part) and landing painfully. Xander socks a vamp down the stairs, calling out:
Right flank! Close on them! Close! (to students, peeved) Jason, Doug, you guys are the right flank! He goes to help them. ANGLE: THE MAYOR Swallows the last of Snyder and hears:
Hey! He (it) looks around. Buffy is standing alone, the rest of the kids still booking down into the field of play below.
Remember this? She holds Faith's bloody knife up.
I took it from Faith and I stuck it in her gut. Slid in like she was butter. The Mayor reacts to this. He does remember.
You wanna take it back from me, Dick? The Mayor lunges at her -- --and she runs, runs through the arches, down the corridor, away from the students, the camera chasing her, most snake like. INT. LOUNGE/HALLS - NIGHT Buffy runs in -- and a moment later the Mayor crashes through the window, shooting down the hall after her. She motors toward the library, he follow and gets stuck in the door way. Smashes his head into it and breaks it off the walls, bringing it with him as he follows her. She runs into the library -- INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT --and through, jumping to the second level (the camera holding her in close-up the whole time, never really seeing the room) and out the back door. INT. STACKS - NIGHT She runs through -- EXT. SCHOOL - NIGHT --and BURSTS through a window, landing in a roll at Giles' feet. INT. HALL - NIGHT The Mayor snakes in after her, bursting through the library doors -- INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT and into the room, stopping to see: POV: THE ROOM Has no books in it. It does, however, have many big metal drums, many bags of fertilizer, many sticks of dynamite strapped to the railings, and many wires leading out the back of the room. EXT. SCHOOL - NIGHT Giles hits the plunger. INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT Room go boom. EXT. LIBRARY ROOFTOP - NIGHT As does the skylight -- EXT. FOUNTAIN QUAD - NIGHT As does, piece by piece, the whole school, ending with: EXT. FRONT OF SCHOOL - NIGHT The front doors and windows blast right the hell out, fire and debris in their wake. EXT. SCHOOL - NIGHT Giles and Buffy step back, light and wind playing on their faces. EXT. LOWER LEVEL - NIGHT Clearly the victors in the vampire fight, our gang also watch the fireworks. They look at each other, impressed. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. FRONT OF SCHOOL - NIGHT (LATER) Fire trucks and ambulances have arrived, the smoking ruin of the school just hidden by them. People are helping the wounded into ambulances, milling about in postwar shock, leaving, talking, hugging, crying (probably not crying, they're extras, but we can always hope). ANGLE: WESLEY is in a gurney, being loaded into an ambulance.
If I could just get something for the pain, it's rather a lot of pain... an aspirin.. anyone... if I could just be knocked unconscious... He is loaded up and roundly ignored. We see Buffy and Xander talking.
We got off pretty cheap, considering.
Seems like we did. Her eyes are elsewhere, searching. Xander understands.
He made it through the fight. Guess maybe he took off after. She nods. They part ways. Buffy running into Giles.
How are you?
Tired.
I'd imagine so. Quite a couple of days.
My brain hasn't processed everything yet. It's not really functioning at the higher levels; it's pretty much, "fire bad, tree pretty". Anything more complex...
Understandable. Well, when it starts working again, congratulate it on a good campaign. You did very well.
Thanks.
(reaching into his pocket) I uh, I ferreted this out of the wreckage for you. You may not have any interest, but... It's her diploma. He hands it to her.
I'd say you've earned it. She takes it gratefully. He looks out at the wreckage of the school (need I say we don't see it?)
There is a certain dramatic irony in the way things turned out. A synchronicity that almost borders on predestination, one might say.
Fire bad. Tree pretty.
Right. Sorry. I'd best check on Wesley, see if he's still whimpering. He goes. Buffy looks at her diploma, looks around her. She feels him before she sees him. Turns. Angel stands some twenty yards away, looking at her. People coming and going in between. They both stop. The noise fades away. They stare at each other. Angel turns and walks away. Buffy stands and watches him. After a moment, she goes in the opposite direction. EXT. SAME (FRONT OF SCHOOL) - A BIT LATER The gang (Oz, Willow, Xander, Cordelia) is together by the curb. Buffy joins them.
Well, that was the most fun you can have without having any fun.
What about the part where we kicked demon ass? I didn't hate that.
Guys, we blew up the school! It's the best day ever!
Why do demons even come here anymore? Don't they know how bad we are?
I think we've done pretty much everything we can. You guys wanna take off?
I'm for it.
(to Buffy) You okay? Buffy considers the question.
Yeah. I'm okay. I just... I could use a little sleep.
Yeah.
If somebody could just wake me up when it's time to go to college, that'd be great.
Guys. Take a moment to deal with this. We survived.
It was a hell of a battle.
Not that battle. High school. They all think about it. It IS actually kind of cool.
We're taking a moment. (beat) And we're done. They head off. As they recede in the distance, they continue:
You know what the best part of high school was?
When we blew it up?
Yeah! That ruled. 'Cause you know the thing that made it so special...
Was that the school blew up?
Exactly!
I begin to find you troubling.
Oh, come on, you know you're all thinking it.
Well... And then, overlapping:
I was.
Pretty much.
Uh huh.
Yeah. Their chatter dies away as they grow smaller in the frame, the camera finally tilting down to find a partially burnt yearbook lying on the ground Sunnydale, '99 The future is ours. BLACK OUT.
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