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I Robot, You Jane (November 25, 1996) Written by: Ashley Gable & Thomas A. Swyden Directed by: Stephen Posey |
| Teaser |
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INT. ROOM - NIGHT - ITALY (THE MIDDLE AGES)
We see a YOUNG MAN approaching. Three others stand behind him,
reverently quiet. He stops, and smiling, kneels before us. We HEAR a
voice:
Carlo, my dear one... A horrible CLAWED HAND emerges and rests on the Man's head as if bestowing a blessing. The Man smiles rapturously... CLOSE ON: MOLOCH He is the corruptor, a horned demon. He looks upon the man and speaks. Subtitles translate his strangely gentle Italian...
Do you love me? I will give you everything. All I want is your love. The enormous hand TWISTS, SNAPPING the smiling Man's neck...
CUT TO:
INT. MONASTERY - MINUTES LATER A group of monks has assembled. The eldest of them, brother THELONIUS, holds an ornate book.
It is Moloch. The corrupter. He walks again. More and more of our people have fallen under his mesmerizing power. The men look at him in fear as he moves to the center of the room.
We must form the circle. Now! There is still time to bind him. The monks form a circle around Thelonius. They begin to CHANT in Latin. Thelonius, at the center of the Circle, opens the book. The pages are all blank. INT. ROOM - CONTINUOUS Moloch lets the man's body drop with a sigh of contentment. The CHANTING becomes audible in here. Moloch whips his head around, concern on his face.
No... INT. MONASTERY - CONTINUOUS The CHANTING continues.
(By the power of the Circle of Kayless, I command you, demon... come!) A wind picks up in the room. Thelonius stops, looks around. It's working.
I command you! INT. ROOM - CONTINUOUS Moloch SCREAMS and as he does, we see his face dissolving, the particles sucked out of frame -- ANGLE: THE BOOK Suddenly STRANGE CHARACTERS SPLASH onto the blank pages as the demon's spirit is sucked into the book. The CHANTING stops. Thelonius looks down at the book. ANGLE: LATER Thelonius places the evil book inside a wooden crate. ANGLE: LOOKING OUT FROM INSIDE THE CRATE Thelonius' face, now weary, appears as he intones --
(Pray this accursed book shall never again be read, lest the demon Moloch be loosed upon the world...) He shoves the heavy lid over, and all is BLACKNESS... INT. SCHOOL LIBRARY - DAY (PRESENT DAY) And the lid is PRIED OPEN! It's BUFFY, disappointed.
Oh, great. A book. Buffy pulls out the now-dusty book, idly tracing the RUNE as GILES comes over. In the library we see a few COMPUTERS with scanners, a jarring sight in the old-world library. WILLOW, XANDER and two boys scan in books at the other terminals. They are DAVE, a shy, bookish kid, and FRITZ, a big, slovenly bruiser. Computer geniuses both.
I haven't gone through the new arrivals. Put it in that pile -- (points near Willow) Dave comes up to Buffy.
Here, I got it. BUFFY GILES WOMEN (O.S.) ANGLE: TO REVEAL MS. CALENDAR, computer teacher, and Giles' polar opposite. She's maybe 30, pretty, hip, and irreverent.
(dripping polite venom) Of course... Ms. Calendar regards the flustered Giles with amusement.
I know our ways are strange to you, but soon you will join us in the 20th century... with three whole years to spare! GILES MS. CALENDAR GILES FRITZ As he walks off:
Thank you, Fritz... for making us all sound like crazy people. (to Giles) Fritz comes on a little strong, but he has a point. You know for the last two years there was more E-mail sent than regular mail? More digitalized information went over phone lines than conversations. GILES MS. CALENDAR People start moving out.
I've just got a few more to do. I'll hang for a bit. MS. CALENDAR WILLOW XANDER WILLOW XANDER He heads out.
(calls out) I'll see you tomorrow... XANDER Willow watches Xander's retreating figure a bit piningly, then goes back to work.
I have to stay and clean up. I'll be back in the Middle Ages. MS. CALENDAR Off Giles's look,
DISSOLVE TO:
ANGLE: WILLOW - LATER (NIGHT) All alone now, solemnly scanning in books. She takes the ancient volume and waves the glowing scanner over the first page... On screen, data streams into a file, BOOKl2, in a directory labeled WILLOW -- strange characters like in the book... As Willow turns each page, we see -- but Willow does not -- the strange words disappear from the paper! ANGLE: THE COMPUTER SCREEN The last characters stream into the BOOKl2 file. The screen goes BLACK. After a beat, words appear: Where am I?
BLACK OUT.
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| Act One |
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INT. SCHOOL CORRIDOR - MORNING - DAY 9
Willow walks along, happily lost in thought. Buffy spies her,
approaches, calling out:
Willow! Willow! Hey, wait up! Willow finally notices Buffy as she comes abreast of her.
Buffy! I didn't even see you. BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY Willow smiles.
Okay, that's it. You have a secret and that is not allowed. WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW Buffy tries to work that one out as they exit the hall. INT. COMPUTER LAB - CONTINUOUS It is silent in here. There are a dozen high-end computer consoles (complete with camera and voice box). The only people in here are Fritz and Dave, both staring at their computer screens intensely. After a moment, Dave speaks quietly:
Yes... I will. I promise. Buffy and Willow enter, Buffy still puzzling.
You've been seeing a guy and you don't know what he looks like. Okay, it's a puzzle. No wait, I'm good at these. Does it involve a midget and a block of ice? WILLOW BUFFY Willow indicates a computer (the one she usually works on).
Oh. On line. As in -- right. Duhh. Ms. Calendar enters.
Morning, kids. Buffy, are you supposed to be somewhere? BUFFY MS. CALENDAR BUFFY Willow has sat at the computer and logged on. Buffy sits next to her.
You have mail! WILLOW She accesses her mail and we see ANGLE: ON THE COMPUTER SCREEN is the simple message: "I'm thinking about you." Willow is totally charmed. Buffy slightly less so.
He's so sweet. BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW COMPUTER CAMERA POV -- BUFFY A pixilated DIGITAL IMAGE. Buffy is heard over the mike:
He could be different than you think.
CUT TO:
INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - SAME TIME Empty. A computer sits silent on the desk. Suddenly it FLICKS on. School records are reviewed... students' files FLASH by... until Buffy's frozen photo-smile greets us... INT. COMPUTER LAB - CONTINUOUS The image of Buffy comes up on Fritz's computer. It disappears and is replaced by the words: Watch her. ANGLE: BUFFY AND WILLOW Are still talking:
His name is Malcolm Black, he's eighteen, he lives in Elmwood which is like eighty miles from here and he likes me. BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY FRITZ BUFFY FRITZ BUFFY She throws Willow a look as Fritz leaves.
Boy, Fritz is even more charming than usual. WILLOW BUFFY ANGLE: FRITZ as he sits back down at his computer, Ms. Calendar approaches.
Hey, Fritz. I'm looking at the logs -- you and Dave are clocking a pretty scary amount of computer time. FRITZ MS. CALENDAR FRITZ
CUT TO:
EXT. QUAD - DAY A MALE STUDENT sits by the fountain, staring in disbelief at his laptop.
This isn't my report. "Nazi Germany was a model of a well-ordered society"? I didn't write that! Who's been in my files? Willow passes him, not noticing anything. Xander comes up behind her and puts his hands over her eyes.
Guess who. WILLOW XANDER WILLOW XANDER WILLOW XANDER WILLOW She ambles off, in her own space. Xander watches as Buffy comes abreast of him.
XANDER BUFFY XANDER BUFFY XANDER BUFFY XANDER BUFFY XANDER BUFFY XANDER BUFFY XANDER BUFFY XANDER BUFFY A beat, as they think. Buffy realizes:
What are we doing? (hitting his arm) Xander, you get me started... we're totally over-reacting. XANDER
CUT TO:
INT. COMPUTER LAB - EVENING Fritz sits at his console, staring in wonder. ANGLE: ON THE COMPUTER complex equations race by, filling the screen. Fritz stares, mumbling:
I'm jacked in I'm jacked in I'm jacked in I'm jacked in... ANGLE: HIS ARM As he watches, he is finishing carving an "M" in his forearm with an exacto knife.
CUT TO:
INT. LOCKER ROOM - NEXT DAY Buffy has just finished changing for gym as Willow rushes in, starts pulling off her sweater (she has many layers).
Whoah, you're the late girl. WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY Beat.
(turning away) Malcolm said you wouldn't understand. Buffy stands.
Malcolm was right. And exits.
CUT TO:
INT. COMPUTER LAB - AFTERNOON Dave sits at the console, typing furiously. A less enthusiastic student leaves as Buffy enters (back in street clothes). She spies Dave and approaches.
Hi Dave. He doesn't look up.
Hey there Dave. No response.
Anybody home? She touches his shoulder and he jumps, turns.
Oh. What do you want? BUFFY DAVE BUFFY DAVE BUFFY DAVE BUFFY Dave smiles -- she's bringing him out a bit.
Well, is there a way to find out exactly where a letter -- an E-letter -- came from? I mean the actual location of the computer? DAVE BUFFY DAVE The color has drained from his face. His abrupt change startles Buffy, who looks at him in concern.
What do you mean? DAVE BUFFY DAVE He turns, bringing his hands back to the keyboard. Buffy notices them for the first time.
Your hands... ANGLE: DAVE'S HANDS The fingertips all have bandaids on them. Buffy takes one in hers but Dave pulls it away.
It's nothing. I'm typing a lot. BUFFY DAVE Buffy rises, starts out, saying to herself:
So do I. ANGLE: FRITZ Has been sitting at his console the whole time, surreptitiously watching. The expression on his face is murderous.
CUT TO:
INT. LIBRARY - MINUTES LATER Buffy has been explaining to Giles
There's something going on. It's not just Willow; Dave and Fritz, they're all wicked jumpy. GILES BUFFY GILES BUFFY GILES BUFFY
CUT TO:
EXT. FRONT OF SCHOOL - AFTERNOON As students leave, Dave steps out of school and heads for his old car. As he does, we pick up Buffy waiting by the door. She is in the Buffy equivalent of a trench coat and sunglasses.
CUT TO:
EXT. LABORATORY/MAIN GATE - DAY A large, blocky, government building surrounded by a high fence. A sign says CRD in large letters above the door. Workmen are bringing in large boxes into the building with hand-dollies and a forklift. No one speaks. Dave's car pulls up to the building. Buffy runs up -- barely winded -- and stands outside the gate, watching: Dave heads toward the building. He is greeted by a couple of scientists who speak with barely an expression. They enter together. A security guard, equally expressionless, stands by the door. As Buffy watches... ANGLE: A SECURITY CAMERA mounted on top of the gate turns automatically to look at Buffy. INT. COMPUTER LAB - CONTINUOUS ANGLE: CAMERA'S POV We see Buffy standing outside the gate. PULL BACK to reveal that we are watching this on Fritz's monitor in Fritz stares at the monitor.
She's too close... What do I do? ANGLE: THE SCREEN The image disappears. For a moment just blank space, then the words appear: Kill her. Fritz stares at the command.
Party.
BLACK OUT.
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| Act Two |
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INT. COMPUTER LAB - DAY
Ms. Calender sits at her computer, staring at the screen, her face
gradually lighting up with quiet revelation.
Oh, yes... EXT. SCHOOL - DAY Students mill about as we hear:
Whatever Dave is into, it's large. INT. LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS Buffy is talking to Giles and Xander.
What was the name of the place? BUFFY XANDER GILES XANDER BUFFY XANDER BUFFY XANDER BUFFY GILES XANDER BUFFY GILES BUFFY XANDER GILES BUFFY XANDER BUFFY GILES The cause of this lame cover up: Nicki Calendar has entered the room.
Hi. GILES MS. CALENDAR GILES MS. CALENDAR BUFFY XANDER BUFFY GILES BUFFY XANDER And they're out. INT. COMPUTER LAB - AFTERNOON ANGLE: A COMPUTER SCREEN On it are the words, "I've never felt this way about anyone before, Willow." WIDER ANGLE: Willow is alone, chatting on the computer with Malcolm. She speaks her thoughts as she types them, Malcolm replying in print.
I know what you mean. I feel like you know me better than anyone. Malcolm types: "I do".
Do you think we should... (hesitates before saying\ typing) ... meet? Malcolm types: "I think we should. Soon."
I'm nervous. Malcolm types: "I'm not. Isn't that strange?"
That's what Buffy doesn't understand. How comfortable you can make me feel. Malcolm types: "Buffy just makes trouble. That's why she got kicked out of her old school." Willow stops, suddenly perturbed.
How did you know that? Malcolm: "It's on her permanent record." Willow doesn't reply, and after a moment Malcolm adds: "You must have mentioned it."
I guess. Malcolm: "Let's not worry about her anymore."
I have to sign off. I'll talk to you later. Malcolm: "Don't." Willow just types: "Bye." She turns off the computer and rises, brow furrowed. Heads out of the lab.
CUT TO:
INT. LIBRARY - AFTERNOON Nicki is finishing up. She and Giles are getting along famously.
You're a snob! GILES MS. CALENDAR GILES MS. CALENDAR GILES MS. CALENDAR She picks up the book Moloch was bound in as she says it, starts leafing through it.
These musty old books have a great deal more to say than any of your fabulous web pages. MS. CALENDAR She shows him the blank pages.
What is it, like a diary? GILES He stops as he sees the cover. ANGLE: THE COVER on it is the representation of Moloch.
What is it? GILES MS. CALENDAR GILES MS. CALENDAR GILES MS. CALENDAR GILES
EXT. QUAD - AFTERNOON
A SCHOOL NURSE talks to a teacher, very upset.
Buffy walks past, is accosted by Dave. He is even antsier than usual.
BUFFY DAVE BUFFY DAVE BUFFY DAVE BUFFY Buffy heads off. Dave watches her go, upset.
INT. GIRL'S LOCKER ROOM \ SHOWERS - A MINUTE LATER
Buffy enters. It's dark and empty.
She moves down the line of lockers, turns the corner. Nothing
ANGLE: THE SHOWERS
We see Fritz standing in the shadows. He reaches out and turns on the
shower. Slips out of the room.
Buffy hears the water going, starts toward it.
She enters the shower area, but it's empty.
She steps into the shower area to turn off the faucet.
ANGLE: HER SNEAKER
As it steps into the growing puddle.
ANGLE: THE CORNER OF THE ROOM
The puddle is growing, heading for the corner of the room -- where we
see wires brushing the floor. It is the exposed end of a zip cord, running
up into the light socket at the far wall.
ANGLE: THE FAUCET
As Buffy turns if off.
ANGLE: THE PUDDLE
is almost to the wires.
Buffy spins -- Dave is at the other end of the locker room, looking
terrified. Buffy looks around her -- sees the wires.
She bolts -- one step takes her to the edge of the shower stall --
ANGLE: THE PUDDLE
reaches the wires
and Buffy LAUNCHES into the locker room, a massive jolt running through
her. She lands HARD on the bench, thence to the floor.
She lies there, shaking, trying to catch her breath. Dave is gone. The
camera arms down to Buffy's feet. The bottom of one sneaker is melted and
smoking.
INT. COMPUTER LAB - MOMENTS LATER
The shades are drawn -- it is well dark in here as Dave rushes in, goes
over to his console. He doesn't sit, just turns to it.
We hear a voice program, a typical impersonal computer voice, only
slightly deeper.
DAVE COMPUTER DAVE COMPUTER DAVE COMPUTER ANGLE: DAVE'S SCREEN
as the voice says it, the words appear.
Dave is thrown -- did he win this argument?
Dave takes a staggered step back as he realizes what the computer is
writing.
Dave takes another step back -- and we see Fritz standing in the dark
right behind him. Leering.
INT. LIBRARY - A BIT LATER
Buffy is sitting, Giles looking at her with concern. Xander paces,
upset. Buffy is taking it slow, a little frazzled.
BUFFY XANDER GILES BUFFY XANDER GILES BUFFY GILES XANDER GILES He shows them the Moloch volume.
XANDER GILES XANDER GILES BUFFY GILES BUFFY GILES XANDER GILES BUFFY GILES XANDER BUFFY GILES BUFFY XANDER GILES BUFFY GILES Everybody gets real quiet. As one, they turn to the computer sitting on
the desk.
XANDER BUFFY She points to the computer.
BUFFY XANDER BUFFY GILES XANDER BUFFY GILES BUFFY She sits, turns on the computer.
BUFFY ANGLE: THE SCREEN
The Willow file icon is highlighted, dragged to the trash. Suddenly a
digitalized image of Moloch's horrible face fills the screen, turning and
looking right at us. We hear that voice:
And the computer turns itself off. All three stare at it in shock.
XANDER BUFFY BLACK OUT.
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| Act Three |
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INT. LIBRARY - MOMENTS LATER
Our trio is still assessing the situation.
Okay, so much for "delete file". GILES XANDER BUFFY GILES BUFFY GILES BUFFY GILES XANDER BUFFY XANDER BUFFY
CUT TO:
INT. COMPUTER LAB - A MINUTE LATER It's still dark in here. Buffy enters, moving slowly.
Willow? She goes to the computer Willow usually works at -- no one in the cubicle. All the consoles turn on at once, Buffy takes a step back, creeped out. She's suddenly not anxious to make her way past all the computers to the door. She heads back into the dark, toward the other door -- and bumps right into Dave. He's twisting slowly, feet just above the floor, the rope creaking ever so slightly. The printed out suicide note taped to his shirt.
Dave...
CUT TO:
INT. LIBRARY - MOMENTS LATER Xander hangs up the phone.
No answer. GILES XANDER Buffy enters.
She's not home. GILES XANDER BUFFY GILES XANDER GILES BUFFY XANDER BUFFY GILES BUFFY GILES BUFFY GILES BUFFY They leave Giles looking all worried.
CUT TO:
EXT. WILLOW'S HOUSE - NIGHT Willow lets herself in, calls out:
Mom? Dad? She waits a second for an answer -- there is none. She shuts the door.
CUT TO:
INT. WILLOW'S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER. She comes in, puts her bag down on her bed, obviously still preoccupied.
You have mail! It startles her a bit, and she goes over to the computer. Accesses the E-mail. ANGLE: THE SCREEN "No more waiting. I need you to see me." She is obviously made even less comfortable by this. She thinks a moment, then abruptly turns off her computer. ANGLE: THE SCREEN GOES BLACK Willow goes over to her bed, starts pulling her books out of her bag.
You have mail! She turns, sees the computer is on again. This is extremely freaky. She moves hesitantly toward the computer -- and the DOORBELL RINGS. Willow looks back at the computer one more time before exiting.
CUT TO:
INT\EXT. WILLOW'S FRONT DOOR She goes to the door, a little more confidence in her step.
Dad, did you forget your keys again? She opens the door -- nobody's there. She looks out a bit, perturbed again. Turns back inside, reaching for the door -- Fritz steps out behind her and throws his hand over her mouth. A rag with chloroform held to it. Willow struggles briefly, fading into unconsciousness. She droops in Fritz's grasp. He props her up, looking around to make sure no one has seen.
No more waiting. He starts dragging her away as we
CUT TO:
INT. GILES' OFFICE - NIGHT Giles is poring over text, looking for help.
Binding ritual... there we are... He looks up as Nicki Calendar enters the room.
I got your message. What's so urgent? GILES She stares at him a moment.
I know. She smiles, slightly -- Giles' expression draining to genuine concern -- as she shuts the door behind her.
CUT TO:
EXT. WILLOW'S HOUSE - NIGHT Buffy and Xander run up to Willow's house. The door swings open.
That's not good... BUFFY And they enter.
CUT TO:
INT. WILLOW'S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Willow? They enter, seeing the empty room.
Okay, any thoughts? BUFFY XANDER BUFFY XANDER BUFFY They exit as we
CUT TO:
INT. GILES' OFFICE - CONTINUOUS Giles stands, slowly, not taking his eyes off Nicki.
You already know. How exactly is that? MS. CALENDAR GILES MS. CALENDAR GILES MS. CALENDAR GILES MS. CALENDAR GILES MS. CALENDAR Giles rises, book in hand, and exits into: INT. LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS As he speaks he places the book near the computer. Nicki follows him in.
Well, I definitely need your help. What's in cyberspace at the moment is less than divine. I have the binding rituals at hand but I am completely out of my idiom. MS. CALENDAR GILES MS. CALENDAR GILES MS. CALENDAR The PHONE RINGS. Giles grabs it at the check-out desk.
Buffy? INTERCUT WITH: EXT. PHONE BOOTH BY CRD - NIGHT Buffy and Xander are standing at a phone booth near the gate. Buffy holds the phone.
Yeah. GILES (V.O) BUFFY GILES (V.O.) BUFFY GILES (V.O.) BUFFY She hangs up. Makes for the gate, Xander alongside.
This place is pretty heavily secured. How do we get in? BUFFY XANDER BUFFY
CUT TO:
INT. CRD LAB - CONTINUOUS Willow comes to on a steel gurney. She takes a moment to remember, then sits up quickly. Looks around. The lab is dark, shadowed. Everything visible is metal or plastic. High tech. Willow looks toward the door -- ANGLE: THE DOOR as Fritz and the scientist step in front of it, blocking her exit.
Welcome. My love. It sounds like the voice of the demon at the beginning, but definitely computerized. Willow turns, slowly, and sees: ANGLE: A COMPUTER TERMINAL Glowing in the darkness at the other end of the room. The camera moves slowly in on it as we hear:
I can't tell how good it is to finally see you... And a metal HAND lowers onto the top of the console. We see it wasn't the terminal talking at all as he steps out of the darkness. Moloch, horned and hideous as he was before, but entirely gleaming metal. A robot, eyes glowing malevolently.
... with my own two eyes. Willow can't move -- fear and realization fill her eyes.
(whispers ) "Finally see me?" (realizing) Malcolm...?
BLACK OUT.
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| Act Four |
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INT. LABORATORY - MOMENTS LATER
Willow takes a step back -- to find herself flanked by Fritz and
scientist.
Moloch walks forward slowly, speaking to her.
This world is so new, so exciting. And I can see all of it. Everything flows through me. I know the secrets of your kings. (looks at his hands) But none of it compares to having form again. To be able to walk... to touch... He reaches out and places a hand on Fritz's head. Fritz smiles rapturously. Moloch whips his head around, snapping his neck.
To kill.
CUT TO:
EXT. GATE - CONTINUOUS Buffy ably drops down inside the gate. A moment later Xander drops through frame, landing poorly just below it. He gets up, joins her.
Back way? BUFFY They head towards it. Buffy tries the door. Locked. She Kicks it in. ANGLE: A SECURITY LIGHT Turns red. ANGLE: MOLOCH cocks his head.
Ah. Here they come.
CUT TO:
INT. LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS Nicki and Giles are preparing, lighting candles.
The first thing we have to do is form the Circle of Kayless, right? GILES MS. CALENDAR GILES MS. CALENDAR GILES MS. CALENDAR
CUT TO:
INT. CRD LAB - CONTINUOUS Willow moves away from the prodigious construct. The scientist grabs her arm but she pulls it out of his grasp roughly, eyes never leaving Moloch.
I don't understand. What do you want from me? MOLOCH WILLOW MOLOCH WILLOW MOLOCH
CUT TO:
INT. LOBBY - CONTINUOUS The door from the hall opens and Buffy marches in, Xander behind her. The guard at the security station comes up to her -- blocking her path and reaching for his weapon. Buffy doesn't even break stride as her fist slams his face, sending him groundward. She heads for the door opposite, but Xander stops at the security station, looks at the video monitors.
Buffy... She joins him, looking at: ANGLE: A MONITOR On the screen is a security camera's view of Moloch and Willow. On the bottom of the monitor is tape with robotics lab 02 written on it.
It's her! XANDER They look at each other -- and head toward the door.
CUT TO:
INT. CRD LAB - CONTINUOUS
Don't you see? I can give you everything. I can control the world. (stops a moment, then:) Right now a man in Beijing is transferring money to a Swiss bank account for a contract on his Mother's life. Good for him. WILLOW MOLOCH
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM ADJOINING LAB - CONTINUOUS Buffy and Xander enter at a good clip. They see the door marked ROBOTICS LAB 02 and head for it. Buffy tries it and it's locked as well.
I can't bust this. This is heavy steel. XANDER The lights go out, emergency lights casting a dim, eerie glow. We hear the loud K-CHNK of a deadbolt locking. Xander runs back to the door they came in through -- it's locked.
What's going on? Buffy spies: ANGLE: A SECURITY CAMERA in the corner of the room.
The building's security system is computerized. XANDER ANGLE: RED LIGHT MARKED FIRE Starts flashing -- -and jets of gas pour down, start filling the room.
CUT TO:
INT. LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS
Almost there. ANGLE: NICKI'S SCREEN shows a map of the world with a line from Sunnydale to various cities, forming a global circle.
Couldn't you just stop Moloch by entering some computer virus? MS CALENDAR GILES She spits in one hand, rubs them together. Poises them at the keyboard.
By the power of the devine... (she types fast) By the essence of the word... I command you.
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM ADJOINING LAB - CONTINUOUS Xander and Buffy are staggering, the room filling with gas. Buffy SLAMS herself against the door in an effort to get out.
CUT TO:
INT. CRD LAB - CONTINUOUS Willow jumps a bit as she hears something bang at the door. Turns back to Moloch.
What are you doing? MOLOCH WILLOW MOLOCH WILLOW MOLOCH WILLOW He stops, head down. Taking in the blow she has dealt him. After a moment he lifts his head again.
Pity. He grabs her.
CUT TO:
INT. LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS
By the power of the Circle of Kayless, I command you! (looks at screen, tells her) Kayless. With a K. MS. CALENDAR
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM ADJOINING LAB - CONTINUOUS Xander drops to the floor. Buffy slams into the door again, much more weakly.
CUT TO:
INT. CRD LAB - CONTINUOUS Moloch puts his hand on Willow's head. She SCREAMS -- INT. LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS ANGLE: GILES
Demon, COME! INT. CRD LAB - CONTINUOUS ANGLE: MOLOCH rears back, letting go of Willow and SCREAMING himself.
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM ADJOINING LAB - CONTINUOUS The gas stops and the lights flicker on, off. Buffy tries the door -- it's now unlocked. She grabs Xander and pulls him into INT. CRD LAB - CONTINUOUS Willow whirls as they pour in.
Buffy! Moloch comes at Willow -- Buffy runs and does a flying kick to his chest, pushes him back but not over.
Ow! Guy's made of metal. ANGLE: XANDER as the scientist GRABS him from behind. Buffy grabs Willow and they make for the door. Moloch moves between them and the door -- then stops again, clutching his head.
No! I will not go! INT. LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS ANGLE: NICKI Typing -- and the screen flashes, sparks flying.
Whoah. GILES INT. CRD LAB - CONTINUOUS ANGLE: XANDER throws himself backwards, SLAMMING the scientist into the wall. It breaks his hold and Xander punches him full bore in the stomach. The guy goes down. Buffy and Willow join him at the door. As they exit:
I got to hit someone! ANGLE: MOLOCH Drops to his knees.
CUT TO:
INT. LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS Nicki finishes typing -- we see the colors from the screen changing on her face. A wind kicks up in her face, a huge cosmic NOISE booms around her -- and then it all stops. Silence. The computer screen dark.
It worked... Giles looks at the screen. After a moment he moves to the book on the table, the one with Moloch on the cover.
He's out of the net. He's bound. Giles hesitates -- then opens the book. ANGLE: THE BOOK The pages are still blank.
He's not in the book. MS. CALENDAR She comes over, looks.
But... he's not in the book... Where is he? INT. CRD LAB - CONTINUOUS ANGLE: MOLOCH He raises his head. His eyes glow brighter than they ever have.
CUT TO:
INT. HALL - CONTINUOUS Our three are headed for an open door -- when they see the security guard and two other scientists running toward them from the other side of the door. Buffy shuts the door on them, locks it.
Let's go this way! He takes off down the corridor --
Wait -- She looks down the corridor -- and Moloch smashes through the wall right behind her. He grabs her, throws her against the other wall. She sinks to the ground as he approaches.
I was omnipotent! I was everything! Now I'm trapped in this shell... He reaches for Buffy, who is still dazed --
Malcolm! Moloch turns -- and Willow SMASHES him in the head with a fire extinguisher, speaking through gritted teeth.
Remember me? Your girlfriend? SMASH -- in the head again.
I'm thinking we should break up. SMASH!
But maybe we can still be friends. She brings it down again -- only this time he grabs it. Throws it and her away -- she flies back right at the returning Xander, knocking them both down. Moloch turns back to Buffy, who has gotten shakily to her feet. She punches him once in the stomach area. Bad idea.
Ahhh! MOLOCH He advances -- she steps back, looks around for an avenue of escape. ANGLE: BUFFY'S POV there is no escape -- she's backed into a corner. Right behind her is a giant fuse box with the legend DANGER HIGH VOLTAGE on it. Sayyy... She backs up another step, faces Moloch.
Take your best shot. Moloch pulls back his arm -- drives his fist at her -- and Buffy does a perfect split. Drops right out the line of fire as Moloch SLAMS his fist right into the fuse box. He starts to shake, to smoke -- as Buffy rolls out and comes up next to him.
Hurts, doesn't it? He turns to her, smoke pouring from his eyes like fury. She takes a step back as he starts to spark -- she turns and runs --
Get down! -- and DIVES to the floor alongside Xander and Willow as ANGLE: MOLOCH EXPLODES! It takes a moment for the smoke to clear. When it does, the three look around. By their feet lies his lifeless head.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. SCHOOL - DAYS LATER Normal life once again.
CUT TO:
INT. COMPUTER LAB - DAY Nicki is alone in the lab as Giles enters. She sees him, smiles.
Well, look who's here. Welcome to my world. Are you scared? GILES He holds up a strange, corkscrewlike earring.
I found it among the new books and naturally, I thought of you. MS. CALENDAR GILES MS. CALENDAR GILES MS. CALENDAR GILES MS. CALENDAR GILES MS. CALENDAR GILES A beat, as it sinks in to Nicki that she is entirely charmed by this man.
You really are an old fashioned boy, aren't you? GILES MS. CALENDAR She crosses to the back of the class, leaving Giles to think about that one.
CUT TO:
EXT. QUAD - THE SAME DAY The three kids sit together. Willow looks pretty glum.
So we're going to the Bronze tonight? We three? BUFFY XANDER WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY WILLOW BUFFY XANDER WILLOW XANDER BUFFY XANDER WILLOW They all laugh together. Then it kind of sputters out, and they all sit there, incredibly depressed.
BLACK OUT.
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